The Poway varsity football team will face Mater Dei Catholic from Chula Vista in a highly anticipated neutral-site playoff game tonight at 7:30 p.m. This clash is part of the 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships in Division II, promising an exciting matchup between two competitive teams vying for glory.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Poway (CA) vs Mater Dei Catholic (CA)
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships (California) – Division II
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Mater Dei Catholic vs. Poway

The Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders (9-3) and the Poway Titans (5-7) will face off in a postseason battle that highlights the stark differences in their seasons. Mater Dei Catholic enters the game riding high on a balanced offensive attack and strong postseason momentum, while Poway looks to capitalize on grit and determination to turn their season around. Here’s how the two teams compare heading into this matchup.

Statistical Comparison

Mater Dei Catholic has showcased a dominant and well-rounded offense, outpacing Poway in almost every statistical category.

• Offense:
  The Crusaders boast an impressive 429.3 total yards per game, fueled by quarterback Kartell Purvis, who averages 236.7 passing yards and 250.5 total yards per game. Gael Aguilar adds consistency to the rushing attack, averaging 57.0 yards per game. Isaiah Cook leads the receiving corps with 80.7 yards per game.
  Poway, while not as explosive, has a capable offense led by running back Luke Jorgensen, who averages 85.3 rushing yards per game, and quarterback Ty Hurst, who contributes 172.8 passing yards and 174.3 total yards per game.
• Defense:
  Mater Dei Catholic’s defense has been steady, averaging 57.3 tackles per game, with Noah Cook leading the charge at 7.7 tackles per game. However, their pass rush has struggled, managing only 0.8 sacks per game.
  Poway averages 43.9 tackles per game, led by Oliver Vera’s 5.5 tackles per contest, and has a slightly stronger pass rush, averaging 1.5 sacks per game.
• Scoring:
  The Crusaders outscore the Titans on average, posting 30.8 points per game compared to Poway’s 25.7. Poway will need to find ways to match Mater Dei Catholic’s offensive output to stay competitive.

Key Players

• Mater Dei Catholic:
  • Kartell Purvis (QB): The centerpiece of the Crusaders’ offense, Purvis has been stellar, averaging 236.7 passing yards and contributing significantly to their playoff run.
  • Isaiah Cook (WR): Cook is a consistent downfield threat, leading the team in receiving yards per game.
  • Noah Cook (LB): Anchors the defense with 7.7 tackles per game.
• Poway:
  • Luke Jorgensen (RB): Poway’s primary offensive weapon, Jorgensen averages 85.3 rushing yards and 8.5 points per game.
  • Ty Hurst (QB): Hurst provides versatility with his dual-threat ability, averaging 172.8 passing yards and contributing significantly to Poway’s total offense.
  • Bobby McKay (DL): Leads the Titans’ pass rush with 0.4 sacks per game.

Common Opponent

Both teams have faced St. Augustine this season, and each came away victorious.

• Mater Dei Catholic narrowly defeated St. Augustine 13-10 on September 27, showcasing their ability to win close, defensive games.
• Poway secured a more decisive 34-16 victory on August 30, powered by a strong offensive performance.

Record Breakdown

Mater Dei Catholic’s 9-3 record includes an undefeated league run (4-0) and a perfect postseason showing so far (2-0). Their success on the road (4-1) and at home (5-2) demonstrates their consistency.

Poway’s 5-7 record reflects a challenging season, including a winless league campaign (0-5). However, their 2-0 postseason record indicates they’ve hit their stride at the right time.

Keys to Victory

• Mater Dei Catholic:
  The Crusaders need to leverage their high-powered offense to control the game. Kartell Purvis and Isaiah Cook will be key in exploiting Poway’s secondary. On defense, containing Luke Jorgensen and forcing Poway to rely on their passing game will be critical.
• Poway:
  The Titans must find ways to disrupt Mater Dei Catholic’s rhythm, particularly by pressuring Purvis. Offensively, Luke Jorgensen will need a standout performance, and Ty Hurst must spread the ball effectively to keep the Crusaders’ defense guessing.

Prediction

Mater Dei Catholic enters this matchup as the clear favorite, thanks to their superior offensive firepower and balanced attack. Poway’s resilience and recent playoff momentum can’t be overlooked, but they will need to play their best game of the season to keep up. Expect the Crusaders to dictate the pace and secure a hard-fought victory.