The Yuma Catholic (Yuma, AZ) varsity football team will host Walden Grove (Sahuarita, AZ) in a crucial home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This game is part of the “2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 4A” tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football Playoff
Who: Walden Grove vs Yuma Catholic
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 4A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Yuma Catholic vs. Walden Grove

The 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 4A tournament is heating up, and today’s home playoff game between Yuma Catholic (Yuma, AZ) and Walden Grove (Sahuarita, AZ) is set to be an exciting matchup. With both teams boasting impressive records, this game will be critical for advancing in the postseason.

Walden Grove: A Strong Team with Momentum

Walden Grove enters the game with an 8-3 overall record and a solid 4-1 section performance. The Red Wolves have shown resilience both at home and on the road, with a 3-2 home record and 5-1 away performance. Their offense averages 31.5 points per game, with their strongest quarter coming in the first, where they score 11.5 points. Walden Grove has been particularly effective in the fourth quarter, averaging 10.3 points, showcasing their ability to close out games. Despite the strong offense, the Red Wolves will need to find ways to neutralize Yuma Catholic’s high-powered attack.

Yuma Catholic: A Dominant Force

Yuma Catholic has been exceptional this season, finishing with a 10-1 overall record and a perfect 5-0 mark in section play. The Shamrocks have been nearly flawless at home, boasting a perfect 7-0 record. Offensively, they average 37.2 points per game, with a balanced attack throughout the game. They score an average of 12.3 points in the first quarter and 11.3 points in the second, with their offense slightly tapering off in the second half. Defensively, they have allowed just 175 points on the season, showcasing their ability to limit opposing offenses.

Key Matchup: Offensive Firepower vs. Defensive Strength

The main storyline in this game will be Yuma Catholic’s high-powered offense against Walden Grove’s stout defense. Yuma Catholic has been prolific all season long, scoring 409 points in total, while Walden Grove has given up just 174. Walden Grove will need to stop Yuma Catholic’s quick-starting offense, which has been particularly effective in the opening half. Additionally, the Red Wolves’ ability to score in the fourth quarter could be key to keeping the game close.

What’s at Stake

This game represents a crucial opportunity for both teams to prove themselves in the postseason. Yuma Catholic will look to continue their dominant season and secure their place in the next round, while Walden Grove will be aiming to upset the higher-ranked Shamrocks and advance further in the championship race.

As the football season progresses, the upcoming matchup between Walden Grove and Yuma Catholic stands out. Both teams have showcased impressive performances throughout the season, each with their own strengths and standout players. This article breaks down their team statistics, key players, and records to provide an in-depth look at the matchup.

Team Stats Comparison

Offensive Performance:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Walden Grove has the upper hand in rushing, averaging 192.2 yards per game compared to Yuma Catholic’s 95.1.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Yuma Catholic boasts a stronger passing game with 273.4 yards per game, far surpassing Walden Grove’s 174.2.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Both teams are close in receiving yards, with Walden Grove at 174.3 and Yuma Catholic at 274.5, a slight advantage for Yuma Catholic.
• Total Yards Per Game: The teams are neck-and-neck in total yardage, with Yuma Catholic at 368.5 yards per game and Walden Grove at 366.4, indicating a highly competitive offense for both sides.

Defensive Performance:

• Tackles Per Game: Yuma Catholic leads in tackles with 81.0 per game, while Walden Grove averages 57.2.
• Sacks Per Game: Walden Grove has a slight edge in sacks, with 3.3 per game, compared to Yuma Catholic’s 2.2.
• Points Per Game: Yuma Catholic has a stronger offensive output, averaging 37.1 points per game, compared to Walden Grove’s 31.5.

Key Player Comparisons

Walden Grove’s Standout Players:

• Robert Cash III (#9) leads the team in rushing with 91.0 yards per game and contributes 6.0 points per game.
• Kaleb Layton (#4) is the team’s quarterback, throwing for 172.8 passing yards per game and accumulating 191.2 total yards per game.
• Jayvon Coleman (#18) leads in receiving with 57.3 yards per game.
• Carlos Montoya Jr. (#20) is a defensive leader with 9.8 tackles per game.
• Steven Michael Valdez Jr. (#99) is a key defender with 0.8 sacks per game.

Yuma Catholic’s Key Players:

• Benton Beck (#5) is the team’s leading rusher, averaging 64.2 yards per game.
• Nash Ott (#11) is the standout quarterback, throwing for 230.8 passing yards per game and accumulating 227.4 total yards per game.
• Sir Stokes (#2) is a major receiving threat, averaging 117.7 receiving yards per game.
• Rocky Stallworth (#44) contributes significantly on defense, averaging 15.5 tackles and 0.9 sacks per game.
• Hunter Hancock (#8) adds 8.5 points per game, contributing both offensively and on special teams.

Head-to-Head Record and Common Opponents

Both Walden Grove and Yuma Catholic have faced common opponents this season, and the outcomes have been telling:

• Walden Grove’s Common Opponents Record: 2-1, with a loss to Northwest Christian (21-16) and wins over Catalina Foothills (28-21) and Northwest Christian (30-20).
• Yuma Catholic’s Common Opponents Record: 2-0, with victories over Northwest Christian (35-20) and Catalina Foothills (54-13).

In terms of common opponents, Yuma Catholic has been dominant, while Walden Grove has managed to secure a strong win over Northwest Christian in their second matchup.

Overall Records and League Performance

• Walden Grove: With an 8-3 overall record, Walden Grove finished 4-1 in league play. They are 3-2 in non-league games, proving their competitive edge within their region.
• Yuma Catholic: Yuma Catholic has an outstanding 10-1 overall record, with a perfect 5-0 league performance. Their success in non-league games (4-1) and their undefeated home record (7-0) highlight their dominance this season.

At home, Yuma Catholic is formidable, and their away record (3-1) remains strong as well. Walden Grove has a respectable 3-2 home record but has shown vulnerabilities on the road with a 3-1 away record.

Playoff and State Record Comparison

• Walden Grove has an 8-3 record in-state and has performed well enough to reach the playoffs with a 1-0 playoff record.
• Yuma Catholic, with a 9-1 record in-state and 1-0 record in out-of-state play, has demonstrated their strength in all facets of the game and are likely to be one of the favorites in the playoffs.

Conclusion

The game between Walden Grove and Yuma Catholic promises to be a fascinating contest, with both teams bringing a mix of offensive and defensive strengths. Walden Grove’s ability to control the ground game with Robert Cash III and Kaleb Layton could pose challenges for Yuma Catholic, while the latter’s aerial attack, led by Nash Ott and Sir Stokes, could provide explosive opportunities.

While Yuma Catholic has been slightly more dominant this season, especially in their strong performances against common opponents, Walden Grove’s balanced offense and solid defense will make them a tough opponent to break down. This matchup is expected to be a close, hard-fought game with both teams aiming for a deep playoff run.