The Murrieta Mesa varsity football team will play Glendora today at 7:00 p.m. in a neutral-site playoff game. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships – Division 6 tournament. Both teams are looking to secure a victory and advance further in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California State Football Championship
Who: Glendora vs Murrieta Mesa
When: Today, November 30, 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

Tonight at 7:00 p.m., the Glendora and Murrieta Mesa varsity football teams will face off in a crucial neutral-site playoff game. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships – Division 6 tournament. Both teams enter the game with strong records and impressive performances this season, making this a highly anticipated contest.

Glendora: Balanced and Resilient

Glendora enters the game with a 9-4 record and a solid .692 win percentage. Their performance has been marked by resilience, particularly on the road, where they posted a 5-1 record. Their offense averages 25.5 points per game, with a balanced scoring attack. In the first quarter, they score an average of 6.7 points, while their fourth-quarter performance is stronger with 7.3 points. However, the team has struggled a bit in the second quarter, averaging just 2.3 points. Glendora’s ability to perform in the latter parts of the game will be crucial to their success in this high-stakes matchup.

Murrieta Mesa: A Potent Offense

Murrieta Mesa also holds a 9-4 record and has an identical .692 win percentage. What sets them apart, however, is their dominance in league play, finishing undefeated at 5-0. The Murrieta Mesa offense has been explosive, averaging 26.7 points per game, led by strong scoring in the first half. They average 7.6 points in the first quarter and 9.8 points in the second. While their offense tends to slow down in the second half, with 3.9 points in the fourth quarter, their ability to build a lead early in the game gives them a competitive edge.

Key Factors for Success

• Glendora’s Road Resilience: With a 5-1 record away from home, Glendora has proven their ability to perform under pressure in neutral-site games. They will need to continue their strong fourth-quarter performances to compete against Murrieta Mesa.
• Murrieta Mesa’s First-Half Explosion: Murrieta Mesa’s offensive strength in the first half, especially in the second quarter, will be key to taking control of the game early. Their ability to maintain a strong lead will be critical in ensuring a successful playoff run.

As the postseason unfolds, the matchup between Glendora and Murrieta Mesa stands out as a thrilling contest between two well-balanced teams with identical records of 9-4. Both teams have proven themselves capable of competing at a high level, and this game will likely determine who has the edge in terms of offensive power, defensive resilience, and game-winning ability. Let’s dive into the statistics and key players that will play a pivotal role in this matchup.

Offensive Comparison

Offensively, Glendora and Murrieta Mesa are nearly identical, both averaging over 260 total yards per game. Glendora has accumulated 266.6 total yards per game, with 163.7 rushing yards per game and 102.9 passing yards per game. Leading the charge on the ground is Simon Zwick, who averages 73.3 rushing yards per game, while Sebastian Lawrence leads the passing attack with 80.2 passing yards per game. Tim Johnson, with 57.9 receiving yards per game, is another key weapon for the Glendora offense.

Murrieta Mesa, on the other hand, has slightly higher numbers, with 316.0 total yards per game. The Rams have a balanced offensive attack, averaging 165.9 rushing yards per game and 150.1 passing yards per game. Artyon Celestine leads the ground game for Murrieta Mesa, rushing for 101.4 yards per game, while Trey Gamble Jr. has been a force in the passing game, averaging 153.6 passing yards per game. Cooper Murphy has been a reliable target in the passing game, contributing 44.7 receiving yards per game.

Defensive Breakdown

Both teams are solid defensively, though Glendora slightly outpaces Murrieta Mesa in tackles per game. Glendora averages 73.5 tackles per game, with Aidan Yamazaki leading the way with 10.4 tackles per game. On the other hand, Murrieta Mesa averages 58.0 tackles per game, with Deshawn Reid contributing 7.9 tackles per game. While Glendora is better at making tackles, Murrieta Mesa has the edge in pass rush, averaging 4.0 sacks per game compared to Glendora’s 3.2 sacks per game. Key players like Isaiah Casillas for Murrieta Mesa and Austin Coronado for Glendora will look to disrupt their opponent’s backfield and limit offensive production.

Key Players to Watch

For Glendora, all eyes will be on Simon Zwick, whose 73.3 rushing yards per game make him the centerpiece of their offense. He will be tasked with breaking through Murrieta Mesa’s strong defensive line. Sebastian Lawrence’s ability to move the ball in the air will also be vital for Glendora to keep their offense balanced and unpredictable.

On the Murrieta Mesa side, Artyon Celestine will be the key player in the ground game, especially considering his ability to put up big rushing numbers. Additionally, Trey Gamble Jr. will need to lead the passing attack and exploit any weaknesses in the Glendora secondary, while Cooper Murphy will be relied upon to make crucial receptions to sustain drives.

Record Breakdown

Both teams have been successful throughout the season, posting 9-4 overall records. Glendora finished with a 3-2 league record, while Murrieta Mesa boasted a perfect 5-0 league record, showing that they dominated in their conference play. Both teams also performed well on the road, with Glendora going 3-3 away from home and Murrieta Mesa having a strong 6-1 away record. On the other hand, both teams have been consistent in the postseason, with each team having an undefeated 3-0 playoff record, indicating they rise to the occasion when the stakes are highest.

Common Opponents

Both teams share a common opponent in the form of Lynwood, and both Glendora and Murrieta Mesa came out victorious in their respective matchups, showing their ability to handle tough competition. This common success suggests that both teams have the capability to perform in similar conditions, which should make for an exciting and closely contested matchup.

Final Thoughts

With Glendora and Murrieta Mesa coming into this game with near-identical stats and records, the outcome is likely to come down to which team can execute their game plan more effectively. Glendora’s ability to balance its offense between the run and pass will be crucial, while Murrieta Mesa’s powerful rushing attack, led by Artyon Celestine, will look to control the clock and dominate possession.

Defensively, Glendora will need to find ways to stop the Murrieta Mesa run game, while Murrieta Mesa will need to focus on limiting Glendora’s ground attack and putting pressure on the quarterback.

This matchup promises to be a close one, with both teams having the talent and experience to come out on top. Expect a hard-fought battle as both teams aim to advance further into the postseason.

Conclusion

The Glendora and Murrieta Mesa matchup promises to be a thrilling game, with both teams bringing impressive records and strengths to the field. With Glendora’s resilience and Murrieta Mesa’s potent offense, this game is sure to deliver high-intensity action. The winner will advance further in the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships – Division 6, with both teams eager to continue their postseason journey.