News Summary
As the CIF Southern Section football playoffs draw near, St. John Bosco leads the rankings with an undefeated record. The final playoff brackets will be released shortly, as key matchups, including a rivalry game against Mater Dei, loom on the horizon. Teams are jockeying for position as only eight will qualify for the Division 1 playoffs, making the final weeks of the regular season critical for many schools. The excitement surrounding the playoffs highlights the competitive nature of high school football in the region.
Bellflower, CA – With only two weeks left in the regular season, the CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS) football playoff brackets are set to be finalized, and St. John Bosco (8-0) leads the rankings as the top team in the division, according to HSRatings.com. The Braves, who sit at the pinnacle of the Trinity League, will face off against No. 8-ranked Servite this Friday and No. 5-ranked Mater Dei on October 31, both critical matchups ahead of the upcoming postseason.
The highly anticipated CIF-SS football brackets are scheduled to be released online on November 2 at 10 a.m. with the last day of the regular season occurring on November 1. Postseason play will commence shortly thereafter on November 7. This year, the Division 1 playoffs will be more exclusive, with only eight teams qualifying, whereas last season all top 10-ranked teams participated.
Within the current ranking landscape, Los Alamitos (8-0) stands at No. 10 and may secure a Division 1 spot if they succeed in their remaining games. Downey (7-1) is positioned at No. 22 and is anticipated to shift towards Division 2. Meanwhile, Long Beach Poly, with a record of 3-5, ranks No. 36, belonging to Division 3, while Long Beach Wilson (7-1) is ranked No. 50 in Division 4.
Current Rankings and Projections
Other notable teams include Lakewood (6-3) and Millikan (2-7), who currently hold No. 66 and No. 75 ranks in Division 5, respectively. St. Pius X-St. Matthias (3-5) is likely to be placed in Division 6, while La Mirada (3-5) and Mayfair (2-6) are expected to be part of Division 8. Furthermore, Valley Christian (5-3), Cerritos (6-2), Norwalk (8-0), and Warren (2-6) project to be placed in Division 9. St. Anthony (2-6) is at No. 184 in Division 10 and is fighting for an automatic playoff berth in the Del Rey League.
The CIF Southern Section’s playoff brackets will traditionally feature 16 teams in each division, including at-large entries. With strong contenders like No. 8 Centennial, No. 10 Sierra Canyon, and No. 16 Santa Margarita Catholic also in the mix, the competition for playoff spots is fierce. The CIF Southern Section’s Division I state championship game is slated to return to the Rose Bowl this fall, which is celebrating its 103rd anniversary since its opening on October 28, 1922.
Historical Context and Considerations
St. John Bosco and Mater Dei have a storied rivalry, having faced off in the CIF Southern Section Division I finals multiple times, with Mater Dei leading the series 4-3 in their last seven matchups since 2016. The upcoming Mater Dei-St. John Bosco game on October 31 has been designated as the Spectrum Sports Game of the Week, further shining a spotlight on the critical nature of this rivalry.
Currently, discussions are ongoing regarding the CIF Southern Section’s playoff qualification system, as teams that many believe deserve playoff opportunities have been excluded in past years due to strict ranking rules. Additionally, Orange Lutheran’s football team has had to forfeit two early-season wins due to an ineligible player being used in those games.
As the final weeks of the regular season unfold, the rankings are frequently updated to reflect teams’ performances in real-time, making the playoff race particularly dynamic. Beyond the excitement of football, the strength of local school sports is also highlighted by the success of four Trinity League girls volleyball teams that have advanced in the CIF-SS playoffs.
With the playoffs fast approaching, it remains to be seen which teams will emerge as contenders in this highly competitive season within the CIF Southern Section.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- On3: Rose Bowl to Host CIF Southern Section Division I Football Final
- Wikipedia: CIF Southern Section
- OC Register: CIF-SS Playoffs Process Needs Change
- Google Search: CIF Southern Section football
- Press Telegram: Football Playoff Rankings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Football
- Sports Illustrated: Top 25 California High School Football Rankings
- Google News: CIF Southern Section football team rankings
- Sports Illustrated: Can These CIF Southern Section Teams Finish Undefeated?
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