The Sonora (CA) varsity football team will face Woodland Christian (Woodland, CA) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs – Division 6 tournament, as both teams battle for a spot in the next round.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Woodland Christian vs Sonora
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs – Division 6
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Woodland Christian vs. Sonora
As the 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs – Division 6 tournament heats up, the neutral-site game between Woodland Christian and Sonora promises to be an exciting contest. Both teams have enjoyed successful seasons, each with impressive records and strong performances throughout the year. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect as these two teams battle for a spot in the next round.
Woodland Christian: A Perfect League Record and Explosive Offense
Woodland Christian enters the game with a stellar 10-1 overall record, having dominated their league with a perfect 6-0 mark. The team has been impressive both at home (5-0) and on the road (4-1), showcasing their ability to perform in a variety of settings. Their flawless 1-0 neutral-site record further illustrates their readiness for playoff competition.
Woodland Christian’s offense has been potent, averaging 36.7 points per game. The team starts strong, averaging 20.2 points in the first quarter, and maintains a solid pace through the second half, though their scoring tends to dip in the later stages of the game (4.2 points in the fourth). With 404 points scored and only 79 allowed, their high-scoring offense and strong defense make them a formidable opponent.
Sonora: A High-Scoring Team with a Strong Late-Game Surge
Sonora comes into the game with a 9-2 overall record and a 4-2 mark in league play. The team has had success both at home (5-0) and on the road (3-2), with a solid 1-0 neutral-site record. Despite their slightly lower overall winning percentage of .818 compared to Woodland Christian’s .909, Sonora has been a dynamic force on offense.
Sonora averages an impressive 44.6 points per game, with their scoring increasing as the game progresses. They score 10.4 points in the first quarter and 13.0 in the second, but it’s in the second half that they truly shine, averaging 14.0 points in the fourth quarter. With 491 points scored and 203 points allowed, Sonora’s offensive firepower and ability to close out games make them a dangerous opponent.
Key Differences in Scoring Trends
One of the key differences between these two teams is their scoring distribution. Woodland Christian tends to score big early, averaging over 30 points in the first half, but their offensive output drops in the third and fourth quarters. On the other hand, Sonora’s offense tends to gain momentum throughout the game, especially in the second half, where their scoring in the fourth quarter outpaces that of Woodland Christian. This late-game surge could give Sonora an advantage in a close game.
Looking Ahead
As the two teams prepare to face off, Woodland Christian’s explosive offense and perfect league record make them a strong contender. However, Sonora’s high-scoring offense and ability to finish strong could provide a challenging matchup for their opponent. This game is sure to be an exciting one, with both teams possessing the talent and determination to make a deep playoff run.
As the football season heads toward its climax, Woodland Christian and Sonora are two teams that have impressed with their remarkable performances. With Woodland Christian standing at 10-1 overall and Sonora at 9-2, both teams have a strong case for dominance in their respective leagues. As they prepare to face off, fans can expect a thrilling contest between two high-scoring teams with different offensive strategies. Here’s a detailed comparison of both teams’ stats, standout players, and what we can expect from this highly anticipated game.
Team Stat Comparison
When it comes to offensive yards, Sonora has been a juggernaut, averaging 407.9 total yards per game, significantly outpacing Woodland Christian, which averages 362.1 total yards per game. A major difference between the two teams is in their rushing game: Sonora has averaged an impressive 335.3 rushing yards per game, while Woodland Christian has relied more on the passing game, with 133.9 rushing yards per game.
Woodland Christian has been potent through the air, averaging 228.2 passing yards per game, which is nearly triple the amount Sonora generates through the passing game (72.6 passing yards per game). This shows that Sonora prefers a ground-and-pound approach, focusing on rushing yards while limiting their passing attempts. On the other hand, Woodland Christian’s offense is more balanced, with both passing and receiving yards playing a critical role in their game plan.
Defensively, Sonora has a slight edge in tackles, averaging 45.5 tackles per game, compared to Woodland Christian’s 37.1 tackles per game. Both teams are relatively similar in terms of sacks, with Sonora averaging 1.2 sacks per game and Woodland Christian at 0.8 sacks per game.
On the scoreboard, Sonora scores an average of 43.5 points per game, higher than Woodland Christian‘s 34.8 points per game, which reflects Sonora’s ability to consistently rack up points, primarily through their powerful rushing attack.
Team Leaders
Woodland Christian has a balanced offensive attack, with Noah Hinkle leading the charge. He has been a key part of the team’s rushing offense, averaging 37.5 rushing yards per game, and is also a top receiver, contributing 70.7 receiving yards per game. Isaiah Hunt, the team’s quarterback, has been the primary passer, averaging 233.0 passing yards per game and 244.4 total yards per game, showing his dual-threat capabilities.
Defensively, Cesar Abraham Villegas has stood out with 5.5 tackles per game, while Daniel Jauregui has added a solid pass-rush presence, with 0.6 sacks per game.
On Sonora’s side, Tommy Sutton has been the focal point of their offense, leading the team with 105.2 rushing yards per game. Eli Ingalls, the team’s quarterback, has been efficient through the air, averaging 68.2 passing yards per game. Despite not relying heavily on passing, Ingalls has still managed to rack up 106.6 total yards per game. Brody Speer leads the team with 5.4 tackles per game, and Wyatt Ling provides some disruption in the backfield with 0.3 sacks per game.
Record Breakdown
Both teams have dominated in-state competition. Woodland Christian has a perfect 6-0 league record and is 10-1 overall, while Sonora has been solid with a 4-2 league record and 9-2 overall. Both teams have excelled at home, with Woodland Christian boasting a 5-0 home record and Sonora also perfect at home with a 5-0 record.
In their non-league games, Woodland Christian went 3-1, while Sonora finished their non-league games 4-0. Both teams have shown their dominance, and this matchup is set to showcase two teams that have been dominant all season long.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced Escalon, and both were victorious. Woodland Christian defeated Escalon 27-0 on October 10, 2024, while Sonora triumphed 35-14 against them on September 20, 2024. This shared success further demonstrates the strength of both teams and sets the stage for an exciting battle between them.
Conclusion
The game between Woodland Christian and Sonora promises to be an exciting showdown. Sonora’s powerful rushing game and high-scoring offense will face off against Woodland Christian’s balanced attack, with a stronger focus on the passing game. Both teams have been formidable this season, and the outcome of this game will likely come down to which team can impose their will on the field.
Will Sonora’s ground-and-pound approach overpower Woodland Christian’s dynamic offense? Or will Woodland Christian‘s passing attack be too much for Sonora to handle? Fans are sure to be treated to a thrilling matchup between two highly skilled teams with plenty on the line.
