The St. Ignatius College Preparatory varsity football team from San Francisco will face Saint Francis High School from Mountain View in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships in the Open/Division I bracket, promising high-stakes action.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Saint Francis vs St. Ignatius College Preparatory
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships (California) – 0pen/Division I
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: St. Ignatius vs. Saint Francis

The St. Ignatius College Preparatory (SICP) varsity football team from San Francisco is set to face Saint Francis High School from Mountain View in a highly anticipated neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This game, part of the 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships in the Open/Division I bracket, promises to be an intense and thrilling contest between two of the top teams in the region.

Records and Rankings

Both teams come into the game with identical 9-2 overall records, showcasing their strength throughout the season. Saint Francis, ranked 48th in California and 3rd in their section, has been dominant in league play, posting a 6-1 record with an impressive 5-0 mark at home. They have scored 340 points while allowing 227, averaging 30.9 points per game.

SICP, ranked 33rd in California and 1st in their section, has been equally impressive with a 6-1 league record and a balanced 4-1 home record. Their overall scoring tally of 306 points and 190 points allowed reflects a solid offensive and defensive effort. Their scoring average of 27.8 points per game keeps them competitive in every contest.

Scoring Breakdown

When it comes to scoring, Saint Francis excels in the first half, averaging 18.6 points across the first two quarters. Their most potent quarter is the second, where they average 10.3 points. On the other hand, SICP has a slightly higher first-quarter output, averaging 10.2 points, and maintains a solid scoring pace throughout the game. Their fourth-quarter production (8.2 points) suggests they are capable of closing games strong.

Keys to Victory

For Saint Francis, maintaining a strong first-half lead and capitalizing on their high-scoring quarters will be crucial. Their offense, led by their solid line and skill players, will need to assert itself early to put pressure on SICP.

SICP, known for their balanced offense, will need to leverage their solid start and late-game effectiveness. Their ability to consistently put points on the board and close games out in the final quarter will be key in keeping Saint Francis in check.

What’s at Stake

This playoff game is more than just a battle for advancement—it’s a chance for both teams to prove themselves among the best in the section. Both squads bring a wealth of talent and determination, making this matchup one that fans won’t want to miss.

With both teams averaging high points per game and showing no signs of slowing down, expect a thrilling showdown under the Friday night lights as Saint Francis and SICP battle for a spot in the next round of the CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships.

As the football season intensifies, two prominent teams in the league, Saint Francis and St. Ignatius College Preparatory (SICP), stand out for their impressive records and performances. A closer look at their team statistics, individual leaders, and matchups against common opponents reveals the fine margins that separate these two powerhouse teams.

Team Statistical Comparison

When comparing overall team performance, both teams show impressive numbers, with Saint Francis leading in several key categories:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Saint Francis dominates with 183.5 yards per game, while SICP trails slightly behind at 138.7 yards.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Saint Francis records 118.4 yards through the air, while SICP has slightly better passing numbers at 141.2 yards.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: SICP leads in this category with 142.5 yards, compared to Saint Francis’ 116.1 yards.
• Total Yards Per Game: Saint Francis again outpaces SICP with 301.8 total yards, while SICP manages 279.9 yards.
• Tackles Per Game: Saint Francis edges out SICP, averaging 70.6 tackles per game compared to SICP’s 54.2.
• Sacks Per Game: SICP leads in this category, averaging 2.2 sacks per game, while Saint Francis posts 1.7.
• Points Per Game: Saint Francis scores an average of 28.7 points per game, surpassing SICP’s 23.8 points.

Despite some key differences, both teams show balanced and efficient play, especially in terms of yardage and scoring.

Team Leaders

Several players stand out on each team, contributing to their squads’ success:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Saint Francis’ Kingston Keanaaina leads with 173.1 yards per game, significantly higher than SICP’s Jarious Hogan at 106.1 yards.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Aaron Knapp from Saint Francis averages 117.0 yards, while SICP’s Soren Hummel is the top passer with 154.0 yards per game.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Perrion Williams of Saint Francis averages 58.2 yards per game, while Quinn Folk of SICP leads with 55.2 yards.
• Total Yards Per Game: Kingston Keanaaina leads the total yards category with an impressive 192.1 yards per game, while SICP’s Soren Hummel is second with 159.5 yards.
• Tackles Per Game: Jackson Cahoon of Saint Francis records 9.2 tackles per game, while SICP’s Sui Gallegos-Hunkin averages 8.1.
• Sacks Per Game: Jayden Lewis from Saint Francis has 0.4 sacks per game, while Happy Rosenberg from SICP leads with 1.0 sack.
• Points Per Game: Kingston Keanaaina also leads in points per game with 12.8, while Jarious Hogan of SICP scores 12.6 points per game.

These individual performances highlight the players who are making the most significant impact on both teams.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar opponents, and the results have been impressive for both sides. Here’s a breakdown of how each team performed against common foes:

• Bellarmine College Prep: Saint Francis won 48-7 at home, while SICP won 46-0 away.
• Archbishop Mitty: Saint Francis defeated Archbishop Mitty 30-27, while SICP won 24-19.
• Junipero Serra: Saint Francis won 27-21 at home, and SICP defeated Junipero Serra 21-20 on the road.
• Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory: Saint Francis won 49-24 at home, while SICP secured a 45-28 win away.
• Valley Christian: Saint Francis won both their encounters with a 35-17 home victory and a 24-14 win on the road.
• Archbishop Riordan: Saint Francis suffered a 34-24 loss at home, while SICP narrowly won 31-28 on the road.

Both teams boast a near-perfect record against common opponents, but Saint Francis has the edge in total wins, with a 6-1 record compared to SICP’s 6-0.

Record Breakdown

In terms of overall performance, both teams share identical records, each standing at 9-2. However, a closer examination of their league and non-league play reveals slight differences:

• League Record: Both teams share a 6-1 record in league play.
• Non-League Record: Saint Francis is 2-1 in non-league matchups, while SICP mirrors this with a 2-1 record.
• Head-to-Head: Saint Francis holds a 1-0 record over SICP in their previous matchups.
• Home vs. Away: Saint Francis is slightly stronger at home with a 5-0 record, compared to SICP’s 4-1 mark on the road.

While the two teams have both excelled at home, Saint Francis has proven more dominant in its home games.

Conclusion

Both Saint Francis and St. Ignatius College Preparatory (SICP) are exceptional teams with well-rounded players and solid statistics across the board. The slight statistical edges for Saint Francis in rushing yards, total yards, and tackles per game could play a significant role in a potential matchup between these two teams. However, SICP’s advantage in passing yards and sacks suggests they are a well-balanced team with the ability to adjust to different play styles.

As both teams head toward the postseason, their head-to-head performances against common opponents reveal they are almost evenly matched. The upcoming games between these two teams will undoubtedly be thrilling and could be decided by the smallest of margins.