The De La Salle varsity football team will face San Marin in a home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 1/Open tournament, where both teams will battle for a chance to advance in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football
Who: San Marin vs De La Salle
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 1/Open
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: De La Salle vs. San Marin

As the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships heat up, one of the most anticipated matchups is between De La Salle and San Marin. This Division 1/Open tournament game will feature two teams with vastly different seasons, but both with the talent to make a deep playoff run.

San Marin: Strong Performance Despite Tough League Play

San Marin (7-3) enters the playoffs with a solid overall record, but a mixed league performance of 2-3. Despite their challenges within the league, the Mustangs have managed to be effective both at home (3-2) and on the road (4-1), giving them a win percentage of .700. Their offense has averaged 25.2 points per game (PF), with their scoring peaking in the third quarter, where they average 7.3 points. However, their defense has allowed 219 points (PA) throughout the season, which could be a potential weakness against a powerhouse like De La Salle.

De La Salle: An Unbeaten Giant

On the other hand, De La Salle enters the playoffs as the top-ranked team in the section and with an undefeated record of 10-0. The Spartans have dominated all season, finishing with a perfect 3-0 league record and an impressive 5-0 at home and away. Their win percentage of 1.000 reflects their dominance, with a commanding 408 points scored (PF) and just 123 points allowed (PA). De La Salle has averaged a staggering 40.8 points per game, with their offense especially explosive in the second quarter, where they put up an average of 16.0 points. Despite their large margins of victory, the Spartans’ scoring dipped a bit in the second half, but their strong first half and reliable defense have been more than enough to secure victories.

Game Outlook: De La Salle’s High-Powered Offense vs. San Marin’s Resilience

This game pits De La Salle’s high-powered offense against San Marin’s gritty team effort. De La Salle will look to continue its offensive dominance, especially in the first half, where they have been able to build significant leads. San Marin, though, will need to capitalize on its balanced scoring throughout the game to stand a chance. The Mustangs’ defense will have its work cut out, trying to slow down the potent De La Salle offense while also finding ways to score against the Spartans’ stingy defense.

As both teams prepare for what promises to be an exciting playoff showdown, all eyes will be on whether San Marin can pull off an upset or if De La Salle will continue its perfect season and take another step toward championship glory.

As the season draws to a close, the upcoming matchup between San Marin and De La Salle promises to be a thrilling contest between two teams with contrasting styles of play. While De La Salle has had a perfect season so far, San Marin has proven to be a formidable opponent. Let’s break down the teams’ statistics, highlight their standout players, and analyze their performance this season to see how these two teams match up.

Team Comparison

One of the most glaring differences between these two teams is their rushing offenses. De La Salle boasts a dominant rushing game, averaging 273.2 yards per game, far outpacing San Marin’s 123.5 yards per game. Leading the charge for De La Salle is Derrick Blanche, who averages 83.5 rushing yards per game. San Marin’s top rusher, Jonah Lozano, contributes a solid 52.2 yards per game but faces a much stiffer challenge against De La Salle’s powerhouse rushing attack.

In the passing game, San Marin has the upper hand, averaging 158.3 passing yards per game compared to De La Salle’s 92.8. Quarterback Daniel Rolovich has been key to San Marin’s passing success, averaging 158.3 yards per game and 204.8 total yards per game. In contrast, De La Salle’s offensive approach is more balanced, with Toa Faavae leading the team with 62.7 passing yards per game. The difference in passing yards reflects the difference in offensive philosophies—San Marin leans on the air attack, while De La Salle focuses on ground control.

When it comes to overall yardage, De La Salle again leads with 366.0 total yards per game compared to San Marin’s 281.8. Despite this, San Marin has managed to stay competitive due to their balanced offensive scheme and solid defensive play, as they average 22.8 points per game, while De La Salle averages a higher 40.9 points per game.

Defensively, De La Salle has been the stronger team, averaging 58.6 tackles per game compared to San Marin’s 41.0. The defensive line of De La Salle is also slightly more disruptive, with 2.0 sacks per game versus 1.9 sacks per game for San Marin.

Team Leaders

Both teams feature key players who have been pivotal to their success this season.

For San Marin, Jonah Lozano has been the lead rusher, while Daniel Rolovich is the team’s primary passer and total yards leader with 204.8 yards per game. Wesley Timmel is the leading receiver with 79.1 yards per game and also contributes 8.0 points per game. Defensively, Daniel Gilmore has been a standout with 7.4 tackles per game.

On the De La Salle side, Derrick Blanche has been a dominant force in the running game, averaging 83.5 yards per game, while Toa Faavae has been the key passer with 62.7 yards per game. Landon Cook contributes as a receiver, though his impact in yards per game is lower (29.0). Defensively, Niko Baumgartner has been impressive with 6.9 tackles per game, and Matthew Johnson leads in sacks with 0.6 per game.

Record Breakdown

De La Salle enters this matchup with a perfect 10-0 record, showcasing their dominance in both league and non-league play. Their ability to win on the road (5-0) has been one of their keys to success, while San Marin, with a solid 7-3 overall record, has had a mixed season in league play (2-3), but a strong showing in non-league games (5-0). De La Salle has been flawless in their league matchups, going 3-0.

The contrast in records is also evident in the teams’ home and away performances. De La Salle has been unbeatable on the road, with a perfect 5-0 away record, while San Marin has a respectable 3-2 record at home. Both teams have a balanced in-state and out-of-state record, but De La Salle’s consistency in all areas has been evident as they look to extend their undefeated streak.

Conclusion

When San Marin faces off against De La Salle, the matchup will be a battle of contrasts—De La Salle’s powerful running game against San Marin’s more balanced offensive approach. While De La Salle has had the superior season with a perfect 10-0 record, San Marin will look to challenge them with their passing game and defensive efforts. The key to victory for San Marin will likely be to slow down De La Salle’s rushing attack and capitalize on their passing opportunities. For De La Salle, maintaining their ground dominance while continuing to limit passing opportunities for San Marin will be crucial. Fans can expect an exciting contest as these two teams face off in what promises to be an intense and highly competitive game.