The Narbonne (Harbor City, CA) varsity football team faces San Pedro (CA) in a highly anticipated neutral playoff game today at 6:00 PM. This clash is part of the 2024 CIF LA City Section Football Championships – Open Division, with both teams vying for a spot in the tournament’s next stage.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: San Pedro vs Narbonne
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF LA City Section Football Championships – Open Division
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Narbonne vs. San Pedro

The 2024 CIF LA City Section Football Championships – Open Division features an exciting playoff matchup as the Narbonne Gauchos take on the San Pedro Pirates. Scheduled for today at 6:00 PM on a neutral field, this high-stakes game pits two strong teams against each other with a chance to advance in the prestigious tournament.

Team Records and Rankings

San Pedro enters the game with an impressive 9-3 record, ranked 166th in California and 2nd in the section. The Pirates have been dominant at home, winning six of seven games, and have a balanced record on the road and at neutral sites. They’ve demonstrated offensive firepower, scoring 411 points this season while allowing only 189.

Narbonne, ranked 122nd in California and leading the section, holds a 6-6 record. Despite the .500 overall win percentage, the Gauchos have excelled in league play, going undefeated at 4-0. While they’ve been inconsistent on the road (2-4), they’ve performed well in neutral site games, giving them confidence heading into this matchup. Narbonne’s defense has been a key strength, allowing only 164 points this season.

Scoring Trends

San Pedro has been a high-scoring team, averaging 34.3 points per game. Their offensive production peaks in the second quarter, where they average 10.8 points, and they start strong in the first quarter with 8.5 points. However, their scoring tends to slow down in the second half, with just 4.5 points in the third quarter and 3.3 in the fourth.

Narbonne, in contrast, averages 21.6 points per game. The Gauchos are known for a slow start, averaging just 1.2 points in the first quarter and 2.3 in the second. They tend to find their rhythm in the second half, where their scoring averages rise slightly to 3.5 points in both the third and fourth quarters. For Narbonne to succeed, they’ll need to find ways to start stronger and keep pace with San Pedro’s potent offense.

Key Factors to Watch

San Pedro’s success will depend on maintaining their offensive tempo and capitalizing on Narbonne’s slow starts. If the Pirates can establish an early lead, they’ll force Narbonne to play catch-up, a scenario that could work to their advantage.

For Narbonne, their defense will play a critical role in containing San Pedro’s early offensive surges. The Gauchos must also improve their first-half scoring to avoid falling into an early deficit. If their defense holds strong and their offense finds momentum, they could turn the tide in the second half.

Looking Ahead

This matchup between the top two section teams promises to be an intense and competitive game. San Pedro’s balanced performance and scoring efficiency will test Narbonne’s resilience and defensive strength. With both teams eyeing a coveted spot in the next round, fans can expect a thrilling showdown in the Open Division playoffs.

As San Pedro and Narbonne prepare to clash, their paths to this point couldn’t be more different. San Pedro enters as a dominant force with a high-powered offense and strong playoff performance, while Narbonne has struggled to find consistency but boasts standout individual performances. This matchup highlights contrasting team dynamics and playing styles, promising an intriguing contest.

Team Performance Comparison

Offensive Production

• San Pedro: With an average of 329.1 total yards per game, San Pedro’s offense is a balanced blend of rushing (179.8 yards per game) and passing (149.3 yards per game). Quarterback Marcus Alexander Jeronymo has been a star, averaging 152.9 passing yards per game and contributing heavily to the team’s 33.7 points per game.
• Narbonne: Narbonne’s offense has struggled, averaging just 93.7 total yards per game, with an anemic 7.2 rushing yards per game. However, quarterback Jaden O’Neal has been a bright spot, putting up an impressive 238.8 total yards per game, including 86.5 passing yards per game. Despite his efforts, Narbonne averages only 1.5 points per game, a stark contrast to San Pedro’s prolific scoring.

Defensive Efforts

• San Pedro: Defensively, San Pedro has been solid, averaging 56.8 tackles per game and 0.9 sacks per game. Raymond Chavez, with 8.3 tackles per game, anchors the defense, while John Castaneda contributes with 0.7 sacks per game.
• Narbonne: Narbonne’s defense averages 3.8 tackles per game, well below the national average. Adrian Moreno has been a standout with 1.0 sack per game, but the unit as a whole has struggled to contain opposing offenses.

Key Players to Watch

• San Pedro:
  • Marcus Alexander Jeronymo (#3): The engine of San Pedro’s offense, Jeronymo averages 172.8 total yards per game. His ability to move the ball through the air and manage the game will be critical.
  • Isaiah Kamalyan (#10): Leading the rushing attack with 53.1 yards per game, Kamalyan adds balance to the offense.
  • Petero Eneliko (#4): A reliable scorer, Eneliko contributes 10.7 points per game, making him a key red-zone threat.
• Narbonne:
  • Jaden O’Neal (#2): Narbonne’s standout player, O’Neal is responsible for a significant portion of the team’s offensive output, averaging 259.2 total yards per game. His dual-threat ability makes him a player to watch.
  • Michael Ashford (#5): Leading Narbonne in receiving with 57.3 yards per game, Ashford will need to play a pivotal role in the passing game.
  • Adrian Moreno (#57): A key defensive player, Moreno’s 1.0 sack per game could disrupt San Pedro’s rhythm.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced several common opponents, with San Pedro holding a distinct edge. San Pedro is 5-1 in these matchups, while Narbonne is 3-1. Notably, San Pedro’s victories include hard-fought wins over Banning and Gardena, teams that Narbonne also defeated, albeit under forfeiture circumstances.

Record Breakdown

• San Pedro (9-3): San Pedro has been impressive this season, boasting a 9-3 overall record and a balanced performance at home (6-1) and away (2-2). They’ve performed well in the playoffs (2-0) and against common opponents, showcasing consistency on both sides of the ball.
• Narbonne (6-6): Narbonne’s season has been a rollercoaster, ending with a 6-6 record. While they are unbeaten in league play (4-0), their non-league struggles (0-6) highlight their inconsistency. Despite this, Narbonne has managed a respectable playoff run (2-0), indicating their potential to rise in high-stakes games.

Conclusion

This matchup between San Pedro and Narbonne pits a dominant, well-rounded team against an underdog with standout individual talent. San Pedro’s balanced attack and defensive depth make them the favorites, but Narbonne’s Jaden O’Neal could be the X-factor capable of swinging the game. If Narbonne can tighten their defense and capitalize on big plays, they might give San Pedro a tougher challenge than expected.

The game promises to be an intriguing battle of strengths, with San Pedro’s team-oriented approach clashing against Narbonne’s reliance on individual brilliance.