The Lindsay (CA) varsity football team will host Mira Monte (Bakersfield, CA) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 29, at 7:00 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships – Division VI, as both teams compete for a chance to advance in the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Mira Monte vs Lindsay
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships – Division VI
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Lindsay vs. Mira Monte

As the season progresses, the matchup between Mira Monte and Lindsay promises to be an exciting clash of contrasting styles. Mira Monte, known for its offensive explosiveness, faces off against Lindsay, a team that thrives on defense and a more methodical, ground-oriented approach. Let’s break down the key team statistics, standout players, and what fans can expect as these two teams prepare to meet on the field.

Team Stat Comparison

Offensive Breakdown

• Mira Monte:
  Offensively, Mira Monte has been one of the more dynamic teams, averaging 305.7 total yards per game. The team’s rushing attack has been particularly dominant, racking up 222.3 rushing yards per game, spearheaded by the talented Nathan Gonzales, who leads with an impressive 182.2 rushing yards per game. Their passing game, though less prolific, contributes a solid 83.4 passing yards per game, helping to balance the offensive attack. With this mix, Mira Monte averages 22.5 points per game, making them a potent offensive unit.
• Lindsay:
  Lindsay, on the other hand, has a more modest offensive output, averaging 188.0 total yards per game. The ground game has been its bread and butter, putting up 172.7 rushing yards per game. Jose Cortes, the team’s star running back, leads the way with 132.7 rushing yards per game, while the passing game has been virtually non-existent, averaging just 15.3 passing yards per game. Despite limited yardage, Lindsay manages to score an average of 12.9 points per game, relying on ball control and a stout defense to keep games close.

Defensive Breakdown

• Mira Monte:
  Defensively, Mira Monte has been less dominant, averaging 7.2 tackles per game. Their ability to create pressure on opposing quarterbacks is limited, with only 0.3 sacks per game. However, their offensive strength often compensates for the defensive weaknesses by putting up enough points to control games, allowing 22.5 points per game.
• Lindsay:
  Lindsay’s defense, by contrast, has been one of the team’s strongest assets, averaging 46.4 tackles per game and 1.0 sack per game. The team’s defense has allowed just 12.9 points per game, which ranks among the lower totals in the region. Lindsay’s ability to shut down opposing offenses has been key to its success, often keeping games tight and giving their offense a chance to win with solid, ground-based play.

Key Players to Watch

• Mira Monte:
  • Nathan Gonzales (#1): With 182.2 rushing yards per game and 208.6 total yards per game, Gonzales is the engine of Mira Monte’s offense. His ability to break tackles and gain big chunks of yardage is central to their success.
  • Fabian Carrillo (#15): Carrillo has been solid in the passing game with 83.1 passing yards per game, complementing Gonzales’ running game.
  • Cordae Fulmer (#10): Fulmer has contributed 32.3 receiving yards per game, providing a reliable option when the team looks to stretch the field.
• Lindsay:
  • Jose Cortes (#21): Cortes has been Lindsay’s primary offensive weapon, averaging 132.7 rushing yards per game. His consistency in moving the chains is vital for Lindsay’s offense.
  • Aaron Hernandez (#16): Hernandez has contributed a modest 9.0 receiving yards per game, adding some variety to the offense when necessary.
  • Jose Fernandez (#12): On defense, Fernandez leads the team with 7.4 tackles per game, anchoring a defense that has been tough to crack.

Common Opponents

The two teams have faced a few common opponents this season, providing some insight into their relative strengths.

• Mira Monte has struggled against these teams, with losses to both Granite Hills (35-10) and Arvin (38-23).
• Lindsay, however, fared better with a 1-1 record against common opponents. Lindsay lost to Granite Hills (30-16) but defeated Arvin (38-14), showing that they have been more competitive in these matchups.

Record Breakdown

• Mira Monte (7-6):
  With an overall record of 7-6, Mira Monte has had a solid season. They’ve been respectable at home with a 5-2 record, but have been less successful on the road, posting a 3-3 record. Their playoff performance, however, has been stellar with a 3-0 record, showcasing their ability to step up in high-pressure games.
• Lindsay (8-5):
  Lindsay enters the matchup with an 8-5 record. They’ve been solid both at home (6-2) and on the road (5-0), showing resilience in hostile environments. Lindsay has also performed well in the playoffs, with a 3-0 record, and their ability to execute in key games will make them a tough opponent for Mira Monte.

Conclusion

When Mira Monte faces Lindsay, fans can expect a matchup of offense versus defense. Mira Monte’s explosive rushing attack, led by Nathan Gonzales, will look to outscore Lindsay’s offense, which is more focused on grinding out yards with Jose Cortes. Lindsay’s defense will be key, as they try to shut down Mira Monte’s high-powered offense while keeping their own offense efficient and mistake-free. The game could very well hinge on whether Mira Monte can break through Lindsay’s stout defense or if Lindsay can control the tempo with its ground game and defensive stops.

This contest is shaping up to be a classic clash of styles, and whichever team can impose its will on both sides of the ball will come out on top.