San Diego Section Top 10 high school football rankings via SBLive/Sports Illustrated (12/12/2023)

Top-ranked Granite Hills captured their second straight CIF title and their first at the Open Division level

The high school football season in California came to an end this past weekend where 15 state championships were decided. 

The San Diego Section, which took home four state titles in 2022, did not capture any in 2023. The lone finalist, Sweetwater, lost to Colusa 33-17 in the 6-A championship game.

SBLive's San Diego Section Top 10 football rankings

1. Granite Hills (12-1)

Previous ranking: 3

Granite Hills took down the other three Open Division teams over a five-week span, holding off Lincoln 27-26 in the Open Division championship game. The Eagles came up short in their regional bowl game at Mission Viejo, losing to the eventual champion Diablos in California's second highest division.

2. Lincoln (11-1)

Previous ranking: 1

Lincoln's chase for consecutive Open Division championships came up short with a one-point loss to Granite Hills in the championship game. The Hornets return a strong core and figure to be among the top contenders in next season's Open Division.

3. Carlsbad (10-1)

Previous ranking: 2

Carlsbad fell at home to eventual champion Granite Hills in the San Diego Section Open Division semifinal round. The Lancers will look much different next year with 57 of their 58 touchdowns this season having been scored by seniors.

4. Helix (9-2)

Previous ranking: 4

Helix lost in the Open Division semifinal round, losing at Lincoln 45-38 in overtime. The Highlanders fell short against eventual champion Granite Hills three weeks earlier, losing 44-43 in double overtime.

5. St. Augustine (10-5)

Previous ranking: 10

St. Augustine worked their way through the Division 1 playoffs as the five-seed and shutout Mission Hills 13-0 in the championship game. The Saints were on the verge of advancing to the CIF State D1-A championship game before losing to St. Bonaventure in the regional bowl game 21-20.

6. Mission Hills (9-4)

Previous ranking: 6

Mission Hills held serve at home in the playoffs, advancing to their second straight Division 1 championship game. They were held scoreless by the Saints and remain on the search for their first CIF title since 2013.

7. Madison (6-7)

Previous ranking: NR

Madison flipped a switch at the end of the regular season, shutting out University city in league play before picking up playoff shutouts on the road against Mater Dei Catholic and Torrey Pines. The Warhawks came up just short of reaching the championship game with a 28-27 overtime loss to St. Augustine.

8. El Camino (7-5)

Previous ranking: 8

El Camino won their opening playoff game against Cathedral Catholic before falling against Mission Hills for the second time in a month.

9. Del Norte (11-3)

Previous ranking: NR

Del Norte reached double digit wins for the first time in school history and captured their first CIF title, beating La Jolla 31-15 in Division 2. The Nighthawks lost their regional bowl game to Birmingham 30-28 on a tipped pass Hail Mary touchdown as the clock expired.

10. La Jolla (10-3)

Previous ranking: NR

La Jolla's eight-game winning streak came to an end in the Division 2 championship game with a 31-15 loss to Del Norte.

Honorable Mention

San Marcos

Torrey Pines

Cathedral Catholic

La Costa Canyon

Mount Miguel

La Jolla Country Day

(Feature photo by Justin Fine)

-- Bodie De Silva | bodie@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveca