The Arcadia varsity football team from Phoenix, AZ, will host Seton Catholic from Chandler, AZ, in an exciting home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships for Conference 4A, promising intense competition as both teams vie for advancement.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Arizona High School Football
Who: Seton Catholic vs Arcadia
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 4A
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Seton Catholic vs. Arcadia
The 2024 AIA State Football Championships are heating up as Seton Catholic (Chandler, AZ) prepares to face Arcadia (Phoenix, AZ) in a highly anticipated playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. Both teams enter the matchup with impressive 8-2 records and strong performances throughout the season, setting the stage for a thrilling battle in the Conference 4A tournament.
Team Records and Rankings
Seton Catholic
- Record: 8-2 overall, 4-0 in section play
- Home/Away: 4-1 at home, 4-1 on the road
- Ranking: 67th in Arizona, 14th in Division
- Points For (PF): 312
- Points Against (PA): 178
- Win %: .800 overall, 1.000 in section
Seton Catholic enters the playoffs as one of the top teams in Conference 4A, with an undefeated section record (4-0) and a dominant overall performance. Their offensive unit has been explosive, putting up 312 points, while their defense has been stout, allowing only 178 points. With a balanced attack, Seton Catholic has proven they can perform both at home and on the road, making them a formidable opponent.
Arcadia
- Record: 8-2 overall, 3-2 in section play
- Home/Away: 4-1 at home, 4-1 on the road
- Ranking: 44th in Arizona, 7th in Division
- Points For (PF): 276
- Points Against (PA): 165
- Win %: .800 overall, .600 in section
Arcadia also brings an 8-2 record into the postseason, with their only losses coming within their section. Their offense has been potent, scoring 276 points, while their defense has allowed 165. With a strong home record and solid performances on the road, Arcadia enters the playoffs confident in their ability to compete against any team.
Scoring Averages by Quarter
Both teams have shown the ability to score, but they do so at different paces throughout the game.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seton Catholic | 9.3 | 9.7 | 6.4 | 5.8 | 31.2 |
| Arcadia | 4.6 | 15.2 | 4.2 | 6.6 | 27.6 |
Seton Catholic has come out strong in the opening half, averaging nearly 10 points per quarter, which could be key in establishing an early lead. Arcadia, on the other hand, has shown a dominant second-quarter performance (15.2 points per game), allowing them to shift momentum. Their ability to rally after the first quarter will be crucial in maintaining pace with Seton Catholic.
Key Matchup: Offense vs. Defense
- Seton Catholic’s Balanced Attack: Seton Catholic’s potent offense has been able to score consistently in all four quarters, and their solid defense has allowed them to hold teams to fewer points. The question for Arcadia will be whether they can keep up with Seton Catholic’s early momentum.
- Arcadia’s Strong Second Quarter: Arcadia’s offensive burst in the second quarter could be a game-changer if they can sustain that energy and build momentum early. The team’s defense will need to stay disciplined to prevent Seton Catholic from exploiting any weaknesses.
- Home Field Advantage: While both teams have strong road records, Arcadia’s home field could give them a slight edge in this high-stakes playoff game, where the crowd and familiarity with the field could play a role.
Conclusion
Both Seton Catholic and Arcadia come into this playoff game with an 8-2 record and impressive performances throughout the season. Seton Catholic’s unbeaten section record and well-rounded play make them a dangerous opponent, but Arcadia’s ability to capitalize on second-quarter scoring and their solid all-around game should keep the matchup competitive. With so much on the line, this 4A playoff game promises to deliver excitement and intensity from start to finish.
The upcoming matchup between Seton Catholic and Arcadia promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams entering the game with identical 8-2 records. Both squads have shown impressive offensive capabilities, but they each bring distinct strengths to the table. As they look to make a strong finish to their regular seasons, this game will be crucial for setting the tone going into the postseason.
Team Stat Comparison
While Seton Catholic and Arcadia are fairly evenly matched in most areas, the edge in total yardage goes to Seton Catholic, who averages 333.5 yards per game, slightly ahead of Arcadia’s 321.4. A major factor for Seton Catholic’s offensive success is their versatile rushing attack, led by standout Luc Aguilar, who averages 155.8 yards per game on the ground. This gives Seton Catholic the ability to control the clock and grind out tough yards. In contrast, Arcadia relies more on the air, with Braylen Rooney leading the charge through the air with 156.8 passing yards per game.
Both teams are capable of putting points on the board, with Seton Catholic averaging 30.4 points per game, slightly ahead of Arcadia’s 26.5. Seton Catholic’s explosive offense has been a major factor in their success this season, but Arcadia will be looking to neutralize that with a strong defensive effort.
Defensively, Arcadia has the edge in tackles per game (60.0) compared to Seton Catholic’s 56.4. This could be a key difference, as Arcadia has shown the ability to shut down opponents with solid tackling and consistent pressure. Both teams are relatively close in sacks per game, with Arcadia averaging 1.9 and Seton Catholic 1.6.
Key Players to Watch
- Seton Catholic:
- Luc Aguilar has been the standout player for Seton Catholic, leading the team in rushing, receiving, and scoring. With 155.8 rushing yards per game, he will be a focal point for the offense, looking to break big runs and control the tempo of the game.
- Chase Dickson is another key player, contributing 141.0 passing yards per game. He will look to connect with Aguilar in the passing game and keep the defense honest.
- On defense, Sloan Sweet (11.9 tackles per game) is a force who will be relied upon to make key stops.
- Arcadia:
- Braylen Rooney has been impressive in the passing game, leading the offense with 156.8 passing yards per game. His chemistry with top target Ian Slater (63.2 receiving yards per game) has been a major strength this season.
- Ryan Jimenez is Arcadia’s main rusher, averaging 78.5 yards per game, and will look to keep the Seton Catholic defense off balance.
- On defense, Kayan Cobb (7.5 tackles per game) and Jacob TeKamp (0.8 sacks per game) will be crucial in containing Seton Catholic’s explosive offense.
Record Breakdown
Both teams come into the game with a solid 8-2 record, indicating that they have been consistent and competitive throughout the season. Seton Catholic has been strong at home, with a 4-1 record, while Arcadia has matched that mark with a 4-1 record of their own on the road. This suggests that both teams are capable of performing under pressure, no matter the venue.
Seton Catholic has been dominant in league play, going 4-0, while Arcadia has had a more balanced league record of 3-2. Both teams have performed well against non-league opponents, with Seton Catholic going 4-2 and Arcadia posting an undefeated 5-0 mark in non-league games.
Common Opponents
Neither team has faced identical opponents this season, which means this game will be the first real head-to-head comparison between the two. However, both teams have demonstrated the ability to win tough games and have a similar strength of schedule. Their similar records and performances suggest that this game will be closely contested, with both teams fighting for dominance.
Game Outlook
As both teams come in with identical records, the key to this game will be which offense can assert itself early. Seton Catholic will look to dominate on the ground with Luc Aguilar, but Arcadia’s defense, led by Kayan Cobb and Jacob TeKamp, will try to limit Aguilar’s impact. On the other side, Arcadia will lean on Braylen Rooney to exploit Seton Catholic’s defense with a dynamic passing attack.
In what is sure to be a hard-fought contest, the team that can control the ball, convert third downs, and limit mistakes will come out on top. Seton Catholic’s offensive firepower and home-field advantage make them slight favorites, but Arcadia’s balanced offense and strong defense will give them a fighting chance to pull off the upset.
This game promises to be an exciting, high-stakes matchup as both teams look to finish the season strong and prepare for the playoffs.
