The De La Salle (Concord, CA) varsity football team will face Pittsburg (CA) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 1/Open tournament, with both teams vying for postseason glory.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Pittsburg vs De La Salle
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 1/Open
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Pittsburg vs. De La Salle

The 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 1/Open tournament is set to showcase a marquee matchup as Pittsburg takes on De La Salle. Both teams have delivered dominant performances throughout the season, and this game promises to be a clash of two of California’s top high school football programs.

Rankings & Records

Pittsburg Pirates (24-25 Season)

• National Rank: 79
• California Rank: 22
• Section Rank: 2
• Division Rank: 1
• Overall Record: 10-1
• League Record: 5-0
• Home Record: 6-0
• Away Record: 4-1
• Winning Percentage: .909
• League Percentage: 1.000
• Points For (PF): 499
• Points Against (PA): 169

The Pirates have had a stellar season, with only one loss blemishing their 10-1 record. Their offensive firepower is undeniable, as they’ve averaged 45.4 points per game, with their strongest scoring in the first half. Their defense has also been solid, allowing just 169 points across 11 games. Pittsburg has shown dominance in league play, finishing undefeated, and they’ll rely on their explosive first and second quarters to establish an early lead in this critical playoff game.

De La Salle Spartans (24-25 Season)

• National Rank: 23
• California Rank: 9
• Section Rank: 1
• Division Rank: 1
• Overall Record: 11-0
• League Record: 3-0
• Home Record: 6-0
• Away Record: 5-0
• Winning Percentage: 1.000
• League Percentage: 1.000
• Points For (PF): 450
• Points Against (PA): 133

De La Salle continues to live up to its storied legacy, completing an undefeated regular season at 11-0. The Spartans have displayed a balanced approach, scoring 40.9 points per game while allowing just 133 points all season. Known for their disciplined execution, De La Salle excels in the second and third quarters, where they average 17 and 7.6 points, respectively. Their defense, among the best in the state, has been a cornerstone of their success, making them a tough opponent for any team.

Scoring Breakdown

Pittsburg Pirates

• Q1: 14.9
• Q2: 17.4
• Q3: 4.3
• Q4: 9.0

The Pirates’ offensive success is largely front-loaded, with significant production in the first and second quarters. Their ability to start strong and build a lead early has been crucial in their victories, though their third-quarter scoring dips before recovering in the fourth.

De La Salle Spartans

• Q1: 11.0
• Q2: 17.0
• Q3: 7.6
• Q4: 5.4

De La Salle’s scoring is more balanced throughout the game. They surge in the second and third quarters, which could be pivotal against Pittsburg’s early-game dominance. Their slightly lower scoring in the fourth quarter hasn’t been a concern due to their strong defense, which consistently shuts down opponents.

Matchup Analysis

Both teams come into this game with impressive records and potent offenses, but their strengths lie in different phases of the game. Pittsburg’s explosive starts could test De La Salle’s defense early, while the Spartans’ mid-game dominance and consistent defense may prove decisive.

De La Salle’s undefeated record and superior rankings make them the favorites, but Pittsburg’s high-scoring offense and ability to create early leads cannot be underestimated. This matchup could hinge on key turnovers, special teams play, and which team can impose its style of play over four quarters.

As two of California’s football powerhouses prepare for their much-anticipated matchup, Pittsburg and De La Salle bring elite-level play and strong records to the field. Both teams have excelled this season, making this showdown a compelling battle of offensive and defensive strengths. Let’s dive into the numbers and key factors.

Team Stat Comparison

Offense

• Rushing Yards Per Game: De La Salle showcases a punishing ground game, averaging 281.0 rushing yards per game, led by #22 Derrick Blanche with 82.7 yards per game. Pittsburg trails with 196.0 rushing yards per game, but #28 Jamar Searcy leads their ground attack with an impressive 109.0 yards per game, outpacing De La Salle’s top rusher.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Pittsburg dominates in the air, averaging 223.5 passing yards per game behind the arm of #12 Marley Alcantara (194.4 passing yards per game). De La Salle, in contrast, leans heavily on their rushing game, with just 96.2 passing yards per game.
• Total Yards Per Game: Pittsburg edges out De La Salle in total offense with 419.5 yards per game compared to De La Salle’s 377.2. This advantage is primarily due to Pittsburg’s balanced approach between rushing and passing.

Defense

• Tackles Per Game: Pittsburg averages 60.5 tackles per game, just ahead of De La Salle’s 59.3. Both teams bring aggressive defenses capable of making stops at critical moments.
• Sacks Per Game: De La Salle has a stronger pass rush, averaging 2.1 sacks per game compared to Pittsburg’s 1.4. Key contributors like #56 Matthew Johnson (0.6 sacks per game) for De La Salle and #8 Etene Pritchard (0.5 sacks per game) for Pittsburg will be vital in applying pressure.
• Points Per Game: Pittsburg has a slight scoring edge, averaging 43.7 points per game compared to De La Salle’s 40.5. Both teams are prolific scorers, and this game could turn into an offensive showcase.

Team Leaders

• Pittsburg:
  • Jamar Searcy (#28): Pittsburg’s workhorse on the ground, averaging 109.0 rushing yards and 10.9 points per game. His ability to find the end zone will be pivotal.
  • Marley Alcantara (#12): The quarterback is the heart of Pittsburg’s offense, contributing 194.4 passing yards and 210.5 total yards per game.
  • Kenneth Ward (#29): Top receiver for Pittsburg, averaging 48.9 receiving yards per game, adding depth to their passing attack.
• De La Salle:
  • Derrick Blanche (#22): A dynamic rusher, leading De La Salle with 82.7 yards per game on the ground.
  • Toa Faavae (#13): De La Salle’s dual-threat quarterback, contributing 63.5 passing yards and 110.5 total yards per game.
  • Niko Baumgartner (#11): A defensive standout, leading De La Salle with 7.1 tackles per game.
  • Matthew Johnson (#56): Anchors the defensive line with 0.6 sacks per game, key to disrupting Pittsburg’s offense.

Common Opponents

Both teams faced Clayton Valley Charter and delivered dominant wins:

• Pittsburg defeated Clayton Valley 35-14 on 11/15/24.
• De La Salle overwhelmed Clayton Valley 49-3 on 11/8/24.

While both teams displayed superiority against this common opponent, De La Salle’s larger margin of victory highlights their defensive and offensive efficiency.

Record Breakdown

Pittsburg (10-1)

• League Record: 5-0, showcasing dominance in conference play.
• Non-League Record: 4-1, proving they can compete outside their league.
• Home and Away: Balanced success with a 6-0 record at home and 4-1 on the road.
• Playoff Record: 1-0, continuing their strong postseason tradition.

De La Salle (11-0)

• League Record: 3-0, maintaining an unblemished record in league competition.
• Non-League Record: 7-0, demonstrating superiority against tough opponents.
• Home and Away: Perfect at home (6-0) and away (5-0), a testament to their consistency.
• Playoff Record: 1-0, setting the stage for a deeper postseason run.

Key Factors

• Offensive Styles: Pittsburg boasts a balanced attack with strong passing and rushing capabilities, while De La Salle relies heavily on their ground game. The team that imposes its offensive identity will likely dictate the game’s pace.
• Defensive Pressure: De La Salle’s ability to generate sacks could be critical in limiting Pittsburg’s passing game. Conversely, Pittsburg’s tackling prowess must neutralize De La Salle’s rushing attack.
• Star Players: Jamar Searcy’s performance for Pittsburg and Derrick Blanche’s contributions for De La Salle will be game-changing. The team that gets more production from its star players will have the upper hand.

Prediction

This matchup is shaping up to be a clash of titans. Pittsburg’s balanced offense will challenge De La Salle’s defense, but De La Salle’s dominant ground game and consistent performance make them a formidable opponent. Expect a closely fought battle with the winner likely decided in the trenches. Both teams are championship-caliber, and this game could serve as a preview of deeper playoff success.

Conclusion

The Pittsburg-De La Salle showdown is shaping up to be one of the most exciting games in the 2024 North Coast Section playoffs. Both teams are championship-caliber, and the winner of this game will solidify its status as one of the best in California. Fans can expect a thrilling battle as these two powerhouse programs clash under the Friday night lights.