The Fulton (Van Nuys, CA) varsity football team will face Van Nuys (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 III tournament, marking a crucial step toward the championship.

Here’s what you need to know:

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

Game Preview: Van Nuys vs. Fulton

The stage is set for an exciting matchup between the Van Nuys and Fulton varsity football teams in the 2024 CIF LA City Section Football Championships – Division III tournament. As both teams prepare to face off, here’s a closer look at their performances this season and how they stack up against each other.

Van Nuys (24-25 Season)

• Overall Record: 8-4
• League Record: 3-3
• Home Record: 4-2
• Away Record: 3-2
• Neutral Record: 1-0
• Winning Percentage: .667
• League Percentage: .500
• Points For (PF): 356
• Points Against (PA): 214

Van Nuys has had a solid season, finishing with an 8-4 overall record. Though their league performance was a bit mixed (3-3), they still showed resilience with strong home and away records. Their offensive attack has been steady, averaging 29.7 points per game. They have shown a balanced scoring spread throughout the game, especially in the second and third quarters, where they average over 9 points each. However, they have struggled in the fourth quarter, averaging just 4.9 points. Despite this, their overall offensive performance has been a key factor in their success, with 356 points scored over the season.

Fulton (24-25 Season)

• Overall Record: 6-6
• League Record: 1-6
• Home Record: 2-1
• Away Record: 3-5
• Neutral Record: 1-0
• Winning Percentage: .500
• League Percentage: .143
• Points For (PF): 151
• Points Against (PA): 156

Fulton enters the tournament with a 6-6 overall record, though their league play was a tough challenge, finishing with just one win in seven games. Their offensive struggles have been evident throughout the season, scoring only 151 points total, an average of 12.6 points per game. Their offensive output is particularly low in the second and third quarters, where they average just 2.3 and 1.7 points, respectively. Despite this, Fulton has shown some late-game resilience, with 4.7 points in the fourth quarter. Their close games have kept them competitive, but they will need to step up offensively if they hope to challenge Van Nuys in the playoffs.

Scoring Breakdown

• Van Nuys Scoring Average:
  • Q1: 7.7
  • Q2: 9.4
  • Q3: 9.6
  • Q4: 4.9

Van Nuys has displayed a well-rounded offense throughout the game, with the highest scoring periods coming in the second and third quarters. While their first-half performance is strong, they do tend to fade in the fourth quarter, which could be a concern in tight playoff games.

• Fulton Scoring Average:
  • Q1: 3.7
  • Q2: 2.3
  • Q3: 1.7
  • Q4: 4.7

Fulton has struggled to put points on the board consistently, particularly in the first three quarters of games. Their scoring picks up slightly in the fourth quarter, but their low offensive output across most of the game will be a significant hurdle against a team like Van Nuys, which has shown more balanced scoring.

As both Van Nuys and Fulton prepare for their next games, a statistical breakdown of their performance throughout the season provides an insightful look into their strengths and weaknesses. Here is how the two teams compare across various categories.

Offensive Performance

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Van Nuys has managed to gain an average of 103.3 rushing yards per game, led by #11 Marlon Figueroa, who contributes 56.0 rushing yards per game. Fulton, however, does not have a reported rushing yard statistic, which could be a point of concern for their overall offensive balance.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Van Nuys has been strong in the air, averaging 169.5 passing yards per game. #7 Carlos Herrera is the key playmaker for Van Nuys, leading with 186.3 passing yards per game. Fulton, on the other hand, does not provide passing statistics, making it unclear how effective their aerial attack has been.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Van Nuys also leads in receiving, averaging 173.5 yards per game. Marlon Figueroa contributes significantly here as well, with 59.6 receiving yards per game. Fulton’s receiving statistics are unavailable, which limits their overall offensive analysis.
• Total Yards Per Game: Van Nuys totals 272.8 yards per game, an indicator of their balanced offensive performance. Fulton’s total yards per game are also unlisted, suggesting a possible reliance on defense or special teams for scoring opportunities.

Defensive Performance

• Tackles Per Game: Van Nuys averages 43.3 tackles per game, showing a solid defensive presence. Fulton, with 35.3 tackles per game, is slightly behind, which could suggest a less aggressive defense overall.
• Sacks Per Game: Van Nuys registers 0.6 sacks per game, while Fulton has 0.4 sacks per game. Although both teams are relatively low in this category, Van Nuys has a slight edge in their ability to pressure the quarterback.

Scoring Ability

• Points Per Game: Van Nuys averages 27.0 points per game, showcasing a capable offense. Fulton’s scoring stats are unreported, but their lower overall record could indicate challenges in putting up points.

Team Leaders: Key Players

• Van Nuys:
  • Marlon Figueroa (#11) is the standout player for Van Nuys, contributing heavily in multiple areas: rushing, receiving, and scoring. His well-rounded abilities are key to their offensive success.
  • Carlos Herrera (#7) is the primary quarterback, with significant contributions in the passing game, leading the team with 186.3 passing yards per game.
• Fulton:
  • Fulton’s key defensive player is Fredy Colin (#4), who leads the team in tackles with 8.8 per game, indicating his importance in stopping opposing offenses.
  • Gabriel Robles (#3) is another defensive standout with 0.3 sacks per game, helping pressure opposing quarterbacks.

Record Breakdown: Season and Home/Away Performance

• Overall Record: Van Nuys has a strong overall record of 8-4, compared to Fulton’s 6-6, which indicates that Van Nuys has had a more successful season.
• League Record: Van Nuys finished 3-3 in league play, while Fulton struggled with a 1-6 league record, suggesting that Van Nuys has had a more consistent performance against league competition.
• Non-League Record: Van Nuys has a solid 3-1 record in non-league play, while Fulton performed better with a perfect 3-0 record in non-league games.
• Head-to-Head: Van Nuys has a 1-0 advantage in head-to-head matchups against Fulton, which could provide a mental edge in their upcoming game.
• Playoff Performance: Both teams have performed well in the playoffs, with Van Nuys holding a 2-0 record and Fulton posting the same.

Home and Away Performance:

• Home: Van Nuys has a 4-2 record at home, while Fulton is 2-1 in home games, both showing a decent performance in familiar territory.
• Away: Van Nuys has a strong 3-2 away record, while Fulton’s 3-5 away record suggests struggles on the road.

Common Opponents

• Van Nuys faced Panorama on 9/27/24, losing 27-20, and Canoga Park on 10/18/24, winning 49-20.
• Fulton faced the same teams, beating Panorama 7-0 on 9/6/24 and Canoga Park 38-0 on 8/23/24.

Conclusion

Van Nuys appears to have the edge in overall performance, with a stronger offensive and defensive showing. Marlon Figueroa’s versatility and Carlos Herrera’s leadership in the passing game have been key to their success. Fulton, while not as statistically prolific, has demonstrated resilience, especially in their ability to dominate in non-league play. The upcoming matchups between these teams will likely come down to how well Fulton can compete with Van Nuys’ balanced attack and whether they can improve their away performance.