The Vista Panthers will face the Monte Vista Monarchs in a neutral playoff game as part of the 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships – Division V tournament. The matchup is set for Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m., promising an exciting battle as both teams vie for postseason glory in Spring Valley, CA.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Monte Vista vs Vista
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships (California) – Division V
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Monte Vista vs. Vista

The 2024–2025 season showcased two very different paths for Monte Vista and Vista High School football teams. With contrasting records, scoring patterns, and league performances, the numbers highlight the distinct dynamics of each team’s journey.

Team Performance Overview

Monte Vista capped their season with a respectable 7-5 overall record and a 3-2 mark in league play. This translates to a .583 win percentage, showcasing their competitive edge in key games. Their balanced performance at home (3-2) and on the road (4-3) reflects a consistent approach throughout the season.

In contrast, Vista endured a challenging season with a 4-7 overall record and a 1-5 league performance, resulting in a .364 win percentage. The team’s struggles were particularly pronounced in away games, where they managed only one win against four losses.

Scoring Efficiency

A deeper dive into the scoring averages paints a vivid picture of each team’s offensive capabilities:

• Monte Vista: Averaging 32.8 points per game, Monte Vista demonstrated a robust offense. Their strongest quarters were the second (10.3 points) and the first (8.0 points), suggesting they often gained an early lead. However, scoring consistency dropped slightly in the third and fourth quarters, averaging 6.8 points in each.
• Vista: Vista struggled offensively, averaging just 11.8 points per game. Their weakest quarter was the first, with a surprising average of zero points. Scoring improved marginally in the second quarter (2.3 points) and remained modest in the third (2.0) and fourth (2.7).

Points For and Against

Monte Vista maintained a positive point differential, scoring 394 points while conceding 375. This indicates their ability to outscore opponents in tight contests. Meanwhile, Vista faced significant challenges defensively, conceding 336 points while scoring just 130, leading to a sizable negative differential.

League Standings and Rankings

In sectional and divisional rankings, Monte Vista holds a stronger position, sitting at 645th overall and 55th within both their section and division. Vista trails at 611th overall and 51st in their section and division rankings, underscoring the disparity in performance between the two teams.

Key Takeaways

Monte Vista’s season was marked by offensive strength and consistent play across venues, making them a competitive force in their league. Vista, however, will look to regroup and address both their offensive struggles and defensive lapses to improve in the upcoming season.

While both teams have areas for growth, Monte Vista’s trajectory suggests a foundation for future success, while Vista must find ways to turn their challenges into opportunities for a comeback in the seasons ahead.

As the football season progresses, Monte Vista and Vista are two teams showcasing contrasting strengths and styles of play. This detailed breakdown highlights how these teams stack up against each other in key statistical areas, player contributions, and their performance against common opponents.

Team Stat Comparison

Monte Vista dominates in rushing offense, averaging 238.9 rushing yards per game compared to Vista’s 73.2 yards per game. This substantial gap reflects Monte Vista’s reliance on their ground game, spearheaded by standout performances from Alexander Villanueva. On the other hand, Vista leans slightly more on their passing game, averaging 111.1 passing yards per game compared to Monte Vista’s 86.1 yards per game.

In terms of total offense, Monte Vista boasts a significant advantage, averaging 325.0 total yards per game, nearly double Vista’s 184.3 yards per game. Despite Monte Vista’s superior offensive output, Vista holds a slight edge in points per game, scoring 10.5 compared to Monte Vista’s 7.3.

Key Players and Individual Contributions

Monte Vista:

• Alexander Villanueva (#2) is the undeniable star for Monte Vista, leading the team with 205.8 rushing yards per game and 214.3 total yards per game, far exceeding the national average. His ability to dominate on the ground is a cornerstone of Monte Vista’s success.
• Derrick Taylor (#20) contributes as a steady presence in the passing game, averaging 58.8 passing yards per game.
• Rahshawn Florence (#4) leads the team’s receiving corps with 71.7 receiving yards per game, adding balance to the offense.

Vista:

• William Calderon (#12) is Vista’s offensive leader, averaging 88.6 passing yards per game and 91.3 total yards per game, though these numbers fall short compared to Villanueva’s output.
• Ashaun Mitchell (#1) is Vista’s top receiver, contributing 67.8 receiving yards per game, making him a critical target in the air attack.
• Alex Cosme (#5) narrowly edges out Monte Vista’s Danny Baca in scoring, averaging 5.6 points per game.

Performance Against Common Opponents

Monte Vista has fared better against shared opponents, holding a 2-0 record, while Vista split their games at 1-1.

• On October 11, 2024, Monte Vista defeated West Hills convincingly, 42-21, while Vista lost to the same team earlier in the season, 31-16.
• Against Fallbrook, Monte Vista edged out a narrow victory, 34-33, on November 8, 2024, while Vista secured a win against them earlier in the season, 29-20.

These results highlight Monte Vista’s consistency and resilience in high-pressure games.

Season Records and Trends

Monte Vista boasts a stronger overall record at 7-5, compared to Vista’s 4-7. In league play, Monte Vista sits at 3-2, while Vista lags behind at 1-5. Both teams have seen mixed success in non-league games, but Monte Vista’s success in the playoffs (2-0) demonstrates their ability to step up when it matters most.

Interestingly, Vista performs better at home, with a 3-3 record, compared to their 1-4 struggles on the road. Meanwhile, Monte Vista has a more balanced away record of 4-3, showing versatility in different environments.

Conclusion

Monte Vista’s reliance on a dominant rushing attack, led by Alexander Villanueva, has been a key factor in their success this season. Their strong performance against common opponents and superior overall record makes them the more consistent team.

Vista, while showing moments of promise, particularly in the passing game, struggles to generate the same level of offensive output and consistency. To compete with teams like Monte Vista, Vista must find ways to strengthen their rushing attack and improve their defensive resilience.

Monte Vista’s balanced and productive offense positions them as the team to watch as the season progresses.