The Murrieta Mesa varsity football team faces Glendora in a neutral-site playoff game tonight at 7 p.m. as part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (Division 6). Both teams are determined to showcase their skills in this high-stakes matchup, with a spot in the next round on the line.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Murrieta Mesa (CA) vs Glendora (CA)
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 6
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Glendora vs. Murrieta Mesa

The upcoming matchup between Glendora and Murrieta Mesa promises to be a thrilling contest, as both teams enter with identical 9-4 records and plenty of momentum. With closely matched statistics and standout performances on both sides, this game is set to be a highlight of the season.

Team Comparison

On paper, Murrieta Mesa holds a slight edge in offensive production, averaging 316.0 total yards per game, compared to Glendora’s 266.6. Both teams feature balanced attacks, with Murrieta Mesa leaning on a stronger passing game (150.1 yards per game) alongside their 165.9 rushing yards per game. Glendora, meanwhile, has shown consistency on the ground, averaging 163.7 rushing yards per game, supplemented by 102.9 passing yards per game.

Defensively, Glendora shines with 73.5 tackles per game, outpacing Murrieta Mesa’s 58.0. Glendora also boasts an effective pass rush, tallying 3.2 sacks per game, while Murrieta Mesa leads slightly with 4.0 sacks per game. Both teams score at similar rates, with Murrieta Mesa averaging 24.8 points per game and Glendora close behind at 24.6 points per game.

Key Players to Watch

• Glendora:
  Running back Simon Zwick (#17) leads the offensive charge, averaging 73.3 rushing yards per game and 86.2 total yards per game. Quarterback Sebastian Lawrence (#8) adds 80.2 passing yards per game, with Tim Johnson (#1) contributing 57.9 receiving yards per game. Defensively, Aidan Yamazaki (#3) dominates with 10.4 tackles per game, while Austin Coronado (#4) is a dual threat, leading the team with 1.4 sacks per game and 7.6 points per game.
• Murrieta Mesa:
  Trey Gamble Jr. (#9) is the centerpiece of Murrieta Mesa’s offense, averaging 153.6 passing yards per game and 164.2 total yards per game. Running back Artyon Celestine (#34) complements the passing attack with 101.4 rushing yards per game and 6.0 points per game. On defense, Deshawn Reid (#44) leads with 7.9 tackles per game, while Isaiah Casillas (#75) contributes 0.9 sacks per game.

Record Breakdown

Both teams share identical overall records but have taken different paths to this stage:

• Glendora:
  • League record: 3-2
  • Home record: 1-3
  • Road record: 5-1
  • Playoff record: 3-0
• Murrieta Mesa:
  • League record: 5-0 (undefeated in league play)
  • Home record: 6-1
  • Road record: 3-3
  • Playoff record: 3-0

What to Watch

Glendora will aim to lean on their defensive depth and balanced offense to disrupt Murrieta Mesa’s rhythm. Players like Aidan Yamazaki and Austin Coronado must step up to slow down Murrieta Mesa’s dynamic attack.

For Murrieta Mesa, exploiting their offensive versatility will be key. Trey Gamble Jr. must continue his efficient playmaking, and Artyon Celestine needs to break through Glendora’s defensive front to maintain a balanced attack.

Prediction

With both teams evenly matched in key areas, this game could go down to the wire. Murrieta Mesa’s stronger offensive numbers and unbeaten league record may give them a slight advantage, but Glendora’s defensive tenacity and road success make them a formidable opponent. Expect a hard-fought battle with the outcome decided by which team executes better in critical moments.