UPDATE: The high school football playoffs in the Bay Area are reaching a fever pitch with critical matchups scheduled for this weekend. Teams are vying for section championships and a coveted spot in the CIF state playoffs. The stakes couldn’t be higher as teams like Pittsburg, Serra, and Los Gatos look to extend their seasons.
TIME SENSITIVE: The Central Coast Section and North Coast Section finals kick off this weekend, with the CIF revealing regional matchups on Sunday.
Here’s a breakdown of the key matchups:
Central Coast Section Finals
Division I: No. 3 Los Gatos (9-3) vs. No. 2 Serra (7-5) at San Jose City College, Friday, 7 p.m.
These two powerhouses face off again, with Los Gatos gunning for another CCS title. Last season, they triumphed over Serra in the quarterfinals. Under intense pressure, Serra aims to rebound after a disappointing loss to Archbishop Riordan last week in the CCS Open final. Freshman QB William Orr must find his rhythm against a formidable Los Gatos offense led by senior QB Callum Schweitzer.
Division II: No. 2 Sacred Heart Cathedral (6-6) vs. No. 1 St. Ignatius (6-6) at San Jose City College, Saturday, 1 p.m.
In a rematch of the fierce Bruce-Mahoney classic, emotions will run high. Senior QB Caedon Afsharipour of St. Ignatius looks to capitalize on his recent form after a stellar game against Menlo School. Meanwhile, Sacred Heart’s QB Michael Sargent aims to leverage his impressive passing stats to upset their rivals.
Division III: No. 8 San Mateo (9-3) vs. No. 3 Menlo-Atherton (6-6) at MacDonald HS, Saturday, 7 p.m.
San Mateo is riding a wave of momentum after upsetting the top seed. Their triple-option offense is proving difficult to contain, while Menlo-Atherton looks to regain playoff form following a strong semifinal performance.
North Coast Section Finals
Division I: No. 2 Pittsburg (10-2) vs. No. 3 Cardinal Newman (11-1) at Diablo Valley College, Friday, 7 p.m.
After a narrow loss to De La Salle last week, Pittsburg seeks redemption as they aim for a fifth straight title. Cardinal Newman, led by star running back Pathoumnourack Malakai, is on a winning streak and will look to capitalize on their momentum.
Division II: No. 2 Monte Vista (7-5) vs. No. 4 Clayton Valley Charter (7-5) at Dublin HS, Friday, 7 p.m.
Monte Vista is hungry for its first NCS title since 2016. The Mustangs must contain former California star Jhadis Luckey, who has become a key player for Clayton Valley this season.
Division III: No. 3 El Cerrito (10-2) vs. No. 5 Ukiah (8-4) at American Canyon HS, Friday, 7 p.m.
El Cerrito looks to capture its third NCS title in four years. After an impressive semifinal win, they face a determined Ukiah, who pulled off a dramatic victory last week.
As teams prepare for these pivotal games, fans are gearing up for a weekend filled with excitement and high-stakes football. Be sure to tune in as the outcomes will determine which teams advance to the next stage of the playoffs!
