The Palisades varsity football team will face Eagle Rock in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF LA City Section Football Championships – Division I tournament, promising an exciting clash between two competitive teams vying for postseason glory.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Eagle Rock vs Palisades
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF LA City Section Football Championships – Division I
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Eagle Rock vs. Palisades
As the high school football season unfolds, two teams from California are making waves with impressive performances. Eagle Rock and Palisades are not only rivals in their league but are also putting up strong numbers that show their offensive prowess and defensive resilience. Let’s dive into the rankings, records, and scoring averages of both teams to better understand their strengths as they head into the season’s final stretch.
Eagle Rock: A Dominant Force in the League
Eagle Rock High School, competing in the California Section with a record of 24-25, has shown itself to be a formidable contender. With a league record of 10-2 and an undefeated league performance of 4-0, the team has demonstrated its ability to dominate on home turf (6-0) and remain competitive on the road (3-2). The team’s overall winning percentage stands at a solid .833, and the league-winning percentage is perfect at 1.000. They’ve been consistent in both scoring and defense, with a total of 421 points scored and 265 points allowed across the season.
In terms of scoring, Eagle Rock has balanced offensive output throughout the game. The team has averaged 16.5 points in the first quarter and 3.0 in the second, followed by 10.5 points in the third and 14.0 in the fourth. This shows their ability to generate momentum after halftime and close out games strong, with an overall team scoring average of 35.1 points per game.
Palisades: Offensive Powerhouse
Palisades High School, also competing in the same section with a similar 24-25 record, has been just as impressive with a 10-2 overall record. However, their league performance has been slightly different, as they finished 4-1, securing an 80% win rate in the league. At home, the team holds a 6-2 record, with a perfect 3-0 on the road and 1-0 in neutral sites. Their overall win percentage mirrors Eagle Rock at .833, though they posted a league percentage of .800. In terms of total points, Palisades has outscored its opponents by a significant margin, with 484 points scored and just 254 allowed, showing strong offensive and defensive balance.
Palisades has proven to be a high-scoring team, averaging 40.3 points per game. Their offensive rhythm is noteworthy, with 11.2 points in the first quarter and a high 12.8 points in the second quarter. However, the team’s scoring slows down in the second half, averaging just 9.2 points in the third and 6.4 in the fourth. Despite this, Palisades’ ability to accumulate points early in the game puts them in a favorable position to control the tempo and secure victories.
Scoring Breakdown: Key Differences
The main distinction between these two teams comes in their scoring distribution. While both teams boast impressive overall point totals, their offensive strategies diverge. Eagle Rock tends to be more consistent throughout the game, with no significant drop-off in performance between quarters. Their ability to close out games strong, scoring 14 points in the final quarter, gives them an edge in close matchups.
Palisades, on the other hand, relies heavily on a fast start. They average over 12 points in the first half, with particularly strong performances in the second quarter (12.8 points). However, their scoring decreases in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter (6.4 points), which might leave them vulnerable in tight games.
As the postseason intensifies, the matchup between Eagle Rock and Palisades promises to be a thrilling battle. Both teams have showcased stellar performances throughout the season, with identical 10-2 records. Let’s dive into the stats and analyze the key elements that might determine the outcome of this highly anticipated clash.
Team Stat Comparison
Both teams are powerhouses on offense, but Palisades has a slight edge in most categories:
- Total Yards Per Game: Palisades averages 382.5 yards compared to Eagle Rock’s 357.0, thanks to a balanced attack.
- Rushing Game: Palisades dominates on the ground with 144.9 rushing yards per game, narrowly surpassing Eagle Rock’s 121.1.
- Passing & Receiving: The two teams are nearly identical in aerial efficiency. Eagle Rock averages 235.9 passing yards per game, while Palisades edges slightly ahead with 237.6. Similarly, their receiving yards are almost deadlocked.
- Points Per Game: Palisades has a notable advantage, scoring 40.7 points on average, compared to Eagle Rock’s 30.5.
Defensively, Palisades holds the edge in tackles per game (67.7) and has a slight lead in sacks, averaging 0.8 per game.
Team Leaders
Individual performances could tip the scales in this matchup, and both teams have standouts in key positions:
- Quarterbacks: Eagle Rock’s Liam Pasten leads the charge with an incredible 286.1 passing yards per game and 303.3 total yards per game. Palisades’ Jack Thomas isn’t far behind, with 237.3 passing yards and 275.9 total yards per game.
- Receivers: Eagle Rock’s Jonas Leal-Paz has been exceptional, averaging 137.8 receiving yards per game and contributing 12.4 points per game.
- Rushing Attack: Palisades’ Harrison Carter (73.5 rushing yards per game) narrowly trails Eagle Rock’s Ajani Rivera (74.0), but Carter’s versatility makes him a dual threat, adding pancake blocks and scoring consistently.
On defense, Palisades’ Jake Treibatch shines with 10.3 tackles per game, well above the national average of 2.7.
Common Opponents
Both teams faced Roosevelt High School earlier in the season, and while both secured wins, their approaches differed:
- Eagle Rock dominated with a 51-30 blowout, displaying their offensive prowess.
- Palisades claimed a solid 27-14 victory, showcasing a more balanced and disciplined effort.
Record Breakdown
Despite their similar overall records, nuances in performance emerge when breaking down their season:
- League Play: Eagle Rock is unbeaten (4-0), while Palisades suffered one league loss (4-1).
- Home and Away Performance: Both teams are formidable at home, but Eagle Rock shows slightly more vulnerability on the road (3-2) compared to Palisades (3-0).
Both teams are undefeated in neutral-site games (1-0) and playoffs (2-0), setting the stage for a fiercely competitive postseason showdown.
Key Factors to Watch
- Quarterback Duel: Liam Pasten vs. Jack Thomas – which QB will step up in crunch time?
- Defensive Stability: Can Palisades’ defense, led by Treibatch, contain Eagle Rock’s explosive passing attack?
- Red Zone Efficiency: With Palisades scoring 10 more points per game, Eagle Rock’s ability to capitalize in the red zone will be critical.
- Momentum Shifts: Both teams have strong playoff records, but a critical turnover or big play could change the tide.
Conclusion
This matchup is as close as it gets on paper, with both teams excelling in different areas. Palisades appears to have a slight edge due to their balanced offense and stronger defensive statistics, but Eagle Rock’s high-powered passing game could spell trouble for any opponent. Fans can expect an intense, high-scoring game that may come down to the final possession.
Who will emerge victorious? The answer lies on the field.
