The excitement surrounding high school football in San Diego County is reaching a fever pitch as the CIF San Diego Section playoffs continue this week. With championship games just weeks away, every match takes on a heightened level of importance. From thrilling Open Division clashes to competitive lower-division battles, here’s a breakdown of what to expect, complete with expert predictions.
Open Division: Powerhouses Set to Clash
After a week off, the Open Division, home to the section’s top teams, returns with high-stakes matchups.
No. 4 Mission Hills (8-2) at No. 1 Lincoln (8-2)
- CalPreps Prediction: Lincoln 42, Mission Hills 14
- Expert Prediction (Mitch Stephens): Lincoln 38, Mission Hills 21
Lincoln’s explosive offense makes them heavy favorites against Mission Hills. The Grizzlies will need to bring their best defensive effort to slow down the high-octane Hornets.
No. 2 Cathedral Catholic (8-2) at No. 3 La Costa Canyon (10-0)
- CalPreps Prediction: Cathedral Catholic 27, La Costa Canyon 22
- Expert Prediction: La Costa Canyon 28, Cathedral Catholic 27
In what’s shaping up to be a nail-biter, the undefeated Mavericks of La Costa Canyon face the Dons, a team known for its playoff prowess. Expect fireworks in this marquee matchup.
Division 1: Tight Races at the Top
Division 1 promises exciting games as underdogs look to upset higher-seeded teams.
No. 9 Del Norte (7-4) at No. 1 San Marcos (10-1)
- CalPreps Prediction: San Marcos 35, Del Norte 17
- Expert Prediction: San Marcos 44, Del Norte 21
San Marcos enters as the top seed with an impressive record. Del Norte will need a flawless performance to stay competitive.
No. 5 Mount Miguel (9-2) at No. 4 El Camino (5-5)
- CalPreps Prediction: El Camino 31, Mount Miguel 28
- Expert Prediction: Mount Miguel 24, El Camino 21
Mount Miguel’s strong season could propel them past the inconsistent Wildcats in what’s expected to be a close contest.
Division 2: Upsets on the Horizon?
The Division 2 bracket is packed with intrigue, with several matchups poised to deliver surprises.
No. 8 Christian (9-2) at No. 1 University City (9-1)
- CalPreps Prediction: University City 28, Christian 21
- Expert Prediction: Christian 21, University City 20
Christian looks to leverage its momentum against a top-seeded University City squad that boasts a formidable defense.
No. 2 Mater Dei Catholic (8-3) at No. 7 Bishop’s (7-3)
- CalPreps Prediction: Mater Dei Catholic 35, Bishop’s 27
- Expert Prediction: Bishop’s 28, Mater Dei Catholic 27
The Knights of Bishop’s could pull off a dramatic upset against a Mater Dei team that has shown occasional vulnerability.
Division 3: Tight Margins Expected
With no clear-cut favorites, Division 3 games are set to be among the most unpredictable.
No. 8 Patrick Henry (7-4) at No. 1 Central (7-3)
- CalPreps Prediction: Central 28, Patrick Henry 27
- Expert Prediction: Central 27, Patrick Henry 21
Central’s consistency may give them the edge, but Patrick Henry’s resilience ensures this will be a closely fought battle.
No. 7 St. Augustine (1-10) at No. 2 Holtville (10-0)
- CalPreps Prediction: St. Augustine 22, Holtville 21
- Expert Prediction: Holtville 28, St. Augustine 21
The Saints face a daunting task against undefeated Holtville, but playoff football often brings surprises.
Division 4: Dark Horses Emerge
Division 4 offers an intriguing mix of up-and-coming teams and established programs.
No. 8 Montgomery (8-3) at No. 1 Ramona (2-8)
- CalPreps Prediction: Ramona 21, Montgomery 20
- Expert Prediction: Montgomery 24, Ramona 17
Montgomery’s record suggests they may outperform their lower seeding, while Ramona looks to defy expectations.
Division 5: Competitive to the Core
Division 5 showcases tightly matched teams, where seeding might not tell the full story.
No. 8 Coronado (6-5) at No. 1 Vista (3-7)
- CalPreps Prediction: Vista 26, Coronado 21
- Expert Prediction: Vista 28, Coronado 14
Despite an unimpressive record, Vista enters as the top seed, banking on their playoff experience to overcome Coronado.
No. 2 Bonita Vista (5-5) at No. 7 Santana (8-3)
- CalPreps Prediction: Bonita Vista 24, Santana 17
- Expert Prediction: Bonita Vista 17, Santana 14
Bonita Vista’s balanced approach makes them slight favorites against a dangerous Santana team.
Division 6 (8-Man): Unique Challenges
The 8-man football bracket provides a different dynamic, showcasing smaller schools with plenty of heart.
No. 4 Marantha Christian (8-3) at No. 1 Calipatria (7-2)
- CalPreps Prediction: Calipatria 38, Marantha Christian 21
- Expert Prediction: Calipatria 42, Marantha Christian 28
Calipatria’s offensive firepower could be too much for Marantha Christian to handle.
No. 3 Tri-City (6-4) at No. 2 Coastal Academy (10-2)
- CalPreps Prediction: Coastal Academy 15, Tri-City 14
- Expert Prediction: Tri-City 31, Coastal Academy 30
This tightly matched game could come down to the final possession, with Tri-City holding a slight edge.
Engage with the Action
Fans are encouraged to weigh in on their predictions via the Pick ‘Em Challenge, accessible on each game’s details page. Share your thoughts on Twitter (@MitchBookLive) or via email at mitch@scorebooklive.com.
With so much on the line, this week’s games promise to deliver thrilling moments and unforgettable performances.
