The Moreau Catholic Mariners (Hayward, CA) varsity football team is set to host the Del Norte Warriors (Crescent City, CA) in an exciting home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 7 tournament, promising a thrilling evening of competition.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Del Norte vs Moreau Catholic
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 7
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Del Norte vs. Moreau Catholic

As the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships heat up, a thrilling playoff matchup is set between the Del Norte Warriors and the Moreau Catholic Mariners. The two teams are heading into their Friday, November 22 game with impressive records and contrasting styles.

Del Norte Warriors (9-2)

Del Norte enters the game with a strong 9-2 overall record and an undefeated 3-0 league performance. The Warriors have been dominant on both sides of the ball, outscoring their opponents 246 to 153 throughout the season. Del Norte’s scoring averages show consistency, particularly in the first two quarters, where they average 7.4 points in the first quarter and 8.3 in the second, maintaining a solid offensive presence. However, their scoring drops in the second half, with averages of 5.1 in the third quarter and 4.0 in the fourth. Despite this, the Warriors have proven to be a force, with a win percentage of .818 and a league record of 1.000.

Moreau Catholic Mariners (7-4)The Mariners, boasting a 7-4 overall record, have been formidable in their league play, finishing with a 5-1 record. Moreau Catholic has had a dynamic offense this season, scoring 362 points and allowing 276. The Mariners’ scoring averages stand out, with a strong first quarter (9.8 points) and second quarter (10.3 points), followed by a steady third (6.6 points) and fourth quarter (6.2 points). Moreau’s offensive consistency will be key as they look to overpower Del Norte and make their mark in the postseason. With a .636 win percentage overall and a solid league performance of .833, they are no strangers to high-level competition.

Key Factors to Watch

This game promises to be a clash of styles. Del Norte’s solid defense and strong first-half scoring will be tested by Moreau Catholic’s high-scoring offense, especially in the latter stages of the game. Moreau Catholic’s ability to finish strong in the second half, paired with their overall scoring depth, could give them the edge over Del Norte, whose offense tends to slow down as the game progresses.

With a spot in the Division 7 semifinals on the line, this matchup between Del Norte and Moreau Catholic is shaping up to be an exciting, high-stakes contest. Fans can expect a thrilling atmosphere under the Friday night lights as these two talented teams battle for supremacy.

As two formidable teams gear up for their next matchup, the Del Norte Warriors and Moreau Catholic Mariners are both bringing strong performances to the field. With impressive stats and notable individual player achievements, this showdown promises to be one to watch. Here’s a breakdown of each team’s strengths, statistics, and their record against common opponents.

Team Stat Comparison

Rushing Yards per Game:

• Del Norte: 201.5 yards
• Moreau Catholic: 153.3 yards

Del Norte boasts a significant advantage in the rushing game, averaging over 200 yards per contest. This dominance in the ground game is powered by standout player Benjamin Borges, who leads the team with 87.5 rushing yards per game. In contrast, Moreau Catholic’s rushing attack is less potent, averaging just over 150 yards per game.

Passing Yards per Game:

• Del Norte: 50.0 yards
• Moreau Catholic: 197.0 yards

Moreau Catholic excels in the air, racking up nearly 200 yards through the air each game. Their quarterback, Jeremiah Charles, leads the charge with 189.4 passing yards per game. Meanwhile, Del Norte is more focused on its rushing attack, with just 50 passing yards per game, signaling a more run-heavy offense.

Receiving Yards per Game:

• Del Norte: 50.5 yards
• Moreau Catholic: 195.8 yards

Similar to their passing game, Moreau Catholic also dominates in receiving yards, totaling nearly 200 yards per game. Jalen Arnold and Jeremiah Charles are key contributors to their success in the air. Del Norte, with just 50.5 receiving yards per game, relies less on its passing game, instead favoring a more ground-oriented approach.

Total Yards per Game:

• Del Norte: 251.5 yards
• Moreau Catholic: 350.3 yards

Overall, Moreau Catholic has the edge in total yards per game, with an average of 350.3 yards. Del Norte’s total offense, at 251.5 yards per game, is more focused on maximizing its rushing attack rather than a balanced offensive game.

Tackles Per Game:

• Del Norte: Not specified
• Moreau Catholic: 60.9 tackles

Moreau Catholic shows a strong defensive presence with an average of 60.9 tackles per game. Del Norte’s defensive stats were not provided, but the Mariners’ defense seems to be a key area of strength.

Sacks Per Game:

• Del Norte: 1.1 sacks
• Moreau Catholic: 0.2 sacks

Del Norte has a better sack record, averaging 1.1 sacks per game, indicating a stronger pass rush compared to Moreau Catholic, who averages just 0.2 sacks per game.

Points Per Game:

• Del Norte: 21.8 points
• Moreau Catholic: 29.6 points

Moreau Catholic averages 29.6 points per game, reflecting their ability to score in both the passing and running game. Del Norte averages 21.8 points per game, largely due to its heavy reliance on rushing the ball.

Team Leaders

Del Norte:

• Benjamin Borges leads the team with 87.5 rushing yards per game.
• Aidan Rice is the key player in the passing game with 47.7 yards per game.
• Tobias Meyers leads the receiving corps with 21.7 yards per game.
• Aidan Rice also leads the team in points per game with 5.4.

Moreau Catholic:

• Jayden Bryant leads the Mariners in rushing with 98.0 yards per game.
• Jeremiah Charles is the star of the passing game with 189.4 passing yards per game.
• Jalen Arnold shines in receiving with 112.9 yards per game.
• Jayden Bryant also leads in points per game with 10.0.

Common Opponents

Both teams faced off against St. Bernard’s this season with similar results. Del Norte won 33-32 on November 9, 2024, while Moreau Catholic defeated St. Bernard’s 49-14 just a few days later on November 15, 2024. This result demonstrates that while both teams were successful, Moreau Catholic’s victory was more decisive.

Record Breakdown

Del Norte:

• Overall: 9-2
• League: 3-0
• Non-League: 5-2
• Playoffs: 1-0

Moreau Catholic:

• Overall: 7-4
• League: 5-1
• Non-League: 1-3
• Playoffs: 1-0

Both teams have solid records, with Del Norte finishing stronger overall with a 9-2 record compared to Moreau Catholic’s 7-4. However, Moreau Catholic had a more successful league campaign, going 5-1 compared to Del Norte’s 3-0.

Conclusion

Both Del Norte and Moreau Catholic have their distinct strengths, with Del Norte focusing on a powerful running game and Moreau Catholic dominating through the air. The stats show that Moreau Catholic is the more balanced team offensively, but Del Norte’s ground attack and solid defensive stats, including sacks, make them a tough contender. As both teams head into the next phase of their season, this matchup will undoubtedly be a compelling contest of contrasting styles.