The Arcata varsity football team will host Petaluma in a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 6 tournament. Both teams will compete for a chance to advance further in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Petaluma vs Arcata
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 6
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Arcata vs. Petaluma

The 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships are in full swing, and one of the most exciting matchups features Arcata hosting Petaluma on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This game is part of the Division 6 tournament, and both teams are vying for a spot to advance further into the postseason.

Petaluma: A Strong Road Team With Scoring Potential

Petaluma enters the game with a 5-6 overall record, boasting a respectable 3-3 mark in league play. Their performance has been heavily influenced by their away games, where they have a strong 5-1 record. However, they have struggled significantly at home, finishing with a 0-5 record. Despite these challenges, Petaluma’s offense has been fairly consistent, averaging 29.5 points per game. Their most productive quarter has been the second, where they score an average of 10.2 points. However, they have been less effective in the third quarter, scoring just 5.9 points on average, which could be a point of concern as they face a high-powered Arcata team.

Arcata: A Dominant Force in the 2024 Season

Arcata has been one of the most dominant teams in the North Coast Section this season, finishing with a 10-1 overall record. Their performance has been particularly impressive at home, where they have gone 6-0, and they boast a strong 4-1 record on the road. With a .909 win percentage and an .833 league win percentage, Arcata has been nearly unbeatable. Their offense has been explosive, averaging 38.9 points per game. Arcata’s scoring is well-balanced, with 13.8 points in the first quarter, 14.2 in the second, and 12.6 in the third. They’ve been especially strong in the opening halves of games, often building commanding leads. However, their fourth-quarter performance has been less consistent, with an average of just 1.2 points, which could become a factor if Petaluma manages to keep the game close.

Key Matchup: High-Powered Offense vs. Road Warriors

The key to this game will be how well Petaluma can deal with Arcata’s potent offense. Petaluma has shown that they can score effectively, particularly in the second quarter, but they will need to sustain that production across all four quarters, especially against an offense that has been putting up impressive numbers throughout the season. If Petaluma’s defense can slow Arcata down and exploit any lapses in the fourth quarter, they could pull off an upset. However, Arcata’s well-rounded attack and strong home-field advantage make them the favorites heading into this contest.

As the football season reaches its final stages, the upcoming game between Petaluma and Arcata offers an exciting matchup between two teams with contrasting records and strengths. Petaluma enters the game with a 5-6 record, while Arcata boasts an impressive 10-1 record. Despite their differing overall records, both teams have demonstrated strong performances throughout the season, and this game will be pivotal as they look to make an impact. Let’s take a closer look at how these teams stack up in key areas.

Offensive Comparison

Rushing Yards Per Game: Petaluma has been a dominant force on the ground, averaging 299.5 rushing yards per game, led by Evan Clarke, who rushes for 102.2 yards per game. Arcata, while not far behind, averages 204.0 rushing yards per game, with Luke Lemke leading the charge at 112.4 yards per game. Petaluma’s powerful rushing attack has been a central part of their offense, and they will look to continue controlling the clock with their ground game. However, Arcata’s ability to generate rushing yards will keep Petaluma’s defense on its toes.

Passing Yards Per Game: Arcata has a significant advantage in the passing game, averaging 210.5 passing yards per game compared to Petaluma’s 62.5 yards. Arcata’s Luke Lemke has been impressive, contributing 200.6 passing yards per game, which makes him a dual-threat quarterback capable of both running and throwing the ball. Petaluma, on the other hand, has focused more on the run game and has had less success through the air with Ryan Landry contributing just 62.5 passing yards per game.

Total Yards Per Game: Arcata leads in total yards per game, averaging 414.5 yards compared to Petaluma’s 361.9 yards. This difference is largely attributed to Arcata’s well-balanced offensive scheme, where they excel both on the ground and through the air. Petaluma’s rushing game is their strength, but they face a more well-rounded Arcata team that can score from multiple areas.

Defensive Comparison

Tackles Per Game: Both teams have shown solid defensive efforts. Petaluma averages 46.0 tackles per game, while Arcata averages 45.7 tackles per game. Petaluma’s Drew Gracie leads the team with 5.5 tackles per game, while Arcata’s Lincoln Neuman is a key defensive player, contributing 8.0 tackles per game. The defensive units on both teams are comparable in terms of their ability to disrupt plays, but Arcata’s higher tackle count per game suggests they may be more aggressive on defense.

Sacks Per Game: Petaluma averages 2.2 sacks per game, led by Aidan Schuh with 0.6 sacks per game. Arcata, while slightly behind in sacks, averages 1.9 sacks per game, with Liam Gorona contributing 1.7 sacks per game. Petaluma’s ability to pressure the quarterback will be crucial in this matchup, particularly given Arcata’s high-powered offense.

Scoring Comparison

Points Per Game: Arcata has been more effective at putting points on the board, averaging 37.6 points per game compared to Petaluma’s 29.5. This scoring advantage reflects Arcata’s offensive firepower, particularly in their passing and rushing game. Petaluma will need to find ways to keep up with Arcata’s high-scoring offense while also capitalizing on their strong rushing game.

Team Leaders

For Petaluma, Evan Clarke is the key player, leading the team with 102.2 rushing yards per game. Ryan Landry is the primary passer, but his passing game is limited compared to Arcata’s passing attack. Mario Dassow is Petaluma’s top receiver with 33.1 yards per game, while Drew Gracie leads the team in tackles with 5.5 per game. Petaluma’s strength lies in their powerful running game and solid defense.

Arcata’s offense is driven by Luke Lemke, who not only contributes 112.4 rushing yards per game but also passes for 200.6 yards per game. His dual-threat capability makes him a dangerous weapon. Cal Tucker is a standout receiver with 61.6 receiving yards per game, while Lincoln Neuman leads the defense with 8.0 tackles per game. Arcata’s well-balanced attack gives them a dynamic edge over Petaluma.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Record: Arcata has an impressive 10-1 record, while Petaluma has struggled with a 5-6 record.
• League Record: Arcata has a strong 5-1 league record, while Petaluma is 3-3 in league play.
• Non-League Record: Petaluma has had a tough time in non-league games, posting a 1-3 record, while Arcata remains undefeated in non-league play with a 4-0 record.
• Home/Away Performance: Arcata has been dominant at home with a 6-0 record, while Petaluma has been more balanced, with a 4-2 home record and 1-4 on the road.

Conclusion

While Petaluma has shown strength in their rushing attack, Arcata’s well-rounded offense and high-scoring potential give them a clear edge in this matchup. Petaluma will need to control the clock and maintain possession with their powerful ground game, while also finding ways to limit Arcata’s explosive offense. The game will likely come down to how well Petaluma can stop the dynamic duo of Luke Lemke’s passing and rushing, as well as how Arcata’s defense handles Petaluma’s rushing attack. With a clear advantage in offensive balance, Arcata will enter the game as the favorite, but Petaluma’s commitment to their ground game could make for a competitive contest.