Tonight at 7 PM, the Maranatha (Pasadena, CA) varsity football team hosts Artesia (Lakewood, CA) in a non-conference home matchup.

Maranatha vs Artesia Football Game Info:

What: California High School Football
Who: Maranatha vs Artesia
When: Thursday, August 28, 2025
Time: 7 PM
Watch here: Watch here

Game preview: Maranatha vs Artesia

Artesia vs. Maranatha: Season Opener Showcases High-Octane Offenses

The high school football season kicked off with a thrilling matchup between Artesia High School (Lakewood, CA) and Maranatha High School (Pasadena, CA), as both teams entered the season undefeated at 1-0. The clash promised a showcase of skill, strategy, and standout individual performances—and it did not disappoint.

Season Standings and Rankings

Heading into this matchup, Artesia held strong national and state rankings with 11,702th nationally, 814th in California, 294th in their section, and 11th in their division. Maranatha, meanwhile, was ranked 9,156th nationally, 623rd in California, and 248th in the section, reflecting a competitive edge in the early season standings.

Both teams entered with perfect records: Artesia had already posted a decisive 56-26 win in their opener, while Maranatha came in with a 34-14 victory in their first game. These wins set the stage for an exciting high-stakes showdown.

Offensive Firepower

Artesia demonstrated a dominant ground-and-air attack, averaging 325 rushing yards per game and 47 passing yards, giving them a total offensive output of 372 yards per game. Maranatha, while less dominant on the ground with 77 rushing yards per game, countered with a passing-heavy approach, averaging 234 passing and receiving yards per game, totaling 311 yards per game.

Scoring by Quarter:

• Artesia: 56 points (breakdown not available)

• Maranatha: 7-20-7-0 = 34 points

Maranatha’s early surge in the second quarter (20 points) highlighted their ability to respond under pressure, but Artesia’s overall scoring efficiency proved difficult to match.

Key Players

Artesia’s offense was spearheaded by #15 Joey Peck, who led the team with 78 rushing yards per game and 26 passing yards per game, totaling 104 yards per game. #21 Ismael Felix contributed 26 receiving yards per game, bolstering Artesia’s dynamic playmakers.

For Maranatha, #13 Cooper Berry emerged as a dual-threat, dominating with 61 rushing yards and 234 passing yards per game, amounting to 295 total yards per game, well above the national averages. #14 Nico Vergara led the receiving corps with 69 yards per game. Defensively, #32 Nick Goodman stood out with 14 tackles and 1 sack per game, showcasing Maranatha’s ability to contest the line of scrimmage.

Comparative Stats

Artesia relied heavily on a balanced attack to generate explosive plays, while Maranatha leaned on precise passing and disciplined defense.

Records and Matchup Breakdown

Both teams shared similar season trajectories:

• Artesia: 1-0 overall, 0-0 league, 1-0 non-league, 1-0 in-state

• Maranatha: 1-0 overall, 0-0 league, 1-0 non-league, 0-0 in-state

The matchup remained one of non-league significance, giving both squads an early test before diving into league play.

Season Outlook

This early-season battle highlighted each team’s strengths: Artesia’s rushing dominance versus Maranatha’s aerial attack. Individual performances from Peck, Berry, and Vergara suggest both squads are primed for strong campaigns.

Fans of California high school football should follow developments closely, as both Artesia and Maranatha are shaping up to be contenders in their respective sections. With high-powered offenses and emerging defensive standouts, the season promises to deliver thrilling action.

For more coverage of California high school football, including game previews, scores, and team rankings, visit HS Football Insider.