In short: Linden Lions high school football (Linden, CA), 2026 season: 6-2. Last game: W 14-13 vs River Islands on October 23, 2026. Next: vs Calaveras, October 30, 2026. Schedule and results, player season stats, stat leaders, unit grades, ScorePirate ranking and the game-by-game log.
The turnover battle could decide Linden's next game, against Calaveras, and the recent returns favor Linden. Linden committed 1.5 giveaways per game over its first 4 games (2-2), #80 in Section in that timeframe. In the 4 games since that slow start (4-0), the Lions have committed 0.2 giveaways per game, an 83% drop, #6 in Section in that window. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Linden's last 4 opponents have averaged 1.1 per game, a #99 defense in Section on the season, against 1.4 per game, #69 for the first 4. Measured against those opponents' norms (1.1 per game), Linden turned it over 78% less than those defenses usually force. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 4 opponents average a rating that would rank #110 in Section, well below the first 4 (#55), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. Conversely, Calaveras' defense has been one of Section's better units in recent weeks. The Red Hawks have forced 2.5 takeaways per game over their last 4 games (4-0), #12 in Section during that time. Those games came against a middle-of-the-pack set of offenses in Section (1.3 per game on the season, which would rank #82). Against those norms, Calaveras forced 95% more turnovers than those offenses usually give up. Overall, those opponents average an SP Strength Index rating that would rank #111 in Section, a lower level of competition. Something has to give when Linden's surging ball security meets one of Section's better units in Calaveras'.
The number to watch when Linden meets Calaveras is Linden's scoring. Linden averaged 19.0 points per game over its first 4 games (2-2), #106 in Section through those games. In the 4 games since that slow start (4-0), the Lions have averaged 30.2 points per game, a 59% rise, #60 in Section through that stretch. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Linden's last 4 opponents have averaged 25.8 points per game, a #76 scoring defense in Section on the season, against 19.2 points per game, #39 for the first 4. Measured against those opponents' norms (25.8 points per game), Linden scored 17% more than those defenses usually allow. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 4 opponents average a rating that would rank #110 in Section, well below the first 4 (#55), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. Conversely, Calaveras' defense has been one of Section's better units in recent weeks. The Red Hawks have allowed 4.8 points per game over their last 4 games (4-0), #4 in Section over that stretch. Those games came against some of the weaker offenses in Section (21.4 points per game on the season, which would rank #102). Against those norms, Calaveras held those offenses 78% below what they usually score. Overall, those opponents average an SP Strength Index rating that would rank #111 in Section, a lower level of competition. Something has to give when Linden's surging offense meets one of Section's better units in Calaveras'.
NOTES
The biggest shift in Linden's season has come in its ground game. Linden averaged 4.5 yards per carry (539 yards on 119 rushes) over its first 4 games (2-2), #112 in Section within that period. In the 4 games since that slow start (4-0), the Lions have averaged 8.4 yards per carry (785 yards on 93 rushes), an 86% rise, #26 in Section across those games. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Linden's last 4 opponents have averaged 6.6 yards per carry, a #95 run defense in Section on the season, against 5.3 yards per carry, #42 for the first 4. Measured against those opponents' norms (6.6 yards per carry), Linden ran for 29% more per carry than those run defenses usually allow. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 4 opponents average a rating that would rank #110 in Section, well below the first 4 (#55), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. On the season, Linden ranks #69 in Section in rushing. That form gets a real test against Calaveras, whose run defense ranks #2 in Section (3.4 yards per carry).
The Lions forced 3.0 takeaways per game over their first 4 games (2-2), #5 in Section during those games. Few teams started faster in this department, and few have cooled off as sharply since. In the 4 games since that hot start (4-0), Linden has forced 1.0 takeaways per game, a 67% drop, #87 in Section during that period. The schedule doesn't explain it: the opponents in both stretches have averaged about 1.2 per game on the season. Measured against those opponents' norms (1.2 per game), Linden forced 14% fewer turnovers than those offenses usually give up. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 4 opponents average a rating that would rank #110 in Section, well below the first 4 (#55), which makes the dip harder to excuse. On the season, the Lions rank #23 in Section in takeaways. It won't get any easier against Calaveras, whose ball security ranks #5 in Section (0.5 per game).
Linden's defense from the opening weeks has gone missing since. Linden allowed 12.0 points per game over its first 3 games (2-1), #16 in Section during that stretch. In the 5 games since that hot start (4-1), the Lions have allowed 19.2 points per game, a 60% rise, #39 in Section over that period. The schedule has a lot to do with it: Linden's last 5 opponents have averaged 27.9 points per game, a #67 offense in Section on the season, against 25.5 points per game, #78 for the first 3. Measured against those opponents' norms (27.9 points per game), Linden held those offenses 31% below what they usually score. By that measure, the early pace looks more like the outlier than the recent one. On the season, Linden ranks #22 in Section in scoring defense. It won't get any easier against Calaveras, whose offense ranks #12 in Section (40.1 points per game).
Something changed for Linden's offense after its first 4 games. The Lions averaged 6.4 yards per play (1,260 yards on 197 snaps) over their first 4 games (2-2), #76 in Section over that timeframe. In the 4 games since that slow start (4-0), Linden has averaged 8.5 yards per play (1,355 yards on 159 snaps), a 33% rise, #46 in Section over that span. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Linden's last 4 opponents have averaged 7.7 yards per play, a #104 defense in Section on the season, against 6.0 yards per play, #33 for the first 4. Measured against those opponents' norms (7.7 yards per play), Linden gained 11% more per snap than those defenses usually allow. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 4 opponents average a rating that would rank #110 in Section, well below the first 4 (#55), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. On the season, the Lions rank #63 in Section in yards per play. That form gets a real test against Calaveras, whose defense ranks #6 in Section (4.6 yards per play).
One of Linden's most reliable areas lately has been its defense. Linden allowed 7.1 yards per play (1,212 yards on 171 snaps) over its first 4 games (2-2), #82 in Section in that timeframe. In the 4 games since that slow start (4-0), the Lions have allowed 5.6 yards per play (879 yards on 156 snaps), a 21% drop, #25 in Section in that window. The schedule doesn't explain it: the opponents in both stretches have averaged about 7.5 yards per play on the season. Measured against those opponents' norms (7.6 yards per play), Linden held those offenses 26% below their usual yards per snap. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 4 opponents average a rating that would rank #110 in Section, well below the first 4 (#55), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. On the season, Linden ranks #48 in Section in yards per play allowed. That form gets a real test against Calaveras, whose offense ranks #30 in Section (8.5 yards per play).
TIDBITS (10 found)
• Club Linden has won 4 straight, and a win would make it 5 in a row. The last time they won 5 or more in a row was 2025, a run of 5.
• Club The last time Linden went a game committing 3+ turnovers was August 29, 2025 against Liberty Ranch (L, 7-44). Since then Linden has gone 19 straight games committing fewer than 3 turnovers, a school-record 19 straight in the 5 seasons on record.
• Club Linden has gone 5 straight games averaging 5.0+ yards per carry (September 18, 2026 through October 23, 2026), going 4-1 over that stretch, matching the program record of 5 straight on record.
• Club Linden has gone 5 straight games averaging 6.0+ yards per play (September 18, 2026 through October 23, 2026), going 4-1 over that stretch, a school-record 5 straight in the 5 seasons on record.
• Club Linden is 24-0 all time when holding the opponent under 10 points in the games on file (24 such games).
• Player Lincoln Ly has 3 sacks over his last 3 games (1.0 a game, September 25, 2026 through October 16, 2026) -- his most in a 3-game stretch on record.
• Player Isaac Ruvalcaba has gone 6 straight games rushing for 100+ yards, the longest such streak of his career.
• Player Isaac Ruvalcaba has gone 6 straight games running for a touchdown, the longest such streak of his career.
• Player Amari Moore has 3 touchdown catches over his last 3 games (1.0 a game, September 25, 2026 through October 16, 2026) -- his most in a 3-game stretch on record.
• Player Lincoln Ly has gone 3 straight games recording two or more tackles for loss, the longest such streak of his career.
MILESTONE WATCH
Linden
Carson Plaster needs 1 tackle for 50 (averaging 7.0 a game)
Isaac Ruvalcaba needs 21 rushing yards for 1,000 (averaging 139.9 a game)
Lincoln Ly needs 3 tackles for 75 (averaging 10.3 a game)
Win chances are the site's own game projections where one is on file, otherwise the SP Strength Index gap with a small home edge. The realistic range covers 80% of outcomes (10th to 90th percentile).
Every player with a stat on file, listed only where he has one. Open the arrow beside a name for his game-by-game line. Stats through the Oct 16 game; last updated Oct 21; roster and numbers checked Sep 6.
Click a column heading to sort. MIN hides players below that many attempts.
PPG/OPP PPG use every played game on file. YPG/PLAYS-PER-GAME columns only ever come from games with a full box score on file, which can be a smaller sample than GP -- see the coverage note below when that's the case for this team.
Averages use only games with that number on file (defense 7/8, sacks/INT 7/8, sacks allowed 7/8 games). SACKS ALW comes from the opponent's box score; TO FORCED is takeaways; TO MAR is takeaways minus giveaways, and its bottom cell is the season total. Dashes mean not on file.
UNIT INDEX
Pass Offense: grade 69.0/100 (+27 yds/gm vs average)
Rush Offense: grade 62.2/100 (+17 yds/gm vs average)
Pass Defense: grade 57.9/100 (-14 yds/gm vs average)
Rush Defense: grade 78.3/100 (-62 yds/gm vs average)
Unit grades: 0-100 league percentile, adjusted for the opponents faced.
LIN finished 2025 at 8-5. Made the playoffs (3 postseason game(s) on file; exact round/result not available). Notable win: 21-13 over STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN (STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN finished 82% that season). Toughest loss: 20-21 to SUMMERVILLE (1-point margin).
"N/A" stands in for a box score that does not have stats entered. A total followed by a count in parentheses covers only the games with that stat on file.
TALKING POINTS (15 storylines)
LIN HAS PERFORMED BEST THIS DATA SET WHEN...
• LIN commits fewer than 2 giveaways (.999), and has won 15 straight when doing so
• LIN averages 6.0+ yards per play (.833), and has won 4 straight when doing so
• LIN holds its opponents under 100 rushing yards (.999), and has won 7 straight when doing so
• LIN holds its opponents under 5.0 yards per carry (.900), and has won 3 straight when doing so
• LIN's offense has averaged 0.0 giveaways per game over their last 3 games. Their 22-game average is 0.9 giveaways per game. (-100%)
• LIN's offense has exceeded 100 rush yds in 7 straight games (09/04/2026-10/23/2026), going 6-1 over that stretch.
• LIN's defense has averaged 220.0 pass yards per game over their last 5 games. Their 20-game average is 132.3 pass yards per game. (+66%)
• LIN's defense has averaged 12.0 YPA over their last 5 games. Their 20-game average is 7.5 YPA. (+59%)
• LIN's defense has averaged 2.0 takeaways per game over their last 10 games. Their 22-game average is 1.3 takeaways per game. (+52%)
• LIN's offense has exceeded 5.0 YPC in 5 straight games (09/18/2026-10/23/2026), going 4-1 over that stretch.
• LIN's offense has averaged 6.8 YPA over their last 3 games. Their 24-game average is 11.2 YPA. (-39%)
• LIN's offense has failed to reach 8.0 YPA in 3 straight games (10/02/2026-10/23/2026), going 3-0 over that stretch.
• LIN's defense has averaged 8.3 YPP over their last 5 games. Their 20-game average is 6.4 YPP. (+29%)
• LIN's defense has averaged 364.0 total yards per game over their last 5 games. Their 20-game average is 282.6 total yards per game. (+29%)
• LIN averages 7.2+ yards per play (LIN's own median) (.917)
LIN — OFFENSE SCORING SITUATION — 2024-26 (33 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
Scores <10
0-3
.000
7.0
Scores 10-19
2-3
.400
13.6
Scores 20-29
4-4
.500
22.4
Scores 30-39
4-0
1.000
33.5
Scores 40+
13-0
1.000
50.2
LIN — OFFENSE — 2026 (8 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
STRK
YPA 8.0+
3-2
.600
22.2
W1
YPA < 8.0
3-0
1.000
28.7
W3
Pass Yds 200+
2-1
.667
27.0
W1
Pass Yds < 200
4-1
.800
23.2
W4
Rush Yds 100+
6-1
.857
27.1
W4
Rush Yds < 100
0-1
.000
7.0
L1
Rush Yds 150+
3-1
.750
32.0
W3
Rush Yds < 150
3-1
.750
17.2
W3
YPC 5.0+
4-1
.800
28.4
W4
YPC < 5.0
2-1
.667
18.3
W2
YPP 6.0+
5-1
.833
27.0
W4
YPP < 6.0
1-1
.500
17.5
W1
YPP 7.0+
3-1
.750
32.0
W3
YPP < 7.0
3-1
.750
17.2
W3
Turnovers 1+
2-2
.500
20.8
W1
Turnovers < 1
4-0
1.000
28.5
W4
Turnovers 2+
1-2
.333
16.0
L1
Turnovers > 2
--
--
--
--
LIN — OFFENSE SCORING SITUATION — 2026 (8 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
Scores <10
0-1
.000
7.0
Scores 10-19
1-0
1.000
14.0
Scores 20-29
2-1
.667
23.0
Scores 30-39
2-0
1.000
33.5
Scores 40+
1-0
1.000
40.0
LIN — DEFENSE — 2024-26 (33 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
STRK
YPA 8.0+
6-3
.667
22.1
W2
YPA < 8.0
8-3
.727
18.5
W3
13 games without this stat on file
Pass Yds 200+
3-2
.600
24.6
W1
Pass Yds < 200
11-4
.733
18.7
W4
13 games without this stat on file
Rush Yds 100+
7-6
.538
27.0
W3
Rush Yds < 100
7-0
1.000
7.4
W7
13 games without this stat on file
Rush Yds 150+
4-3
.571
31.3
W2
Rush Yds < 150
10-3
.769
14.2
W2
13 games without this stat on file
YPC 5.0+
5-5
.500
32.3
W1
YPC < 5.0
9-1
.900
8.0
W3
13 games without this stat on file
YPP 6.0+
7-4
.636
28.5
W2
YPP < 6.0
7-2
.778
9.9
W3
13 games without this stat on file
YPP 7.0+
5-3
.625
32.4
W2
YPP < 7.0
9-3
.750
12.0
W3
13 games without this stat on file
Turnovers 1+
10-3
.769
17.3
W5
Turnovers < 1
6-3
.667
20.4
W1
11 games without this stat on file
Turnovers 2+
7-1
.875
14.4
W3
11 games without this stat on file
Turnovers > 2
4-1
.800
12.8
W2
11 games without this stat on file
LIN — DEFENSE SCORING SITUATION — 2024-26 (33 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
Allows <10
14-0
1.000
3.1
Allows 10-19
4-1
.800
13.4
Allows 20-29
4-4
.500
24.1
Allows 30-39
--
--
--
Allows 40+
1-5
.167
43.3
LIN — DEFENSE — 2026 (8 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
STRK
YPA 8.0+
2-2
.500
24.5
W2
YPA < 8.0
3-0
1.000
9.3
W3
1 games without this stat on file
Pass Yds 200+
1-1
.500
31.5
W1
Pass Yds < 200
4-1
.800
12.6
W4
1 games without this stat on file
Rush Yds 100+
4-2
.667
19.8
W3
Rush Yds < 100
1-0
1.000
7.0
W1
1 games without this stat on file
Rush Yds 150+
2-0
1.000
10.5
W2
Rush Yds < 150
3-2
.600
21.0
W2
1 games without this stat on file
YPC 5.0+
2-1
.667
25.7
W1
YPC < 5.0
3-1
.750
12.2
W3
1 games without this stat on file
YPP 6.0+
2-1
.667
27.7
W2
YPP < 6.0
3-1
.750
10.8
W3
1 games without this stat on file
YPP 7.0+
2-1
.667
27.7
W2
YPP < 7.0
3-1
.750
10.8
W3
1 games without this stat on file
Turnovers 1+
5-1
.833
11.5
W5
Turnovers < 1
1-1
.500
31.5
W1
Turnovers 2+
3-1
.750
10.8
W3
Turnovers > 2
2-1
.667
12.0
W2
LIN — DEFENSE SCORING SITUATION — 2026 (8 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
Allows <10
3-0
1.000
6.7
Allows 10-19
2-1
.667
14.0
Allows 20-29
1-0
1.000
20.0
Allows 30-39
--
--
--
Allows 40+
0-1
.000
50.0
ON THE BRINK
LINDEN
• LINDEN has been held under 100 passing in 2 straight games (10/16/26–10/23/26). It has not reached 3 straight in the last 4 years of games on file (2023-present).
• LINDEN has played turnover-free in 3 straight games (10/2/26–10/23/26). It has not reached 4 straight in the last 4 years of games on file (2023-present).
• LINDEN has won 4 straight (9/25/26–10/23/26). It has not won 5 straight since 9/19/25–10/17/25 (2025). It has reached 5 straight 3 times in the last 4 years and has won a high of 6 straight (2023) in that span.
LIN's defense has averaged 220.0 pass yards per game over their last 5 games. Their 20-game average is 132.3 pass yards per game. (+66%)
LIN's defense has averaged 12.0 YPA over their last 5 games. Their 20-game average is 7.5 YPA. (+59%)
LIN's defense has averaged 2.0 takeaways per game over their last 10 games. Their 22-game average is 1.3 takeaways per game. (+52%)
LIN's defense has averaged 8.3 YPP over their last 5 games. Their 20-game average is 6.4 YPP. (+29%)
LIN's defense has averaged 364.0 total yards per game over their last 5 games. Their 20-game average is 282.6 total yards per game. (+29%)
LIN's defense has averaged 13.0 points allowed per game over their last 3 games. Their 33-game average is 17.1 points allowed per game. (-24%)
(moved to the Appendix, Data Export 1, to keep this section shorter -- the full spreadsheet-paste table is there unchanged)
APPENDIX
Full-length explanations and full-size data exports for the shortened notes and relocated tables referenced throughout this report, numbered in the order their pointers appear above.
Explanatory Notes
Note 1 -- SEASON OUTLOOK
Every remaining game is projected from schedule-adjusted ratings; already-played games carry their real result. Records are simulated distributions, not a single guess -- MOST LIKELY FINAL is the single most probable record and its own probability, PROJECTED RECORD is the season's expected win total expressed in record form (an average across every simulated outcome, so it can land on a fraction of a game).
Note 2 -- OPPONENT TRACKER -- why some cards have no record shown
Only meaningful for an opponent who is ALSO a tracked team in the library -- an opponent with no games on file here at all shows the date and site alone.
Note 3 -- MOST IMPORTANT NUMBERS -- how a number is scored
Every split this report computes is scored on how strong the number is and how much it sets this team apart from its opponent and the rest of the field, and the top 5 per team are listed. A condition needs at least 8 occurrences to count.
Full Data Exports
Data Export 1 -- TRENDS — TAB-SEPARATED (10 columns)
Where LINDEN sits among 148 section teams on the two Unit Index composites -- Offense Grade 65.0, Defense Grade 82.5.
YARDS / PLAY ALLOWED: LINDEN VS THE SECTION
LINDEN ranks #13 of 121 section teams in yards per play allowed (4.24) -- a strength worth a look.
LINDEN: SP STRENGTH INDEX BY SEASON
The program's index across 5 seasons on file -- -0.3 in 2022 to 4.9 in 2026.
These graphs were chosen by the program from this season's most notable numbers. Build your own -- any stat against any other, for any mix of teams, seasons or players, with a JPEG download -- in the Graph Builder.
