The Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco, CA) varsity football team will host Soquel (CA) in a playoff game today at 1 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships, Open/Division I tournament, as both teams compete for a chance to advance further in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football
Who: Soquel vs Archbishop Riordan
When: Today, November 16, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships (California) – 0pen/Division I
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Archbishop Riordan vs. Soquel

The 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships will feature an exciting playoff clash today between Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco, CA) and Soquel (CA). With both teams entering the game with strong records, this promises to be a high-stakes battle for a chance to advance further in the postseason.

Team Records and Performance

Soquel enters this game with an impressive 8-2 overall record and a perfect 6-0 mark in league play. Their dominance throughout the regular season has been evident, especially in their defensive play, allowing just 92 points in total across all games. Their ability to perform both at home (4-1) and away (4-1) underscores their balanced and effective approach.

Archbishop Riordan, with a 6-4 overall record, has had a solid season, highlighted by their 5-2 performance in league play. Their offense has been potent, scoring 352 points, although they’ve allowed 293 points on defense, which could be a factor in this matchup. Archbishop Riordan has been particularly strong at home, where they are undefeated with a 4-0 record.

Scoring Averages and Key Stats

Soquel has averaged 31.0 points per game, with a well-balanced offensive attack that has been consistent throughout the game. They score 7.8 points in the first quarter, 10.3 in the second, and continue to push hard in the second half. However, their scoring drops slightly in the fourth quarter, averaging just 5.7 points.

Archbishop Riordan, known for their explosive offense, has averaged 35.2 points per game. Their offensive rhythm peaks in the second half, with 16 points scored in the fourth quarter, showing their ability to close games strong. They’ve been most efficient in the second quarter (13.8 points), where they typically establish momentum.

Key Factors to Watch

• Soquel’s Consistent Offense and Defense: Soquel has been dominant on both sides of the ball. With their ability to score early and limit opponents, they will look to establish control early and avoid letting Archbishop Riordan’s offense build momentum.
• Archbishop Riordan’s Late-Game Strength: Archbishop Riordan’s ability to score heavily in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, gives them a potent advantage if the game is close. Their fast-paced offense and defensive improvements throughout the game will be key to their success.

This matchup between Soquel and Archbishop Riordan will be a contest of styles. Soquel’s consistency and solid defense versus Archbishop Riordan’s explosive offense and strong finish could determine the outcome. With both teams boasting impressive records and high-scoring offenses, this game promises to deliver an exciting and competitive playoff atmosphere.

As the football season intensifies, the matchup between Soquel and Archbishop Riordan is set to be a thrilling contest. Both teams bring dynamic offenses and capable defenses to the table, each with their unique strengths. Soquel enters the game with an impressive 8-2 record, while Archbishop Riordan, at 6-4, has proven to be a competitive force despite facing some tough losses. Here’s a closer look at the team statistics and key players for each team as they prepare to battle it out.

Team Statistics Comparison

Offensive Strengths

Both Soquel and Archbishop Riordan have demonstrated balanced offensive attacks, with a blend of solid rushing and passing games.

• Rushing: Archbishop Riordan has a slight edge in the rushing game, averaging 207.4 rushing yards per game, with Jeremiah Jones leading the way with 118.4 rushing yards per game. Soquel, on the other hand, averages 197.1 rushing yards per game, with Tyreis Lundy contributing 103.8 yards per game.
• Passing: Archbishop Riordan also leads in the passing game, racking up 234.0 passing yards per game, with Michael Mitchell Jr. throwing for 233.2 yards per game. Soquel, in comparison, averages 129.7 passing yards per game, with Sam Whelan leading the way with 129.7 yards per game. Soquel’s offense relies more heavily on the run, but they will need to balance their attack to compete against Archbishop Riordan’s potent passing offense.
• Total Yardage: Archbishop Riordan has a clear advantage in total yardage, averaging 441.4 yards per game compared to Soquel’s 326.8 yards per game. Michael Mitchell Jr. and his playmaking ability have been central to Archbishop Riordan’s high-yardage offense.

Defensive Play

When it comes to defense, Soquel and Archbishop Riordan show contrasting strengths.

• Tackles: Archbishop Riordan has a significant edge in tackles, averaging 84.7 tackles per game, with Skylar Tiatia leading the charge at 8.7 tackles per game. Soquel, in comparison, averages 52.3 tackles per game, with Adrian Lopez-Kais contributing 7.2 tackles per game.
• Sacks: Archbishop Riordan is more effective at generating pressure on the quarterback, averaging 2.9 sacks per game, while Soquel averages just 0.4 sacks per game. Frank Ennix leads Archbishop Riordan in sacks with 1.0 sack per game.

Scoring

Both teams have shown the ability to score points, but Archbishop Riordan has the edge in this category. Soquel averages 29.7 points per game, with Hudson Summerrill contributing 5.0 points per game. Archbishop Riordan, on the other hand, averages 35.2 points per game, with Jeremiah Jones scoring 10.2 points per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced common opponents this season, with mixed results:

• Valley Christian: Soquel defeated Valley Christian 27-10 on 9/13/24, while Archbishop Riordan lost to Valley Christian 31-13 on 10/11/24. This result gives Soquel a slight advantage when it comes to handling common competition.

Record Breakdown

• Soquel enters the matchup with an 8-2 overall record, including a perfect 6-0 in league play. Their 4-1 home record shows their strength at home, while they’ve struggled slightly on the road with a 4-1 away record.
• Archbishop Riordan holds a 6-4 overall record, with a 5-2 record in league play. They are strong at home, with a perfect 4-0 record, but have had difficulties on the road, posting a 2-4 away record.

Key Players to Watch

• Soquel: Tyreis Lundy (RB) will be crucial for Soquel’s offensive attack, leading the team’s ground game. Sam Whelan (QB) is a dual-threat, contributing both in the air and on the ground, and Hudson Summerrill (WR) will be an important target in the passing game.
• Archbishop Riordan: Michael Mitchell Jr. (QB) is the star of the offense, with the ability to pass and lead the team downfield. Jeremiah Jones (RB) will play a vital role in controlling the tempo of the game and setting up the play-action pass. Skylar Tiatia (LB) is the anchor of the defense and will need to be active in stopping the run and containing Soquel’s playmakers.

Conclusion: A Battle of Offenses and Defenses

This matchup between Soquel and Archbishop Riordan is shaping up to be a high-stakes, action-packed game. Archbishop Riordan’s potent passing game, led by Michael Mitchell Jr., and strong defensive unit will look to overpower Soquel. However, Soquel’s balanced attack, with Tyreis Lundy leading the rushing game and Sam Whelan keeping the defense honest through the air, will make them a formidable opponent.

The game will likely come down to whether Soquel can slow down Archbishop Riordan’s high-powered offense and take advantage of their own run game. If Soquel can control the clock and limit the passing attack, they have a real chance to pull off a victory. On the other hand, if Archbishop Riordan can establish their aerial game and generate pressure with their defense, they will have the upper hand.

With both teams showing the ability to put up points and shut down opponents defensively, this promises to be an exciting game with plenty of implications for the postseason.