The St. Anthony (Long Beach, CA) varsity football team will face Pacifica (Garden Grove, CA) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 10 tournament, marking a pivotal contest in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Pacifica vs St. Anthony
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 10
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Pacifica vs. St. Anthony

The 2024-2025 high school football season brings an exciting clash between Pacifica (Garden Grove, CA) and St. Anthony (Long Beach, CA) in the CIF Southern Section Football Championships – Division 10. Both teams enter the game with identical 7-5 overall records, each looking to make their mark in the postseason.

Team Overview

Pacifica has had a solid season with a 7-5 record, finishing a perfect 5-0 in league play. Their performance on the road has been a bit more mixed with a 2-3 away record, but they remain strong on neutral ground, holding a 1-0 record in such games. Pacifica has scored 275 points and allowed 192, with a slightly lower scoring average of 22.9 points per game. Their team has been consistent early on, averaging 5.6 points in the first and second quarters, but their performance tends to dip slightly in the fourth, averaging just 2.6 points. This late-game drop could pose a challenge when facing a team like St. Anthony, who has been more potent in the final quarter.

St. Anthony comes into the match with a 7-5 record as well, boasting a strong 4-1 league record. Unlike Pacifica, St. Anthony has been much better on the road, with a 4-0 neutral record, though they have struggled a bit at home with a 3-4 record. Their total points scored (276) is slightly ahead of Pacifica’s, but their points allowed (262) shows a defense that has been a little more susceptible. The team averages 23.0 points per game, with their strongest quarter being the third, where they score an impressive 8.8 points. This, along with their ability to stay steady in the second half, gives them an edge when it comes to closing out tight games.

Key Match-Up Insights

• Scoring Consistency: St. Anthony has shown more balance across all four quarters, with a slight edge in scoring (23.0 points per game) compared to Pacifica’s 22.9. Both teams start strong but have noticeable dips late in the game, making the third quarter potentially pivotal.
• Defensive Battle: Pacifica’s defense has been more effective overall, giving up only 192 points compared to St. Anthony’s 262. If Pacifica’s defense can hold strong in the later stages, they could capitalize on St. Anthony’s late-game struggles.
• Momentum Shifts: Pacifica will need to ensure they maintain their momentum throughout all four quarters, particularly avoiding their usual fourth-quarter slump. St. Anthony, on the other hand, will look to capitalize on their strong third-quarter performances and finish strong, especially with their undefeated record in neutral games.

As the season heats up, the Pacifica and St. Anthony football teams are set to face off in a highly anticipated matchup. Both teams enter the contest with identical 7-5 records, but the similarities go beyond just their overall performance. While Pacifica has been solid in both rushing and passing, St. Anthony has had a mixed season, struggling in non-league play but showing promise in league action.

Offensive Breakdown

• Rushing Yards: Pacifica has a solid rushing attack, averaging 157.3 yards per game, with Noah Lewis leading the way, rushing for 45.7 yards per game. On the other hand, St. Anthony has not posted significant rushing statistics this season, making it an area to watch in this matchup. Pacifica’s ability to control the ground game could be a decisive factor in their favor.
• Passing Yards: Pacifica has shown a balanced offensive attack, averaging 114.3 passing yards per game. James Anema has been key for Pacifica, throwing for 145.3 total yards per game, and he will look to build on that performance. St. Anthony, while not showing detailed statistics for passing, will need to rely on a more diversified approach if they want to keep up with Pacifica’s balanced attack.
• Receiving Yards: David Carlsson has been Pacifica’s top receiving threat, averaging 36.9 yards per game. The lack of specific data on St. Anthony’s receiving yards makes it difficult to assess their aerial attack, but Pacifica’s defense will likely focus on stopping any passing game from St. Anthony, especially if they attempt to exploit the airways.
• Total Yards: Pacifica has an edge in total offense, averaging 271.6 yards per game. Their balanced attack of both rushing and passing gives them a versatile offensive scheme. St. Anthony will need to find ways to generate offense and not fall behind in yardage, especially when facing a well-rounded team like Pacifica.

Defensive Comparison

• Tackles Per Game: Pacifica averages 66.5 tackles per game, with Ryan Armenta leading the team with 7.5 tackles per game. St. Anthony’s defensive numbers are not specified, but Pacifica’s defense will need to step up and make stops to limit St. Anthony’s offensive plays. The team with the better defense will likely have the upper hand in this matchup.
• Sacks Per Game: Pacifica has recorded 1.9 sacks per game, with Jayden Leneker contributing with 0.6 sacks per game. The ability to pressure the opposing quarterback could be key in this game, especially if St. Anthony relies on passing to stay competitive.

Scoring and Points Per Game

• Pacifica averages 25.3 points per game, showcasing their ability to put up solid offensive numbers. With Addison Adams contributing 6.9 points per game, Pacifica has several players capable of making plays. St. Anthony, however, will need to find a way to score consistently, as they have not posted any detailed offensive statistics. Their ability to answer Pacifica’s scoring will be critical if they want to stay in the game.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Record: Both teams have a 7-5 record, showing that they have had similar seasons in terms of overall success. However, Pacifica has been a stronger force in league play, finishing 5-0 in their league, while St. Anthony posted a 4-1 record.
• Non-League Record: Pacifica has had a tougher non-league schedule, finishing 0-5, while St. Anthony ended 1-4. Despite their struggles outside of league play, St. Anthony has shown the ability to compete and will need to bring that same intensity to this game.
• Head-to-Head: The two teams have not met yet this season, but both have faced Brentwood School with similar results. Pacifica won 27-23, and St. Anthony also defeated Brentwood School 27-14, proving that both teams have the capability to perform well against common opponents.

Home/Away Performance

• Pacifica has a strong 4-2 home record, while St. Anthony has struggled on the road with a 3-4 away record. This could be a factor in the game, as Pacifica will have the home-field advantage. St. Anthony will need to overcome their away struggles if they are to compete.

Playoff Potential

• Both teams have a strong playoff outlook, with each posting a 2-0 record in the postseason. This shows that both Pacifica and St. Anthony have the capability to perform under pressure, which makes their matchup even more exciting.

Conclusion

The Pacifica vs. St. Anthony game promises to be an exciting and competitive matchup. Pacifica’s well-rounded offense and solid defense give them the edge, but St. Anthony’s resilience and potential for surprise could make it a closer contest than expected. The key for St. Anthony will be to find ways to break through Pacifica’s defense and generate offensive production, while Pacifica will look to control the game with their balanced attack and solid defense.

Ultimately, the game could come down to which team can execute their game plan most effectively and take advantage of their opportunities. Pacifica’s home-field advantage and overall consistency make them the favorites, but St. Anthony will be looking to prove they can compete at the highest level.