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: St. Augustine (CA) vs San Pasqual (CA)
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

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.