The El Rancho varsity football team from Pico Rivera, CA, will face San Gorgonio from San Bernardino, CA, in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 11 tournament, setting up an exciting clash.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: San Gorgonio vs El Rancho
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 11
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: El Rancho vs. San Gorgonio

The El Rancho varsity football team from Pico Rivera, CA, will face San Gorgonio from San Bernardino, CA, in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 11 tournament, and both teams are bringing impressive records to the table.

Team Records and Rankings

San Gorgonio enters the contest with a strong 9-2 record, having gone 2-1 in league play. The team has proven dominant at home (5-1) and on the road (3-1), with a perfect record in neutral-site games (1-0). With a win percentage of .818 and scoring 395 points while allowing just 178, San Gorgonio has had an excellent season.

El Rancho, on the other hand, has posted an 8-4 record and a 2-2 mark in league play. The team has been competitive both at home (4-2) and on the road (4-2), with a slightly lower win percentage of .667. They have scored 347 points while giving up 275, indicating their strong offense and moderate defensive challenges.

Scoring Averages

San Gorgonio has been efficient on offense, averaging 35.9 points per game. The team starts strong in the first half, averaging 4.0 points in the first quarter and a more impressive 15.8 points in the second. They also perform well in the third quarter, averaging 11.8 points, although their offense tends to slow down a bit in the fourth quarter, scoring just 2.5 points.

El Rancho has averaged 28.9 points per game, starting strong in the first quarter with 5.7 points. Their offense peaks in the second quarter, scoring 11.5 points, but their scoring drops off in the second half with only 7.2 points in the third and 3.3 points in the fourth. If El Rancho is to advance, they’ll need to maintain offensive consistency throughout all four quarters.

Key Matchup Insights

This game features two teams with solid records and effective offenses. San Gorgonio’s balanced scoring attack will face a challenge from El Rancho’s high-powered offense. The key for San Gorgonio will be maintaining their early-game momentum and managing their offense throughout the second half, especially in the fourth quarter. El Rancho, however, will need to stay consistent across all four quarters, especially in the second half, to keep up with San Gorgonio’s scoring potential.

What’s at Stake?

A win in this playoff game would propel either team further in the CIF Southern Section Football Championships, bringing them closer to a possible championship. With both teams capable of putting up big numbers, fans can expect a thrilling, high-stakes showdown in the Division 11 playoffs.

As the 2024 season comes to an exciting close, San Gorgonio and El Rancho have both posted impressive records, with San Gorgonio at 9-2 and El Rancho at 8-4. These two teams have excelled in different areas, and the upcoming matchup promises to be a thrilling contest. Let’s break down how these teams compare across several key categories.

Offensive Comparison

• Rushing Yards: San Gorgonio leads in rushing yards, averaging 216.8 yards per game. The team’s success on the ground is fueled by Reshawn Holmes, who contributes 102.1 rushing yards per game. El Rancho, though trailing with 163.6 rushing yards per game, still boasts solid performances from Anthony Orihuela, who averages 73.5 yards per game. San Gorgonio’s ability to dominate on the ground will be a key factor in their offensive strategy.
• Passing Yards: Both teams show strong passing capabilities, though San Gorgonio edges out El Rancho in this category, with 189.8 passing yards per game compared to El Rancho’s 165.9. Jacob Russell leads San Gorgonio’s passing attack with 185.1 yards per game, while El Rancho’s Ryan Dominguez keeps his team competitive with 158.8 yards per game. San Gorgonio’s slightly higher passing yards could provide an additional layer to their offensive balance.
• Receiving Yards: San Gorgonio’s receiving corps also outperforms El Rancho’s, averaging 189.8 yards per game compared to 165.7 for El Rancho. Kaleb Taylor leads San Gorgonio’s receiving game with 49.5 yards per game, while El Rancho’s Andrew Guerrero contributes 71.9 yards per game. While both teams are effective in the air, San Gorgonio’s depth in the passing game offers a more balanced offensive attack.
• Total Yards: San Gorgonio puts up 406.6 total yards per game, showcasing a highly efficient offense that blends both the run and pass. El Rancho averages 329.5 total yards per game, which, while strong, is less than San Gorgonio’s. The difference in total yardage is indicative of San Gorgonio’s ability to move the ball in multiple ways and sustain longer drives.

Defensive Comparison

• Tackles Per Game: San Gorgonio’s defense averages 80.6 tackles per game, showing a strong presence on the field. John Rubio leads the team with 9.3 tackles per game. El Rancho’s defense records 63.5 tackles per game, with Julian Acero leading the team at 9.8 tackles per game. San Gorgonio’s higher tackle count suggests they are more active defensively, which could be crucial in a tightly contested game.
• Sacks Per Game: San Gorgonio again has the advantage here, averaging 3.2 sacks per game compared to El Rancho’s 1.3. This indicates a more aggressive pass rush from San Gorgonio, which could be vital in disrupting opposing offenses. Adrian Favela contributes 0.8 sacks per game for San Gorgonio, while El Rancho’s Javier Hernandez records 0.5 sacks per game. San Gorgonio’s ability to pressure the quarterback will be an important factor in slowing down El Rancho’s passing game.

Scoring Comparison

• Points Per Game: San Gorgonio averages 36.1 points per game, significantly higher than El Rancho’s 28.8. This offensive explosiveness makes San Gorgonio one of the more potent teams in the region. Kaleb Taylor is the top scorer for San Gorgonio with 7.1 points per game, while El Rancho’s Andrew Guerrero leads his team with 5.5 points per game. San Gorgonio’s ability to score more consistently could give them an edge in high-stakes situations.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Record: San Gorgonio finished the regular season with a strong 9-2 record, while El Rancho ended with 8-4. Both teams have shown consistent performance throughout the season, with San Gorgonio having a slightly better overall record.
• League Record: San Gorgonio posted a solid 2-1 league record, while El Rancho recorded a 2-2 league record. This shows that while both teams were competitive within their respective leagues, San Gorgonio had a slight edge in league matchups.
• Non-League Record: San Gorgonio had an impressive 5-1 record in non-league play, while El Rancho finished 4-2. San Gorgonio’s success against non-league opponents suggests they were battle-tested against tough competition.
• Home/Away Record: San Gorgonio posted a 5-1 record at home and a 4-1 record away, showing their ability to perform well on the road. El Rancho’s record is similarly strong, with a 4-2 record at home and a 4-2 record away, demonstrating their versatility in different environments.
• Playoff Record: Both teams are playoff-bound, with San Gorgonio and El Rancho both recording a 2-0 playoff record. This suggests both teams have been performing at a high level when it matters most.

Conclusion

San Gorgonio and El Rancho have both shown exceptional strength throughout the season, with San Gorgonio leading in several key areas such as total yardage, rushing yards, and points per game. However, El Rancho is no slouch, with a strong passing game and solid individual performances from players like Ryan Dominguez and Andrew Guerrero. The key to this matchup will likely be San Gorgonio’s ability to use their offensive depth and aggressive defense to overpower El Rancho, while El Rancho will need to capitalize on their passing game and defensive resilience to keep the game close.

This matchup promises to be an exciting showdown between two teams with differing strengths, but both with the capability to make a deep playoff run.