The Bishop Union varsity football team from Bishop, CA, will host Morro Bay High School in a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 6 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships in Division V, promising intense action as both teams compete for advancement.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Morro Bay vs Bishop Union
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships – Division V
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Bishop Union vs. Morro Bay

The Bishop Union varsity football team is gearing up to face Morro Bay High School in a crucial Division V playoff game as part of the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships. The game will take place on Friday, November 22, at 6 p.m. at Bishop Union’s home field, where they’ll look to leverage their strong season against Morro Bay’s resilient squad.

Records and Rankings

Bishop Union enters the game with a standout 10-2 overall record, boasting an impressive .833 win percentage. Ranked 389th in California and 45th in their section, they have been dominant in league play with a perfect 5-0 record. Their offensive strength is reflected in their 387 points scored, while their defense has been equally strong, allowing only 126 points.

Morro Bay, with a .500 win percentage (6-6 overall), has had a more balanced season. Ranked 466th in California and 56th in their section, their 1-3 league record has been a struggle, but they have shown resilience with a 2-2 away record. Their offense has been high-scoring, putting up 390 points, but they’ve allowed 343 points, indicating some vulnerability on defense.

Scoring Breakdown

Both teams are capable of putting up points, with Morro Bay averaging 32.5 points per game. Their highest-scoring quarter is the first, where they average 11.8 points, and they also show strong fourth-quarter production (7.1 points).

Bishop Union, on the other hand, averages 32.3 points per game, with their most productive quarter being the second, where they score an average of 10.6 points. Although they score fewer points in the third and fourth quarters, their ability to build strong leads early has proven effective.

Keys to Victory

For Morro Bay, the key to victory will be sustaining their high-scoring pace throughout the game, particularly in the first quarter where they excel. Their offense will need to keep the pressure on Bishop Union’s defense while ensuring their own defense can withstand Bishop Union’s powerful attack.

Bishop Union’s ability to control the game early, especially in the second quarter, will be crucial. Their defense will need to remain stingy, as they have all season, to limit Morro Bay’s offensive output. Keeping Morro Bay from gaining momentum in the fourth quarter will also be vital.

What’s at Stake

This game is crucial for both teams as they vie for a spot in the next round of the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships. Bishop Union enters as the favorite, but Morro Bay’s ability to score in bunches could make for a thrilling contest.

With both teams bringing strong offenses to the field, fans can expect an exciting battle in this Division V playoff game. The outcome will depend on which team can execute their game plan and maintain control through all four quarters.

As the postseason approaches, two teams stand out for their impressive performances this season: Morro Bay and Bishop Union. Both teams have been competitive in their respective leagues, but their statistical strengths and playing styles reveal important differences. Let’s break down their team statistics, key players, and overall performances to understand how they stack up.

Team Statistical Comparison

A closer look at the team statistics reveals some key contrasts between the two squads:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Bishop Union has a strong ground game, averaging 179.7 rushing yards per game, compared to Morro Bay’s 110.5 yards. This shows that Bishop Union is more focused on running the ball and controlling the tempo of the game on the ground.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Morro Bay stands out in the air, averaging a remarkable 319.6 passing yards per game, far outpacing Bishop Union’s 141.4 yards. This suggests that Morro Bay relies heavily on its passing attack to move the ball downfield.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Similarly, Morro Bay dominates in receiving yards with 319.7 yards per game, while Bishop Union lags behind with 137.4 yards, further emphasizing Morro Bay’s aerial assault.
• Total Yards Per Game: Morro Bay leads in total yardage, averaging 430.1 yards per game compared to Bishop Union’s 321.1 yards, reflecting their high-powered offense.
• Tackles Per Game: Morro Bay’s defense averages 71.5 tackles per game, indicating a strong focus on defense, while Bishop Union records 55.1 tackles per game.
• Sacks Per Game: Bishop Union edges Morro Bay in this category, averaging 2.6 sacks per game compared to Morro Bay’s 1.7 sacks, showing that Bishop Union has a more disruptive defense.
• Points Per Game: Both teams are high-scoring, with Bishop Union averaging 32.1 points per game and Morro Bay close behind with 31.3 points per game, indicating that both squads are capable of putting up significant numbers.

While both teams have high-powered offenses, Morro Bay’s passing game is its strength, whereas Bishop Union’s rushing attack and defensive play stand out.

Team Leaders

Each team has key players who have driven their success this season.

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Morro Bay’s Sands Dougherty leads with 62.7 rushing yards per game, but Bishop Union’s Elijah Reynolds outperforms him with 49.6 yards per game.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Sands Dougherty of Morro Bay is also the top passer, racking up 315.3 yards per game. Bishop Union’s Emory Dondero, with 141.4 yards per game, relies less on the passing game.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: John Myers of Morro Bay leads with 108.8 receiving yards per game, while Bishop Union’s Richie Talavera records 32.4 yards per game.
• Total Yards Per Game: Sands Dougherty of Morro Bay again leads with 378.0 total yards per game, while Emory Dondero of Bishop Union follows with 167.3 total yards per game.
• Tackles Per Game: Radden Batalla of Morro Bay averages 8.5 tackles per game, while Garin Pritchard of Bishop Union follows with 7.0 tackles per game.
• Sacks Per Game: Radden Batalla from Morro Bay contributes 0.7 sacks per game, while Bishop Union’s Malachi Orrick has 0.8 sacks per game, showing a slight edge in pass-rush performance for Bishop Union.
• Points Per Game: Morro Bay’s John Myers leads his team with 7.0 points per game, while Aiden Esparza from Bishop Union scores 4.7 points per game.

These individual performances illustrate the offensive firepower of Morro Bay, with standout players in passing and receiving, while Bishop Union’s leaders contribute to a more balanced offensive and defensive approach.

Record Breakdown

Both teams have had successful seasons, but their overall records tell different stories.

• Overall Record: Morro Bay finishes with a 6-6 record, while Bishop Union is much stronger with a 10-2 record, highlighting their consistency and dominance throughout the season.
• League Record: Morro Bay struggled in league play with a 1-3 record, while Bishop Union remained undefeated in league play with a 5-0 record.
• Non-League Record: Morro Bay’s non-league record is 3-3, while Bishop Union is 3-2.
• Head-to-Head: The two teams have not yet faced each other, so a potential matchup could be a determining factor in this comparison.
• Home vs. Away: Morro Bay has a balanced record of 4-4 at home and 2-2 away, while Bishop Union excels both at home (5-2) and away (5-0), showing their strength in various environments.
• Playoffs: Both teams have performed well in the playoffs, with Morro Bay securing two wins in playoff games and Bishop Union securing two wins as well.

Despite Morro Bay’s balanced record, Bishop Union’s stronger overall performance and undefeated league record indicate they have been the more dominant team this season.

Conclusion

While both Morro Bay and Bishop Union boast talented squads, the teams exhibit contrasting styles and strengths. Morro Bay is a high-flying passing team with impressive yardage and points, led by Sands Dougherty’s passing and John Myers’ receiving. On the other hand, Bishop Union thrives with a strong rushing attack, a balanced offense, and a more disruptive defense, which has helped them secure a 10-2 record and an undefeated league mark.

Morro Bay’s high-scoring offense makes them dangerous, but Bishop Union’s balanced and physical style gives them the edge, especially in a potential postseason matchup. With both teams possessing playoff experience and strong individual performers, it will be exciting to see how they perform in the coming weeks.