The Ukiah varsity football team will host Redwood in a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 4 tournament. Both teams will compete for a chance to advance in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Redwood vs Ukiah
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 4
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Ukiah vs. Redwood

The 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships continue with an exciting Division 4 playoff game between Ukiah and Redwood on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup promises to be a thrilling contest, as both teams look to advance in the postseason with hopes of capturing a title.

Redwood: A Strong Road Record, but Struggles to Build Momentum

Redwood enters the playoffs with a 7-4 overall record, posting a 4-2 league record. The team has been competitive on the road, finishing with a 4-2 away record. However, their offense has been somewhat inconsistent, averaging 21.7 points per game. Their most productive quarter has been the second, where they score an average of 5.0 points, but they’ve struggled to build momentum in the second half. Redwood’s scoring drops in the third and fourth quarters, averaging only 3.5 points per quarter in each of those periods. Against a high-scoring Ukiah team, Redwood will need to find ways to be more explosive and maintain their scoring rhythm throughout the game.

Ukiah: A High-Scoring Powerhouse at Home

Ukiah enters the postseason with an 8-3 overall record, including a dominant 4-0 road record. With a .727 win percentage and a strong league record of 4-1, Ukiah has been one of the most potent teams in Division 4. The team’s offense has been highly effective, averaging 34.3 points per game. Ukiah excels in the first half, scoring an impressive 7.0 points in the first quarter and 10.4 points in the second quarter. Their scoring remains consistent in the third quarter, averaging 9.8 points, but they tend to cool off in the fourth quarter, with just 5.6 points. Ukiah will look to capitalize on their strong first half and early lead, as they have the firepower to create separation from Redwood.

Key Matchup: Offensive Firepower vs. Road Toughness

The key to this matchup will be Ukiah’s ability to exploit Redwood’s inconsistent second-half scoring while maintaining their offensive pace. Redwood will need to improve their scoring in the latter half of the game, especially in the third and fourth quarters, to keep up with Ukiah’s high-octane offense. Ukiah’s balanced attack, combined with their strong home record, makes them the favorites, but Redwood’s experience on the road could provide the team with the necessary momentum to challenge Ukiah.

As the season heats up, two formidable teams, Redwood and Ukiah, are set to face off in what promises to be an exciting matchup. With both teams bringing solid records and strong individual performances to the table, let’s examine how these squads stack up statistically, look at key players, and review their results against common opponents.

Team Statistics

Redwood has relied on a more balanced offensive strategy, with modest contributions both on the ground and through the air. The team averages 57.9 rushing yards per game and 81.4 passing yards per game, for a total of 139.3 yards per game. Their offense has been a work in progress, scoring only 7.1 points per game. Defensively, Redwood has maintained 21.7 tackles per game and 0.8 sacks per game, but their overall defensive pressure seems lacking in comparison to Ukiah’s more explosive unit.

Ukiah, by contrast, has a far more potent offensive attack, averaging 156.4 rushing yards per game and 193.3 passing yards per game, totaling 349.6 yards per game. The Wildcats’ offense is much more prolific, scoring an average of 33.9 points per game. Ukiah’s defense has also shown strength, though specific statistics are not available, their overall team performance suggests a more aggressive, high-scoring style.

Team Leaders

The standout performers for each team provide further insight into their respective strengths:

• Redwood:
  • Sean Cunneen leads the ground game with 130.2 rushing yards per game.
  • Kody Vasquez has been dynamic, throwing for 179.0 passing yards per game and contributing a total of 177.4 yards per game.
  • Ronan Ralston adds 47.4 receiving yards per game, while Cunneen also contributes 8.4 points per game, highlighting his dual-threat ability.
• Ukiah:
  • Beau David has been a standout in both the rushing and passing game, with 66.3 rushing yards and 193.3 passing yards per game, for a total of 259.5 yards per game.
  • Omaurie Phillips is a major weapon in the receiving game, racking up 123.2 receiving yards per game and scoring 12.5 points per game, leading the Wildcats’ explosive attack.

Common Opponents

Both teams faced Rancho Cotate and Maria Carrillo in non-league matchups, and here’s how each performed:

• Redwood faced Rancho Cotate on September 6, 2024, and lost 24-6, but bounced back against Maria Carrillo on September 14, winning 32-16.
• Ukiah played Rancho Cotate on August 30, 2024, and suffered a heavier loss, 40-22. However, they had a strong showing against Maria Carrillo on November 1, winning 40-14.

With both teams going 1-1 in their matchups against these common opponents, it’s clear that while Ukiah’s offense may be more potent, Redwood has been resilient in their efforts.

Record Breakdown

Redwood comes into the game with a solid 7-4 record, including a 4-2 mark in league play. Their non-league record stands at 2-2, indicating a balanced, but somewhat inconsistent, season. Redwood has shown their strength at home, boasting a 3-2 record, but will need to capitalize on their away games to make a deep playoff run.

Ukiah, meanwhile, has an 8-3 overall record with a strong 4-1 league performance. They have dominated non-league play with a 3-2 record, and their strong away record (4-0) speaks to their ability to perform under pressure. Ukiah’s playoff appearance has also been successful, with a 1-0 record.

Home and Away Performance

• Redwood: While strong at home with a 3-2 record, their away performances have been slightly less consistent, with a 4-2 record.
• Ukiah: The Wildcats are particularly dangerous on the road, having gone 4-0, and have also shown strong performances at home, with a 4-3 record.

Playoff Outlook

Both teams have demonstrated they can handle postseason pressure, with each securing a playoff win this season. Redwood’s postseason success has been commendable with a 1-0 record, while Ukiah has also made an impact with a 1-0 playoff mark, hinting at their readiness for this upcoming challenge.

Conclusion

The showdown between Redwood and Ukiah promises to be an intriguing contest. While Ukiah brings a high-powered offense led by dynamic players like Beau David and Omaurie Phillips, Redwood will look to leverage their strong defensive fundamentals and rely on key contributors like Sean Cunneen and Kody Vasquez. Both teams have had impressive records against common opponents, and while Ukiah boasts a more potent offense, Redwood has the ability to pull off surprises.

With playoff aspirations on the line, this game will be crucial for both teams to make a statement heading into the postseason. Fans can expect a hard-fought, exciting game, with both sides eager to prove their dominance.