The Centennial varsity football team (Corona, CA) will host Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) in a highly anticipated home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships, Division 1, as both teams vie for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Mater Dei vs Centennial
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 1
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Mater Dei vs. Centennial

As the high school football season progresses, two powerhouse teams have been dominating the California rankings: Mater Dei and Centennial. Both teams are vying for supremacy, with impressive records and a series of high-scoring games. With one final face-off looming, here’s a detailed look at how these two teams stack up against each other in this exciting matchup.

Mater Dei: The Unbeaten Titans

Mater Dei (24-25) enters the game ranked No. 1 nationally and No. 1 in California. This undefeated team has been a force to reckon with, boasting a perfect 10-0 record. Their dominance extends across all aspects of the game, with a 1.000 league win percentage and 1.000 home win percentage. Their offense has been incredibly efficient, scoring 375 points while allowing just 143 throughout the season.

In terms of scoring, Mater Dei has demonstrated consistent production, averaging 37.5 points per game. Breaking it down by quarter, their scoring has been fairly balanced across the first three quarters: 11.8 points in the first, 9.0 points in the second, and 10.9 points in the third. However, they do tend to slow down in the final quarter, scoring just 6.4 points, which may be a potential area of concern in their upcoming match.

Centennial: A Strong Challenger

Centennial (24-25), ranked No. 12 nationally and No. 4 in California, comes into this game with a 9-2 record. Their performance has been solid, with a .818 win percentage overall and a perfect 1.000 record in league play. Centennial’s offense has been explosive, accumulating 499 points throughout the season, though they’ve allowed 229 points.

The Huskies have been particularly strong in the second quarter, scoring an impressive 13.9 points on average, followed by 11.9 points in the first quarter. Like Mater Dei, they also see a decrease in scoring during the final quarter, averaging just 7.7 points. Still, their ability to put up big numbers early and maintain a lead is a testament to their offensive firepower.

Head-to-Head Comparison

When comparing the two teams’ scoring averages, Centennial edges out Mater Dei in the overall points-per-game category, averaging 45.4 points compared to Mater Dei’s 37.5 points. Centennial also has a slight advantage in the second quarter, where they score 13.9 points to Mater Dei’s 9.0 points. However, Mater Dei’s defense has been stingy, allowing just 143 points over 10 games, compared to Centennial’s 229.

Both teams are undefeated in league play, but Mater Dei’s strong defensive showing and ability to shut down their opponents in the second half could make the difference in this matchup. Centennial will have to find a way to keep their high-powered offense firing consistently throughout the game, particularly in the second half.

As the season progresses, the much-anticipated matchup between Mater Dei and Centennial is drawing increasing attention. With Mater Dei boasting a perfect 10-0 record and Centennial close behind at 9-2, this game promises to be a high-stakes battle between two of California’s powerhouse football teams. Here’s a breakdown of their team stats, standout players, and key elements to watch for in this exciting contest.

Offensive Comparison

• Rushing Yards: Centennial’s offense is a powerhouse on the ground, averaging 239.7 rushing yards per game. Braylin Drake leads the charge with an impressive 142.0 rushing yards per game. In comparison, Mater Dei averages 159.4 rushing yards per game, with Jordon Davison contributing 97.2 rushing yards per game. Centennial’s strong rushing attack will test Mater Dei’s defense, which will need to step up to contain their ground game.
• Passing Yards: Mater Dei has a slight edge in the passing game, averaging 174.3 yards per game, while Centennial averages 245.7 passing yards per game. Dash Beierly is the primary quarterback for Mater Dei, throwing for 168.7 yards per game. For Centennial, Husan Longstreet has been stellar, averaging 182.3 passing yards per game. With a passing game that can stretch the field, Centennial’s offense will present a dynamic challenge for Mater Dei’s secondary.
• Receiving Yards: Centennial continues to dominate in the air, averaging 246.5 receiving yards per game. Cory Butler Jr., with 85.5 receiving yards per game, is a key target in their potent aerial attack. Mater Dei, while not as prolific, still puts up solid numbers, averaging 178.3 receiving yards per game. Kayden Dixon-Wyatt leads Mater Dei with 55.0 receiving yards per game. Centennial’s ability to balance their ground and passing game gives them a distinct advantage in total offensive yardage.
• Total Yards: Centennial’s offense has been explosive, averaging 485.5 total yards per game—an impressive figure that tops Mater Dei’s 333.7 total yards per game. Centennial’s multi-dimensional offense, which combines a strong rushing attack with a high-powered passing game, makes them one of the most potent offenses in the state. Mater Dei’s more balanced approach, relying on both the run and pass, will need to execute efficiently to keep pace.

Defensive Comparison

• Tackles Per Game: Centennial’s defense has been more active, averaging 61.3 tackles per game. Cade Paterson leads the team with 6.1 tackles per game, helping the defense stay aggressive. Mater Dei, on the other hand, averages 47.5 tackles per game, with Lucas Campizta contributing 4.9 tackles per game. Centennial’s defense has shown the ability to swarm to the ball, which could be crucial in stopping Mater Dei’s offensive plays.
• Sacks Per Game: Mater Dei’s defense has been effective at applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks, averaging 3.8 sacks per game. Shaun Scott has contributed to the pass rush, adding 0.8 sacks per game. Centennial, while effective in their own right, averages just 2.4 sacks per game, with Martin Enriquez providing 1.0 sack per game. Mater Dei’s ability to disrupt the quarterback could be a key factor in slowing down Centennial’s passing attack.

Scoring Comparison

• Points Per Game: Centennial has been more prolific offensively, averaging 40.1 points per game, while Mater Dei averages 37.5 points per game. Both teams are capable of putting up big numbers, with Centennial’s ability to score quickly making them a dangerous opponent. Mater Dei, however, has shown a consistent ability to score in a variety of ways, making them a well-rounded offensive team.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Record: Mater Dei has enjoyed a perfect 10-0 season so far, demonstrating dominance throughout the year. Centennial, with a 9-2 record, has also been impressive but has suffered a couple of losses, one of which was a 31-15 defeat to Santa Margarita—a team Mater Dei beat 40-18.
• League Record: Both teams have been dominant in their respective leagues, with each team posting a perfect 5-0 record in league play. This shows that both Mater Dei and Centennial have handled their conference competition with ease, setting the stage for a showdown of the best.
• Non-League Record: Mater Dei holds a 4-0 record in non-league games, while Centennial has a 3-2 record in non-league matchups. Mater Dei’s perfect non-league record demonstrates their ability to perform against teams outside their league, further solidifying their standing as one of the top teams in the state.
• Home/Away Record: Mater Dei has been dominant at home, going 6-0 in their own stadium, and also performing well on the road with a 4-1 away record. Centennial has been similarly strong at home, going 4-1, but has shown vulnerability on the road, posting a 3-1 record in away games.
• Playoff Record: Both teams have been successful in the playoffs, with Mater Dei going 1-0 and Centennial also posting a 1-0 record. This suggests that both teams are capable of handling the pressure of postseason play.

Common Opponents

The teams have faced one common opponent: Santa Margarita. Mater Dei defeated them 40-18, while Centennial fell short in a 31-15 loss. This gives Mater Dei a slight edge when comparing how each team performed against this tough opponent, though Centennial’s loss was still a competitive showing.

Conclusion

The matchup between Mater Dei and Centennial is shaping up to be an intense battle between two high-powered offenses. Centennial’s explosive attack, led by Braylin Drake and Husan Longstreet, gives them a clear advantage in total offensive yardage, while Mater Dei’s balanced offense and ability to control the ball will make them a formidable opponent.

The key to this game may lie in Mater Dei’s ability to disrupt Centennial’s passing game with their strong pass rush, while Centennial will look to utilize their offensive depth to put up points quickly and overpower Mater Dei’s defense.

With both teams boasting high-scoring offenses, dynamic playmakers, and solid records, this game promises to be one of the most exciting matchups of the season. The outcome will likely be decided by which team can execute their game plan most effectively and maintain their offensive rhythm throughout the game.