Sep 14, 2017 3 min read

Nobody will have to remind California or Imani Christian Academy how to score points when the two football teams meet 1:30 p.m. Saturday in a Class A non-conference showdown at Graham Field in Wilkinsburg.

The two teams are the highest-scoring in the WPIAL, California with 202 points through three games and Imani second at 186 points. No other team throughout all six classifications has scored more than 150 points.

California and Imani, both 3-0 overall, have combined to win by an average margin of 55 points per game. However, the combined record of the WPIAL teams they’ve played is only 3-10.

Playing what many believe will be a close game will be different for these teams.

“We try to prepare our kids for what’s going to go on,” Dillow said. “They are going to score points on us no matter what. We have a good chance of scoring points, also. We practice all parts of our game, do a two-minute offense and practice down and distance every single day in practice to simulate it as much as we can.”

Imani quarterback Tawan Wesley has completed 41 of 75 passes for 876 yards and 12 touchdown, while running back Asante’ Watkins has 428 yards on 33 carries and six touchdowns.

The Saints home-run offense averages nearly 20 yards per completion, with four receivers averaging at least 18 yards per reception.

“Imani has a lot of talent,” Dillow said. “They have athletes. They have a lot of speed. They like to throw the deep ball but can run it well, also. “Defensively, it’s going to be a big challenge for us.”

One way to limit the Imani’s offense is to do what California does best – run the ball.

Trojans starting quarterback Colin Phillips has thrown only eight passes this season. California has 120 rushing attempts and five players with at least 10 carries.

Leading the California backfield is Jelani Stafford, a 6-3, 260-pound junior fullback who has 325 yards and nine touchdowns on his team-high 32 carries. Zion Aldrich has 185 yards while Cochise Ryan has 184. The Trojans average 10 yards per carry.

“We’re going to do what we do best,” Dillow said. “I’ve personally looked at this offense for a few years. For me, looking at it from a defensive-minded perspective showed me that no matter what defense is put in front of you there is the ability to do something else. To defend it as a defense you have to be extremely discipline. Stopping this kind of offense is difficult, especially with the way our offensive line is playing and the depth we have.”