High school football in San Diego is different. It’s not just the beach weather or the palm trees framing the end zones. It’s the sheer, unpredictable chaos that hits the field every November when the brackets drop. If you thought you knew how the san diego cif football playoffs would shake out this year, you probably haven't been paying attention to the Open Division's habit of shredding expectations.
Honestly, the 2025 postseason felt like a fever dream for anyone who follows the local scene. We saw dynasties stumble, underdogs rediscover their teeth, and a few games that literally rewrote the record books.
The Open Division Heartbreak (and Heroics)
Let’s talk about the game everyone is still buzzing about at the taco shops in Del Mar. Carlsbad and Cathedral Catholic. If you left early, you missed history. For three quarters, the Carlsbad Lancers looked like they were finally going to break their Open Division curse. Quarterback Eli MacNeal was slicing through the defense, and after a 48-yard bomb to Travis Jeffery, it was 16-0. The Dons looked absolutely cooked.
Then the fourth quarter happened.
Cathedral Catholic didn't just win; they staged a 20-point robbery that left the Carlsbad sidelines in stunned silence. It was their fourth Open Division title, and it cemented the reality that in San Diego, a double-digit lead in the playoffs is basically a suggestion, not a guarantee.
You've got to feel for Carlsbad, though. Four title game appearances in the top flight, four losses. That kind of stat stays with a program.
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Why the San Diego CIF Football Playoffs Defy Logic
Most people think the highest-seeded team just coasts. Not here. Look at Division I. You had Lincoln, the top seed and a team that basically looks like a college roster, going up against Granite Hills.
Lincoln came out swinging. Rashad Robinson ripped off an explosive TD run to put the Hornets up 14-0. Most teams would fold against that Lincoln pressure. But Granite Hills is built different—they’ve now won four straight section titles.
The Zachary Benitez Factor
Zachary Benitez is basically a magician at this point. The junior QB for Granite Hills didn't panic. He just started dealing. 16-of-25 for 309 yards and four touchdowns. His connection with Noah Walker (who had 189 receiving yards) was unfair.
- Final Score: Granite Hills 41, Lincoln 29.
- The Difference: The Eagles' defense. Wyatt MacLeod was a nightmare in the backfield with 3.5 sacks.
It’s a reminder that talent wins games, but playoff-tested systems win championships. Lincoln is flashier, but Granite Hills is inevitable.
Small School, Big Drama
If you ignore the lower divisions, you’re missing the best football in the county. Take Santa Fe Christian. They finished the season 13-0, the only undefeated team left standing. But that "0" almost vanished in the Division II final against Steele Canyon.
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The score was 44-41. A total track meet.
Dax Labrum threw five touchdown passes for the Eagles, but the real story was Nico Jara from Steele Canyon. He returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. That’s a stat that ties school, section, and state records. It was the kind of game where you couldn't blink. Santa Fe Christian eventually used their ground game to bleed the clock, but it was a razor-thin margin.
The Morse Resurrection
Basically, nobody saw Morse coming. A year ago, the Tigers were 1-9. They were the team people scheduled for homecoming. Fast forward to 2025, and they’re the Division V champions after beating Hoover 45-30.
Tracy McNair deserves a statue for that turnaround. Superior Garror was the MVP of that run—he had a 60-yard punt return that basically broke Hoover’s spirit. It’s the ultimate "don't count us out" story of the year.
The Stats That Actually Mattered
When you look back at the san diego cif football playoffs, certain numbers jump off the page. These aren't just box score fillers; they’re the reason certain teams are ordering rings right now.
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- Field Goal Consistency: Bradan Scott (Santa Fe Christian) was huge, hitting three field goals in the final (21, 37, and 43 yards). In a 3-point game, he was the difference.
- Defensive Pressure: Cathedral Catholic’s Bronx Letuligasenoa had three sacks against Lincoln earlier in the season and continued that "menace" energy throughout the playoffs.
- Efficiency: Kaleb Runkle for Christian High. To win Division III, they had to beat the top three seeds. Runkle’s 18-for-23 performance in the final was a masterclass in not making mistakes.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception? That the North County schools own the section.
While Mission Hills, La Costa Canyon, and Carlsbad (all Avocado West co-champions) dominated the Open Division talk, the titles were spread out. You have Granite Hills (East County) taking D-I, Santa Fe Christian (North County) taking D-II, and Morse (City) taking D-V.
The San Diego Section is more balanced than it’s been in a decade. You can't just look at the jersey and assume the outcome.
Actionable Steps for the Off-Season
If you’re a player or coach looking at these results and wondering how to get there in 2026, the blueprint is clear.
- Special Teams Aren't "Extra": Look at Santa Fe Christian and Steele Canyon. Kickoff returns and field goals decided championships. If your kicker isn't a weapon, you’re playing at a disadvantage.
- Quarterback Maturity: Benitez (Granite Hills) and Labrum (SFC) didn't win because they had the biggest arms. They won because they didn't turn the ball over when the pressure spiked.
- The Transfer Portal Reality: Like it or not, the "Battle for Daygo" between Lincoln and Cathedral Catholic showed that rosters are fluid. High school football now requires a year-round focus on roster depth.
The san diego cif football playoffs showed us that "ranking" is just a number on a website. Once the lights go on at Southwestern College or Snapdragon Stadium, it’s about who can handle the 48-minute grind. Whether it’s a 99-yard return or a 20-point fourth-quarter comeback, San Diego football always finds a way to be weird, loud, and completely unforgettable.
To stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season, start tracking the sophomore class at Granite Hills and Lincoln now. The shift toward younger, high-efficiency quarterbacks is the new standard in the San Diego Section, and the programs that adapt their defensive schemes to handle RPO-heavy offenses are the ones that will be holding the trophy next November. Keep an eye on the upcoming spring camps, as these often reveal the transfer moves that reshape the Division I and Open Division power balance before a single snap is taken in the fall.