The Santa Clarita Christian varsity football team will host Flintridge Prep today at 1 p.m. in a highly anticipated playoff game. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships in the 8-Man Division I tournament. Both teams are aiming for a crucial victory to advance further in the competition.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football
Who: Flintridge Prep vs Santa Clarita Christian
When: Today, November 16, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – 8-Man Division I
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Flintridge Prep vs. Santa Clarita Christian

The 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships in the 8-Man Division I tournament is set to feature a thrilling playoff game between two powerhouse teams: Flintridge Prep and Santa Clarita Christian. With both teams boasting impressive records, this matchup promises to be an exciting contest with high stakes.

Flintridge Prep (24-25 Season)

Flintridge Prep has had an outstanding season, finishing with a perfect 8-0 record. The team has been dominant not only in overall play but also in league competition, where they maintained a flawless 4-0 record. Their performance at home has been exceptional, with a perfect 5-0 record, and they also proved strong on the road, going 3-0. Their dominance on both ends of the field has been evident, as they have scored 399 points and allowed only 50, showing an impressive balance of offense and defense.

• Overall Record: 8-0
• League Record: 4-0
• Home Record: 5-0
• Away Record: 3-0
• Win Percentage: 1.000
• League Win Percentage: 1.000
• Points Scored (PF): 399
• Points Allowed (PA): 50

Flintridge Prep’s offense has been explosive, particularly in the first quarter, where they average 15.3 points. The team remains consistent throughout the first half, averaging 12.0 points in the second quarter. However, their scoring tends to dip slightly in the second half, with 6.0 points in the third and 5.0 points in the fourth quarter. Despite this, they maintain a remarkable team scoring average of 49.9 points per game.

• Scoring by Quarter:
  • Q1: 15.3
  • Q2: 12.0
  • Q3: 6.0
  • Q4: 5.0
  • Total: 49.9 points per game

Santa Clarita Christian (24-25 Season)

Santa Clarita Christian has also had a strong season, finishing with an 8-2 record. Like Flintridge Prep, they excelled in league play, going undefeated with a 4-0 record. They have been particularly dominant at home, boasting a perfect 6-0 record, although their away performance has been more mixed with a 2-2 record. Their offense has been productive, with 437 points scored, but they have allowed 178 points, which suggests room for improvement on defense.

• Overall Record: 8-2
• League Record: 4-0
• Home Record: 6-0
• Away Record: 2-2
• Win Percentage: .800
• League Win Percentage: 1.000
• Points Scored (PF): 437
• Points Allowed (PA): 178

Santa Clarita Christian’s offense is dynamic, particularly in the first quarter, where they average 14.8 points. Their scoring dips slightly in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they only average 2.8 points. Despite this, they maintain an impressive team scoring average of 43.7 points per game.

• Scoring by Quarter:
  • Q1: 14.8
  • Q2: 11.4
  • Q3: 5.6
  • Q4: 2.8
  • Total: 43.7 points per game

Key Matchup Factors

Both teams bring powerful offenses to the table, with Flintridge Prep averaging nearly 50 points per game and Santa Clarita Christian scoring just under 44 points per game. The main difference lies in their defenses, where Flintridge Prep has been particularly stifling, allowing just 50 points all season. Santa Clarita Christian, on the other hand, has allowed 178 points, which could be a potential vulnerability against such a high-powered offense.

The first quarter is likely to be crucial for both teams, as Flintridge Prep has been explosive early on, and Santa Clarita Christian will need to match that intensity. While Flintridge Prep has been more consistent throughout the game, Santa Clarita Christian’s ability to put up big points early could be a key factor in staying competitive.

This playoff game will likely be a battle of high-scoring offenses and contrasting defensive strengths. If Santa Clarita Christian can improve their defensive performance and limit Flintridge Prep’s early-game momentum, they may have a shot at keeping the game close. However, Flintridge Prep’s well-rounded and dominant play makes them the favorites in this highly anticipated matchup.

Fans can expect an intense game filled with high-paced action as both teams vie for a chance to advance further in the CIF Southern Section Football Championships.

As the season reaches its climax, Flintridge Prep (8-0) and Santa Clarita Christian (8-2) are preparing for what could be one of the most exciting matchups of the year. Both teams have been dominant in their respective leagues, but their contrasting offensive and defensive styles will make for an intriguing game. Let’s take a closer look at both teams’ performances this season, their shared opponents, and what we can expect when these two face off.

Team Stat Comparison

While Flintridge Prep has remained unbeaten, they have been more focused on a balanced offense and solid defense. The team’s total yards per game stands at 113.2, with a heavy reliance on their rushing game, accumulating 75.7 yards per game. Their defense, however, has stood out with 18.1 tackles per game and 1.5 sacks per game, providing a strong backbone to their success.

On the other hand, Santa Clarita Christian has posted a higher offensive output, with a total of 113.2 yards per game. Their passing yards per game and receiving yards per game both sit at 37.5, with 75.7 rushing yards per game being a focal point of their offense. The team’s defense has been equally impressive, as evidenced by their solid defensive line, and a slightly better sacks per game at 1.5 compared to Flintridge Prep’s performance.

Despite the lower overall offensive numbers, Flintridge Prep is effective in executing their plays, as seen in their ability to generate points. Cayden Rappleye, a key leader for Flintridge Prep, leads with an average of 13 points per game, showing his ability to make big plays when necessary.

Key Players to Watch

• Flintridge Prep:
  • Cayden Rappleye: As the leader in passing yards (74.0 yards per game) and total yards (127.3 per game), Rappleye has been the cornerstone of Flintridge’s offense. His playmaking ability, especially in tight games, will be crucial for Flintridge Prep’s success.
  • Jonathan Boelter: Leading the team’s rushing attack, Boelter’s 74.3 yards per game and his ability to wear down opposing defenses will be a key asset for Flintridge Prep.
  • Caleb Shaffer: A dual threat on both offense and defense, Shaffer’s impressive stats of 5.8 tackles per game and 1.3 sacks per game demonstrate his versatility. He will need to lead from the front in both phases of the game.
• Santa Clarita Christian:
  • Eli Duhm: As the team’s top receiver with 38.0 yards per game, Duhm has been a consistent target for their quarterbacks. His ability to create big plays in the air will be essential against Flintridge Prep’s defense.
  • Jonathan Boelter: The team’s rusher will also have to contend with the Santa Clarita defense, as Boelter has the potential to make big runs. His yards per game will be a key focus for the defense.

Common Opponents Breakdown

Both teams have faced some of the same opponents this season, offering some insight into how they match up. Here’s a look at their performances against common opponents:

• Avalon:
  • Flintridge Prep: Dominated Avalon with a resounding 57-7 victory on 9/21/24.
  • Santa Clarita Christian: Faced a tough challenge from Avalon, losing 22-14 at home on 9/28/24.
• Chadwick:
  • Flintridge Prep: Secured a comfortable win 22-6 on 11/1/24.
  • Santa Clarita Christian: Put on a clinic with a 35-3 victory over Chadwick on 10/5/24.

Both teams have had success against their common opponents, though Flintridge Prep has shown more dominance, particularly in their win over Avalon. Santa Clarita Christian performed well in their matchup against Chadwick, but the game against Avalon was a disappointment.

Record Breakdown

• Flintridge Prep: With a perfect 8-0 overall record and a flawless 4-0 league record, Flintridge Prep has proven to be a well-rounded team. Their offensive balance and disciplined defense have allowed them to remain undefeated thus far. Their impressive performance on both sides of the ball has set the bar high for their upcoming match.
• Santa Clarita Christian: Santa Clarita Christian is not far behind with an 8-2 overall record and a perfect 4-0 in league play. While they have faced some losses in non-league games, their overall performance has been strong. Their perfect record at home (6-0) speaks to their capability, particularly when they play on familiar turf.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponent Analysis

• Head-to-Head: As of now, these two teams have not faced each other yet in the season, but the upcoming matchup will be an exciting one, especially given both teams’ unbeaten league records.
• Common Opponents: Both teams have had similar success against common opponents. However, Flintridge Prep’s dominant victories over Avalon and Chadwick give them a slight edge in this category.

Conclusion

The upcoming game between Flintridge Prep and Santa Clarita Christian is shaping up to be a thrilling contest. With both teams boasting impressive records and key players capable of making significant impacts, fans can expect a hard-fought game. Flintridge Prep’s defensive strength and balanced offensive attack will be a challenge for Santa Clarita Christian, who has shown resilience in their wins but also faced some tough defeats. This game will be crucial for both teams as they prepare for the postseason. Whoever can execute their game plan more effectively and capitalize on key moments will likely come out on top.