The Pima High School varsity football team from Pima, AZ, will host Scottsdale Christian Academy from Phoenix, AZ, in a home playoff game today at 2 PM. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 2A tournament, promising an intense contest between these talented teams.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona State High School Football Playoff
Who: Pima (AZ) vs Scottsdale Christian Academy (AZ)
When: Today, November 30, 2024
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 2A
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Pima vs. Scottsdale Christian Academy

As the postseason approaches, two standout teams in Arizona high school football, Scottsdale Christian Academy and Pima, are set to face off. Both teams have been impressive throughout the season, with Pima posting a remarkable 12-1 record and Scottsdale Christian Academy standing at 9-4. The matchup promises to be an exciting contest, with both squads bringing powerful offenses and strong defensive units to the table.

Team Stat Comparison

The statistical comparison between Scottsdale Christian Academy and Pima reveals two teams with similar offensive firepower, but differing strengths in their game plans. Here’s a look at how the two teams stack up:

• Rushing Yards: Pima leads the charge on the ground, averaging 230.3 rushing yards per game, compared to Scottsdale Christian Academy’s 191.2. This marks Pima as a more run-heavy team, relying on their strong ground game to control the tempo of the game.
• Passing Yards: Scottsdale Christian Academy slightly edges Pima in passing yards, with 147.0 yards per game compared to Pima’s 109.1. While both teams have capable quarterbacks, Scottsdale Christian Academy’s passing attack has been slightly more potent this season.
• Receiving Yards: Scottsdale Christian Academy leads in receiving yards, averaging 147.7 yards per game, compared to Pima’s 106.5. This shows that while both teams focus on the run, Scottsdale Christian Academy has been more effective at utilizing the passing game.
• Total Yards: Pima has a marginally better overall yardage output, with 339.4 total yards per game, just edging out Scottsdale Christian Academy’s 338.2 yards. Both teams have been able to generate consistent yardage, making them dangerous offensively.

Team Leaders

Both teams feature standout players who have been critical to their success this season. Here’s a look at the key leaders on each team:

• Rushing Yards: Scottsdale Christian Academy’s leading rusher, #22 Caleb Randall, averages 91.2 yards per game, while Pima’s top rusher, #33 Jeremiah Martinez, leads with a dominant 152.9 yards per game. Martinez has been a major force for Pima on the ground, accounting for a large portion of their rushing attack.
• Passing Yards: Scottsdale Christian Academy’s #4 Sean Helgeson leads the team with 149.3 passing yards per game. On the other side, Pima’s #2 Cedrick Grimes is responsible for 107.2 passing yards per game, with Pima relying more on their run-heavy offense.
• Receiving Yards: Scottsdale Christian Academy’s #88 Ethan Davidson is their top receiver, averaging 57.5 yards per game. Meanwhile, Pima’s leading receiver, #5 Jaxon McBiles, contributes 35.6 yards per game, which indicates that while Pima can make plays in the passing game, they are more focused on the run.
• Total Yards: Scottsdale Christian Academy’s #4 Sean Helgeson leads in total yards with 170.6 per game, while Pima’s #33 Jeremiah Martinez contributes 167.9 total yards per game. Both players are critical to their teams’ offensive success, whether in the air or on the ground.
• Tackles: Scottsdale Christian Academy’s #22 Caleb Randall leads the team with 10.1 tackles per game, while Pima’s #42 Joe Palmer records 8.6 tackles per game. Randall’s defensive leadership has been a key factor in Scottsdale Christian Academy’s ability to stifle opposing offenses..

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced common opponents, giving fans a glimpse into how they perform against similar competition:

• Scottsdale Christian Academy: Lost to Tonopah Valley 35-32 and defeated Santa Cruz Valley 28-6.
• Pima: Beat Tonopah Valley 40-34 and defeated Santa Cruz Valley 29-22.

While both teams have beaten Santa Cruz Valley, Scottsdale Christian Academy lost a close game to Tonopah Valley, whereas Pima triumphed in a tighter contest, highlighting their ability to finish strong in competitive games.

Record Breakdown

With a 9-4 record, Scottsdale Christian Academy has shown strong resilience, while Pima has posted a dominant 12-1 record, making them one of the top teams in their league. The breakdown of their records shows how both teams have excelled:

• Scottsdale Christian Academy: 9-4 overall (6-0 in league, 0-4 in non-league).
• Pima: 12-1 overall (6-0 in league, 3-1 in non-league).

Scottsdale Christian Academy has been perfect in league play, while Pima has also dominated in league competition, boasting an undefeated league record.

Conclusion

The showdown between Scottsdale Christian Academy and Pima is shaping up to be an exciting, hard-fought battle. With both teams bringing high-scoring offenses, solid defenses, and key standout players, this contest promises to be a thrilling game. Pima’s dominance on the ground, led by the powerful running of Jeremiah Martinez, will be tested by Scottsdale Christian Academy’s aggressive defense and balanced offensive attack. Fans can expect a highly competitive game as these two teams vie for postseason glory.