The Avalon varsity football team faces Lancaster Baptist today at 3:00 p.m. in a home playoff game. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships – 8-Man Division II tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California State Football Championship
Who: Lancaster Baptist vs Avalon
When: Today, November 30, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – 8-Man Division II
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Avalon vs. Lancaster Baptist

The 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships – 8-Man Division II tournament is set for an exciting matchup between Avalon and Lancaster Baptist today at 3:00 p.m. The game will be held at Avalon’s home field, where both teams will fight for a chance to advance further into the postseason. With contrasting records and offensive styles, this game promises to be a thrilling contest.

Lancaster Baptist: A Strong Playoff Contender

Lancaster Baptist enters the playoff game with a solid 9-3 overall record and a .750 win percentage. The Eagles had a balanced season, finishing 2-2 in league play with a .500 league win rate. Their away games have been competitive, posting a 3-2 record, and they have been perfect in neutral-site matchups, going 2-0.

Offensively, Lancaster Baptist has been a high-scoring team, averaging an impressive 48.6 points per game. They have been strong in the first half, scoring 17.1 points in the first quarter and 15.9 points in the second. However, their scoring slows down in the second half, with just 7.9 points in the third quarter and 4.5 points in the fourth. Despite this drop in production during the final stages of games, Lancaster Baptist’s explosive first-half offense could prove difficult for Avalon to handle, especially if they can maintain their early-game momentum.

Avalon: Battling for an Upset

Avalon enters the postseason with a 6-5 overall record, securing a .545 win percentage. Their league play has been challenging, with an 0-2 record in their division. However, Avalon has shown resilience, particularly in home games, where they have posted a 4-1 record. Their away games have been less favorable, with a 2-4 record, which may put them at a disadvantage in this neutral playoff battle.

On offense, Avalon has averaged 27.1 points per game. Their scoring has been fairly low in the first half, with just 5.8 points in the first quarter and 2.0 points in the second quarter. However, they are much stronger in the second half, with 7.3 points in the third quarter and a significant jump to 12.8 points in the fourth quarter. Avalon will need to capitalize on their stronger second-half play to challenge Lancaster Baptist, particularly in the later stages of the game. Their ability to finish strong could make them a dangerous opponent if they can close the game out effectively.

Key Matchup: Offense vs. Defense

• Offensive Firepower: Lancaster Baptist brings a potent offensive attack to the game, averaging 48.6 points per game. Avalon will need to find ways to contain this high-scoring offense, particularly in the first half, to stay competitive. Lancaster Baptist’s drop-off in the second half could provide Avalon an opportunity to stay in the game.
• Defensive Challenges: Avalon’s defense will be tested by Lancaster Baptist’s aggressive offense. If Avalon can limit Lancaster Baptist’s scoring in the first half, they may be able to capitalize on their stronger second-half performances. Avalon’s defense will need to step up to avoid falling behind early.
• Late-Game Strategy: Avalon’s strong fourth-quarter scoring (12.8 points) could be a key advantage if they remain within striking distance by the final quarter. Lancaster Baptist, on the other hand, will need to avoid a second-half slump and ensure they finish strong to secure the win.

The 2024-2025 high school football season has seen two teams, Lancaster Baptist and Avalon, facing different levels of success and adversity on the field. Lancaster Baptist, with a 9-3 record, has shown a strong all-around game, while Avalon has had a more challenging season, finishing at 6-5. Both teams have shown resilience in their respective seasons, but their paths to success have been quite different. Here’s a closer look at their team stats, individual leaders, and overall performance.

Team Stat Comparison

Lancaster Baptist:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: 185.8
• Passing Yards Per Game: 110.8
• Receiving Yards Per Game: 110.8
• Total Yards Per Game: 296.6
• Tackles Per Game: 46.5
• Sacks Per Game: 1.5
• Points Per Game: 48.6

Avalon:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: –
• Passing Yards Per Game: –
• Receiving Yards Per Game: –
• Total Yards Per Game: –
• Tackles Per Game: –
• Sacks Per Game: –
• Points Per Game: –

Lancaster Baptist has put up impressive offensive numbers, averaging 296.6 total yards per game, driven by a robust running game (185.8 rushing yards per game). This balanced offensive approach, with a fair contribution from the passing and receiving units, has helped them post an impressive 48.6 points per game, making them a potent force on offense.

Avalon, on the other hand, does not have the statistical breakdown available for many of their categories, but their overall performance still provides some insight into their playing style and success. Although Avalon has struggled with some aspects of the game, their 6-5 overall record shows that they have managed to stay competitive, particularly in non-league play.

Team Leaders

Lancaster Baptist:

• Samuel Flores (91.4 Rushing Yards Per Game): Flores is the backbone of the Lancaster Baptist rushing attack and has been an instrumental part of their offensive success this season.
• Camden Mordh (70.2 Passing Yards Per Game): Mordh has provided balance to the offense with a respectable passing game, adding a dynamic element to the team’s offensive arsenal.
• Ethan Cox (41.6 Receiving Yards Per Game): Cox has been the primary receiving target for Lancaster Baptist, contributing significant yards and helping to stretch the field.
• Marcos De Paula Rosa (9.9 Tackles Per Game): Rosa has led the defense, showing consistency with nearly 10 tackles per game, helping to anchor the defense.
• Marcos De Paula Rosa (0.5 Sacks Per Game): Rosa’s ability to contribute in multiple facets of defense, including pressure on the quarterback, has added to the team’s defensive strength.
• Samuel Flores (13.8 Points Per Game): Flores has also been a key scorer for Lancaster Baptist, reflecting his dual threat as both a rusher and a playmaker.

Avalon:

• While Avalon’s individual statistics are not provided in full, their success in non-league play and competitive record suggest a well-rounded effort from their key players. The team’s offensive and defensive leaders have likely helped them achieve a solid 6-5 record, despite challenges in league games.

Common Opponents

Both teams shared a few common opponents during the season, but their outcomes differed in some cases.

• Faith Baptist: Lancaster Baptist lost 65-41 to Faith Baptist on October 4, 2024. Avalon also faced Faith Baptist later in the season, losing 54-14 on November 2, 2024. Both teams struggled against this opponent, although Lancaster Baptist was able to score more points.
• Santa Clarita Christian: Lancaster Baptist suffered a 69-17 defeat against Santa Clarita Christian on October 12, 2024. Avalon, however, earned a hard-fought victory over Santa Clarita Christian on September 28, 2024, winning 22-14.

These common matchups highlight the varying levels of success both teams had when facing similar competition. While both teams faced significant challenges, Avalon’s win over Santa Clarita Christian shows their ability to compete when clicking on all cylinders.

Record Breakdown

Lancaster Baptist (9-3):

• 2-2 in league play
• 4-1 in non-league games
• 4-1 at home
• 3-2 away
• 2-0 in neutral games
• 3-0 in playoff games

Avalon (6-5):

• 0-2 in league play
• 3-3 in non-league games
• 4-1 at home
• 2-4 away
• 0-0 in neutral games
• 3-0 in playoff games

Lancaster Baptist has had a solid season overall, with a particularly strong showing in non-league play (4-1). Their ability to perform well both at home (4-1) and away (3-2) has been crucial to their success. Avalon, meanwhile, has faced more challenges, especially in league play, where they went winless (0-2). However, Avalon’s strong home record (4-1) and playoff success (3-0) indicate that they can compete when they are at their best, especially in high-stakes games.

Conclusion

The comparison between Lancaster Baptist and Avalon highlights a team with a more balanced, high-scoring offense (Lancaster Baptist) versus a team that has faced more adversity but still managed to secure key wins (Avalon). Lancaster Baptist’s strong running game, led by Samuel Flores, and balanced offensive attack have been the key to their success, making them a force to be reckoned with. Avalon, despite their struggles in league play, has shown resilience, especially in non-league matchups and the playoffs.

Looking ahead, Lancaster Baptist will aim to maintain their offensive dominance as they progress in the postseason, while Avalon will need to find more consistency in league play if they hope to build on their playoff success in future seasons. Both teams have proven that they can rise to the occasion when it counts, making their respective stories a testament to determination and perseverance.