The Menlo School (Atherton, CA) varsity football team will face Palma (Salinas, CA) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships (California) – Division II tournament, where both teams aim for victory.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Palma vs Menlo School
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships (California) – Division II
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Palma vs Menlo School
The basketball season is in full swing, and as teams battle it out on the court, some games stand out more than others. One such matchup between Palma and Menlo School in California’s Section 203 is poised to offer excitement, with both teams showing varying strengths throughout the season.
Palma (24-25) Performance Overview
Palma’s season has been a mixed bag, as they hold an overall record of 6-5. However, their league performance of 2-4 shows that they have struggled to make an impact in their conference games. With a solid home record of 4-1, Palma has proven to be a force on its own court, but their struggles away, with a 2-4 record, suggest they may need to work on consistency when playing in hostile environments.
The team’s scoring profile reflects an offense that shows promise but lacks consistency. They average 28.5 points per game, with notable peaks in their first and second quarters, where they score 5.3 and 10.9 points, respectively. However, their performance drops in the third and fourth quarters, where they average 6.0 and 4.8 points, respectively. Defensively, they allow 213 points on the season, averaging 19.36 points allowed per game.
Menlo School (24-25) Performance Overview
Menlo School has been more successful this season, posting an 8-3 overall record, which speaks to their consistency. Their league record of 2-3 is relatively modest but still a step above Palma’s, indicating that they have been more competitive in their conference matchups. With a strong 4-1 record at home and an equally impressive 4-1 away performance, Menlo School has demonstrated they can thrive in both home and away settings.
Offensively, Menlo School averages 29.4 points per game, just edging Palma by a narrow margin. They perform consistently throughout the game, with their scoring spread relatively evenly across all four quarters. Their highest output comes in the fourth quarter, where they average 7.9 points per game. Their first-quarter scoring is also a highlight, with 5.9 points, slightly ahead of Palma’s early game performance.
Defensively, Menlo School has given up 214 points on the season, averaging 19.45 points allowed per game—just slightly more than Palma’s defensive average.
Key Matchup Highlights
- Offensive Consistency: Menlo School holds a slight edge in scoring, with an overall average of 29.4 points compared to Palma’s 28.5 points per game. However, Menlo’s consistent scoring across all four quarters gives them an advantage over Palma, whose scoring drops significantly in the third and fourth periods.
- Quarter Performance: Palma’s performance in the second quarter, where they score 10.9 points, is notable, but their lack of scoring depth in the second half could pose a challenge. Menlo’s ability to score 7.9 points in the fourth quarter and maintain a steady offensive rhythm could prove decisive in a close game.
- Defensive Stability: With both teams allowing similar points per game, the game may ultimately come down to which team can better capitalize on defensive stops and turn them into offensive opportunities.
As the football season unfolds, a closer look at the team statistics and individual leaders for both Palma and Menlo School reveals an intriguing matchup between two competitive programs. While Palma has put together a strong performance this year, Menlo School boasts impressive stats, especially in passing and total offense. Let’s break down the stats and compare the teams.
Offensive Comparison
Rushing Attack
Palma leads Menlo School in rushing yards per game, averaging 227.1 yards compared to Menlo’s 104.4. The Palma rushing game is anchored by standout player Eli Dukes, who averages an impressive 156.7 rushing yards per game, which significantly outpaces Menlo’s Chuck Wynn (63.4 ypg). The ground game is a central component of Palma’s offensive success.
Passing Game
In contrast, Menlo School excels in passing yards, averaging 171.5 yards per game compared to Palma’s 96.3. Menlo’s quarterback, Jack Freehill, has been a standout with 167.4 passing yards per game. For Palma, Patrick Driscoll leads the way with 91.1 passing yards per game. Menlo’s aerial attack gives them a more balanced offensive approach, making them versatile in different game situations.
Receiving and Total Yardage
Both teams are fairly similar when it comes to receiving yards per game, with Palma averaging 96.3 yards and Menlo 171.4 yards. Lucas Milburn of Palma leads his team with 37.1 receiving yards per game, while Jamie Forese of Menlo contributes 56.0 yards per game. Menlo’s ability to generate more total yards, averaging 275.9 yards per game compared to Palma’s 323.4, is largely due to their more potent passing game.
Defensive Comparison
While the offensive stats are telling, both teams also demonstrate strong defensive capabilities. However, specific tackle and sack numbers highlight some key differences:
Tackles Per Game
Palma has yet to report its average number of tackles per game, but Menlo’s defense is solid with an average of 41.5 tackles per game, led by David Mhatre, who averages 8.5 tackles per game. Palma’s defense, although less detailed, has consistently been a formidable unit with players like Mhatre stepping up for Menlo.
Sacks Per Game
Both teams feature impactful defensive lines. Menlo averages 2.1 sacks per game, with Mhatre contributing a key role with 0.9 sacks per game. Palma’s overall sack number is not specified, but their defense has proven capable of pressuring the quarterback when necessary.
Special Teams & Miscellaneous Stats
Pancake Blocks
On the offensive line, Kyle Mahaffey of Palma stands out with 35 pancake blocks, a testament to the strength of their offensive line. Menlo, by comparison, has 22 pancake blocks, with Mhatre contributing some significant blocks of his own.
Points Per Game
Palma averages 28.5 points per game, just ahead of Menlo’s 26.9. This slight edge suggests that Palma’s offensive game is a little more potent overall, aided by a strong rushing attack and efficient scoring. Dukes also plays a major role in Palma’s scoring with 8.4 points per game, leading the team in touchdowns and yardage.
Record Comparison
Both teams have relatively similar overall records, with Palma standing at 6-5 and Menlo School at 8-3. However, Palma has a slightly more challenging league record of 2-4, while Menlo has managed a 2-3 league record. Palma’s success in non-league games, boasting a 3-1 record, shows their ability to compete at a high level outside their league, though Menlo’s overall record gives them a slight edge.
Home and Away Performance
Both teams are strong at home, with Palma boasting a 4-1 record and Menlo achieving a 4-2 record in away games. Palma’s away performance of 2-4 contrasts with Menlo’s impressive 4-1 away record, indicating Menlo’s strength in hostile environments.
Conclusion
This game promises to be an exciting one, with Palma relying on a dominant rushing attack and Menlo School leaning on a high-powered passing game. Palma’s edge in total yardage and scoring might give them a slight advantage, but Menlo’s defensive consistency and ability to put up points through the air make them a formidable opponent. Both teams have strengths that could make for a thrilling, tightly contested game.
