Game is at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise indicated
Saturday, December 5
Linfield Christian (12-1) at Notre Dame/Riverside (13-0)
Head-to-Head:
NDR 16 LC 9—These teams met on October 24 and after a scoreless first half the Titans took control. Both teams have displayed excellent defenses, but the difference is NDR quarterback Niles Harrell. His numbers in the first match weren’t great, but Harrell provided a consistent threat the Lions did not have.
These schools have met three times (First in 2013) and LC hold a 2-1 advantage.
Edge: NDR
Defense:
NDR was number two in the Northwest Division in regards to points allowed, 91. LC was third, 127. Twentynine Palms led the Northwest with only 84 points allowed.
The Titans were second (behind Twentynine Palms, 52) in sacks with 34. The Lions ninth with 23.5.
NDR led the Northwest with 22 interceptions. LC was 13th with nine.
So think of it in these terms, when the Lions do decide to go to the air the Titans have the athletes in the secondary, Ian Zamudio and Wesley Smith, to shut it down.
The Lions defense is good, but they will have a lot more to deal with than the NDR defense will.
Edge: NDR
Ground Game:
NDR has the seventh best ground game in the division. LC has the third best. 617. The Lions have a pair of thousand yard backs in Zac Archer and Lorenzo Burns. They are the heart of the team’s offense and have accounted for 30 rushing touchdowns. These guys are deluxe home run hitters.
The Titans have a trio of backs (Zamudio, Chris Gurrola, & Noel Leon) who don’t have flashy numbers, but then again with Harrell throwing the ball…They didn’t need flashing numbers.
Edge: LC
Passing Game:
Linfield Christian’s Clay Maranville has had a solid year. He’s thrown 14 touchdown passes but has not rung up a score via the air since the first week of November. He also got fat with a five-touchdown performance in an 87-0 win over Western Christian. A good quarterback, with good size, but he’s next year’s hero.
NDR’s Harrell is this year’s hero with 27 touchdown passes against just seven interceptions. He’s fired a touchdown pass in every game. Good size, good arm, and his team is undefeated. Oh, and he’s back next year.
Edge: NDR
Coaching:
Titans HC, Derrick Johnson has built this team over the course of the last three seasons. Going from 4-6 in 2013 to 6-5 and a playoff birth a year ago. Now they’re in the finals with a 13-0 record and with a roster that is completely his.
DeChon Burns is in his third year leading the Lions. He’s the playoffs each year and turned his program into a presence. There is talent at LC and more will be arriving shortly.
Edge: Draw
Home Field:
This is a home game for the Lions. The site is Temecula Valley High School.
Edge: Draw
Winner?:
Unless the game turns into a three touchdown affair, either way, this will not be an upset. These are good teams and have been the class of the division all season. CalPreps likes LC 22-21, but we like NDR because of Niles Harrell.
Notre Dame/Riverside 21 Linfield Christian 16
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