The Summit (Fontana, CA) varsity football team will face La Serna (Whittier, 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, competing in the Division 5 tournament, as both teams battle for postseason glory.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: La Serna vs Summit
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 5
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: La Serna vs. Summit

The 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships have set the stage for an exciting Division 5 matchup between La Serna (Whittier, CA) and Summit (Fontana, CA) on Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m. Both teams have had impressive seasons, with strong records and potent offenses, making this neutral-site game a must-watch.

La Serna: A Balanced Team with Strong League Performance

La Serna enters the playoff matchup with a 9-3 overall record, finishing their league season undefeated at 4-0. Their performance at home has been solid, with a 5-2 record, while they maintained a 3-1 mark on the road. Their 1-0 neutral-site record indicates they are prepared for the challenges of postseason play.

Offensively, La Serna has averaged 34.1 points per game, with a strong second-quarter performance, where they put up 11.7 points on average. However, their scoring tends to dip in the third quarter, with an average of 5.8 points. Their defense has been stingy, allowing only 213 points all season, keeping opponents in check. Their .750 win percentage and 1.000 league win percentage underscore their dominance in the regular season.

Key Stats:

• Overall Record: 9-3
• League Record: 4-0
• Home Record: 5-2
• Away Record: 3-1
• Neutral Record: 1-0
• Points For (PF): 409
• Points Against (PA): 213
• Average Points Per Game: 34.1

Summit: The Team to Beat with a Stellar Record

Summit has had an exceptional season, with an impressive 11-1 overall record. They finished their league play with a perfect 3-0 mark and have been especially dominant on the road, posting a 5-0 away record. Their neutral-site performance mirrors their road success, with a 2-0 mark. Summit’s only loss this season came early, showcasing their strength since then.

On offense, Summit has averaged 30.8 points per game, with consistent scoring across all four quarters. They’ve posted 9.0 points per game in the second quarter and 8.3 points in the fourth. Their defense has been nothing short of stellar, allowing just 99 points on the season—an average of 8.25 points per game. Summit’s .917 win percentage and 1.000 league win percentage highlight their dominance this season.

Key Stats:

• Overall Record: 11-1
• League Record: 3-0
• Home Record: 4-1
• Away Record: 5-0
• Neutral Record: 2-0
• Points For (PF): 369
• Points Against (PA): 99
• Average Points Per Game: 30.8

Scoring Averages Comparison

• La Serna:
  • Q1: 4.7
  • Q2: 11.7
  • Q3: 5.8
  • Q4: 7.5
  • Final: 34.1
• Summit:
  • Q1: 5.2
  • Q2: 9.0
  • Q3: 4.5
  • Q4: 8.3
  • Final: 30.8

As the season heats up, the La Serna Lancers (9-3) are set to face off against the Summit Skyhawks (11-1) in what promises to be a thrilling football contest. Both teams have demonstrated impressive performances throughout the season, with strong offensive and defensive units. Let’s dive into a breakdown of their stats, key players, and what fans can expect from this exciting matchup.

Team Stat Comparison

Offensive Overview

Both La Serna and Summit bring potent offensive units to the field, but they differ in how they achieve their success.

• La Serna has been efficient with both their passing and rushing games, averaging 352.5 total yards per game. Their rushing attack is led by Ayden Contreras, who averages 61.0 yards per game, while their passing game, spearheaded by quarterback Grady Long (116.8 passing yards per game), has been solid as well.
• Summit, on the other hand, leans heavily on its rushing game, averaging an impressive 243.8 rushing yards per game, with Mark Mitchell III (111.2 yards per game) leading the charge. While their passing game is less prominent (66.7 yards per game), their ground game has been more than enough to power their offense to 310.4 total yards per game.

In terms of scoring, La Serna averages 34.1 points per game, slightly ahead of Summit’s 27.1 points per game. Both teams know how to move the ball effectively, but La Serna has proven to be more explosive when it comes to putting up points.

Defensive Comparison

Defensively, La Serna has a slight edge in terms of overall tackles, averaging 74.5 tackles per game compared to Summit’s 46.2. The Lancers have also been effective in disrupting opposing offenses with 1.3 sacks per game.

Summit, meanwhile, has been solid but not as dominant defensively. They average 1.8 sacks per game, which is slightly higher than La Serna, but they will need to improve their overall tackling consistency to stop La Serna’s offense.

Key Players

La Serna Lancers

• Ayden Contreras (#20): The Lancers’ lead rusher, averaging 61.0 rushing yards per game, Contreras will be crucial in establishing the run and opening up passing opportunities for quarterback Grady Long.
• Grady Long (#1): Long is the focal point of the Lancers’ offense, accumulating 136.5 total yards per game. His ability to manage the game through the air and on the ground will be key to La Serna’s success.
• Kaimana Tufaga (#2): With 56.8 receiving yards per game, Tufaga is a dangerous target in the passing game. His ability to make big plays will help balance La Serna’s offensive attack.

Summit Skyhawks

• Mark Mitchell III (#10): Leading the rushing attack, Mitchell has been exceptional with 111.2 rushing yards per game. His ability to dominate the ground game will be critical in wearing down La Serna’s defense.
• Elijah Ortiz (#6): The passing game for Summit relies heavily on Ortiz, who averages 118.7 yards per game. He will need to connect with his receivers, including Nathan Garcia (32.4 receiving yards per game), to keep La Serna’s defense honest.
• Evan Ramos (#1): Ramos is the leader of the Summit defense, recording 6.4 tackles per game. His presence on the field will be key to slowing down La Serna’s offensive weapons.

Record Breakdown

• La Serna Lancers: With a 9-3 record overall, La Serna has been dominant in league play, finishing undefeated (4-0). They have been strong at home (5-2) but will face a tough challenge on the road against Summit. Their non-league record of 3-3 shows that they can compete with some of the best teams, but they’ll need to step up their play in this high-stakes matchup.
• Summit Skyhawks: Summit enters the game with an impressive 11-1 record and a perfect 6-0 mark in non-league play. They’ve been dominant on the road (5-0) and have looked nearly unstoppable all season. Summit will look to continue their strong play and extend their winning streak in this high-profile contest.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some tough competition this season, but neither has shared a common opponent this year, which means we don’t have direct comparisons to draw from. However, both teams have shown they can beat quality opposition, with Summit’s 6-1 non-league record standing out as a sign of their ability to win against tough teams.

Prediction

Summit’s rushing attack, led by Mitchell III, has been a key factor in their success this season. However, La Serna has a more balanced offense and has been better at putting up points, averaging more than 34 points per game. Summit’s defense will need to step up against La Serna’s balanced attack, while La Serna will look to shut down the powerful running game of Summit.

While Summit has been dominant at home, La Serna’s overall balance and ability to score in multiple ways give them the edge in this matchup. Expect a close and hard-fought battle, but La Serna’s explosive offense and solid defense should be enough to overcome Summit’s rushing game.

Prediction: La Serna wins, 31-27.

Conclusion

As both teams prepare to meet in this pivotal playoff matchup, Summit heads in with the superior record, but La Serna has proven to be a resilient and effective team. Summit’s powerful defense, allowing only 99 points on the season, will look to stifle La Serna’s potent offense, which averages over 34 points per game. Meanwhile, La Serna will rely on its strong scoring in the middle of the game to build a lead.

Both teams have shown their ability to perform in clutch moments, and this game is set to be a thrilling contest with high stakes. Fans can expect a hard-fought battle, as each team looks to advance deeper into the playoffs in pursuit of a CIF title.