ATTENTION ALL 11-MAN FOOTBALL COACHES NATIONWIDE: We need your help in previewing your team.  In 2024, calpreps will once again be doing the first-of-its-kind national high school football preview, complete with individual team capsules for all 15,000 11-man football playing schools.  Please click here to send us info about your team if you haven't yet received an email from us about this. 

Tired of 70-0 league games?  Or worse yet, shortened seasons due to all the forfeits/lost gates in order to avoid absurdly lopsided scores (and the injuries that come with teams meeting who should never play each other).  Do you find yourself thinking "there must be a better way"?  Of course there is.  All that needs to happen is to break out of the "but we've always done it this way" mentality.  Leagues can be aligned in a way that's competitive.  Here's an example of the way things are headed

Why will this be a trend in coming years?
Answer: It's just a better way to do it, as sections/other states have figured out with forming playoff divisions live at the end of the season based on competitive equity rather than school size.  Essentially the same concept; leagues will be formed by competitive equity as well, where geography allows for it.  In other words, governing bodies have improved playoffs and made them competitive in recent years.  And non-league games don't need to be improved because teams have always chosen like opponents for those games and/or teams they can earn a statement win against that will help their playoff seeding.  Non-league games are great, playoffs are suddenly now great...now, the football community just needs to decide if we'd like to make league games great as well or not.  It's really that simple.  [Please note that we're not lobbying for this for pride reasons-- this will eventually be done nearly everywhere using some objective measure of program strength (doesn't need to be calpreps rating...basically all power ratings systems are more or less the same, truth be told), but not basing it on the quality of the programs at all is what doesn't make sense.]

Aren't there places this wouldn't work?
Answer: There are certain sections/parts of sections where this doesn't work geographically, so it won't happen everywhere.  If you're already going 40 miles for league games, it's a non-starter to make those distances even worse.  But most of the state (and country) will be moving to this over the next 5-10 years.  In a couple decades, leagues may be formed live, the way playoff divisions are done now in some sections, at the end of the non-league slate, but that idea is certainly too outside-of-the-box for right now.

What is an example of a team these blowouts/cancellations happen with?
Answer: The marquee one is LB Poly, but this happens in every part of every section, just with schools that not everyone has heard of.  But likely everyone who uses a CA h.s. football site has heard of Poly, so let's focus on that example.  In the last decade, they've had 57 league games scheduled.  Kudos to Millikan for playing them to a 3-point game in 2023, but what you may not know is that was the ONLY league game Poly has won by less than 14 points in the last decade.  The other 56 were either blowouts or had to be cancelled.  Most scores were comical.  Examples include such nail-biters as 99-9, 81-0, 77-0, 77-6, 76-6, 73-7, 71-0, 70-0 (twice), 70-3, 68-0, 64-0, 63-0, 57-0, 56-0 (three times), 55-6, 53-9, 52-7, 50-6 (twice), 49-0 (three times), 49-7, 48-0 (twice), 48-6, 46-0 (twice) and so on and so on.  What is even the point of playing these games?  (That's rhetorical, no need to answer.)  There isn't one, needless to say.  Imagine how much better it would be for all involved (Poly themselves, the opponents, fans, etc.) if they played meaningful games instead.  Having players sharp/engaged at playoff time (not having effectively taken a month and a half off) is one obvious one, interesting games, bigger gates, fans actually paying attention to the game instead of bored and playing on their phones, opportunities to prove how good they are, etc., etc.  All positives.  No negatives.

But it's always been this way!!!
Answer: Either you want close/contested games or you don't.  It's an inconsistent/arbitrary/meaningless position to say "I'll support it as long as it's happened for a long time already".  If that's your position, just wait a few years, after everyone is doing this, and then you'll like it because it will be the traditional method.  The Trinity league figured this out in 2006, so if you support tradition, you're supporting a high-profile example of this happening already (there are others).  It doesn't make any sense to be opposed to improving things just because it's "always been this way"...indeed change is a necessary part of improvement.


FINAL CALPREPS NATIONAL TOP-RATED TEAMS (updated immediately after games...showing teams with 75+ rating)

1) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) 13-1, 98.3



2) DeSoto (TX) 15-0, 84.2
3) St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA) 11-2, 84
4) Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) 12-0, 82.6
5) Duncanville (TX) 14-1, 81.9
6) Centennial (Corona, CA) 9-3, 78.6
7) IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) 10-0, 77
8) Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, FL) 14-0, 76.4
9) Corner Canyon (Draper, UT) 13-1, 76.4
10) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, CA) 11-1, 76.2
11) Kahuku (HI) 12-2, 75.1
ratings rounded to nearest tenth
gaps between bunches of teams indicate clear breaks of 4+ points
current mythical national title contenders
states represented: CA (4), FL (2), TX (2), HI, UT, NV

With projection ratings (right column), recent results are weighted more heavily and the "politically correct" moderately-low cutoff point at which margin of victory is no longer counted is eliminated.  Standard ratings acknowledge to-date success ("resume"); with projection ratings, the goal is to accurately predict future outcomes.  For states/sections using ratings to determine playoff teams, it is recommended that standard ratings be used for selection (determining who is in), and projection ratings be used for seeding the teams that make it in.
FINAL CALPREPS NATIONAL TOP-RATED TEAMS BY PROJECTION RATINGS (updated immediately after games...showing teams with 85+ rating)

1) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) 13-1, 114.6


2) DeSoto (TX) 15-0, 103.1
3) Duncanville (TX) 14-1, 100
4) Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) 12-0, 97.8
5) St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA) 11-2, 97.6

6) Centennial (Corona, CA) 9-3, 93.5
7) Carroll (Southlake, TX) 13-2, 91.1
8) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, CA) 11-1, 90.2
9) Corner Canyon (Draper, UT) 13-1, 89.9
10) Liberty (Peoria, AZ) 12-1, 89.6
11) St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia, PA) 13-1, 89.3
12) Aledo (TX) 16-0, 89
13) Kahuku (HI) 12-2, 88
14) Mililani (HI) 11-2, 87.2
15) IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) 10-0, 86.8
16) Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, FL) 14-0, 85
ratings rounded to nearest tenth
gaps between bunches of teams indicate clear breaks of 4+ points
current best teams nationally
states represented: TX (4), CA (4), HI (2), FL (2), AZ, UT, PA, NV

GENERAL LINKS

contact us

future schools

games wanted

league standings

winning streaks

state title streaks

RATINGS/PROJECTIONS

national/state power ratings

dynasty ratings

top single seasons

projections

project a matchup

predict-the-preps

running-the-table

how ratings work

NATIONAL

scores/standings:
MaxPreps.com

playoff brackets/results

historical national/state champs

states head-to-head

nationwide season preview

freemanratings


PREVIOUS YEARS

2022     2021

2020     2019

2018     2017

2016     2015

2014     2013

2012     2011

2010     2009

2008     2007

2006     2005

2004     2003

2002     2001

CALIFORNIA FOOTBALL (BY SECTION)  
Northern


Playoff Brackets/Results:
II  III  IV  V  VI  



Weekly Schedule/Results:
Aug 11  Aug 18  Aug 25  S1  S8  S15  S22  
S29  O6  O13  O20  O27  N3  Late

Butte View    preview
California - Division I (8 Man)
California - Division II (8 Man)
Cascade Valley    preview
Eastern    preview
Mid-Valley    preview
Northern    preview
Sacramento Valley    preview
North Coast


Playoff Brackets/Results:
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8 Man 1  8 Man 2  Open  



Weekly Schedule/Results:
Aug 11  Aug 18  Aug 25  S1  S8  S15  S22  
S29  O6  O13  O20  O27  N3  Late

Bay Valley    preview
Diablo - Foothill    preview
Diablo - Valley    preview
East Bay - Mountain    preview
East Bay - Valley    preview
Humboldt-Del Norte - Big 4    preview
Humboldt-Del Norte - Little 4    preview
Marin County    preview
North Bay - Oak    preview
North Bay - Redwood    preview
North Central I    preview
North Central II (8 Man)
North Central III (8 Man)
Tri-County - Rock    preview
Tri-County - Stone    preview
Vine Valley    preview
West Alameda County - Foothill    preview
West Alameda County - Mission    preview
West Alameda County - Shoreline    preview
8-Man Freelance (8 Man)
Sac-Joaquin


Playoff Brackets/Results:
I  II  III  IV  V  VI  VII  



Weekly Schedule/Results:
Aug 11  Aug 18  Aug 25  S1  S8  S15  S22  
S29  O6  O13  O20  O27  N3  Late

Capital    preview
Capital Valley    preview
Central California - CCAL    preview
Central California - CCC    preview
Central California AA    preview
Delta    preview
Foothill Valley    preview
Golden Empire    preview
Greater Sacramento    preview
Metropolitan    preview
Monticello Empire    preview
Mother Lode    preview
Pioneer Valley    preview
Sacramento Metro    preview
San Joaquin AA    preview
Sierra Delta    preview
Sierra Foothill    preview
Sierra Valley    preview
Southern    preview
Trans Valley    preview
Tri-City    preview
Valley Oak    preview
Western    preview
8-Man Freelance (8 Man)
Freelance    preview
San Francisco


Playoff Brackets/Results:
AAA  



Weekly Schedule/Results:
Aug 11  Aug 18  Aug 25  S1  S8  S15  S22  
S29  O6  O13  O20  O27  N3  Late

 Academic    preview
 
Oakland


Playoff Brackets/Results:
OAL  



Weekly Schedule/Results:
Aug 11  Aug 18  Aug 25  S1  S8  S15  S22  
S29  O6  O13  O20  O27  N3  Late

 Oakland    preview
 
Central Coast


Playoff Brackets/Results:
I  II  III  IV  Open  V  



Weekly Schedule/Results:
Aug 11  Aug 18  Aug 25  S1  S8  S15  S22  
S29  O6  O13  O20  O27  N3  Late

De Anza    preview
El Camino    preview
Mount Hamilton    preview
Pacific Coast (8 Man)
Pacific Coast - Gabilan    preview
Pacific Coast - Mission North    preview
Pacific Coast - Mission South    preview
Pacific Coast - Santa Lucia    preview
Peninsula - Bay    preview
Peninsula - Lake    preview
Peninsula - Ocean    preview
Santa Teresa - Foothill    preview
Santa Teresa - Valley    preview
West Catholic    preview
West Valley    preview
8-Man Freelance (8 Man)
Central


Playoff Brackets/Results:
8 Man  I  II  III  IV  V  VI  



Weekly Schedule/Results:
Aug 11  Aug 18  Aug 25  S1  S8  S15  S22  
S29  O6  O13  O20  O27  N3  Late

Central Sierra (8 Man)
County/Metro    preview
East Sequoia    preview
East Yosemite    preview
Hi-Lo (8 Man)
High Desert    preview
Mountain    preview
North Yosemite    preview
Northwest Sequoia    preview
Ocean    preview
South Sequoia    preview
South Yosemite - Horizon    preview
South Yosemite - Mountain    preview
Southwest Yosemite - River    preview
Southwest Yosemite - Valley    preview
Tri-County - Kings Canyon    preview
Tri-County - Sequoia    preview
Tri-River    preview
West Sierra    preview
West Yosemite    preview
8-Man Freelance (8 Man)
Los Angeles


Playoff Brackets/Results:
Open  I  II  III  8 Man  



Weekly Schedule/Results:
Aug 11  Aug 18  Aug 25  S1  S8  S15  S22  
S29  O6  O13  O20  O27  N3  Late

Central    preview
City (8 Man)
Coliseum    preview
East Valley    preview
Eastern    preview
Exposition    preview
Marine    preview
Metro    preview
Northern    preview
Southern    preview
Valley (8 Man)
Valley Mission    preview
West Valley    preview
Western    preview
Southern


Playoff Brackets/Results:
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  8 Man Division 1  8 Man Division 2  



Weekly Schedule/Results:
Aug 11  Aug 18  Aug 25  S1  S8  S15  S22  
S29  O6  O13  O20  O27  N3  Late

605    preview
Agape (8 Man)
Almont    preview
Angelus    preview
Baseline    preview
Bay    preview
Big 4    preview
Big West - Lower    preview
Big West - Upper    preview
Camino Real    preview
Canyon    preview
Channel    preview
Citrus 4    preview
Citrus Belt    preview
Citrus Coast    preview
Coast Valley (8 Man)
Cottonwood    preview
Crestview    preview
Del Rey    preview
Del Rio    preview
Desert Empire    preview
Desert Sky    preview
Desert Valley    preview
Empire    preview
Foothill    preview
Freeway    preview
Garden Grove    preview
Gateway    preview
Gold Coast    preview
Golden    preview
Hacienda    preview
Heritage (8 Man)
Inland Valley    preview
Ironwood    preview
Ivy    preview
Majestic (8 Man)
Manzanita    preview
Marmonte    preview
Mesquite    preview
Mid-Cities    preview
Miramonte    preview
Mission    preview
Mission Valley    preview
Mojave River    preview
Montview    preview
Moore    preview
Mountain Pass    preview
Mountain Valley    preview
Mountain West    preview
Mt. Baldy 4    preview
North Hills    preview
Ocean    preview
Orange    preview
Orange Coast    preview
Pac 4    preview
Pacific - Lower    preview
Pacific - Upper    preview
Pacific Coast    preview
Pacific Hills    preview
Pioneer    preview
Prep (8 Man)
Rio Hondo    preview
River Valley    preview
San Andreas    preview
San Antonio    preview
Sea View    preview
Sierra    preview
Skyline    preview
South Coast    preview
Sunbelt    preview
Sunkist    preview
Sunset    preview
Tri-County Premier (8 Man)
Tri-Valley (8 Man)
Trinity    preview
Valle Vista    preview
8-Man Freelance (8 Man)
Freelance    preview
San Diego


Playoff Brackets/Results:
Open  I  II  III  IV  V  8 Man  



Weekly Schedule/Results:
Aug 11  Aug 18  Aug 25  S1  S8  S15  S22  
S29  O6  O13  O20  O27  N3  Late

Avocado    preview
Central    preview
City    preview
Coastal    preview
Desert    preview
Eastern    preview
Grossmont - Hills    preview
Grossmont - Valley    preview
Imperial Valley    preview
Manzanita (8 Man)
Metro - Mesa    preview
Metro - Pacific    preview
Metro - South Bay    preview
Ocean (8 Man)
Pacific    preview
Palomar    preview
Valley    preview
Western    preview

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