The Red Bluff varsity football team faces off against Pleasant Valley in a neutral playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 Northern Section Football Playoffs, Division 2 (NSCIF 2024). Both teams are eager to advance in the tournament, making this a crucial game.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California State Football Championship
Who: Pleasant Valley vs Red Bluff
When: Today, November 30, 2024
Bracket: 2024 Northern Section Football Playoffs – D2 Football NSCIF 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Pleasant Valley vs. Red Bluff

As the 2024-2025 high school football playoffs heat up, the matchup between Pleasant Valley and Red Bluff promises to be one of the most exciting games of the tournament. Both teams have had successful seasons, with standout performances that have led them to this crucial playoff clash. Here’s a breakdown of their rankings, records, and scoring averages leading into today’s game.

Pleasant Valley: A Strong Season with Unbeaten League Record

Pleasant Valley has put together an impressive 8-3 overall record this season, finishing with a .727 win percentage. The team was dominant in league play, finishing undefeated with a 5-0 record. Their solid performance has earned them a top ranking in the section, sitting at No. 119 overall and No. 1 in their division.

In terms of home and away records, Pleasant Valley was strong at home with a 4-1 record, but faced tougher competition on the road, finishing 4-2. Despite this, the team’s offense has been effective, scoring an average of 26.4 points per game. Their first quarter performances stand out, with an average of 11.4 points, setting a strong tone early in games. However, their scoring tends to dip in the later stages, with averages of 6.3, 6.9, and 5.5 points in the second, third, and fourth quarters, respectively.

Red Bluff: Powerful Offense and Strong Record

Red Bluff enters this playoff game with a solid 10-2 overall record and an impressive .833 win percentage. The team has been dominant at home, finishing 5-1, and has been equally effective on the road with a 5-1 record. Their overall performance has earned them the No. 149 ranking in the section and No. 2 in their division.

Red Bluff’s offense has been explosive, averaging 35.6 points per game—nearly 10 more points than Pleasant Valley. The team’s scoring distribution shows a well-rounded attack, with 7.0 points in the first quarter, 9.6 in the second, and 11.2 in the third. Red Bluff’s offense is particularly dangerous in the second half, with an average of 17.8 points in the final two quarters. This balanced and powerful offensive output has been a key factor in their success this season.

A Look at Scoring Averages

When comparing the scoring averages, Red Bluff has a clear edge, averaging nearly 10 more points per game than Pleasant Valley. While Pleasant Valley excels early, scoring 11.4 points in the first quarter, Red Bluff’s ability to score consistently throughout the game gives them a significant advantage. Pleasant Valley struggles more in the later stages of the game, with their scoring dropping to 6.9 points in the third and 5.5 in the fourth. In contrast, Red Bluff’s third-quarter performance (11.2 points) and their ability to close games strong make them a formidable opponent.

As the football season progresses, the showdown between Pleasant Valley and Red Bluff promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams boasting impressive records and strong individual performances. Let’s break down their team statistics, key players, common opponents, and overall performance to get a sense of what fans can expect from this highly anticipated match.

Team Stats Comparison

Looking at the team statistics for Pleasant Valley and Red Bluff, we see contrasting styles of play, though both teams excel in different areas.

Offensive Yardage:

• Red Bluff has a noticeable advantage in rushing yards, averaging 255.8 rushing yards per game, compared to Pleasant Valley’s 180.8. This suggests that Red Bluff relies heavily on its ground game, led by standout running back Kayden Leaf.
• In passing, the teams are closer, with Pleasant Valley averaging 98.6 passing yards per game and Red Bluff slightly ahead with 104.9 passing yards per game.
• Receiving yards are also comparable, with Pleasant Valley at 98.4 yards per game and Red Bluff at 104.8 yards per game.
• Total yards show a clear edge for Red Bluff, averaging 360.7 total yards per game, compared to Pleasant Valley’s 279.5 yards per game. This highlights Red Bluff’s ability to gain yards both on the ground and through the air.

Defensive Metrics:

• In terms of tackles, Red Bluff leads with 57.7 tackles per game, a strong defensive presence compared to Pleasant Valley’s 35.8 tackles per game. This suggests Red Bluff is more active on defense, with a greater capacity to stop opposing offenses.
• Sacks per game show Red Bluff also leading with 2.6 sacks per game, while Pleasant Valley is at 1.3 sacks per game. This indicates that Red Bluff has a more effective pass rush.
• Points per game also favor Red Bluff, with 34.2 points per game compared to Pleasant Valley’s 26.9 points per game, highlighting Red Bluff’s higher-scoring offense.

Team Leaders

Both teams have key players that drive their success.

Pleasant Valley’s Key Players:

• Lucas Benson is the standout for Pleasant Valley, leading the team with 87.9 rushing yards per game, 83.5 passing yards per game, and 127.1 total yards per game. Benson is also the team’s leading scorer, with 7.4 points per game.
• On defense, Gavin Garretson contributes 5.1 tackles per game, leading the team in defensive efforts.

Red Bluff’s Key Players:

• Kayden Leaf is the focal point of Red Bluff’s offense, with an impressive 127.0 rushing yards per game and 236.2 total yards per game. Leaf also leads the team in scoring with 10.2 points per game.
• Defensively, Jaret Bridwell leads the team with 10.5 tackles per game, and Bryce Owens has been a key contributor with 1.3 sacks per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some of the same opponents this season, and their records against these teams provide some insight into their relative strengths.

• Chico: Both teams won their matchups against Chico, with Pleasant Valley winning 20-7 and Red Bluff securing a 49-21 victory.
• Foothill: Pleasant Valley defeated Foothill 35-7, while Red Bluff lost a close game 29-26. However, Red Bluff bounced back to beat Foothill 21-10 later in the season.
• Enterprise: Pleasant Valley dominated Enterprise with wins of 38-17 and 47-0, while Red Bluff also won 41-7.
• Shasta: Pleasant Valley cruised past Shasta 38-0, and Red Bluff won a more competitive matchup 26-14.

Record Breakdown

Looking at the overall performance, Red Bluff has had a stronger season in terms of wins:

• Pleasant Valley comes in with an 8-3 record, having won 5-0 in league play and 2-3 in non-league games.
• Red Bluff, on the other hand, has a 10-2 record, boasting an undefeated 5-0 league record and a 5-0 mark in non-league games.

Both teams have performed well at home, with Red Bluff going 5-1 at home and Pleasant Valley also enjoying a strong 5-0 home record. Both teams have excelled in playoff situations, with Red Bluff undefeated at 2-0 in the postseason, while Pleasant Valley has not yet entered the playoff picture.

Conclusion

This matchup between Pleasant Valley and Red Bluff is set to be a thrilling contest, with both teams bringing impressive strengths to the field. While Red Bluff has the edge in rushing, total yards, and overall defensive play, Pleasant Valley can rely on the leadership of Lucas Benson and a well-rounded offense. Fans can expect a high-energy game where each team will look to exploit their strengths to emerge victorious. With both teams showing strong records and exciting talent, this matchup will be one not to miss.