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.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Animo Robinson vs. Sherman Oaks CES

As the 2024 CIF LA City Section Football Championships heat up, the matchup between Animo Robinson and Sherman Oaks CES promises to be an exciting contest. Both teams have demonstrated impressive records and scoring potential, but their paths to the postseason tell very different stories.

Team Rankings and Records

• Animo Robinson enters the game with an 8-3 overall record. They have been dominant in their league, finishing undefeated at 3-0. With a solid performance both at home (4-2) and on the road (3-1), Animo Robinson has proven their ability to perform in various settings. Their offense has scored 414 points, while their defense has allowed 139, showing their ability to put up big numbers and keep opponents in check.
• Sherman Oaks CES comes into the game with a perfect 10-0 record. The team has been flawless in all aspects, posting a 3-0 league record and dominating both at home (6-0) and on the road (4-0). Their defense has been just as formidable as their offense, allowing only 139 points while scoring 452. With a 1.000 win percentage, Sherman Oaks CES has proven themselves to be a top contender in the tournament.

Scoring Patterns

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

  Animo Robinson is known for their explosive fourth-quarter performance, averaging 26 points in the final period. This late-game surge has been a key factor in their success, as they often find ways to finish strong and secure victories.

• 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 tends to build strong early leads, averaging 14.3 points in the first quarter. While their scoring slows down in the second half, they still manage to maintain control throughout the game, often sealing their victories with a commanding final score.

Key Matchup Considerations

• Animo Robinson’s Late-Game Strategy: Animo Robinson’s tendency to explode in the fourth quarter could create a thrilling dynamic against a team like Sherman Oaks CES, who is accustomed to leading from the start. Animo’s ability to turn the game around in the final moments could be a critical factor in this playoff battle.
• Sherman Oaks CES’s Consistent Offense: Sherman Oaks CES’s ability to score early and often makes them a tough opponent for any team. Their first-quarter offensive outbursts could put Animo Robinson on the back foot, forcing them to catch up as the game progresses.

As the season progresses, two powerhouse teams—Animo Robinson and Sherman Oaks CES—have shown impressive stats and performances on the field. With similar success against common opponents, both teams bring their unique strengths to the table. Here’s a breakdown of how they stack up in terms of key metrics and performances.

Offensive Comparison

Rushing Yards Per Game
Animo Robinson boasts an impressive 278.0 rushing yards per game, a major contributor to their powerful ground game. Leading this charge is Daniel Truong, with 134.2 yards per game, ranking 3rd nationally in this category. In comparison, Sherman Oaks CES racks up 238.5 rushing yards per game, anchored by a team effort rather than one standout player.

Passing Yards Per Game
When it comes to the air attack, Animo Robinson’s passing game may not match their ground game in volume, but they still average 91.6 passing yards per game. Fudail Burns, who leads the team in passing with 62.5 yards per game, is a key contributor. Sherman Oaks CES, on the other hand, is slightly ahead with 105.8 passing yards per game, with Burns also excelling as the leader in total yards, racking up 147.4 yards per game, leading the team and surpassing the national average by a significant margin.

Receiving Yards Per Game
Animo Robinson’s receiving game has been solid, with Nicholas Fuss contributing 24.6 yards per game. This is slightly above the national average of 17.3 yards per game. Sherman Oaks CES’ top receiver, Fuss, makes an impact with his 24.6 yards per game, but both teams perform similarly when it comes to receiving yards per game.

Defensive Comparison

Tackles Per Game
Animo Robinson’s defense is led by Jacob Ashikian, who averages 8.8 tackles per game, ranking 13th nationally. The team as a whole averages 71.9 tackles per game, which is a significant strength. Sherman Oaks CES has a solid defense as well, with their best tackler averaging 8.8 tackles per game, nearly matching Animo Robinson’s performance in this area.

Sacks Per Game
In the sack department, Animo Robinson comes out on top with 4.4 sacks per game, largely thanks to Nicholas Fuss, who leads the team with 1.4 sacks per game. Sherman Oaks CES, however, has a comparable sack count at 3.4 per game.

Special Teams and Playmaking

Points Per Game
Animo Robinson leads in points per game, averaging an impressive 45.8. Fudail Burns, with 13.4 points per game, is a key player in putting points on the board. Sherman Oaks CES, while also impressive with 40.0 points per game, still trails slightly behind.

Pancake Blocks
Animo Robinson’s offensive line, led by Sebastian Holguin with 34 pancake blocks, provides a significant advantage in the trenches. Sherman Oaks CES also shows strength in their blocking, with their top player recording just 6 pancake blocks.

Performance Against Common Opponents

Both teams have performed exceptionally well against common opponents this season, with each maintaining undefeated records against teams like Valley Oaks CES, New Designs Watts, East Valley, USC Hybrid, and Discovery.

• Animo Robinson: 5-0 against common opponents
• Sherman Oaks CES: 6-0 against common opponents

This shared success against teams such as Valley Oaks and East Valley highlights the competitive nature of both squads.

Record Breakdown

When comparing overall records, both teams have shown dominance:

• Animo Robinson: 8-3 overall (3-0 league, 5-3 non-league)
• Sherman Oaks CES: 10-0 overall (3-0 league, 7-0 non-league)

Sherman Oaks CES has maintained an undefeated season, while Animo Robinson’s 8-3 record is still impressive, particularly considering their tougher non-league schedule.

Head-to-Head and Playoff Performance

In head-to-head matchups, both teams have yet to face each other, though their overall performance suggests a potential clash of titans if they meet in the playoffs.

• Playoff Performance: Both teams have shown strong potential in the postseason, with Animo Robinson boasting a 2-0 playoff record and Sherman Oaks CES at 2-0 as well.

Conclusion

Animo Robinson and Sherman Oaks CES are two highly competitive teams that excel in different areas of the game. Animo Robinson’s strength lies in its powerful rushing attack and disciplined defense, while Sherman Oaks CES stands out with a more balanced approach, excelling both on offense and defense. With similar records and impressive performances, both teams have the potential to make a deep run in the postseason, but their distinct styles will make any future matchup an exciting and highly anticipated one.