The Moreau Catholic varsity football team will face off against Ferndale in a neutral-site playoff game today at 7:00 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 7 tournament. Both teams are eager to advance and showcase their talent in this postseason matchup.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: California State Football Championship
Who: Moreau Catholic (CA) vs Ferndale (CA)
When: Today, November 30, 2024
Bracket: 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 7
Time: In progress
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Ferndale vs. Moreau Catholic
As the high school basketball season progresses, two teams with distinct records and styles of play are making waves in their respective sections. Ferndale (24-25) and Moreau Catholic (24-25) have shown remarkable performances, but with differences in their overall and league records, as well as their scoring strategies.
Ferndale Overview
Ferndale boasts an impressive overall record of 11-1, with a league record of 5-1. This success is further exemplified by their dominant home performance, where they have won all seven of their games. Their away record of 4-1 also showcases their ability to perform outside of their home gym.
- Overall Record: 11-1
- League Record: 5-1
- Home Record: 7-0
- Away Record: 4-1
- Win Percentage: .917
- League Win Percentage: .833
- Points For (PF): 451
- Points Against (PA): 174
Moreau Catholic Overview
Moreau Catholic has an overall record of 8-4 and holds a 5-1 record in league play. Despite a slightly lower win percentage of .667, Moreau Catholic has proven themselves a formidable opponent, particularly at home, with a 6-2 record. Their away performance has been less consistent, with a 2-2 record.
- Overall Record: 8-4
- League Record: 5-1
- Home Record: 6-2
- Away Record: 2-2
- Win Percentage: .667
- League Win Percentage: .833
- Points For (PF): 376
- Points Against (PA): 283
Moreau Catholic’s scoring averages reflect a more balanced distribution of points. They average 31.3 points per game, with a strong showing in the second quarter at 9.4 points. However, their scoring tends to taper off in the final quarter, where they average just 5.7 points. This suggests that Moreau Catholic might need to improve in the later stages of games to maintain their competitive edge.
Team Scoring Comparison
| Quarter | Ferndale | Moreau Catholic |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 12.6 | 9.5 |
| Q2 | 6.8 | 9.4 |
| Q3 | 6.4 | 6.8 |
| Q4 | 11.2 | 5.7 |
| Final | 37.6 | 31.3 |
Ferndale tends to start strong and finish even stronger, with a fourth-quarter average of 11.2 points, making them a dangerous team in close games. Their ability to keep the momentum going throughout the game makes them a tough team to beat. In contrast, Moreau Catholic has a strong second quarter but struggles in the fourth, which could be a critical factor in their overall performance.
The matchup between Ferndale and Moreau Catholic is shaping up to be an exciting contest with both teams entering the game with impressive records and standout performances. Ferndale, boasting an 11-1 overall record, faces off against Moreau Catholic, which holds an 8-4 record for the season. Both teams have displayed tremendous offensive firepower, strong defenses, and excellent individual performances, setting the stage for what should be an exciting showdown.
Offensive Breakdown
Ferndale is known for its dominant rushing game, averaging 288.0 rushing yards per game, making it a difficult offense to stop on the ground. Led by Tanner Pidgeon, who averages an impressive 110.1 rushing yards per game, Ferndale’s offense revolves around pounding the ball and controlling the tempo. Pidgeon is also an asset in the passing game, contributing 43.3 passing yards per game. On top of that, Jonah Anderson serves as a reliable receiving option, adding 16.2 receiving yards per game to the offense.
Defensive Comparison
On the defensive side of things, Ferndale averages 56.7 tackles per game, led by Liam Bishop, who posts 8.8 tackles per game. They have shown the ability to stop both the run and the pass effectively, but their defense will be tested against Moreau Catholic’s high-powered offense.
Moreau Catholic, with a slightly higher average of 62.2 tackles per game, is also strong on the defensive side. Eriq Fields, with 10.0 tackles per game, leads the charge and will be instrumental in trying to limit Ferndale’s rushing attack. Miles Moore, who contributes 0.5 sacks per game, will be key in pressuring the quarterback and preventing big plays.
Key Players to Watch
The standout player for Ferndale is clearly Tanner Pidgeon, who not only excels as a rusher but also has the ability to contribute in the passing game. With Pidgeon at the helm, Ferndale’s offense can be multifaceted, making it difficult to predict and defend.
For Moreau Catholic, Jeremiah Charles is the key to their offensive success, particularly with his strong passing numbers. His ability to move the ball through the air will be crucial in keeping Ferndale’s defense off balance. Additionally, Jayden Bryant will need to provide a solid rushing presence to keep the defense honest and maintain offensive balance.
Record Breakdown
Ferndale comes into this game with a 11-1 overall record, and they’ve had a strong run in the postseason with a 2-0 playoff record. Moreau Catholic, with an 8-4 record, is looking to continue its success after a 2-0 playoff record, with both teams having solid showings in their respective leagues and non-league games. Both teams have been strong at home, with Ferndale posting a 7-0 home record, while Moreau Catholic is 6-2 at home.
The head-to-head record between these two teams is 0-0, meaning this will be their first encounter in the postseason. However, they do share a common opponent in St. Bernard’s, with both teams winning decisively. Ferndale defeated St. Bernard’s 39-27 on the road, while Moreau Catholic handled them 49-14 at home. These results suggest that both teams can compete at a high level, even against strong opponents.
Final Thoughts
This game will come down to which team can execute its game plan more effectively. Ferndale’s powerful rushing attack led by Tanner Pidgeon will face a tough challenge against Moreau Catholic’s strong defense. If Ferndale can control the clock with its run game, it will limit Moreau Catholic’s chances to strike on offense.
On the other hand, Moreau Catholic has the versatility to attack in multiple ways, with a strong passing game led by Jeremiah Charles and a solid running game with Jayden Bryant. If they can find success in the air and keep Ferndale’s defense on its heels, they could pose a real threat.
Conclusion
While both teams have been successful in their respective leagues, Ferndale’s consistency and offensive firepower, particularly in the fourth quarter, give them the edge in this matchup. Moreau Catholic will need to find ways to sustain their scoring throughout the game and improve their performance in the final quarter if they are to remain competitive against strong teams like Ferndale.
As the season progresses, these two teams will continue to shape their paths toward the postseason, and their games will undoubtedly provide exciting and competitive basketball.
