John Maffei projects Friday's CIF San Diego Section playoff winners

Friday Night Playoff Matchups: Predicting the San Diego Section Openers

The CIF San Diego Section high school football playoffs begin this Friday night, and for many programs, the road to a championship starts with a high-stakes test of endurance and execution. As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune, John Maffei has released his full slate of projections for the opening round, offering a roadmap for what promises to be a busy night of competition. With most games kicking off at 7 p.m., the schedule features a wide array of matchups ranging from desert road trips to local league rivalries.

Ramona Travels to Face Holtville in Postseason Rematch

The postseason logistics often force teams to travel far from home, creating unique challenges for players and coaching staffs alike. In Division 2, the Palomar League champion Ramona (6-4) faces a long journey to face Holtville (7-3). This matchup carries the weight of history, as it serves as a rematch of the season opener which Holtville narrowly took 17-15. Ramona’s offense, led by Ryan Shaw’s 2,212 passing yards and 22 touchdowns, will look to counter a Holtville defense that has been opportunistic, recording 15 sacks and 17 interceptions. Maffei projects a tight contest, favoring Ramona 21-20. Similarly, City League winner Patrick Henry (10-0) faces an arduous trip to the desert to square off against Imperial (8-2). The Patriots enter the playoffs undefeated, powered by quarterback Santonio Urena’s impressive 2,140 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. Imperial, however, enters with momentum after securing the Imperial Valley League championship last week. The Union-Tribune projects a 30-21 victory for Patrick Henry in this high-scoring potential showdown.

Valhalla Meets Christian in Division Three Playoff Matchup

The playoff structure creates stark contrasts in team performance, as some squads enter the postseason with nearly identical records while others look to overcome difficult regular-season campaigns. In Division 3, the matchup between Valhalla (6-4) and Christian (6-4) at Granite Hills High School highlights the parity often found in the middle of the bracket. Valhalla’s offense, anchored by Adrian Wilson’s 1,617 passing yards, will be tested by a Christian team that snapped a four-game losing streak last week.

Matchup	Division	Prediction
Mater Dei Catholic vs. Mount Miguel	2	Mater Dei Catholic 35, Mount Miguel 14
Grossmont vs. El Camino	2	Grossmont 30, El Camino 17
La Jolla vs. Central Union	3	La Jolla 34, Central Union 23
Eastlake vs. Scripps Ranch	3	Eastlake 34, Scripps Ranch 19
Madison vs. Mira Mesa	3	Madison 35, Mira Mesa 28

Morse and Hoover Prepare for Postseason Rematches

In Division 5, the disparity between seeds can be significant. Morse (5-5) enters its game against Monte Vista (3-7) as a clear favorite, having already defeated them 47-0 earlier this season. Morse is projected to win 42-14. Meanwhile, Hoover (7-3) looks to build on its recent 48-34 win over Canyon Hills (3-7) as the two teams meet again in the postseason. The Division 5-AA bracket features a collision between Escondido Charter (9-1) and Foothills Christian (5-4). Escondido Charter, the Pacific League champion, previously dominated their season opener 48-0. Maffei’s analysis expects another decisive outing, projecting a 44-12 victory for the top-seeded Escondido Charter. While the projections provide a baseline for expectation, the reality of high school football often turns on single plays, injuries, and the ability of young athletes to perform under the pressure of a “win-or-go-home” scenario. As the San Diego Union-Tribune noted in its season-long tracking, these games serve as the culmination of months of preparation for players like Mountain Empire’s Elisha Robinson, who enters the playoffs with 1,670 rushing yards, and the many other standouts across the section. According to coverage on ZAQS, the San Diego Wave are preparing for their own NWSL playoff opener at Snapdragon Stadium, and the Aztecs basketball program continues to draw attention following the passing of San Diego icon Bill Walton. These events highlight a busy sports season for the region, where the high school playoffs remain a cornerstone of community engagement and student-athlete development.