October 3, 2025

CIF Southern Section High School Football League Play Begins

News Summary

October marks the commencement of league play for CIF Southern Section high school football, with critical matchups scheduled every Friday. The regular season lasts 10 weeks, impacting playoff eligibility significantly. The CIF has unveiled a mid-season award watchlist, highlighting standout players, including those with impressive records and statistics. As teams compete fiercely, their performances during this league play will shape the path to the playoffs and the awards to be given at the season’s end.

Southern California – October marks the start of league play for CIF Southern Section high school football teams, with games scheduled every Friday night. The regular season spans 10 weeks and will conclude on October 31. League play is critical as it directly influences playoff eligibility, with the top 50% of teams in each league guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.

For instance, in a league with six teams, the top three finishers will secure automatic playoff berths. As teams engage in these high-stakes matchups, familiar opponents can make wins and losses particularly impactful for players and coaches alike. Notably, these league games also serve as an opportunity for players to highlight their skills in hopes of earning yearly awards during league and postseason play.

The CIF Southern Section has released a mid-season award watchlist for 2025, showcasing a number of standout players demonstrating exceptional performance thus far in the season.

Key Players on the Award Watchlist

Luke Fahey (Mission Viejo, SR): Leading with a 5-1 record, Fahey has thrown 15 touchdown passes against just one interception on 146 attempts, boasting a remarkable 73% completion rate and averaging 244 passing yards per game. Additionally, he has 231 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Koa Malau’ulu (St. John Bosco, SO): This quarterback boasts an undefeated 5-0 record with 15 touchdown passes and only one interception. He has thrown for 917 yards on 52 of 76 attempts and adds two rushing touchdowns to his impressive stats.
Gavin Williams (Damien, JR): With a perfect record of 5-0, Williams shines as an athlete on both sides of the ball, recording 230 receiving yards over 14 catches and three touchdowns while also contributing 33 tackles and two interceptions on defense.
Lenny Ibarra (Los Alamitos, SR): Undefeated at 7-0, Ibarra has made significant contributions with 363 receiving yards and five touchdowns, alongside 278 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, along with 62 tackles and two interceptions defensively.
Richie Wesley (Sierra Canyon, SR): A defensive standout, Wesley has made a mark with five sacks in five games, playing an integral role in the team’s defense.
Madden Williams (St. John Bosco, SR): This wide receiver has helped his team tremendously, posting 377 receiving yards and five touchdowns on just 18 catches.
Isaiah Arriaza (Damien, SR): With 1,491 passing yards and 14 touchdown passes, Arriaza averages 298 yards per game while managing four interceptions.
Bryson Beaver (Vista Murrieta, SR): Another strong candidate, Beaver has a 5-0 record, throwing for 1,084 yards and 11 touchdowns with a 70% completion rate.
Dane Weber (Chaparral, JR): He has accounted for 1,508 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, in addition to three interceptions and five rushing touchdowns.
Timmy Herr (San Juan Hills, SR): Herr holds a significant record with 1,334 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, two interceptions, and five rushing touchdowns.
Mikhal Johnson (Sierra Canyon, SR): As a defensive line player, Johnson has made 22 tackles, including six tackles for loss and four sacks.
JD Hill (Mission Viejo, SR): Known for his defensive prowess, Hill has recorded 68 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 16 tackles for loss.
Jaden Walk-Green (Centennial, JR): This defensive back has made a notable impact with 52 tackles and five interceptions.
Jaxsen Stokes (Sierra Canyon, JR): A strong performer, Stokes has rushed for 403 yards and scored nine touchdowns.
Jeremiah Watson (Murrieta Valley, SR): Watson has accumulated 682 rushing yards and eight touchdowns this season.

Looking Ahead

The CIF Southern Section continues to showcase competitive football with numerous strong teams and exceptional players ready to make their mark as the season progresses. The results of league play in October will be crucial as teams vie for a place in the playoffs, and more standout performances will shape the award watchlist as the postseason approaches.

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Additional Resources

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