The regular season is over for much of California high school football. Now comes the part of the season that defines legacies, produces stunning upsets and ultimately determines which teams will compete for state championships in December.
The California Interscholastic Federation’s 2026 postseason is underway, with playoff brackets released across the state’s 10 sections and hundreds of teams beginning their pursuit of section titles.
Unlike states that crown champions through one statewide tournament, California begins its postseason with separate section championships. Those tournaments determine which teams advance to the CIF regional championships and, ultimately, the state championship bowl games.
The CIF Southern Section features some of the nation’s most recognizable high school football programs, including Mater Dei, St. John Bosco, Santa Margarita, Sierra Canyon, Centennial and Mission Viejo.
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