Mitch Stephens

Mitch Stephens

Joined: Jun 19, 2024

Mitch Stephens is a senior editor at SBLive Sports for California, a state he's covered high school sports since 1984. He won multiple CNPA and CPSWA writing awards with the Contra Costa Times, San Francisco Chronicle and MaxPreps.com before joining the SBLive staff in 2022. He's covered the beat nationally since 2007, profiling such athletes as Derrick Henry, Paige Bueckers, Patrick Mahomes, Sabrina Ionescu, Jayson Tatum, Chiney Ogwumike, Jeremy Lin and Najee Harris as preps. You can reach him at mitch@scorebooklive.com.

Duece Jones-Drew rushed 29 times for 211 yards and three touchdowns, all career highs, in the Spartans wild 35-32 win over Corona Centennial in the inaugural 151 Football Showcase at Cal's Memorial Stadium on 9-26-26.

The Spartans and Huskies renew rivalry that features five matchups for California state championships

Kasi Currie (left) and Marcus Fakatou make up a ferocious defensive line at Sierra Canyon. The Trailblazers are third in the High School On SI Top 25 California football rankings this week.

Kasi Currie (left) and Marcus Fakatou make up a ferocious defensive line at Sierra Canyon. The Trailblazers are third in the High School On SI Top 25 California football rankings this week.

Maliq Allen on his way to a 32-yard touchdown run in the second quarter of St. John Bosco's 26-14 win at Pittsburg on Friday (Sept. 4).

California

Five new teams enter the state's elite list of teams, including No. 15 JSerra Catholic following a gritty win over Crean Lutheran.

From L-R, St. John Bosco's DJ Tubbs (No. 2), Maliq Allen (5), Kuika Moaalii (17) and Koa Malau'ulu (12) during their team's tough 26-14 win at No. 9 Pittsburg.

California

Tough week for the state's elite with 10 losses. News notes on every game involving all 25 teams in Week 2 of a thus far up-and-down season

Maliq Allen on his way to a 32-yard touchdown run in the second quarter of St. John Bosco's 26-14 win at Pittsburg on Friday (Sept. 4).

California

Special teams touchdown, two scores by Maliq Allen and two TD passes from Koa Malau'ulu spark Braves in heated, competitive game in Northern California

De La Salle senior quarterback Jaxon Loftin answered all questions — literally and figuratively — in a Week 1 35-25 win at Serra.

California

Jaxon Loftini has opening game to remember, but postgame performance even better; Greatest De La Salle QBs; More California Week 1 football takes

Santa Margarita's 6-1, 315-pound junior Elyjah Aiava protects in a game against Corona Centennial. The Eagles got 111 yards rushing and one touchdown from sophomore Adrian Petero in a 21-20 win over Centennial on Friday to move into the state's No. 1 ranking. They are the defending state Open Division champions.

California

Defending state Open Division champion Santa Margarita moves to the top spot — the third different team at No. 1 since the preseason rankings.

Just like they did in 2025, Santa Margarita found a way to defeat Centennial again on Friday night in the No. 1 Game of the Week for Aug. 26, 2026. See result and all the rest of the other top games of the night below.

California

Santa Margarita shocks Centennial for the third time in two seasons with a one-point win Friday night, setting the tone for a wild night of Week 1 Friday Night Lights.

De La Salle junior Landon Miller follows in the footsteps of many great linebackers at his school and in the state, including former Spartan DJ Williams. His sixth-ranked Spartans travel to No. 22 Serra-San Mateo, alma mater of the great Tom Brady, for a sterling Friday Night Lights opener.

California

Five games pitting Top 25 state-ranked teams highlight a fantastic Friday Night of action

Santa Margarita poses after winning the 2025 CIF State Open Division championship with a 47-13 win over De La Salle at Saddleback College; Friday the third-ranked Eagles travel to No. 1 Corona Centennial in a huge 2026 Week 1 showdown.

California

New No. 1 team before we even get to Week 1; Five games feature two Top 25 teams this week, including No. 1 Corona Centennial hosting No. 3 Santa Margarita

St. John Bosco quarterback Koa Malau'ulu looks for a receiver against Bishop Gorman during Gorman's 38-28 season opening victory..

Bishop Gorman quarterback Ace Amina (1), who had four passing touchdowns, escapes the pressure of St. John Bosco's Josiah Poyer (10), during Gorman's 38-28 season-opening victory.

St. John Bosco Maliq Allen and the Braves are off to the races from the top spot in the California preseason Top 25

De La Salle junior Landon Miller follows in the footsteps of many great linebackers at his school and in the state, including former Spartan DJ Williams.