The Lassen High School varsity football team is set to host Orland High School in a home playoff game today at 6 p.m. This exciting match is part of the 2024 Northern Section Football Playoffs, Division 3 (NSCIF 2024). Both teams are ready to compete for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California State Football Championship
Who: Lassen (CA) vs Orland (CA)
When: Today, November 30, 2024
Bracket: 2024 Northern Section Football Playoffs – D3 Football NSCIF 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Orland vs. Lassen

As two high schools with a history of competitive football, Orland and Lassen have both had impressive seasons this year. Let’s compare their team statistics, key players, and common opponents to see where the teams stand heading into their matchup.

Team Stats Comparison

Looking at the overall statistics, Orland and Lassen are two teams with relatively similar numbers but with distinct strengths.

Offensive Yardage

• Orland averages 353.9 rushing yards per game, which is a key part of their offensive strategy. In comparison, Lassen’s rushing game is also strong, averaging 336.6 yards per game. Both teams rely heavily on the run game, though Orland’s advantage in this category is notable.
• In passing yards, Orland struggles with 14.8 yards per game, a stark contrast to Lassen’s 64.5 yards per game. This highlights a major difference in their passing game effectiveness, where Lassen has a significant edge.
• Receiving yards are fairly close, with Orland averaging 14.8 yards per game and Lassen slightly ahead at 63.8 yards per game.
• Orland’s total offensive yards per game average stands at 368.8, while Lassen averages slightly higher at 401.1.

Defensive Metrics

• Lassen has a notable edge in tackles, averaging 85.0 tackles per game, significantly more than Orland’s 62.0. This suggests a stronger presence on the defensive side for Lassen.
• In terms of sacks, Orland leads with 2.8 sacks per game, compared to Lassen’s 1.5. This indicates Orland’s ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks more effectively.
• When it comes to scoring, Orland averages 36.5 points per game, while Lassen scores slightly higher at 38.6 points per game.

Pancake Blocks

• Orland does not list any pancake blocks, while Lassen has a strong contributor in Reegan Dunten, with 74 pancake blocks, ranking #73 nationally. This highlights a significant difference in their offensive line’s effectiveness.

Team Leaders

Both teams have standout players who are central to their success.

Orland’s Top Performers:

• Luke Schager is the team’s offensive powerhouse, leading with 169.5 rushing yards per game, 14.8 passing yards per game, and 184.3 total yards per game. He is also the team’s leading scorer with 12.3 points per game.
• On defense, Isaac Velasquez contributes 8.6 tackles per game, leading the team in defensive efforts.

Lassen’s Top Performers:

• Dathen Moore leads the team in rushing with 174.7 yards per game and is the team’s offensive leader with 185.8 total yards per game.
• Zayn Wright has been an effective passer for Lassen, with 57.9 passing yards per game.
• Tysen Conoboy leads the defense with 15.8 tackles per game, showing strong defensive skills.

Common Opponents

Both teams share several common opponents this season, and their records against these teams are comparable.

• Against Shasta, both teams lost—Orland by a score of 22-15, and Lassen in a closer game, 28-26.
• Orland faced Red Bluff, suffering a heavy loss, 49-14, while Lassen lost 48-40 in a similarly tough match.
• Both teams secured victories against Gridley, with Orland winning 35-17 and Lassen pulling out a close 13-6 win.
• Against Las Plumas, Orland triumphed 7-6, and Lassen won 34-0.
• Lastly, both teams defeated Live Oak, with Orland winning 56-21 and Lassen with a 42-13 victory.

Record Breakdown

Looking at their overall records, the two teams have similar overall performances:

• Orland has an overall record of 10-2, with a strong 5-0 league record and 3-2 in non-league games.
• Lassen comes in with a 9-3 record, maintaining a perfect 5-0 in league play, and a 2-3 record in non-league games.

Both teams perform well at home, with Orland holding a 6-1 home record and Lassen posting a 6-1 record as well. Neither team has faced a neutral-site game, though both are undefeated in playoff appearances this season, with Orland and Lassen both boasting a 2-0 playoff record.

Conclusion

The upcoming matchup between Orland and Lassen is set to be an exciting one. Orland’s powerful rushing attack and strong defensive presence, especially in the sack department, will face off against Lassen’s balanced offensive game and superior tackling. Both teams have similar records and share many common opponents, making this a closely contested game. With star players like Luke Schager for Orland and Dathen Moore for Lassen, fans can expect a high-energy game filled with big plays on both sides of the ball.