Long Beach Area CIF Football Playoff Picture Takes Shape with Two Weeks Remaining in Regular Season

With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, the CIF Southern Section football playoff scenario is starting to become clearer for teams in the Long Beach area. The CIF-SS football playoff brackets will be announced on November 3.The Division 1 playoffs can accommodate up to 16 teams, though only eight teams were selected last season. Divisions 2 through 14 will feature 16-team brackets. Teams with records of .500 or better are prioritized for at-large playoff spots. Here is an overview of teams from the Press-Telegram area, ranked by their CalPreps standings before this week’s games:

• No. 2 St. John Bosco (8-0 overall): Projected for the Division 1 playoffs, having already secured an automatic berth from the Trinity League.
• No. 23 Los Alamitos (4-4 overall): Expected to enter the Division 2 playoffs, but potential losses to San Clemente and Mission Viejo could jeopardize an at-large berth.
• No. 24 Downey (7-1 overall): Set for Division 2 playoffs with an automatic berth from the Gateway League.
• No. 30 Millikan (7-2 overall): Projected for Division 3 playoffs, having clinched an automatic berth and a share of the Moore League title.
• No. 44 Long Beach Poly (3-5 overall): Likely the top seed in Division 4; a win against Cabrillo would secure a Moore League automatic berth.
• No. 72 Mayfair (6-2 overall): Expected in Division 5 playoffs with an automatic Gateway League berth.
• No. 81 Lakewood (5-4 overall): Projected for Division 6 playoffs; needs a win against Wilson to secure a Moore League automatic berth.
• No. 109 Norwalk (7-1 overall): Set for Division 7 playoffs with an automatic Mid-Cities League berth.
• No. 110 Warren (2-6 overall): Could earn a Division 7 playoff spot with a win against Downey or La Mirada, securing an automatic Gateway League berth.
• No. 128 Wilson (5-3 overall): Expected as the top seed in Division 9; a win against Jordan would ensure an automatic berth.
• No. 134 St. Pius X-St. Matthias (0-8 overall): Not projected to make Division 9 playoffs.
• No. 143 Cerritos (6-2 overall): Projected for Division 9 playoffs with an automatic berth from the 605 League.
• No. 146 Valley Christian (6-2 overall): Expected to receive an at-large bid for Division 9 from the Ironwood League.
• No. 154 La Mirada (2-6 overall): Could secure a Division 10 automatic berth by winning their final two league games.
• No. 167 St. Anthony (3-5 overall): Projected for Division 10 playoffs; needs one more Del Rey League win for an automatic berth.
• No. 177 Paramount (7-1 overall): Likely to enter Division 11 playoffs with an automatic Mid-Cities League berth.
• No. 204 Dominguez (2-6 overall): Not projected to make Division 11 playoffs.
• No. 231 Jordan (2-6 overall): Not projected to make Division 12 playoffs.
• No. 240 Gahr (4-4 overall): Projected for Division 12 playoffs; can secure an automatic Mid-Cities League berth with a win against Firebaugh or Paramount.
• No. 263 Lynwood (4-4 overall): Expected to receive an at-large bid for Division 13 from the Mid-Cities League.
• No. 279 Artesia (7-1 overall): Projected for Division 13 playoffs, potentially receiving either an automatic or at-large bid from the 605 League.
• No. 295 Cabrillo (2-6 overall) and No. 296 Compton (3-5 overall): Not projected to make Division 13 playoffs.
• No. 325 Firebaugh (5-3 overall): Likely to receive an at-large bid for Division 14 from the Mid-Cities League.
• No. 326 Bellflower (0-8 overall) and No. 351 Compton Early College (0-8 overall): Not projected to make Division 14 playoffs.
• No. 340 Centennial (3-5 overall): Projected to receive an automatic Division 14 playoff berth from the Ocean League.
• No. 356 Glenn (1-6 overall): Not projected to make Division 14 playoffs.

This overview reflects each team’s current standing and potential playoff paths as they prepare for their remaining regular-season games and await the official bracket announcements on November 3rd.

Posted by John W. Davis Press-Telegram – Read Article