The Burlingame varsity football team from Burlingame, CA, will face Sacred Heart Prep from Atherton, CA, in a neutral playoff game today at 1 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships (California) – Division IV tournament, promising an exciting clash between these talented teams.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: California State Football Championship
Who: Sacred Heart Prep vs Burlingame
When: Today, November 30, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships (California) – Division IV
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Burlingame vs. Sacred Heart Prep
Today at 1 PM, the 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships – Division IV tournament will feature a compelling matchup between the Burlingame Panthers and the Sacred Heart Prep Gators. The game, played at a neutral site, promises to deliver a competitive clash as both teams look to make their mark in the postseason.
Team Overview
Sacred Heart Prep
The Gators enter the game with a 6-6 overall record, having faced a tough league schedule. They finished their league play with a 1-4 record, but they’ve proven resilient with a solid 4-3 record in away games. Sacred Heart Prep has struggled to consistently put points on the board, averaging just 18.7 points per game. Their scoring tends to pick up in the final quarter, where they average 6.0 points. However, their offense has been relatively quiet in the middle periods, which may present challenges against a team like Burlingame.
Burlingame
The Panthers come into this matchup with an 8-4 record, including a strong 5-1 mark at home and an impressive 1-0 record in neutral-site games. Burlingame’s offense has been more prolific this season, averaging 21.3 points per game. They excel in the second quarter, where they score an average of 7.5 points, which could help them establish momentum early. Despite some struggles away from home, Burlingame’s balanced attack and solid scoring have made them a tough opponent all year.
Key Factors to Watch
- Scoring Differences: Burlingame has shown more consistent offensive firepower, with a higher scoring average than Sacred Heart Prep. If the Gators are unable to keep pace, Burlingame’s offense may be hard to stop.
- Late-Game Push: Sacred Heart Prep tends to score well in the final quarter. Their ability to stay competitive late in the game could become a key factor if they are behind going into the fourth.
- Defensive Resilience: Burlingame has allowed only 199 points this season, while Sacred Heart Prep has given up 242. Burlingame’s defense may prove critical in limiting Sacred Heart Prep’s ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
As the high school football season progresses, Sacred Heart Prep and Burlingame are set to face off in what promises to be an exciting contest. Both teams have had their ups and downs throughout the season, but their performances in the postseason have been impressive. With both teams possessing similar statistics and a history of competitive games, the matchup is shaping up to be a thrilling encounter.
Team Comparison: A Battle of Balanced Offenses
Sacred Heart Prep has proven to be a balanced offensive team this season, averaging 180.3 rushing yards per game and 89.3 passing yards per game, for a total of 269.5 yards per game. They rely heavily on the ground game, with standout rusher Maxime Morelle (#46) leading the way with 79.7 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Max Courson (#18) has also been a key contributor, passing for 84.6 yards per game and adding 91.8 total yards per game.
Burlingame, while not as dominant in the rushing department, is a similarly well-rounded team. They average 166.4 rushing yards per game and 106.2 passing yards per game, totaling 272.6 yards per game. Lucas Kirk (#4) has been the main force for Burlingame’s offense, rushing for 83.6 yards per game and totaling 117.6 yards per game. Quarterback Luke Levitt (#9) has shown his playmaking ability, passing for 106.2 yards per game.
Both teams are capable of executing on both sides of the ball, but Sacred Heart Prep has been a bit more reliant on their rushing attack, while Burlingame has found more success through the air.
Defensive Strengths: Edge to Sacred Heart Prep
On the defensive side of the ball, Sacred Heart Prep averages 54.4 tackles per game and 0.5 sacks per game, which speaks to their ability to disrupt opposing offenses. Jack Barton (#42) has been a standout, averaging 6.3 tackles per game.
Burlingame, meanwhile, averages 48.3 tackles per game and 0.4 sacks per game. While their defense is solid, Cole Hardtke (#2) leads the team with 8.3 tackles per game, which helps keep the Panthers competitive on that side of the ball. Despite the strong defensive efforts, Sacred Heart Prep’s overall defensive numbers give them a slight edge in this department.
Common Opponents: A Tight Race
Both teams have faced off against common opponents this season, with similar results:
- Half Moon Bay: Both teams lost narrowly to Half Moon Bay, with Sacred Heart Prep falling 22-21 and Burlingame losing 21-18.
- King’s Academy: Sacred Heart Prep won both meetings with King’s Academy, while Burlingame dropped their matchup 28-21.
- Hillsdale: Both teams secured victories against Hillsdale, with Sacred Heart Prep winning 21-14 and Burlingame triumphing 21-12.
- Wilcox: Burlingame came out on top against Wilcox with a 19-18 win, while Sacred Heart Prep lost 35-7 in their meeting.
In terms of common opponents, Sacred Heart Prep holds a slight advantage with a 3-2 record, compared to Burlingame’s 2-2.
Season Performance: Playoff Hopes on the Line
Sacred Heart Prep (6-6) has had a somewhat inconsistent season, but they’ve managed to perform well in non-league games and have shown resilience in the playoffs, boasting a 2-0 postseason record. Their league struggles (1-4) were a setback, but their overall record and playoff performance suggest they’re a team capable of making a deep run.
Burlingame (8-4), with a solid 3-2 league record and strong performances at home (5-1), enters the playoffs with confidence. They’ve also gone undefeated in neutral-site games (2-0) and possess a 2-0 playoff record, making them one of the more dangerous teams in the postseason.
Conclusion: A Tight Battle Ahead
With both teams showing strength on both sides of the ball, the Sacred Heart Prep vs. Burlingame matchup will likely come down to execution and the ability to capitalize on key moments. Sacred Heart Prep’s balanced offense and solid defense will be tested against Burlingame’s high-powered passing attack and playmaking ability. Given their performance in the postseason, both teams are primed for a competitive and exciting game that could go either way. Football fans should be ready for a thrilling contest as both teams aim to secure a spot in the next round.
