The Lassen High School varsity football team is set to host Orland High School in a home playoff game today at 6 p.m. This exciting match is part of the 2024 Northern Section Football Playoffs, Division 3 (NSCIF 2024). Both teams are ready to compete for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California State Football Championship
Who: Orland vs Lassen
When: Today, November 30, 2024
Bracket: 2024 Northern Section Football Playoffs – D3 Football NSCIF 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Orland vs. Lassen

The 2024-2025 high school football season has been filled with exciting matchups and intense competition. Among the standout teams in the California section are Orland and Lassen, both of which have shown remarkable performances throughout the season. As the season nears its conclusion, it’s time to break down the rankings, records, and scoring averages of these two powerhouse teams.

Orland: Dominant in the Section and League

Orland has been a force to be reckoned with this season, finishing with a 10-2 overall record, boasting a solid .833 win percentage. The team has been especially dominant in league play, going undefeated with a 5-0 record. Orland’s performance has been strong on both sides of the ball, with an average of 434 points scored for the season and only 195 points allowed. The team has proven to be formidable both at home, where they hold a 6-1 record, and on the road, finishing 4-1.

With an impressive section ranking of 322, Orland’s success this season can be attributed to a well-rounded offense and a stifling defense that has allowed them to maintain a high level of play. They have scored an average of 36.2 points per game, with a particularly strong third quarter performance (13.8 points). Their consistent ability to outscore opponents, especially in the second half, has been key to their success.

Lassen: A Strong Contender

Lassen, with a 9-3 record, has also been a force in the California section, securing a section ranking of 275. They have an impressive .750 win percentage and, like Orland, remain undefeated in league play, with a perfect 5-0 record. Lassen’s season has been defined by their powerful offense, racking up a total of 463 points. Though they allowed 236 points over the course of the season, their offensive strength has helped them maintain dominance.

In terms of home and away records, Lassen has excelled at home, finishing 6-1, but has had a slightly tougher time on the road, where they are 3-2. Despite this, their overall performance remains strong, with a particularly balanced scoring distribution. Lassen averages 38.6 points per game, slightly edging out Orland in total points per game. The team’s first-half performances have been particularly strong, with averages of 9.5 points in the first quarter and 11.8 points in the second. While their third and fourth-quarter scoring drops slightly, they remain competitive and resilient in every game.

Team Scoring Comparison

When comparing Orland and Lassen’s scoring averages, both teams show strong offensive capabilities but with some differences in scoring consistency. Orland has a more balanced scoring spread across the four quarters, with 6.3 points in the first quarter, 9.0 in the second, 13.8 in the third, and 8.0 in the fourth. This distribution shows their ability to pick up momentum in the second half and close games with solid performances.

Lassen, on the other hand, starts strong with 9.5 points in the first quarter and 11.8 points in the second quarter. Their third and fourth quarters are less prolific, with averages of 7.2 and 7.8 points, respectively. Despite this, their first-half dominance allows them to set a strong foundation for success.

As two high schools with a history of competitive football, Orland and Lassen have both had impressive seasons this year. Let’s compare their team statistics, key players, and common opponents to see where the teams stand heading into their matchup.

Team Stats Comparison

Looking at the overall statistics, Orland and Lassen are two teams with relatively similar numbers but with distinct strengths.

Offensive Yardage

• Orland averages 353.9 rushing yards per game, which is a key part of their offensive strategy. In comparison, Lassen’s rushing game is also strong, averaging 336.6 yards per game. Both teams rely heavily on the run game, though Orland’s advantage in this category is notable.
• In passing yards, Orland struggles with 14.8 yards per game, a stark contrast to Lassen’s 64.5 yards per game. This highlights a major difference in their passing game effectiveness, where Lassen has a significant edge.
• Receiving yards are fairly close, with Orland averaging 14.8 yards per game and Lassen slightly ahead at 63.8 yards per game.
• Orland’s total offensive yards per game average stands at 368.8, while Lassen averages slightly higher at 401.1.

Defensive Metrics

• Lassen has a notable edge in tackles, averaging 85.0 tackles per game, significantly more than Orland’s 62.0. This suggests a stronger presence on the defensive side for Lassen.
• In terms of sacks, Orland leads with 2.8 sacks per game, compared to Lassen’s 1.5. This indicates Orland’s ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks more effectively.
• When it comes to scoring, Orland averages 36.5 points per game, while Lassen scores slightly higher at 38.6 points per game.

Pancake Blocks

• Orland does not list any pancake blocks, while Lassen has a strong contributor in Reegan Dunten, with 74 pancake blocks, ranking #73 nationally. This highlights a significant difference in their offensive line’s effectiveness.

Team Leaders

Both teams have standout players who are central to their success.

Orland’s Top Performers:

• Luke Schager is the team’s offensive powerhouse, leading with 169.5 rushing yards per game, 14.8 passing yards per game, and 184.3 total yards per game. He is also the team’s leading scorer with 12.3 points per game.
• On defense, Isaac Velasquez contributes 8.6 tackles per game, leading the team in defensive efforts.

Lassen’s Top Performers:

• Dathen Moore leads the team in rushing with 174.7 yards per game and is the team’s offensive leader with 185.8 total yards per game.
• Zayn Wright has been an effective passer for Lassen, with 57.9 passing yards per game.
• Tysen Conoboy leads the defense with 15.8 tackles per game, showing strong defensive skills.

Common Opponents

Both teams share several common opponents this season, and their records against these teams are comparable.

• Against Shasta, both teams lost—Orland by a score of 22-15, and Lassen in a closer game, 28-26.
• Orland faced Red Bluff, suffering a heavy loss, 49-14, while Lassen lost 48-40 in a similarly tough match.
• Both teams secured victories against Gridley, with Orland winning 35-17 and Lassen pulling out a close 13-6 win.
• Against Las Plumas, Orland triumphed 7-6, and Lassen won 34-0.
• Lastly, both teams defeated Live Oak, with Orland winning 56-21 and Lassen with a 42-13 victory.

Record Breakdown

Looking at their overall records, the two teams have similar overall performances:

• Orland has an overall record of 10-2, with a strong 5-0 league record and 3-2 in non-league games.
• Lassen comes in with a 9-3 record, maintaining a perfect 5-0 in league play, and a 2-3 record in non-league games.

Both teams perform well at home, with Orland holding a 6-1 home record and Lassen posting a 6-1 record as well. Neither team has faced a neutral-site game, though both are undefeated in playoff appearances this season, with Orland and Lassen both boasting a 2-0 playoff record.

Conclusion

The upcoming matchup between Orland and Lassen is set to be an exciting one. Orland’s powerful rushing attack and strong defensive presence, especially in the sack department, will face off against Lassen’s balanced offensive game and superior tackling. Both teams have similar records and share many common opponents, making this a closely contested game. With star players like Luke Schager for Orland and Dathen Moore for Lassen, fans can expect a high-energy game filled with big plays on both sides of the ball.