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

The 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships – Division VI playoffs feature a compelling matchup between the Lindsay Cardinals and the Mira Monte Lions on Friday, November 29, at 7:00 PM. Both teams are hungry for postseason success, making this an exciting showdown as they compete for a spot in the next round.

Team Records and Rankings

Lindsay enters the game with an 8-5 overall record, ranked 593rd in California and 71st in the Central Section. The Cardinals have shown resilience this season, going 3-4 in league play but impressing with a 5-2 record at home. Lindsay has posted 344 points on offense and allowed 239, reflecting a solid balance on both sides of the ball.

Mira Monte, with a 7-6 overall record, holds a slightly lower win percentage of .538. Ranked 636th in California and 79th in the section, the Lions have had a mixed season, finishing 2-2 in league play. They’ve been more successful on the road (6-2) than at home (1-4). Despite a narrow scoring margin of just 340 points scored against 338 allowed, Mira Monte has proven they can compete in close games.

Scoring Trends

Lindsay and Mira Monte both average similar points per game, with Lindsay averaging 26.5 points and Mira Monte close behind at 26.2. Lindsay’s scoring remains relatively consistent throughout the game, averaging 5.6 points in the first quarter, 4.4 in the second, and 6.0 points in the fourth.

Mira Monte, however, has a slightly different scoring dynamic. The Lions are strongest in the first quarter, averaging 7.6 points, and continue to put up solid numbers throughout the game, with an average of 6.8 points in the third quarter. They will need to capitalize on their early momentum and finish strong to outlast the Cardinals.

Key Factors to Watch

This playoff game will likely be decided by which team can gain and maintain momentum. Mira Monte’s early-game scoring could give them a crucial advantage, but Lindsay’s ability to stay consistent and finish strong in the fourth quarter will be key. Both teams will also need to manage their defenses to prevent big plays, with Lindsay’s strong defense having allowed significantly fewer points than Mira Monte.

With both teams looking to make a deep playoff run, this game promises to be an intense and hard-fought battle. Fans can expect an exciting contest as both teams push to secure a spot in the next round of the CIF Central Section Division VI playoffs.

As the football season progresses, the matchup between Mira Monte and Lindsay is shaping up to be a hard-fought contest. Both teams bring distinct styles to the field, with Mira Monte showcasing a high-powered offense, while Lindsay excels with its defensive prowess. Here’s a closer look at the key statistics, team leaders, and the road ahead for these two teams.

Team Statistics

Offensive Comparison

• Mira Monte:
  Mira Monte has been a force offensively, averaging 305.7 total yards per game. The team’s ground game leads the charge with 222.3 rushing yards per game, thanks in large part to standout running back Nathan Gonzales, who leads the team with an impressive 182.2 rushing yards per game. While the passing game is more balanced with 83.4 passing yards per game, the aerial attack has been effective enough to support their rushing game. The team scores an average of 22.5 points per game, often capitalizing on long drives.
• Lindsay:
  Lindsay’s offensive production has been more modest, with 188.0 total yards per game. The team leans heavily on the ground game, averaging 172.7 rushing yards per game, with Jose Cortes leading the charge, putting up 132.7 rushing yards per game. Lindsay’s passing attack has been limited, averaging only 15.3 passing yards per game, relying on its rushing attack to keep the game competitive. They average 12.9 points per game, showing a more defensive-oriented style of play.

Defensive Comparison

• Mira Monte:
  The defense for Mira Monte averages 7.2 tackles per game, showing a solid defensive presence but lacking the disruptive ability to generate sacks, with just 0.3 sacks per game. With a higher-scoring offense, their defense has had to contend with more on-field action, allowing 22.5 points per game.
• Lindsay:
  Lindsay’s defense has been significantly more active, averaging 46.4 tackles per game and generating 1.0 sacks per game. With a defensive-minded strategy, Lindsay has been successful in limiting opposing offenses, allowing just 12.9 points per game, one of the lower totals in the region.

Key Players to Watch

• Mira Monte:
  • Nathan Gonzales (#1): Gonzales is the key to Mira Monte’s offense, with 182.2 rushing yards per game and 208.6 total yards per game. His ability to break off big runs is essential to the team’s success.
  • Fabian Carrillo (#15): The quarterback has thrown for 83.1 passing yards per game, and while not a high-volume passer, Carrillo’s ability to complement Gonzales’ ground game with timely throws is crucial.
  • Cordae Fulmer (#10): With 32.3 receiving yards per game, Fulmer provides a reliable target in the passing game when Mira Monte opts to air it out.
• Lindsay:
  • Jose Cortes (#21): Cortes is the workhorse for Lindsay, averaging 132.7 rushing yards per game, and his performance will be key in controlling the game’s tempo.
  • Aaron Hernandez (#16): As one of the team’s top receivers, Hernandez has contributed 9.0 receiving yards per game, providing a reliable option in the passing game.
  • Jose Fernandez (#12): A key defender for Lindsay, Fernandez averages 7.4 tackles per game, bringing leadership and stability to the defensive unit.

Head-to-Head Record

Both teams have faced some common opponents, with Mira Monte posting a 0-2 record against these teams and Lindsay performing better with a 1-1 record. This difference in results shows that Lindsay has been more successful against mutual competition, which could give them a slight edge going into their head-to-head matchup.

Record Breakdown

• Mira Monte (7-6):
  Mira Monte has had a strong overall record at 7-6, with a solid 5-2 home record. However, they have struggled on the road, posting a 3-3 record. Despite this, their playoff performance has been impressive, with a 3-0 record in postseason play.
• Lindsay (8-5):
  Lindsay has been a consistent contender, finishing with an 8-5 overall record. The team has been solid on the road, with a 5-2 away record, and has also proven itself in playoff competition, with a 3-0 playoff record.

Conclusion

The matchup between Mira Monte and Lindsay offers a fascinating contrast of styles: Mira Monte’s potent offense, led by Nathan Gonzales, against Lindsay’s stingy defense, which is fueled by its strong tackling and sack production. Mira Monte will look to use its offensive firepower to outpace Lindsay, while Lindsay will try to grind down the game with its rushing attack and tough defense. This contest will likely be decided by which team can dictate the tempo—whether it’s Mira Monte’s high-scoring offense or Lindsay’s controlled, defensive-oriented game plan. Either way, fans can expect an intense, hard-fought battle.