Football Game Preview: Central Spartans vs. Christian Patriots + How To Watch

The Central Spartans will take on the Christian Patriots at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The two teams each escaped (but just barely!) with wins against their previous opponents.

Central is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They skirted past University City 44-42. The win was nothing new for the Spartans as they're now sitting on four straight.

Matthew Lizaola

Rushing Yards (Career)

11/21/25 vs University City	269
09/05/25 @ Mt. Carmel	136
09/26/25 vs La Quinta	79
08/29/25 vs Palm Desert	70
10/10/25 @ Holtville	51

Matthew Lizaola produced another solid effort rushing for 269 yards and five TDs while picking up 8.2 yards per carry. Those 269 rushing yards gave him a new career-high. Fidel Jr Camarena helped out on the ground, rushing for 87 yards and a rushing touchdown.

They were just one part of a punishing run game: Central was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 374 rushing yards. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 97.3 rushing yards per game earlier this season, but in their last five matchups they've averaged 198.7.

Meanwhile, Christian had just enough and edged out Army-Navy 20-17 on Friday. That's two games straight that the Patriots have won by exactly three points.

Central better keep an eye on Kaleb Runkle. He was instrumental in Christian's win, throwing for 96 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while also rushing for 48 yards.

Central's record is now 10-2. As for Christian, their record now sits at 6-7.

Things could have been worse for Central, but things could have been a whole lot better as they took a 44-28 loss to Christian in their previous matchup back in September of 2021. Can the Spartans avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.