The Vanden (Fairfield, CA) varsity football team will face West Park (Roseville, CA) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs – Division 3 tournament, as both teams compete for a spot in the next round.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: West Park vs Vanden
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs – Division 3
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: West Park vs. Vanden
As the 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs – Division 3 tournament approaches, the neutral-site game between West Park and Vanden promises to be an exciting and competitive clash. Both teams have enjoyed strong seasons and enter the playoffs with impressive records, making this matchup a crucial step in their postseason aspirations.
West Park: A High-Scoring and Consistent Team
West Park enters the playoffs with a strong 10-1 overall record, having finished 5-1 in league play. Their only loss came during the regular season, but they’ve been dominant on the road (5-0) and effective at home (4-1), with a perfect 1-0 record in neutral-site games. With a win percentage of .909 and a league percentage of .833, West Park has proven themselves to be one of the top teams in the division.
Offensively, West Park has been impressive, averaging 35.8 points per game. Their scoring begins strong, averaging 8.8 points in the first quarter and 12.9 in the second, maintaining a steady pace through the third (7.3 points) and fourth (6.9 points) quarters. With 394 points scored and 196 allowed, West Park’s ability to consistently score throughout the game makes them a tough opponent in the playoffs.
Vanden: A Balanced and Resilient Team
Vanden enters the game with a 9-2 overall record and a 4-2 league mark. Their success has been built on a strong performance both at home (4-1) and on the road (4-1), with a solid 1-0 record in neutral-site games. Vanden has proven to be a tough competitor, with a win percentage of .818 and a league percentage of .667.
Vanden’s offense averages 32.5 points per game, just slightly behind West Park in scoring. They get off to a strong start with 11.7 points in the first quarter and 11.6 points in the second, but their scoring slows in the second half, with 6.0 points in the third and 4.6 points in the fourth. Despite the dip in the second half, Vanden has been highly effective overall, scoring 358 points and allowing just 195 points.
Key Differences in Scoring Trends
The biggest difference between these two teams lies in their offensive consistency. West Park has a balanced and consistent scoring output, particularly in the first half, while Vanden tends to struggle more in the later stages of the game. West Park’s ability to maintain scoring throughout the entire game could give them an edge, especially in the fourth quarter. However, Vanden’s strong start could give them the momentum they need to compete in a close contest.
Looking Ahead
As the two teams prepare to square off, West Park’s high-scoring offense and perfect record on the road make them the favorite. However, Vanden’s ability to perform in all aspects of the game, particularly early on, means they cannot be counted out. With both teams bringing strong defenses and potent offenses to the table, this game should be an exciting and hard-fought playoff battle.
As the football season heats up, West Park (10-1 overall) and Vanden (9-2 overall) prepare for a showdown that is sure to be filled with excitement. Both teams have enjoyed successful seasons, and with their impressive offensive firepower, this matchup promises to be an intriguing battle of strength and strategy. Here’s a closer look at how these two teams measure up against one another.
Team Stat Comparison
Offensively, Vanden has been slightly more potent, averaging 384.2 total yards per game compared to West Park‘s 352.7. The main difference in their offensive approaches lies in the air. Vanden excels in passing, averaging 278.9 passing yards per game, significantly outpacing West Park‘s 213.3 passing yards per game. Led by Kalani McLeod, who has thrown for an impressive 275.8 yards per game, Vanden has found success through the air. They also enjoy a strong receiving corps, with Logan Bailey leading the charge with 86.7 receiving yards per game.
In contrast, West Park leans more on its ground game, averaging 139.5 rushing yards per game, led by Ben Osby, who has accumulated 84.2 rushing yards per game. The West Park offense also boasts a balanced attack, with Jaden Jackson leading the team with 185.7 passing yards per game and 206.4 total yards per game.
Defensively, West Park averages 66.5 tackles per game but lacks standout sack production with just 2.2 sacks per game. In comparison, Vanden has not posted official tackle and sack stats, but they have demonstrated their defensive strength through their performance in games.
In terms of scoring, West Park averages 35.8 points per game, slightly ahead of Vanden, who scores 31.8 points per game. Despite Vanden‘s higher passing yardage, West Park has been able to convert its offensive drives into points more efficiently, thanks in part to a more balanced approach.
Key Players
For West Park, the heart of the offense is Jaden Jackson, whose dual-threat ability has been critical for the team’s success. Jackson has put up 185.7 passing yards per game, and his ability to spread the field has complemented their solid running game. Ben Osby leads the rushing attack with 84.2 yards per game, while Mason Johnson has been a standout receiver with 90.3 receiving yards per game, making him a key weapon in the passing game.
On defense, Topher Petersen leads the team with 10.1 tackles per game, and Briggs Bevans adds a defensive presence with 0.8 sacks per game. Their efforts on defense have helped West Park limit opponents and maintain control of games.
For Vanden, much of the offense revolves around Kalani McLeod, who has amassed 275.8 passing yards per game, and Logan Bailey, the top receiving threat with 86.7 receiving yards per game. McLeod’s ability to command the passing attack is pivotal for Vanden, as he spreads the ball around and connects with a variety of receivers.
The rushing attack, led by Zack Tayeh with 57.3 rushing yards per game, provides a solid complement to the passing game, though Vanden has leaned more heavily on the air attack this season. Zack Tayeh has also contributed 6.5 points per game, showing his ability to finish drives and add to the team’s scoring potential.
Record Breakdown
Both teams have posted impressive records so far, with West Park going 10-1 overall and Vanden at 9-2. Both teams are formidable in league play, with West Park finishing 5-1 in league competition and Vanden at 4-2.
Where West Park excels is its ability to win on the road, with a 5-0 away record. Vanden, meanwhile, has also shown strength in away games, posting a 4-1 record on the road. At home, both teams are solid, with West Park boasting a 4-1 record at home, and Vanden matching that with a 4-1 record as well.
Common Opponents
Both teams have had some overlap in their common opponents this season. They both defeated Denair, with West Park winning 36-30 and Vanden securing a 38-0 victory. Both teams have also faced Waterford, with West Park losing 35-22 while Vanden posted a dominant 46-12 win.
The matchups against River Islands were similarly decisive, with West Park winning 52-8 and Vanden securing a 58-0 victory. This pattern of dominance against common opponents suggests that both teams are highly competitive, though Vanden has shown a slightly higher margin of victory in several key matchups.
Conclusion
This matchup between West Park and Vanden will feature contrasting styles of play. West Park will look to control the game with its dynamic rushing attack, while Vanden will lean heavily on the passing game, with Kalani McLeod leading the charge. The success of both offenses will depend on how effectively they can exploit their opponent’s weaknesses.
While Vanden has the edge in the air, West Park has the stronger rushing attack, and their balance on offense could prove to be the difference-maker. Additionally, West Park‘s strong defensive play could give them an edge if they can contain McLeod and limit the explosive plays of Vanden‘s passing attack.
This matchup promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle between two talented teams with explosive offenses and determined defenses. Fans can expect a thrilling contest as these two powerhouses clash for playoff positioning and bragging rights.
