The Casa Grande (Petaluma, CA) varsity football team will host Windsor (CA) today at 7 p.m. in a home playoff game as part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships, Division 2 tournament. Both teams are vying for a chance to advance in the postseason, making this matchup crucial.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football
Who: Windsor vs Casa Grande
When: Today, November 16, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 2
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Windsor vs. Casa Grande

The rivalry between Windsor and Casa Grande has been one of the most anticipated in their respective divisions this season. Both teams have shown impressive results, but with distinct strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a detailed breakdown of their 2024-2025 season performance.

Windsor High School (24-25 Season)

Windsor has had a solid season, finishing with a 7-3 overall record. Their league performance was a bit more mixed, with a 2-3 record, but they managed to shine in non-league matchups, going undefeated at home with a perfect 5-0 record. The team’s overall win percentage stands at a respectable .700.

• Overall Record: 7-3
• League Record: 2-3
• Home Record: 5-0
• Away Record: 2-3
• Win Percentage: .700
• League Win Percentage: .400
• Points Scored (PF): 309
• Points Allowed (PA): 132

In terms of scoring, Windsor has been most productive in the second quarter (averaging 12.3 points), and their final quarter has been a strong suit, adding 7.9 points per game. The team has demonstrated balanced offense, but their struggles in the first and third quarters have often put them at a disadvantage.

• Scoring by Quarter:
  • Q1: 5.4
  • Q2: 12.3
  • Q3: 4.1
  • Q4: 7.9
  • Overtime (OT1): 6.0
  • Total: 30.9 points per game

Casa Grande High School (24-25 Season)

On the other hand, Casa Grande has had a standout season with an 8-2 overall record. Their league performance has been flawless, finishing with a perfect 6-0 record, and they’ve been dominant at home, with a 5-1 record. Their only blemish came on the road, where they posted a 3-1 record, showing their adaptability in different environments. Casa Grande’s overall win percentage is an impressive .800.

• Overall Record: 8-2
• League Record: 6-0
• Home Record: 5-1
• Away Record: 3-1
• Win Percentage: .800
• League Win Percentage: 1.000
• Points Scored (PF): 366
• Points Allowed (PA): 180

Casa Grande’s offense has been more explosive than Windsor’s, particularly in the first quarter, where they average a solid 14.0 points. Their second and third-quarter scoring has been somewhat consistent, while the fourth quarter saw a slight dip in production. Their overall scoring average per game stands at a solid 36.6 points.

• Scoring by Quarter:
  • Q1: 14.0
  • Q2: 7.8
  • Q3: 11.3
  • Q4: 7.3
  • Total: 36.6 points per game

Key Takeaways

Both Windsor and Casa Grande have their distinct styles and areas of strength. Windsor’s solid defense and home-court advantage have helped them maintain a strong season, but they’ll need to improve their performance in the first and third quarters if they want to match Casa Grande’s explosive offense. Casa Grande, with their undefeated league record and high-scoring ability, looks like a formidable opponent. Their strong start to games (especially in the first quarter) has been a defining characteristic of their successful season.

As the season progresses, both teams are likely to be key players in the local standings, with Windsor needing to close the gap in their league matchups and Casa Grande looking to continue their dominance.

As the high school football season intensifies, the matchup between Windsor (7-3) and Casa Grande (8-2) promises to be a crucial one. Both teams are coming off impressive seasons, with Windsor looking to rebound from some tough non-league losses and Casa Grande continuing its undefeated run in league play. As both teams prepare for the postseason, this contest could provide important momentum heading into the final stretch.

Team Stat Comparison

Offensive Breakdown

• Rushing: Both teams have solid rushing attacks, with Windsor averaging 176.0 yards per game and Casa Grande just a bit ahead at 174.4 yards. Windsor’s leading rusher, Wyatt Morris, has been an essential piece of their offense, averaging 89.1 yards per game. For Casa Grande, Enzo Murray leads the way, running for 70.0 yards per game. While these rushing numbers are relatively close, Windsor’s larger rushing output could give them the edge in controlling the clock and field position.
• Passing: Casa Grande has a slight advantage in the passing game, with Danny Mercado throwing for 188.0 yards per game compared to Windsor’s 147.7. Mercado has been a key player for Casa Grande, throwing for 167.3 yards per game. Windsor’s quarterback, Carter Vose III, has been steady, contributing 102.5 passing yards per game. However, Windsor’s overall passing game lags behind Casa Grande’s, which could be a factor if Windsor finds itself needing to catch up.
• Receiving: Both teams have productive receiving corps, but Windsor’s Hayden Anderson stands out, racking up 72.8 receiving yards per game, along with 115.4 total yards per game. Casa Grande’s Jackson Metzler is another key target, but with only 50.8 yards per game, he will have to step up to match Anderson’s impact. Windsor’s receiving game has been a major component of their offense, and they will look to exploit it, especially in the passing game.

Defensive Performance

• Tackles: Casa Grande boasts a strong defensive unit, with Jasper Farrar leading the team with 10.5 tackles per game. Windsor’s Austin Novak, averaging 4.0 tackles per game, has been a solid defender but will need to elevate his play to compete with Farrar’s consistency. Casa Grande’s defense has proven tough, especially in their undefeated league play.
• Sacks: Casa Grande also has the advantage in the sack department, averaging 3.1 sacks per game compared to Windsor’s 0.6. Franco Bernardini has contributed to this defensive pressure, and he could be a key factor in disrupting Windsor’s offensive flow, especially on passing downs.

Scoring:

• Windsor has averaged 26.8 points per game, led by Anderson, who also contributes heavily in the scoring department with 10.0 points per game. On the other hand, Casa Grande has been more prolific, averaging 36.7 points per game. With Murray and Mercado both capable of producing big plays, Casa Grande’s offense will look to put up points quickly, potentially outpacing Windsor’s scoring ability.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced a few common opponents this season, and their performances against these teams have been relatively similar.

• Cardinal Newman: Both teams faced Cardinal Newman, with Windsor falling 24-23 in a close game, while Casa Grande suffered a more significant 61-14 loss.
• San Marin: Windsor lost 35-27 to San Marin, and Casa Grande came close but fell 39-37, showing how competitive these two teams can be against strong competition.
• Rancho Cotate: Windsor earned a solid 18-6 win over Rancho Cotate, while Casa Grande had a more convincing 34-13 victory.

These results show that while both teams have faced competitive opposition, Casa Grande has generally been more successful in key matchups, especially in league play.

Record Breakdown

• Windsor’s 7-3 record includes a 2-3 mark in league play. While they have been solid overall, they have struggled in some key league matchups. Their strength has been at home, where they are 5-1, and they will need to perform well to overcome Casa Grande’s strong season.
• Casa Grande has been dominant in league play, finishing 6-0. Their overall 8-2 record has been impressive, especially with a perfect 5-0 record at home. Casa Grande’s strong performance in league play and away games has solidified their position as one of the area’s top teams.

Key Players to Watch

• Windsor: Keep an eye on Wyatt Morris, who has been the key to Windsor’s rushing attack. Hayden Anderson is another critical player in the passing and receiving game, and he will be central to Windsor’s offensive game plan. On defense, Semere Berhe will need to create pressure on the quarterback to slow down Casa Grande’s high-scoring offense.
• Casa Grande: Look for Danny Mercado to lead the charge through the air, with support from Jackson Metzler in the receiving game. Jasper Farrar will be the key defensive player for Casa Grande, as his leadership in tackles will help them shut down Windsor’s offensive threats.

Conclusion: A Tough Test for Windsor

The game between Windsor and Casa Grande will be a hard-fought contest. Casa Grande’s high-powered offense, including a strong passing game, gives them the advantage, especially with their undefeated league record. Windsor will need to rely on its strong rushing attack and balanced offense to compete, but it will be a tall task to slow down Casa Grande’s prolific offense and tough defense.

As the teams prepare for the final stretch of the season, this game will have significant playoff implications for both. Expect a competitive game, but Casa Grande’s solid all-around play and strong league record may give them the upper hand heading into this key matchup.