The 5 Biggest Takeaways From The 2024 CIF SS Football Playoffs: Trinity League Dynasty Continues

The 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Playoffs delivered a predictable, yet thrilling, conclusion to the high school football season, reaffirming the dominance of the nation's top programs while showcasing the success of the competitive equity model in the lower divisions. As of today, December 17, 2025, the dust has settled on the 109th edition of the CIF-SS championships, which culminated in November 2024. The postseason saw a grueling, multi-week battle across 14 distinct divisions, with the Division 1 final once again stealing the national spotlight and setting the stage for the CIF State Bowl Games. This year’s bracket solidified several key trends, from the continued reign of Orange County powerhouses to the emergence of Cinderella stories in the lower brackets.

The CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS) is widely recognized as the most competitive high school football section in the United States, making its playoff system a critical benchmark for prep talent. The 2024 iteration was no exception, featuring incredible individual performances, dramatic upsets, and a championship clash that lived up to its heavyweight billing, ultimately determining which teams would advance to the regional and state championship rounds. The results offer a clear picture of the current landscape of Southern California high school football.

The 2024 CIF-SS Football Playoff Champions and Key Storylines

The 2024 CIF-SS playoffs were structured around 14 playoff divisions, a format that utilizes the competitive equity model to ensure balanced matchups after the regular season. This system re-divides teams annually based on their current performance and strength, rather than school size or league affiliation, creating a dynamic and often unpredictable postseason outside of the top tier. The championship games were held across various host sites, with the Division 1 final being the centerpiece event.

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1. The Trinity League’s Unbreakable Grip on Division 1

The biggest story of the 2024 postseason was the inevitable, yet fiercely contested, battle for the Division 1 title. For years, the championship has been an internal affair for the elite programs of the Trinity League, and 2024 was no different. The final saw a historic matchup between the perennial rivals, the Mater Dei Monarchs (Santa Ana) and the St. John Bosco Braves (Bellflower).

• The Result: Mater Dei defeated St. John Bosco with a final score of 31-24.
• The Significance: This victory secured Mater Dei's second consecutive CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship and their 14th CIF title overall.
• Standout Player: Running back Jordon Davison was the offensive catalyst for the Monarchs, scoring three crucial touchdowns in the hard-fought win at Veteran's Memorial Stadium.

The Division 1 bracket, which also featured powerhouses like Corona Centennial and Mission Viejo, showcased the unparalleled talent depth of the Orange County and Inland Empire regions. The Monarchs' win cemented their status as the state's top-ranked team heading into the State Bowl Games.

2. The Competitive Equity Model Delivers Dramatic Upsets and Fresh Faces

While Division 1 remained an exclusive club, the true drama and variety of the playoffs unfolded in Divisions 2 through 14. The competitive equity model successfully created a level playing field, leading to several unexpected champions and deep playoff runs by previously overlooked programs. This format is designed to give every school a realistic chance at a CIF title, regardless of their size, leading to incredible parity.

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The lower divisions saw teams from different leagues and regions clash, often with thrilling results. The journey to the Division 14 final, for example, highlighted the success stories of smaller community schools. The championship matchup between San Gabriel and Pioneer was a testament to the model's intent, providing a high-stakes final for teams that would otherwise be overshadowed.

In the middle divisions, the competition was equally fierce. Teams like Don Lugo, Portola, Crespi, and Santa Paula were all in the mix for the Division 11 title, showcasing the wide geographical spread of competitive football within the Southern Section.

3. Key Champions and Breakthrough Performances

The 2024 playoffs crowned 14 champions in the 11-person format, and several more in the 8-Man divisions, each with their own unique journey. These champions represent the pinnacle of high school football achievement in the Southern Section. The sheer number of divisions ensures that a wide array of schools, from large public schools to small private academies, get a chance to compete for a title.

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Notable 2024 CIF-SS Champions (11-Person)

• Division 1: Mater Dei Monarchs (Defeated St. John Bosco 31-24)
• Division 7: Rio Hondo Prep (Secured a title in a lower division, continuing their small-school success).
• Division 9 Contenders: The bracket featured competitive teams like Highland, Monrovia, Sonora, and Cerritos, indicating a strong field of mid-level programs.

The success of Rio Hondo Prep, a small private school, in winning their championship demonstrated the competitive equity model working at its best, allowing them to capture their third straight CIF title across various divisions. They defeated Redondo Union 29-7 in a significant final, proving that sustained excellence is possible even for smaller programs.

4. The Rise of Underclassmen and All-CIF-SS Selections

The intensity of the playoff environment is a proving ground for future college stars, and the 2024 season introduced several key names who earned All-CIF-SS recognition. These players’ performances during the high-pressure playoff games were critical to their teams' success and solidified their recruiting profiles.

In Division 2, the talent pool was deep, featuring impressive quarterback play and dynamic running backs. Standouts included quarterback Isaiah Arriaza from Damien and running back Journee Tonga from Leuzinger. The wide receiver position also saw elite talent, with Ja'Myron Baker from Los Alamitos making a significant impact.

The 8-Man Division also highlighted exceptional talent, with players from schools like Sage Hill and Flintridge Prep earning All-CIF-SS honors, demonstrating that top-tier talent exists across all formats of the game. These individual accolades often translate into college scholarships and future NFL opportunities, making the CIF-SS playoffs a crucial scouting event.

5. Looking Ahead: The Road to the CIF State Bowl Games

Winning a CIF Southern Section championship is not the end of the journey for the top-tier teams; it is merely the gateway to the broader California high school football landscape. The champions from the CIF-SS playoffs, particularly those in the higher divisions, automatically qualify for the CIF State Bowl Games.

The victory by the Mater Dei Monarchs in Division 1 set them up for a highly anticipated State Championship Bowl Game. Their success, alongside other divisional champions, meant the Southern Section sent a formidable contingent to the state-level competition, often considered the most dominant section in the state. The results of the CIF-SS playoffs have a ripple effect, determining the final rankings and matchups for the entire state of California. The competitive intensity of the Southern Section ensures that its champions are well-prepared for any state-level challenge, continuing the tradition of excellence for California high school football.