Bracket:
CIF Southern Section
While Division 1 is the cream of the crop, Division 2 is no slouch. The division features four Mission League teams (Bishop Amat, Serra, Norte Dame (Sherman Oaks) and Chaminade (West Hills ). It also features a top team from Orange County. Chaparral of Temecula represents the Corona area. A lot of talented teams from diverse regions of the section. Power rating wise, everyone is pretty close knit so expect competitive games and a few upsets.
The Favorites:
Chaparral of Temecula: (6-4) (4-1) Big South #2 CA MaxPreps ranking 15
Ignore the 6-4 record; the Pumas have played the toughest schedule in the division. Their losses came to Utah’s No. 1-ranked team, Mountain View (UT) , and three other opponents in the division one playoffs (Centennial, Mission Viejo, and San Clemente.They get an interesting first-round matchup against Orange, whose QB Star Thomas has thrown for 4278 yards this year. Chaparral is in a different class. The Pumas’ star quarterback, Dane Weber (CA commit), has dealt with injuries this season. He should be ready to go come playoff time. The Pumas have averaged 34.6 points per game while only allowing 20. They have a signature win against the 4th seed San Juan Hills in non-league play. They deserve the one seed.
Joe Duncan SBC Live
Dan Weber controls Chapparal's offense
Bishop Amat (8-2) (5-1) Mission League number 2. CA MaxPreps ranking 13:
The San Gabriel Valley’s top prep program is the two seed in the Division 2 playoff. They breezed through a tough Mission League until they faced Sierra Canyon in the season finale, losing 56-7. There is no shame in losing to the Trailblazers. In the first round, they got a dangerous matchup against Pacifica of Oxnard. It marks a rematch of the Division 3 semifinal when they played Pacifica, where they lost 28-7. Amat’s sophomore edge KJ Paea has 10 sacks on the season, and he is a game wrecker. Amat has allowed under 300 yards per game this season and only 19.0 points per contest. They are going to need their defense to continue to play elite football in a bracket that contains explosive offenses.
Contenders:
Crean Lutheran (5 seed): (7-2) (5-0) Bravo League number 1 MaxPreps State Ranking 20:
OC Varsity
You can make the argument that the Saints have the most high-end talent in this playoff division. The Saints come in as the 5 seed and host a talented Rancho Cucamonga team. The Saints have become a pipeline to the University of Arizona, having five players committed there: WR Ty Johnson, WR Braylen Ross, CB Caden Mack, QB Caden Jones, and CB Jacob Whitehead. The Saints have the best tandem of skill position players and arguably the best Quarterback. They upset San Juan Hills in the second round, and they gave Chaparral a tough matchup in the semifinal.
Inglewood (3 seed) 9-1 (5-0) Bay League #1 (Maxpreps ranking 16:
The Sentinels dominated the South Bay, going 32-2 in League play over the last seven seasons. This team is very athletic and talented. They can gash teams on the ground, with their senior RB duo of Semaj Welch (91 rushing yards per game) and Marlon Watson (108 rushing yards per game). Oaks Christian transfer QB Lincoln Jahn has thrown 2138 yards and 22 touchdowns. The Sentinels have an elite defensive front headlined by D-1 prospects Myles Smith (2027 Texas A&M) and Elijah Harmon (2027 Oklahoma). Inglewood has held opposing teams to 14.5 points per game this season.
Serra Gardena (5-5) (2-3) Mission League Max Prep State Rankings (31)
It’s weird to call a .500 team a contender, but when this team is on they can beat anyone in this bracket. They lost to Bishop Amat 27-26 on the road, a game they probably should have won. Stanford-bound running back AJ McBean is the best running back in the division. McBean has run for 960 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. Pole Moala, 4-star safety committed to UCLA, anchors the defense. Gardena gets a good draw against Palos Verdes. I think their talent will give Inglewood problems in a second-round matchup.
Cinderellas.
Pacifica (8-2) (4-1) Marmonte League 1 MaxPreps State Ranking 34:
We are going out on a limb here, taking the 15th seed in the bracket. Let’s bring out a hot take: Pacifica will knock out Bishop Amat for the second consecutive year. The Tritons QB Taylor Lee has thrown for 3,764 passing yards, 42 touchdowns. Isaiah Phelps (RB/LB) is a two way star committed to San Diego State. Wide receiver Anthony Jacobs has 690 yards on the outside. Mike Moon is one of the best coaches in the Section. This team has playoff experience after winning the Division three championship last season. Don’t be surprised if Ventura County's top team shocks the region.
Tustin (6-4) (2-3) Bravo League At Large CA MaxPreps Ranking 41:
The Tillers struggled down the stretch in league play but earned an At-Large berth thanks to key non-league wins on the road against Westlake and a win over Long Beach Poly. Head coach Anthony Lopez has won a playoff game in each of the last three seasons. The Tillers have elite talent at the skill positions and in the trenches. Jeremiah Williams (BYU commit) has 13 tackles for loss and 8 sacks this season. Mike linebacker Tavien Epps is rated as one of the best linebackers in the country. They have a good chance to upset San Juan Hills in the first round.
Semifinal Predictions: Chaparral vs Crean Lutheran, Inglewood vs Pacifica
Final: Crean Lutheran defeats Inglewood.