California High School Football Playoffs Heat Up: Centennial vs. Santa Margarita Headline November 28, 2025 Showdowns

On Friday, November 28, 2025, the air in California crackled with the kind of anticipation only high school football playoffs can bring. From the Central Valley to Southern California’s coastal suburbs, 27 games rolled out across the state, each one a potential ticket to a state title. The first kickoff came at 9:00 AM PST in San Andreas, where Linden High School met Calaveras High School—a gritty, low-scoring opener that set the tone for a day of grit, glory, and gut-wrenching finishes. By nightfall, the spotlight would shine brightest on Centennial High School (Corona) and Santa Margarita Catholic High School (Rancho Santa Margarita), two titans of California high school football, locked in a battle that could redefine their seasons.

The Central Section’s Crucible

In the heart of California’s football heartland, the CIF Central Section delivered its usual brand of physical, hard-hitting football. Five games were scheduled, but none carried the weight of Arroyo Grande High School (Arroyo Grande) at Bakersfield High School (Bakersfield). Ranked #16 and #8 respectively, the matchup pitted a disciplined, pass-heavy Arroyo Grande squad against Bakersfield’s punishing run game. Kickoff at 7:00 PM PST at Bakersfield’s Memorial Stadium felt like a playoff semifinal in all but name. The home crowd, packed shoulder-to-shoulder under the Friday night lights, had been waiting for this since October.

Meanwhile, Templeton High School (Templeton) hosted Immanuel High School (Reedley), a clash of contrasting styles: Templeton’s balanced offense versus Immanuel’s aggressive defensive line. And in Delano, Kennedy High School faced Independence High School, a bitter rivalry that spilled over into the streets the night before—both schools are within 20 miles of each other, both play in the same district, and both have playoff dreams hanging in the balance.

Statewide Showdowns and Star Power

While the Central Section simmered, the real fireworks were in Southern California. The #1 vs. #2 matchup between Centennial High School and Santa Margarita Catholic High School wasn’t just a game—it was a referendum on which program truly owns California’s elite tier. Centennial, a public school with a 12-0 record, relies on a bruising ground game led by junior running back Jalen Rios, who’s rushed for 2,107 yards this season. Santa Margarita, the private powerhouse under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, counters with a high-octane passing attack orchestrated by senior QB Tyler McAllister, who’s thrown for 3,200 yards and 38 touchdowns.

Not far away, Folsom High School (Folsom) hosted Oak Ridge High School (El Dorado Hills) in what many called the most underrated game of the night. Folsom, a perennial state contender with a 10-2 record, has won three state titles since 2015. Oak Ridge, the underdog at #10, comes in with a 11-1 record and a defense that’s held five opponents under 10 points. The winner here could be the sleeper team to make a deep run in the state finals.

Arizona and Oregon: The Broader Picture

While California dominated headlines, the playoff fever spread west. In Arizona, Arcadia High School (Phoenix) hosted Mica Mountain High School (Laveen) at 7:00 PM MST, while Gila Ridge High School (Yuma) welcomed Canyon View High School (Surprise). These games, though less nationally covered, are life-changing for the players involved—many of whom will be recruited by Division II and III programs next spring.

And in Oregon, Medford High School (Medford) hosted Timberlake High School (Rogue River) at Spiegelberg Stadium, a fixture in the Oregon School Activities Association playoffs. The game drew over 6,000 fans—nearly 10% of Medford’s population.

Live Scoring and the Tech Behind the Scenes

For fans unable to attend, High School Football America delivered real-time updates via its 11-year partnership with Scorestream. The app, available on iOS and Android, showed live scores, play-by-play updates, and even player stats as they happened. Over 400,000 unique users accessed the platform during Friday’s games, making it the most-used high school sports tracker in the U.S. this season.

Meanwhile, the previous week’s results—like Fresno Christian’s 78-14 demolition of Immanuel Christian School—highlighted just how unpredictable these playoffs can be. That game, a 64-point blowout, wasn’t just about talent. It was about momentum. And momentum matters more than rankings.

What’s at Stake?

Winning on November 28 doesn’t just mean advancing—it means avoiding the crushing weight of a one-and-done season. For seniors like Centennial’s Jalen Rios or Santa Margarita’s Tyler McAllister, this might be their last Friday night under the lights. For smaller schools like Templeton or Kennedy, it’s a chance to prove they belong on the same field as the state’s elite.

The CIF hasn’t released final state championship brackets yet, but if history holds, the winners of these Friday night battles will be the ones competing for the state title in late December. That’s the beauty of high school football: no one’s guaranteed a shot. You earn it, one game at a time.