The Salesian College Preparatory varsity football team will host Sonoma Valley in a home playoff game today at 1 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 5 tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance further in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Sonoma Valley vs Salesian College Preparatory
When: Today, November 23, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Sonoma Valley vs. Salesian College Preparatory

The 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships are heating up, and one of the most exciting matchups features two undefeated teams: Sonoma Valley and Salesian College Preparatory. Both teams are riding high with perfect records and will clash today in a highly anticipated Division 5 playoff game.

Team Records and Rankings

• Sonoma Valley enters the game with an impressive 11-0 record. The team has been flawless in league play, finishing 6-0, and has been dominant at home (7-0) and on the road (4-0). With a perfect win percentage of 1.000, Sonoma Valley has outscored opponents 440 to 104, showcasing both offensive firepower and defensive prowess. Their balanced approach has made them one of the top teams in the section.
• Salesian College Preparatory also boasts an undefeated 11-0 record, with a 5-0 mark in league play. Like Sonoma Valley, Salesian has been perfect at home (6-0) and on the road (5-0). The team has scored 471 points and allowed 163, showing an offensive juggernaut capable of putting up big numbers. With their perfect win percentage, Salesian has shown why they are a top contender in Division 5.

Scoring Trends

• Sonoma Valley:
  • Q1: 11.7 points
  • Q2: 16.3 points
  • Q3: 6.7 points
  • Q4: 4.7 points
  • Average Final Score: 40.0 points

  Sonoma Valley has been most effective in the first half of games, especially in the second quarter, where they average 16.3 points. Their ability to build strong leads early will be a key factor in this matchup. However, their scoring tends to slow down in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter.

• Salesian College Preparatory:
  • Q1: 10.2 points
  • Q2: 10.7 points
  • Q3: 5.7 points
  • Q4: 10.2 points
  • Average Final Score: 42.8 points

  Salesian College Preparatory shows a well-balanced offensive attack throughout the game. They consistently score in the first half, and their ability to maintain offensive production in the fourth quarter (10.2 points per game) could make them a dangerous team if the game is close late.

Key Matchup Considerations

• Sonoma Valley’s Early-Game Execution: Sonoma Valley’s strength lies in their ability to dominate early, especially in the second quarter. They’ll need to continue that trend against a tough Salesian team, building a strong lead and holding onto it throughout the game. If they can execute early, they may be able to disrupt Salesian’s rhythm.
• Salesian College Preparatory’s Consistency: Salesian has been steady across all four quarters, particularly in the second half. Their ability to keep the pressure on and maintain scoring even in the later stages of the game will be crucial. If the game is close in the fourth quarter, Salesian’s ability to finish strong could be the deciding factor.

As the 2024-2025 season unfolds, Sonoma Valley and Salesian College Preparatory have both demonstrated formidable strength on the field, each boasting undefeated records. These two teams have been dominant in various facets of the game, though they differ in their style of play. Here’s a breakdown of how the teams compare in key statistical areas, key players, and their shared opponents.

Offensive Comparison

Rushing Yards Per Game
Salesian College Preparatory edges out Sonoma Valley in rushing yards, averaging 207.0 yards per game, led by Isaiah Latigue with 80.6 yards per game. Sonoma Valley, while still strong in the run game, averages 176.0 yards per game, with Cayden Waldrop leading the charge at 131.7 yards per game.

Passing Yards Per Game
Sonoma Valley leads in passing yards, averaging 198.9 yards per game. Dalan Lopata is the standout passer, throwing for 187.1 yards per game. Salesian College Preparatory, however, remains effective through the air, with Marcus Burke averaging 171.2 yards per game, contributing to their overall passing game of 175.0 yards per game.

Receiving Yards Per Game
Sonoma Valley also takes the lead in receiving yards with an average of 199.1 yards per game. Hudson Giarritta is the top receiver for Sonoma Valley, posting 76.8 yards per game. In contrast, Salesian’s receiving corps is led by Carlton Perrilliat, who has contributed 98.0 yards per game to the team’s total of 172.5 yards per game.

Defensive Comparison

Tackles Per Game
Sonoma Valley excels defensively, averaging 50.7 tackles per game. Daunte Gonzalez is a key player here, with 7.5 tackles per game. Salesian College Preparatory’s defense has been less aggressive in terms of tackles, averaging 20.5 tackles per game. Cahmari Blakely leads Salesian with 5.1 tackles per game.

Sacks Per Game
Sonoma Valley has a stronger pass rush, averaging 3.3 sacks per game. Luis Botello contributes with 1.0 sack per game. Salesian, in comparison, averages just 1.3 sacks per game, with Jahlil Lindsey posting 0.7 sacks per game.

Special Teams and Scoring

Points Per Game
Salesian College Preparatory is the more prolific offensive team, averaging 54.8 points per game, with Marcus Burke contributing 22.4 points per game. Sonoma Valley, while scoring less, has still been impressive, averaging 39.9 points per game. Hudson Giarritta leads the team with 14.7 points per game.

Pancake Blocks
Sonoma Valley has recorded 3 pancake blocks, while Salesian College Preparatory does not have this stat available.

Record Breakdown

Both teams are undefeated, showcasing their dominance in their respective leagues:

• Sonoma Valley
  • Overall: 11-0
  • League: 6-0
  • Non-League: 4-0
  • Playoff: 1-0
• Salesian College Preparatory
  • Overall: 11-0
  • League: 5-0
  • Non-League: 5-0
  • Playoff: 1-0

Each team has a perfect in-state record, with Salesian also maintaining a flawless home and away record. Sonoma Valley has performed well in both league and non-league games, but Salesian has been slightly more consistent with a higher scoring margin across their matches.

Common Opponents

Both teams have played against common opponents with strong performances:

• Sonoma Valley
  • Priory (W) 40-12
  • Fresno Christian (W) 38-12
  • Swett (W) 60-6
  • South Fork (W) 58-0
  • Roseland University Prep (W) 76-40
  • Calistoga (W) 60-8
• Salesian College Preparatory
  • Priory (W) 60-12
  • Fresno Christian (W) 62-28
  • Swett (W) 48-6
  • South Fork (W) 64-34
  • Roseland University Prep (W) 68-20
  • Calistoga (W) 62-8

Both teams have recorded dominant victories, although Salesian College Preparatory has had a larger margin of victory in most cases, particularly against teams like South Fork and Fresno Christian.

Conclusion

While both Sonoma Valley and Salesian College Preparatory remain undefeated, Salesian has been slightly more dominant in terms of overall scoring and defensive statistics. Their ability to score at will, particularly through the air with Marcus Burke, has been key to their success. Sonoma Valley, meanwhile, has had an equally impressive season, with standout performances in rushing and passing yards. Both teams have proven to be formidable opponents, and a potential matchup between them would surely be an exciting and closely contested battle.