The Portola (Irvine, CA) varsity football team will face Arcata (CA) in a home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games, Division 6-AA. Both teams are looking to advance in this highly competitive postseason tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California State Football Championship Bowl Games
Who: Portola (CA) vs Arcata (CA)
When: Today, December 14, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games – Division 6-AA
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Portola vs Arcata

As the football season progresses, the contrasting strengths and strategies of Arcata and Portola have become clear. These two teams, both with an overall record of 24-25, have shown differing styles of play, especially in terms of offense and defense. Below is a detailed analysis of their performances across key statistical categories.

Offensive Comparison

• Rushing Yards Per Game
  Arcata has dominated the ground game, averaging an impressive 219.4 rushing yards per game. Their standout rusher, Luke Lemke, leads the charge with 122.0 rushing yards per game, making up a significant portion of their offensive output. In contrast, Portola averages 155.3 rushing yards per game, with Timothy Grettenberg contributing 74.3 yards per game.
• Passing Yards Per Game
  In terms of passing, Arcata again leads the way with 193.6 passing yards per game, thanks to Luke Lemke’s impressive 186.5 yards per game. Portola, however, lags behind with 93.7 passing yards per game, where Nash Luper is the primary quarterback, producing 94.7 yards per game. Arcata’s balanced offense creates a more dynamic threat through the air.
• Receiving Yards Per Game
  When it comes to receiving yards, Cal Tucker of Arcata leads with 59.8 yards per game. Portola’s Malachi Moore averages 39.1 yards per game, signaling a slightly less potent aerial attack. Arcata’s passing game is more effective in moving the ball down the field.
• Total Yards Per Game
  Combining both rushing and passing, Arcata’s total yardage is a standout statistic, with an average of 413.0 total yards per game. This is significantly higher than Portola’s 248.9 yards per game, indicating Arcata’s ability to both run and pass the ball efficiently.

Defensive Comparison

• Tackles Per Game
  Portola excels in the defensive department, averaging 61.1 tackles per game, significantly more than Arcata’s 44.6 tackles per game. This shows that Portola’s defense is often more engaged and involved in the action. Individually, Maxwell Mapstone leads Portola with 12.9 tackles per game, while Lincoln Neuman of Arcata averages 7.6 tackles per game.
• Sacks Per Game
  Arcata averages 1.8 sacks per game, slightly behind Portola, which has an average of 2.1 sacks per game. Both teams show solid pass-rush capability, though Portola’s defensive line has the edge.

Scoring Comparison

• Points Per Game
  Arcata’s high-powered offense results in an average of 40.0 points per game, vastly outpacing Portola’s 21.2 points per game. The disparity here reflects Arcata’s ability to score efficiently across both the ground and air, while Portola struggles to keep pace.

Team Leaders

Arcata’s standout player, Luke Lemke, is an all-around contributor, leading the team in rushing yards, passing yards, and total yards. His performance makes Arcata’s offense one of the most dangerous in the league. In contrast, Nash Luper and Timothy Grettenberg are Portola’s key players, excelling in passing and rushing respectively.

Record Breakdown

Both teams hold the same overall record of 24-25, but their league and non-league performance highlights distinct strengths:

• Arcata has an impressive 13-1 record, including a strong 5-1 in league play and a solid 4-0 in non-league matchups. Their record shows that they perform exceptionally well at home, with a 7-0 home record.
• Portola, with a 9-6 overall record, has had a more balanced season, going 4-1 in league play and 5-2 away. Portola also has a competitive 5-0 record in playoff games.

Conclusion

Arcata’s powerful offense, led by the versatile Luke Lemke, coupled with a more efficient rushing and passing game, gives them a clear edge over Portola. However, Portola’s strong defensive presence, especially in tackles and sacks, and their ability to grind out games with strong individual performances, cannot be underestimated. The matchup between these two teams promises to be an exciting contest, where Arcata’s offensive firepower will be put to the test by Portola’s resolute defense.