The Delano varsity football team will host Selma High School in a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships in Division V, with both teams competing for a chance to advance in the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Selma vs Delano
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships – Division V
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Delano vs. Selma

The Delano High School varsity football team is set to host Selma High School in a crucial Division V playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup, part of the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships, will see two teams with contrasting records and strengths battle for a spot in the next round.

Records and Rankings

Delano enters the game with an 8-4 overall record, earning a solid .667 win percentage. Ranked 412th in California and 46th in their section, Delano has shown strength at home with a 5-1 record. Their offense has been high-scoring, putting up 350 points on the season while their defense has been strong, allowing only 208 points. Delano’s 2-3 league record, however, reflects some tough competition in their section.

Selma, with a 7-5 overall record, has a .583 win percentage. Ranked 456th in California and 54th in their section, they have been solid on the road with a 3-2 away record. Their offense has scored 229 points this season, while their defense has allowed 236 points. Selma’s 2-2 league record indicates a team that can compete but has had its share of challenges.

Scoring Breakdown

Delano has been a high-scoring team, averaging 29.2 points per game. They start strong, averaging 4.9 points in the first quarter and 9.6 points in the second. Their offensive production peaks in the third and fourth quarters, where they average 6.8 and 8.0 points, respectively.

Selma, while less explosive, averages 19.1 points per game. Their best quarter is the second, where they average 5.9 points, but they struggle to score in the first (3.1 points) and third (2.3 points) quarters. Their fourth-quarter scoring (3.0 points) is also a concern, as it may not be enough to close gaps in a close game.

Keys to Victory

For Selma to secure the win, they will need to improve their offensive consistency across all quarters, particularly in the first and third. Scoring early and finding ways to keep up with Delano’s high-scoring offense will be crucial. Additionally, their defense will need to step up to contain Delano’s dynamic attack.

Delano’s offense, which has been potent all season, will look to build early leads and capitalize on their strong second half. They will rely on their strong home-field advantage and high-scoring ability to wear down Selma’s defense. Limiting Selma’s scoring and maintaining their offensive momentum will be key for Delano.

What’s at Stake

This Division V playoff game is crucial for both teams as they look to advance in the CIF Central Section Football Championships. Delano enters as the favorite with a stronger overall record and more consistent offense, but Selma’s competitive nature could make for a thrilling contest.

With both teams capable of putting up points, this game promises to be an exciting, high-stakes battle. The outcome will depend on which team can execute their game plan, maintain control of the ball, and stay consistent across all four quarters. Fans can expect a thrilling playoff atmosphere under the Friday night lights.

As the season continues, the matchups between Selma and Delano showcase two teams with differing styles of play and contrasting statistics. Both teams have had their moments of success, but their approaches on offense and defense highlight unique strengths and areas for improvement. Let’s break down the key statistics, leaders, and records of these two teams as they continue to build their seasons.

Team Statistical Comparison

When comparing the overall team statistics between Selma and Delano, there are some noticeable differences in their offensive strategies:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Selma averages 132.1 rushing yards per game, while Delano has a slightly higher average of 158.8 yards per game. Delano’s strong rushing attack is one of their key strengths this season.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Selma and Delano both have relatively modest passing games. Selma averages 76.5 passing yards per game, while Delano averages 110.0 passing yards per game. Both teams appear to prefer the ground game, but Delano has a slight edge in the air.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: In terms of receiving yards, Selma averages 76.5 yards per game, while Delano’s average is 106.3 yards per game. This reflects Delano’s more balanced approach, incorporating both the running and passing games effectively.
• Total Yards Per Game: Delano leads in total offense, averaging 268.8 yards per game, compared to Selma’s 208.6 yards per game. This highlights Delano’s ability to gain more yards through both rushing and passing.
• Tackles Per Game: Selma averages 49.2 tackles per game, showing that their defense is more involved in stopping the opposition. Delano’s defensive stats are not available, but Selma’s higher tackle count may suggest a more active defensive unit.
• Sacks Per Game: Selma averages 0.6 sacks per game, while Delano’s sack statistics are not listed. This slight edge in pass-rushing for Selma indicates they may have some success pressuring the quarterback, but the impact on the game appears to be limited.
• Points Per Game: Selma scores an average of 11.8 points per game, while Delano has a much lower average of 5.8 points per game. Delano’s struggles to score are evident, while Selma has been able to find the end zone with more consistency.

Team Leaders

Both teams feature standout players who are crucial to their offensive and defensive efforts:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Selma’s Kayden Berry leads the team with 56.7 rushing yards per game, while Delano’s Robert Garcia, Jr. leads with 65.4 yards per game. Garcia’s ability to break big runs has been a significant factor in Delano’s rushing success this season.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Aaron Ramirez of Selma is the primary quarterback, averaging 86.1 passing yards per game. On Delano’s side, Ariel Ayon is the leader in passing, contributing 58.5 yards per game. Ramirez has been more effective in the passing game compared to Ayon.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Dallas Luna of Selma leads in receiving with 24.7 yards per game. For Delano, Javier Nunez averages 24.1 receiving yards per game. Both teams have limited success in the passing game, which further reinforces their reliance on the run.
• Total Yards Per Game: Ramirez also leads in total yards for Selma, averaging 95.3 yards per game, while Jonathan “DJ” Huizar of Delano leads his team with 88.5 total yards per game. Both players contribute significantly to their respective teams’ offensive output.

Record Breakdown

Looking at the overall records and performances of both teams, we see how their seasons have unfolded:

• Overall Record: Selma finished with a 7-5 record, while Delano had a slightly better 8-4 record. This suggests that Delano has been the more consistent team over the course of the season.
• League Record: Selma posted a 2-2 league record, while Delano finished with a 2-3 league record. Both teams have had mixed results in league play, but neither team has dominated their league.
• Non-League Record: Selma finished with a 3-3 non-league record, while Delano had a stronger 4-1 non-league record, showing that Delano performed better in games outside of their league.
• Head-to-Head: The two teams have not faced each other yet, so any future matchup between Selma and Delano could prove crucial for determining which team has the upper hand.
• Home vs. Away: Selma had a 4-3 record at home and a 3-2 record away, while Delano finished with a strong 5-1 record at home and a 3-3 record away. Delano’s strong home record highlights their effectiveness on their home turf.
• Playoffs: Both teams had success in the playoffs, with Selma posting a 2-0 record and Delano going 2-0. This suggests that both teams are capable of rising to the occasion in high-stakes games.

Conclusion

The comparison between Selma and Delano paints a picture of two teams with contrasting styles and strengths. Selma relies on a balanced offense and a slightly stronger defense, but their struggles in scoring may hinder them in high-pressure situations. Delano, while more focused on the running game, has had more success moving the ball overall and has been more efficient at scoring.

As both teams head into future matchups, it will be interesting to see how their different approaches play out, especially if they meet on the field in the postseason. While Delano has the edge in terms of total yards and scoring, Selma’s defense and balanced offense could make them a formidable opponent.