The San Marcos varsity football team will face Granite Hills in a neutral-site playoff showdown tonight at 7:30 p.m. This high-stakes matchup is part of the 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships – Division I tournament, with both teams competing for a chance to advance deeper into the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California State Football Championship
Who: Granite Hills vs San Marcos
When: Today, November 30, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships (California) – Division I
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Granite Hills vs. San Marcos

The stage is set for an electrifying matchup in the 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships – Division I, as Granite Hills faces San Marcos tonight at 7:30 p.m. Both teams have demonstrated their dominance this season, making this clash a pivotal step toward the championship.

Granite Hills: A Balanced Contender

Granite Hills enters the game with a strong 10-2 overall record and a perfect 4-0 league performance. Ranked 40th in California, the team has showcased versatility, excelling both at home and away. They are undefeated in league play and boast a .833 win percentage, reflecting their consistency throughout the season.

Offensively, Granite Hills averages 38.9 points per game. They excel in the second quarter, where they score 12.3 points on average, building momentum before halftime. While their third-quarter scoring (0.8 points) is uncharacteristically low, they make up for it with a strong finish in the fourth quarter, averaging 6.8 points. Their ability to adapt and capitalize in key moments makes them a formidable opponent.

San Marcos: A Dominant Force

San Marcos comes into the game with an outstanding 11-1 overall record and an undefeated 5-0 league performance. Ranked 36th in California, the team has been nearly unstoppable, with a .917 win percentage and dominance in both home and neutral-site games. Their 449 points scored this season, paired with an exceptional defense allowing just 155 points, highlight their balance on both sides of the ball.

The Knights’ offense is a powerhouse, averaging 37.4 points per game. San Marcos starts strong, averaging 16.3 points in the first quarter and 17.2 in the second, often establishing commanding leads by halftime. Though their scoring tapers in the second half, with 5.2 points in the third quarter and 4.2 in the fourth, their early-game dominance often leaves opponents struggling to catch up.

Key Factors for Success

• Early Dominance: San Marcos’ explosive first-half offense will challenge Granite Hills’ ability to keep pace. If the Knights can build another strong early lead, they’ll put pressure on the Eagles to respond quickly.
• Granite Hills’ Adaptability: Granite Hills will need to counter San Marcos’ early scoring with their consistent second-quarter performance. Their ability to finish strong in the fourth quarter could be crucial in a close game.
• Defensive Strength: San Marcos’ defense, which has allowed only 155 points all season, will be key to containing Granite Hills’ balanced offensive attack. Meanwhile, Granite Hills’ defense must limit San Marcos’ early scoring to avoid falling behind.

What’s at Stake

With both teams vying for a spot in the next round of the tournament, this matchup promises to be fiercely contested. Granite Hills’ balanced attack and resilience will be tested by San Marcos’ dominant offense and stifling defense. Fans can expect a high-stakes battle where every possession matters.

As these two top-tier teams face off, the winner will move closer to the Division I championship, making tonight’s game a must-watch showdown in the 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships

Team Performance Breakdown

Granite Hills and San Marcos are neck-and-neck in total offensive production, with Granite Hills averaging 380.1 total yards per game and San Marcos slightly edging them out at 382.8 total yards per game. However, the composition of their offenses tells a different story:

• Granite Hills relies on a powerful ground game, averaging 204.0 rushing yards per game, nearly doubling San Marcos’ 108.5 rushing yards per game.
• San Marcos, on the other hand, boasts a potent passing attack, producing 274.3 passing yards per game, compared to Granite Hills’ 176.1 passing yards per game

Key Players

Granite Hills:

• #30 Max Turner: A standout running back, averaging an incredible 140.5 rushing yards per game, while contributing 14.0 points per game as the team’s leading scorer.
• #0 Zachary Benitez: The quarterback leads the offense with 170.8 passing yards per game and 173.8 total yards per game.
• #22 Trevor Smith: Anchors the defense with 8.4 tackles per game, providing critical stops.

San Marcos:

• #1 Kreet Makihele: A dominant quarterback who averages 268.7 passing yards per game and 269.3 total yards per game, serving as the cornerstone of the Knights’ offense.
• #2 Jase Nix: The top receiving target, averaging 77.1 receiving yards per game, and a key contributor to scoring with 7.0 points per game.
• #43 Edrey Velasquez: A force on defense, leading the team with 1.0 sacks per game.

Common Opponents

The teams share three common opponents: Mission Hills, Mater Dei Catholic, and Torrey Pines. Granite Hills holds a perfect 3-0 record in these matchups, while San Marcos went 2-1:

• Mission Hills: Granite Hills triumphed 28-17, while San Marcos fell in a close 17-14 loss.
• Mater Dei Catholic: Both teams secured commanding wins—Granite Hills with a 56-28 victory and San Marcos with an even more lopsided 58-14 win.
• Torrey Pines: Both teams prevailed, though Granite Hills was more decisive, winning 31-19, compared to San Marcos’ narrow 20-19 victory.

Granite Hills’ ability to deliver consistent results against shared opponents could play a psychological edge.

Record Comparison

• Granite Hills (10-2): Undefeated in league play (4-0) and a strong playoff contender, with both losses coming in non-league games.
• San Marcos (11-1): Also undefeated in league play (5-0), the Knights have been dominant, especially at home (5-0) and in the playoffs.

Both teams are undefeated in playoff play, setting the stage for an evenly matched showdown.

Keys to Victory

Granite Hills will need to lean on their dominant rushing attack to control the clock and keep the explosive San Marcos passing game off the field. Max Turner’s ability to break big runs and wear down the defense could be pivotal.

San Marcos, meanwhile, must exploit their aerial superiority. Kreet Makihele and his connection with Jase Nix will be critical to spreading the Granite Hills defense thin and capitalizing on any mismatches.

The Verdict

This matchup is as close as they come, with both teams excelling in complementary areas. Granite Hills’ dominance in the run game contrasts sharply with San Marcos’ elite passing attack, making this game a battle of offensive philosophies.

The edge may come down to defensive execution, where San Marcos’ ability to pressure the quarterback could disrupt Granite Hills’ rhythm. However, Granite Hills’ consistency against common opponents suggests they may have the upper hand in adaptability.

Expect a thrilling game where every play matters.