The Grant (Sacramento, CA) varsity football team will face St. Mary’s (Stockton, CA) in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs – Division 2 tournament, where both teams aim to advance in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: St. Mary’s vs Grant
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs – Division 2
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: St. Mary’s vs. Grant

The 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs are in full swing, and one of the most highly anticipated matchups in Division 2 will see the St. Mary’s Rams face off against the Grant Pacers. Set to take place on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m., this neutral-site playoff game is poised to be a thrilling contest between two top-tier teams.

St. Mary’s Rams: Unstoppable in League Play

The St. Mary’s Rams enter the game with an impressive 9-2 overall record, having gone undefeated in league play at 5-0. Ranked 2nd in the California Section and 1st in their division, the Rams have shown their dominance throughout the season. Their offense has been explosive, scoring a total of 436 points, while their defense has allowed just 181. Averaging 39.6 points per game, St. Mary’s has been especially strong in the first half, putting up an average of 14.0 points in the first quarter and 15.2 points in the second. However, their scoring drops in the second half, with only 8.2 points in the third quarter and 5.8 points in the fourth. Despite this, they have maintained a high level of performance, earning a .818 win percentage and a perfect 1.000 in league play.

Grant Pacers: Balanced and High-Scoring

The Grant Pacers have also had an impressive season, posting an 8-3 record. Their .727 win percentage and undefeated 5-0 league record speak to their consistency and ability to compete at a high level. The Pacers have been a formidable offensive force, scoring 451 points throughout the season, and have averaged 41.0 points per game. Their scoring is balanced across all quarters, with 10.0 points in the first, 9.7 points in the second, and 7.9 points in the third. The Pacers finish strong in the fourth, with an average of 8.3 points. With a .727 win percentage and a solid defense that has allowed 211 points, Grant is positioned as a well-rounded and dangerous opponent.

Key Matchup Insights

Both teams have been dominant in their respective leagues, with St. Mary’s maintaining a perfect league record and Grant finishing strong in its division. One of the key factors in this game will be the contrasting styles of offense. St. Mary’s excels in the early parts of the game, scoring a total of 29.2 points in the first half. However, they’ll need to step up their second-half performance to keep pace with Grant’s strong finish. The Pacers’ more evenly distributed offense, with consistent scoring across all four quarters, could give them an edge in a close game.

As the football season progresses, both St. Mary’s and Grant have proven themselves to be formidable forces, each with its own distinct style and impressive records. With both teams excelling in various areas of the game, let’s take a closer look at their performances, key players, and season records to see what makes these two teams tick.

Team Stat Comparison

St. Mary’s and Grant are highly competitive teams, with both averaging over 350 total yards per game. St. Mary’s averages 369.5 total yards per game, while Grant is just ahead at 385.8 total yards per game. This indicates that while both teams are balanced offensively, Grant slightly edges St. Mary’s in terms of overall yardage production.

When it comes to the rushing game, St. Mary’s leads with an average of 189.8 rushing yards per game, compared to Grant’s 151.6. This gives St. Mary’s a clear advantage on the ground, where they can rely on a strong running game to control the clock and move the ball.

In the passing game, Grant excels, averaging 234.2 passing yards per game, while St. Mary’s comes in at 179.6. This difference in passing yardage reflects Grant’s ability to stretch the field and take advantage of their aerial game, which has been a key component of their offensive success.

Both teams are highly productive in the receiving department, with St. Mary’s averaging 179.6 receiving yards per game and Grant at 229.8. This reinforces Grant’s strength in the passing game, where they often rely on explosive plays.

Defensively, St. Mary’s has a slight advantage in tackles per game, averaging 58.4 compared to Grant’s 57.1. In terms of sacks, St. Mary’s averages 3.1 sacks per game, more than Grant’s 2.3. This shows that St. Mary’s defense is slightly more disruptive, able to get to the quarterback more frequently.

Both teams score high, with St. Mary’s averaging 39.6 points per game, and Grant not far behind at 39.4 points per game. This demonstrates that both squads have potent offenses capable of putting up big numbers each week.

Team Leaders

Each team is led by standout players who have been essential to their success this season.

For St. Mary’s, Anthony Moses Alexander leads the rushing attack, averaging 74.5 rushing yards per game. In the passing game, Jaden Galvan has been exceptional, averaging 161.6 passing yards per game. Kenneth Moore III is a top target in the receiving game, contributing 72.5 receiving yards per game. On defense, Diego Hernandez leads the team with 6.1 tackles per game, while Manaalii Danielson contributes with 0.6 sacks per game.

For Grant, Brandon Lambert is a dominant force in the rushing game, averaging 103.2 rushing yards per game, while Luke Alexander is the quarterback leader, contributing 212.6 passing yards per game. Koby “Cheese” Shabazz is a reliable receiver with 71.8 receiving yards per game, and Jeremiah Tuiileila is the defensive standout, leading with 7.9 tackles per game and contributing 1.2 sacks per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams faced the same two common opponents this season: De La Salle and Edison.

• Against De La Salle, St. Mary’s lost a close game on September 20, 2024, with a score of 38-35, while Grant also faced De La Salle early in the season, losing 42-14 on August 30, 2024. This shows that while both teams faced De La Salle, St. Mary’s had a much closer result.
• In the matchup against Edison, St. Mary’s came out victorious on October 18, 2024, winning 35-23, while Grant also won their game against Edison on August 23, 2024, with a dominant 28-7 score. Both teams were able to handle Edison fairly comfortably.

Record Breakdown

St. Mary’s has an impressive overall record of 9-2, with a perfect 5-0 league record and a 3-2 non-league record. They are undefeated at home, posting a 4-1 record, and they also perform well on the road with a 4-1 record. St. Mary’s has been dominant in-state, boasting a 9-1 record, and they are also 1-0 in playoff games.

Grant, on the other hand, holds an 8-3 overall record, with a 5-0 league record, matching St. Mary’s league performance. However, their non-league performance was less impressive, with a 2-3 record. Grant has been equally successful at home, with a 4-1 record, but their road record is slightly more mixed at 3-2. Like St. Mary’s, Grant is also 1-0 in playoff games and boasts a 8-3 in-state record.

Conclusion

St. Mary’s and Grant are two of the top teams in the league, each with its own strengths. St. Mary’s is a powerhouse on the ground and boasts a strong defense, while Grant is a high-powered offensive unit, particularly through the air. The head-to-head competition between these two teams promises to be an exciting matchup, with both teams looking to continue their successful seasons. Fans can expect a thrilling game where both teams will bring their best to the field, showcasing their dynamic offenses and tough defenses. Whether through St. Mary’s rushing attack or Grant’s passing game, this showdown will be one to watch.