The St. Vincent de Paul (Petaluma, CA) varsity football team is set to face Sonoma Valley (Sonoma, CA) in a neutral playoff game today at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships, Division 5 tournament, as both teams look to advance in the postseason.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: California State Football Championship
Who: Sonoma Valley vs St. Vincent de Paul
When: Today, November 30, 2024
Bracket: 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 5
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Sonoma Valley vs. St. Vincent de Paul
The 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships are reaching their peak, and the Division 5 playoff game between Sonoma Valley and St. Vincent de Paul promises to be an exciting and competitive matchup. Both teams enter the game with impressive records, showcasing their dominance in their respective leagues.
Sonoma Valley: The Perfect Season
Sonoma Valley has been nothing short of outstanding this season, finishing with a perfect 12-0 record. Their 6-0 league performance and perfect 7-0 home record highlight their ability to dominate both in league play and on their home field. With a .1000 win percentage and a .1000 league win percentage, Sonoma Valley has proven to be one of the top teams in the section. The team’s defense has been particularly impressive, allowing just 131 points throughout the season, while their offense has been prolific, averaging an impressive 39.7 points per game. Sonoma Valley has displayed offensive balance, starting strong with 11.7 points in the first quarter and 16.3 points in the second quarter, although their production dips slightly in the second half with 6.7 points in the third quarter and 4.7 points in the fourth. Their challenge in this playoff game will be maintaining their offensive rhythm and capitalizing on their perfect season.
St. Vincent de Paul: A Strong Contender
St. Vincent de Paul has also had a fantastic season, finishing with an 11-1 overall record and a 5-0 league performance. Their .917 win percentage is a testament to their strong play, and their 6-0 home record and 5-1 away record show their ability to perform both at home and on the road. While their offense has been explosive, scoring 575 points throughout the season, they’ve averaged an impressive 47.9 points per game. Their scoring has been steady, with 15.8 points in the first quarter, 16.4 points in the second quarter, and 10.6 points in the third quarter, but they have struggled in the fourth quarter, averaging only 3.7 points. Despite the dip in the fourth, their high-powered offense and strong defensive play, allowing just 182 points, make them a formidable opponent.
Key Differences: Offensive Firepower
The key difference between these two teams lies in their offensive outputs. Sonoma Valley has managed to balance scoring and defense throughout the game, while St. Vincent de Paul has shown an ability to score explosively, particularly in the first half. However, St. Vincent de Paul will need to avoid struggling in the fourth quarter if they hope to hold off Sonoma Valley’s balanced attack. Sonoma Valley’s ability to close out games with consistent scoring will be put to the test against the high-scoring offense of St. Vincent de Paul.
Team Stat Comparison
St. Vincent de Paul has been the more dominant team in terms of overall yardage, averaging 414.2 total yards per game, compared to Sonoma Valley’s 369.7 total yards per game. The difference is most notable in rushing, where St. Vincent de Paul has averaged 207.0 rushing yards per game, while Sonoma Valley has posted 164.4 rushing yards per game. Running back Mason Caturegli has been a key part of this success, with 97.5 rushing yards per game.
Key Players to Watch
For Sonoma Valley, Cayden Waldrop has been the standout rusher, leading the team with 125.8 rushing yards per game. His ability to control the ground game will be critical in establishing an offensive rhythm against St. Vincent de Paul. Meanwhile, Dalan Lopata, with 194.4 passing yards per game, will be crucial in leading the passing attack. His ability to connect with Hudson Giarritta, who averages 84.8 receiving yards per game, will be essential for stretching the defense and keeping the passing game effective.
On the other side, St. Vincent de Paul will rely on the combination of Mason Caturegli and Gabe Casanovas to fuel their offense. Caturegli, with his 97.5 rushing yards per game, and Casanovas, who leads the team in passing with 197.5 yards per game, will look to keep the offense balanced and put pressure on Sonoma Valley’s defense. Tye Nickens, who averages 51.1 receiving yards per game, will also play a key role in the passing game.
Common Opponents and Head-to-Head
Both teams have faced similar competition this season, providing a useful point of comparison.
- Sonoma Valley defeated Montgomery 39-32 on September 6, while St. Vincent de Paul also defeated Montgomery 49-13 on November 2.
- Sonoma Valley beat Santa Rosa 41-14 on September 20, and St. Vincent de Paul won 51-8 against Santa Rosa on October 11.
Record Breakdown
Both teams have had exceptional seasons, with Sonoma Valley going undefeated at 12-0 and St. Vincent de Paul boasting an 11-1 record. Both teams performed well in league play, with Sonoma Valley finishing 6-0 in league and St. Vincent de Paul finishing 5-0.
At home, Sonoma Valley is a perfect 7-0, while St. Vincent de Paul is also undefeated at home, with a 6-0 record. On the road, Sonoma Valley has a 5-0 record, and St. Vincent de Paul has posted a strong 5-1 road record.
Conclusion
With their high-scoring offenses and solid defensive units, both Sonoma Valley and St. Vincent de Paul come into this game as strong contenders. The key to victory will likely depend on whether Sonoma Valley can effectively disrupt St. Vincent de Paul’s balanced attack, particularly their rushing game. On the other hand, St. Vincent de Paul will need to stop Cayden Waldrop and Dalan Lopata from creating explosive plays and keep Sonoma Valley’s passing game in check.
