The Queen Creek (AZ) varsity football team will face Pinnacle (Phoenix, AZ) in a home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the “2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 6A” tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football Playoff
Who: Pinnacle vs Queen Creek
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 6A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Queen Creek vs. Pinnacle

In a crucial 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 6A tournament matchup, the Queen Creek (AZ) varsity football team will host Pinnacle (Phoenix, AZ) today at 7 p.m. Both teams have enjoyed successful seasons, but Queen Creek enters the game with a slightly better overall record, making them the slight favorites.

Pinnacle: A Balanced and Resilient Team

Pinnacle enters this playoff game with an 8-3 overall record and a solid 3-1 section record. The Pioneers have been strong both at home and on the road, with a 4-2 home record and a 4-1 away record. They average 43.1 points per game, with their strongest first and second quarters, where they score 12.8 and 10.9 points, respectively. Pinnacle’s offense has been efficient, but their defense, which has allowed 255 points this season, will need to step up against Queen Creek’s strong attack.

Queen Creek: A Strong Contender

Queen Creek enters the game with a 9-2 overall record, including a 6-0 mark at home. Their 3-1 section record speaks to their consistency and ability to perform at a high level in critical games. The Bulldogs average 29.4 points per game, with the majority of their production coming in the first and fourth quarters, where they score 5.9 and 8.8 points, respectively. While Queen Creek’s offense has been effective, they will face a challenge in slowing down Pinnacle’s high-scoring attack.

Key Matchup: Pinnacle’s Offense vs. Queen Creek’s Defense

Pinnacle’s high-scoring offense will be the focal point of the game as they try to overpower Queen Creek’s defense. The Pioneers have been successful at spreading the field and finding ways to score, particularly in the opening two quarters. Queen Creek’s defense will need to limit Pinnacle’s production, especially in the first half, to keep the game within reach. Additionally, the Bulldogs will look to capitalize on Pinnacle’s defense, which has given up over 250 points this season.

What’s at Stake

This game is a critical one for both teams as they compete for a chance to advance in the 2024 AIA State Football Championships. Queen Creek will look to continue their strong season, while Pinnacle hopes to build on their solid performance and pull off an upset to keep their state title hopes alive.

As the postseason looms, the upcoming clash between Pinnacle and Queen Creek promises to be a captivating matchup. Both teams have had strong seasons, boasting high-powered offenses and stout defenses. In this article, we’ll break down the key team stats, individual leaders, and performance records for both squads to provide a comprehensive preview of what fans can expect from this exciting showdown.

Team Stats Comparison

Offensive Performance:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Queen Creek has been more dominant on the ground, averaging 225.6 rushing yards per game, compared to Pinnacle’s 166.1.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Pinnacle edges out Queen Creek in the passing department with 247.4 passing yards per game, while Queen Creek averages 174.5 yards.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Pinnacle also leads in receiving yards per game, averaging 249.3, while Queen Creek is at 174.4.
• Total Yards Per Game: Pinnacle’s offense has been slightly more explosive, averaging 413.5 total yards per game, compared to Queen Creek’s 400.1.

Defensive Performance:

• Tackles Per Game: Queen Creek’s defense has been more active in terms of tackles, averaging 81.5 tackles per game, compared to Pinnacle’s 58.0.
• Sacks Per Game: Both teams are tied in sacks per game, with each averaging 3.1 sacks.
• Points Per Game: Pinnacle’s offense has been more efficient, averaging 43.8 points per game, while Queen Creek averages 29.4.

Key Player Comparisons

Pinnacle’s Standout Players:

• Xavier Valdivia (#26) leads Pinnacle in rushing, averaging 62.4 yards per game.
• Wyatt Horton (#15) has been Pinnacle’s primary quarterback, with 238.6 passing yards per game and 283.4 total yards per game.
• Keenan Johnson (#12) is the team’s top receiver, averaging 54.9 receiving yards per game.
• Owen Pimbert (#8) contributes defensively, leading the team with 9.6 tackles per game.
• Dean Vincent (#6) adds to the defensive line with 0.7 sacks per game.
• Xavier Valdivia (#26) also makes a significant impact on offense, contributing 7.1 points per game.

Queen Creek’s Key Players:

• Tait Reynolds (#1) is the focal point of Queen Creek’s offense, with 112.5 rushing yards per game, 167.6 passing yards per game, and 280.1 total yards per game.
• Quintin Miles (#12) is the team’s top receiver, averaging 80.0 receiving yards per game.
• Jayshon Liles (#15) leads the defense with 10.9 tackles per game.
• Nick Harper (#95) contributes with 1.1 sacks per game, helping to pressure opposing quarterbacks.
• Tait Reynolds (#1) also contributes heavily to scoring, averaging 9.3 points per game.

Head-to-Head Record and Common Opponents

Both teams have faced common opponents this season, with each team winning 2 of 3 matchups.

• Pinnacle’s Record Against Common Opponents: Pinnacle went 2-1 against common opponents, with victories over O’Connor (62-14) and Centennial (41-38), but a loss to ALA – Queen Creek (34-19).
• Queen Creek’s Record Against Common Opponents: Queen Creek also finished 2-1 against common opponents, with wins over O’Connor (42-28) and Centennial (31-21), but a loss to ALA – Queen Creek (42-7).

While both teams share similar results against common opponents, Pinnacle’s victories have generally been more dominant in terms of scoring.

Overall Records and League Performance

• Pinnacle: Pinnacle enters the game with an 8-3 overall record, finishing 3-1 in league play and 4-2 in non-league games. They have been solid at home with a 4-2 record and have performed well on the road with a 4-1 away record.
• Queen Creek: Queen Creek has had an even more successful season, boasting a 9-2 overall record with a perfect 5-0 in non-league play. They also finished 3-1 in league competition and have been especially strong at home with a 6-0 record. On the road, Queen Creek holds a 3-2 record.

Neutral and Playoff Performance: Pinnacle has yet to play a neutral-site game, while Queen Creek has one neutral-site victory. Both teams have been successful in the playoffs, with each securing a 1-0 record in postseason play.

In-State and Out-of-State Records

• Pinnacle: Pinnacle has posted an 8-2 record in-state and is 0-1 in out-of-state matchups.
• Queen Creek: Queen Creek has an 8-2 in-state record and has not played any out-of-state games this season.

Conclusion

As Pinnacle prepares to face Queen Creek, both teams come into the game with strong offensive and defensive units. Pinnacle’s high-scoring offense, led by Wyatt Horton and Xavier Valdivia, will face off against Queen Creek’s balanced attack, spearheaded by Tait Reynolds. While Pinnacle’s passing game has been potent, Queen Creek has relied more on its ground game and overall balanced offense.

Defensively, Queen Creek has the advantage in tackles per game, but Pinnacle’s ability to score quickly could put pressure on Queen Creek’s defense. The game will likely hinge on whether Pinnacle can capitalize on their passing game to overcome Queen Creek’s strong defensive presence.

With both teams boasting solid records and impressive individual players, this matchup promises to be a closely contested and high-energy game. Fans can expect a thrilling battle between two of the state’s top teams as they look to prove themselves in the postseason.