The Rio Hondo Prep varsity football team will host Vanden in a home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games, Division 3-A tournament. Both teams are vying for a chance to advance in this prestigious state competition.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California State Football Championship Bowl Games
Who: Vanden vs Rio Hondo Prep
When: Today, December 14, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games – Division 3-A
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Vanden vs. Rio Hondo Prep

As the 2024-2025 high school football season progresses, two standout teams from California, Vanden and Rio Hondo Prep, are making waves in their respective divisions. These two teams not only have impressive records but also bring exciting, high-scoring games to the field. Here’s a closer look at their rankings, records, and team performance, highlighting why they’re such formidable forces this season.

Vanden (24-25) Overview

Vanden High School, hailing from the California Section, has put together an impressive season with a 12-2 record. They have been dominant both at home and on the road, posting an excellent 4-1 record at home, 5-1 away, and a perfect 3-0 in neutral-site games. Their overall win percentage stands at an impressive .857, with a .667 league record (4-2).

Vanden has been able to outscore opponents by a significant margin, with 449 points scored compared to just 251 points allowed. Their strong defense and high-scoring offense make them a tough competitor in the California Section, where they are ranked 105th overall and 13th in their division.

Team Scoring Averages for Vanden:

• Q1: 11.7 points
• Q2: 11.6 points
• Q3: 6.0 points
• Q4: 4.6 points
• OT1: 6.0 points
• Final: 32.1 points

While Vanden’s offense typically excels in the first half of the game, their defense steps up when needed, allowing them to control games and close out victories.

Rio Hondo Prep (24-25) Overview

On the other side of the field, Rio Hondo Prep, ranked 79th overall and 47th in their section, has been nothing short of dominant, with a remarkable 13-1 record. They have demonstrated incredible consistency in all aspects of the game, posting a perfect 3-0 record in neutral-site games and a 5-0 record on the road. At home, they’ve also been strong, finishing 5-0.

Rio Hondo Prep’s overall win percentage of .929 and perfect 1.000 league record (2-0) highlights their dominance within their league. Their offense has been explosive, scoring 590 points, while their defense has only allowed 213 points, showing their ability to both dominate offensively and stifle opponents defensively.

Team Scoring Averages for Rio Hondo Prep:

• Q1: 10.8 points
• Q2: 13.8 points
• Q3: 9.8 points
• Q4: 4.8 points
• Final: 42.1 points

Rio Hondo Prep has a particularly strong second quarter, outscoring opponents by an average of 13.8 points during that period. Their ability to maintain a strong offensive pace throughout the game has been key to their success this season.

Key Takeaways

Both teams have impressive records and dynamic offenses. Vanden’s well-balanced attack and ability to perform in all situations have made them a serious contender in their section. Rio Hondo Prep, however, has been the more prolific scoring team, averaging over 42 points per game, with a particularly strong second quarter. Their defense has been just as effective, limiting opponents to just 213 points.

As the season moves forward, these two teams look poised to continue their strong performances, with each having its own set of strengths. Vanden’s resilience and ability to win both home and away games will be tested, while Rio Hondo Prep will need to keep their offensive juggernaut running at full speed.

If these teams meet in the postseason, it will undoubtedly be a matchup of two high-scoring and well-coached teams, each vying for a coveted championship title.

The football matchup between Vanden and Rio Hondo Prep is set to showcase two teams with impressive records and potent offenses. Both teams boast strong seasons, with Vanden entering the contest at 12-2 and Rio Hondo Prep at 13-1. Here’s an in-depth look at how these two teams stack up statistically across key categories.

Offensive Comparison

• Rushing Yards Per Game
  Rio Hondo Prep is a powerhouse on the ground, averaging 327.9 rushing yards per game, led by Noah Penunuri, who racks up 123.8 rushing yards per game. Vanden, on the other hand, averages 93.3 rushing yards per game, with Zack Tayeh leading the charge at 54.7 yards per game. Rio Hondo Prep’s ability to dominate in the run game is one of their key strengths.
• Passing Yards Per Game
  In contrast to their strength on the ground, Vanden excels in the passing game, averaging 294.6 passing yards per game. Kalani Mcleod is the driving force behind their aerial attack, with an impressive 292.1 passing yards per game. Rio Hondo Prep, however, only averages 65.1 passing yards per game, relying much more heavily on their run game.
• Receiving Yards Per Game
  Vanden’s receiving corps is also highly productive, averaging 292.4 receiving yards per game, led by Logan Bailey, who accounts for 97.5 yards per game. In comparison, Rio Hondo Prep’s receiving yards are minimal, averaging 65.1 yards per game, with Nathaniel Curtis contributing just 17.2 yards per game. Vanden’s ability to gain yards both on the ground and through the air gives them a versatile offensive attack.
• Total Yards Per Game
  Vanden averages 387.9 total yards per game, which reflects their balanced offensive approach, excelling in both rushing and passing. Rio Hondo Prep, though more focused on rushing, averages 393.1 total yards per game, showcasing their efficiency on the ground and modest passing game.

Defensive Comparison

• Tackles Per Game
  Rio Hondo Prep averages 46.0 tackles per game, a solid number that reflects their active defense. However, Vanden’s defensive statistics are not available, making it difficult to directly compare the teams’ defensive engagement. Regardless, Rio Hondo Prep’s defense appears more involved in making tackles throughout games.
• Sacks Per Game
  Both teams appear to have limited pass-rush capability. Rio Hondo Prep averages 0.8 sacks per game, with Nathaniel Shine contributing 0.2 sacks per game. Vanden does not list a specific sack leader, but the overall sack production is relatively low for both teams.

Scoring Comparison

• Points Per Game
  Both teams are high-scoring, with Vanden averaging 31.5 points per game and Rio Hondo Prep averaging 42.0 points per game. Rio Hondo Prep’s ability to score at a higher rate is mainly attributed to their dominant rushing attack, which allows them to control the game clock and convert on the ground.

Team Leaders

For Vanden, Kalani Mcleod is the focal point of their offense, leading the team in passing and total yards. Zack Tayeh contributes solidly in the running game, while Logan Bailey is the top receiver. On defense, Jai’den Johnson is the standout player, contributing 6.0 points per game.

For Rio Hondo Prep, Noah Penunuri leads both the rushing game and scoring, with 133.5 total yards per game and 12.4 points per game. Yanick Diaz is another key player contributing in both rushing and scoring. Caeden Holcomb leads the team in tackles with 5.4 per game, anchoring their defense.

Record Breakdown

Both teams have had successful seasons, with Vanden posting a 12-2 overall record and Rio Hondo Prep going 13-1. Here’s a closer look at their records:

• Vanden:
  • 4-2 in league play
  • 4-0 in non-league games
  • 4-1 at home
  • 5-1 away
  • 4-0 in playoff games
• Rio Hondo Prep:
  • 2-0 in league play
  • 6-1 in non-league games
  • 5-0 at home
  • 5-1 away
  • 3-0 in playoff games

Both teams have been dominant in their respective states, with Rio Hondo Prep performing particularly well on the road.

Conclusion

The matchup between Vanden and Rio Hondo Prep promises to be an exciting clash of contrasting styles. Vanden’s potent passing attack and balanced offensive game give them an edge in terms of versatility, while Rio Hondo Prep’s dominant rushing game and higher-scoring offense make them a formidable opponent. With both teams boasting impressive records, this contest will surely be a thrilling display of offensive power and defensive resilience.