The Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton, CA) varsity football team hosts Summerville (Tuolumne, CA) today at 12:30 p.m. in the 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games – Division 6-A tournament. Both teams aim to advance in this prestigious competition, promising an exciting clash filled with energy and competitive spirit.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California State Football Championship Bowl Games
Who: Summerville vs Sacred Heart Prep
When: Today, December 07, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games – Division 6-A
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Summerville vs. Sacred Heart Prep

The 2024-2025 high school football season has showcased two teams on very different trajectories: Summerville and Sacred Heart Prep. These teams’ performances reflect contrasting journeys, as evidenced by their rankings, records, and scoring averages.

Rankings and Records

Summerville holds an impressive overall record of 12-1, ranking 269th in California and 38th in their section’s Division 1 standings. Their season has been a dominant display, with a staggering .923 win percentage and a 6-0 record at home. Their offensive efficiency is demonstrated by 557 points scored against only 139 allowed, emphasizing their defensive prowess.

In contrast, Sacred Heart Prep’s season has been more challenging. With a 7-6 overall record and a .538 win percentage, they rank 264th in California and 18th in their section. While Sacred Heart Prep’s performance on the road has been stronger (4-3), their league record of 1-4 highlights struggles against local competition. They’ve managed 245 points for the season but allowed 252, a narrow negative point differential.

Team Scoring Averages

The scoring trends for each team further underscore their differing seasons. Summerville’s high-powered offense averages 42.8 points per game, dominating early with 11.4 points in the first quarter and peaking at 16.3 points in the second. While their scoring slows slightly in the second half, their strong starts have often set the tone for victory.

Sacred Heart Prep, meanwhile, averages 18.8 points per game, with modest scoring in each quarter. Their second quarter stands out as the weakest, averaging just 2.8 points. Despite competitive moments, their inability to sustain offensive pressure has limited their success against stronger opponents.

Key Takeaways

Summerville’s near-perfect season reflects a team firing on all cylinders, particularly on their home turf, where they remain unbeaten. Their balanced offense and defense have made them a formidable force. Conversely, Sacred Heart Prep’s up-and-down performance highlights a team with potential but struggling to find consistency in both league play and overall scoring.

As the season progresses, these statistics not only illuminate the current state of each team but also provide a glimpse into the adjustments required for future success. While Summerville will look to maintain their dominance, Sacred Heart Prep’s journey will focus on building stability and seizing opportunities to improve their standing.

The matchup between Summerville and Sacred Heart Prep highlights contrasting team dynamics and paths to their current success. Summerville has emerged as a dominant force, boasting a near-perfect season, while Sacred Heart Prep has shown resilience despite a challenging schedule. Let’s dive into the team statistics, key players, and records to preview this intriguing game.

Team Stat Comparison

Summerville:

• Points Per Game: 7.0

Sacred Heart Prep:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: 181.9
• Passing Yards Per Game: 87.1
• Receiving Yards Per Game: 87.1
• Total Yards Per Game: 269.0
• Tackles Per Game: 55.5
• Sacks Per Game: 0.8
• Points Per Game: 18.8

Summerville’s offensive struggles are evident in their low points-per-game average, indicating a team that relies heavily on their defense to stay competitive. In contrast, Sacred Heart Prep fields a more balanced attack, with a robust rushing game averaging 181.9 yards per game and solid defensive tackling numbers at 55.5 per game.

Team Leaders

Summerville:

• Points Per Game: #23 Bryson Benites – 7.0

Bryson Benites is Summerville’s key scorer, contributing all their points-per-game average. His ability to find the end zone will be crucial in this matchup.

Sacred Heart Prep:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: #46 Maxime Morelle – 71.4
• Passing Yards Per Game: #18 Max Courson – 84.6
• Receiving Yards Per Game: #5 McKinley Palmer – 26.3
• Total Yards Per Game: #18 Max Courson – 91.8
• Tackles Per Game: #68 Aseli Fangupo – 6.2
• Sacks Per Game: #50 Timote Fangupo – 0.3
• Points Per Game: #46 Maxime Morelle – 5.1

Sacred Heart Prep showcases a multi-faceted offense led by Maxime Morelle, who averages 71.4 rushing yards per game and contributes 5.1 points per game. Quarterback Max Courson’s 84.6 passing yards per game underline the team’s ability to mix their offensive schemes effectively.

Record Breakdown

Summerville (24-25):

• Overall Record: 12-1
• League Record: 5-1
• Non-League Record: 4-0
• Playoff Record: 3-0
• Home Record: 6-0
• Away Record: 3-1
• Neutral Record: 3-0

Summerville’s record is nothing short of dominant. With a near-perfect 12-1 overall record and an undefeated playoff run, they are entering this matchup with momentum and confidence. Their flawless home record highlights their ability to capitalize on home-field advantage, though this game will be played at a neutral site.

Sacred Heart Prep (24-25):

• Overall Record: 7-6
• League Record: 1-4
• Non-League Record: 3-2
• Playoff Record: 3-0
• Home Record: 2-3
• Away Record: 4-3
• Neutral Record: 1-0

Sacred Heart Prep’s 7-6 overall record tells the story of a team that has fought through adversity. While their league performance (1-4) was underwhelming, their 3-0 playoff record shows they’ve found their stride when it matters most. Sacred Heart Prep has also demonstrated their ability to win on the road, which could be a factor in a neutral-site contest.

Keys to the Game

For Summerville:

• Defensive Dominance: With a modest scoring average, Summerville must rely on their defense to neutralize Sacred Heart Prep’s balanced offense.
• Bryson Benites’ Impact: As their top scorer, Benites needs to capitalize on every scoring opportunity.

For Sacred Heart Prep:

• Establish the Run Game: Sacred Heart Prep’s success hinges on their ability to control the game with their ground attack, led by Maxime Morelle.
• Limit Mistakes: Facing a defensively focused Summerville, avoiding turnovers and maximizing drives will be crucial.

Conclusion

This game pits Summerville’s defensive grit against Sacred Heart Prep’s balanced offensive attack. Summerville enters with a stronger record and a stellar playoff run, but Sacred Heart Prep has shown they can rise to the occasion in crucial moments. If Sacred Heart Prep can maintain their offensive efficiency and limit Summerville’s scoring opportunities, they have a chance to pull off an upset. However, if Summerville’s defense stifles their attack, the game could swing in favor of the league champions.

Expect a tightly contested matchup with both teams leaving it all on the field. Summerville may have the edge on paper, but Sacred Heart Prep’s resilience makes them a dangerous underdog.