The Mission varsity football team will host Lincoln today at 2 p.m. for a key home conference game. Both teams are eager to secure a win as they battle for positioning in the league standings. Fans can expect an exciting and competitive matchup between these San Francisco rivals.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football
Who: Lincoln vs Mission
When: Today, November 16, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Lincoln vs. Mission

Today at 2 p.m., the Lincoln varsity football team will face off against Mission in an important home conference game. This matchup brings together two teams with very different seasons, as Lincoln looks to maintain their undefeated league record, while Mission aims to improve on a challenging campaign.

Lincoln High School (24-25 Season)

Lincoln has been dominant throughout the 2024-2025 season, boasting a strong 7-1 overall record. Their undefeated league record (5-0) reflects their prowess on the field, having been perfect at home (5-0) and solid on the road (2-1). With a .875 win percentage, Lincoln has established itself as a powerhouse in the league, scoring 321 points and allowing only 128.

• Overall Record: 7-1
• League Record: 5-0
• Home Record: 5-0
• Away Record: 2-1
• Win Percentage: .875
• League Win Percentage: 1.000
• Points Scored (PF): 321
• Points Allowed (PA): 128

Lincoln’s offense has been strong throughout the season, particularly in the first and fourth quarters, where they average 6.7 and 9.3 points, respectively. While their scoring dips slightly in the second (2.0) and third (4.7) quarters, they have been able to capitalize in crunch time, with an impressive average of 40.1 points per game.

• Scoring by Quarter:
  • Q1: 6.7
  • Q2: 2.0
  • Q3: 4.7
  • Q4: 9.3
  • Total: 40.1 points per game

Mission High School (24-25 Season)

Mission has had a more challenging season, posting a 2-6 overall record. Despite their struggles, the team has shown resilience, particularly in league play where they hold a 2-3 record. Their home and away splits are similar, with a 0-3 home record and a 2-3 away record. Mission has scored 122 points while allowing 316, indicating significant struggles on both sides of the ball.

• Overall Record: 2-6
• League Record: 2-3
• Home Record: 0-3
• Away Record: 2-3
• Win Percentage: .250
• League Win Percentage: .400
• Points Scored (PF): 122
• Points Allowed (PA): 316

Mission’s scoring has been uneven, with their best production coming in the first quarter (4.0 points). They have had a hard time maintaining that momentum throughout the game, as they average only 1.4 points in the fourth quarter. The team’s overall scoring average is 15.3 points per game, a significant gap compared to Lincoln’s 40.1.

• Scoring by Quarter:
  • Q1: 4.0
  • Q2: 3.0
  • Q3: 3.2
  • Q4: 1.4
  • Total: 15.3 points per game

Key Matchup Factors

Lincoln enters this game as the clear favorite, with their strong record and consistent offensive output throughout the season. The key for Lincoln will be continuing their solid first-quarter and late-game performances, as they have proven to be efficient when it matters most. Their strong defense, which has only allowed 128 points, should be another factor that helps them maintain control of the game.

Mission will need to find a way to generate more offense, particularly in the second half, where they have struggled to score consistently. Their lack of production in the fourth quarter, combined with their defensive vulnerabilities, makes this a tough matchup for the team. Mission will have to take advantage of any opportunities to slow down Lincoln’s high-scoring offense and stay competitive in the early stages of the game.

As the season nears its conclusion, Lincoln (7-1) and Mission (2-6) are set to face off in a compelling matchup that showcases contrasting team performances. While Lincoln has been on a tear this season, dominating in both league and non-league matchups, Mission has struggled, particularly in their non-league games. Nonetheless, both teams have shown moments of brilliance, and this contest promises to be intriguing. Let’s explore the statistical breakdown, team leaders, and common opponents to see what’s at stake in this game.

Team Stat Comparison

Lincoln has been a powerhouse, particularly on the ground. Averaging an impressive 300.0 rushing yards per game, their offense revolves around the strong running game, led by Michael Washington, who has been exceptional with 184.3 rushing yards per game. The team averages 308.1 total yards per game, with 40.1 points per game, reflecting their offensive efficiency and ability to put up large scores. However, their passing attack has been minimal, with only 8.1 passing yards per game.

Mission, by contrast, has struggled offensively, especially in the passing game, with 8.1 passing yards per game and 8.0 receiving yards per game. Their total yards per game stands at 308.1, similar to Lincoln, but they are far less efficient in converting those yards into points, averaging just 18.1 points per game. Defensively, they average 48.6 tackles per game, but their inability to stop opposing offenses, especially in key matchups, has been a challenge.

Key Players to Watch

• Lincoln:
  • Michael Washington: The heart of Lincoln’s offense, Washington has been an unstoppable force this season, rushing for 184.3 yards per game. His ability to control the ground game will be essential for Lincoln’s success, as they have not relied heavily on passing.
  • Kevin Zhao: As a defensive leader with 7.3 tackles per game, Zhao plays a crucial role in shutting down opposing offenses. His presence on defense will be key in preventing Mission from gaining momentum.
• Mission:
  • Andrias Allanigue: The quarterback for Mission has struggled to move the ball through the air, but he has been crucial to their offensive attempts. His ability to develop a passing game could be the difference-maker in keeping Lincoln’s defense on its toes.
  • Cologero Harrington: With 1.8 sacks per game, Harrington is the leader of the defensive line. His ability to pressure the quarterback and disrupt Lincoln’s offensive rhythm could be a game-changer.

Common Opponents Breakdown

Both teams have faced a number of the same opponents this season, giving us a chance to compare their results:

• Galileo:
  • Lincoln: Defeated Galileo 53-0 on 10/5/24.
  • Mission: Defeated Galileo 38-20 on 10/11/24.

  Lincoln’s dominating win against Galileo stands in contrast to Mission’s more competitive but still comfortable win. This shows Lincoln’s greater ability to put away weaker teams decisively.

• Washington:
  • Lincoln: Beat Washington 54-0 on 10/19/24.
  • Mission: Lost to Washington 33-21 on 11/2/24.

  Again, Lincoln’s dominance over Washington showcases their ability to shut down opponents, while Mission’s loss underscores their struggles against stronger teams.

• Burton:
  • Lincoln: Defeated Burton 77-0 on 10/26/24.
  • Mission: Defeated Burton 37-16 on 10/4/24.

  Another example of Lincoln’s offensive explosion, as they dismantled Burton, while Mission’s victory was far more modest in comparison.

• Lowell:
  • Lincoln: Beat Lowell 41-21 on 11/2/24.
  • Mission: Lost to Lowell 73-10 on 11/8/24.

  Lincoln’s comfortable victory contrasts sharply with Mission’s heavy loss to Lowell, further emphasizing the disparity between the two teams.

• Balboa:
  • Lincoln: Beat Balboa 14-13 on 11/9/24.
  • Mission: Lost to Balboa 50-0 on 10/19/24.

  Lincoln had a close win over Balboa, showing their ability to edge out tight games, while Mission’s loss was another example of their struggles this season.

Record Breakdown

• Lincoln: With a 7-1 overall record and a 5-0 league record, Lincoln has been dominant in almost every matchup. Their strong running game, led by Michael Washington, and stout defense have been key to their success this season. They have been perfect in league play and will look to keep that streak alive as they take on Mission.
  • Record Summary: 7-1 overall, 5-0 league, 5-0 home, 2-1 away.
• Mission: The 2-6 overall record for Mission speaks to their struggles this season, particularly in non-league play, where they have struggled to keep up with stronger opponents. Despite this, Mission remains competitive in league play, with a 2-3 non-league record.
  • Record Summary: 2-6 overall, 2-3 league, 0-3 away, 2-3 home.

Conclusion

Heading into this matchup, Lincoln is the clear favorite. Their 7-1 overall record, combined with their high-powered running attack and strong defense, gives them a significant advantage over Mission, who has been inconsistent at best this season. While Mission has the potential to challenge Lincoln with some improvements on offense, particularly through the air, their struggles against common opponents suggest it will be a tough task.

Ultimately, Lincoln’s dominance in both offense and defense, especially through the legs of Michael Washington, should lead them to a comfortable victory over Mission, who will need a near-perfect game to pull off the upset. This matchup promises to be a hard-fought contest, but Lincoln’s balance and strength make them the team to beat.