The Coalinga (CA) varsity football team is set to host Highland (Palmdale, CA) in a home playoff game today at 7:30 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games – Division 4-AA tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California State Football Championship Bowl Games
Who: Highland vs Coalinga
When: Today, December 06, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games – Division 4-AA
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Coalinga vs. Highland

The 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games – Division 4-AA tournament continues with a highly anticipated matchup between Coalinga and Highland. Both teams bring impressive records and unique strengths to the field, setting the stage for an exciting playoff clash.

Highland Football Team Overview (2024-25)

Highland has had a solid season with a 10-4 overall record, including a 6-1 league performance. Their ability to win at home (5-2) and on the road (2-2) has demonstrated their adaptability. The team has scored 477 points and allowed 270, showing a potent offense but a defense that can be vulnerable at times. Highland’s win percentage stands at .714, with an even stronger league record of .857.

Highland’s scoring patterns reveal their biggest strength in the fourth quarter, where they average 8.0 points per game. However, their first quarter has been a weak spot, with only 1.8 points on average. Despite these slow starts, their ability to generate offense, especially in the second and fourth quarters, has allowed them to stay competitive throughout the season.

Coalinga Football Team Overview (2024-25)

Coalinga, on the other hand, has been nearly perfect this season with a spotless 14-0 record. The team has dominated both at home (8-0) and on the road (6-0), showcasing an impressive consistency. Coalinga has scored 510 points while allowing only 128, reflecting both an explosive offense and a stifling defense. Their perfect win percentage of 1.000 and an equally strong 1.000 league record highlight their dominance in the section.

Coalinga’s scoring average is impressive across all four quarters, with 12.3 points in the first quarter and 8.2 points in both the second and third quarters. Their scoring dips slightly in the fourth quarter to 6.9 points, but they have maintained control throughout games, particularly early on, setting a solid foundation for their victories.

Key Matchup Comparisons

• Offensive Output: Coalinga has the edge in scoring, with an average of 36.4 points per game, compared to Highland’s 34.1 points. However, Highland has shown an ability to close strong, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they average 8.0 points compared to Coalinga’s 6.9 points.
• Defensive Strength: Coalinga’s defense has been dominant, allowing just 128 points over the course of the season, while Highland has allowed 270. This significant difference in defensive performance could play a critical role in determining the outcome of the game, as Coalinga’s defense is better equipped to contain Highland’s offense.
• First Quarter Advantage: Coalinga’s ability to start strong with 12.3 points in the first quarter compared to Highland’s 1.8 points gives them an early edge. Highland will need to overcome slow starts to remain competitive throughout the game.

As the 2024 football season heats up, fans are eagerly anticipating the matchup between Highland and Coalinga, two teams that have shown impressive performances in recent years. While Highland has been a consistent contender, Coalinga has been perfect so far this season, with an undefeated record. Let’s dive into the team statistics, key players, and records to understand what makes this matchup so intriguing.

Team Stat Comparison

When comparing the overall statistics of Highland and Coalinga, there are clear contrasts in offensive and defensive strengths that could make for a thrilling contest.

Offensive Yardage:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Highland averages 108.5 rushing yards per game, a solid figure but slightly behind Coalinga’s 105.4 yards per game. Both teams have relatively balanced rushing attacks, though neither is heavily reliant on the run.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Coalinga boasts a significant advantage in the passing game, with 220.4 passing yards per game, compared to Highland’s 146.9. Coalinga’s high passing yardage indicates a more air-focused offense.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Both teams excel in the receiving game. Highland records 144.1 receiving yards per game, while Coalinga has 220.6 receiving yards per game, showcasing their reliance on a potent passing attack.

Total Yardage:

• Total Yards Per Game: Coalinga outpaces Highland with 325.7 total yards per game, compared to Highland’s 255.4. This suggests that Coalinga has a more explosive offense capable of generating yards both through the air and on the ground.

Defensive Stats:

• Tackles Per Game: Coalinga’s defense has been slightly more active, averaging 74.2 tackles per game, compared to Highland’s 70.9. This difference shows Coalinga’s ability to disrupt plays and be more involved in stopping the offense.
• Sacks Per Game: Coalinga also leads in this category with 3.4 sacks per game, slightly ahead of Highland’s 2.8 sacks per game. Coalinga’s ability to generate pressure on the quarterback could be a key factor in this game.

Scoring:

• Points Per Game: Coalinga averages a higher 35.9 points per game, compared to Highland’s 23.6. This large difference in points reflects Coalinga’s high-powered offense, which has been able to score consistently throughout the season.

Pancake Blocks:

• Pancake Blocks: Coalinga has an impressive 94 pancake blocks, which speaks to the dominance of their offensive line. Highland has not reported pancake blocks, which could suggest a relative weakness in the trenches compared to Coalinga’s strength.

Key Players: Who to Watch

Both teams feature standout players who have been key to their success this season. Here are the top performers to watch for each team.

Highland’s Key Players:

• Roderick Erwin: As the leading rusher with 45.8 yards per game, Erwin is a critical piece of Highland’s offense, helping to balance the attack.
• Justin Wyatt Jr.: With 141.1 passing yards per game and 168.4 total yards per game, Wyatt is the engine that drives Highland’s offense.
• Andrew Garner: Leading the receiving corps with 62.7 receiving yards per game, Garner is a key target for Wyatt in the passing game.
• Jayden Carrillo: With 12.9 tackles per game, Carrillo is a key defensive force for Highland, helping to anchor their defensive efforts.

Coalinga’s Key Players:

• Julius Borjas: Leading Coalinga’s rushing attack with 54.3 yards per game, Borjas is an important part of the balanced offensive approach.
• Noah Tasi: Tasi has been brilliant with 219.9 passing yards per game, leading Coalinga’s high-flying aerial attack.
• Dylan Teixeira: With 84.9 receiving yards per game, Teixeira is Tasi’s go-to target, making him a critical piece of the passing game.
• Jaden Pena: With 10.2 tackles per game, Pena leads Coalinga’s defense, bringing intensity and leadership to the defensive unit.

Record Breakdown

When it comes to overall records, Coalinga holds an undefeated record, showcasing their dominance throughout the season:

• Highland’s Record: 10-4 overall, with a 6-1 league record. While Highland has had a solid season, they face a tough opponent in this matchup.
• Coalinga’s Record: 14-0 overall, with a perfect 5-0 league record. Coalinga’s undefeated run indicates a team that is firing on all cylinders.

Home vs. Away Performance:

• Highland: With a 5-2 record at home, Highland has been strong on their home turf. However, they are just 2-2 away, showing some struggles outside of familiar territory.
• Coalinga: Coalinga has been nearly perfect both at home and on the road, with an 8-0 record at home and a 6-0 record away. Their ability to win in any environment makes them a formidable opponent.

Playoff Success:

• Highland: 4-0 in the playoffs, demonstrating their ability to perform in high-pressure situations.
• Coalinga: 4-0 in the playoffs, showing that they can handle the intensity of postseason games just as effectively as they have in the regular season.

Conclusion

This matchup between Highland and Coalinga is set to be a thrilling contest. Coalinga’s high-powered offense, led by a potent passing game and impressive receiving yards, is a major strength. With an undefeated record and a strong defense, Coalinga is clearly the team to beat. However, Highland’s solid defense and consistent offensive play could make them a worthy adversary. If Highland can disrupt Coalinga’s rhythm and capitalize on key moments, they may have a chance to pull off the upset. With both teams excelling in different areas, this game promises to deliver excitement and drama on the field.