The Thousand Oaks (CA) varsity football team will face Pacifica (Oxnard, CA) in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships – Division 4, where both teams will compete for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Pacifica vs Thousand Oaks
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 4
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Pacifica vs. Thousand Oaks

The 2024 CIF Southern Section Division 4 football playoffs will feature an exciting neutral-site matchup between Pacifica (Oxnard, CA) and Thousand Oaks (CA) on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. Both teams enter the game with identical 8-4 records, making for a competitive clash with a spot in the next round of the tournament on the line.

Team Overview

Pacifica has had a strong season, finishing with an 8-4 record and a solid 3-2 league performance. With a well-balanced offense, they have averaged 31.5 points per game, with a particularly strong second-quarter showing (11.4 points). Their ability to score in multiple quarters has kept them competitive throughout the season. On the defensive side, Pacifica has allowed 296 points, and they will need to tighten up defensively to contain Thousand Oaks’ potent offense.

Thousand Oaks, also 8-4, has had a strong showing in both league play (3-2) and in their neutral games (1-0). With an average of 28.7 points per game, their offensive output has been impressive, especially in the first quarter, where they average 12 points. The team has shown consistency throughout the game, but their fourth-quarter scoring (4.3 points) will need to improve if they want to hold off a determined Pacifica squad.

Key Match-Up Insights

• Offensive Strengths: Pacifica excels in the second half, averaging 15.1 points in the second and fourth quarters combined. Thousand Oaks, on the other hand, shines early, especially in the first quarter. Pacifica will need to withstand the early push from Thousand Oaks while trying to take advantage of their own second-half scoring ability.
• Balanced Play: Both teams have demonstrated a well-rounded offensive attack, with Pacifica averaging 31.5 points per game and Thousand Oaks putting up 28.7 points per game. The ability to score in multiple quarters will be crucial for both teams to establish control.
• Defensive Keys: Thousand Oaks has allowed 281 points over the season, while Pacifica has given up 296. While both defenses have faced challenges, limiting big plays will be essential for each team to gain an advantage.

As the football season heads into its final stretch, the Pacifica Tritons and Thousand Oaks Lancers will face off in an exciting matchup. Both teams come in with identical 8-4 records and have shown impressive performances in both league and non-league play. Here’s a breakdown of their statistics and what fans can expect from this crucial game.

Team Stat Comparison

Both Pacifica and Thousand Oaks have solid offensive capabilities, with the Tritons showing a slight edge in total yards. Pacifica averages 387.2 total yards per game, led by their potent passing attack (245.4 yards per game). In comparison, Thousand Oaks averages 319.1 total yards per game, with 190.7 passing yards per game. While both teams have strong passing games, Pacifica’s balanced offense gives them a bit more flexibility on the field.

When it comes to rushing, Pacifica has the upper hand, averaging 141.8 rushing yards per game, with Alijah Royster leading the charge. Thousand Oaks averages 128.4 rushing yards per game, slightly behind Pacifica. Both teams have strong defensive units, but Pacifica again holds the advantage in tackles with 81.1 tackles per game, compared to Thousand Oaks’ 44.8. Pacifica’s defense also averages 2.0 sacks per game, while Thousand Oaks averages 1.5.

One of the key areas where Pacifica stands out is their ability to generate points, averaging 31.5 points per game, significantly higher than Thousand Oaks’ 19.7 points per game.

Key Players

Pacifica

• Alijah Royster (#2): The Tritons’ leading rusher, Royster averages 55.5 yards per game and provides a powerful running threat to complement Pacifica’s passing game.
• Dominic Duran (#3): Duran is the quarterback and driving force behind Pacifica’s high-powered offense. With 207.1 passing yards per game and 236.9 total yards per game, Duran is a versatile playmaker.
• Savion Taylor (#11): Taylor is a key receiving weapon for Pacifica, averaging 94.9 receiving yards per game. He provides a deep threat and is one of Duran’s favorite targets.
• Budder Aina (#27): A key figure on defense, Aina contributes 12.0 tackles per game, helping Pacifica’s defense stay aggressive and effective.

Thousand Oaks

• Justin Lewis (#33): The Lancers’ top rusher, Lewis averages 101.3 rushing yards per game and is crucial to their offensive attack.
• Jackson Taylor (#7): As Thousand Oaks’ quarterback, Taylor averages 228.8 passing yards per game and is their leader in total yards (244.5). His performance in the passing game will be vital to the Lancers’ success.
• Hayden Vercher (#8): Vercher is Taylor’s top receiving option, averaging 84.2 yards per game. His ability to stretch the field will be essential for Thousand Oaks.
• Cory McEnroe (#9): A standout defensive player for Thousand Oaks, McEnroe averages 8.6 tackles per game and helps anchor the Lancers’ defense.

Head-to-Head Insights

Both teams share a common opponent in West Ranch, where Pacifica came out on top with a dominant 42-6 victory on August 23. Thousand Oaks also faced West Ranch but had a much closer win, 30-7, on September 13. These games highlight that while both teams are capable of strong performances, Pacifica’s dominance in their matchup against West Ranch was particularly impressive.

Other common opponents include Rio Mesa and Simi Valley. Pacifica had solid wins against Rio Mesa (28-21) and Simi Valley (28-0), while Thousand Oaks suffered close losses to these same teams. Pacifica’s stronger record against these common opponents suggests they may have the upper hand heading into this matchup.

Season Breakdown

Both teams have had similar records overall, with an 8-4 mark, but their paths to those records have differed. Pacifica went 3-2 in league play and 3-2 in non-league, while Thousand Oaks also posted a 3-2 record in league play but had a similar 3-2 mark in non-league games. Pacifica has been stronger at home (3-1) compared to Thousand Oaks’ 3-3 home record, while Thousand Oaks has a notable advantage in away games, posting a 4-1 record.

In the playoffs, both teams have proven themselves resilient, with Pacifica and Thousand Oaks each posting 2-0 records in playoff games so far.

Keys to Victory

• Pacifica: The Tritons will need to continue their well-rounded offensive attack, balancing the rush and the pass to keep Thousand Oaks’ defense guessing. Their ability to score quickly and efficiently will be critical, and their strong defense will need to limit the Lancers’ passing game.
• Thousand Oaks: For the Lancers to succeed, Jackson Taylor and his receivers, particularly Hayden Vercher, must be able to move the ball through the air. They’ll also need a big performance from Justin Lewis in the run game to keep Pacifica’s defense honest. On defense, Thousand Oaks must focus on containing Pacifica’s passing game and stopping Alijah Royster on the ground.

Prediction

Pacifica enters the game as the favorite, especially with their higher-scoring offense and stronger overall defense. However, Thousand Oaks has proven to be a tough team, particularly in away games, and their potent passing attack led by Jackson Taylor will give them a fighting chance. Look for Pacifica to win in a relatively close game, but Thousand Oaks will keep it competitive with their balanced offense.

Conclusion

This Division 4 playoff game promises to be a closely contested battle between two evenly matched teams. With both Pacifica and Thousand Oaks boasting similar records and scoring averages, the team that can execute more consistently throughout the game will likely come out on top. Fans can expect an exciting and hard-fought contest with a spot in the next round on the line.