The CIF-SS playoff pairings were unveiled Sunday and the teams learned what their paths to a Southern California football championship look like. TeamFB7 breaks down some intriguing first round matchups across multiple divisions.
It’s a yearly tradition like no other. High school football coaches, players and fans grab breakfast and a morning coffee and anxiously wait for the CIF Southern Section office to release the playoff brackets at 10 a.m. Many teams have outstanding regular seasons, but their paths to holding up a championship trophy on Thanksgiving weekend largely depend on which divisions and which opponents the CIF puts in front of them.
There are a few things that are important to note. The CIF Southern Section uses HSratings.com to rank the teams and place them in certain divisions. Division 1 is an unspecified amount of teams each season and Divisions 2-14 are always 16 teams. The top three teams in five and six-team leagues are awarded automatic qualifying spots into the playoffs. The top four teams in seven-team leagues and above are awarded automatic qualifying spots.
Teams must win at least three games to qualify for an at-large spot in the playoffs and priority for at-large teams goes to teams with a record of 5-5 or above. At-large teams cannot be the top seed in a division. Only automatic qualifiers can be top seeds.
This rule was applied this year to JSerra and Servite, who were left out of the playoffs with 4-6 records. JSerra and Servite were ranked higher than some of the teams that were awarded at-large berths in Division 2, but those teams had records of .500 or greater, so they got priority.
This season, Division 1 is eight teams, as it has been for most seasons. There are many people who attempt to predict what the playoff bracket will look like, but until we know how many teams are in Division 1, it’s all useless because it all trickles down.
Breaking Down some Intriguing Games to Watch in Round One of the CIF-SS Playoffs
With all the bracket-making now in the past, here is a look at the most intriguing opening round CIF-SS playoffs matchups that were created Sunday.
Division 1
Centennial vs. Mater Dei
Mater Dei beat Centennial earlier this season 10-9 at Santa Ana Stadium and a lot has changed with both programs since that game. The Monarchs are on a four-game winning streak, including a miraculous comeback win over St. John Bosco in Week 10. Mater Dei made Paytyn Guess its full time quarterback and turned over offensive play calling duties to coach Randy Wright. Since that change in play calling, Mater Dei is 4-0 and is averaging 42 points per game. Centennial is 6-1 since that loss to Mater Dei and has essentially made Braylin Drake its primary running back. The Huskies also have Washington commit Jaden Walk-Green back at kicker and Centennial had a field goal attempt blocked in the first matchup.
Division 2
Orange vs. Chaparral
These are two of the top passing offenses in the Southern Section. Chaparral is completing 73% of its passes for an average of 267 yards per game with 12 touchdowns and 1 interception since Cal quarterback commit Dane Weber returned from a thumb injury. Orange quarterback Star Thomas III averages 376 passing yards per game with 42 touchdowns, 1 interception and 10 rushing touchdowns on the season. This is a major step up in competition for Orange, whose best win this season was against Etiwanda (Rancho Cucamonga), which is a Division 4 team.
Huntington Beach vs. Inglewood
Congratulations on an undefeated regular season Huntington Beach. Your reward is having to play 9-1 Inglewood on the road. The Oilers won the Delta League championship with impressive wins over El Modena and Dana Hills. Ohio State commit Brady Edmunds throws for 206 yards per game and has 24 touchdowns. Skylar Robinson and Dylin Bruce are strong receiving threats who also return kicks for touchdowns. Inglewood’s only loss was against Westlake and the Sentinels have a good win over Palos Verdes. The Sentinels rush for 241 yards per game with Semaj Welch and Marlon Watson.
Division 3
Bonita vs. Great Oak
Bonita is another team that went undefeated in the regular season and has to go on the road in the first round. The Bearcats won the Sierra League and won all of their games other than one by at least two touchdowns. Joseph Lara has 13 rushing touchdowns and 49 tackles with 2 forced fumbles on defense. Great Oak won the Big West-South League. Its quarterback, Trent Lux throws for 246 yards per game with 29 touchdowns and 6 rushing touchdowns. His leading receiver is Kannon Terracciano, who has 877 yards receiving with 10 touchdowns.
Division 4
Cajon vs. Victor Valley
Cajon blew through the Citrus Belt League and won its last two games by a combined score of 111-0. Sophomore quarterback Marcus Washington Jr. has thrown for 214 yards per game with 17 touchdowns and rushed for 1,009 yards with 14 touchdowns. Maleek Nolley has rushed for 1,028 yards with 16 touchdowns and the Cowboys as a team rush for 226 yards per game with over 3 touchdowns per game. Victor Valley dominated the Desert Sky League and is 9-1 on the field (one forfeit loss). Quran Muhammad leads the rushing attack with 11 touchdowns. Bishop Amat transfer Dylan D’Epifanio has been starting at quarterback for the Jackrabbits recently and Jeremiah Hollowell leads the defense with 18 tackles for a loss.
Division 5
Vista Del Lago vs. Charter Oak
Vista del Lago won the Ivy League this year in dominant fashion. Recent UCLA commit Josiah Dupree-Boyd is throwing for 228 yards per game with 25 touchdowns and 9 rushing touchdowns. Mikya Adams runs for 114 yards per game with 13 touchdowns and Jae’lynn Brown averages 164 receiving yards per game with 13 touchdowns in just six games. Charter Oak is the second place team from the Sierra League and is battle tested with three of its last four games being within five points. Southern Utah commit Dutch Burbidge is a dual-threat quarterback with 23 passing touchdowns and 8 rushing scores. Charter Oak’s defense has 32 sacks with Julian Minor leading the team with 7.
