The St. John Bosco varsity football team from Bellflower, CA, will face off against Santa Margarita from Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, in a home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships, Division 1 tournament, as both teams compete for a spot in the next round.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: California High School Football
Who: Santa Margarita vs St. John Bosco
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 1
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Santa Margarita vs. St. John Bosco
As the 2024-2025 high school football season progresses, Santa Margarita and St. John Bosco are teams that stand out in their respective rankings and records, showcasing contrasting fortunes. Here’s a breakdown of each team’s season so far and a closer look at how they stack up against each other.
Santa Margarita Eagles: Struggling to Find Consistency
Santa Margarita (24-25) has had a challenging season, with a 5-6 overall record and a 1-4 mark in league play. Ranked 51st nationally and 7th in California, the Eagles have not been able to capitalize on their strong start, finishing with a less-than-ideal win percentage of .455. Their league performance has been particularly disappointing, with a 1-4 record that has put them in a tough spot in the standings.
On both sides of the ball, Santa Margarita has seen moments of promise but has struggled to maintain consistency throughout the season. The Eagles’ scoring averages tell the story, with their offense putting up a modest 26.7 points per game, but their defense has allowed 219 points on the season, giving up an average of 19.9 points per game.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown:
- Q1: 4.0 points
- Q2: 6.7 points
- Q3: 3.0 points
- Q4: 6.4 points
These numbers suggest that while Santa Margarita has been competitive, especially in the first half, they have not been able to close out games effectively.
St. John Bosco Braves: Dominating the Competition
On the other hand, St. John Bosco (24-25) has been one of the top performers in high school football. With a 9-1 overall record and a 4-1 mark in league play, they are ranked 7th nationally, 2nd in California, and 2nd in their section and division. Their .900 win percentage and .800 league percentage speak to the dominance they’ve displayed throughout the season, as they have only suffered one loss.
St. John Bosco’s offense has been a force to be reckoned with, scoring an average of 36.0 points per game. Their defense has also been effective, allowing only 223 points across the season, averaging 22.3 points against per game. With a high-powered offense and a solid defense, the Braves have shown why they are ranked among the nation’s elite.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown:
- Q1: 1.8 points
- Q2: 3.3 points
- Q3: 7.0 points
- Q4: 10.3 points
St. John Bosco has proven to be a strong second-half team, as seen in their ability to ramp up their scoring after halftime. Their defense has been tough as well, particularly in the later stages of games, ensuring that they can hold onto leads and dominate in crucial moments.
Looking Ahead: A Tale of Two Teams
While Santa Margarita has had a rough road, especially in league play, they continue to fight and are hoping to find that spark for a strong finish to the season. Their ability to put up points will be key in turning things around as they close out the remainder of their games.
St. John Bosco, on the other hand, has all the momentum heading into the final stretch. With a potent offense and a stingy defense, they look poised to make a deep playoff run. The Braves’ ability to score in bunches, especially in the second half, and their overall team balance make them a formidable opponent for any team in their division.
In conclusion, Santa Margarita and St. John Bosco are two teams on opposite ends of the spectrum this season. While the Eagles are trying to find their rhythm, the Braves are riding high on success, with a clear path toward continued dominance. It will be interesting to see if Santa Margarita can turn things around and pose a challenge to the top teams like St. John Bosco, but for now, the Braves remain one of the best teams in the nation.
As the high school football season continues to heat up, a key matchup between Santa Margarita and St. John Bosco looms large. With both teams showcasing strong individual and team statistics, the game promises to be a thrilling contest. Below is a detailed comparison of their performance to date, including key statistics, individual leaders, and their records.
Offensive Breakdown
When it comes to total yards, St. John Bosco leads with an impressive 395.5 yards per game, compared to Santa Margarita’s 332.3 yards per game. Both teams show strength in the air, with Santa Margarita averaging 225.7 passing yards per game and St. John Bosco not far behind at 230.1 yards. However, St. John Bosco excels slightly in rushing yards per game with 165.4, while Santa Margarita trails with 106.5 yards.
In terms of receiving yards, both teams put up solid numbers, with Santa Margarita recording 224.9 yards per game, while St. John Bosco averages 236.6 yards per game. The offensive potency of both teams is evident, as St. John Bosco also outpaces Santa Margarita in total points per game (34.8) compared to Santa Margarita’s 26.7.
Key Players on Offense
Looking at the standout offensive players for both teams, Santa Margarita’s Jaion “Duce” Smith leads the rushing game with 54.0 yards per game, while St. John Bosco’s Maliq Allen posts a strong 74.8 yards per game. Quarterback John Gazzaniga for Santa Margarita has been productive, throwing for 166.8 yards per game, whereas St. John Bosco’s Koa Malau’ulu leads with 124.1 yards per game. In receiving yards, Santa Margarita’s Trent Mosley leads with 120.6 yards per game, while St. John Bosco’s Carson Clark contributes 69.8 yards per game.
In total yards, Santa Margarita’s Gazzaniga also leads with 185.5 yards per game, while St. John Bosco’s Malau’ulu edges him out at 137.3 yards per game. On the defensive side, Santa Margarita’s Dash Fifita leads with 8.4 tackles per game, while St. John Bosco’s Isala Wily-Ava contributes 6.4 tackles per game.
Defensive Strengths
On defense, St. John Bosco maintains a slight edge in several categories. The team averages 71.1 tackles per game, significantly higher than Santa Margarita’s 56.6 tackles per game. Both teams have a similar average in sacks per game, with Santa Margarita posting 1.9 sacks, and St. John Bosco just ahead at 2.0.
While St. John Bosco has a higher overall sack and tackle production, both teams have demonstrated significant ability to disrupt their opponents’ offenses. St. John Bosco’s Dutch Horisk has contributed 0.4 sacks per game, while Santa Margarita’s Leki Holani has posted 0.5 sacks.
Pancake Blocks and Special Teams
Santa Margarita has shown dominance in the trenches, registering 41 pancake blocks on the season. St. John Bosco, in contrast, does not have an official record for pancake blocks at this time. However, both teams excel in different aspects of special teams, contributing to their balanced attack.
Head-to-Head Comparison
When comparing head-to-head records against common opponents, St. John Bosco holds the advantage. While Santa Margarita has a 1-3 record against their shared opponents, St. John Bosco boasts a 3-1 record. Notably, St. John Bosco secured victories over Mater Dei, Orange Lutheran, and JSerra Catholic, while Santa Margarita lost to all three.
Season Records
Santa Margarita enters this matchup with a 5-6 overall record, including a 1-4 mark in league play. St. John Bosco, on the other hand, has a much stronger overall record of 9-1, including a 4-1 league record. Both teams have shown resilience in non-league games, with Santa Margarita holding a 3-2 non-league record and St. John Bosco an undefeated 5-0.
Key Takeaways
While St. John Bosco has the advantage in many key statistical categories, Santa Margarita has shown moments of brilliance throughout the season. The Broncos’ ability to control both sides of the ball with strong rushing and passing games will be key in this contest. Santa Margarita will need to capitalize on their solid defensive play and exploit any weaknesses in St. John Bosco’s defense if they hope to keep pace with the more potent offense of their opponents.
The matchup promises to be an exciting clash, with both teams bringing different strengths to the table. Fans can expect a high-intensity game that will likely come down to execution and momentum.
