The Thacher (Ojai, CA) varsity football team will play against Lancaster Baptist (Lancaster, CA) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – 8-Man Division II tournament, with both teams aiming for postseason success.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Lancaster Baptist vs Thacher
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – 8-Man Division II
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Lancaster Baptist vs. Thacher

The 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships – 8-Man Division II tournament features an exciting playoff game between Lancaster Baptist (Lancaster, CA) and Thacher (Ojai, CA). Both teams enter this neutral-site matchup with impressive records, but with distinct playing styles that will make for a fascinating contest on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m.

Team Overview

Lancaster Baptist has had a strong season with an 8-3 overall record, finishing with a 2-2 league record. They have shown resilience both at home (4-1) and away (3-2), and their neutral-site performance has been perfect at 1-0. With 538 points scored and 319 points allowed, Lancaster Baptist averages a formidable 48.9 points per game. Their scoring is highly consistent, particularly in the first half, where they average 17.1 points in the first quarter and 15.9 in the second. However, their offensive production drops off in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they average just 4.5 points. This could pose a challenge against Thacher, especially if the game remains close heading into the final period.

Thacher has been equally strong, posting a 7-3 record overall and a 3-2 record in league play. Their home record (4-0) is perfect, though they have had a more challenging time on the road (2-3). Thacher’s offense has been productive with 294 points scored, but they have allowed 283 points, indicating a more balanced but slightly more vulnerable defense. Thacher averages 29.4 points per game, with their scoring primarily coming in the second half. The team’s most significant strength is their ability to close strong, as evidenced by their impressive 14.7 points per game in the fourth quarter. However, they tend to start slow, with only 6.0 points per game in the first quarter.

Key Match-Up Insights

• Offensive Explosiveness: Lancaster Baptist has been more explosive overall, with a much higher scoring average of 48.9 points per game. Their ability to score early could put Thacher on the defensive, but Thacher’s ability to rally in the fourth quarter could create a thrilling back-and-forth dynamic.
• Defensive Resilience: Thacher’s defense has allowed 283 points, compared to Lancaster Baptist’s 319. While both teams have shown some vulnerability, Lancaster Baptist’s more potent offense could put added pressure on Thacher’s defense, which will need to step up, especially in the second half.
• Momentum Shifts: The game could be determined by momentum shifts. Lancaster Baptist needs to maintain its early-game intensity and overcome their dip in the fourth quarter, while Thacher will need to overcome their slow starts and capitalize on their strong finish to come out on top.

The upcoming showdown between Lancaster Baptist and Thacher promises to be an exciting clash between two teams with impressive records and similar season performances. Both squads have made deep playoff runs, with Lancaster Baptist boasting an 8-3 record and Thacher slightly behind at 7-3. Despite their similar overall records, their offensive and defensive strategies differ, setting the stage for an intriguing matchup.

Offensive Breakdown

• Rushing Yards: Lancaster Baptist has a solid rushing game, averaging 134.0 yards per game. Samuel Flores leads the charge with 47.8 rushing yards per game, showcasing his ability to move the ball on the ground. Thacher does not provide specific rushing statistics but will need to compensate with other aspects of their offense.
• Passing Yards: Lancaster Baptist relies on the arm of Peyton Langley, who averages 69.3 passing yards per game. Though this may not be as prolific as other teams’ aerial attacks, Lancaster Baptist’s balanced offense still proves effective. Thacher, similarly, does not list a primary passing statistic, which indicates their offense might also rely on a more balanced or run-focused game plan.
• Receiving Yards: Lancaster Baptist again features Samuel Flores as a dual threat, racking up 47.2 receiving yards per game. This suggests that he is a significant contributor in the passing game as well. Thacher, with a similarly varied offense, will need to find creative ways to keep up, though detailed receiving stats aren’t available for them.
• Total Yards: Lancaster Baptist generates 253.6 total yards per game, a solid number for a team that relies on both running and passing. Thacher has not posted detailed figures for total yards but will need to match or exceed Lancaster Baptist’s offensive output to stay competitive in this game.

Defensive Comparison

• Tackles Per Game: Lancaster Baptist averages 44.2 tackles per game, a decent number showing their focus on stopping the opposition. Leading the way for them is Marcos De Paula Rosa, who averages 8.6 tackles per game. Thacher, however, lacks detailed defensive statistics, but they will need to match Lancaster Baptist’s tackling efforts to prevent big plays.
• Sacks Per Game: Lancaster Baptist averages 1.0 sack per game, with Austin Yarborough contributing 0.3 sacks per game. Thacher’s defense will need to pressure Peyton Langley and other offensive players to disrupt Lancaster Baptist’s rhythm.

Scoring and Points Per Game

• Lancaster Baptist has a scoring average of 45.2 points per game, led by Ethan Cox, who scores 12.4 points per game. This high-scoring offense will be difficult for Thacher to contain, especially if their defense is unable to slow down Lancaster Baptist’s playmakers.
• Thacher, despite not having specific point-scoring stats available, will need to generate offensive production to keep pace with Lancaster Baptist’s high-scoring offense. Their ability to execute in critical moments will be key.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Record: Lancaster Baptist finished the season with an 8-3 record, while Thacher is slightly behind at 7-3. Both teams have had strong seasons, with Lancaster Baptist holding a slight advantage in overall wins.
• League Record: Lancaster Baptist posted a 2-2 league record, while Thacher was 3-2 in league play. This shows that while both teams have had success, Thacher may have had a tougher time within their league competition.
• Non-League Record: Lancaster Baptist had a strong 4-1 non-league record, while Thacher finished 2-1. Lancaster Baptist’s success in non-league play suggests they may have faced tougher competition, which could be advantageous heading into the postseason.
• Playoff Record: Both teams are undefeated in the playoffs so far, with Lancaster Baptist and Thacher both boasting 2-0 records. This suggests that both teams can elevate their play when it matters most, making for an exciting contest.

Home/Away Performance

• Lancaster Baptist has a 4-1 record at home, showing they are tough to beat on their turf. In contrast, Thacher has performed well on the road, posting a 4-0 away record. This sets up an interesting dynamic, as both teams have been successful in different settings, but Lancaster Baptist will look to use their home advantage to propel them to victory.

Conclusion

The matchup between Lancaster Baptist and Thacher is expected to be a competitive and high-stakes affair. Lancaster Baptist enters the game with a slight edge in terms of offensive firepower, especially with Samuel Flores contributing both as a rusher and a receiver. Their defense, though not overpowering, has been effective in stopping opponents.

On the other hand, Thacher has shown they can rise to the occasion in crucial moments, and their defensive unit will need to step up to slow down the Lancaster Baptist offense. Their ability to match Lancaster Baptist’s scoring pace will be vital if they hope to come out on top.

With both teams having solid playoff performances and well-rounded rosters, this game could go either way, but Lancaster Baptist’s home-field advantage and high-scoring offense may give them the upper hand in this exciting matchup.