The Palmdale (CA) varsity football team will host American Canyon (CA) in a playoff game today at 11 a.m. as part of the 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games, Division 5-A. Both teams will battle for a chance to advance and bring themselves closer to claiming the championship title.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California State Football Championship Bowl Games
Who: American Canyon vs Palmdale
When: Today, December 14, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games – Division 5-A
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Palmdale vs. American Canyon

The matchup between American Canyon and Palmdale is shaping up to be an intense contest between two highly competitive teams. Both squads have had impressive seasons and boast unique strengths that make this game a compelling face-off. Here’s an in-depth look at their team statistics, standout players, and season records.

Team Stat Comparison

Offensive Powerhouses
American Canyon enters the game with one of the most potent rushing offenses in high school football, averaging an incredible 321.7 rushing yards per game. In contrast, Palmdale’s rushing attack averages a modest 104.8 yards per game but makes up for it with a dynamic passing game that produces 215.0 passing yards per game, nearly double American Canyon’s 105.4.

When it comes to total yards, American Canyon holds the edge with 427.1 total yards per game, compared to Palmdale’s 319.8. This reflects American Canyon’s ground dominance, while Palmdale’s air attack drives their offensive success.

Scoring Efficiency
American Canyon has been slightly more effective at putting points on the board, averaging 36.9 points per game, compared to Palmdale’s 30.8 points per game. Both teams are highly capable of lighting up the scoreboard, which could lead to a high-scoring affair.

Defensive Play
On defense, American Canyon averages 58.4 tackles per game, showcasing a more active and aggressive defensive front compared to Palmdale’s 43.0 tackles per game. However, both teams are relatively even in their pass-rush effectiveness, with American Canyon averaging 1.9 sacks per game and Palmdale close behind at 1.7 sacks per game.

Extra Effort in the Trenches
A standout stat for American Canyon is their 245 pancake blocks, a testament to the dominance of their offensive line. This relentless blocking effort has been a cornerstone of their rushing success.

Team Leaders

American Canyon

• Rushing: #0 Andre Lopez leads the ground attack with an impressive 122.2 rushing yards per game, setting the tone for the offense.
• Passing: #12 Mason Harris contributes 92.0 passing yards per game and serves as a versatile leader.
• Receiving: #8 Abdul Kates leads with 35.6 receiving yards per game, complementing the run-heavy offense.
• Total Yards: Harris also leads in total yardage with 211.3 total yards per game, showcasing his dual-threat ability.
• Defense: #22 Jona Budu leads the defense with 6.7 tackles per game, while #9 Evan Emmons adds 0.5 sacks per game.
• Scoring: Harris is the top scorer, averaging 11.2 points per game, emphasizing his importance to the team’s offensive production.
• Trench Play: #52 Phoenix Perry leads the offensive line with 50 pancake blocks, a key contributor to the team’s success in the run game.

Palmdale

• Rushing: #34 Elleyon Clark powers Palmdale’s run game with 119.3 rushing yards per game, nearly matching Lopez’s production for American Canyon.
• Passing: #1 Joshua Suarez is the heart of the offense, averaging 223.1 passing yards per game and leading the team in total yardage with 221.1 yards per game.
• Receiving: #15 Paul Turner leads with 66.0 receiving yards per game, adding explosiveness to the passing attack.
• Defense: #5 Marciano Salazar anchors the defense with 7.0 tackles per game, while #21 Aaron Callahan adds pressure with 0.6 sacks per game.
• Scoring: Turner contributes 7.1 points per game, showcasing his ability to make big plays when needed.

Record Breakdown

American Canyon

• Overall Record: 12-2
• League Record: 4-2
• Non-League Record: 4-0
• Playoff Record: 4-0
• Home Record: 7-2
• Away Record: 4-0
• Neutral Record: 1-0

Palmdale

• Overall Record: 10-5
• League Record: 4-3
• Non-League Record: 1-2
• Playoff Record: 5-0
• Home Record: 4-2
• Away Record: 3-3
• Neutral Record: 3-0

American Canyon has had a dominant season, highlighted by their balanced success both at home and on the road. Palmdale, though less consistent in non-league play, has excelled in the playoffs with a perfect 5-0 record, showcasing their ability to rise to the occasion under pressure.

Keys to the Game

• For American Canyon: Lean on their rushing dominance and offensive line’s trench control. Limiting turnovers and controlling the clock through their ground game will be critical.
• For Palmdale: Exploit their passing game advantage and test American Canyon’s secondary. The ability to make explosive plays through the air could shift the momentum in their favor.

Conclusion

This clash between American Canyon’s ground-and-pound attack and Palmdale’s aerial prowess offers a fascinating contrast in styles. American Canyon’s undefeated playoff run and dominant rushing game will test Palmdale’s defense, while Palmdale’s strong passing game led by Joshua Suarez will challenge American Canyon’s secondary.

With both teams bringing unique strengths to the field, this game is set to be a thrilling battle where execution in critical moments will likely determine the winner. Fans can expect an intense, back-and-forth contest with plenty of big plays on both sides.