The St. John Bosco varsity football team (Bellflower, CA) will host Orange Lutheran (Orange, CA) in a thrilling home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships, Division 1, as both teams vie for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Orange Lutheran vs St. John Bosco
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 1
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Orange Lutheran vs. St. John Bosco

The 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships in Division 1 are heating up, and one of the most anticipated matchups of the first round will see St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA) hosting Orange Lutheran (Orange, CA) on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. Both teams have had impressive seasons, but only one will move on to the next stage of the tournament.

Orange Lutheran: Resilient and Ready

Orange Lutheran enters the game with an overall record of 8-3, showcasing a solid performance despite some road challenges. Their league record of 3-2 places them in a competitive position, with strong home performances (5-0). The Lancers have scored 296 points this season while allowing 234, reflecting a balanced offense and defense.

Offensively, Orange Lutheran averages 26.9 points per game. Their scoring is spread throughout the game, but they are particularly dangerous in the fourth quarter, where they average 11.6 points per game—showing they can close games strongly. However, their first-quarter scoring is modest, averaging just 5.0 points, so they will need to start fast to compete against the powerhouse that is St. John Bosco.

St. John Bosco: A Dominant Force

St. John Bosco enters this playoff matchup with an impressive 10-1 record, ranking among the top teams nationally (#7) and in California (#2). The Braves have been nothing short of dominant this season, with a win percentage of .909 and a league record of 4-1. Their offensive output has been extraordinary, scoring 391 points while allowing 252, giving them a +139 point differential.

St. John Bosco’s offensive numbers are among the best in the section, with an average of 35.5 points per game. While their first-quarter scoring is relatively low at 2.8 points, the Braves excel in the second half, averaging 7.0 points in the third quarter and a solid 11.0 points in the fourth quarter. This ability to finish games strong is one of their key strengths.

Key Matchup: Offense vs. Defense

St. John Bosco’s explosive offense will be the focal point of this matchup. The Braves’ ability to score consistently, especially in the second half, poses a major challenge for Orange Lutheran’s defense. Orange Lutheran will need to step up in the early quarters to keep pace, as their tendency to start slowly could be costly against a team of St. John Bosco’s caliber.

Orange Lutheran’s offense, while effective with an average of 26.9 points per game, will face a tough test against St. John Bosco’s defense. To pull off an upset, the Lancers will need to execute perfectly and capitalize on their strong fourth-quarter performances to make a push late in the game.

Final Thoughts

St. John Bosco enters this playoff game as the clear favorite, with their dominant season and high-powered offense. However, Orange Lutheran’s resilience and ability to perform in key moments make them a formidable opponent. This game promises to be an exciting battle, with St. John Bosco’s relentless attack against Orange Lutheran’s determination to pull off a surprise. The Friday night showdown is one that fans won’t want to miss as both teams fight for a chance at Division 1 glory.

The matchup between Orange Lutheran and St. John Bosco is set to be a thrilling contest, showcasing two high-powered offenses and talented defenses. Both teams have had successful seasons, with Orange Lutheran posting an 8-3 record and St. John Bosco standing at 10-1. Below is a breakdown of their team stats, key players, and what to expect from each squad as they face off on the field.

Offensive Comparison

• Rushing Yards: Orange Lutheran averages 146.7 rushing yards per game, while St. John Bosco is slightly better at 165.7. The Lancers are led by Steve Chavez, who contributes 82.3 rushing yards per game. St. John Bosco’s Maliq Allen is the team’s leading rusher, with 81.3 yards per game. Both teams rely on a solid ground game, but St. John Bosco has shown a slightly more consistent rushing attack this season.
• Passing Yards: Orange Lutheran excels in the passing game with 205.4 passing yards per game, while St. John Bosco averages 228.7. Orange Lutheran’s Tj Lateef is a dynamic quarterback, throwing for 208.0 yards per game. St. John Bosco counters with Koa Malau’ulu, who has been efficient in the air, averaging 130.8 yards per game. St. John Bosco’s slightly higher passing yards reflect a more balanced offensive attack, with Malau’ulu making big plays through the air.
• Receiving Yards: Both teams are strong in the receiving game, with Orange Lutheran averaging 195.0 receiving yards per game and St. John Bosco averaging 234.6 yards. Chris Flores Jr. is the top receiver for Orange Lutheran, contributing 63.4 yards per game. On the other side, Madden Williams of St. John Bosco has been impressive, averaging 70.3 receiving yards per game. This gives St. John Bosco an edge in the receiving department, benefiting from a more prolific aerial attack.
• Total Yards: St. John Bosco leads with 394.5 total yards per game, compared to Orange Lutheran’s 352.1. St. John Bosco’s ability to mix both the run and pass effectively gives them a slight advantage in generating yardage. Orange Lutheran, while not as explosive in terms of total yards, can still put up respectable numbers, relying on a balanced offense.

Defensive Comparison

• Tackles Per Game: St. John Bosco averages 71.5 tackles per game, significantly ahead of Orange Lutheran’s 57.8. This suggests that St. John Bosco’s defense is more active and involved in stopping the run and pass. Orange Lutheran’s defense, while solid, will need to step up to match the intensity of St. John Bosco.
• Sacks Per Game: Orange Lutheran averages 2.6 sacks per game, which is higher than St. John Bosco’s 1.8 sacks per game. This indicates that Orange Lutheran has been more effective in pressuring the quarterback. Auma Jennings leads the Lancers with 0.7 sacks per game, while St. John Bosco’s Dutch Horisk has recorded 0.4 sacks per game. The ability to create pressure on the quarterback could be crucial in limiting both teams’ passing games.

Scoring Comparison

• Points Per Game: St. John Bosco has been the more potent scoring team, averaging 34.5 points per game compared to Orange Lutheran’s 24.5. This high-scoring offense has been the backbone of St. John Bosco’s success this season. Orange Lutheran will need to execute efficiently on offense and take advantage of any opportunities to keep up with St. John Bosco’s explosive attack.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Record: Orange Lutheran enters the game with an 8-3 record, while St. John Bosco boasts a 10-1 record. Both teams have been highly competitive, but St. John Bosco’s stronger record speaks to their dominance in both league and non-league play.
• League Record: Orange Lutheran has a 3-2 league record, while St. John Bosco is 4-1 in league play. This shows that St. John Bosco has had a slightly better performance within their league, though both teams have been successful in tough competition.
• Non-League Record: Orange Lutheran has a 4-1 non-league record, while St. John Bosco has an impressive 5-0 non-league record. St. John Bosco’s perfect record in non-league games reflects their ability to handle various challenges against top-tier opponents.
• Home/Away Record: St. John Bosco has been strong at home with a 6-0 record, and they also hold a 3-1 away record. Orange Lutheran has been solid on the road with a 3-1 away record, but St. John Bosco’s home advantage could play a pivotal role if the game is played on their turf.
• Playoff Record: Both teams have been successful in the playoffs, with St. John Bosco maintaining a perfect 1-0 record and Orange Lutheran also posting a 1-0 playoff record. This indicates that both teams know how to perform under pressure in high-stakes games.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced off against similar opponents this season. In their matchups against Sierra Canyon, JSerra Catholic, and Santa Margarita, both teams posted solid records, going 5-1 in common games. This shows that both teams are highly competitive and can go toe-to-toe with top programs in the area. St. John Bosco’s only loss this season came against Mater Dei, while Orange Lutheran lost to Mater Dei as well, showing the level of competition both teams have faced.

Conclusion

The matchup between Orange Lutheran and St. John Bosco will be a clash of high-powered offenses and solid defenses. St. John Bosco brings a more explosive offense with a balanced attack led by Koa Malau’ulu and Madden Williams. Orange Lutheran, while not as explosive offensively, has a balanced offense that can challenge St. John Bosco’s defense.

Defensively, St. John Bosco’s superior tackling ability and active defense will put pressure on Orange Lutheran to execute flawlessly. On the other hand, Orange Lutheran’s ability to generate sacks and pressure the quarterback could give them opportunities to slow down St. John Bosco’s offensive juggernaut.

With St. John Bosco having a slight edge in scoring and yardage, they enter the game as the favorites. However, Orange Lutheran has the tools to pull off an upset, especially if they can limit big plays and capitalize on St. John Bosco’s mistakes.

This promises to be an exciting and closely contested game, with both teams bringing significant strengths to the table. Fans can expect a high-energy battle between two of the area’s top teams.