The Bakersfield Christian varsity football team will face Sunnyside in a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships in Division II. Both teams are eager to advance in the tournament and secure a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Sunnyside vs Bakersfield Christian
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships – Division II
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Sunnyside vs. Bakersfield Christian

On Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m., the Bakersfield Christian varsity football team will host Sunnyside in a thrilling home playoff game as part of the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships in Division II. Both teams have shown impressive performances throughout the season, setting the stage for an exciting postseason showdown.

Records and Rankings

Bakersfield Christian enters the game with a strong 9-2 overall record. They have proven themselves dominant in league play, finishing with a perfect 4-0 record. The team’s offensive attack has been impressive, scoring 388 points this season while allowing 162. Ranked 94th in California and 8th in their section, they are in great form heading into the playoffs. With a solid record at home (4-2), they will look to extend their success on their home field.

Sunnyside, with an 8-4 overall record, has had a solid season despite a few setbacks. The team finished 5-2 in league play, ranking 116th in California and 12th in their section. Sunnyside’s offense has been explosive, scoring 554 points throughout the season, showcasing their ability to put up big numbers. However, they will need to overcome their 3-3 away record to challenge Bakersfield Christian on the road.

Scoring Breakdown

Sunnyside has been particularly potent in the first half, averaging 7.3 points in the first quarter and 15.0 points in the second. Their second-half offense has been effective as well, with an average of 10.7 points in the third and 7.0 points in the fourth, ending the game with an average of 46.2 points.

Bakersfield Christian has had a more balanced scoring distribution, with 6.3 points in the first quarter, 11.5 points in the second, 10.3 points in the third, and 7.2 points in the fourth. Their average of 35.3 points per game shows their offensive consistency, but they will need to keep up with Sunnyside’s high-scoring attack.

Keys to Victory

For Sunnyside, maintaining offensive pressure throughout all four quarters will be crucial. They will need to replicate their high-scoring first half and avoid falling behind early, especially on the road. A strong performance from their explosive offense, led by a versatile attack, will be key to keeping the game competitive.

Bakersfield Christian, on the other hand, will need to control the tempo of the game. Their ability to balance the passing and running game, combined with their solid defense, will give them the edge in slowing down Sunnyside’s potent offense. Playing strong in the first half and maintaining that intensity throughout the game will be crucial for the home team.

What’s at Stake

Both teams are eager to make a deep run in the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships, and this game will determine who advances to the next round. Bakersfield Christian comes into the matchup as the higher seed with a solid record, but Sunnyside’s high-scoring offense and ability to perform under pressure make them a formidable opponent.

Fans can expect a thrilling matchup between two dynamic teams, each with their own strengths. The winner will have the opportunity to advance further into the tournament, with both teams motivated to make a championship push. This Division II playoff game promises to deliver intense football action and plenty of drama.

As the high school football season intensifies, Sunnyside and Bakersfield Christian stand out with their impressive offensive outputs and solid overall records. Sunnyside, with an 8-4 record, faces off against Bakersfield Christian, who is 9-2 this season. Both teams boast potent offenses and experienced players, setting the stage for an exciting matchup. Here’s a breakdown of how both teams compare across key statistics and their road to this point in the season.

Offensive Comparison:

• Rushing Game: Sunnyside averages 160.6 rushing yards per game, led by Romulan Phetvixay, who contributes 65.0 yards per game. In comparison, Bakersfield Christian averages 151.0 rushing yards per game, with Ethan Eckles leading the way with 76.2 yards per game. Both teams rely heavily on the ground game, but Eckles’ production makes Bakersfield Christian’s rushing attack slightly more potent.
• Passing Game: Sunnyside has a solid passing attack, with Tanner Wilson throwing for 229.0 yards per game. Bakersfield Christian’s Lincoln Adame is slightly more efficient, averaging 207.5 passing yards per game. While both teams can move the ball through the air, Sunnyside’s passing game has been slightly more productive this season.
• Receiving Game: Sunnyside’s Cj Jones leads the team in receiving with 85.7 yards per game, contributing to their total of 202.1 receiving yards per game. Bakersfield Christian’s top receiver is Andre Calderon, who averages 83.5 yards per game. Both teams feature strong passing games, with Jones being a significant target for Sunnyside and Calderon a key player for Bakersfield Christian.
• Total Yards: Sunnyside averages 362.7 total yards per game, slightly outpacing Bakersfield Christian’s 358.5 yards per game. Both offenses are capable of generating significant yardage, with Sunnyside’s slightly stronger rushing attack giving them an edge in total offensive production.

Defensive Comparison:

• Tackles: Sunnyside averages 41.5 tackles per game, while Bakersfield Christian has a more aggressive defense, averaging 49.8 tackles per game. David Aguirre leads Bakersfield Christian with 7.5 tackles per game, and Romulan Phetvixay is a key tackler for Sunnyside, contributing 7.3 tackles per game. While Bakersfield Christian has more total tackles, both teams have players who can make big plays on defense.
• Sacks: Both teams average 1.6 sacks per game, indicating they both have the ability to put pressure on the quarterback. Jose Vasquez leads Sunnyside with 1.0 sacks per game, while Max Wisnoff contributes 0.6 sacks per game for Bakersfield Christian.

Scoring:

Both teams are capable of putting up big numbers on offense, with Sunnyside averaging 35.5 points per game and Bakersfield Christian slightly trailing with 35.3 points per game. Romulan Phetvixay is a major scoring threat for Sunnyside, contributing 8.6 points per game, while Talen Mather adds 8.2 points per game for Bakersfield Christian. Both offenses have the capability to score at will, making for an exciting game.

Record Breakdown:

• Sunnyside: The team enters the matchup with an 8-4 record, with a 5-2 league record and a 1-2 non-league record. Sunnyside has been solid at home, going 5-1, but has faced more challenges on the road, with a 3-3 away record. Their solid playoff performance (2-0) has kept them in contention for a deep postseason run.
• Bakersfield Christian: With a 9-2 record, Bakersfield Christian has had a slightly more successful season, especially in league play, where they have gone 4-0. Their 4-2 away record showcases their ability to perform on the road, while their perfect 5-0 record at home has been a major strength. Bakersfield Christian has also had success in the playoffs, going 1-0.

Common Opponents:

• Sunnyside vs. Ridgeview: Sunnyside played Ridgeview on 9/5/24, suffering a 33-0 loss. On the other hand, Bakersfield Christian faced Ridgeview on 10/4/24, securing a 43-12 win at home.
• Sunnyside vs. Tehachapi: Sunnyside faced Tehachapi on 11/8/24 and came out with a solid 33-21 victory. Bakersfield Christian also faced Tehachapi on 8/30/24 and triumphed 28-6, showing strong performances from both teams in these matchups.

Conclusion:

The game between Sunnyside and Bakersfield Christian is set to be an exciting battle between two high-powered offenses and capable defenses. Sunnyside’s balanced offensive attack, led by Tanner Wilson and Romulan Phetvixay, will face off against Bakersfield Christian’s potent passing game led by Lincoln Adame and Andre Calderon, along with a strong rushing attack from Ethan Eckles.

Both teams have proven themselves capable of putting up big numbers and executing well in key games. Sunnyside will need to capitalize on its slightly stronger rushing attack and keep up with Bakersfield Christian’s efficient passing game. Bakersfield Christian, on the other hand, will look to use their defensive prowess and big plays to neutralize Sunnyside’s offense.

With both teams coming off solid seasons and poised to make an impact in the postseason, this matchup promises to be a thrilling contest, as each team looks to assert itself in the final stretch of the season. Fans can expect a high-scoring game with plenty of exciting plays on both sides of the ball.