The Tonopah Valley (Tonopah, AZ) varsity football team will host Pima (AZ) today at 2 p.m. in a crucial playoff game. This matchup is part of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships – Conference 2A tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance to the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football Playoff
Who: Pima vs Tonopah Valley
When: Today, November 23, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Tonopah Valley vs. Pima

As the 2024 AIA State Football Championships – Conference 2A tournament heats up, a thrilling playoff matchup between the Tonopah Valley (Tonopah, AZ) and Pima (AZ) varsity football teams is set to take place today. With both teams bringing strong records to the field, this promises to be an exciting contest as they battle for a spot in the next round.

Pima: A Powerful Season with Balanced Offense

Record Overview: Pima enters this game with an impressive 11-1 record, posting a .917 win percentage. The team has been dominant in section play, finishing with a perfect 6-0 record. On the road, they’ve posted a 5-0 record, showing their ability to perform in hostile environments. However, they will face a tough challenge against Tonopah Valley’s undefeated squad.

Offensive Strengths: Pima’s offense has been effective this season, averaging 36 points per game. Their scoring is well-distributed across the four quarters, with an average of 4.1 points in the first quarter, 8.9 in the second, and another 8.9 points in the fourth quarter. Their offensive consistency will be key to keeping pace with Tonopah Valley’s high-scoring attack.

Defensive Play: Pima has allowed 137 points this season, an average of 11.4 points per game. Their defense has been solid, but they will need to step up their game to contain Tonopah Valley, which has one of the highest-scoring offenses in the state.

Tonopah Valley: An Undefeated Juggernaut

Record Overview: Tonopah Valley has been nearly flawless this season, entering the playoffs with a perfect 12-0 record. Their dominance is reflected in their 6-0 section play record and a 7-0 mark at home. Their 5-0 performance on the road further cements their status as one of the state’s top teams. With a win percentage of 1.000, they have been the team to beat.

Offensive Power: Tonopah Valley’s offense has been explosive, averaging an impressive 46.6 points per game. Their ability to score early and often has been a key factor in their undefeated season, with 22.0 points per game in the first quarter and 23.3 points in the second. Their high-scoring offense will put pressure on Pima to keep up.

Defensive Strength: While Tonopah Valley has been known for its high-powered offense, their defense has also been formidable, allowing just 158 points across the season. With an average of 13.2 points allowed per game, they have been able to limit opponents’ scoring, complementing their offensive dominance.

Key Comparisons: Tonopah Valley vs. Pima

• Offensive Firepower: Tonopah Valley has a clear edge in terms of scoring, averaging 46.6 points per game compared to Pima’s 36.0. Tonopah Valley’s explosive first half, particularly their 22.0 points per game in the first quarter, will likely put Pima on the defensive early.
• Defensive Matchup: Both teams have strong defenses, but Tonopah Valley’s has been slightly more effective, allowing only 158 points across 12 games. Pima, while solid on defense, has given up 137 points in 12 games, which could be a concern when facing such a high-powered offense.
• Momentum and Undefeated Record: Tonopah Valley enters the game with a perfect record, which gives them the psychological advantage of knowing they’ve been nearly unbeatable this season. Pima, while excellent in their own right, will need to find a way to overcome Tonopah Valley’s momentum and explosive offense.

The upcoming matchup between Pima and Tonopah Valley is set to be a thrilling clash of high-powered offenses and strong defenses. Both teams have had exceptional seasons and are heading into the game with impressive records. This article breaks down the teams’ stats, their standout players, and how they’ve fared against common opponents.

Team Record Overview

• Pima has posted an 11-1 overall record, with a 6-0 mark in league play. Their only loss came outside of league competition. Pima has been solid both at home (6-1) and on the road (5-0), showcasing their consistency across various environments.
• Tonopah Valley is unbeaten, standing at 12-0 overall, with a perfect 6-0 record in league play. The team has been dominant both at home (7-0) and away (5-0), and they look poised to continue their strong run.

Offensive Comparison

1. Rushing Game:
   • Pima excels in the running game, averaging 233.3 rushing yards per game. Jeremiah Martinez is the team’s standout rusher, averaging 153.3 yards per game and contributing heavily to their offensive production.
   • Tonopah Valley averages 167.0 rushing yards per game, with Thomas Foilefutu leading the charge with 93.8 yards per game. While their rushing attack is solid, it is not as potent as Pima’s.
2. Passing Game:
   • Pima has a more balanced offensive attack, with Cedrick Grimes leading the passing game with 103.0 yards per game. The team averages 105.1 passing yards per game, making it a secondary focus behind their strong rushing game.
   • Tonopah Valley has one of the most dynamic passing games in the state, averaging 303.8 passing yards per game. Sir-izzik Sánchez Caldwell leads the charge with an impressive 295.4 yards per game, making Tonopah Valley a dangerous team through the air.
3. Receiving Game:
   • Pima’s passing game is somewhat more modest, with Jaxon McBiles leading the team in receiving yards with 33.3 yards per game. As a result, their total receiving yards per game stand at 102.3.
   • Tonopah Valley boasts a high-powered receiving corps, with Najea Cooper leading the team with 98.5 receiving yards per game, contributing to their total of 304.7 receiving yards per game.
4. Total Yards:
   • Pima averages 338.4 total yards per game, relying on a strong rushing game and effective passing when needed.
   • Tonopah Valley significantly outpaces them with 470.8 total yards per game, showcasing a highly explosive offense that is dominant both on the ground and through the air.
5. Scoring:
   • Pima puts up an average of 35.1 points per game, with Jeremiah Martinez contributing 12.7 points per game to lead the team.
   • Tonopah Valley is more prolific, averaging 46.6 points per game, with Thomas Foilefutu contributing 17.6 points per game to pace their high-scoring offense.

Defensive Comparison

1. Tackles:
   • Pima averages 52.3 tackles per game, with Joe Palmer leading the defense with 8.8 tackles per game, anchoring a solid defensive unit.
   • Tonopah Valley averages 37.0 tackles per game, with Jayden Kloth leading the team with 5.9 tackles per game, making key contributions on defense.
2. Sacks:
   • Pima averages 2.2 sacks per game, with Brock Haws contributing 1.0 sacks per game to help pressure opposing quarterbacks.
   • Tonopah Valley averages 2.1 sacks per game, with Jayden Kloth contributing 0.8 sacks per game. Both teams feature a similar ability to disrupt the opposing offense.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced Scottsdale Christian Academy and came out victorious:

• Scottsdale Christian Academy:
  • Pima won 20-17 on October 11.
  • Tonopah Valley won 35-32 on September 13.

Key Players

• Pima:
  • Jeremiah Martinez: The heart of Pima’s offense, Martinez leads the team in both rushing (153.3 yards per game) and total yards (166.6 yards per game). He is also a key contributor to their scoring.
  • Cedrick Grimes: The team’s primary passer, Grimes leads the passing game with 103.0 yards per game, supporting the team’s offensive balance.
• Tonopah Valley:
  • Sir-izzik Sánchez Caldwell: One of the most prolific quarterbacks in the state, Sánchez Caldwell leads the team with 295.4 passing yards per game, orchestrating a dynamic aerial attack.
  • Najea Cooper: The top receiver for Tonopah Valley, Cooper averages 98.5 receiving yards per game and plays a crucial role in their explosive offense.

Conclusion

Both Pima and Tonopah Valley have put together stellar seasons, with Pima dominating on the ground and Tonopah Valley excelling through the air. The matchup promises to be an intriguing contest: Pima’s potent rushing attack and strong defense against Tonopah Valley’s high-scoring, dynamic offense. Tonopah Valley’s ability to move the ball both in the air and on the ground makes them a dangerous opponent, but Pima’s balanced attack and resilient defense will certainly keep them competitive. With both teams showing exceptional form, this game is shaping up to be a battle between two of the state’s most talented teams.