The El Capitan varsity football team from Lakeside, CA, faces off against Westview from San Diego, CA, in a crucial neutral-site playoff game today at 3 p.m. This matchup is part of the prestigious 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships in Division IV, promising an exciting clash between determined teams.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Westview vs El Capitan
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships (California) – Division IV
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: El Capitan vs. Westview: A Tale of Two Seasons Colliding

The upcoming playoff matchup between El Capitan and Westview is poised to be an intriguing clash, with both teams entering the game from vastly different trajectories this season. This game, part of the 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships (Division IV), will test El Capitan’s dominance against Westview’s resilience.

El Capitan: A Season of Commanding Performances

El Capitan has enjoyed a stellar season, boasting an impressive 9-3 overall record and a perfect 5-0 in league play. Ranked 320th in California and 31st in their division, the team has been dominant both at home (5-2) and away (4-1), earning a strong .750 win percentage. Their offensive firepower is a highlight, with an average of 29.5 points per game and a total of 354 points scored this season.

Their scoring shows consistency and an ability to start strong, with an impressive average of 14.7 points in the first quarter. While their scoring dips slightly in the second half, their defense has kept opponents at bay, allowing only 149 points all season. El Capitan’s balanced performance on both sides of the ball has been the foundation of their success.

Westview: Battling Through Adversity

Westview, ranked 439th in California and 42nd in their division, has had a more challenging season. With a 6-7 overall record and 2-4 in league play, the team has struggled to find consistency. While their home record has been disappointing (1-5), they’ve shown resilience on the road, going 5-2. Despite a win percentage of .462, their determination to compete cannot be overlooked.

Offense has been a significant hurdle for Westview, with the team averaging just 13.1 points per game and a total of 170 points scored. Their scoring struggles are most evident in their quarter-by-quarter averages, where they manage only 1.4 points in both the first and second quarters, with a slight uptick in the third (2.8). A lack of scoring in the fourth quarter underscores their inability to close out games effectively. Defensively, Westview has allowed 300 points, a stark contrast to El Capitan’s stifling defense.

Key Storylines

1. Offense vs. Defense: El Capitan’s potent offense and tight defense will likely pose a significant challenge for Westview, which has struggled on both fronts.
2. Home Advantage Neutralized: While El Capitan has performed well at home and away, Westview’s relative success on the road could give them a glimmer of hope in this neutral-site playoff game.
3. Scoring Dynamics: El Capitan’s ability to start strong contrasts sharply with Westview’s slow scoring starts, potentially giving El Capitan an early edge in the matchup.

As the postseason progresses, the Westview Wolverines (6-7) and El Capitan Vaqueros (9-3) prepare to face off in a matchup that highlights two teams with vastly different seasons and styles of play. El Capitan boasts a strong offensive presence and solid overall performance, while Westview has shown resilience and grit despite a challenging season. Here’s an in-depth look at how these teams stack up.

Team Statistics

• Offense:
  El Capitan has been more productive offensively, averaging 308.8 total yards per game compared to Westview’s 192.8. The Vaqueros are particularly effective in the air, with 177.2 passing yards per game led by quarterback Brandt Barker, while Westview musters 104.6 passing yards per game.
  On the ground, El Capitan also holds the advantage with 131.7 rushing yards per game, outpacing Westview’s 88.2.
• Scoring:
  El Capitan’s offense averages 29.5 points per game, significantly higher than Westview’s 12.9. This difference in scoring could be a pivotal factor in the outcome of the game.
• Defense:
  Defensively, both teams have strengths. El Capitan averages 58.5 tackles per game, while Westview registers 44.7 tackles per game. Westview holds a slight edge in pass rushing, with 2.9 sacks per game compared to El Capitan’s 2.5.

Team Leaders

Key players from both teams have been instrumental in their respective successes this season.

• Rushing:
  El Capitan’s Brady Joralemon leads the rushing attack with 63.8 yards per game, compared to Westview’s Langdon Mullica, who averages 42.2 yards per game.
• Passing:
  El Capitan’s Brandt Barker has been exceptional, averaging 176.3 passing yards per game, nearly doubling Westview’s Mason Walsh, who averages 90.2 yards.
• Receiving:
  Ayden Banegas of El Capitan leads in receiving yards with 59.4 per game, while Westview’s Aidan Chen has been quieter, averaging 25.8 yards per game.
• Total Offense:
  El Capitan’s offensive leader Brandt Barker averages 178.7 total yards per game, compared to Westview’s Mason Walsh, who contributes 122.1 total yards per game.
• Defense:
  On defense, El Capitan’s Aaron Altamirano averages 10.0 tackles per game, providing leadership and consistency, while Westview’s Alexavier Loveless contributes 6.0 tackles per game.
  In terms of pass rushing, Westview’s Mateo Bresenden leads with 1.7 sacks per game, outperforming El Capitan’s Marlon Ames, who averages 0.7.

Common Opponent

Both teams have faced Montgomery this season and emerged victorious, although with differing margins of victory:

• Westview defeated Montgomery 19-14 in a closely contested game.
• El Capitan secured a more comfortable 14-6 win earlier in the season.

Record Breakdown

The Vaqueros have had a far more successful season overall, while Westview has clawed its way to the playoffs despite adversity.

• Overall Record:
  El Capitan holds a 9-3 record, compared to Westview’s 6-7.
• League Play:
  El Capitan was dominant in their league with a perfect 5-0 record, while Westview struggled at 2-4.
• Playoffs:
  Both teams have been impressive in the postseason. Westview has a 3-0 playoff record, demonstrating their ability to rise to the occasion, while El Capitan holds a solid 2-0 postseason mark.
• Home/Away:
  Both teams are strong at home with 5-2 records. El Capitan has shown better results on the road (4-1), while Westview has struggled away from home, going 1-5.

Keys to Victory

• For Westview:
  Westview will need to find ways to keep the game close, relying on their defense to limit El Capitan’s potent passing attack. A standout performance from Mason Walsh, both as a passer and scorer, will be critical to their chances of an upset.
• For El Capitan:
  El Capitan’s balanced offensive attack, led by Brandt Barker and Brady Joralemon, will be the foundation of their game plan. If they can continue their efficient scoring and control the tempo, they have the upper hand.

Prediction

El Capitan enters this matchup as the clear favorite, thanks to their consistent performance on offense and a strong defensive unit anchored by Aaron Altamirano. While Westview has demonstrated resilience and the ability to compete in tough games, their struggles on offense could make it challenging to keep pace with El Capitan. Expect a competitive game, but El Capitan should emerge victorious, advancing further in the postseason.