The St. Augustine varsity football team faces San Pasqual today at 3:30 p.m. in a neutral-site playoff game. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships – Division III tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California State Football Championship
Who: San Pasqual vs St. Augustine
When: Today, November 30, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships (California) – Division III
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: San Pasqual vs. St. Augustine

The 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships – Division III tournament is set to feature an exciting matchup between San Pasqual and St. Augustine today at 3:30 p.m. in a neutral-site playoff game. While both teams have had varied seasons, the game promises to be a key test for both squads as they compete for a spot in the next round of the postseason.

San Pasqual’s Strong Season

San Pasqual enters the game with a solid 7-5 overall record and a .583 win percentage. The Golden Eagles had a strong league performance, finishing 4-2 with a .667 league win rate, which helped them secure a place in the playoffs. While their away games have been a bit challenging, with a 2-3 record on the road, San Pasqual has been perfect in neutral-site games, winning 1-0.

Offensively, San Pasqual has averaged 26.1 points per game this season. Their scoring has been steady, with 3.5 points in the first quarter and 7.0 points in the fourth quarter, showing that they can close games strong. However, their offense has been much less productive in the second and third quarters, with no points in the second and only 0 in the third. This could pose a challenge against a St. Augustine team looking to exploit any inconsistencies.

St. Augustine’s Tough Season

St. Augustine has faced a challenging season, entering the game with a 3-10 overall record and a .231 win percentage. The Saints struggled in league play, finishing 0-4, which has been a major hurdle for the team. Despite their difficulties, St. Augustine has managed to win 2 of their 7 away games, showing resilience in some tough matchups. However, their performance in neutral-site games has been a concern, with a 1-5 record.

Offensively, St. Augustine has averaged just 10.2 points per game, which is significantly lower than San Pasqual’s. They have struggled to generate consistent offense, especially in the first and second quarters, where they score only 1.0 and 1.9 points, respectively. Their third-quarter performance is slightly better at 3.9 points, but they struggle to sustain momentum. St. Augustine’s lack of scoring in the later stages of games, particularly in the fourth quarter where they average only 0.9 points, will be a key area of concern against a more consistent San Pasqual team.

Key Matchup: Offense vs. Defense

• Scoring Efficiency: San Pasqual’s ability to score more consistently throughout the game, particularly in the fourth quarter, could be a key advantage. While St. Augustine has struggled to maintain offensive momentum, they will need to capitalize on any opportunities to keep pace with San Pasqual’s scoring.
• Defensive Pressure: St. Augustine’s defense will be tested by San Pasqual’s offense, which has shown it can produce in the final quarter. With St. Augustine’s struggles in the second half of games, their defense will need to hold firm against San Pasqual’s stronger fourth-quarter play.
• Game Flow: San Pasqual’s ability to score in the fourth quarter (7.0 points) could make a difference in a close game. Meanwhile, St. Augustine must find a way to generate offense in the early stages and avoid falling behind.

As the 2024-2025 high school football season draws to a close, two teams from contrasting backgrounds—San Pasqual and St. Augustine—have emerged with distinctly different records and playing styles. San Pasqual, with a 7-5 record, has displayed a more balanced and effective offensive game, while St. Augustine, at 3-10, has struggled to find success, especially in league play. Here’s a deeper dive into their team stats, individual leaders, and overall performances as they head into the final stages of the season.

Team Stat Comparison

San Pasqual:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: 99.3
• Passing Yards Per Game: 162.2
• Receiving Yards Per Game: 162.2
• Total Yards Per Game: 261.5
• Tackles Per Game: 50.9
• Sacks Per Game: 1.5
• Points Per Game: 23.2

St. Augustine:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: 89.3
• Passing Yards Per Game: 67.6
• Receiving Yards Per Game: 66.5
• Total Yards Per Game: 156.9
• Tackles Per Game: 65.4
• Sacks Per Game: 1.1
• Points Per Game: 10.2

San Pasqual has a distinct edge in both offensive and defensive categories. They average 261.5 total yards per game, significantly outpacing St. Augustine’s 156.9. This is reflected in their well-rounded offense, which combines a solid rushing attack with a potent passing game. In comparison, St. Augustine has struggled offensively, particularly with their passing game, averaging just 67.6 passing yards per game.

On the defensive side, while St. Augustine records more tackles per game (65.4), San Pasqual’s defense has been slightly more disruptive, with 1.5 sacks per game compared to St. Augustine’s 1.1. San Pasqual’s ability to apply pressure on the opposing quarterback has helped them control games, leading to more consistent performances.

Team Leaders

San Pasqual:

• Robert Renteria (44.2 Rushing Yards Per Game): Renteria leads the team in rushing and has been a key player in San Pasqual’s offensive success.
• Robert Renteria (173.2 Passing Yards Per Game): In addition to his rushing duties, Renteria has been solid in the passing game, contributing significantly to the team’s total yards.
• Marcos Rocha (97.8 Receiving Yards Per Game): Rocha has been a top target for Renteria, making big plays in the receiving game and helping to move the ball downfield.
• Robert Renteria (217.4 Total Yards Per Game): As the team’s offensive centerpiece, Renteria’s versatility has allowed San Pasqual to maintain a balanced attack.
• Landen Lockwood (11.5 Tackles Per Game): Lockwood has been a steady presence on defense, consistently making tackles and contributing to the team’s overall defensive efforts.

St. Augustine:

• Caelyb Aguirre (48.1 Rushing Yards Per Game): Aguirre has been the primary rusher for St. Augustine, although his yardage is modest compared to his counterparts.
• Kekoa Da Luz (73.5 Passing Yards Per Game): Da Luz has been the team’s main passing threat, though his yardage is significantly lower than the more prolific quarterbacks around him.
• Dillon Tar (18.6 Receiving Yards Per Game): Tar has been St. Augustine’s leading receiver, contributing to the team’s aerial attack.
• Kekoa Da Luz (74.0 Total Yards Per Game): Despite limited passing opportunities, Da Luz leads the team in total yards, reflecting his dual-threat capabilities.
• Pai Polamalu (9.6 Tackles Per Game): Polamalu leads the defense with a solid tackle count, showing that St. Augustine’s defense remains competitive, even if their offense struggles.

While San Pasqual benefits from standout performances by Renteria, who excels both as a rusher and passer, St. Augustine’s leaders—particularly Da Luz and Aguirre—have had to shoulder the offensive load despite their more limited yards.

Record Breakdown

San Pasqual (7-5):

• 4-2 in league play
• 1-3 in non-league games
• 4-2 at home
• 2-3 away
• 2-0 in neutral games
• 2-0 in playoff games

St. Augustine (3-10):

• 0-4 in league play
• 0-6 in non-league games
• 1-5 at home
• 2-5 away
• 0-0 in neutral games
• 3-0 in playoff games

San Pasqual has had a strong season overall, with a respectable 7-5 record, including a solid 4-2 showing in league play. Their strong performance at home (4-2) has contributed to their success, though they’ve struggled somewhat on the road (2-3). St. Augustine, on the other hand, has had a much tougher year, finishing with a 3-10 overall record. Their struggles are most apparent in league play, where they went 0-4, and in non-league games, where they were winless (0-6). Despite these challenges, St. Augustine has had some success in the playoffs, going 3-0 in postseason play.

Conclusion

The matchup between San Pasqual and St. Augustine clearly highlights the disparity in offensive firepower. San Pasqual has been able to move the ball effectively on both the ground and through the air, led by the dynamic play of Robert Renteria. In contrast, St. Augustine’s offense has faced significant struggles, particularly with passing the ball, resulting in a relatively low scoring average of just 10.2 points per game.

While St. Augustine has shown some defensive strength, particularly through the efforts of players like Pai Polamalu, their inability to generate offense has been a major hurdle. On the other hand, San Pasqual’s balanced offense, led by Renteria, has given them a competitive edge throughout the season, positioning them as the stronger team in this comparison.

As San Pasqual looks to build on their successful season and head into the postseason with momentum, St. Augustine will need to address its offensive issues if it hopes to turn its fortunes around and remain competitive in the future.