The Lincoln (San Diego, CA) varsity football team will face Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, CA) in a neutral playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships (California) – Open Division tournament, showcasing two top teams competing for a championship spot.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Cathedral vs Lincoln
When: Today, November 23, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Cathedral Catholic vs. Lincoln

As the 2024-2025 high school football season intensifies, Cathedral Catholic and Lincoln, two powerhouse teams from San Diego, are set to face off in a highly anticipated playoff matchup. Both teams have put together stellar records throughout the season, and their upcoming game promises to be a thrilling contest in the 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships – Open Division tournament.

Cathedral Catholic: Consistent and Powerful

Record Overview: Cathedral Catholic enters the postseason with an impressive 9-2 overall record. Their performance has been strong across the board, with a 3-1 record in league play and a solid 4-2 mark at home. The team has demonstrated its dominance on the road with a perfect 5-0 record, making them a formidable opponent in any setting.

Scoring Breakdown: Cathedral Catholic has been explosive on offense, averaging 36.1 points per game. They start strong, with an average of 11.9 points in the first quarter, and their most dominant period comes in the second quarter, where they average 18.7 points. However, their scoring drops off slightly in the second half, with just 7.4 points in the third quarter and 4.0 points in the fourth quarter. Despite this, their high-scoring first half puts them in a position to control games.

Defense: Cathedral Catholic has been exceptional on the defensive side, allowing just 121 points over the course of the season. This translates to an average of only 11 points allowed per game, reflecting their strong defensive efforts and ability to limit the opposing team’s scoring.

Lincoln: Dominant Across the Board

Record Overview: Lincoln has matched Cathedral Catholic’s 9-2 record, also boasting an undefeated 4-0 record in league play. The team has been dominant in all aspects, including a strong 5-0 record on the road, and they’ve been consistent in both home and away games.

Scoring Breakdown: Lincoln leads the two teams in scoring with an average of 39.1 points per game. Their scoring is well-distributed throughout the game, starting with 7.3 points in the first quarter and building up to 10.9 points in the second quarter. They also perform well in the third quarter, averaging 9.8 points, but their scoring dips slightly in the fourth quarter to 5.6 points. In overtime, Lincoln adds another 6.0 points on average.

Defense: Lincoln has scored 430 points this season while allowing 148 points. This gives them a solid defense with an average of 13.45 points allowed per game, which shows their ability to both score and limit their opponents’ opportunities.

Key Matchup: Cathedral Catholic vs. Lincoln

• Scoring: Lincoln has the edge in scoring, averaging 39.1 points per game compared to Cathedral Catholic’s 36.1 points. However, Cathedral Catholic’s ability to put up strong first-half numbers may give them an early advantage if they can establish dominance before Lincoln ramps up its offensive attack.
• Defense: Cathedral Catholic’s defense is notably stingy, with just 121 points allowed this season. Lincoln has allowed more points overall (148), but their offensive firepower has made up for it. The matchup between Cathedral Catholic’s defense and Lincoln’s offense could be the deciding factor in this game.
• League Performance: Both teams are undefeated in their respective league play, with Cathedral Catholic at 3-1 and Lincoln at 4-0. This reflects their ability to perform under pressure in competitive settings, setting the stage for an exciting postseason clash.

As the 2024 football season unfolds, two powerhouse teams in Cathedral Catholic and Lincoln have been making waves in their respective leagues. With similar overall records and impressive performances against common opponents, both teams have demonstrated their dominance on the field. However, a deeper look at their statistical averages and head-to-head matchups reveals intriguing differences and strengths that could play a crucial role in their future games.

Team Record Breakdown

• Cathedral Catholic holds a 9-2 overall record, with a 3-1 league record and 5-1 in non-league play. At home, they are 4-2, while their away record stands at 5-0, showcasing their strong performance on the road. Additionally, Cathedral Catholic is undefeated in playoff games, posting a 1-0 record.
• Lincoln also boasts a 9-2 overall record, but their league performance is even stronger with a 4-0 record. They have a 5-0 mark on the road and a 4-2 record at home. Like Cathedral Catholic, Lincoln remains perfect in playoff games with a 1-0 record.

Team Stat Comparison

When comparing the teams’ statistics, both teams show similar levels of offensive and defensive prowess, though there are some noticeable differences:

1. Offense:
   • Rushing Yards Per Game: Cathedral Catholic averages 192.8 rushing yards per game, while Lincoln leads with 216.8 yards per game.
   • Passing Yards Per Game: Cathedral Catholic records 125.1 passing yards per game, while Lincoln edges out with 224.5 yards per game.
   • Total Yards Per Game: Cathedral Catholic records a total of 317.9 yards per game, while Lincoln averages 441.4, showing their more explosive offensive capabilities.
   • Points Per Game: Cathedral Catholic averages 24.9 points per game, while Lincoln scores a higher 39.1 points per game.
2. Defense:
   • Tackles Per Game: Cathedral Catholic records 57.8 tackles per game, while Lincoln has a significantly higher 95.6 tackles per game, indicating a more aggressive defensive approach.
   • Sacks Per Game: Cathedral Catholic records 1.9 sacks per game, while Lincoln averages 3.4 sacks per game, further highlighting their defensive strength.

Key Players

Both teams feature standout players who have contributed to their successful campaigns:

• Cathedral Catholic:
  • Jake Funderburg leads in rushing with 85.5 yards per game.
  • Brady Palmer has thrown for 140.8 passing yards per game and also contributes with 169.4 total yards per game.
  • Hunter Harrington has been a key receiver with 75.4 receiving yards per game.
• Lincoln:
  • Aden Jackson leads in rushing with 115.4 yards per game.
  • Akili Smith Jr. is a dual-threat quarterback with 177.9 passing yards per game and a total of 206.3 total yards per game.
  • Ty Olsen is their top receiver, averaging 72.5 receiving yards per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced off against the same set of opponents this season, and both have been undefeated in these matchups. Here’s how each team performed:

1. St. Augustine:
   • Cathedral Catholic won 42-0 on 10/4/24.
   • Lincoln won 63-0 on 10/25/24.
2. Madison:
   • Cathedral Catholic won 55-6 on 10/25/24.
   • Lincoln won 56-0 on 11/1/24.
3. Point Loma:
   • Cathedral Catholic won 55-6 on 11/1/24.
   • Lincoln won 42-0 on 10/11/24.

Both teams dominated their common opponents, winning all three matchups with large margins of victory. However, Lincoln showed slightly more offensive power, especially in their wins over St. Augustine and Madison.

Conclusion

The 2024 season has been impressive for both Cathedral Catholic and Lincoln, with both teams demonstrating their ability to dominate their competition. While their overall records and performance against common opponents are nearly identical, Lincoln’s more potent offense and aggressive defense, as evidenced by their higher scoring and tackle counts, could give them an edge in future matchups.

With both teams undefeated in playoff games so far, it remains to be seen who will ultimately prevail in the postseason. Whether it’s Cathedral Catholic’s well-balanced attack or Lincoln’s explosive offensive firepower, one thing is certain—these two teams are among the best in the state and will continue to make waves as the season progresses.