The Southern Section is the largest section in California and Division 1 is considered by many to be the best playoff division in the nation.
The Southern Section has dominated the upper level state championship games in recent years and many of the best teams in the state play in the section. Some of the top teams in the nation play in Southern California and there is a ton of talent at the top this season.
Breaking Down the Top 10 Teams in the Southern Section
Here are the top 10 teams in the Southern Section for the 2026 season.
1. St. John Bosco
Key Offensive Players: Koa Malau’ulu, Maliq Allen, DJ Tubbs, Jacob Reid, Kuika Moaalii, Elisha Mueller, Kaden Franco, Gabriel Villalobos.
Key Defensive Players: Josiah Poyer, Ethan Coach, Gary Foster, Dillon Davis, Dorian Franklin, Isala Wily-Ava, Brandon Nash, Darnell Lacy, Simote Tupou
Breakdown: St. John Bosco is widely considered to the favorite to win the Open Division State championship this season and perhaps a National Championship. Koa Malau’ulu is a junior back for his third year as the Braves’ starting quarterback and DJ Tubbs is the best junior receiver in the state. The offensive line was a question mark but the arrival of Elisha Mueller from Servite brings the level of the group up. The linebackers and secondary are the among the best in the state and it will be very difficult for teams to throw against the Braves.
2. Santa Margarita
Key Offensive Players: Matthew Smith, Jaion Smith, Ryan Clark, Luke Gazzaniga, Grant Mosley, Grant Van Raaphorst, Kiyan Callis, Adam Iloilo Jr., Aaron Klatt
Key Defensive Players: Isaia Vandermade, Kingston Jimmerson, Cruz Nunez, Aydan Steen, Ca’ron Williams, Jake Martin
Breakdown: Santa Margarita won the Open Division State championship last season but lost a ton of talent on defense. Ca’ron Williams is a shutdown corner who can cut the field in half and Jake Martin will have a bigger role in the secondary. Kingston Jimmerson had a breakout offseason and Isaia Vandermade is a USC commit who had a stellar playoff run. Matthew Smith is a quarterback transfer from Villa Park who is making a big jump in competition but is playing behind an excellent offensive line. The Eagles have a chance to compete for another championship but will have to rely on a lot of guys stepping up quickly into their bigger roles.
3. Centennial
Key Offensive Players: Jaden Jefferson, Malaki Davis, Kennie Leggett, Quentin Hale, Xavier Baca, Saik Fiataugaluia, Nicolas Blum-Smith
Key Defensive Players: Jaden Walk-Green, Brett Smith, Dean Gibson, Lucky Schirmer, Jordan Kirkpatrick, Kye Duval
Breakdown: No team had a bigget addition this offseason than when Centennial got Jaden Jefferson and Quentin Hale to transfer from Los Angeles-Cathedral. Jefferson is a dual-threat quarterback with pinpoint accuracy and Hale is one of the best deep threat receivers in the nation. Malaki Davis and Jefferson should clean up in the zone/read game and the Huskies have a strong offensive line. The defense can rush the passer and cover receivers down the field which is an excellent combination. Centennial reached the Division 1 championship game last season and the additions of Jefferson and Hale may put it over the top.
4. Mater Dei
Key Offensive Players: Russell Sekona, Cameron Pooley, Asir Nembhard, Gavin Honore, Lex Mailangi, Adam Foglesong, Damien Armenta
Key Defensive Players: Danny Lang, Troy Bishop, Ace Leutele, Ezekiel Su’a, Sosene Schuster, Mata Uiagalelei, Michael Davis, Montana Toilolo, DJ Clanton, Isaiah Danns
Breakdown: Mater Dei feels a little bit underrated entering this season which is a crazy thing to say. The defense is as good as any defense in the state. Danny Lang and Troy Bishop are an elite cornerback duo and Ace Leutele is a three-year starting junior at safety. DJ Clanton, Ezekiel Su’a, Sosene Schuster and Michael Davis are the best linebacking group in the Section. The passing game was a big question mark this offseason but getting Gavin Honore to transfer back from Bishop Gorman raises the ceiling of the offense dramatically. We may see Mater Dei run the ball a lot this season and the defense is good enough to make the Monarchs a contender.
5. Sierra Canyon
Key Offensive Players: Demarco Hernandez, Jaxsen Stokes, King Webb, Micah Slade, Lance Ciechanowski, Braydenn Mercer, Tyston Seidman
Key Defensive Players: Myles Baker, Marcus Fakatou, Duvay Williams, Kasi Currie, Stephan Harrison, Faruq Muhammad, Mykel Ramos
Breakdown: Sierra Canyon has a ton of big names on defense and unless teams create turnovers in opposing territory, it will be very hard for teams to score on the Trailblazers. Myles Baker, Mykel Ramos, Faruq Muhammad and Duvay Williams is an elite secondary and Sierra Canyon’s defensive front is the best in the state. Marcus Fakatou is an Ohio State commit who can cause physical mismatches and Stephan Harrison may be the best sophomore in the state. Sierra Canyon will be able to run the ball well with Jaxsen Stokes and Demarco Hernandez isn’t a high-profile quarterback, but he looked good at the Battle at the Beach. This defense can lead Sierra Canyon to a championship.
6. Mission Viejo
Key Offensive Players: Brett Burnor, Jack Junker, Jeremy Bonhomme, Amaziah Siale, Luke Karby, Max Markofski, Tyler Johnson
Key Defensive Players: Jordan Hicks, Bryce Warner, Cash Gervase, JoJo Reed, Noah Lee, Kiingbaraka Kizzee, Desmond Maxwell
Breakdown: Mission Viejo has a sneaky underrated defense with a lot of speed in the secondary. Jordan Hicks is a top underclassman corner in the nation and the arrival of Kiingbaraka Kizzee makes the group more physically imposing. Cash Gervase missed nearly all of last season with a knee injury and him being back makes a huge difference for the Diablos’ defense. Brett Burnor is a sophomore quarterback who still has a developing arm, but he knows the offense well and Jack Junker may catch over 80 passes this season.
7. Orange Lutheran
Key Offensive Players: Reagan Toki, Ezrah Brown, Ryan Christianson, Nico Bland, Chris Flores, Lucas Rhoa, Austin Attalah, Mario Luna, Troy Oliva
Key Defensive Players: Anhor Johnson, King Rich Johnson, Chauncey Washington, Matthew Zapien, Anthony McClure, Ariez Leomiti
Breakdown: Orange Lutheran has a new coaching staff and was the stock rising team at the Battle at the Beach tournament. Reagan Toki and Ezrah Brown looked good at quarterback and will both play a lot this season. Nico Bland and Chris Flores are great receivers on the outside. Lucas Rhoa and Austin Attalah are the best tackle combination in the state. Orange Lutheran’s secondary is full of athleticism and they can all play multiple positions. It’s going to be very hard for opponents to throw against the Lancers this year and the offensive line will be good as it usually is.
8. Servite
Key Offensive Players: Gino Wang, Jorden Wells, Benjamin Harris, Kamil Pelovello, Drew Fielder, Keiden Lokeni, Nija Ulisese
Key Defensive Players: Isaiah Leilua, Allen Kennett V, Kaleb Aiava, Jace Wells
Breakdown: Servite has speed all over the field and they will have to get those guys the ball in space in order to compete with the top teams. Gino Wang transferred in from JSerra where he started most of the season in 2025. Jorden Wells has the speed to be a big play running back behind a good offensive line led by Drew Fielder, a USC commit. The strength of the team is at linebacker with Isaiah Leilua and Allen Kennett along with Kaleb Aiava at safety.
9. Chaparral
Key Offensive Players: Dane Weber, Eli Woodard, Michael “Kiko” Farinas, Tycen Johnson, Chase Bonta, Caeden Weaver, Axton Lange
Key Defensive Players: Kameron Payne, Caleb Joy, Kayden Domingue, Connor Rios
Breakdown: Chaparral has one of the most dynamic offenses in the Section but quarterback Dane Weber may miss the first half of the season with a hand injury. The receiving corps is the best in the area and sophomore Caden Sterba will have plenty of help when he starts the first half of the season at quarterback. All of those top receivers play defense as well and Kameron Payne can rush the passer. Chaparral has a tough schedule and if the Pumas can treat water until Weber comes back, they can beat a lot of teams.
10. Tustin
Key Offensive Players: Ayden Edwards, Hayden Koo, Jeremiah Salvant, Rufai Azeez, Cameron Mauinatu, Devon Benavente
Key Defensive Players: Taven Epps, Jon Iaone, Jeremiah Williams, Khalil Terry, Jackson Perez, Amir Moorehead
Breakdown: Tustin has as much blue chip talent as anyone but the playoff success hasn’t followed yet. Ayden Edwards is a three-year starting quarterback who looks better every time I see him. Koo is one of the best junior receivers in the nation and was a breakout star this offseason. Jon Ioane and Jeremiah Williams are one of the best defensive line duos in the state and Taven Epps is a versatile linebacker headed to Oklahoma next year.