The El Capitan varsity football team from Lakeside, CA, is set to face off against Westview from San Diego, CA, in a highly anticipated neutral playoff game today at 3 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF-SDS Div. IV Football Championship tournament.

CIF-SDS Div. IV Football Championship Info:

What: CIF-SDS Div. IV Football Championship
Who: Westview vs. El Capitan
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Time: In progress
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: CIF-SDS Div. IV Football Championship

As the CIF-San Diego Section Division IV Football Championship approaches, two teams are set to battle for the title: Westview High School and El Capitan High School. With contrasting records and playing styles, this matchup promises to be a thrilling contest. Let’s dive into the team stats, rankings, and key players that will shape this championship game.

Team Rankings & Records

• Westview (6-7, 2-4 League Record)
  Westview, with a record of 6-7, has faced an up-and-down season. Their league performance stands at 2-4, but they have a strong home record (5-2). Despite their struggles on the road (1-5), the Westview team has shown resilience, scoring 170 points while allowing 300 throughout the season.
• El Capitan (9-3, 5-0 League Record)
  El Capitan enters the championship with a solid 9-3 overall record, maintaining an undefeated 5-0 league record. They have been dominant at home with a 5-2 record, but more impressively, they excelled in away games with a 4-1 record. El Capitan has racked up 354 points while conceding just 149.

Scoring Averages

• Westview averages 13.1 points per game, with a unique scoring pattern. They score an average of 1.4 points per quarter in the first half (Q1 & Q2) but struggle in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they score zero.
• El Capitan has been a high-scoring team, averaging 29.5 points per game. Their offense is consistent across all quarters, with 14.7 points in the first quarter and 11.7 in the second, showing their ability to dominate early.

Team Stat Comparison

• Rushing Yards: Westview averages 88.2 rushing yards per game, compared to El Capitan’s 131.7, giving the latter a significant edge in ground game production.
• Passing Yards: Westview averages 104.6 passing yards per game, while El Capitan’s aerial attack, led by quarterback Brandt Barker, averages 177.2 yards per game. El Capitan’s ability to move the ball through the air could be a key factor in the matchup.
• Receiving Yards: Westview’s receiving game averages 105.5 yards per game, matching El Capitan’s 177.2 receiving yards per game. Both teams have explosive playmakers in the passing game.
• Total Yards: El Capitan outpaces Westview in total yardage, averaging 308.8 yards per game, compared to Westview’s 192.8 yards per game.
• Tackles: El Capitan also holds an edge in tackles, averaging 58.5 per game, while Westview averages 44.7. This defensive prowess could play a crucial role in stopping Westview’s offensive plays.

Team Leaders

• Westview:
  • Langdon Mullica leads the rushing attack with 42.2 yards per game.
  • Mason Walsh has been a dual-threat with 90.2 passing yards and 122.1 total yards per game.
  • Aidan Chen is the top receiver with 25.8 yards per game.
  • On defense, Alexavier Loveless averages 6 tackles per game, with Mateo Bresenden contributing 1.7 sacks per game.
• El Capitan:
  • Brady Joralemon leads the team in rushing with 63.8 yards per game.
  • Brandt Barker is a standout quarterback, with 176.3 passing yards and 178.7 total yards per game.
  • Ayden Banegas leads the receiving corps with 59.4 yards per game.
  • Aaron Altamirano is a key defensive player with 10 tackles per game, while Marlon Ames adds 0.7 sacks per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced Montgomery during the season, with both securing victories. Westview defeated Montgomery 19-14 on November 22, 2024, while El Capitan triumphed 14-6 in their matchup on September 20, 2024.

Head-to-Head Breakdown

• Westview:
  • Home: 5-2
  • Away: 1-5
  • Playoff: 3-0
  • Record against common opponents: 1-0
• El Capitan:
  • Home: 5-2
  • Away: 4-1
  • Playoff: 2-0
  • Record against common opponents: 1-0

The Championship Showdown

While Westview’s strength lies in its ability to keep games close and grind out results at home, El Capitan’s all-around offensive firepower and solid defense make them the favorite in this match. Westview will need to find a way to counter El Capitan’s high-scoring offense and take advantage of their home-field advantage.

El Capitan, on the other hand, will look to continue their undefeated league performance and make the most of their dynamic playmakers, especially quarterback Brandt Barker and running back Brady Joralemon.

With both teams boasting impressive playoff records, it’s anyone’s game as the CIF-SDS Division IV Football Championship kicks off. Fans can expect an intense battle between two determined teams, each vying for glory in the high school football postseason.