The Woodrow Wilson (Long Beach, CA) varsity football team will play against Great Oak (Temecula, 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 (California) – Division 9 tournament, with both teams vying for postseason advancement.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Great Oak vs Woodrow Wilson
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 9
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Great Oak vs. Woodrow Wilson

The 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships – Division 9 tournament is heating up with an exciting neutral playoff game between Great Oak (Temecula, CA) and Woodrow Wilson (Long Beach, CA) on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. Both teams enter the game with strong records and high hopes of advancing further in the postseason.

Team Overview

Great Oak enters the matchup with a 6-6 overall record, finishing with a 3-2 league record. While they have struggled a bit at home with a 3-4 record, they have been solid on the road with a 2-2 mark and perfect 1-0 record in neutral-site games. Great Oak has scored 316 points this season while allowing 263, averaging 26.3 points per game. Their scoring has been steady, with 6.1 points in the first quarter, 8.0 in the second, 5.3 in the third, and 7.9 in the fourth. Their ability to stay consistent throughout the game could be a key factor in this matchup, especially as they go up against a high-scoring Woodrow Wilson team.

Woodrow Wilson boasts a solid 8-4 record, including a 3-3 league mark. While they have struggled a bit on the road with a 2-4 record, they have been impressive at home (5-0) and in neutral-site games (1-0). With 366 points scored and 226 points allowed, Woodrow Wilson averages a powerful 30.5 points per game. Their offense has been consistently strong, with 7.0 points in the first quarter, 5.3 in the second, 7.0 in the third, and 7.8 in the fourth. Their ability to score consistently throughout the game, especially in the final quarter, gives them a strong edge over Great Oak, whose fourth-quarter production is slightly less potent.

Key Match-Up Insights

• Offensive Efficiency: Woodrow Wilson has been more effective on offense, averaging 30.5 points per game compared to Great Oak’s 26.3. This higher offensive output, especially their ability to score in every quarter, gives Woodrow Wilson an edge. However, Great Oak has been consistent throughout the game, which could make them dangerous if Woodrow Wilson falters.
• Defensive Strength: Woodrow Wilson’s defense has allowed 226 points this season, which is significantly fewer than Great Oak’s 263. While both teams have had their moments of defensive vulnerability, Woodrow Wilson’s stronger defense will likely play a critical role in limiting Great Oak’s scoring opportunities.
• Fourth-Quarter Focus: Both teams have shown the ability to finish strong, but Woodrow Wilson’s scoring averages in the final quarter (7.8 points) are a slight advantage over Great Oak’s (7.9). In such a close matchup, the team that can close out the game will likely be the one to secure victory.

As the postseason approaches, the upcoming game between Great Oak and Woodrow Wilson offers an intriguing matchup. Both teams have displayed strong individual performances, but their strengths lie in different areas. Great Oak enters the game with a 6-6 overall record, while Woodrow Wilson carries an 8-4 record into the contest. Despite the difference in their win-loss columns, both teams have the potential to make a statement, with powerful offensive and defensive units.

Offensive Breakdown

• Rushing Yards: Great Oak has a strong rushing attack, averaging 168.6 yards per game, with Ryder Smith leading the charge, rushing for 104.0 yards per game. Woodrow Wilson, on the other hand, averages 107.5 rushing yards per game, with Deuce Weston contributing 75.4 yards per game. Great Oak has the edge in the running game, with a more balanced approach to both rushing and passing.
• Passing Yards: When it comes to passing, Woodrow Wilson has the upper hand, averaging 149.8 yards per game, led by Mack Cooper, who throws for 184.2 yards per game. In contrast, Great Oak averages 138.3 passing yards per game, with Reagan Ricken contributing 139.5 yards per game. Woodrow Wilson is more effective in the air, thanks to Cooper’s passing ability, and will likely look to exploit Great Oak‘s secondary.
• Receiving Yards: The receiving yards are evenly matched, with Great Oak averaging 135.7 receiving yards per game and Woodrow Wilson not far behind at 150.9. Mikey Vazquez (45.0 yards per game) leads Great Oak in receiving, while Maxwell Barbee (81.2 yards per game) is a standout for Woodrow Wilson. The receiving corps for both teams plays a key role in setting up their offensive success.
• Total Yards: Great Oak has a slight advantage in total yardage, averaging 306.8 yards per game compared to Woodrow Wilson‘s 257.3 yards per game. This difference suggests that Great Oak can generate more offensive production across both the ground and air.

Defensive Comparison

• Tackles Per Game: On the defensive side, Great Oak has the edge, averaging 59.0 tackles per game. Ryder Smith, who is a key player both offensively and defensively, leads the team with 9.8 tackles per game. Woodrow Wilson, while not as dominant, still averages a solid 46.5 tackles per game, with Jalen Nelson contributing 9.1 tackles per game. Great Oak‘s defense has been more involved overall, likely putting more pressure on opposing offenses.
• Sacks Per Game: In terms of pass rush, Great Oak averages 1.5 sacks per game, while Woodrow Wilson averages 1.0 sack per game. Both teams will need to ramp up their pass rush to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks and disrupt offensive rhythms.

Scoring and Points Per Game

• Great Oak has averaged 21.5 points per game this season, with Ryder Smith scoring 8.0 points per game. Woodrow Wilson has been more prolific on offense, averaging 24.3 points per game, with Deuce Weston contributing 8.4 points per game. This slight edge in scoring gives Woodrow Wilson the advantage when it comes to putting points on the board.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Record: Woodrow Wilson enters with an 8-4 record, performing solidly across the season, while Great Oak is at .500 with a 6-6 overall record. Both teams have had their ups and downs, but Woodrow Wilson has generally been more consistent throughout the regular season.
• League Record: Both teams finished with similar league records—Great Oak at 3-2 and Woodrow Wilson at 3-3—indicating that each team has been competitive within their league. The game will likely come down to which team can execute their game plan better, as both have shown they can compete in tough league matchups.
• Non-League Record: Great Oak finished 1-4 in non-league play, while Woodrow Wilson had a strong 3-1 record in non-league games. This disparity suggests that Woodrow Wilson has been more successful against opponents outside their conference, giving them some momentum heading into this matchup.
• Playoff Record: Both teams enter the postseason with a 2-0 record, demonstrating their ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most. This suggests that regardless of their regular-season performance, both teams are capable of performing at a high level when the stakes are high.

Home/Away Performance

• Great Oak has been more successful at home with a 3-4 record, while Woodrow Wilson has a strong 5-0 record on the road. Woodrow Wilson’s success away from home could give them a mental edge in this matchup, especially if the game is played on the road.

Conclusion

The matchup between Great Oak and Woodrow Wilson is a clash between two teams with contrasting offensive strengths and defensive styles. Great Oak brings a strong running game and solid defense, while Woodrow Wilson has a potent passing attack and a more consistent offensive unit overall.

With both teams averaging solid points per game, the game will likely come down to which team can execute their strengths effectively. Great Oak will need to control the clock with their rushing attack and defense, while Woodrow Wilson will look to air it out and exploit mismatches in the passing game. With both teams being 2-0 in the playoffs, this could be a thrilling encounter that showcases the best of each team’s abilities.

Ultimately, Woodrow Wilson‘s more balanced offense and superior road performance could give them the edge in this exciting matchup. However, Great Oak will look to use their strong defense and dynamic rushing attack to upset their opponents.