#1 Lincoln Hornets (9-2) vs. #3 Cathedral Catholic Dons (9-2)
Open Division Championship - Snapdragon Stadium
Saturday, November 23rd, 2024 - 7:00 PM
In what promises to be another explosive contest for the most prestigious prize in San Diego Section football, the top-seeded Lincoln Hornets (9-2) and the No. 3 seed Cathedral Catholic Dons (9-2) will meet for the Open Division Championship at Snapdragon Stadium. This rematch of October's regular season meeting has all the makings of an instant classic. This will be the third straight Open Division title game appearance for the Hornets, while the Dons will be playing in their first since winning it in 2021.
Series History
39th All-Time Meeting (37th on the field)
2nd Championship Meeting: 2011 - Cathedral 45, Lincoln 0
First Meeting: 1964 - USDHS 19, Lincoln 13
Previous Meeting: 2024 - Lincoln 27, Cathedral 7
How We Got Here
In the opening round, the Cathedral Catholic earned a decisive 27-6 win over previously undefeated No. 2 seed La Costa Canyon, while Lincoln survived a thrilling overtime battle against No. 4 Mission Hills, 13-7.
Tale of the Tape
When these teams met just over a month ago, Lincoln emerged victorious with a convincing 27-7 win on Cathedral's home turf. The Hornets dominated the second half, putting up 20 points in a decisive third quarter. But championship games have a way of writing their own stories.
Despite putting up a season-low 13 points in last week's win over Mission Hills, Lincoln's high-powered offense, averaging 39.1 points per game, has been a problem for opponents all season. Led by dual-threat quarterback Akili Smith Jr. (177.9 passing yards/game) and explosive running back Aden Jackson (115.4 rushing yards/game), the Hornets have steamrolled through their schedule, putting up 441.4 total yards per game. Senior receiver Ty Olsen became the San Diego Section's all-time career leader in receiving yards (4,013).
Cathedral Catholic's more balanced approach centers around quarterback Brady Palmer (139.9 passing yards/game) and workhorse back Jake Funderburg (85.5 rushing yards/game). While their 26.8 points per game average might seem modest in comparison, the Dons' disciplined style has proven effective throughout their campaign.
Defense Wins Championships
While the offensive firepower of both teams has garnered headlines, this championship could well be decided by defensive play. Lincoln's aggressive unit has been a turnover-generating machine, led by linebacker Dylon Dunn's 9.2 tackles per game, defensive ends Jair Benjamin and Prince Tavizon's disruptive presence (8 sacks each), and Eugine Rice, who can create chaos anywhere on the defensive line. Cammeron Purnell leads the secondary with four interceptions on the year. The Hornets' defense has allowed just 148 points all season, holding opponents to single digits in five straight games.
Cathedral Catholic's defensive identity is built on disciplined play and stellar run defense. The Dons have surrendered just 121 points this season, anchored by Cade Smith's 6.6 tackles per game and Luke Westfall's ability to control the line of scrimmage. Their potential to limit explosive plays will be crucial against Lincoln's high-octane offense.
The defensive comparison tells an interesting story:
Lincoln: 13.5 points allowed per game, 3.4 sacks per game, 95.6 tackles per game
Cathedral: 11.0 points allowed per game, 1.9 sacks per game, 63.6 tackles per game
Path to the Championship
Both teams have been dominant against common opponents:
vs. St. Augustine: Lincoln 63-0, Cathedral Catholic 42-0
vs. Madison: Lincoln 56-0, Cathedral Catholic 55-6
vs. Point Loma: Lincoln 42-0, Cathedral Catholic 55-6
Players to Watch
Impact Hornets:
QB Akili Smith Jr. - 206.3 total yards/game
RB Aden Jackson - Leads team with 11.1 points/game
WR Ty Olsen - 72.5 receiving yards/game
LB Dylon Dunn - 9.2 tackles/game
Impact Dons:
QB Brady Palmer - 168.5 total yards/game
RB Jake Funderburg - 85.5 rushing yards/game
WR Hunter Harrington - 76.6 receiving yards/game
DL Luke Westfall - Anchors defensive front
Publisher's Prediction
While Lincoln enters as the slight favorite based on their regular season victory and statistical advantages, Cathedral Catholic's championship pedigree cannot be overlooked. Expect the Dons to make key adjustments from their previous meeting, but Lincoln's explosive offense might be too much to contain.
Final Score Prediction: Lincoln 35, Cathedral Catholic 31
Stats provided by MaxPreps.com
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