CIF Southern Section sets all football playoff matchups

The CIF Southern Section has officially released the football playoff pairings for the 2026 season. The bracket covers 14 distinct divisions, ranging from the top-tier Division 1 schools to the smaller programs in Division 14. The schedule dictates that most first-round contests will occur on Friday, Nov. 6, with one exception for the premier division.

Division 1 will begin its postseason run on Nov. 13. Santa Margarita is set to host San Clemente in the opening contest of the group. St. John Bosco will receive Orange Lutheran at its home facility. In a matchup between two prominent programs, Corona Centennial will travel to face Mater Dei. Sierra Canyon will host Mission Viejo to complete the first round for Division 1.

Division 2, which consists of eight games scheduled for Nov. 6, features a mix of coastal and inland teams. Chaparral will host Orange, while Capistrano Valley plays Notre Dame/SO. Crean Lutheran is set to host Rancho Cucamonga, and San Juan Hills will host Tustin. Inglewood will receive Huntington Beach, and Palos Verdes will host Serra. Corona del Mar will host Chaminade, and Bishop Amat will host Oxnard Pacifica.

Division 3 also kicks off on Nov. 6 with eight scheduled games. La Serna will host Valencia/V, and San Jacinto will host St. Bonaventure. Villa Park will host Apple Valley in a game set for 7:30 p.m. Newport Harbor will host El Modena, and Great Oak will host Bonita. Murrieta Valley will host Crespi, and Oak Hills will host Edison. Norco will host Long Beach Poly to complete the Division 3 first round.

The bracket for Division 4 includes matchups such as Chino Hills hosting Culver City and Dana Hills hosting Westlake. Victor Valley will host Cajon, and Downey will host Newbury Park. Cathedral will host Cypress, and La Habra will host Etiwanda. Alta Loma will host ML King, and Quartz Hill will host Hart. All Division 4 games are scheduled for Nov. 6.

Division 5 begins on Nov. 6, with Mary Star receiving a bye. Hillcrest will host Muir, and Moorpark will host Trabuco Hills. Salesian will host Aquinas, and Charter Oak will host Vista Del Lago. Torrance will host Agoura, and Temecula Valley will host Oaks Christian. El Dorado will host Simi Valley in the final Division 5 matchup.

Division 6 pairings for Nov. 6 include St. Francis hosting Valley View and Calabasas hosting Glendora. Laguna Beach will host Lancaster, and Hesperia will host Foothill. Beaumont will host Brea Olinda, and Summit will host Paraclete. Ventura will host Baldwin Park, and Santa Barbara will host Fullerton.

Division 7 features San Dimas hosting Paramount and St. Monica Prep hosting Los Altos on Nov. 6. La Mirada will host Paloma Valley, and Desert Christian Academy will host Laguna Hills. Citrus Valley will host Saugus, and Serrano will host Oak Park. La Canada will host Millikan, and Pacifica/GG will host Barstow.

Division 8 matches Segerstrom hosting South Pasadena and Fillmore hosting Irvine on Nov. 6. El Rancho will host Anaheim Canyon, and Rio Hondo Prep will host Harvard-Westlake. Santiago/Corona will host Elsinore, and Santa Monica will host Portola. Rancho Verde will host La Quinta/LQ, and Bellflower will host Valley Christian/C.

Division 9 includes Lawndale hosting Ocean View and West Covina hosting Western Christian on Nov. 6. JW North will host Marina, and Fountain Valley will host La Salle. Moreno Valley will host Claremont, and Liberty will host Northwood. Compton will host Ramona, and Colton will host San Marino.

Division 10 pairs Nogales with Royal and Gahr with Norte Vista on Nov. 6. Sonora will host Desert Hot Springs, and South Hills will host Yucca Valley. West Torrance will host Ontario Christian, and St. Bernard will host Rancho Mirage. Brentwood will host Dos Pueblos, and Granite Hills will host Grace.

Division 11 begins with Notre Dame/R hosting South Torrance on Nov. 6. Los Amigos will host Nordhoff, and Crescenta Valley will host Canyon Springs. Schurr will host Westminster, and Montclair will host Jurupa Hills. Dominguez will host Pacific, and Hemet will host Viewpoint. Banning will host Xavier Prep to complete the list for Division 11.