In short: South Spartans high school football (Torrance, CA), 2026 season: 5-4 in the Ocean League. Last game: W 48-0 vs Hawthorne on October 23, 2026. Next: at Peninsula, October 30, 2026. Schedule and results, player season stats, stat leaders, unit grades, ScorePirate ranking and the game-by-game log.
The number to watch when South meets Peninsula is South's scoring defense. South allowed 34.0 points per game over its first 6 games (3-3), #347 in CIF-SS in that timeframe. Over the stretch of 3 games that followed (2-1), the Spartans have allowed 9.3 points per game, a 73% drop, #40 in CIF-SS in that window. The schedule deserves some of the credit: South's last 3 opponents have averaged 21.9 points per game, a #254 offense in CIF-SS on the season, against 29.5 points per game, #133 for the first 6. Measured against those opponents' norms (21.9 points per game), South held those offenses 57% below what they usually score. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 3 opponents average a rating that would rank #326 in CIF-SS, well below the first 6 (#244), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. Only Lawndale broke through in that span, putting up 28 on 10/16. Meanwhile, Peninsula's offense has been middle of the pack in recent weeks. The Panthers have averaged 30.0 points per game over their last 3 games (2-1), #145 in CIF-SS during that time. Those games came against some of the weaker scoring defenses in CIF-SS (30.8 points per game on the season, which would rank #316). Overall, those opponents average an SP Strength Index rating that would rank #326 in CIF-SS, a lower level of competition. Peninsula offers South a fair measuring stick for whether the trend is real. South is 4-1 this season when it holds opponents under 29, and 1-3 when it doesn't.
The turnover battle could decide South's next game, against Peninsula, and the recent returns favor Peninsula. South forced 1.8 takeaways per game over its first 5 games (3-2), #92 in CIF-SS through those games. Over the stretch of 4 games that followed (2-2), the Spartans have forced 1.0 takeaways per game, a 44% drop, #231 in CIF-SS through that stretch. The schedule has a lot to do with it: South's last 4 opponents have averaged 1.2 per game, a #177 offense in CIF-SS on the season, against 1.8 per game, #314 for the first 5. Measured against those opponents' norms (1.2 per game), South forced 15% fewer turnovers than those offenses usually give up. Conversely, Peninsula's ball security has been one of CIF-SS's better units in recent weeks. The Panthers have committed 1.0 giveaways per game over their last 4 games (3-1), #117 in CIF-SS over that stretch. Those games came against some of the weaker defenses in CIF-SS (1.0 per game on the season, which would rank #270). Overall, those opponents average an SP Strength Index rating that would rank #325 in CIF-SS, a lower level of competition. Unless South's defense rediscovers its early form, the edge in this matchup belongs to Peninsula.
NOTES
The biggest shift in South's season has come in its ground game. South averaged 6.1 yards per carry (787 yards on 128 rushes) over its first 5 games (3-2), #139 in CIF-SS within that period. Over the stretch of 4 games that followed (2-2), the Spartans have averaged 8.5 yards per carry (688 yards on 81 rushes), a 38% rise, #47 in CIF-SS across those games. The schedule deserves some of the credit: South's last 4 opponents have averaged 8.3 yards per carry, a #365 run defense in CIF-SS on the season, against 6.3 yards per carry, #254 for the first 5. Overall, though, those opponents have been lower-level teams: their average SP Strength Index rating would rank just #300 in CIF-SS. On the season, South ranks #78 in CIF-SS in rushing. The trend lines up well against Peninsula, whose run defense ranks just #362 of 404 (8.2 yards per carry).
South's passing game from the opening weeks has gone missing since. The Spartans averaged 9.3 yards per pass attempt (706 yards on 76 attempts) over their first 3 games (2-1), #95 in CIF-SS during those games. In the 6 games since that hot start (3-3), South has averaged 6.0 yards per pass attempt (588 yards on 98 attempts), a 35% drop, #284 in CIF-SS during that period. The schedule has a lot to do with it: South's last 6 opponents have averaged 8.1 yards per attempt, a #238 pass defense in CIF-SS on the season, against 9.0 yards per attempt, #291 for the first 3. Measured against those opponents' norms (8.1 yards per attempt), South threw for 26% less per attempt than those pass defenses usually allow. On the season, the Spartans rank #192 in CIF-SS in passing. Peninsula's pass defense sits in the middle of the pack, #202 in CIF-SS (7.7 yards per attempt).
Something changed for South's offense after the first 6 games of the season. South averaged 31.7 points per game over its first 6 games (3-3), #99 in CIF-SS during that stretch. Over the stretch of 3 games that followed (2-1), the Spartans have averaged 39.3 points per game, a 24% rise, #64 in CIF-SS over that period. The schedule deserves some of the credit: South's last 3 opponents have averaged 30.8 points per game, a #316 scoring defense in CIF-SS on the season, against 26.1 points per game, #251 for the first 6. Measured against those opponents' norms (30.8 points per game), South scored 28% more than those defenses usually allow. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 3 opponents average a rating that would rank #326 in CIF-SS, well below the first 6 (#244), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. On the season, South ranks #78 in CIF-SS in scoring. Peninsula's defense sits in the middle of the pack, #254 in CIF-SS (26.6 points per game). South is 5-2 this season when it scores 27 or more, and 0-2 when it doesn't.
South's pass defense has allowed more yards per attempt as the season has worn on. The Spartans allowed 7.3 yards per pass attempt (608 yards on 83 attempts) over their first 4 games (2-2), #194 in CIF-SS over that timeframe. In the 5 games since that hot start (3-2), South has allowed 8.8 yards per pass attempt (744 yards on 85 attempts), a 19% rise, #247 in CIF-SS over that span. The schedule has a lot to do with it: South's last 5 opponents have averaged 8.7 yards per attempt, a #120 passing attack in CIF-SS on the season, against 7.7 yards per attempt, #178 for the first 4. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 5 opponents average a rating that would rank #308 in CIF-SS, well below the first 4 (#220), which makes the dip harder to excuse. On the season, the Spartans rank #233 in CIF-SS in pass defense. It won't get any easier against Peninsula, whose passing game ranks #40 in CIF-SS (10.7 yards per attempt).
South's offense has struggled to move the chains as the season has progressed. South averaged 7.7 yards per play (1,162 yards on 150 snaps) over its first 3 games (2-1), #96 in CIF-SS in that timeframe. In the 6 games since that hot start (3-3), the Spartans have averaged 6.9 yards per play (1,607 yards on 233 snaps), an 11% drop, #162 in CIF-SS in that window. The schedule doesn't explain it: the opponents in both stretches have averaged about 7.6 yards per play on the season. Measured against those opponents' norms (7.8 yards per play), South gained 12% less per snap than those defenses usually allow. On the season, South ranks #135 in CIF-SS in yards per play. Peninsula's defense, #313 of 404 (8.0 yards per play), could be the get-right matchup South needs.
TIDBITS (11 found)
• Club South has gone 9 straight games rushing for 100+ yards (August 21, 2026 through October 23, 2026), going 5-4 over that stretch, a school-record 9 straight in the 22 seasons on record.
• Club South is 17-0 all time when holding the opponent under 10 points in the games on file (17 such games).
• Club South has scored 118 points over its last 3 games (39.3 a game, October 9, 2026 through October 23, 2026) -- its most in a 3-game stretch on record.
• Club South is 11-1 all time when forcing 3+ turnovers. South's last loss when forcing 3+ turnovers was October 10, 2025 against Santa Monica (L, 37-42).
• Club South has gone 5 straight games being held under 200 passing yards (September 18, 2026 through October 23, 2026), going 3-2 over that stretch, the program's longest such streak since 2013 (7 games).
• Player Chris Noubi has gone 8 straight games running for a touchdown, the longest such streak of his career.
• Player Ryan Dempster has gone 5 straight games throwing a touchdown pass, the longest such streak of his career.
• Player Nathan Kerekes has never had a game rushing for 100+ yards for South, over a 19-game career on record. His career high is 91, set September 19, 2025 against Hawthorne (W, 48-0).
• Player Nathan Kerekes has never had a game recording 100+ receiving yards for South, over a 19-game career on record. His career high is 79, set October 24, 2025 against North (L, 14-48).
• Player Denver Schneider has never had a game making 10 or more tackles for South, over a 47-game career on record. His career high is 8, set October 10, 2025 against Santa Monica (L, 37-42).
• Player Denver Schneider has gone 5 straight games without recording 100+ receiving yards. The last time he had 100+ receiving yards was September 11, 2026 against Paramount (L, 28-47) — 147 receiving yards.
MILESTONE WATCH
South
Denver Schneider needs 3 receiving yards for 500 (averaging 55.2 a game)
Chris Noubi needs 1 rushing touchdown for 15 (averaging 1.8 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 23 game; last updated Oct 25; roster and numbers checked Sep 10.
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 6/9, sacks allowed 6/9 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 59.4/100 (+5 yds/gm vs average)
Rush Offense: grade 32.3/100 (-49 yds/gm vs average)
Pass Defense: grade 42.1/100 (+7 yds/gm vs average)
Rush Defense: grade 32.8/100 (+32 yds/gm vs average)
Unit grades: 0-100 league percentile, opponent-curved (two-way solve over current + past seasons, recency-weighted). Composite counts yardage, efficiency vs league YPA/YPC (50% tilt), and negative plays at sack=7yd, INT=45yd, TFL=4yd -- adjustable v1 constants.
SOU finished 2025 at 3-7. Missed playoffs. Notable win: 34-31 over WEST (WEST finished 55% that season). Toughest loss: 34-35 to PENINSULA (1-point margin).
SOU — OFFENSE SCORING SITUATION — 2024-26 (29 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
Scores <10
0-5
.000
2.6
Scores 10-19
0-4
.000
14.0
Scores 20-29
1-8
.111
24.8
Scores 30-39
3-2
.600
34.4
Scores 40+
6-0
1.000
47.8
SOU — OFFENSE — 2026 (9 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
STRK
YPA 8.0+
4-0
1.000
43.8
W4
YPA < 8.0
1-4
.200
26.6
L2
Pass Yds 200+
0-2
.000
28.0
L2
Pass Yds < 200
5-2
.714
36.0
W1
Rush Yds 100+
5-4
.556
34.2
W1
Rush Yds < 100
--
--
--
--
Rush Yds 150+
4-1
.800
37.2
W2
Rush Yds < 150
1-3
.250
30.5
L3
YPC 5.0+
4-3
.571
34.6
W2
YPC < 5.0
1-1
.500
33.0
L1
YPP 6.0+
4-2
.667
38.5
W2
YPP < 6.0
1-2
.333
25.7
L2
YPP 7.0+
3-1
.750
39.5
W2
YPP < 7.0
2-3
.400
30.0
L2
Turnovers 1+
2-4
.333
30.3
L1
Turnovers < 1
3-0
1.000
42.0
W3
Turnovers 2+
2-4
.333
30.3
L1
Turnovers > 2
2-1
.667
39.7
W2
SOU — OFFENSE SCORING SITUATION — 2026 (9 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
Scores <10
--
--
--
Scores 10-19
0-1
.000
14.0
Scores 20-29
0-3
.000
25.7
Scores 30-39
1-0
1.000
33.0
Scores 40+
4-0
1.000
46.0
SOU — DEFENSE — 2024-26 (29 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
STRK
YPA 8.0+
0-10
.000
42.1
L10
YPA < 8.0
8-7
.533
26.1
W3
4 games without this stat on file
Pass Yds 200+
0-5
.000
40.6
L5
Pass Yds < 200
8-12
.400
30.5
W3
4 games without this stat on file
Rush Yds 100+
2-16
.111
38.3
L2
Rush Yds < 100
5-1
.833
17.2
L1
5 games without this stat on file
Rush Yds 150+
1-13
.071
40.5
L1
Rush Yds < 150
6-4
.600
22.6
L2
5 games without this stat on file
YPC 5.0+
2-14
.125
39.9
L1
YPC < 5.0
5-3
.625
19.2
L2
5 games without this stat on file
YPP 6.0+
3-15
.167
39.8
L3
YPP < 6.0
5-2
.714
13.7
W4
4 games without this stat on file
YPP 7.0+
1-13
.071
41.9
L2
YPP < 7.0
7-4
.636
20.6
L1
4 games without this stat on file
Turnovers 1+
8-4
.667
23.9
W3
Turnovers < 1
2-15
.118
37.3
L2
Turnovers 2+
6-3
.667
22.6
W3
Turnovers > 2
3-1
.750
23.0
W1
SOU — DEFENSE SCORING SITUATION — 2024-26 (29 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
Allows <10
4-0
1.000
1.5
Allows 10-19
1-1
.500
13.0
Allows 20-29
4-2
.667
24.2
Allows 30-39
1-3
.250
34.0
Allows 40+
0-13
.000
46.8
SOU — DEFENSE — 2026 (9 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
STRK
YPA 8.0+
0-3
.000
39.0
L3
YPA < 8.0
3-0
1.000
19.7
W3
3 games without this stat on file
Pass Yds 200+
0-3
.000
39.0
L3
Pass Yds < 200
3-0
1.000
19.7
W3
3 games without this stat on file
Rush Yds 100+
1-2
.333
34.7
L2
Rush Yds < 100
1-1
.500
26.0
L1
4 games without this stat on file
Rush Yds 150+
1-1
.500
38.0
L1
Rush Yds < 150
1-2
.333
26.7
L2
4 games without this stat on file
YPC 5.0+
1-1
.500
38.0
L1
YPC < 5.0
1-2
.333
26.7
L2
4 games without this stat on file
YPP 6.0+
1-3
.250
36.5
L3
YPP < 6.0
2-0
1.000
15.0
W2
3 games without this stat on file
YPP 7.0+
1-2
.333
39.3
L2
YPP < 7.0
2-1
.667
19.3
L1
3 games without this stat on file
Turnovers 1+
4-2
.667
25.3
W3
Turnovers < 1
1-2
.333
26.7
L2
Turnovers 2+
4-1
.800
21.0
W3
Turnovers > 2
1-0
1.000
29.0
W1
SOU — DEFENSE SCORING SITUATION — 2026 (9 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
Allows <10
2-0
1.000
0.0
Allows 10-19
1-0
1.000
10.0
Allows 20-29
2-1
.667
25.7
Allows 30-39
--
--
--
Allows 40+
0-3
.000
48.3
ON THE BRINK
SOUTH
• SOUTH 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).
SOU's defense has averaged 271.0 pass yards per game over their last 3 games. Their 25-game average is 154.8 pass yards per game. (+75%)
SOU's defense has averaged 9.3 points allowed per game over their last 3 games. Their 29-game average is 31.8 points allowed per game. (-71%)
SOU's defense has averaged 55.5 rush yards per game over their last 5 games. Their 24-game average is 178.3 rush yards per game. (-69%)
SOU's defense has averaged 2.6 YPC over their last 5 games. Their 24-game average is 6.2 YPC. (-59%)
SOU's defense has averaged 1.4 takeaways per game over their last 20 games. Their 29-game average is 1.0 takeaways per game. (+40%)
SOU's defense has averaged 10.4 YPA over their last 3 games. Their 25-game average is 7.9 YPA. (+33%)
(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 four weighted criteria and the top 5 per team are listed. In Cooper's own weighting order: (1) the WIN% attached to the condition, counted only when the condition has occurred at least 8 times -- a smaller sample is dropped outright, not discounted; (2) the PPG attached to it, with higher better on offense and lower better on defense, and each side normalized against its own kind so a defensive number competes with defensive numbers rather than against scoring averages; (3) how far the number sits from the OPPONENT's on the same condition, across win%, PPG and how often the condition happens at all; and (4) where it falls among every other team previously run through this workbook and cached. Criteria 1 and 2 measure how strong a number is; 3 and 4 measure how much it distinguishes this team. Weights: win_pct 40%, ppg 27%, matchup 20%, pool 13%. See important_numbers.py.
Full Data Exports
Data Export 1 -- TRENDS — TAB-SEPARATED (10 columns)
Where SOUTH (TORRANCE) sits among 399 section teams on the two Unit Index composites -- Offense Grade 53.2, Defense Grade 47.8.
PASS YARDS / GAME: SOUTH (TORRANCE) VS THE SECTION
SOUTH (TORRANCE) ranks #45 of 356 section teams in passing yards per game (236.8) -- a strength worth a look.
SOUTH (TORRANCE): SP STRENGTH INDEX BY SEASON
The program's index across 5 seasons on file -- 0.6 in 2022 to -1.8 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.
