The Lassen varsity football team will face Gridley in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 6 p.m. This matchup is part of the “2024 Northern Section Football Playoffs – D3 Football NSCIF 2024” tournament. Both teams will be looking to secure a crucial win in their postseason journey.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Gridley vs Lassen
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 Northern Section Football Playoffs – D3 Football NSCIF 2024
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Lassen vs. Gridley

The 2024 Northern Section Football Playoffs – Division 3 heats up with a highly anticipated matchup between Lassen and Gridley. Set for Friday, November 22, at 6 p.m., this neutral site game promises to deliver an exciting contest as both teams aim to advance further into the postseason.

Gridley: Strong Regular Season Finish

Gridley enters the playoffs with an 8-3 overall record, including a solid 4-1 league performance. The Bulldogs have been particularly effective at home, winning four of their five home games, but they’ll face a tough challenge on the road. With a well-balanced offense, Gridley averages 27.5 points per game, largely driven by a steady second-quarter surge (6.1 points per quarter). However, their scoring tends to dip in the final stretch of games, as they average just 1.9 points in the fourth quarter, which could be a critical factor in the playoff environment.

Lassen: Offensive Powerhouse and Unbeaten in League

Lassen has been dominant throughout the season, posting an 8-3 record and an undefeated 5-0 league mark. The Grizzlies have been prolific on offense, averaging a remarkable 40.9 points per game. Their scoring attack is explosive in the early and middle stages of games, particularly in the first and second quarters, where they average over 23 points combined. Lassen’s offense, led by their balanced attack, will look to outpace Gridley’s defense and maintain momentum through all four quarters. With a 5-1 home record and a solid postseason presence, Lassen is poised for a deep playoff run.

Key Matchup: Offensive Firepower vs. Defensive Resilience

Gridley will need to find ways to neutralize Lassen’s potent offensive threats, especially in the first half. While their defense has allowed just 119 points this season, the Bulldogs will have to step up against Lassen’s high-scoring unit. If Gridley can slow down Lassen’s offense and execute their game plan effectively, they could pull off the upset. However, Lassen’s ability to sustain scoring throughout the game, especially in the first half, may prove too much for the Bulldogs to handle.

As the high school football season progresses, the upcoming contest between the Gridley Bulldogs and the Lassen Grizzlies promises to be a thrilling matchup between two formidable teams. With both squads posting identical 8-3 records, their comparative stats reveal key differences and strengths that will play a crucial role in determining who comes out on top. Here’s a breakdown of their team statistics, standout players, head-to-head history, and what to expect from this exciting game.

Team Stat Comparison

Lassen stands out in several key areas when compared to Gridley, especially in offensive production. Lassen averages a staggering 348.6 rushing yards per game, significantly outpacing Gridley’s 241.1 rushing yards per game. This rushing dominance is fueled by star player Dathen Moore, who leads the team with 174.1 rushing yards per game. In contrast, Gridley’s top rusher, Gus Stogsdill, contributes 161.3 rushing yards per game, highlighting a potent but less dominant rushing attack.

In terms of total offense, Lassen also outperforms Gridley, averaging 418.6 total yards per game compared to Gridley’s 290.4 yards. Lassen’s balanced offensive attack, combining an effective rushing game with solid passing production (averaging 70.0 passing yards per game), gives them a versatile offensive look.

Defensively, Lassen has a clear advantage with 82.8 tackles per game, more than double Gridley’s 44.9 tackles per game. Additionally, Lassen is more effective at generating sacks, averaging 1.6 sacks per game, compared to Gridley’s 0.6 sacks per game. This defensive pressure has helped Lassen to allow an average of 40.9 points per game, while Gridley gives up 27.5 points per game.

Team Leaders

Gridley’s offensive success centers around Gus Stogsdill, who not only leads the team in rushing with 161.3 yards per game, but also contributes significantly through the air with 54.2 passing yards per game. Stogsdill’s versatility allows him to be a dual-threat, helping him rack up 215.5 total yards per game. He also scores 14.2 points per game, showcasing his role as a key contributor to the team’s offense.

On the defensive side, Jason Davis leads Gridley with 7.2 tackles per game and contributes with 0.6 sacks per game, helping to anchor the Bulldogs’ defensive unit.

For Lassen, Dathen Moore is the clear leader, not only with his dominant rushing numbers but also with 186.3 total yards per game. Moore is complemented by Zayn Wright, who adds 62.8 passing yards per game to the offensive attack, giving Lassen a balanced offensive threat. On defense, Tysen Conoboy has emerged as a key player, with 15.2 tackles per game, while Anthony Vargas adds depth with 0.5 sacks per game.

Common Opponents and Record Breakdown

Both teams have faced off against similar opponents, which provides an interesting comparison of how each team has fared. Gridley holds a 3-1 record against common opponents, while Lassen has been perfect, going 3-0. Key results from their games against these common teams include:

• Gridley vs. University Prep: Loss 22-10 (8/30/24), Win 26-10 (11/15/24)
• Lassen vs. University Prep: Win 27-20 (10/18/24)
• Gridley vs. Live Oak: Win 49-3 (10/25/24)
• Lassen vs. Live Oak: Win 42-13 (11/15/24)
• Gridley vs. Las Plumas: Win 40-6 (11/1/24)
• Lassen vs. Las Plumas: Win 34-0 (10/4/24)

Both teams performed well against Live Oak and Las Plumas, though Lassen’s dominance against these teams has been slightly more pronounced. Gridley’s loss to University Prep and Lassen’s win against the same team provides some insight into the competitive nature of their schedules, with Lassen edging out in their key matchups.

Record Breakdown and Playoff Potential

Both Gridley and Lassen have identical 8-3 overall records, with Gridley posting a 4-1 league record and Lassen going 5-0 in league play. Both teams have shown resilience, with solid performances both at home and on the road.

Gridley has an impressive 4-1 home record and a 4-2 away record, showcasing their ability to win in various environments. Lassen also boasts a strong 5-1 record at home and 3-2 on the road, with both teams preparing for a strong playoff push.

In their playoff potential, Lassen has an added edge with a 1-0 record in neutral-site games, while Gridley has yet to compete in such a format this season. The Grizzlies have also been more consistent overall, with fewer losses in high-stakes games, making them a slight favorite going into the postseason.

Conclusion

As Gridley and Lassen prepare to square off, the matchup is set to feature a high-powered offense against a stout defense. Lassen’s ability to control the game with its explosive rushing attack and strong defense gives them an edge, but Gridley’s balanced offensive attack and key leadership from Gus Stogsdill make them a tough competitor. With both teams posting identical records and looking toward the playoffs, this game promises to be an exciting and closely contested battle. Fans can expect an intense matchup as these two teams look to make a deep run in the postseason.