The Sherman Oaks CES varsity football team is set to face off against Animo Robinson in a neutral playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF LA City Section Football Championships – 8-Person tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance at victory.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Animo Robinson vs Sherman Oaks CES
When: Today, November 23, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships (California) – 0pen/Division I
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Animo Robinson vs. Sherman Oaks CES

The 2024 CIF LA City Section Football Championships are heating up, and the highly anticipated playoff game between Animo Robinson and Sherman Oaks CES is one to watch. Both teams have had successful seasons, but their paths to this point reveal contrasting styles of play and approaches to victory.

Team Records and Rankings

• Animo Robinson enters the matchup with an 8-3 overall record. The team has been strong in league play, finishing undefeated with a 3-0 record. Their performance at home (4-2) and on the road (3-1) has been solid, and they’ve proven their mettle with a win percentage of .727. Scoring 414 points while allowing 139, Animo Robinson has shown an ability to put up big numbers on offense while maintaining a balanced defense.
• Sherman Oaks CES boasts a perfect 10-0 record, with a dominant 3-0 league performance. Their success at home (6-0) and on the road (4-0) highlights their consistency and strength in various environments. With a flawless win percentage of 1.000, Sherman Oaks CES has been nearly unstoppable this season. They’ve scored 452 points while allowing just 139, proving to be a formidable force on both sides of the ball.

Scoring Trends

• Animo Robinson:
  • Q1: 0 points
  • Q2: 0 points
  • Q3: 0 points
  • Q4: 26.0 points
  • Average Final Score: 37.6 points

  Animo Robinson’s scoring profile is marked by a remarkable late-game surge, averaging 26 points in the fourth quarter. This explosive finishing power has helped the team seal victories, making them dangerous in the final moments of a game.

• Sherman Oaks CES:
  • Q1: 14.3 points
  • Q2: 11.0 points
  • Q3: 8.0 points
  • Q4: 6.3 points
  • Average Final Score: 45.2 points

  Sherman Oaks CES has been consistent throughout the game, with a strong first-quarter average of 14.3 points. Although their scoring slows slightly in the later stages, their ability to build early leads has often been enough to maintain control and secure victories.

Key Matchup Dynamics

• Animo Robinson’s Late-Game Explosion: The team’s ability to dominate in the fourth quarter will be a crucial factor in their playoff hopes. If Animo Robinson can keep the game close through three quarters, they could capitalize on their explosive finish to challenge Sherman Oaks CES.
• Sherman Oaks CES’s Early Dominance: Sherman Oaks CES’s ability to score quickly and early could put Animo Robinson on the defensive right from the start. If they can maintain their lead into the later stages, they may be able to withstand any late-game rallies.

As the season nears its end, two top teams—Animo Robinson and Sherman Oaks CES—have proven themselves as formidable contenders in their league. Both teams have showcased impressive statistics and undefeated records against common opponents, making them two of the strongest teams in the area. Here’s a detailed comparison of their team statistics, key player performances, and head-to-head results.

Offensive Comparison

Rushing Yards Per Game
Animo Robinson’s running game has been nothing short of dominant, averaging 278.0 rushing yards per game. Daniel Truong has been the standout player in this department, contributing 134.2 yards per game, ranking third nationally. In comparison, Sherman Oaks CES averages 238.5 rushing yards per game. While this is still a solid number, it falls short of Animo Robinson’s powerful rushing attack.

Passing Yards Per Game
Animo Robinson’s passing game, though secondary to their rushing offense, still averages 91.6 yards per game. Fudail Burns leads the team with 62.5 yards per game. Sherman Oaks CES, on the other hand, has been more balanced, with 105.8 passing yards per game. Burns also excels here, contributing a team-leading 147.4 yards per game, a significant advantage over the national average of 36.5 yards.

Receiving Yards Per Game
While Animo Robinson’s passing offense is relatively modest, their receiving yards per game stand at 84.9, with Nicholas Fuss averaging 24.6 yards per game. This places Fuss among the top 35 receivers in the nation. Sherman Oaks CES, with 105.8 receiving yards per game, is similarly strong, though their receiving yards per game trail slightly behind Animo Robinson.

Defensive Comparison

Tackles Per Game
Defensively, Animo Robinson is impressive, averaging 71.9 tackles per game. Jacob Ashikian leads the charge with 8.8 tackles per game, ranking 13th nationally. Sherman Oaks CES has a solid defense as well, with players contributing an average of 70.5 tackles per game. Both teams’ defensive efforts are strong, but Animo Robinson’s overall tackle count is slightly superior.

Sacks Per Game
Animo Robinson leads in sacks with 4.4 per game. Nicholas Fuss stands out here too, with 1.4 sacks per game, ranking among the top 35 nationally. Sherman Oaks CES averages 3.4 sacks per game, a solid performance but still below Animo Robinson’s mark.

Special Teams and Playmaking

Points Per Game
Animo Robinson has been explosive offensively, averaging 45.8 points per game. Burns also leads the team in scoring, averaging 13.4 points per game. Sherman Oaks CES has also been efficient, averaging 40.0 points per game, but trails Animo Robinson in this category.

Pancake Blocks
Animo Robinson’s offensive line has been dominant, with 98 pancake blocks, showcasing the team’s physicality in the trenches. Sebastian Holguin has contributed 34 of these blocks, ranking highly on the team. Sherman Oaks CES’s offensive line, while effective, has recorded just 6 pancake blocks.

Performance Against Common Opponents

Both teams have been nearly perfect against common opponents this season, with Animo Robinson maintaining a 5-0 record and Sherman Oaks CES posting a flawless 6-0 record. Here’s how the teams have performed:

• Animo Robinson:
  • Valley Oaks CES (W) 60-0
  • New Designs Watts (W) 38-0
  • East Valley (W) 44-6
  • USC Hybrid (W) 50-0
  • Discovery (W) 2-0 (forfeit)
• Sherman Oaks CES:
  • Valley Oaks CES (W) 30-0
  • New Designs Watts (W) 22-8
  • East Valley (W) 48-26
  • USC Hybrid (W) 58-14
  • Discovery (W) 56-12

Both teams have shown dominance in these matchups, making it clear they are head and shoulders above the competition.

Record Breakdown

Animo Robinson

• Overall: 8-3
• League: 3-0
• Non-League: 5-3

Sherman Oaks CES

• Overall: 10-0
• League: 3-0
• Non-League: 7-0

Sherman Oaks CES is undefeated on the season, while Animo Robinson’s 8-3 record reflects a strong performance in both league and non-league games. Both teams have been dominant at home, with Animo Robinson posting a 4-2 record and Sherman Oaks CES going 6-0 at home. On the road, Sherman Oaks CES is perfect at 4-0, while Animo Robinson has a solid 3-1 record.

Head-to-Head and Playoff Performance

Both teams have yet to face off this season, but their overall records indicate that a potential meeting would be an exciting matchup. Sherman Oaks CES holds an edge with a perfect 2-0 playoff record, while Animo Robinson is also undefeated in the postseason with a 2-0 record.

Conclusion

Animo Robinson and Sherman Oaks CES are two of the most formidable teams in the league this season. Animo Robinson excels in its powerful rushing game, stout defense, and disciplined offensive line, while Sherman Oaks CES offers a more balanced approach with standout players across the board. Both teams are well-rounded and have proven themselves against common opponents, with Sherman Oaks CES maintaining an undefeated record. As the season continues, both teams have the potential to make deep playoff runs, and any future matchup between them would be a highly