The Chatsworth (CA) varsity football team will face Sylmar (CA) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF LA City Section Football Championships – Division II tournament, with both teams vying for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Sylmar vs Chatsworth
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF LA City Section Football Championships – Division II
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Sylmar vs. Chatsworth

As the 2024 CIF LA City Section Football Championships heat up, two teams will battle it out for a chance to advance in the Division II tournament: Sylmar and Chatsworth. Both teams enter this neutral-site playoff game with varying records and strengths, but the stage is set for an exciting showdown on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m.

Sylmar: A Strong Contender

Sylmar High School has had a solid season, finishing with an 8-4 record and a 5-1 league performance. The team boasts a .667 win percentage overall and a stellar .833 win rate within their league. The Spartans have been competitive at home (3-2) and on the road (4-2), and they also have a perfect 1-0 record in neutral-site games. Their defense has been formidable, allowing just 203 points over the course of the season while scoring 294 points.

Sylmar’s scoring breakdown highlights their ability to come out strong early in games, averaging 15.8 points in the first quarter and 5.0 points in the second. However, their offensive performance slows down in the second half, with just 0 points in the third quarter and a modest 7.5 points in the fourth. Despite this, their high-scoring first half has often been enough to put them in a favorable position to win.

Chatsworth: A Scrappy Underdog

Chatsworth, with a 7-5 overall record, will enter this game as a bit of an underdog. The team finished with a 2-3 record in league play, but their 4-1 record at home shows they can hold their own in familiar territory. However, their struggles on the road (2-4) and neutral games (1-0) have contributed to some of their losses. Chatsworth has scored 263 points this season but allowed 306, showcasing a team that can generate offense but has occasionally been vulnerable defensively.

The Chatsworth team has had a more balanced scoring attack, averaging 4.2 points in the first quarter and 6.0 points in the second. Their scoring drops off significantly in the second half, with just 5.2 points in the third and a mere 2.0 points in the fourth. The key for Chatsworth in this game will be their ability to sustain offensive momentum and improve their second-half output.

Key Differences and What to Expect

Sylmar has the edge in scoring early in the game, particularly in the first quarter, where they average nearly 16 points per game. In contrast, Chatsworth has struggled to get off to fast starts, especially in the first quarter. However, the big difference lies in the second half, where Sylmar’s offense tends to slow down significantly, leaving the door open for Chatsworth to capitalize if they can find some rhythm in the second half.

While Sylmar has proven to be a strong team throughout the season, their inability to score in the third quarter could make them vulnerable, especially if Chatsworth is able to weather the early storm and capitalize late in the game. With both teams having a mix of strengths and weaknesses, this matchup promises to be an exciting and unpredictable contest.

As the high school football season intensifies, teams from across the region continue to sharpen their skills, aiming for a strong finish. In the case of the Sylmar Spartans and the Chatsworth Chancellors, both teams have had impressive performances, yet their paths and strengths reveal important differences. Below is an in-depth comparison of the teams based on their statistics and common matchups, leading up to what promises to be a highly competitive showdown.

Team Stat Comparison: A Tale of Different Strengths

Rushing and Passing One of the most noticeable differences between Sylmar and Chatsworth lies in their offensive game plans. Sylmar leads the charge in both rushing and total offensive yards. Averaging an impressive 118.9 rushing yards per game compared to Chatsworth’s 66.3, Sylmar’s rushing game is significantly stronger. This is largely due to the individual performance of #15 Jacob McDonald, who racks up an average of 49.3 rushing yards per game, which is notably higher than Chatsworth’s top rusher, #9 Devin Del Toro, with 63.8 yards per game.

In the air, Sylmar again takes the lead with 131.0 passing yards per game, outpacing Chatsworth’s 72.7 yards. This advantage is a result of McDonald’s all-around offensive prowess, totaling 168.2 passing yards per game. Chatsworth’s standout passer, #7 Connor Eagan, follows with 124.2 yards per game.

Receiving and Total Yards When it comes to receiving yards, both teams are quite competitive. Sylmar’s #18 Christopher Ojeda leads with 61.1 receiving yards per game, while Chatsworth’s #10 Angelo Romo outperforms with 78.5 yards per game. Despite this edge, Sylmar holds a clear advantage in total yards per game, with 249.9, significantly higher than Chatsworth’s 139.0.

Defense Defensively, the contrast is stark. Sylmar is dominant, averaging 30.7 tackles per game, while Chatsworth lags behind at just 6.2. This defensive strength is further emphasized by Sylmar’s ability to limit their opponents’ offensive success, with just 0.2 sacks per game compared to Chatsworth’s 0.1.

Individual Leaders: Key Players to Watch

For Sylmar, the standout player is undoubtedly #15 Jacob McDonald, who excels in multiple facets of the game. His 49.3 rushing yards per game, 168.2 passing yards, and 4.2 points per game highlight his versatility and significant contribution to the team’s overall success.

On the Chatsworth side, #7 Connor Eagan emerges as a key player, particularly in passing, with 124.2 yards per game. #10 Angelo Romo also plays a crucial role in the receiving game, averaging 78.5 yards per game. Despite these individual efforts, however, the team’s overall performance has not been as dominant as Sylmar’s.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

When comparing their performances against common opponents, both teams hold identical records of 2-0. Sylmar’s victories came against San Fernando (23-22) and El Camino Real (44-13), while Chatsworth defeated San Fernando (38-21) and El Camino Real (29-27).

However, the scores indicate a closer, more competitive matchup for Chatsworth, as both of their victories were decided by narrower margins than Sylmar’s dominant wins.

Record Breakdown

Looking at the overall records, Sylmar boasts a slightly stronger performance with an 8-4 record (5-1 in league play), compared to Chatsworth’s 7-5 record (2-3 in non-league play). Both teams are balanced in their home and away performance, with Sylmar performing slightly better in neutral and playoff games (2-0). Chatsworth has a solid 4-1 home record but struggled more on the road (2-4).

Conclusion: A Clash of Different Strengths

As these two teams prepare for future matchups, the contrasting strengths are evident. Sylmar’s balanced offense and dominant defense provide them with an edge, especially in terms of overall yardage and scoring. In contrast, Chatsworth’s ability to compete in close games and their standout individual performances—especially from Eagan and Romo—could make them formidable opponents.

Both teams are likely to bring their best to the field in any head-to-head showdown, and with both maintaining perfect records against common opponents, the stage is set for a thrilling contest. Whether it’s Sylmar’s powerful offensive line and explosive playmakers or Chatsworth’s grit and key individual stars, football fans are in for an exciting game.