The CIF flag playoff structure follows the format and selection process used for tackle football, one based on the Power Ranking algorithm of the MaxPreps/Calpreps system*.
Four divisions, based primarily on their state ranking, will be filled with 12 teams each, seeded per their ranking. League champions are guaranteed a spot, no matter their record or ranking. See Steve Brand’s tackle football scenarios. The playoff participants will be revealed Nov. 6, with first games Nov. 12.
All teams fell in the state rankings this week except Bonita Vista (12-5), but all insignificantly, and the status quo dominated the local Top 10 list. Now No. 4, Classical (20-4) dropped one state spot, although from 3 to 11 nationally. The Caimans topped No. 1 Newport Harbor (23-2) early in the season but were sunk by the Sailors, 37-0, last month.
Complete season game schedules and results here.
Top 10 San Diego Section teams, according to the MaxPreps/Calpreps ranking system*, as of Oct. 30:
# / Previous | TEAM | RECORD | STATE RANK / Previous |
 1/1 | Classical |  20-4 |  4/3 |
 2/2 | Mira Mesa |  15-2 |  20/17 |
 3/3 | Torrey Pines |  14-7 |  35/26 |
 4/5 | Our Lady of Peace |  14-3 |  45/37 |
 5/7 | Otay Ranch |  10-0 |  46/40 |
 6/6 | Cathedral |  11-3 |  48/41 |
 7/9 | Grossmont |  11-4 |  50/49 |
 8/4 | Calexico Vincent Memorial |  12-2 |  51/34 |
 9/10 | Bonita Vista |  12-5 |  54/55 |
 10/8 | Brawley |  16-6 |  56/47 |
Others in the state top 100: 57 Westview (12-2), 60 La Costa Canyon (10-3), 63 Mission Hills (9-3), 71 Poway (13-2), 87 San Marcos (12-3).
*The entirely computer generated and proprietary MaxPreps.com/CalPreps.com ranking algorithm, based solely on wins and losses, plus the opponents strength of schedule, is described here.
Henrik Jonson, Webmaster