CIF-SS football playoff brackets are set. Here are the matchups involving High Desert teams
At last, the high school football CIF-Southern Section playoff brackets are here, ending the suspense regarding divisional pairings.
The CIF-SS released the highly anticipated playoff pairings Sunday morning, and six teams from the High Desert found themselves scattered within the 14 divisions.
As expected, Oak Hills is again competing in the highest of all local teams. The Bulldogs, the four-time MRL champions, found themselves in a loaded Division 2 bracket.
It's the second time the program has been paired there in the last three seasons. The 2022 campaign ended in the second round with a loss to Bishop Amat, and the Bulldogs were eliminated in the same round in Division 3 action last season.
This year, Oak Hills, which ends the season as the No. 22nd ranked team within the CIF-SS by CalPreps.com, will begin the playoffs on the road in Westlake Village against Oaks Christian.
In total, the High Desert had five automatic qualifiers for the playoffs. The six-team Mojave River League received three automatic berths — Oak Hills, Apple Valley and Serrano — while the Desert Sky League’s two berths are Barstow and Victor Valley.
Barstow, fresh off capturing the program’s first Desert Sky League title since 2015 and sixth overall, is on the road against Dana Hills in Division 6 action. Barstow's 2023 postseason came to an end in the first round of the Division 8 playoffs, despite being the No. 3 seed in the division.
Football Roundup: Hesperia ends regular season with shutout win in 29th annual Key Game
Victor Valley enters the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, this time as an automatic qualifier. The Jackrabbits have received at-large bids the previous three seasons.
Silverado returns to the playoffs after a one-year absence, receiving an at-large bid in the Division 10 bracket. Silverado drew a home game against Linfield Christian.
The first round of the action begins on Nov. 8, and runs through championship weekend on Nov. 29 and 30.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the first-round drawings for our local teams
Division 2 — Oak Hills (10-0) at Oaks Christian (7-3)
CalPreps.com rankings: Oak Hills 47.1; Oaks Christian 50.8
What happened last week: Oak Hills shutout Burroughs 49-0; Oaks Christian lost 28-23 to Simi Valley.
Division 4 — Apple Valley (6-3) at Charter Oak (8-2)
CalPreps.com rankings: Apple Valley 29.8; Charter Oak 32.2
What happened last week: Apple Valley shutout Serrano 35-0; Charter Oak beat Glendora 38-14.
Division 6 — Barstow (8-1) at Dana Hills (8-2)
CalPreps.com rankings: Barstow 14.9; Dana Hills 18.4
What happened last week: Barstow beat Granite Hills 34-27; Dana Hills lost 22-7 to Northwood.
Division 8 — Serrano (6-3) vs. Norte Vista (9-1)
CalPreps.com rankings: Serrano 7.6; Norte Vista 5.8
What happened last week: Serrano lost 35-0 to Apple Valley; Norte Vista shutout Jurupa Valley 35-0
Division 9 — Victor Valley (8-1) at Wilson (6-4)
CalPreps.com rankings: Victor Valley 1.7; Wilson 4.8
What happened last week: Victor Valley shutout Silverado 7-0; Wilson lost 44-7 to Lakewood.
Division 10 — Silverado (5-5) vs. Linfield Christian (6-3)
CalPreps.com rankings: Silverado -0.8; Linfield Christian -1.4
What happened last week: Silverado lost to Victor Valley 7-0; Linfield Christian shutout Western Christian 40-0.
8-man Football Playoffs
The CIF-SS office will release the 8-man football pairings Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
Hesperia Christian and Academy of Careers & Exploration both qualified for the playoffs.
The Patriots beat ACE 35-3 on Saturday night in the Agape League title game as Nathaniel Renner connected with Dakota McCloud on nine passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns. McCloud also took two carries for 34 yards and another touchdown.
It’s the fourth straight league title for the Patriots.
Hesperia Christian last captured the CIF-SS 8-man Division 2 crown in 2022.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: CIF-SS football playoff brackets are set. Here are the local matchups
