The Duarte (CA) varsity football team will face San Gabriel (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 14, where both teams will compete for a spot in the next round of the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: San Gabriel vs Duarte
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 14
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Duarte vs. San Gabriel

The 2024 CIF Southern Section Division 14 football playoffs will feature a neutral-site game between the Duarte (CA) and San Gabriel (CA) varsity football teams on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. With contrasting records and scoring trends, this matchup promises to be an exciting showdown.

Team Overview

San Gabriel enters the game with a 6-6 record. The team has shown resilience throughout the season, with a 3-2 league record and a solid 500 win percentage. Their offensive game has been relatively consistent, averaging 25.4 points per game, with their highest output in the fourth quarter (5.4 points). However, San Gabriel will face a tough challenge against Duarte’s powerful offense.

Duarte, on the other hand, has been dominant this season, boasting an 11-1 record. With a 4-1 league record, they have been nearly perfect, including a perfect 6-0 home record. Their offensive firepower is evident, scoring an average of 37.5 points per game. The team excels early, with an impressive 18 points per game in the first quarter, and has been consistently strong throughout the game, particularly in the second quarter (14.7 points).

Key Match-Up Insights

• Early Game Advantage: Duarte has a significant advantage in the early game, averaging 18 points in the first quarter compared to San Gabriel’s 4.4 points. San Gabriel will need to find a way to slow Duarte down early to stay competitive.
• Defensive Pressure: Duarte’s defense has been solid, allowing only 200 points across 12 games. San Gabriel, with 259 points allowed, will need to step up defensively to keep pace with Duarte’s high-scoring offense.
• Consistency vs. Explosiveness: San Gabriel’s offense has been steady, but Duarte’s explosive start in the first quarter and overall high scoring will be a key factor. If Duarte can maintain their early momentum, they will be hard to stop.

As playoff football heats up, one matchup stands out as a clash of styles and strengths: San Gabriel vs. Duarte. With contrasting records and distinct team dynamics, this game promises to be a thrilling contest. Let’s break down the teams, compare their stats, and preview what to expect when these two teams meet on the field.

Team Stat Comparison

San Gabriel and Duarte have similar offensive capabilities, but Duarte holds a noticeable edge in total yards per game, averaging 389.5 yards compared to San Gabriel’s more modest stats. Duarte excels through the air with 233.2 passing yards per game and 233.4 receiving yards, showcasing their high-powered passing game. On the other hand, San Gabriel’s offense is more balanced, relying on a versatile playmaker to contribute across both the ground and the air.

Both teams score efficiently, with Duarte averaging 28.3 points per game. While San Gabriel’s specific scoring average isn’t provided, they have a solid defensive and offensive mix that allows them to keep up with top-tier opponents.

Key Players

San Gabriel

• Avenn Ortiz (#1): The standout performer for San Gabriel, Ortiz is not only their top passer with 229.3 passing yards per game but also their leading rusher. Ortiz totals 301.3 yards per game, leading the team in total offense. With 7.0 points per game, he is the focal point of San Gabriel’s attack and will be key to their success.
• Jashion Wade (#4): A strong receiving threat, Wade averages 80.9 receiving yards per game, providing Ortiz with a reliable target in the passing game.

Duarte

• Avenn Ortiz (#1): The two teams share a star player, as Ortiz is also Duarte’s offensive leader. His dynamic playmaking ability allows Duarte to rely on him both in the air and on the ground. His strong passing stats (229.3 yards per game) combined with his rushing yards make him a dual-threat weapon.
• Jashion Wade (#4): Wade, like his counterpart at San Gabriel, plays a crucial role in the passing game, averaging 80.9 receiving yards per game and contributing significantly to Duarte’s overall offensive production.

Head-to-Head Insights

Both teams faced off against Mark Keppel, with San Gabriel winning 33-10 on October 18, while Duarte posted an even more dominant victory, 55-6, on September 27. These common wins suggest that both teams are capable of controlling the game, but Duarte’s larger margin of victory may indicate a more explosive offense.

Season Breakdown

San Gabriel enters the game with a 6-6 overall record, which includes a 3-2 mark in league play. Their performance has been steady but inconsistent, showing resilience in close games. Duarte, in contrast, has had an outstanding season with an 11-1 record, including an undefeated 5-0 record in non-league play. Duarte’s dominance in their regular season, especially in away games (4-1), indicates that they are a team built to perform in high-pressure situations.

Keys to Victory

• San Gabriel: The key for San Gabriel will be controlling the tempo of the game. Ortiz’s dual-threat ability gives them an edge, but they will need to establish a strong passing game to complement their solid rushing attack. On defense, stopping Duarte’s potent passing attack will be crucial.
• Duarte: Duarte’s success hinges on the continued strong performance of their offensive leader, Avenn Ortiz. They will look to capitalize on his passing and rushing skills while utilizing their depth in receiving to keep San Gabriel’s defense on their heels. Defensively, they must limit big plays from San Gabriel’s offense.

Prediction

Duarte’s offensive firepower and undefeated non-league record make them the favorites in this matchup. However, San Gabriel’s balanced attack, led by Avenn Ortiz, will ensure they are not an easy opponent. This game will likely be competitive, but Duarte’s high-scoring potential and experience in big games could give them the edge. Expect Duarte to emerge victorious in a high-scoring affair, but San Gabriel will keep it close with a strong performance from their playmaking quarterback.

Conclusion

This Division 14 playoff game pits Duarte’s high-powered offense against San Gabriel’s steady attack. Duarte’s early-game explosiveness and strong overall play make them the favorites, but San Gabriel will look to capitalize on any opportunity to slow down their opponent. With a spot in the next round of the playoffs on the line, this matchup is sure to deliver an exciting and competitive game.