The James Madison Preparatory School (Tempe, AZ) varsity football team will host Skyline – Gila River (Chandler, AZ) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the Arizona Football State Tournament in the Division 1 bracket, with both teams vying for a playoff victory.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football
Who: Skyline – Gila River vs James Madison Preparatory School
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: Arizona Football State Tournament – Division 1
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: James Madison Preparatory School vs. Skyline – Gila River

As the Arizona Football State Tournament heads into its critical stages, one of the most exciting matchups is set to unfold between James Madison Preparatory School (JMPS) and Skyline – Gila River. The two teams will face off in a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. Both teams have impressive records, and the stakes are high as they battle for a spot in the next round of the Division 1 tournament.

Skyline – Gila River’s Season Overview

Skyline – Gila River enters the playoffs with a solid 7-2 record, demonstrating consistency throughout the season. They posted a 6-2 record in their section, finishing with a .750 section win percentage. Their overall win percentage stands at .778, and they have been particularly strong on the road, maintaining a perfect 4-0 record away from home. Their offense has been prolific, scoring a total of 296 points, while their defense has allowed just 66 points, showcasing a dominant defensive effort.

• Overall Record: 7-2
• Section Record: 6-2
• Home Record: 3-2
• Away Record: 4-0
• Win Percentage: .778
• Section Win Percentage: .750
• Points For (PF): 296
• Points Against (PA): 66

Skyline’s offensive attack has been strong throughout the season, averaging 32.9 points per game. They start fast, averaging 13.2 points in the first quarter, but their scoring slows slightly in the second half, with 8.4 points in the third quarter and only 4 points in the fourth. Nonetheless, their explosive start and stout defense have made them a formidable opponent.

James Madison Preparatory School’s Perfect Season

On the other side, James Madison Preparatory School (JMPS) has had an outstanding season, finishing with a perfect 4-0 record. They have been dominant in both their section and overall play, with a perfect 2-0 section record and a 3-0 record at home. With a win percentage of 1.000, they’ve displayed impressive efficiency on both sides of the ball, scoring 126 points while allowing just 66. Despite playing fewer games, JMPS has shown that they are ready for the challenge, entering the playoffs as one of the top contenders in Division 1.

• Overall Record: 4-0
• Section Record: 2-0
• Home Record: 3-0
• Away Record: 1-0
• Win Percentage: 1.000
• Section Win Percentage: 1.000
• Points For (PF): 126
• Points Against (PA): 66

JMPS has displayed balanced offensive production, averaging 31.5 points per game. They start slow with just 3.0 points in the first quarter, but their offense heats up in the second quarter, averaging 17.0 points. They continue to produce in the third quarter with 10.0 points, but their scoring slows significantly in the fourth quarter, averaging just 1.5 points.

Team Scoring Comparison

In comparing the two teams’ scoring averages, Skyline – Gila River has a faster start, with an average of 13.2 points in the first quarter. JMPS, on the other hand, averages only 3.0 points in the first quarter but makes up for it with explosive second-quarter scoring. The final scores show a close contest, with both teams averaging over 30 points per game.

Team Stat Comparison

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Skyline – Gila River averages 102.3 rushing yards per game, a solid performance that is key to their offensive balance. In comparison, JMPS has yet to register a significant rushing attack, making it clear that they rely on other aspects of their offense.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Skyline – Gila River records 92.1 passing yards per game, with Phillip Rocha leading the team as both a rusher and passer. JMPS’s passing game is still developing, as their stats aren’t available yet in this category.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Skyline – Gila River has 87.9 receiving yards per game, led by receiver Amear Hawkins, who also excels in other categories. Again, JMPS does not yet provide stats in this area, indicating a possible gap in their passing game.
• Total Yards Per Game: Skyline – Gila River accumulates 194.4 total yards per game, showcasing their ability to produce offense, though they may need to improve to compete with higher-ranked teams. JMPS’s offensive yardage remains to be seen, but their performance against common opponents suggests a high level of efficiency.
• Tackles Per Game: Skyline – Gila River averages 23.4 tackles per game. In comparison, JMPS, with their strong defensive performances, leads in this category with 23.4 tackles per game as well.
• Sacks Per Game: Skyline – Gila River averages 2.4 sacks per game, showing a solid ability to disrupt opposing offenses. JMPS’s sack numbers are still being tracked but could be expected to improve as the season progresses.
• Points Per Game: Skyline – Gila River scores an average of 22.0 points per game, while JMPS has yet to provide stats for points, though their victories suggest an effective scoring ability.

Team Leaders

• Rushing: Phillip Rocha is the standout rusher for Skyline – Gila River, leading with 60.8 rushing yards per game. He also excels in the passing game, showing his versatility.
• Passing: Rocha again takes the lead in passing yards, throwing for 146.5 yards per game and leading his team in total yards. His dual-threat ability makes him a key player for Skyline – Gila River.
• Receiving: Amear Hawkins leads the team with 62.3 receiving yards per game, providing a key target for Rocha in the passing game.
• Total Yards: Rocha leads the team in total yards, averaging an impressive 207.3 yards per game, solidifying his role as the offensive centerpiece.
• Tackles: Hawkins also leads defensively, with 11.0 tackles per game, showing his ability to make plays on both sides of the ball.
• Sacks: Hawkins contributes to the pass rush with 2.0 sacks per game, showcasing his defensive prowess.
• Points: Hawkins also leads in scoring, contributing an average of 16.7 points per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced off against several common opponents this season, with Skyline – Gila River holding a 4-1 record and JMPS boasting a 3-0 record. Notable games include:

• Tohono O’Odham: Skyline – Gila River won 2-0 (forfeit) on September 13, 2024, while JMPS defeated them 10/11/24.
• Harvest Prep Academy: Skyline – Gila River won 34-0 on October 3, 2024, while JMPS won 28-6 on September 19, 2024.
• Ajo: Skyline – Gila River lost 16-8 on October 17, 2024, while JMPS won 24-22 on September 12, 2024.
• Sequoia Charter: Skyline – Gila River won 44-8 on October 24, 2024, and JMPS also won on October 18, 2024.
• Paradise Valley Christian Prep: Skyline – Gila River won 38-0 on November 1, 2024, while JMPS secured a 32-0 win on August 30, 2024.

Record Breakdown

• Skyline – Gila River: Skyline – Gila River holds a 7-2 overall record, with a 6-2 record in league play. They have been solid at home with a 4-1 record and are 3-1 away. In-state, they are 7-2.
• JMPS: JMPS is undefeated, with a perfect 4-0 overall record and a 2-0 record in league play. They are also undefeated at home (3-0) and away (1-0), with a 4-0 in-state record.

Conclusion

Skyline – Gila River enters this game with a solid record and a balanced offensive and defensive attack led by Phillip Rocha and Amear Hawkins. However, JMPS’s perfect record and strong performance against common opponents suggest that they will be a formidable challenge. Both teams will bring key players to the field, and the outcome of this matchup could be pivotal in shaping their postseason runs. With their strong records and competitive play, this promises to be an exciting game.