The Orange Lutheran varsity football team will host JSerra Catholic in a home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) in Division 1. Both teams are eager to compete for a spot in the next round of the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football
Who: JSerra Catholic vs Orange Lutheran
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 1
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: JSerra Catholic vs. Orange Lutheran

As the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships heat up, one of the most anticipated matchups is between JSerra Catholic and Orange Lutheran. This Division 1 showdown promises high stakes, as both teams aim for playoff glory and a chance to move forward in the prestigious tournament.

JSerra Catholic Lions: A Strong Season with Room for Improvement

JSerra Catholic (24-25) enters the game with a 6-4 overall record, a solid .600 win percentage, though their league performance has been more mixed with a 1-4 record. Ranked 44th nationally and 6th in California, the Lions have shown resilience throughout the season, especially with a strong road performance (4-2) compared to their home record of 2-2.

Offensively, JSerra Catholic has averaged 28.2 points per game. Their scoring is spread out relatively evenly throughout the game, with 8.9 points in the first quarter, 7.7 in the second, and 7.6 in the third. However, their fourth-quarter scoring has dipped to 4.6 points per game, which could be a factor as they face a strong opponent like Orange Lutheran. The Lions will need to find ways to finish strong if they want to advance in the tournament.

Orange Lutheran Lancers: Consistency with a Strong Finish

Orange Lutheran (24-25) enters the playoff matchup with a 7-3 overall record and a .700 win percentage, ranking 16th nationally and 3rd in California. Their 3-2 league record is solid, with their home performance at 4-0 a clear advantage. Despite a .500 record on the road (3-3), the Lancers’ overall consistency has been impressive.

Orange Lutheran’s offense averages 25.4 points per game. Unlike JSerra Catholic, the Lancers tend to pick up their scoring as the game progresses, averaging just 3.9 points in the first quarter but an impressive 11.3 points in the fourth quarter. This ability to finish strong may be a significant advantage against a JSerra team that struggles in the final quarter.

Looking Ahead: Key Factors for Both Teams

JSerra Catholic’s balanced offense will need to overcome their late-game struggles if they are to stand a chance against Orange Lutheran, a team that has shown they can put up points late. The Lions will need to capitalize on their early-game success and maintain momentum throughout the second half to match the Lancers’ scoring surge.

For Orange Lutheran, their ability to execute in the fourth quarter could be the key to advancing. With a solid defensive unit and a high-powered offense that often performs its best when it matters most, they’ll look to put away JSerra Catholic in the final stretch.

Conclusion: A Battle of Strengths

As the two teams square off in this crucial CIF Southern Section playoff game, the contrasting styles of JSerra Catholic and Orange Lutheran promise an exciting and hard-fought contest. JSerra Catholic will need to overcome its inconsistency in the final quarter, while Orange Lutheran will look to exploit their strong finish to secure the win. Fans of both schools can expect a thrilling, high-intensity battle under the lights.

As the high school football season progresses, the upcoming matchup between JSerra Catholic and Orange Lutheran is one to watch. Both teams have shown flashes of excellence throughout the year, and this game promises to showcase two well-rounded squads. Here’s a closer look at their team stats, individual leaders, and how they compare heading into the matchup.

Offensive Comparison

When it comes to total yards, Orange Lutheran leads with 342.8 yards per game, while JSerra Catholic averages 220.3 yards per game. This disparity is primarily due to the passing game, where Orange Lutheran has a significant advantage, throwing for 209.3 yards per game compared to JSerra Catholic’s 108.0 yards per game.

JSerra Catholic relies heavily on their running game, led by Ryan Hopkins, who averages 46.9 rushing yards per game. Orange Lutheran, however, has a more balanced offense, with Steve Chavez leading the way with 75.0 rushing yards per game and Tj Lateef commanding the passing attack with an impressive 212.7 passing yards per game.

Both teams perform well in the receiving department, with JSerra Catholic’s Jarod Sersansie contributing 47.1 receiving yards per game and Orange Lutheran’s Chris Flores Jr. posting 67.9 receiving yards per game. Total yards per game also shows Orange Lutheran’s advantage, with 238.7 yards from Lateef compared to JSerra’s 156.8 yards from Hopkins.

In terms of scoring, the teams are relatively close, with Orange Lutheran averaging 24.0 points per game, while JSerra Catholic scores 23.3 points per game. This suggests that both teams have the ability to put points on the board, but Orange Lutheran’s more potent offense may give them an edge.

Defensive Overview

On defense, both teams have been solid but slightly different in their approaches. Orange Lutheran averages 56.8 tackles per game, more than JSerra Catholic’s 45.7 tackles per game. This indicates that Orange Lutheran may be more aggressive and active in the defensive trenches. The sack numbers reflect this as well, with Orange Lutheran registering 2.7 sacks per game, compared to JSerra Catholic’s 1.4 sacks per game.

The standout defensive player for JSerra Catholic is Madden Faraimo, who leads the team with 12.6 tackles per game. For Orange Lutheran, Talanoa Ili leads with 6.4 tackles per game, while Auma Jennings contributes with 0.7 sacks per game.

Key Offensive Players

Ryan Hopkins has been a dual-threat for JSerra Catholic, leading the team in rushing, passing, and total yards. His 156.8 total yards per game are critical to the team’s success. In contrast, Orange Lutheran’s Tj Lateef has been their primary weapon, leading the team with 238.7 total yards per game, including 212.7 passing yards. With a potent offense that can execute through the air and on the ground, Lateef’s versatility will be a key factor in this game.

For receiving, JSerra Catholic relies on Jarod Sersansie, who has 47.1 receiving yards per game, while Orange Lutheran’s Chris Flores Jr. has a more significant impact with 67.9 receiving yards per game. These two will be crucial in their teams’ passing game success.

Head-to-Head Against Common Opponents

When comparing records against common opponents, both teams have had similar success but with slight differences. JSerra Catholic holds a 2-3 record against common opponents, while Orange Lutheran is 3-2. Notable results include JSerra Catholic’s victory over Santa Margarita (35-33), and Orange Lutheran’s win over the same team (13-10). Both teams lost to powerhouse programs like Servite and Mater Dei, but Orange Lutheran’s victories over Sierra Canyon and St. John Bosco show their resilience against tough competition.

Record Breakdown

Looking at the overall records, Orange Lutheran has a slight advantage, entering this matchup with a 7-3 overall record compared to JSerra Catholic’s 6-4. Orange Lutheran has a stronger non-league record at 4-1, while JSerra Catholic is 5-0 in non-league play. The two teams have similar league records, with Orange Lutheran going 3-2 and JSerra Catholic 1-4.

JSerra Catholic has been solid at home with a 2-2 record, while Orange Lutheran has been more dominant at home, holding a 4-0 record. Both teams have faced challenges away from home, but Orange Lutheran’s 3-3 record on the road shows they are capable of winning in hostile environments.

Key Takeaways

While both teams have had strong seasons, Orange Lutheran has the edge in several key areas, particularly in total offensive yards, passing, and defensive sacks. Their more potent passing game, led by Tj Lateef, could give them an advantage in a high-paced game. However, JSerra Catholic’s ground game, led by Ryan Hopkins, will be crucial in controlling the clock and keeping the Orange Lutheran offense off the field.

Both teams have the ability to execute well on both sides of the ball, and this matchup promises to be a hard-fought contest. The outcome may come down to which team can better capitalize on their strengths and exploit their opponent’s weaknesses. With both teams boasting talented players and a history of competitive games, fans can expect an exciting showdown when JSerra Catholic faces off against Orange Lutheran.