The Benjamin Franklin (Queen Creek, AZ) varsity football team will host Pusch Ridge Christian Academy (Tucson, AZ) today at 6 p.m. for a playoff game in the 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 3A tournament. Both teams will be looking to advance in the postseason with a crucial victory.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football Playoff
Who: Pusch Ridge Christian Academy vs Benjamin Franklin
When: Today, November 23, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Pusch Ridge Christian Academy Faces Benjamin Franklin in Crucial 3A Playoff Showdown

In a highly anticipated matchup in the 2024 AIA State Football Championships – Conference 3A, the Benjamin Franklin (Queen Creek, AZ) varsity football team will host Pusch Ridge Christian Academy (Tucson, AZ) for a playoff showdown. Both teams have been dominant this season, sporting identical 11-1 records, and their meeting tonight promises to be a thrilling contest with major playoff implications.

Pusch Ridge Christian Academy: A Balanced Powerhouse

Season Overview: Pusch Ridge Christian Academy has been a juggernaut in the 3A Conference this year, finishing their regular season with an 11-1 record. The team breezed through their section play, going undefeated with a perfect 4-0 mark and showcasing their ability to dominate both at home (7-0) and on the road (4-1).

Offensive Prowess: Averaging 39.7 points per game, Pusch Ridge’s offense has been a high-scoring machine. Their offense is particularly dangerous in the first quarter, where they average nearly 15 points, and they continue to maintain a steady output throughout the game, scoring 10.3 points in the second quarter and 8.5 points in the third. Although their fourth-quarter scoring dips slightly to 5.9 points, their offensive balance and ability to sustain drives has been a key factor in their success this season.

Defensive Dominance: On the defensive side, Pusch Ridge has been outstanding, allowing only 68 points all season, with an average of just 5.67 points per game. Their defense has stifled opponents across the board, making them one of the most formidable teams in the conference.

Benjamin Franklin: Powerful Offense and Sturdy Defense

Season Overview: The Benjamin Franklin team has been equally impressive, finishing with an 11-1 record, a mark shared with Pusch Ridge Christian Academy. Their season was highlighted by a perfect 4-0 section record and strong performances both at home (7-1) and on the road (4-0).

High-Scoring Attack: With an average of 41.8 points per game, Benjamin Franklin has been one of the highest-scoring teams in the 3A Conference. Their offense starts strong, averaging 10.4 points in the first quarter and maintaining steady production throughout the game, with 11.5 points in the second quarter and 9.5 in the third. The team’s ability to finish strong in the fourth quarter with 6.8 points has allowed them to close out games with commanding performances.

Solid Defense: While their defense has allowed more points than Pusch Ridge, giving up 134 total points (11.2 points per game), Benjamin Franklin’s defense has still been tough, regularly stepping up when needed. Their ability to limit big plays has been crucial to their success, especially in high-pressure situations.

Key Matchup: Offensive Firepower vs. Defensive Discipline

The primary storyline of this game will be the clash of offensive power against defensive excellence. Pusch Ridge Christian Academy will look to exploit their balanced offensive attack, which has been extremely effective throughout the season, while Benjamin Franklin will try to outpace their opponents with their high-scoring offense and steady defensive play. Both teams will need to execute their game plans flawlessly if they hope to advance further in the playoffs.

For Pusch Ridge, keeping the Benjamin Franklin offense at bay will be a challenge, but their stifling defense and ability to put up quick points will give them confidence. Meanwhile, Benjamin Franklin will rely on their potent offense to control the game tempo and their defense to contain Pusch Ridge’s big plays.

As the season progresses, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy and Benjamin Franklin continue to dominate their respective leagues with impressive records and formidable performances. Both teams boast 11-1 overall records, signaling that their upcoming matchup will be a battle between two of the top teams in the region. With strong offenses and defenses, these squads are prepared for an intense contest.

Team Records and Performance

• Pusch Ridge Christian Academy enters the matchup with a solid 11-1 record, including an undefeated 4-0 league performance. Their overall performance, especially their 7-0 home record, speaks to their strength in familiar surroundings.
• Benjamin Franklin, also with an 11-1 record, has performed similarly well in their league, maintaining a perfect 4-0 record in conference play. Their 7-1 road record shows they can win on the road, making them a tough opponent wherever they play.

Offensive Breakdown

1. Rushing Game:
   • Pusch Ridge Christian Academy averages 154.0 rushing yards per game, with Blake Reed leading the charge at 58.9 yards per game.
   • Benjamin Franklin has been even more productive on the ground, averaging 184.6 rushing yards per game. Ridge Allen leads the team with 123.8 yards per game, making him a key offensive weapon.
2. Passing Attack:
   • Pusch Ridge Christian Academy boasts a balanced offense, with Jacob Newborn throwing for an average of 148.9 passing yards per game. This solid passing game is complemented by their strong rushing attack.
   • Benjamin Franklin has been more prolific through the air, with Gavin Wyler passing for 166.8 yards per game. Their ability to mix both the run and pass has made them one of the most potent offenses in the league.
3. Receiving Game:
   • Pusch Ridge Christian Academy‘s Elliott Lovett leads the team in receiving, averaging 45.1 yards per game. As a team, they total 164.6 receiving yards per game.
   • Benjamin Franklin‘s Talan Speir averages 54.0 receiving yards per game, and their overall passing attack totals 178.9 receiving yards per game, indicating their ability to stretch the field through the air.
4. Total Yards:
   • Pusch Ridge Christian Academy averages 309.7 total yards per game, a reflection of their balanced offensive approach.
   • Benjamin Franklin, with a more explosive offense, averages 363.5 total yards per game, highlighting their ability to generate big plays both in the rushing and passing games.
5. Scoring:
   • Pusch Ridge Christian Academy has averaged 36.2 points per game, with Blake Reed contributing 8.0 points per game to their high-scoring attack.
   • Benjamin Franklin scores 41.8 points per game, with Ridge Allen putting up 10.2 points per game, further illustrating their powerful offensive unit.

Defensive Breakdown

1. Tackles:
   • Pusch Ridge Christian Academy averages 55.3 tackles per game, with Tyler Shoaff contributing 9.8 tackles per game.
   • Benjamin Franklin has a slightly stronger defensive unit, averaging 63.2 tackles per game, with Ashton Grant leading the way with 9.6 tackles per game.
2. Sacks:
   • Pusch Ridge Christian Academy averages 2.5 sacks per game, with Sam Wolters contributing 1.0 sacks per game.
   • Benjamin Franklin has been more aggressive on defense, averaging 4.2 sacks per game, with Chase Judd contributing 1.1 sacks per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced Coolidge this season, and both came out on top. Pusch Ridge Christian Academy defeated Coolidge 68-0 on October 18, while Benjamin Franklin won 59-0 on August 30, showing their dominance over common opponents.

Key Players

• Pusch Ridge Christian Academy:
  • Blake Reed is the standout performer, leading the team with 58.9 rushing yards per game and contributing to their strong offensive attack.
  • Jacob Newborn has been effective through the air, passing for 148.9 yards per game and keeping defenses off balance.
• Benjamin Franklin:
  • Ridge Allen is the star of the offense, with 123.8 rushing yards per game and 10.2 points per game.
  • Gavin Wyler has been the primary passer, averaging 166.8 yards per game and orchestrating a dynamic passing game.

Conclusion

Both Pusch Ridge Christian Academy and Benjamin Franklin come into this game with identical records, but they each bring their own strengths to the table. Pusch Ridge Christian Academy relies on a balanced offensive approach and a stout defense, while Benjamin Franklin boasts a more explosive offense and a more aggressive defense. This game promises to be a thrilling matchup, as both teams will look to showcase their offensive firepower and defensive prowess. With playoff implications on the line, expect this game to be a high-energy affair, with both teams striving for a key victory.