The Classical Academy (Escondido, CA) varsity flag football team hosts Torrey Pines (San Diego, CA) in a crucial home playoff game today at 3:30 p.m. Both teams are eager to advance in the 2024 CIF Flag Football Championships, making this an exciting matchup as they battle for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Flag Football Playoff
Who: Torrey Pines vs Classical Academy
When: Today, November 23, 2024
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Classical Academy vs. Torrey Pines: A Key Playoff Showdown in CIF Flag Football Championships

The 2024 CIF Flag Football Championships is heating up as The Classical Academy (Escondido, CA) prepares to host Torrey Pines (San Diego, CA) in a highly anticipated home playoff game today at 3:30 p.m. With both teams entering the game with strong records and an undefeated league performance, this promises to be a thrilling matchup.

Classical Academy: A Dominant Force

The Classical Academy has had an outstanding season, with a 24-4 overall record, ranking 4th in California and 1st in their section. Their league record of 6-0 highlights their dominance in their competition, and their perfect 9-0 home record speaks to their ability to protect their turf.

Offensively, Classical Academy has been explosive, averaging an impressive 34.6 points per game. The team’s scoring is consistent across the game, especially in the second quarter, where they average 12.5 points. With a high-powered offense and strong defensive capabilities, Classical Academy will look to maintain their momentum as they aim for a deep playoff run.

Torrey Pines: A Resilient Contender

Torrey Pines enters the game with a solid 17-7 overall record, ranking 20th in California and 2nd in their section. With a perfect 6-0 league record, they’ve been dominant in their league play but face a significant challenge on the road, where they are 3-1. Their scoring has been steady, averaging 22.4 points per game, though their offense tends to slow down in the middle of games, averaging just 1.7 points in the second quarter and 0 points in the third quarter.

Torrey Pines’ defense has been impressive, allowing only 275 points over the season. They will need to tighten up their second-quarter performance and find ways to execute offensively against a team like Classical Academy, who has been explosive this season.

Key Matchup: Classical Academy’s Scoring Power vs. Torrey Pines’ Defense

The key to this game could be whether Torrey Pines can contain the high-scoring offense of Classical Academy, which has been averaging over 34 points per game. Classical Academy’s ability to score early and often will put pressure on Torrey Pines, who must find ways to produce more consistent offense, particularly in the second and third quarters.

What’s at Stake

With a spot in the next round of the CIF Flag Football Championships on the line, both teams will be looking to bring their A-game. Classical Academy’s perfect home record and explosive offense make them the favorites, but Torrey Pines will aim to show their resilience and fight for a chance to advance further in the tournament. Fans can expect an intense and exciting playoff battle between two top teams.

As the season progresses, Torrey Pines and Classical Academy have emerged as two dominant teams in their respective leagues. Torrey Pines, with a 17-7 overall record, faces off against Classical Academy, which boasts an impressive 24-4 record. Both teams have shown resilience, skill, and strong performances against common opponents, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown. Let’s dive into a detailed analysis of their strengths, weaknesses, and what to expect from this exciting matchup.

Team Stat Comparison

While Torrey Pines has demonstrated offensive versatility, Classical Academy has been a powerhouse, especially in their non-league games. Here’s a look at the key stats:

• Offensive Yardage:
  • Torrey Pines has shown a more balanced offense, with a total of 283.0 yards per game, driven by both passing and receiving yards. Their passing yards per game remain strong, even without standout rushing numbers.
  • Classical Academy leads in passing yards per game (246.5) and receiving yards per game (239.6), making them a significant threat in the air. Their total yards per game stands at 283.0, matching Torrey Pines in terms of offensive production.
• Tackles and Defense:
  • Torrey Pines averages 16.1 tackles per game and has a slight edge in the defensive department. They also have an interception rate of 2.8 per game, which could prove crucial in disrupting Classical Academy’s offensive flow.
  • Classical Academy has posted 0.8 sacks per game and 2.8 interceptions per game, showing their own defensive capabilities, but Torrey Pines may have the upper hand in preventing big plays.
• Scoring:
  • Torrey Pines averages 34.1 points per game, largely fueled by their offensive balance.
  • Classical Academy, with a more efficient offensive scheme, has averaged 34.1 points per game as well, with strong individual performances contributing to their high scoring.

Key Players to Watch

• Torrey Pines:
  • Ella Moore: Leading the offense with 233.4 passing yards per game, Moore is the key playmaker, responsible for orchestrating most of Torrey Pines’ attack.
  • Jennah Stroh: On the defensive side, Stroh leads the team with 3.5 tackles per game, anchoring their defensive unit.
  • Justine Batcheller: Batcheller contributes on both ends, with an impressive 0.7 interceptions per game and 7.8 points per game, making her a dual-threat on offense and defense.
• Classical Academy:
  • Emma Gryn: Gryn has been an essential part of the running game, contributing 9.6 rushing yards per game. She will need to be a consistent force on the ground to open up the passing attack for Classical Academy.
  • Ella Moore: Similar to Torrey Pines, Classical Academy has their own standout Ella Moore, with 233.4 passing yards per game, a true playmaker.
  • Jiselle Nunez: As the team’s leading receiver with 53.9 yards per game, Nunez is a key target for Moore in the passing game.

Common Opponents

Looking at their common opponents provides valuable insight into how these teams might match up:

• Calexico:
  • Torrey Pines lost 32-26, showing their vulnerability against a tough opponent.
  • Classical Academy, however, defeated Calexico 45-25, indicating their ability to overcome challenging teams.
• Brawley:
  • Torrey Pines lost 6-0 in a low-scoring affair.
  • Classical Academy dominated Brawley 34-7, showing their offensive prowess.
• Mira Mesa:
  • Torrey Pines had a narrow defeat, 9-8, in a very tight game.
  • Classical Academy crushed Mira Mesa 41-0, a clear display of their ability to dominate opponents.
• Mater Dei Catholic:
  • Torrey Pines won 20-12, a hard-fought victory.
  • Classical Academy dismantled Mater Dei Catholic 75-6, a stark contrast in how they handled the same opponent.
• San Dieguito Academy:
  • Torrey Pines won 28-6, showcasing their control of the game.
  • Classical Academy also defeated San Dieguito Academy 33-6, maintaining a dominant performance.
• La Costa Canyon:
  • Torrey Pines won 20-6, displaying solid offensive and defensive balance.
  • Classical Academy won 20-12, though with a closer margin.

Record Breakdown

Torrey Pines:

• With a solid 17-7 record, Torrey Pines has had a strong season, particularly in non-league games (6-5). Their 6-0 league record proves their dominance in their conference, making them a formidable force heading into this game.

Classical Academy:

• Classical Academy, with a stellar 24-4 record, has been nearly perfect, going 10-0 in non-league games. Their 6-0 league record and undefeated mark against common opponents put them in a strong position to challenge Torrey Pines.

Head-to-Head and Prediction

With Torrey Pines having defeated Classical Academy 2-0 in their previous meetings, they will head into this game with a psychological advantage. However, Classical Academy’s perfect record against common opponents, and their ability to dominate both offensively and defensively, makes them a dangerous team.

Prediction: Given their offensive depth, particularly in the passing game, and their strong defensive plays, Classical Academy is the favorite in this matchup. While Torrey Pines will certainly put up a strong fight, Classical Academy’s firepower, especially in high-scoring games, may be too much to handle. Final Score Prediction: Classical Academy 35, Torrey Pines 28.