The Northwest Christian (Phoenix, AZ) varsity football team will host Walden Grove (Sahuarita, AZ) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) in the Conference 4A tournament, with both teams battling for a chance to advance.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football
Who: Walden Grove vs Northwest Christian
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 4A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Walden Grove vs. Northwest Christian

As the 2024 AIA State Football Championships heat up, two formidable teams are set to face off in the Conference 4A playoffs: Walden Grove and Northwest Christian. With both teams finishing the regular season with strong records, this playoff matchup promises to be an exciting contest between two squads looking to continue their postseason runs.

Walden Grove: A Balanced Team with Strong Section Performance

Walden Grove enters the game with an overall record of 7-3 and a solid section performance of 4-1. They’ve demonstrated strength at home with a 3-2 record but have been even more impressive on the road, posting a 4-1 record. Their offensive unit has been effective all season, averaging 31.6 points per game. The team starts strong, averaging 11.5 points in the first quarter, which gives them an early advantage in many games. Despite a slight dip in the second and third quarters, where they score 7.0 and 4.3 points respectively, they finish strong, averaging 10.3 points in the fourth quarter. Walden Grove has scored 316 points this season, while their defense has only allowed 154, showcasing their efficiency on both sides of the ball.

Northwest Christian: A Competitor with Resilient Play

Northwest Christian also finished the regular season with a 7-3 record and a 3-2 mark in section play. Their home record of 4-1 and away record of 3-2 highlight their competitive nature in various environments. Although their scoring average of 29.6 points per game is slightly lower than Walden Grove’s, they’ve proven to be a capable offensive team. Northwest Christian averages 8.3 points in the first quarter and has strong production in the second quarter, averaging 10.8 points. However, their scoring tends to taper off in the second half, with just 6.1 points in the third and 4.4 points in the fourth quarter. The team has scored 296 points this season while allowing 211, indicating that their defense has been a bit more vulnerable than Walden Grove’s.

Key Differences Between the Teams

Both teams have had solid seasons, but their performances differ in several key areas:

1. Scoring Power: Walden Grove holds the edge in overall scoring, averaging 31.6 points per game compared to Northwest Christian’s 29.6. Walden Grove’s ability to start strong and finish strong gives them an offensive advantage, especially in the first and fourth quarters.
2. Defensive Strength: Walden Grove has been more effective defensively, allowing just 154 points compared to Northwest Christian’s 211. This means Walden Grove has been able to control games more effectively and limit opponents’ scoring opportunities.
3. Quarterly Breakdown: Northwest Christian shows a stronger second-quarter performance, averaging 10.8 points, but struggles to maintain that level of production in the second half. Walden Grove, while averaging fewer points in the second and third quarters, has a more balanced offensive output, making them a formidable threat throughout the game.

What to Expect in the Playoff Game

This matchup is likely to be an exciting battle between two teams with complementary strengths. Walden Grove’s high-scoring offense and stingy defense give them the edge, especially with their ability to score in all four quarters. Northwest Christian, however, will look to capitalize on their ability to start strong, particularly in the second quarter, and will need to find a way to keep pace with Walden Grove’s consistent scoring.

The game will likely come down to which team can control the tempo, especially in the second half. If Walden Grove can continue its strong play throughout all four quarters, they could emerge as the victor. However, if Northwest Christian can improve its second-half scoring and limit Walden Grove’s big plays, they could pull off an upset.

Conclusion: A High-Stakes Battle

With both teams entering the game with a 7-3 record and looking to make a deep playoff run, this game is sure to be a thrilling contest. Walden Grove’s balanced and potent offense will face off against Northwest Christian’s resilient play and ability to perform under pressure. With a trip to the next round on the line, both teams will give it their all in this exciting matchup of the 2024 AIA State 4A Football Playoffs.

As the high school football season intensifies, the upcoming matchup between Walden Grove and Northwest Christian is shaping up to be an exciting clash of two potent offenses. Both teams are carrying impressive records into this game, with playoff hopes still very much alive. Here’s a deep dive into the stats, key players, and what to expect from this highly anticipated contest.

Team Performance Comparison

Offensive Stats:

• Rushing Yards: Walden Grove has the edge in rushing, averaging 183.6 yards per game compared to Northwest Christian’s 136.0 yards. Walden Grove’s ground attack, led by Robert Cash III, will be a key factor in controlling the tempo of the game.
• Passing Yards: Northwest Christian leads in passing yards with 249.9 per game, compared to Walden Grove’s 175.2 yards. Laki Wallwork has been instrumental in leading the passing game, and his ability to stretch the field will be a major factor in their offensive scheme.
• Total Yards: Northwest Christian also has the advantage in total yards per game, averaging 385.9 compared to Walden Grove’s 358.8. This reflects their ability to gain yards both through the air and on the ground, making them a more versatile offensive unit.

Defensive Stats:

• Tackles: Walden Grove averages 56.7 tackles per game, showing a solid defensive effort, though Northwest Christian does not have available tackling statistics. However, with such a high number of tackles, Walden Grove’s defense will look to stay active and prevent big plays.
• Sacks: Both teams are relatively balanced in terms of pass-rush production, with Walden Grove averaging 3.3 sacks per game. Northwest Christian does not have available sack data, but with their ability to score and move the ball, their defense will likely focus on keeping pressure on the opposing quarterback.

Scoring:

• Points Per Game: Walden Grove significantly outpaces Northwest Christian in points per game, averaging 31.6 compared to just 1.8 for Northwest Christian. This discrepancy suggests that Walden Grove has a much more explosive offense, while Northwest Christian may rely more on defense and field position.

Key Players to Watch

Walden Grove:

• Robert Cash III (#9) is the centerpiece of Walden Grove’s offense, leading the team with 86.0 rushing yards per game. His ability to break tackles and create big plays on the ground will be crucial for Walden Grove’s attack.
• Kaleb Layton (#4) is a dual-threat quarterback, averaging 173.7 passing yards per game. His ability to manage the game and keep defenses guessing with both his arm and legs will be important for Walden Grove’s success.
• Jayvon Coleman (#18) provides a reliable receiving threat, averaging 52.6 receiving yards per game. He will be key to extending the field and opening up the offense for Walden Grove.
• Carlos Montoya Jr. (#20) leads the defense with 10.1 tackles per game, showing that he plays an active role in stopping opposing offenses and making key plays in crucial moments.

Northwest Christian:

• Laki Wallwork (#3) is the star quarterback for Northwest Christian, averaging 249.9 passing yards per game. Wallwork’s ability to deliver strikes downfield and keep defenses on their toes will be a critical factor in their offense.
• Devon Helmer (#15) is a top target for Wallwork, contributing 75.0 receiving yards per game. Helmer’s ability to make big plays in the passing game could be a game-changer for Northwest Christian.
• Cameron Main (#14) has been a key player for Northwest Christian, contributing 1.8 points per game. While not a major contributor on offense, his role in other areas will be pivotal in providing support for the team’s defense.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Both teams have faced a common opponent this season, and they’ve each come away with a win:

• Walden Grove vs. Sahuaro: Walden Grove dominated their matchup with Sahuaro, winning 72-27 on October 11, 2024.
• Northwest Christian vs. Sahuaro: Northwest Christian also had success against Sahuaro, winning 42-7 on September 6, 2024. Both teams demonstrated their superiority in these games, with strong offensive showings.

Record Breakdown

Both teams boast identical 7-3 overall records, setting the stage for an even matchup. Walden Grove has a 4-1 league record, while Northwest Christian is 3-2 in league play. These records indicate that both teams have had solid seasons but are still looking to secure a strong finish to solidify their playoff aspirations.

• Home and Away Performance:
  • Walden Grove has a 3-2 record at home and a 3-1 record on the road, demonstrating their ability to perform in both settings.
  • Northwest Christian is strong at home, with a 4-1 record, while they are 3-2 in away games, showing they can be competitive no matter where they play.

Conclusion

The matchup between Walden Grove and Northwest Christian promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams with explosive offensive capabilities and solid defenses. Walden Grove will rely on their balanced attack, with Robert Cash III and Kaleb Layton leading the charge, while Northwest Christian will lean heavily on the arm of Laki Wallwork to generate offense.

With both teams fighting for playoff positioning and coming off dominant wins against common opponents, this game will be crucial for both squads. Expect a high-scoring affair, with Walden Grove’s offense attempting to overpower Northwest Christian’s defensive strategy. This is a game that could have significant implications for both teams as they aim to finish the season strong and make a deep playoff run.