The Liberty High School varsity football team in Brentwood, CA, will host Vintage from Napa, CA, in a home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships, Division 2 tournament. Both teams are vying for a spot in the next round of playoffs.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Vintage vs Liberty
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game preview: Vintage vs. Liberty

As the 2024-2025 season progresses, two teams in particular, Vintage and Liberty, have shown notable performances within their respective divisions. Both teams have had their ups and downs, but their stats reveal insights into their playing styles and competitive edges.

Vintage High School Football: A Season of Strengths and Struggles

Vintage has shown a respectable performance this season, finishing with an overall record of 6-4. The team has had a balanced approach to their season, with a .600 win percentage, which reflects their competitive nature in games. However, their league record tells a slightly different story with a .400 win percentage, highlighting some struggles in conference matchups.

Key Stats:

• Overall Record: 6-4
• League Record: 2-3
• Home Record: 3-3
• Away Record: 3-1
• Points Scored: 225
• Points Allowed: 179
• Average Points Per Game (Final): 22.5
• Section Ranking: 20th
• Division Ranking: 4th

Vintage’s offense has been relatively consistent across the quarters, with a particularly strong first half of the game. Their scoring averages in the first and second quarters (6.9 and 10.8, respectively) suggest that they start games strong, but they have struggled to maintain the same level of output after halftime. Their third and fourth-quarter performances, with averages of just 2.4 points each, have hindered their ability to close out games effectively.

Liberty High School Football: Dominance and Consistency

On the other side, Liberty has had a standout season with a 7-3 overall record, boasting a .700 win percentage. They’ve been particularly dominant in league play, where they have posted a remarkable .800 win percentage. Their ability to perform both at home and on the road (4-1 and 3-2, respectively) is a testament to their resilience and solid team cohesion.

Key Stats:

• Overall Record: 7-3
• League Record: 4-1
• Home Record: 4-1
• Away Record: 3-2
• Points Scored: 276
• Points Allowed: 197
• Average Points Per Game (Final): 27.6
• Section Ranking: 10th
• Division Ranking: 4th

Liberty’s offense has been dynamic, consistently putting up impressive point totals. Their total of 276 points scored this season reflects a high-scoring team capable of dominating games. Their scoring averages across the quarters further highlight their offensive balance: 8.9 points in the first, 9.9 points in the second, 3.5 points in the third, and 6.3 points in the fourth. While they also experience a slight dip in the third quarter, their ability to bounce back in the fourth quarter suggests they can rally when needed, especially in close games.

Comparing the Two Teams:

While both teams have had successful seasons overall, their paths have been different:

• Vintage has struggled more in league play, with a 2-3 record, but their ability to win games at home and away reflects a well-rounded team. The team’s defense has limited opponents to 179 points, and while their offense could improve in the second half, their first-half performances suggest they can be a formidable opponent early in games.
• Liberty, on the other hand, has been more consistent in both league and overall performance, with a 4-1 league record. Their scoring output of 276 points—a significantly higher average of 27.6 points per game compared to Vintage’s 22.5—demonstrates their offensive firepower. They’ve also been strong in the clutch, particularly in the second half of games.

Both teams have managed to maintain solid performances, but Liberty’s overall dominance in league play and ability to score consistently gives them an edge heading into the final stretch of the season.

Looking Ahead:

As both teams continue their seasons, their paths to success will depend largely on their ability to adapt. Vintage will need to find a way to maintain offensive production in the latter parts of games, while Liberty will look to fine-tune their third-quarter performance. Regardless, both teams have shown the potential to go deep in their respective sections, making for an exciting finish to the 2024-2025 season.

With the postseason on the horizon, all eyes will be on these teams to see how they respond under pressure and whether they can translate their regular-season performances into playoff success.

As the football season progresses, fans and analysts alike often look at key statistics and team records to gauge the strength of different teams. This article breaks down the performance of two competitive teams—Vintage and Liberty—based on their offensive, defensive, and overall team statistics. Additionally, we’ll take a look at the individual leaders on both teams and their respective records for a more comprehensive view of each squad.

Offensive Comparison:

Rushing Yards per Game:

• Vintage: 135.9 yards
• Liberty: 211.7 yards

Liberty’s rushing offense significantly outpaces Vintage’s, averaging nearly 76 more yards per game. Liberty’s dominance on the ground is evident in their total rushing yards, led by standout players like Jaxon Bell.

Passing Yards per Game:

• Vintage: 119.9 yards
• Liberty: 139.7 yards

While Liberty also leads in passing yards per game, Vintage isn’t far behind. Both teams rely on their passing attacks to keep defenses on their toes, but Liberty’s slight edge reflects their ability to balance both running and passing more effectively.

Receiving Yards per Game:

• Vintage: 120.4 yards
• Liberty: 138.7 yards

Liberty holds the advantage once again in the receiving game, averaging 18 more yards per game than Vintage. With dynamic playmakers like Jaxon Bell, Liberty has found success through the air, complementing their potent rushing attack.

Total Yards per Game:

• Vintage: 255.8 yards
• Liberty: 351.4 yards

Liberty’s total offensive output (351.4 yards per game) surpasses Vintage’s (255.8 yards per game) by nearly 100 yards. This statistic speaks to Liberty’s well-rounded offense and ability to move the ball both on the ground and through the air.

Defensive Comparison:

Tackles per Game:

• Vintage: 47.7 tackles
• Liberty: 43.5 tackles

Vintage edges Liberty slightly in tackles per game. While both teams are solid defensively, Vintage’s ability to get to the ball carrier more often could play a key role in limiting Liberty’s offensive yardage.

Sacks per Game:

• Vintage: 0.7 sacks
• Liberty: 2.0 sacks

Liberty is clearly the more aggressive team when it comes to pressuring the quarterback. With an average of 2 sacks per game, Liberty’s defense has proven to be more disruptive in the backfield compared to Vintage’s 0.7 sacks per game.

Scoring Comparison:

Points per Game:

• Vintage: 22.5 points
• Liberty: 26.7 points

Liberty’s higher points-per-game average (26.7) reflects their more dynamic and explosive offense. Despite Vintage’s competitive play, they average fewer points, potentially indicating a reliance on more methodical, clock-controlling drives rather than quick strikes.

Individual Leaders:

Vintage:

• Bo Lode leads Vintage in rushing yards with 30.3 yards per game, and tackles with 6.1 per game. Lode also contributes significantly to the scoring with 4.2 points per game.
• Blake Porter is Vintage’s primary passing threat, throwing for 114.4 yards per game.
• Lucas Henry is the top receiver for Vintage, with 28.8 receiving yards per game.

Liberty:

• Jaxon Bell is Liberty’s all-around star, leading the team in rushing yards (135.5), receiving yards (45.2), total yards (180.7), and points scored (10.2). Bell’s versatility and production make him one of the most dangerous players on the field.
• Sage Robertson is the primary passer for Liberty, throwing for 136.0 yards per game.
• Zaire Calhoun contributes significantly on defense with 7.3 tackles per game.

Record Breakdown:

• Vintage Record: 6-4 overall, 2-3 in league play, 4-1 in non-league games.
• Liberty Record: 7-3 overall, 4-1 in league play, 3-2 in non-league games.

Liberty has a slightly better overall record, with a strong 4-1 mark in league play. Vintage, however, has been solid in non-league matchups with a 4-1 record, which speaks to their strength outside of league competition.

Home and Away Performance:

• Vintage: 3-3 at home, 3-1 away
• Liberty: 4-1 at home, 3-2 away

Both teams have shown the ability to win on the road, but Liberty’s impressive home record (4-1) provides them with a significant advantage in home-field advantage.

Conclusion:

While Vintage has demonstrated resilience, particularly on defense with standout performances from Bo Lode and a solid rushing game, Liberty’s all-around offensive firepower, led by Jaxon Bell, gives them the edge in most statistical categories. Liberty’s ability to run, pass, and score efficiently, combined with their defensive pressure, makes them a formidable opponent as the season progresses.

The matchup between these two teams could be a thrilling one, with Vintage needing to capitalize on their defensive strengths and ball control to limit Liberty’s explosive playmaking abilities.