The Dana Hills varsity football team (Dana Point, CA) will face Glendora (CA) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships, Division 6, where both teams will battle for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Glendora vs Dana Hills
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 6
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Glendora vs. Dana Hills

As the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships heat up, the Glendora Tartans are set to face the Dana Hills Dolphins in a highly anticipated neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. Both teams have proven their mettle throughout the season, making this clash an exciting showdown.

Glendora Tartans: Solid Performance Despite Challenges

Glendora (8-4) enters the game with a respectable overall record of 8-4, with a league record of 3-2. The Tartans have faced a mix of highs and lows, especially on the road with a 1-3 away record. However, they have shown strong resilience in neutral-site games, boasting an undefeated 2-0 record in such situations. With 307 points scored and 242 points allowed, Glendora has demonstrated balanced offensive and defensive capabilities.

In terms of scoring, Glendora averages 25.6 points per game, with a strong start to the game, averaging 8.5 points in the first quarter. However, their performance tends to dip in the second and fourth quarters, scoring an average of just 3.5 points in each of those periods. The Tartans’ third-quarter performance is solid, with 7.0 points, but they will need to find more consistency across all four quarters to challenge Dana Hills in this crucial playoff game.

Dana Hills Dolphins: A Dominant Force

Dana Hills (10-2) enters the game with a superior overall record of 10-2, boasting a .833 win percentage. The Dolphins’ success has been driven by their high-scoring offense, with a total of 397 points scored throughout the season. Their defensive efforts have also been strong, allowing just 284 points, which gives them a point differential of +113.

Dana Hills has been particularly effective in the second half, averaging 6.5 points in the third quarter and 9.2 points in the fourth quarter. This ability to finish strong is a key factor in their impressive win percentage. The Dolphins’ first-quarter scoring is also noteworthy, with an average of 10.1 points, showing they can start games with strong momentum.

Their neutral-site record of 1-0 suggests Dana Hills is unfazed by neutral environments and will likely bring their A-game to the field.

Key Matchup: Offense vs. Defense

While Glendora has the ability to put up solid numbers on offense, Dana Hills’ high-scoring attack and well-rounded defense give them the upper hand. The Dolphins’ offense, which averages 33.1 points per game, will likely pose a significant challenge for the Tartans, who will need to execute their game plan flawlessly to keep up. Dana Hills’ ability to perform well in the second half could be a deciding factor, as they’ve proven time and again that they can close out games with a flurry of scoring.

Glendora will need to find ways to capitalize on their stronger first-quarter performances and generate consistent offensive production throughout the game to keep pace with Dana Hills. Their ability to execute in the third quarter, where they average 7.0 points, could also play a pivotal role in the outcome.

Final Thoughts

With a trip to the next round of the CIF Southern Section Division 6 Football Championships on the line, this game will be a true test for both teams. Dana Hills enters as the favored team, with a strong overall record and powerful offensive capabilities. However, Glendora’s ability to rise to the occasion in neutral-site games and their potential to start strong in the first quarter make them a formidable opponent. Football fans can expect a thrilling and high-energy playoff game as these two talented teams clash under the Friday night lights.

The highly anticipated matchup between Glendora and Dana Hills is shaping up to be an exciting battle between two talented teams with dynamic offenses and stout defenses. Both squads have posted strong records this season, with Glendora standing at 8-4 and Dana Hills at 10-2. Let’s break down the key stats, highlight the standout players, and examine how these teams match up on the field.

Offensive Comparison

• Rushing Yards: Glendora averages 162.9 rushing yards per game, while Dana Hills has a slight advantage with 177.4 rushing yards per game. Both teams feature strong running backs, with Simon Zwick leading Glendora with 75.0 rushing yards per game. Dana Hills’ Radley Geiss, with 114.0 rushing yards per game, has been a standout force in their offense. Expect both teams to utilize their ground game heavily, with Dana Hills having a slight edge due to Geiss’ powerful running ability.
• Passing Yards: Dana Hills is the stronger team through the air, averaging 220.9 passing yards per game compared to Glendora’s 100.2. Vanden Dugger has been the engine of Dana Hills’ aerial attack, posting 216.5 yards per game. Glendora’s passing game is less prolific, with Sebastian Lawrence contributing 85.8 yards per game. This disparity in passing game effectiveness may give Dana Hills an edge in a high-scoring affair, where the ability to make big plays in the air could prove decisive.
• Total Yards: Dana Hills again holds the advantage in total yards, averaging 398.3 yards per game compared to Glendora’s 263.1. This reflects Dana Hills’ well-rounded offensive attack, which balances the run and pass effectively. Glendora, while not as potent offensively, still has a solid rushing game to rely on, but Dana Hills’ ability to put up yards both on the ground and through the air gives them a considerable edge.

Defensive Comparison

• Tackles Per Game: Glendora averages 73.2 tackles per game, slightly ahead of Dana Hills, who averages 69.3 tackles per game. Both teams have players who can step up defensively to make big plays. Aidan Yamazaki leads Glendora with 10.4 tackles per game, while Dana Hills’ Thompson Foulger is their leader with 13.2 tackles per game. Both teams will need to rely on their defensive units to slow down the opposing offense and keep the game within reach.
• Sacks Per Game: Glendora has a slight advantage in sacks, averaging 3.3 sacks per game, compared to Dana Hills’ 2.9. Glendora’s Austin Coronado has been a disruptive force on defense with 1.4 sacks per game. However, Dana Hills’ Charlie “Chuck” Eckl, while having fewer sacks at 0.9, is a key player who can create pressure in crucial moments. The ability to generate a pass rush will be important for both teams in limiting the opposing offenses.

Scoring Comparison

• Points Per Game: Dana Hills has been the more potent scoring team, averaging 33.0 points per game compared to Glendora’s 24.6. Radley Geiss and Vanden Dugger have been the primary contributors to Dana Hills’ high-scoring offense, while Glendora has relied more on a balanced attack. Dana Hills’ ability to put up points quickly will force Glendora to keep pace offensively, which could be a challenge given Glendora’s less explosive offensive numbers.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Record: Glendora enters the game with an 8-4 record, while Dana Hills has posted a 10-2 record. Both teams have had strong seasons, with Dana Hills performing exceptionally well in both league and non-league play. Dana Hills’ impressive record includes a perfect 5-0 non-league mark, showcasing their dominance in those matchups.
• League Record: Both teams have a 3-2 league record, meaning they have been competitive within their respective conferences. This suggests that while they have been successful overall, they have faced tough competition within their leagues.
• Non-League Record: Dana Hills outperformed Glendora in non-league play, finishing with a 5-0 record, compared to Glendora’s 3-2. Dana Hills’ perfect non-league record highlights their ability to handle different styles of play against a variety of opponents.
• Home/Away Record: Dana Hills has been strong at home with a 5-1 record, while Glendora also boasts a solid away record of 4-1. Both teams will be comfortable in a neutral environment, but Dana Hills’ success at home could give them a slight advantage if this game is played in their stadium.
• Playoff Record: Both teams have been successful in the playoffs, with Dana Hills posting a 2-0 playoff record and Glendora also maintaining a perfect 2-0 record in postseason play. Both teams are battle-tested and ready for the high stakes of a playoff matchup.

Conclusion

The upcoming game between Glendora and Dana Hills presents an exciting clash of offensive firepower and defensive prowess. Dana Hills brings a high-octane offense led by the dynamic Vanden Dugger and Radley Geiss, along with a potent passing game, giving them a clear advantage in terms of total yards and points per game. However, Glendora’s solid rushing attack and ability to mix in a balanced offensive game plan could allow them to keep pace with Dana Hills, especially if they can control the clock and keep Dana Hills’ explosive offense off the field.

Dana Hills enters the game as the favorite, thanks to their superior offensive numbers and strong record. However, Glendora has the tools to create problems for them, particularly with their ability to generate a pass rush and control the tempo on the ground. The key to this matchup will be whether Glendora can slow down Dana Hills’ dynamic offense, while also making enough plays on offense to stay competitive.

Expect a thrilling contest, with Dana Hills’ scoring ability and Glendora’s defensive capabilities shaping what promises to be an exciting and hard-fought game.