The San Diego high school football season is about to kick into high gear. After a season of thrills, the playoffs are here, and the CIF playoff seedings are in.

In division I, La Costa Canyon (10-0) captured the number 1 seed, receives a bye, and will face the winner of Otay Ranch (3-6-1) and Torrey Pines (4-5-1). The Falcons have bettered their play over the duration of the season, and will likely face LCC in the quarterfinals, a potential replay of their final regular season game, which ended in a 30-20 loss to the Mavericks.

These other three teams will also receive first round byes: (2) Eastlake, (3) Escondido, and (4) Vista. Eastlake (8-0-2) has two ties against Moorpark and Lincoln. Escondido (7-2-1), arguably the second best team in division I, led by the powerful legs workhorse runningback Ricky Seale, lost to La Costa Canyon and Mission Hills, and tied Torrey Pines. Vista has two losses against Mission Viejo, one of the top teams in the state, and Escondido.

If the Mavericks can win at Qualcomm, they have an outside shot at earning a state bowl bid. The Mavericks need Oceanside to lose (slim chance), paired with a couple losses by south section teams, Edison (10-0) and Mission Viejo (10-0). Oceanside, although competing in Division II throughout the season, qualifies for a Division I bowl bid. Entering the first week of the playoffs, Oceanside, Edison, and Mission Viejo are all ranked above La Costa Canyon in the Southern California division I state bowl rankings.


Division I Break Down 

First Round—Nov. 20
(1) La Costa Canyon (10-0) bye.
Otay Ranch (3-6-1) at Torrey Pines (4-5-1), 7.
Fallbrook (2-8) at Rancho Bernardo (8-2), 7  
    (4) Vista (8-2) bye.
(3) Escondido (7-2-1) bye.
Carlsbad (3-7) at Mira Mesa (6-4), 7.
El Camino (3-7) at Chula Vista (6-4), 7.
(2) Eastlake (8-1-1) bye.


Quarterfinals—Nov. 27
Otay Ranch-Torrey Pines at La Costa Canyon, 7.
Fallbrook-Rancho Bernardo at Vista, 7.
Carlsbad-Mira Mesa at Escondido, 7.
El Camino-Chula Vista at Eastlake, 7.

Semifinals: Dec. 4.

Championship: 8 p.m., Dec. 11, Qualcomm Stadium.

Qualcomm Prediction: Escondido vs. La Costa Canyon


More playoff analysis to come throughout the week...