The stage is set for an exciting California high school football matchup as the Nevada Union Miners (1-1) travel to Sacramento to face the Christian Brothers Falcons (0-2) in a non-conference clash on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Both programs enter the contest with different trajectories but share the same goal—building momentum early in the season.
Nevada Union vs Christian Brothers Football Game Info:
What: California High School Football
Who: Nevada Union vs Christian Brothers
When: Friday, September 5, 2025
Time: 7 PM
Live stream: Watch here
Fans can catch the action live through the NFHS Network, making this Nevada Union vs Christian Brothers game one of the standout contests in the California high school football schedule. For updates on more California high school football events, check out HS Football Insider.
Team Records and Season Overview
Nevada Union Miners (1-1)
- Overall Record: 1-1
- Home Record: 1-0
- Away Record: 0-1
- Points For: 62
- Points Against: 42
- National Ranking: 5,687
- California State Ranking: 373
The Miners opened the season with a dominant 49-0 win over Bella Vista, showcasing their ability to control games with a strong running attack. However, they followed that up with a setback in their second outing, leaving them at .500 heading into this matchup.
Christian Brothers Falcons (0-2)
- Overall Record: 0-2
- Home Record: 0-1
- Away Record: 0-1
- Points For: 32
- Points Against: 70
- National Ranking: 2,944
- California State Ranking: 217
The Falcons are still searching for their first win after tough losses, including a 42-7 defeat against Twelve Bridges. While their record might not reflect it yet, Christian Brothers has shown flashes of offensive potential, particularly through their passing game.
Scoring Trends
Breaking down each team’s average scoring by quarter offers insight into their performance patterns:
- Nevada Union Miners:
- 1st Quarter: 0 points
- 2nd Quarter: 21.0 points
- 3rd Quarter: 6.5 points
- 4th Quarter: 3.5 points
- Average Total: 31.0 points per game
- Christian Brothers Falcons:
- 1st Quarter: 6.5 points
- 2nd Quarter: 0 points
- 3rd Quarter: 3.0 points
- 4th Quarter: 6.5 points
- Average Total: 16.0 points per game
Nevada Union has found success in the second quarter, while Christian Brothers tends to start strong but struggles in the middle periods. This suggests that momentum swings could play a big role in Friday’s game.
Offensive and Defensive Matchups
Nevada Union Offense vs Christian Brothers Defense
- Rushing Yards Per Game: Nevada Union 262.0 | Christian Brothers 32.5
- Passing Yards Per Game: Nevada Union 51.5 | Christian Brothers 180.0
- Total Yards Per Game: Nevada Union 313.5 | Christian Brothers 212.5
The Miners rely heavily on their run game, averaging more than 260 rushing yards per contest. Their ability to control the ground attack will likely test a Christian Brothers defense that has struggled against physical offenses.
Christian Brothers Offense vs Nevada Union Defense
Christian Brothers has leaned on their aerial attack, averaging 180 passing yards per game. While they have yet to establish a consistent ground game, quarterback Deakon Holden has been productive through the air, keeping the Falcons competitive despite their early-season losses.
Key Players to Watch
Nevada Union Miners:
- Rhyder Eelkema (#3): 116.5 rushing yards per game, 140.5 total yards per game. He’s the driving force behind Nevada Union’s offensive success.
- JC Harris (#7): 51.5 passing yards per game, providing balance to the Miners’ run-heavy scheme.
- Aiden Panock (#13): 25.5 receiving yards per game, serving as a reliable target when Nevada Union goes to the air.
- Austin Putnam (#8): Leading tackler with 15 tackles per game, anchoring the Miners’ defense.
Christian Brothers Falcons:
- Deakon Holden (#3): 180 passing yards per game, the centerpiece of the Falcons’ offense.
- Gunnar Marsh (#5): 85 receiving yards per game, making him Holden’s go-to target.
- Jay Cummings (#40): Contributing on both sides of the ball, with 26 rushing yards per game and 0.5 sacks defensively.
- Rhys Hembd (#4): Defensive leader with 11 tackles per game, key in containing Nevada Union’s run game.
Common Opponents
Both teams have already faced Twelve Bridges this season, with vastly different outcomes:
- Nevada Union: Yet to face Twelve Bridges (scheduled for Oct. 3, 2025)
- Christian Brothers: Lost 42-7 to Twelve Bridges on Aug. 22, 2025
Nevada Union also defeated Bella Vista 49-0 on Aug. 29, while Christian Brothers will meet Bella Vista later this season on Oct. 17. These results highlight Nevada Union’s stronger early-season performance compared to the Falcons.
What’s at Stake
For Nevada Union, a win would move them above .500 and provide a confidence boost before diving deeper into their schedule. Their dominant rushing attack could prove decisive if they establish control early.
For Christian Brothers, the urgency is clear. Starting 0-3 would be a tough hole to climb out of, but securing a victory over a balanced Nevada Union squad could spark a turnaround. If Holden and Marsh connect consistently, the Falcons’ passing game has the potential to keep them competitive.
Prediction and Final Thoughts
The Nevada Union vs Christian Brothers matchup is a clash of contrasting styles: a run-first Miners squad against a pass-heavy Falcons offense. The outcome may hinge on whether Christian Brothers’ defense can slow down Eelkema and the Nevada Union rushing attack. On the other hand, the Miners’ secondary will be tested by Holden’s arm and Marsh’s playmaking ability.
While Nevada Union enters as the more balanced team with a proven rushing identity, Christian Brothers has the talent to pull off an upset if their passing game clicks and the defense steps up. Either way, Friday night promises a compelling battle under the lights in Sacramento.
Stay tuned to HS Football Insider for coverage of this game and other exciting California high school football matchups.