The San Ramon Valley (Danville, CA) varsity football team faces Pittsburg (CA) in a neutral-site playoff game tonight at 7:00 PM. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 1/Open tournament, with both teams aiming to advance to the next stage of the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Pittsburg vs San Ramon Valley
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Bracket: 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 1/Open
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Pittsburg vs. San Ramon Valley

As the season heats up, the Pittsburg Pirates and San Ramon Valley Wolves are gearing up for a crucial matchup that promises to be a battle of strengths. Both teams have been impressive this year, but the comparison of their team stats, leaders, and performance against common opponents reveals distinct advantages for each squad. Here’s an in-depth look at how these two teams measure up.

Team Statistics Comparison

Pittsburg and San Ramon Valley offer contrasting styles of play, with Pittsburg favoring a strong ground game while San Ramon Valley excels in passing and overall offensive balance.

• Offense:
  Pittsburg leads in rushing yards per game with 194.6, while San Ramon Valley is far behind at just 107.3. However, the Wolves make up for it with a more potent passing attack, averaging 225.9 passing yards per game, ahead of Pittsburg’s 211.5. Their receiving yards are also tied at 225.9 per game.
  • Total Yards: Pittsburg’s total offensive output is more robust, averaging 406.1 yards per game compared to San Ramon Valley’s 333.2.
• Defense:
  Pittsburg has a clear edge in tackles, averaging 61.8 per game, significantly higher than San Ramon Valley’s 49.8. However, the Wolves have been more effective in the sack department, averaging 3.2 sacks per game, compared to the Pirates’ 1.3.
• Scoring:
  Pittsburg is the higher-scoring team, putting up 40.7 points per game, while San Ramon Valley averages 30.7 points.

Team Leaders

The individual performances of the key players reveal areas of strength for both teams:

• Rushing:
  Pittsburg’s Jamar Searcy leads the ground game with 109.6 rushing yards per game, significantly surpassing San Ramon Valley’s Matthew Garibaldi, who averages 78.0 yards per game.
• Passing:
  San Ramon Valley’s Rhett Thompson leads with 217.8 passing yards per game, outpacing Pittsburg’s Marley Alcantara, who averages 184.8 yards.
• Receiving:
  Pittsburg’s Kenneth Ward leads his team in receiving with 47.8 yards per game, while San Ramon Valley’s Owen Scott leads the Wolves with 79.6 yards per game.
• Total Yards:
  Pittsburg’s Marley Alcantara also leads in total yards, averaging 203.2 yards per game, ahead of Rhett Thompson’s 209.1 total yards for San Ramon Valley.
• Defense:
  San Ramon Valley’s Marco Jones is the defensive standout, with 9.6 tackles per game, while Pittsburg’s Jewelous Walls averages 7.2 tackles.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar opponents, but their results differ slightly:

• Clayton Valley Charter:
  Pittsburg won 35-14, while San Ramon Valley also won, but with a closer 31-15 score.
• De La Salle:
  Both teams faced tough competition against De La Salle, with Pittsburg narrowly losing 10-7 and San Ramon Valley falling 42-14.

Record Breakdown

When comparing the season records of these two teams, it’s clear that both squads have had successful campaigns:

• Overall Record:
  San Ramon Valley has the edge with a remarkable 11-1 record, compared to Pittsburg’s 10-2.
• League Play:
  Pittsburg has been perfect in league play, going 5-0, while San Ramon Valley stands at 3-1.
  • Non-League: San Ramon Valley performed well in non-league games, with a 6-0 record, while Pittsburg stands at 4-1.
• Playoffs:
  Both teams have been dominant in the postseason, each with a 2-0 record.
• Home/Away:
  San Ramon Valley has been nearly perfect at home with a 7-0 record, while Pittsburg has a strong 6-0 home record.

Key Matchup Considerations

• Pittsburg:
  The Pirates will likely rely on their dominant rushing attack, led by Jamar Searcy, to control the clock and wear down the San Ramon Valley defense. With their higher total yardage and ability to score, Pittsburg will aim to make big plays on the ground while limiting San Ramon Valley’s passing game.
• San Ramon Valley:
  The Wolves will look to exploit their passing game, with Rhett Thompson and Owen Scott playing key roles in moving the ball downfield. Their defense will need to improve their sack numbers to disrupt Pittsburg’s offensive rhythm, while their offensive line must contain the Pirates’ strong defensive front.

Prediction

San Ramon Valley enters this game as the slight favorite due to their balanced offense and strong defensive play. However, Pittsburg’s superior rushing game and higher-scoring offense make them a dangerous opponent. If Pittsburg can establish the run early and limit San Ramon Valley’s passing attack, they have a strong chance of coming out on top. This game is expected to be a close and intense battle between two high-powered teams, with the winner likely determined by who can impose their style of play most effectively.