The Edison (Huntington Beach, CA) varsity football team will face Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, CA) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 3 tournament, with both teams aiming for a postseason victory.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Vista Murrieta vs Edison
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 3
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Vista Murrieta vs. Edison

The 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships – Division 3 tournament features an exciting matchup between Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, CA) and Edison (Huntington Beach, CA). Both teams have posted strong 8-4 records, setting the stage for a thrilling playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m.

Team Overview

Vista Murrieta comes into this game with an 8-4 overall record and a league record of 2-3. The team has shown strong performances both at home (3-2) and on the road (4-2), but their neutral game performance is spotless with a 1-0 record. Vista Murrieta has scored 394 points while allowing 324, with an average of 32.8 points per game. Their offensive strength peaks in the fourth quarter, where they average 11.3 points, showing they can finish games strong. However, their scoring tends to dip a bit in the third quarter, where they average only 4.0 points. This inconsistency in the middle of the game could be an area of concern as they face a well-balanced Edison team.

Edison, also with an 8-4 record, has a strong home game presence with a perfect 6-0 record but has struggled on the road with a 1-4 record. Despite this, Edison has been more consistent overall, scoring 352 points and allowing just 194. Their average of 29.3 points per game is notable, and they score an impressive 11.9 points in the first quarter alone. However, like Vista Murrieta, Edison’s scoring tends to drop off in the second half, especially in the third and fourth quarters, where they average only 3.6 and 3.5 points, respectively. To win this matchup, Edison will need to find a way to maintain their early-game momentum and execute better in the later stages.

Key Match-Up Insights

• Offensive Strengths: Vista Murrieta’s scoring ability is more consistent throughout the game, particularly in the second and fourth quarters, where they put up 9.3 and 11.3 points, respectively. In contrast, Edison starts strong with 11.9 points in the first quarter but struggles to keep that momentum, especially in the second half.
• Defensive Battle: Edison has been exceptional defensively, allowing just 194 points compared to Vista Murrieta’s 324. This advantage in defense could play a pivotal role, especially if Edison can slow down Vista Murrieta’s high-powered offense.
• Late-Game Execution: Vista Murrieta has been strong in the final quarter, scoring over 11 points on average. Edison’s ability to finish strong will be tested as they have struggled to maintain their early lead, especially in the final quarter where they average less than 4 points.

As two of the most dynamic teams in their respective divisions, Vista Murrieta and Edison are set to go head-to-head in a thrilling matchup. Both teams have finished the season with identical 8-4 records, but their offensive strategies and defensive strengths vary, promising an exciting game for fans.

Offensive Breakdown

• Rushing Yards: Edison has the upper hand in the ground game, averaging 213.0 rushing yards per game. Their standout player, Julius Gillick, leads the charge with 155.2 rushing yards per game. Vista Murrieta, by contrast, averages 113.7 rushing yards per game, with Devon Leonard contributing 55.1 yards per game. Edison’s ground game will likely be a key factor in controlling the tempo of the game.
• Passing Yards: Vista Murrieta shines in the air, averaging 250.1 passing yards per game, primarily due to the stellar performance of Bryson Beaver, who throws for 272.8 yards per game. Edison, on the other hand, averages 146.3 passing yards per game, with Savelio Niumata leading the charge at 115.9 passing yards per game. The wide gap in passing yards shows that Vista Murrieta will likely rely on their aerial attack to move the ball downfield.
• Receiving Yards: Both teams have productive receiving corps. Vista Murrieta is led by Sean McCullough, who racks up 114.9 receiving yards per game, and the team as a whole averages 250.1 receiving yards per game. Edison, although it has a lower total passing output, also has solid receiving performances, with Ayden Degiacomo contributing 53.2 yards per game. However, Edison will need to find ways to effectively use their passing game to keep up with Vista Murrieta’s potent air assault.
• Total Yards: Vista Murrieta averages 363.8 total yards per game, showcasing a well-balanced offense with both strong rushing and passing attacks. Edison closely follows with 359.3 total yards per game, relying more heavily on the run to fuel their offense. Despite Edison’s focus on the ground game, Vista Murrieta’s ability to move the ball through the air could give them an edge.

Defensive Comparison

• Tackles Per Game: Edison has been more active on defense, averaging 84.0 tackles per game, led by Matt Lopez, who records 10.2 tackles per game. In comparison, Vista Murrieta averages 45.3 tackles per game, which could suggest they rely more on creating turnovers rather than consistent tackles. Brennan Martinez leads the Vista Murrieta defense with 8.5 tackles per game, but Edison’s defensive prowess could be a key factor in slowing down Vista Murrieta’s explosive offense.
• Sacks Per Game: Both teams are relatively even when it comes to pressuring the quarterback, with Edison averaging 1.7 sacks per game and Vista Murrieta slightly behind at 1.5 sacks per game. However, Edison’s ability to generate pressure could make a difference, especially if they can limit Bryson Beaver‘s passing opportunities and force him into mistakes.

Scoring and Points Per Game

• Vista Murrieta averages 32.8 points per game, led by Aj Jones, who scores 9.0 points per game. The team has been able to consistently score, particularly through their dynamic passing game. Edison, while not as prolific offensively, scores 29.1 points per game, with Julius Gillick contributing 13.5 points per game. The ability of both teams to put points on the board will be crucial, and Vista Murrieta’s slightly higher scoring average could give them the edge.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Record: Both teams are 8-4, showing a solid overall performance throughout the season. However, Vista Murrieta has had a more successful non-league record at 4-1, compared to Edison’s 5-2. This indicates that Vista Murrieta may have faced tougher competition in non-league play.
• League Record: Vista Murrieta has a 2-3 league record, while Edison is at 1-2. Both teams have faced challenging league schedules, but Vista Murrieta’s slightly stronger league performance gives them an edge in terms of overall competition.
• Playoff Record: Both teams are 2-0 in the playoffs, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure and make deep runs in the postseason. This postseason experience could play a significant role in determining the outcome of this upcoming matchup.

Home/Away Performance

• Vista Murrieta has a solid 3-2 home record, while Edison boasts an undefeated 6-0 record on the road. Vista Murrieta will need to leverage its home-field advantage, while Edison has proven their ability to win away games, making them a formidable opponent regardless of location.

Conclusion

The matchup between Vista Murrieta and Edison promises to be a thrilling game featuring high-powered offenses and contrasting defensive styles. Vista Murrieta will look to dominate through the air, with Bryson Beaver leading the passing attack, while Edison will rely on their powerful rushing game, led by Julius Gillick.

The key for Vista Murrieta will be to limit Edison’s ground game and capitalize on their passing strengths. For Edison, their success will hinge on controlling the clock with their rushing attack and limiting Vista Murrieta’s offensive plays.

Ultimately, this game is likely to come down to which team can execute its game plan effectively and impose its style of play. The battle between these two well-matched teams should provide plenty of excitement and drama.