The Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills, CA) varsity football team will face Turlock (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 1 tournament, marking an exciting clash in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Turlock vs Oak Ridge
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs – Division 1
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Turlock vs. Oak Ridge

As the 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs – Division 1 tournament heats up, the match-up between Turlock and Oak Ridge promises to be an exciting showdown. Both teams have had impressive seasons, but their contrasting styles and strengths will make this a battle to remember.

Turlock: A Dominant Force with an Undefeated League Record

Turlock enters this playoff game with a strong 9-3 overall record and an undefeated 5-0 league mark. The team has performed exceptionally well both at home (4-2) and on the road (4-1), demonstrating their versatility and ability to compete at a high level in any environment. With a win percentage of .750 and a perfect league record, Turlock has solidified itself as one of the top teams in its section.

Offensively, Turlock averages a solid 35.4 points per game, with balanced scoring across the quarters: 12.6 in the first, 11.6 in the second, 5.6 in the third, and 5.7 in the fourth. Their ability to start strong and maintain a steady pace throughout the game has been a key factor in their success. With 425 points scored and 240 allowed, their potent offense and solid defense have made them a formidable opponent.

Oak Ridge: Resilient and Battle-Tested

Oak Ridge comes into this game with a 7-4 overall record and a strong 6-1 league performance, which showcases their dominance within their league. The team has had mixed success on the road (3-2) but has been effective at home (4-2). With a win percentage of .636 and a league win percentage of .857, Oak Ridge has proven itself to be a competitive and resilient team.

Oak Ridge’s offense averages 30.6 points per game, with a scoring breakdown of 4.5 in the first quarter, 7.8 in the second, 6.8 in the third, and 4.5 in the fourth. While their first-quarter scoring is lower than Turlock’s, their ability to adjust during the middle of the game keeps them in contention. With 337 points scored and 184 points allowed, Oak Ridge relies on a balanced attack to wear down opponents over time.

Key Differences in Scoring Trends

A key difference between these two teams lies in their scoring patterns. Turlock’s offense is particularly strong early in games, with over 24 points scored in the first two quarters alone. This early lead allows them to control the pace, while Oak Ridge has shown a more balanced offensive approach, though they tend to start slower. Turlock’s consistency in the first half could give them an edge in this matchup, especially if they manage to build a strong lead.

Looking Ahead

As the two teams prepare to face off, Turlock’s high-powered offense and unbeaten league record make them the slight favorites. However, Oak Ridge’s resilience and strong league performance cannot be discounted, especially if they can adjust quickly and find their rhythm in the second and third quarters. This match-up is sure to be a highly competitive and thrilling contest, with both teams aiming to make a deep playoff run.

The upcoming matchup between Turlock and Oak Ridge promises to be an exciting battle, as both teams bring distinct strengths to the field. With Turlock boasting a solid offensive line and Oak Ridge bringing a versatile and balanced attack, this game is poised to deliver intense action. Let’s break down the statistics, team leaders, and head-to-head records to see how these two teams measure up.

Team Stat Comparison

Both Turlock and Oak Ridge have been strong this season, but their styles of play differ in several key areas.

Turlock has averaged 94.6 rushing yards per game, significantly behind Oak Ridge’s 120.2 rushing yards per game. This shows that while both teams rely on their ground game, Oak Ridge has the edge in rushing, using it to control the clock and wear down opposing defenses.

When it comes to the passing game, both teams are fairly balanced, with Turlock averaging 190.5 passing yards per game and Oak Ridge slightly ahead at 195.6 passing yards per game. Turlock has excelled in passing with Scout Silva, who has put up strong numbers through the air.

In terms of receiving, Turlock averages 150.8 receiving yards per game, while Oak Ridge is just slightly ahead at 195.3. This highlights Oak Ridge’s ability to stretch the field with a more dynamic passing attack.

On total yards, Oak Ridge has the edge, averaging 315.8 total yards per game, compared to Turlock’s 285.1. This reflects Oak Ridge’s more well-rounded offensive approach, using both the ground and air game to keep defenses guessing.

Defensively, Turlock averages just 4.5 tackles per game, which is significantly lower than Oak Ridge’s 70.5 tackles per game, suggesting that Oak Ridge has a more active defense. However, Turlock has shown they can step up in critical moments, allowing them to stay competitive. Oak Ridge has 1.6 sacks per game, which shows a more aggressive defense compared to Turlock, which averages just 0.1 sacks per game.

When it comes to points scored, Oak Ridge holds a distinct advantage, averaging 30.7 points per game, while Turlock scores an average of 17.2 points per game. This highlights Oak Ridge’s more explosive offensive capability.

Team Leaders

Each team has standout players who have been pivotal to their success this season.

For Turlock, Alex Ventura leads the rushing attack with 57.2 rushing yards per game, while Scout Silva has been an offensive dynamo, averaging 204.7 passing yards per game. Leo Contreras has been a reliable receiving target, with 124.5 receiving yards per game, and Donovan Muirbrook leads the defense with 9.0 tackles per game. Tanner Lee Linhares has contributed 1.0 sack per game.

For Oak Ridge, Phoenix Hester is the primary rusher with 42.3 rushing yards per game, while Joaquin Graves-Mercado has been the top passer, averaging 194.6 passing yards per game. In the receiving department, Kaleb Edwards leads with 63.6 receiving yards per game. Dean Davis has been a standout defensive player with 9.1 tackles per game, while both Brayden Molloy and Tanner Lee Linhares have each contributed 1.0 sack per game.

Common Opponents

Both Turlock and Oak Ridge faced tough opponents in Rocklin and Folsom this season.

• Against Rocklin, Turlock lost 41-28 on August 23, 2024, while Oak Ridge managed a solid win, 17-6, on November 1, 2024. This shows that Oak Ridge was able to fare better against this challenging opponent.
• Against Folsom, Turlock struggled in a 56-14 loss on September 13, 2024, while Oak Ridge also faced defeat, 35-7, on October 4, 2024. While both teams were outmatched, Turlock‘s loss was more lopsided.

Record Breakdown

Turlock has an overall record of 9-3, with an unbeaten 5-0 league record, showing dominance within their conference. However, their non-league record of 2-3 indicates some challenges when facing tougher competition. Turlock has also shown strong performance at home with a 4-2 record, while they are 4-1 on the road.

Oak Ridge, on the other hand, has a 7-4 overall record, with a 6-1 league record, highlighting their strength within their conference. Their non-league struggles show in a 0-3 record, but they have been solid at home with a 4-2 record and are 3-2 on the road. Oak Ridge has also performed well in the postseason, with a 2-0 record in neutral-site games.

Conclusion

The matchup between Turlock and Oak Ridge presents two teams with distinct styles and strengths. Turlock relies on a solid passing game, led by Scout Silva, while Oak Ridge showcases a more balanced offensive attack with the combination of rushing and passing. Defensively, Oak Ridge has the advantage, with more active players and a higher number of tackles and sacks.

Oak Ridge‘s ability to score at a high rate and their solid defensive play give them a clear edge going into this matchup. However, Turlock has proven to be resilient, and their passing game could provide some surprises if they can exploit Oak Ridge’s defense.

This game is sure to be a thrilling contest, and fans can expect plenty of action as both teams battle for supremacy. Whether it’s Turlock’s passing game or Oak Ridge’s all-around attack, one thing is for sure — this will be a hard-fought battle to the end.