The Rio Vista (CA) varsity football team will face Stone Ridge Christian (Merced, CA) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs, Division 7 tournament, where both teams will compete for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Stone Ridge Christian vs Rio Vista
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs – Division 7
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Stone Ridge Christian vs. Rio Vista

The 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs are set to feature a compelling matchup between Stone Ridge Christian and Rio Vista, taking place on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. The game will be played at a neutral site and promises to be a hard-fought contest as both teams aim for advancement in the Division 7 tournament.

Stone Ridge Christian Football Team (24-25 Season)

Stone Ridge Christian enters this playoff game with an impressive 9-2 record. The team has been dominant in league play, finishing with a 5-1 record and securing an .833 league win percentage. Stone Ridge has been effective both at home (4-2) and on the road (4-0), with a perfect 1-0 record in neutral-site games, highlighting their ability to perform in varied environments. The team has been efficient offensively, scoring 347 points and averaging 31.5 points per game.

Stone Ridge’s scoring breakdown reveals a strong second quarter, where they average 13.5 points. However, their performance drops off in the third and fourth quarters, with only 3.5 points per quarter in both periods. Despite this, their ability to build leads early in games has been a key to their success. Defensively, they’ve allowed just 162 points this season, showcasing a balanced approach on both sides of the ball.

Rio Vista Football Team (24-25 Season)

Rio Vista, with a 7-5 overall record, has had a more challenging season, but they have shown resilience in key moments. The team finished 4-3 in league play, giving them a .571 league win percentage. They performed well at home (4-1) but struggled on the road (2-4), though they have a strong 1-0 record in neutral-site games. Rio Vista has scored 390 points, averaging 32.5 points per game, slightly higher than Stone Ridge Christian’s offensive output.

The team’s scoring breakdown shows consistency, with 4.7 points in the first and fourth quarters, though they average only 2.5 points in the third. Their ability to score in both the early and late stages of games has helped them remain competitive. However, they will need to address their struggles in the third quarter if they hope to challenge Stone Ridge Christian’s early-game success.

Key Matchup Considerations

Stone Ridge Christian enters the game as the favorite with a better overall record and impressive scoring efficiency, particularly in the first half of games. Their strong second-quarter performance could give them a critical edge early on. However, Rio Vista’s ability to put up 32.5 points per game and their overall offensive balance will make them a formidable opponent.

Both teams will need to execute well in the second half, as Stone Ridge Christian’s offense tends to slow down after the first half, while Rio Vista must improve their third-quarter output to stay competitive.

The upcoming matchup between Stone Ridge Christian and Rio Vista promises to showcase two football teams with contrasting styles and strengths. While Stone Ridge Christian relies on a balanced offensive attack with a potent passing game and a solid rushing game, Rio Vista leans heavily on their powerful running game and stifling defense. This article breaks down the key statistics, team leaders, and record breakdown for both teams as they prepare for what could be a thrilling contest.

Team Stat Comparison

Both Stone Ridge Christian and Rio Vista are competitive teams, but they have different strengths in terms of how they move the ball. Stone Ridge Christian averages 363.0 total yards per game, with a fairly balanced offensive attack. Their 194.0 rushing yards per game and 169.0 passing yards per game demonstrate a versatile offense capable of attacking in multiple ways. On the other hand, Rio Vista averages 355.0 total yards per game, but their offensive game is primarily focused on the ground, as they average a robust 293.8 rushing yards per game. Rio Vista’s passing game has been less involved, with just 61.2 passing yards per game, which will likely change if they fall behind early and need to pass more frequently.

On defense, both teams are solid, with Stone Ridge Christian averaging 57.0 tackles per game and Rio Vista averaging 53.8 tackles per game. Stone Ridge Christian has recorded 1.2 sacks per game, while Rio Vista has a stronger pass rush with 3.0 sacks per game, which could be crucial in applying pressure to Stone Ridge Christian’s quarterback, Marcus Gray.

In terms of scoring, Rio Vista has been more prolific, averaging 32.2 points per game, compared to Stone Ridge Christian’s 24.3 points per game. However, Stone Ridge Christian’s defensive capabilities, particularly in limiting big plays, will be tested against Rio Vista’s potent running attack.

Team Leaders

For Stone Ridge Christian, Daijon O’Neil is the standout player, leading the team in both rushing and receiving. He averages 54.7 rushing yards per game and 59.0 receiving yards per game, making him a versatile offensive weapon. O’Neil is also the team’s leading scorer, contributing 10.2 points per game. Marcus Gray, the quarterback, has been a key part of their passing attack, averaging 185.9 passing yards per game and contributing 195.7 total yards per game.

Defensively, Mark Andres has been the leader, averaging 11.6 tackles per game. Additionally, Vinicius Tome has contributed 0.7 sacks per game, adding pressure to opposing offenses.

On the other hand, Rio Vista’s offense is anchored by Emmett Medders, who has been the focal point of their rushing game, averaging 101.2 rushing yards per game. Medders has also contributed 66.2 passing yards per game, and his dual-threat ability makes him a significant challenge for Stone Ridge Christian’s defense. Medders is also the team’s leader in total yards, with 167.4 total yards per game. Carlos Saiz has been a key receiver, contributing 30.5 receiving yards per game.

Defensively, Rio Vista’s defense has been led by Charlie Jeffers, who has contributed 1.6 sacks per game. Emmett Medders, in addition to his offensive contributions, has also been solid on defense, averaging 8.1 tackles per game, highlighting his all-around impact on the field.

Record Breakdown

Looking at the records, Stone Ridge Christian has been the stronger team overall, with a 9-2 record for the season, including a 5-1 league record. They have performed well both at home and away, with a 4-2 record at home and 4-0 on the road. Rio Vista, while not as dominant as Stone Ridge Christian, has had a solid season, finishing 7-5 overall and 4-3 in league play. Their road record is 2-4, but they have shown resilience, especially in their 4-1 record at home.

Both teams have had success in the playoffs, with Stone Ridge Christian posting a 2-0 record in postseason play, and Rio Vista also boasting a 2-0 playoff record, indicating they are both battle-tested and ready for the high stakes of the postseason.

Here’s a closer look at the record breakdown for each team:

• Stone Ridge Christian:
  • Overall: 9-2
  • League: 5-1
  • Non-League: 3-1
  • Home: 4-2
  • Away: 4-0
  • Playoff: 2-0
• Rio Vista:
  • Overall: 7-5
  • League: 4-3
  • Non-League: 1-2
  • Home: 4-1
  • Away: 2-4
  • Playoff: 2-0

Conclusion

This matchup between Stone Ridge Christian and Rio Vista will be a clash of contrasting styles. Stone Ridge Christian comes in with a balanced offensive attack and a defense that has been solid throughout the season, while Rio Vista boasts a dominant rushing game and a defense capable of pressuring the quarterback.

Key players like Daijon O’Neil for Stone Ridge Christian and Emmett Medders for Rio Vista will be crucial in determining the outcome of this game. Stone Ridge Christian’s ability to contain Medders and Rio Vista’s success in stopping O’Neil and Gray will likely decide who comes out on top. With both teams performing well in the playoffs, this game is poised to be an exciting and competitive matchup as both teams aim to continue their postseason runs.