High school football fans in California are gearing up for a thrilling non-conference showdown tonight as the Paraclete Spirits travel to take on the San Marcos Royals at San Marcos High School. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m., promising an exciting evening for supporters of both teams. Both squads enter this matchup unbeaten, making this a key early-season contest to watch.

Paraclete vs San Marcos Football Game Info:

What: California High School Football
Who: Paraclete vs San Marcos
When: Friday, August 29, 2025
Time: 7 PM
Live stream: Watch here

Team Overview

Paraclete Spirits (1-0)

The Paraclete Spirits, hailing from Lancaster, California, come into this game off a strong opening performance, holding a perfect record of 1-0. Their season began with a convincing win that highlighted the team’s balanced offensive attack. The Spirits have already demonstrated their ability to move the ball both on the ground and through the air, averaging 160 rushing yards and 173 passing yards per game. Their total offense stands at an impressive 333 yards per contest, a clear indicator of the team’s versatility and scoring potential.

The offensive leader for Paraclete is quarterback Joseph Mesa, who has already compiled 173 passing yards and 205 total yards per game. On the ground, Kyle Fulton Jr. leads the rushing attack with 135 yards per game, while Adrian Jones has been the team’s top receiving threat, averaging 121 yards per game. Defensively, Darren Coleman has been a standout, leading the team with 10 tackles per game. While Paraclete does not yet have a recorded sack this season, their tackling has kept opponents in check.

San Marcos Royals (1-0)

The San Marcos Royals, representing Santa Barbara, California, are also undefeated, entering tonight’s game with a 1-0 record. Unlike Paraclete, the Royals’ defense has been especially dominant, allowing zero points in their season opener. Offensively, San Marcos has matched Paraclete in scoring efficiency, posting 35 points in their first game. The team averages 135 rushing yards and 146 passing yards per game, giving them a balanced offensive approach similar to their visitors.

Quarterback Hayden Feleay has been a focal point for the Royals, totaling 146 yards per game and leading the team’s passing attack. Isaac Murillo has been the top receiving threat with 87 yards per game, while Cole Dominguez has contributed both offensively and defensively, recording 66 rushing yards per game and three sacks. Defensively, San Marcos has been stout with 61 tackles per game, making them a challenge for any opposing offense.

Head-to-Head and Historical Context

This will mark the first-ever meeting between Paraclete and San Marcos in high school football, adding an extra layer of intrigue to tonight’s matchup. Both teams come in with identical records, making this game crucial for establishing early-season momentum. While no direct historical data exists between these squads, the statistical profiles of both teams suggest a highly competitive contest is likely.

Paraclete and San Marcos share a similar scoring capability, with both teams averaging 35 points per game in their season openers. Quarter-by-quarter scoring trends indicate that Paraclete starts strong in the first half, with 7 points in the first quarter and 13 in the second. Meanwhile, San Marcos has been explosive early, scoring 14 points in each of the first two quarters. If both teams continue their current trends, fans can expect a fast-paced, high-scoring affair.

Statistical Matchup

Analyzing team statistics offers a deeper understanding of how this game might unfold.

• Rushing: Paraclete holds a slight advantage with 160 rushing yards per game compared to San Marcos’ 135 yards. Kyle Fulton Jr.’s consistent performance will be a key factor.
• Passing: Paraclete also leads in passing with 173 yards per game, versus 146 for San Marcos. Joseph Mesa’s passing efficiency could be pivotal against the Royals’ defensive setup.
• Receiving: On the receiving end, Paraclete edges ahead with 182 yards per game, largely due to Adrian Jones’ contributions.
• Total Offense: Paraclete averages 333 total yards per game, while San Marcos stands at 281, highlighting Paraclete’s slightly more productive offense.
• Defense: San Marcos has been more dominant defensively, recording seven sacks compared to Paraclete’s none. Tackling is evenly matched, with Paraclete averaging 54 tackles per game and San Marcos slightly higher at 61.

Overall, the statistics suggest that Paraclete may hold an advantage offensively, while San Marcos brings a stronger pass rush and defensive discipline to the field.

Key Players to Watch

Paraclete

• Joseph Mesa, QB: Mesa’s dual-threat capability as a passer and overall offensive leader makes him the player to watch. His 205 total yards per game already indicate a player in peak form.
• Kyle Fulton Jr., RB: Fulton Jr.’s 135 rushing yards per game could prove crucial in controlling the clock and sustaining drives.
• Adrian Jones, WR: Jones’ receiving numbers indicate that he can be a game-changer in big passing plays.

San Marcos

• Hayden Feleay, QB: Feleay has shown consistent production, responsible for leading the Royals’ passing attack with 146 yards per game.
• Isaac Murillo, WR: Murillo’s ability to stretch the field with 87 receiving yards per game will be key against Paraclete’s defense.
• Cole Dominguez, RB/Def: Dominguez contributes both offensively and defensively, providing a dual-threat impact with 66 rushing yards and three sacks.

Broadcasting and Streaming

For fans unable to attend the game in person, Paraclete vs San Marcos will be available live on the NFHS Network. This allows supporters from both Lancaster and Santa Barbara, as well as wider audiences, to follow the action in real-time. Score trackers are available for both Paraclete and San Marcos, giving fans the opportunity to follow play-by-play updates.

Predictions and Game Outlook

With both teams undefeated and showing strong offensive and defensive capabilities, tonight’s game promises a competitive and exciting matchup. Paraclete’s strength lies in their balanced offensive attack and ability to generate yards both on the ground and through the air. San Marcos, meanwhile, has shown a more dominant defense, particularly with their ability to generate sacks and tackles, making them formidable opponents.

Key factors that will likely determine the outcome include:

• How effectively San Marcos can pressure Joseph Mesa in the passing game.
• Whether Paraclete’s running game, led by Kyle Fulton Jr., can control the clock and open up passing lanes.
• Turnovers and mistakes, which can swing momentum in a game where both offenses are capable of scoring quickly.

While it’s difficult to predict a winner in a first-time matchup between evenly matched teams, fans can expect a hard-fought, entertaining contest with potential scoring swings throughout the night.

Final Thoughts

The Paraclete Spirits traveling to face the San Marcos Royals is one of the early highlights of the California high school football calendar. Both teams are off to perfect starts, and this non-conference game provides a meaningful test for each program. With strong statistical profiles, standout players, and balanced teams on both sides, tonight’s showdown promises to be a memorable clash.

High school football enthusiasts looking to catch every play should tune into the NFHS Network for the live stream and follow the score trackers for real-time updates. This is a game that could shape early-season narratives for both programs and is essential viewing for California football fans.