The St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy (Downey, CA) varsity football team will host Sonora (CA) in a playoff matchup today at 3 p.m. as part of the 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games, Division 4-A. Both teams are determined to advance in this high-stakes postseason clash.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: California State Football Championship Bowl Games
Who: Sonora vs St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy
When: Today, December 14, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games – Division 4-A
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Sonora vs. St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy
The 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games, Division 4-A, continues today as the St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy (Downey, CA) football team hosts Sonora (CA) at 3 p.m. in a pivotal playoff matchup. Both teams are vying for a spot in the next round, with Sonora entering as a dominant force and SPXSMA looking to overcome their underdog status.
Sonora: A Powerhouse Offense
- Overall Record: 12-2
- League Record: 4-2
- Home Record: 6-0
- Away Record: 3-2
- Neutral Record: 3-0
- Winning Percentage: .857
- League Winning Percentage: .667
- Points For (PF): 605
- Points Against (PA): 251
Sonora has been a standout team this season, boasting a 12-2 record and an undefeated 6-0 performance at home. Their offense has been explosive, averaging 43.2 points per game. They excel in the second and fourth quarters, scoring 13.2 and 13.3 points on average, respectively. Their defense complements their high-scoring offense, limiting opponents to just 251 points over the season.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Q1: 10.4
- Q2: 13.2
- Q3: 7.0
- Q4: 13.3
- Final: 43.2 points per game
Sonora’s ability to finish strong in the fourth quarter has been a key factor in their success, making them a formidable opponent in this playoff clash.
St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy: Underdog Ambitions
- Overall Record: 6-9
- League Record: 1-4
- Home Record: 2-4
- Away Record: 1-5
- Neutral Record: 3-0
- Winning Percentage: .400
- League Winning Percentage: .200
- Points For (PF): 311
- Points Against (PA): 421
SPXSMA has faced a challenging season, with a 6-9 record and only two wins at home. Their offense averages 20.7 points per game, with their highest scoring coming in the first and fourth quarters. However, they have struggled to maintain momentum through the second and third quarters, which has often left them trailing in key matchups.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Q1: 6.7
- Q2: 5.8
- Q3: 2.9
- Q4: 6.9
- Final: 20.7 points per game
Despite their struggles, SPXSMA has shown resilience, especially in neutral site games where they remain undefeated.
Key Matchup Insights
Sonora’s high-powered offense and balanced scoring across all quarters give them a significant edge in this matchup. Their ability to score consistently and dominate in critical moments will test SPXSMA’s defense.
For SPXSMA, the challenge will be to find early offensive rhythm and limit Sonora’s explosive plays. If they can disrupt Sonora’s momentum and capitalize on key opportunities, they may find a path to an upset.
The clash between Sonora and SPXSMA highlights a tale of two very different teams this season, as evident from their statistical profiles and performance records. Here, we delve deeper into their strengths, weaknesses, and overall outcomes.
Statistical Comparison
Offensive Prowess
Sonora’s offensive strength is evident in its rushing game, which averages an impressive 323.2 rushing yards per game, significantly outperforming SPXSMA’s 79.8 yards. This reflects a ground-heavy strategy led by #29 Tommy Sutton, who contributes an outstanding 99.5 rushing yards per game, well above the national average of 19.9.
In contrast, SPXSMA thrives in the air, boasting 192.5 passing yards per game compared to Sonora’s modest 69.2. Their quarterback, #9 Jassi Williams, is a standout player with an extraordinary 206.3 passing yards per game, eclipsing the national average of 50.2. Williams also dominates total yardage, contributing 263.6 yards per game—more than double Sonora’s leader, #5 Eli Ingalls, who manages 111.1 yards per game.
Total Yards
Sonora’s balanced attack yields 392.4 total yards per game, overshadowing SPXSMA’s 272.3. This disparity highlights Sonora’s ability to generate consistent yardage both on the ground and through shorter passing plays.
Scoring Efficiency
The points-per-game metric starkly contrasts the two teams. Sonora averages a staggering 42.4 points per game, tripling SPXSMA’s 14.0. Sonora’s #7 Cash Byington leads the scoring effort with 10.3 points per game, dwarfing SPXSMA’s leader, Jassi Williams, who averages 4.3.
Defensive Matchup
Tackles and Sacks
Defensively, the two teams display similar numbers. Sonora averages 51.7 tackles per game, slightly ahead of SPXSMA’s 44.9. However, both teams share an identical average of 1.4 sacks per game, demonstrating comparable pass-rushing capabilities.
SPXSMA’s #8 Geremya Hood is their defensive standout with 7.7 tackles per game, surpassing Sonora’s leader, #2 Brody Speer, who averages 5.9. Meanwhile, Speer also adds value with 0.3 sacks per game, nearly matching SPXSMA’s top performer, #50 Marcus Ball, who averages 0.4
Season Records
The season records reveal a stark contrast in overall performance:
- Sonora (12-2): Sonora’s strong season is reflected in their stellar 12-2 record, including a perfect 6-0 at home and a 4-0 mark in playoffs. They have proven themselves to be a dominant force in both league (4-2) and non-league (4-0) games.
- SPXSMA (6-9): Despite a challenging season, SPXSMA’s resilience shone in neutral settings, where they posted a 3-0 record. However, their struggles in non-league games (0-5) and at home (2-4) contributed to a sub-.500 record.
Key Takeaways
- Sonora’s Ground Game Dominance: The rushing attack, led by Tommy Sutton, has been the cornerstone of their success, complemented by their ability to control the pace of the game.
- SPXSMA’s Aerial Assault: Jassi Williams is a prolific passer whose contributions have kept SPXSMA competitive, despite their struggles in other areas.
- Scoring Disparity: Sonora’s ability to convert yardage into points has been a key differentiator, as evidenced by their significantly higher points-per-game average.
- Defensive Parity: Both teams display comparable defensive stats, making the outcome of their games more dependent on offensive execution.
Conclusion
When comparing Sonora and SPXSMA, it is clear that these teams excel in different aspects of the game. Sonora’s ground-and-pound strategy and scoring efficiency have propelled them to a dominant season, while SPXSMA’s reliance on their aerial attack has shown flashes of brilliance despite a challenging campaign. These contrasts set the stage for an intriguing matchup whenever these teams face off.
