The Buena varsity football team will host Verrado today at 7 p.m. in a home playoff game. This matchup is part of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 5A tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance further in the playoffs.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football Playoff
Who: Verrado vs Buena
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 5A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Verrado vs. Buena

The 2024 AIA State Football Championships are reaching a fever pitch, and one of the most exciting matchups in the Conference 5A tournament sees the 9-2 Verrado High School football team visiting the 9-2 Buena High School team. Both teams have posted impressive records this season, with identical 9-2 overall marks and .818 win percentages, setting the stage for a thrilling playoff showdown.

Verrado: A Solid Season with Balanced Scoring

Verrado enters this game with a strong 9-2 record, having finished 4-1 in section play. The team has been solid both at home (4-1) and on the road (5-1), demonstrating their ability to win in different environments. Verrado’s offense has been explosive, averaging 41.3 points per game, with a particularly strong first quarter where they average 14.9 points. Their second-quarter scoring is also solid, with 11.2 points, although their output drops slightly in the second half, averaging 5.6 points in the third quarter and 7.4 in the fourth.

Despite the slight dip in their second-half scoring, Verrado has been a well-balanced team all season long. Their ability to get off to a strong start, especially in the first half, will be crucial in this playoff contest as they face the high-scoring Buena team.

Buena: High-Powered Offense and Strong Home Advantage

Buena has been equally impressive this season, finishing with a 9-2 record and a .818 win percentage, mirroring Verrado’s performance. The Colts have been dominant at home, posting a 5-1 record, and they are also solid on the road with a 4-1 mark.

Buena’s offense has been one of the most potent in the state, averaging a remarkable 51.9 points per game. The Colts have been particularly explosive in the first half, with 15.1 points in the first quarter and 18.3 points in the second. Their scoring remains strong in the second half, with 8.1 points in the third quarter and 10.5 points in the fourth. Buena’s ability to maintain consistent scoring throughout the game, particularly in the second and fourth quarters, will be key as they aim to keep pace with Verrado’s potent offense.

Key Matchup Factors

The key to this game will likely be the offensive output of both teams. Verrado has been explosive early in games, especially in the first half, but they will need to sustain that momentum against a high-scoring Buena team. The Colts have been nearly unstoppable at home and have the offensive firepower to challenge Verrado throughout the game. If Verrado can limit Buena’s high-scoring first-half efforts, they may have a chance to slow the game down and make a push in the second half.

For Buena, controlling the pace and continuing their high-scoring ways will be vital. Their ability to maintain offensive consistency and make plays late in the game will be critical as they face a tough, well-rounded opponent in Verrado.

As the season winds down, Verrado and Buena stand out as two of the most dynamic teams in Arizona high school football. Both teams have posted impressive 9-2 records, and their ability to generate yards and points has been a hallmark of their seasons. With high-octane offenses, tough defenses, and talented players, both teams are vying for a deep postseason run. Let’s break down their team statistics, key players, and records to get a closer look at what makes these teams so formidable.

Team Stat Comparison

Offensive Comparison:

• Rushing: Buena boasts a dominant rushing attack, averaging 283.2 rushing yards per game, a substantial lead over Verrado’s 188.1. Andres Bonilla, Buena’s top rusher, averages 129.1 yards per game, while Jack Isidore leads Verrado with 136.1 yards per game, showing a more balanced approach to the ground game for Verrado.
• Passing: Verrado takes the lead in passing yards, averaging 240.8 per game, while Buena follows with 168.2. Chase Gieszler of Verrado is the standout quarterback with 193.8 passing yards per game, compared to Nash Moore of Buena, who contributes 168.7 yards per game through the air. While Verrado excels in the passing game, Buena relies more on the run.
• Receiving: Verrado’s receiving corps outpaces Buena’s, with 238.5 receiving yards per game compared to Buena’s 167.3. Jordan Hiller is the key target for Verrado, averaging 59.7 receiving yards per game, while Jayden Thomas leads Buena with 81.7 yards per game, showcasing his big-play ability.
• Total Yards: Both teams are highly efficient in terms of total yards. Verrado averages 428.9 yards per game, while Buena edges them out with 451.4 yards per game. This advantage can largely be attributed to Buena’s powerful rushing game.

Defensive Comparison:

• Tackles: Buena outperforms Verrado on defense with 68.6 tackles per game compared to Verrado’s 63.8. Cooper Kraus of Buena averages 7.6 tackles per game, while Logan Waldeck leads Verrado with 11.5 tackles per game, indicating a strong defensive presence for Verrado.
• Sacks: Buena again has the upper hand in this category, averaging 2.1 sacks per game compared to Verrado’s 1.2. Shawn Bookman of Buena is their primary sack leader with 0.6 sacks per game, while Tyson Fuller of Verrado contributes 0.3 sacks per game.
• Points Per Game: Both teams are prolific scorers, with Verrado averaging 38.1 points per game and Buena putting up a remarkable 51.4 points per game. Buena’s higher average reflects their ability to consistently generate big plays, especially on the ground.

Key Players to Watch

• Verrado:
  • Jack Isidore: Leading the team in rushing with 136.1 yards per game, Isidore is a key playmaker for Verrado’s offense. His ability to control the clock and move the chains makes him a critical asset.
  • Chase Gieszler: With 193.8 passing yards per game, Gieszler is an efficient and effective quarterback who is crucial in keeping defenses on their heels.
  • Jordan Hiller: Hiller is a consistent receiving threat, contributing 59.7 receiving yards per game, making him a primary target in the passing attack.
• Buena:
  • Andres Bonilla: As the team’s leading rusher, Bonilla’s 129.1 rushing yards per game are vital to Buena’s offensive success. His ability to break tackles and pick up crucial yards will be key in big games.
  • Nash Moore: Moore’s 168.7 passing yards per game provide balance to Buena’s offense. His ability to connect with Jayden Thomas, who leads the team in receiving, makes them a dangerous duo in the passing game.
  • Jayden Thomas: With 81.7 receiving yards per game, Thomas is a deep-threat receiver capable of making game-changing plays. His speed and agility make him a key weapon in the passing game.

Record Breakdown

Both teams have identical 9-2 records and share strong performances both in league and non-league games. Here is a closer look at their season breakdowns:

• Verrado (9-2):
  • 4-1 in league play
  • 4-1 in non-league play
  • 4-1 at home, 5-1 away
  • 1-0 in playoff games
  • 9-2 in-state record
• Buena (9-2):
  • 4-1 in league play
  • 4-1 in non-league play
  • 5-1 at home, 4-1 away
  • 1-0 in playoff games
  • 9-2 in-state record

Both teams have shown resilience and consistency throughout the season, and their 9-2 records highlight their competitive nature. Verrado’s well-rounded offense and tough defense have served them well, while Buena’s high-scoring offense and defensive strength have kept them on top.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced common opponents, and both have emerged victorious in those matchups. For example, both teams defeated Fairfax with decisive victories, with Verrado winning 55-12 and Buena winning 68-19. These results show that both teams are capable of dominating their competition, regardless of the opponent.

Conclusion

The matchup between Verrado and Buena promises to be an exciting contest. Verrado brings a balanced offensive attack led by the dynamic Jack Isidore and the efficient Chase Gieszler, while Buena counters with a dominant rushing game anchored by Andres Bonilla and a potent passing attack featuring Nash Moore and Jayden Thomas. Both teams have proven to be formidable on both sides of the ball, with explosive offenses and hard-hitting defenses.

With the postseason approaching, both teams will look to carry their momentum into the playoffs. The game between these two teams could very well be a preview of a thrilling postseason clash, as each looks to stake their claim as one of the top teams in Arizona.