The El Capitan (Lakeside, CA) varsity football team is set to host Carmel (CA) in a home playoff game today at 8 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games, Division 5-AA, where both teams will compete for a chance to claim the championship title.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California State Football Championship Bowl Games
Who: Carmel vs El Capitan
When: Today, December 13, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games – Division 5-AA
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Carmel vs. El Capitan

The 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games are heating up, with Carmel (CA) preparing to face off against El Capitan (Lakeside, CA) in a highly anticipated Division 5-AA playoff game today at 8 p.m. Both teams come into this contest with impressive records, setting the stage for a thrilling matchup.

Carmel’s Perfect Season

• Overall Record: 14-0
• League Record: 6-0
• Home Record: 7-0
• Away Record: 5-0
• Neutral Site Record: 2-0
• Winning Percentage: 1.000
• League Winning Percentage: 1.000
• Points For (PF): 639
• Points Against (PA): 380

Carmel enters this playoff game with a perfect 14-0 record, having dominated both their league (6-0) and non-league opponents. Their undefeated season speaks to the team’s exceptional balance of offense and defense. They have scored an impressive 639 points this season, averaging 45.6 points per game. Carmel’s defense, while allowing 380 points, has managed to hold teams off enough to maintain their perfect record.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Q1: 14.0
• Q2: 15.0
• Q3: 7.0
• Q4: 11.2
• Final: 45.6 points per game

Carmel’s offense is particularly strong in the first two quarters, with an average of 14.0 points in the first and 15.0 points in the second. They have shown consistency throughout the game, though their scoring slows down slightly in the third quarter.

El Capitan’s Strong Season

• Overall Record: 11-3
• League Record: 5-0
• Home Record: 6-2
• Away Record: 4-1
• Neutral Site Record: 1-0
• Winning Percentage: .786
• League Winning Percentage: 1.000
• Points For (PF): 404
• Points Against (PA): 182

El Capitan has had a solid season, finishing with an 11-3 record and an undefeated league record (5-0). Their home games have been a strength, with a 6-2 record, while they’ve also performed well on the road (4-1). El Capitan’s offense has scored 404 points, averaging 28.9 points per game, and their defense has been one of the best in the region, allowing only 182 points all season.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Q1: 11.0
• Q2: 10.5
• Q3: 9.5
• Q4: 7.3
• Final: 28.9 points per game

El Capitan’s offense has been more balanced across the four quarters, with their highest average (11.0) in the first quarter and their lowest (7.3) in the final. Their ability to sustain consistent play throughout the game will be crucial in this high-stakes playoff matchup.

Key Matchup and Insights

Both teams have had standout seasons, but Carmel’s perfect record and high-scoring offense put them in the driver’s seat heading into this game. With an average of 45.6 points per game, Carmel has been an offensive powerhouse, but their defense will face a stern test against El Capitan’s solid team. The key to El Capitan’s success will likely be its ability to control the game’s tempo and limit Carmel’s high-scoring first half.

On the other hand, Carmel’s explosive offensive play, particularly in the opening halves, could be a major factor in overwhelming El Capitan if they aren’t able to match their scoring early on. El Capitan’s defense, which has been one of the most efficient in the state, will need to step up to prevent Carmel from running away with the game.

The highly anticipated game between Carmel and El Capitan promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams boasting impressive records and standout performances throughout the season. As two of the top teams in their respective leagues, they enter this game with a lot at stake. Let’s take a closer look at their team stats, standout players, and season records to better understand what each team brings to the field.

Team Stat Comparison

Offensive Overview
Carmel and El Capitan have shown offensive efficiency, with both teams averaging significant yardage per game. Carmel, while not posting specific rushing stats, relies on its passing game and total offensive balance. El Capitan, on the other hand, has a more balanced offensive attack, with 126.9 rushing yards per game and 183.6 passing yards per game. Their total yards per game stand at 310.4, showcasing a steady offense.

Both teams are capable of putting up points, with Carmel averaging 28.9 points per game. El Capitan’s offense, while slightly more balanced, also generates a high-scoring output, making it clear that both teams are capable of keeping the scoreboard ticking.

Defensive Insights
Defensively, Carmel boasts 57.9 tackles per game, offering a strong foundation in their defensive play. They also average 2.9 sacks per game, signaling their ability to pressure the opposing quarterback. El Capitan has shown its own defensive prowess, though with a more modest 57.9 tackles per game and 2.9 sacks per game.

Team Leaders

Carmel

• Rushing: Carmel does not have a specific leader in rushing yards, but the team’s offensive balance helps them maintain an effective ground attack.
• Passing: #7 Brandt Barker is Carmel’s leading passer with 182.9 passing yards per game, contributing significantly to their offensive success.
• Receiving: #9 Michael Valencia II leads Carmel in receiving yards, posting 64.2 yards per game.
• Total Yards: Barker also leads the team in total yards, with 184.7 yards per game across passing and rushing.
• Defense: #18 Aaron Altamirano leads the team in tackles, with 9.5 tackles per game.
• Sacks: #56 Evan Ortega contributes 0.8 sacks per game.
• Scoring: Brady Joralemon is Carmel’s scoring leader, averaging 5.5 points per game.

El Capitan

• Rushing: #12 Brady Joralemon leads the rushing attack for El Capitan with 58.9 yards per game.
• Passing: #7 Brandt Barker also plays a key role for El Capitan, passing for 182.9 yards per game.
• Receiving: #9 Michael Valencia II leads in receiving with 64.2 yards per game.
• Total Yards: Barker’s total yardage stands at 184.7 per game.
• Defense: #18 Aaron Altamirano’s strong defensive play continues to lead the team with 9.5 tackles per game.
• Sacks: #56 Evan Ortega leads with 0.8 sacks per game.
• Scoring: Joralemon also contributes significantly to the team’s score, averaging 5.5 points per game.

Record Breakdown

Carmel

• Overall Record: 14-0
• League Record: 6-0
• Non-League Record: 4-0
• Home Record: 7-0
• Away Record: 5-0
• Playoff Record: 4-0
• In-State Record: 14-0
• Out-of-State Record: 0-0

El Capitan

• Overall Record: 11-3
• League Record: 5-0
• Non-League Record: 2-3
• Home Record: 6-2
• Away Record: 4-1
• Playoff Record: 4-0
• In-State Record: 11-3
• Out-of-State Record: 0-0

Both teams have had outstanding seasons, but Carmel enters the game with a perfect 14-0 record, showing its dominance on both offense and defense. El Capitan, while not undefeated, has shown resilience and the ability to win in high-pressure situations, including a strong 4-0 playoff record. They will need to leverage their balanced offensive attack and strong defensive efforts to keep up with Carmel’s powerful play.

Conclusion

This matchup between Carmel and El Capitan promises to be an exciting game, with both teams bringing strong offensive weapons and solid defensive schemes. Carmel has the advantage of an undefeated season, but El Capitan’s balance and ability to perform in tough situations make them a formidable opponent. Fans can expect a high-energy, competitive game where each team’s ability to execute their game plan and respond under pressure will likely determine the outcome.