The Murrieta Mesa varsity football team faces Glendora in a neutral-site playoff game tonight at 7 p.m. as part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (Division 6). Both teams are determined to showcase their skills in this high-stakes matchup, with a spot in the next round on the line.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Glendora vs Murrieta Mesa
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 6
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Glendora vs. Murrieta Mesa

The matchup between Glendora and Murrieta Mesa promises to be an exciting clash, with both teams boasting identical overall records and similar strengths. Here’s a breakdown of their performances and how they stack up against each other.

Rankings & Records

• Glendora
  • Overall Record: 9-4
  • League Record: 3-2 (.600 win percentage)
  • Home Record: 1-3
  • Away Record: 5-1
  • Neutral Record: 3-0
  • Points For (PF): 332
  • Points Against (PA): 263

  Despite a modest home record, Glendora shines on the road, demonstrating resilience in challenging environments. Their league performance has been competitive, although not as dominant as their counterparts.

• Murrieta Mesa
  • Overall Record: 9-4
  • League Record: 5-0 (perfect 1.000 win percentage)
  • Home Record: 6-1
  • Away Record: 3-3
  • Points For (PF): 347
  • Points Against (PA): 281

  Murrieta Mesa has excelled in league play, going undefeated with a strong home presence. Their balanced scoring and defense have made them a formidable opponent.

Scoring Trends

Both teams display distinct scoring trends across quarters:

• Glendora averages 25.5 points per game, with strong performances in the first (6.7 points) and fourth quarters (7.3 points). This suggests a team that starts strong and finishes games well.
• Murrieta Mesa averages slightly more at 26.7 points per game, peaking in the second quarter (9.8 points). Their lower fourth-quarter average (3.9 points) might indicate challenges in closing games.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Glendora’s Strengths: Their ability to perform under pressure on the road is a key advantage. Their strong fourth-quarter scoring demonstrates clutch performance in tight games.
• Murrieta Mesa’s Strengths: A perfect league record reflects dominance and consistency, especially at home. Their ability to build momentum in the first half often sets them up for success.

Key Matchup Factors

• League Play Experience: Murrieta Mesa’s unblemished league record gives them an edge in confidence and execution during high-stakes games.
• Late-Game Execution: Glendora’s stronger fourth-quarter scoring may give them an advantage in tight, late-game situations.

What to Watch For

This game could hinge on Glendora’s road resilience against Murrieta Mesa’s home-court dominance. The battle of scoring trends—Glendora’s late-game prowess versus Murrieta Mesa’s early momentum—will likely play a pivotal role in the outcome.

With both teams sharing a 9-4 record, this matchup promises to be a nail-biter, showcasing two teams with the talent and determination to come out on top.

As Glendora and Murrieta Mesa prepare to face off, their season statistics and records paint a picture of two evenly matched teams. Both squads boast identical 9-4 records and have shown the ability to succeed in high-pressure situations, making this matchup an intriguing battle.

Team Comparison

The offensive stats highlight the balance in both teams’ games. Glendora averages 266.6 total yards per game, with a slight edge in rushing (163.7 yards per game) over passing (102.9 yards per game). Their scoring sits at 24.6 points per game.

Murrieta Mesa, however, has the offensive advantage, averaging 316.0 total yards per game. Their rushing attack contributes 165.9 yards per game, while their passing game adds 150.1 yards per game, resulting in a marginally higher scoring average of 24.8 points per game.

Defensively, Glendora leads in tackles, averaging 73.5 per game, compared to Murrieta Mesa’s 58.0. The teams are closely matched in pass rush capabilities, with Glendora recording 3.2 sacks per game and Murrieta Mesa slightly ahead at 4.0 sacks per game.

Key Players

For Glendora, the standout is Simon Zwick (#17), who leads the team with 73.3 rushing yards per game and 86.2 total yards per game. Quarterback Sebastian Lawrence (#8) contributes 80.2 passing yards per game, with Tim Johnson (#1) leading in receiving at 57.9 yards per game. On defense, Aidan Yamazaki (#3) anchors the unit with 10.4 tackles per game, while Austin Coronado (#4) excels in both sacks (1.4 per game) and scoring (7.6 points per game).

Murrieta Mesa relies heavily on Trey Gamble Jr. (#9), who averages 153.6 passing yards per game and 164.2 total yards per game, making him the team’s offensive engine. Running back Artyon Celestine (#34) leads with 101.4 rushing yards per game and contributes 6.0 points per game. On defense, Deshawn Reid (#44) shines with 7.9 tackles per game, while Isaiah Casillas (#75) adds pressure with 0.9 sacks per game.

Record Breakdown

Both teams come into this matchup with 9-4 overall records, but their paths have been distinct.

• Glendora has a 3-2 league record, balancing their success between league and non-league play. They’ve struggled at home (1-3) but have performed well on the road (5-1) and in neutral games (3-3).
• Murrieta Mesa has dominated league play with an undefeated 5-0 record and has been especially strong at home (6-1). They’ve shown resilience on the road (3-3) and are undefeated in playoffs (3-0).

What to Watch For

• Glendora’s Keys to Success: They’ll need to capitalize on their defensive strengths, particularly through the tackling and pass rush of Aidan Yamazaki and Austin Coronado. On offense, Simon Zwick must find success on the ground to control the tempo.
• Murrieta Mesa’s Keys to Success: Leveraging their balanced offense will be crucial. Trey Gamble Jr. must continue to shine as a dual-threat quarterback, while Artyon Celestine can exploit gaps in Glendora’s defense.

Prediction

With both teams evenly matched in many statistical categories, the game will likely come down to execution in critical moments. Murrieta Mesa’s more dynamic offense and home-field advantage could give them the edge, but Glendora’s strong defense and road performance make them a formidable opponent.

This game promises to be a thrilling battle of balance and determination.