Breaking down the 2021 CIF San Diego Section high school football playoff brackets

Ahead of the first round games on Nov. 5, we're previewing each playoff division from D1 to D5.

The San Diego Section released its 2021 high school football playoff brackets for all six divisions on Saturday. Ahead of the first round games on Nov. 5, we're previewing each playoff division from D1 to D5. Since the Open Division doesn't begin until next week, we're starting with D1, which is loaded with several of San Diego's top college prospects.

Here’s everything you need to know about the San Diego Section brackets:

ALL CIF-SDS FOOTBALL BRACKETS

DIVISION 1 PLAYOFFS

TOP D1 FIRST-ROUND GAME

Oceanside (4-6) vs. Granite Hills (4-6): The Pirates and Eagles both enter the playoffs having struggled for much of their respective league seasons, but have new life in the postseason. Expect Oceanside's offense to bounce back after last week's outing against El Camino and grab a narrow win over Granite Hills in a shootout. The Pirates have had lots of success when getting the ball senior receiver Blaker Heisinger, expect that to be the case once again this week.

The pick: Oceanside 38, Granite Hills 30

SLEEPER PICK

St. Augustine enters the D1 playoffs as the 12-seed but shouldn't be taken lightly by their opponents. The Saints have loads of talent on the defensive side of the ball led by Oregon commit Gracen Halton and San Jose State commit Justin Stearns. On offense, senior running back Isaiah Pressley has been one of the county's breakout stars on offense, rushing for over 100 yards in six of his nine games including a 283-yard, two-touchdown performance against La Jolla to finish the regular season. They'll start the postseason with a week one rematch against El Camino and certainly have the talent to make a run.

3 PLAYERS TO WATCH

Christian Washington - Helix RB

Washington has been dominating in the Highlanders backfield since filling in for an injured Elelyon Noa during his sophomore season. Now a senior, Washington is averaging over 150 yards per game while also posing a threat for opponents in the passing game and on kick returns. He'll be looking to add on to his 47 career touchdowns while helping the top-seeded Highlanders towards yet another CIF Championship.

Jake Jackson - Madison WR

The three-sport standout has broken out on the football field during the Fall season. He's averaging three catches per game for the Warhawks' run first offense but is making the most of them, averaging 25 yards per catch while ending up in the end zone on ten of his 30 receptions. He'll be the go-to guy as the Warhawks look to navigate a playoff run.

Jalil Tucker - Lincoln ATH

As one of California's fastest athletes, Tucker causes nightmares for opponents in every phase of the game. The Oregon commit was limited to five games due to injury during the regular season but returned in the Hornets' last game against Madison and caught a season-high five passes. Pairing up with fellow Oregon commit Jahlil Florence and juniors Hunter Wiggins and Josiah Cox, Lincoln boasts as good a secondary as you'll find.

CHAMPIONSHIP PICK

Madison over Helix. Two teams that are playing their best football as the postseason begins. Helix suffered back-to-back losses against two of the state's best in Servite and Mission Viejo before grabbing three straight league wins to cap the regular season. Senior running back Christian Washington has 502 total yards and eight touchdowns in his last two games. After losing to Cathedral Catholic in their league opener, Madison won their final four regular season games including a win over Lincoln in week ten that caught many by surprise. Junior wide receiver Jake Jackson leads a very talented offensive group, comprised mostly of underclassmen, that continue to get better.

DIVISION 2 PLAYOFFS

TOP D2 FIRST-ROUND GAME

Rancho Bernardo (5-5) vs. Bishop's (8-2): It'll be the first ever matchup between the two schools on Friday night. Rancho Bernardo's offense, led by senior Frankie Franchina's 1,558 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, will certainly be the key for the Knights to slow down. The Broncos were inconsistent for much of the season, beating Mt. Carmel on the road in their league opener before dropping games against Vista and Poway to close out the regular season. Bishop's won eight of their final nine games, dropping a one-touchdown game at Coastal League champion Santa Fe Christian. Their balanced offensive attack, led by junior quarterback William Fierro, resulted in nearly 38 points per game during the season.

The pick: Rancho Bernardo 28, Bishop's 24

SLEEPER PICK

Point Loma's season got off to a rough start, sitting at 0-3 before they turned things around against Patrick Henry in week four. The Pointers look primed to pull an upset at Valley Center this Friday and earn a rematch against La Jolla the following week. Joel Allen's team has two junior running backs in Chase Lowary and Noah Turberville that are both averaging over seven yards per carry. The Pointers only two losses since week three came against top-seeded Mira Mesa and second-seeded Scripps Ranch.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jackson Stratton - La Jolla QB

Stratton was off to a prolific start to the season, tossing 15 touchdown passes through the first three-plus game of the season until an injury against Del Norte held him out of action until just last week. The Washington commit has a bye week for additional healing before leading the Vikings back into the playoffs where they shoot to repeat 2019's CIF Championship run.

Jax Leatherwood - Scripps Ranch QB

Leatherwood put up one of the best passing seasons in recent memory, leading Scripps Ranch to an 8-1 regular season while averaging 280 passing yards to game to go along 37 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Leatherwood and the Falcons have a bye week to prep for their run that could lead towards a possible rematch against a Mira Mesa team that handed the Falcons their only loss.

Conner Rath - Poway RB

Rath has averaged nine yards per carry this season and has four games with 170 rushing yards or more including a 358-yard, four-touchdown performance against Vista in September. He's a threat to take it the distance at any time and will have all eyes on him as the Titans look to make their run.

CHAMPIONSHIP PICK

Poway over La Jolla. The Titans dominant ground game combined with their defense that has not allowed more than 14 points since week four will be a tough assignment in the postseason. La Jolla gets a fresh slate in the playoffs with the return of Jackson Stratton and will have their hands full trying to slow down Conner Rath and Poway.

DIVISION 3 PLAYOFFS

TOP D3 FIRST-ROUND GAME

El Capitan (8-2) vs. Orange Glen (5-4): El Capitan's offense cruised through much of the season, only being held under 35 points in three games. Savigon Yokley will look has passed for 19 touchdowns, finding twin brother Antwone on the receiving end of 13 of them, while rushing for 14 scores. They'll look to create problems for an Orange Glen team that scuffled offensively late in the season but has shown since the spring season how effective the Dennis Andrew to Malachi Keels aerial attack can be. Expect points to be on the board early and often in Lakeside on Friday night.

The pick: El Capitan 38, Orange Glen 27

SLEEPER PICK

Fifth-seeded West Hills isn't your typical sleeper team, as they finished up an undefeated regular season last week against El Capitan. The Wolf Pack found themselves as the odd man out in the CIF Power Rankings, not receiving a first round bye despite their dominant year. They'll likely be looking to make a statement in week one and beyond following the snub.

3 PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jayden Virgin - Mt. Carmel ATH

Virgin has taken his game to a new level during his final season, helping the top-seeded Sundevils to a 9-1 regular season and Palomar League crown. The Boise State commit has rushed for five touchdowns, caught two touchdowns while dominating on defense with 16 sacks and an interception.

Dominic Nankil - Mater Dei Catholic QB

Nankil saw limited time during the spring season and has exploded onto the scene during the Fall while leading the Crusaders to an 8-0 record as they begin their postseason stretch. He's thrown 24 touchdowns, finding a deep group of talented play makers on offense, while only being intercepted twice. Keeping up his high level play will be a big key to Mater Dei Catholic capturing the Division 3 Championship.

Savigon Yokley - El Capitan QB

Yokley has been one of San Diego's best weapons throughout the season, surpassing 1,000 yards through the air and on the ground. He leads the Vaqueros into a first round game against Orange Glen that figures to be high scoring and will be very difficult to slow down if they advance to take on Mater Dei Catholic.

CHAMPIONSHIP PICK

Mt. Carmel over Mater Dei Catholic. Expect the top two seeds to hold serve with home field advantage once they begin their postseason following the bye. A matchup Mater Dei Catholic's high powered offense going up against a Mt. Carmel defense that had 35 sacks, 16 interceptions and shutout opponents for 13 consecutive quarters at one point during the season, would have eyes all over it.

DIVISION 4 PLAYOFFS

TOP D4 FIRST-ROUND GAME

La Jolla Country Day (6-4) vs. Mt. Miguel (4-4): Despite three league losses in the final month of the season in which they were slowed offensively, the Torreys still averaged 35 points per game. Mt. Miguel has been stingy on defense, allowing 20 points per game and could provide the Torreys with some resistance like what they've dealt with in recent weeks. This one should come down to the final possession.

The pick: La Jolla Country Day 27, Mt. Miguel 21

SLEEPER PICK

Since losing to Santana in their third game of the season, fifth-seeded Sweetwater has ripped off five straight wins thanks to a overwhelming rushing attack that averages just under 300 yards per game. The Red Devils have only attempted 17 passes in their eight games and come right after you with a three-headed running back group led by seniors Fabian Venegas and Javier Sanchez. The duo have combined for 22 of Sweetwater's 31 rushing touchdowns and would surely love a chance at Coronado in the second round after falling to the Islanders 13-7 in week two.

3 PLAYERS TO WATCH

Samuel Cooper IV - University City QB

Cooper was very productive in his first season with the Centurions after two years with Lincoln and showcased his excellent running ability. He finished the regular season with 22 touchdown passes and surpassed 1,000 yards on the ground to go with 17 touchdowns.

Elijaih Lux - Patrick Henry RB

Lux returned to Patrick Henry after spending his junior year in Texas. He rushed for over 1,300 yards as a sophomore and is closing in on that number heading into the Patriots' second round playoff game next week. Lux is a threat to take it the distance at any time and will see the ball in his hands early and often starting next week.

Jack Schneider - Del Norte QB

Schneider had an excellent sophomore campaign that largely flew under the radar. He tossed 25 touchdown passes and completed 65% of his passes while throwing only three interceptions. The Nighthawks finished fourth in a very competitive Palomar League and will rely on Schneider to lead them once they get their postseason run started next week.

CHAMPIONSHIP PICK

Patrick Henry over University City. A City League rematch that saw Patrick Henry win 52-29 in early October. Expect this championship game to be closer and lower scoring, but it still ends with the Patriots on top. Elijaih Lux and company will be too much for the Centurions, grabbing their first CIF Championship in football after four previous losses in the championship game.

DIVISION 5 PLAYOFFS

TOP D5 FIRST-ROUND GAME

Army-Navy (6-4) vs. El Cajon Valley (2-8): El Cajon Valley had a rough go at it for much of the regular season but get to wipe their slate clean and travel to Army-Navy in round one. The Braves have relied on junior running back Kal-El Gordon for much of the season will likely continue to do so. Army-Navy has played six quarterbacks this season and have a 1,000-yard rusher of their own in Tobey Brill. This first ever matchup between the two schools figures to be one of the section's most competitive games this week.

SLEEPER PICK

Six-seed Calexico will host a Maranatha Christian team that finished the regular season on a two-game winning streak but struggled for much of Pacific League play. If Calexico can get by the Eagles they'll earn a second trip to Holtville, after losing to the Vikings by only one point in September.

3 PLAYERS TO WATCH

Clash Orsborn - Mission Bay QB

Now 23 games into his varsity career, Orsborn just continues to produce. He's thrown 35 touchdown passes this season and tossed eight touchdown passes against Kearny in week nine. The Buccaneers have a favorable playoff draw that could bring them back to their first CIF Championship appearance since the 2013 season.

Markus Macon - Palo Verde Valley ATH

Macon went over 1,200 rushing yards during his freshman season in 2019 and has added to his arsenal this season, rushing for 11 yards per carry and 21 touchdowns. He's also dominated on the defensive side of the ball, grabbing five interceptions in nine games. The top-seeded Yellowjackets will need his contributions starting next week.

Ratumana Bulabalavu - Army-Navy DL

Bulabalavu has been a game wrecker for the Warriors, collecting at least six tackles and a sack in each game. He's totaled 18 sacks on the season including a four-sack game against Maranatha Christian in week nine. He'll need to keep up his high level play starting with El Cajon Valley on Friday night.

CHAMPIONSHIP PICK

Fallbrook over Mission Bay. The Warriors 4-6 regular season record can be deceiving. They've played by far the best schedule in the division and secured a huge win in week 11, taking down Rancho Buena Vista on the road, 34-7. The two last played in 2015, a game that featured 97 total points and a Fallbrook win. Expect a high scoring shootout if the two meet for the Division 5 crown.