The St. Francis (La Canada, CA) varsity football team will host Murrieta Mesa (Murrieta, CA) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships – Division 6, where both teams will battle for a chance to advance.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Murrieta Mesa vs St. Francis
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 6
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview:

Murrieta Mesa vs. St. Francis: A Tale of Two Teams in the 2024-2025 Season

The 2024-2025 high school football season has been a season of contrasts for Murrieta Mesa and St. Francis, two teams with significantly different records and performances. Here’s an in-depth look at both teams as they wrap up their campaigns.

Murrieta Mesa: A Dominant Force

Murrieta Mesa enters the postseason with a strong overall record of 8-4, boasting a perfect 5-0 league performance. With a home record of 6-1, they’ve proven to be formidable in front of their home crowd. The team, part of the California Section, has displayed impressive consistency, with a 66.7% overall win rate and a perfect 100% league record.

On offense, Murrieta Mesa has averaged 26.3 points per game, with a notable performance in the second quarter, scoring an average of 9.8 points per game. Their defense has allowed an average of 25.3 points per game, indicating that while their offense has led the charge, they’ve had some challenges on the defensive end.

Key Stats:

• Overall Record: 8-4
• League Record: 5-0
• Home Record: 6-1
• Away Record: 2-3
• Points For (PF): 316
• Points Against (PA): 253
• Average Points Per Game: 26.3

St. Francis: Struggling for Consistency

On the other hand, St. Francis has faced a much more challenging season. With an overall record of 5-7, the team has struggled to find consistency, especially on the road. They posted a 3-2 record in league play and a 2-3 mark at home. Their away record of 2-4 and neutral-site record of 1-0 show that they performed better when not on their home field.

Despite the struggles, St. Francis managed to score an average of 24.3 points per game. Their strongest quarter was the third, where they averaged 9.8 points, while their offense seemed to slow down in the opening and closing quarters. Their defense, allowing an average of 32.6 points per game, was a key factor in their subpar season.

Key Stats:

• Overall Record: 5-7
• League Record: 3-2
• Home Record: 2-3
• Away Record: 2-4
• Neutral Record: 1-0
• Points For (PF): 292
• Points Against (PA): 326
• Average Points Per Game: 24.3

Scoring Averages Comparison

• Murrieta Mesa:
  • Q1: 7.6
  • Q2: 9.8
  • Q3: 9.0
  • Q4: 3.9
  • Final: 26.3
• St. Francis:
  • Q1: 3.0
  • Q2: 5.6
  • Q3: 9.8
  • Q4: 2.8
  • Final: 24.3

The stage is set for a thrilling football matchup as the Murrieta Mesa Rams (8-4) prepare to face off against the St. Francis Golden Knights (5-7). With similar records, but distinct playing styles, both teams are looking to make a statement as the season moves toward its climax. Let’s dive into the statistics, key players, and expectations for this exciting contest.

Team Stat Comparison

Offensive Strengths

Murrieta Mesa comes into this game with a strong, balanced offense. The Rams average 317.3 total yards per game, with a significant contribution from both the passing and rushing attacks. Their rushing game, led by Artyon Celestine (102.7 yards per game), has been effective, contributing 166.6 rushing yards per game. In the air, quarterback Trey Gamble Jr. leads the way, throwing for 154.9 yards per game.

On the other hand, St. Francis has a slightly less potent offense, averaging 276.8 total yards per game. While the Golden Knights have a more pass-heavy offense, with John Sanders throwing for 151.7 yards per game and Deveon Blaylock providing a reliable target in the receiving game (65.3 receiving yards per game), their ground game lags behind, averaging just 106.8 rushing yards per game.

Both teams score an identical 24.3 points per game, showing they can put up numbers but also highlight the need for efficient play on offense to secure the win.

Defensive Comparison

Murrieta Mesa holds a significant advantage on the defensive side of the ball. The Rams are averaging 57.9 tackles per game and 3.8 sacks per game, demonstrating their ability to get to the quarterback and limit opposing offenses. St. Francis, while solid defensively, lags behind in both categories. The Golden Knights average 44.3 tackles per game and just 0.9 sacks per game, indicating that while they can stop plays, they may struggle to pressure the quarterback as effectively as Murrieta Mesa.

Key Players

Murrieta Mesa

• Artyon Celestine (#34): The focal point of the Rams’ offense, Celestine has been dominant in the rushing game, averaging 102.7 yards per game. His ability to control the tempo of the game with his physical running style will be key to Murrieta Mesa’s success.
• Trey Gamble Jr. (#9): As the quarterback, Gamble Jr. has been the catalyst for the Rams’ aerial attack, throwing for 154.9 yards per game and contributing 162.1 total yards per game. His ability to balance the offense and find success both in the air and on the ground will be crucial.
• Deshawn Reid (#44): Defensively, Reid has been a standout, recording 8.1 tackles per game. He will be a key player in stopping St. Francis’ passing attack and containing their running back options.

St. Francis

• John Sanders (#4): The leader of the Golden Knights’ offense, Sanders has been efficient, passing for 151.7 yards per game. With Sanders at the helm, St. Francis has the potential to put together long, efficient drives through the air.
• Deveon Blaylock (#2): Blaylock has been a consistent target for Sanders, averaging 65.3 receiving yards per game. His ability to create separation and make plays down the field will be a big factor in St. Francis’ passing game.
• Julian Navarro (#12): On defense, Navarro has been a steady force, recording 8.2 tackles per game. His ability to read the offense and disrupt plays will be important for St. Francis as they look to slow down Murrieta Mesa’s high-powered offense.

Head-to-Head Insights

This matchup will be the first time Murrieta Mesa and St. Francis meet on the football field, so there is no previous head-to-head record to draw from. However, looking at their overall performance this season, Murrieta Mesa enters the game as the stronger team, having finished with an 8-4 record, including a perfect 5-0 record in league play. St. Francis, meanwhile, has struggled in non-league games, posting a 0-5 record, although they finished 3-2 in league play.

Both teams have been successful in the playoffs, with Murrieta Mesa boasting a 2-0 playoff record and St. Francis also winning both of their playoff games. This experience in high-pressure games will be vital as both teams aim to keep their championship hopes alive.

Record Breakdown

• Murrieta Mesa: 8-4 overall (5-0 league, 3-2 non-league). The Rams have shown they can win consistently, especially at home (6-1), and have a balanced offense and defense. Their solid performances throughout the season, combined with their strong playoff run, make them a formidable opponent.
• St. Francis: 5-7 overall (3-2 league, 0-5 non-league). Despite struggling in non-league games, St. Francis showed resilience in league play and has been strong at home (2-3). Their road performances have been less consistent, but they will need to capitalize on their strong passing game to upset the Rams.

Prediction

Murrieta Mesa enters this game as the clear favorite. Their balanced offense, led by Artyon Celestine and Trey Gamble Jr., combined with their strong defense, gives them a distinct advantage over St. Francis. However, St. Francis has the talent to make this a competitive game, especially with the strong play of John Sanders and Deveon Blaylock in the passing game.

For St. Francis to have a chance, they will need to execute on offense, limiting mistakes and capitalizing on every opportunity. On defense, their ability to contain Celestine in the run game and pressure Gamble Jr. in the pocket will be crucial.

While St. Francis is capable of pulling off an upset, Murrieta Mesa’s overall strength on both sides of the ball should be enough to secure a win in this matchup. Expect a close contest, but Murrieta Mesa’s depth and balanced attack will ultimately give them the edge.

Conclusion

Murrieta Mesa has enjoyed a more successful season, with their offensive power leading the way to a strong record. Their dominance in the league and at home sets them apart as a team to watch. St. Francis, however, faced a more tumultuous season, battling for consistency, particularly on the road. Their strong third quarter performances show flashes of potential, but their overall record reflects their challenges in key areas.

As both teams head into the final stages of the season, it’s clear that Murrieta Mesa has the edge in both scoring and overall team performance. However, St. Francis will look to build on the positives from their season and make a strong finish. The contrast between these two teams’ records and performances provides an interesting narrative heading into the postseason.