The Palmdale (CA) varsity football team faces Mary Star of the Sea (San Pedro, CA) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This high-stakes matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships – Division 12, as both teams aim to secure a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Mary Star of the Sea vs Palmdale
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 12
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Palmdale vs. Mary Star of the Sea

The 2024 CIF Southern Section Division 12 playoffs bring an exciting neutral-site matchup between Mary Star of the Sea (San Pedro, CA) and Palmdale (CA) on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. Both teams bring contrasting strengths and impressive seasons to this pivotal postseason clash.

Team Overview

Mary Star of the Sea boasts an impressive 10-2 record, including a flawless 6-0 performance at home. Their offense has been a standout, scoring 502 points this season, averaging a dominant 41.8 points per game. They excel in the second half, with a remarkable 13.2-point average in the third quarter. Defensively, they’ve been solid, allowing just 174 points across their games, which has been a critical factor in their success.

Palmdale, entering with a 7-5 record, has displayed resilience and balance throughout the season. With 416 points scored and 304 allowed, their games have often been competitive. The team averages 34.7 points per game, starting strong with 9.4 points in the first quarter and maintaining steady scoring through the second and third quarters. Their versatility across home, away, and neutral settings shows their adaptability in different environments.

Key Match-Up Insights

• Offensive Firepower: Mary Star of the Sea has a slight edge with their higher scoring average and ability to dominate in the third quarter. Palmdale, however, brings consistency and can set the pace early with strong first-quarter performances.
• Defensive Stability: Mary Star of the Sea has a more reliable defense, allowing significantly fewer points compared to Palmdale. This could prove critical in containing Palmdale’s dynamic early-game offense.
• Momentum Shifts: Both teams are adept at scoring throughout the game, but Mary Star of the Sea’s ability to surge in the second half could challenge Palmdale’s defensive stamina.

As the playoffs intensify, two formidable teams, Mary Star of the Sea and Palmdale, prepare to face off in what promises to be a thrilling contest. Both teams bring unique strengths and impressive stats to the field, setting the stage for a battle of grit, skill, and determination.

Team Stat Comparison

Mary Star of the Sea has a clear edge in total yardage, averaging 369.5 yards per game compared to Palmdale’s 308.7. The advantage is particularly pronounced in rushing, where Mary Star of the Sea gains 140.8 yards per game versus Palmdale’s 92.4. The teams are almost evenly matched in the passing game, with Palmdale averaging 216.3 yards to Mary Star of the Sea’s 228.7.

Defensively, Mary Star of the Sea stands out, with 80.8 tackles per game compared to Palmdale’s 31.8. Additionally, Mary Star of the Sea averages 2.3 sacks per game, nearly doubling Palmdale’s 1.3. These defensive statistics suggest that Mary Star’s ability to disrupt plays could be a deciding factor in the game.

Key Players

Mary Star of the Sea

• Jordan Barber (#23): A dominant force in the rushing game, Barber averages 84.3 yards per game, well above the national average of 20.2.
• Tanner Rollins (#10): A dual-threat quarterback, Rollins averages 224.9 passing yards and 222.9 total yards per game, making him a key player to watch.
• Andrew Washington IV (#4): A consistent receiver with 107.1 receiving yards per game and 15.5 points per game, Washington is crucial to Mary Star’s offensive firepower.
• Aden Sierra (#8): Leading the defense with 10.3 tackles per game, Sierra’s presence will be pivotal in containing Palmdale’s offense.

Palmdale

• Elleyon Clark (#34): Palmdale’s leading rusher, Clark contributes 66.0 yards per game.
• Joshua Suarez (#1): The offensive engine, Suarez averages an impressive 228.7 passing yards and 225.9 total yards per game, slightly edging out Rollins in overall production.
• Paul Turner (#15): A reliable target for Suarez, Turner averages 73.8 receiving yards per game and 7.3 points per game.
• Marciano Salazar (#5): With 4.7 tackles per game, Salazar anchors the Palmdale defense.

Head-to-Head Insights

Both teams share a common opponent, Eastside, whom they defeated decisively. Mary Star of the Sea posted a 51-6 victory on August 30, while Palmdale delivered an even larger margin with a 65-6 win on October 24. This shared success highlights the offensive prowess and defensive capabilities of both squads.

Season Breakdown

Mary Star of the Sea enters the game with a 10-2 record, including a perfect 6-0 mark at home. Their balanced performance in league and non-league play demonstrates their consistency. Palmdale, at 7-5, has shown resilience, particularly in the playoffs, where they are undefeated at 2-0. However, their 1-2 non-league record suggests vulnerability against unfamiliar opponents.

Keys to Victory

• Mary Star of the Sea: To secure a win, they must capitalize on their superior defensive stats, particularly in tackles and sacks. Controlling the line of scrimmage and pressuring Suarez will be critical.
• Palmdale: For Palmdale, success hinges on maintaining a balanced offensive attack. Suarez and Turner need to exploit Mary Star’s secondary while Clark contributes in the ground game to keep the defense honest.

Prediction

Mary Star of the Sea’s combination of a high-powered offense and stifling defense gives them a slight edge. However, Palmdale’s ability to adapt and Suarez’s playmaking skills ensure this matchup will be closely contested. Expect fireworks as these two talented teams clash under the bright lights of playoff football.

Conclusion

This Division 12 playoff game promises to be a thrilling encounter between Mary Star of the Sea’s explosive offense and Palmdale’s consistent scoring ability. With a chance to advance deeper into the playoffs on the line, both teams will bring their best to this high-stakes matchup. Fans can expect an exciting evening of football.