The Palos Verdes varsity football team hosts La Serna from Whittier in an exciting playoff matchup tonight at 7 p.m. This game, part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (Division 5), features two determined teams battling for a chance to advance further in the highly competitive tournament.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: La Serna vs Palos Verdes
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 5
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Palos Verdes vs. La Serna
The 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (Division 5) continue tonight with an exciting playoff matchup between Palos Verdes and La Serna. Both teams have had strong seasons, but their contrasting styles set the stage for a compelling contest under the playoff spotlight.
La Serna: A Season of Dominance
La Serna enters the game as the higher-ranked team, sitting at 66th in California and first in their section. Their 10-3 overall record and perfect 4-0 league performance highlight a season defined by consistency and control. The team has thrived both at home (5-2) and in neutral-site games (2-0), earning a .769 win percentage.
Offensively, La Serna is a powerhouse, averaging 34.1 points per game and amassing 443 points this season. They excel in the second quarter, scoring 11.7 points on average, and remain strong in the fourth with 7.5 points. Their defense has been equally impressive, allowing just 235 points over the season, showcasing their ability to dominate on both sides of the ball.
Palos Verdes: Resilient and Tough
Palos Verdes comes into the game with an 8-5 record and a .615 win percentage. Ranked 83rd in California and third in their division, they’ve been formidable at home, boasting an undefeated 6-0 record. However, struggles on the road (2-5) have highlighted areas for improvement.
The team averages 18.1 points per game, significantly lower than La Serna, with their scoring spread evenly across quarters. Notably, they’ve excelled in overtime situations, averaging 6.5 points, which could prove crucial in a tightly contested game. Despite scoring 235 points this season, their defense has allowed 258, emphasizing the need for a strong defensive effort against La Serna’s potent offense.
Key Factors to Watch
- La Serna’s Offensive Power: La Serna’s ability to score heavily and consistently will challenge Palos Verdes’ defense, which has struggled at times this season.
- Home Advantage: Palos Verdes’ undefeated home record could give them the edge they need to contain La Serna’s momentum.
- Defensive Matchup: While La Serna’s defense has been rock solid, Palos Verdes will need to capitalize on any opportunities to break through and keep the game close.
The upcoming clash between La Serna and Palos Verdes is shaping up to be a hard-fought matchup between two well-coached teams with distinct strengths. Both teams are coming off solid seasons, and this game offers a chance for each side to assert itself in front of their fans. Let’s break down the stats, key players, and what to watch for in this intriguing showdown.
Team Comparison
La Serna brings a high-powered offense into the game, averaging 344.9 total yards per game. This is fueled by a strong rushing attack (188.2 yards per game) and a solid passing game (156.8 yards per game). In comparison, Palos Verdes has a more balanced offensive attack, with 123.5 rushing yards per game and 185.6 passing yards per game, totaling 309.1 yards per game.
La Serna also excels defensively, recording 80.2 tackles per game, compared to Palos Verdes’ 59.5. La Serna has an advantage in sacks as well, averaging 1.2 per game, while Palos Verdes averages 2.2 per game. When it comes to scoring, La Serna is significantly ahead, averaging 34.1 points per game, while Palos Verdes averages just 14.5 points per game.
Key Players
Both teams rely on key players to drive their offense and defense:
- La Serna:
- Rushing Leader: #20 Ayden Contreras leads the ground game with 58.3 rushing yards per game.
- Passing Leader: #1 Grady Long is the primary quarterback, throwing for 114.1 yards per game.
- Receiving Leader: #2 Kaimana Tufaga is the top receiver, with 53.5 yards per game.
- Defensive Leader: #7 Eli Perez leads with 8.8 tackles per game, while #67 Michael Meza contributes 0.5 sacks per game.
- Scoring Leader: Kaimana Tufaga also leads in points, averaging 6.5 points per game.
- Palos Verdes:
- Rushing Leader: #9 Andrew Habif leads the team in rushing with 58.9 yards per game.
- Passing Leader: #3 Ryan Rakowski is the offensive leader, throwing for 179.5 yards per game.
- Receiving Leader: #7 Morley Boyd is the top receiver with 45.5 yards per game.
- Defensive Leader: #44 Weston Reis leads the team with 7.9 tackles per game, and #5 Josh Williams adds 0.7 sacks per game.
- Scoring Leader: #11 Evan Aguirre is the top scorer with 3.7 points per game.
Record Breakdown
La Serna has had a strong season, posting a 10-3 overall record and a perfect 4-0 league record. They have been particularly dominant at home, going 5-2 on the season. Palos Verdes, on the other hand, has a solid 8-5 record but has struggled on the road, with a 2-5 away record. However, Palos Verdes has excelled in neutral-site and playoff games, where they are undefeated at 3-0.
Both teams have faced similar challenges this season, with each losing to Edison, but La Serna managed a closer contest (L 32-21) compared to Palos Verdes’ 41-7 defeat.
What to Watch For
La Serna’s offense is potent, particularly on the ground, and Palos Verdes will need to find a way to slow down Ayden Contreras and the La Serna running game. Meanwhile, Grady Long’s ability to manage the passing game will be key for La Serna to break down Palos Verdes’ defense.
For Palos Verdes, Ryan Rakowski will need to lead an efficient passing attack to offset the strong La Serna defense. With a solid receiving corps led by Morley Boyd, they will look to capitalize on big plays through the air. Defensively, Palos Verdes will need to use their superior pass rush (2.2 sacks per game) to pressure Grady Long and disrupt La Serna’s offensive rhythm.
Final Thoughts
La Serna enters the game as the favorite with a potent offense and strong defense, while Palos Verdes will look to bounce back from a tough season and build on their success in neutral and playoff games. The battle in the trenches, particularly in the running game, could be the deciding factor.
This matchup is poised to be an exciting one. Will La Serna continue their high-scoring ways, or can Palos Verdes’ balanced offense and defensive pressure keep the game close? Stay tuned for an action-packed contest!
Prediction
La Serna’s balanced offense and strong defensive record make them the favorites in this matchup. However, Palos Verdes’ home dominance and ability to fight in close games, especially in overtime, could make this a competitive and thrilling contest. Both teams have much to fight for as they vie for a spot in the next round of the tournament.
