The Galileo varsity football team will host Lowell today at 2 p.m. for an important home conference game. Both teams are looking to improve their league standing, making this matchup crucial for their postseason hopes. Fans can expect an intense and competitive game as these San Francisco rivals face off.

Here’s what you need to know:

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

Game Preview: Lowell vs. Galileo

Today at 2 p.m., Galileo High School will host Lowell in an important conference matchup. With both teams seeking to improve their league records, this game provides an opportunity for each squad to build momentum as the season nears its conclusion.

Lowell High School (24-25 Season)

Lowell comes into this game with a 4-5 overall record, a solid 3-2 league performance, and a .444 win percentage. The team has been competitive on both home and away games, with a 1-2 home record and a 3-3 away record. Lowell has scored 259 points while allowing 244, showing they have been able to produce offensively while limiting their opponents.

• Overall Record: 4-5
• League Record: 3-2
• Home Record: 1-2
• Away Record: 3-3
• Win Percentage: .444
• League Win Percentage: .600
• Points Scored (PF): 259
• Points Allowed (PA): 244

Lowell’s offense has been relatively strong, averaging 28.8 points per game. Their scoring is spread fairly evenly across the four quarters, with an average of 4.3 points in the first quarter, 7.3 in the second, 5.5 in the third, and 6.3 in the fourth. If Lowell can continue this balanced attack, they should be able to control the game and secure a victory.

• Scoring by Quarter:
  • Q1: 4.3
  • Q2: 7.3
  • Q3: 5.5
  • Q4: 6.3
  • Total: 28.8 points per game

Galileo High School (24-25 Season)

Galileo has had a tough season, with a 1-7 overall record and a 1-4 league performance, struggling both at home and on the road. They have only scored 44 points while allowing 278, resulting in an average of just 5.5 points per game. The team’s offense has been almost nonexistent, with particularly low output in the second half of games.

• Overall Record: 1-7
• League Record: 1-4
• Home Record: 0-2
• Away Record: 1-5
• Win Percentage: .125
• League Win Percentage: .200
• Points Scored (PF): 44
• Points Allowed (PA): 278

Galileo’s scoring averages are low, with 1.7 points per quarter in the first and second, and a complete lack of scoring in the third and fourth quarters. This offensive struggle will make it difficult for them to stay competitive in this game.

• Scoring by Quarter:
  • Q1: 1.7
  • Q2: 1.7
  • Q3: 0
  • Q4: 0
  • Total: 5.5 points per game

Key Matchup Factors

Lowell enters this game as the clear favorite due to their better record, more balanced offense, and improved league play. The team has been able to score consistently throughout the game, making them a formidable opponent for Galileo.

For Galileo to have any chance at an upset, they will need to find ways to improve their offensive output and generate scoring in the second half, an area where they have struggled significantly. Their defense will also have to step up to limit Lowell’s offensive attack.

As the 2024-2025 football season continues to unfold, the Lowell Cardinals (4-5) will square off against the Galileo Lions (1-7) in a contest that both teams are looking at as a pivotal moment to gain momentum. While both teams have faced their share of challenges, this game presents an opportunity to either end the season on a high note or add to their already difficult records. Here’s a breakdown of the key statistics, standout players, and past performances leading up to this matchup.

Team Stat Comparison

Lowell enters this game with a solid overall record of 4-5, having averaged 250.9 total yards per game. Their offensive game has been fairly balanced with 111.9 rushing yards per game and 139.0 passing yards per game, showcasing their ability to move the ball on the ground and through the air. Defensively, they have also been solid, averaging 51.7 tackles per game and 1.9 sacks per game. Despite their strong defensive showing, their scoring output has been modest, with 23.6 points per game.

In contrast, Galileo has faced more difficulty this season, holding a 1-7 overall record. They have averaged 250.9 total yards per game, similar to Lowell, but their rushing attack has been nonexistent, and they’ve struggled significantly in both passing and receiving. Galileo averages just 16 points per game, with a defense that has been even more porous, registering only 2.7 tackles per game and 0.2 sacks per game. Their struggles have been evident, especially in key matchups against tougher opponents.

Key Players to Watch

• Lowell:
  • Elmer Baca: Leading the team with 57 rushing yards per game, Baca is the cornerstone of Lowell’s offense. He has been instrumental in establishing the running game, which will be vital for controlling possession and dictating the pace of the game.
  • Angelo Ornelas-Rafael: A key player in both the passing and total yards category, Ornelas-Rafael has accounted for 187.5 passing yards per game and 206.3 total yards per game, making him a dual threat that can challenge Galileo’s defense on multiple fronts.
  • Vladyslav Semenenko: On defense, Semenenko has been a key presence, averaging 9.0 tackles per game, which is crucial for stopping Galileo’s attempts to break big plays.
• Galileo:
  • Gage Schopen: As Galileo’s leading receiver with 43 receiving yards per game, Schopen will need to be a major factor in the passing game to give the Lions a chance against Lowell’s defense. His ability to make plays downfield will be critical.
  • Cesar Moncada: With 5 pancake blocks on the season, Moncada has contributed significantly to Galileo’s offensive line play. His work in the trenches will be crucial in establishing any semblance of a running game or providing time for Galileo’s quarterback to make throws.

Common Opponents Breakdown

Both teams have faced several common opponents this season, which offers insights into how they might match up against each other.

• Balboa:
  • Lowell: Lost to Balboa 34-12 on 10/5/24.
  • Galileo: Lost to Balboa 52-0 on 10/26/24.

  Lowell’s competitive performance against Balboa stands in stark contrast to Galileo’s blowout loss, highlighting the difference in the teams’ abilities to handle tough competition.

• Burton:
  • Lowell: Beat Burton 62-0 on 10/12/24.
  • Galileo: Beat Burton 24-8 on 10/18/24.

  Lowell’s dominant win against Burton further emphasizes their strength compared to Galileo’s narrow victory, indicating that Lowell is the stronger team in this comparison.

• Washington:
  • Lowell: Beat Washington 42-15 on 10/26/24.
  • Galileo: Lost to Washington 38-0 on 11/9/24.

  Lowell’s more commanding win over Washington contrasts with Galileo’s loss, showcasing their more effective approach in tough matchups.

• Mission:
  • Lowell: Beat Mission 73-10 on 11/8/24.
  • Galileo: Lost to Mission 38-20 on 10/11/24.

  Lowell’s resounding win over Mission further demonstrates their offensive capabilities, while Galileo’s loss reveals their difficulties in maintaining pace against competitive teams.

Record Breakdown

• Lowell has a 4-5 overall record, with a 3-2 league record. They have shown flashes of brilliance, including big wins over Burton, Mission, and Washington, but have been inconsistent in their performances. However, their record against common opponents is solid, with a 3-2 mark, indicating that they can rise to the occasion when facing similar competition.
  • Record Summary: 4-5 overall, 3-2 league, 1-2 home, 3-3 away.
• Galileo has struggled this season, with a 1-7 overall record and a 1-4 league record. They have faced tough competition and have struggled to compete, with only one win against Burton. Their 1-4 record against common opponents reflects their challenges this season.
  • Record Summary: 1-7 overall, 1-4 league, 0-2 home, 1-5 away.

Conclusion

As the Lowell Cardinals face off against the Galileo Lions, the difference in their records and performances throughout the season suggests that Lowell will likely come out on top. With a balanced offense led by Elmer Baca and Angelo Ornelas-Rafael, and a defense anchored by Vladyslav Semenenko, Lowell has the tools to overcome Galileo’s struggles.

Galileo will need a standout performance from Gage Schopen and their offensive line to make this game competitive. However, given the stark contrast in team statistics and past performances, Lowell enters this matchup as the clear favorite.

For Galileo, this game represents an opportunity to finish their season with pride, while Lowell will look to further build momentum and finish their campaign with a strong victory.