CCS Football Playoffs 2025: First-Round Matchups Announced

The 2025 Central Coast Section (CCS) football playoffs are set to begin with an exciting lineup of first-round matchups across all divisions. The playoffs kick off on Friday, marking the start of a competitive journey for teams vying for championship titles.

Open Division Highlights

In the Open Division, the top-seeded team, Archbishop Riordan (10-0), will host No. 8 Salinas (7-3) on Saturday at 1 p.m. Another thrilling matchup features No. 7 Archbishop Mitty (6-4) facing No. 2 Serra (6-4), also on Saturday at 1 p.m. On Friday night, No. 6 St. Francis (5-5) will challenge No. 3 Los Gatos (7-3), while No. 5 Soquel (9-1) takes on No. 4 Palma (10-0) at 7 p.m. The winners from the top half of this bracket will advance to compete for the Open Division championship in the second week of the playoffs.

For teams eliminated from the Open Division championship, there is still hope, as they will have the opportunity to play for the Division I title in the third week of the playoffs.

Division Matchups Across the Board

Division II action features No. 3 Santa Teresa (10-0) facing No. 6 North Salinas (5-5) on Friday at 7 p.m. No. 7 Wilcox (6-4) will play No. 2 Sacred Heart Cathedral (4-6) at City College of San Francisco on Saturday at 1 p.m. Additionally, No. 5 The King’s Academy (9-1) will visit No. 4 Menlo School (8-2) on Saturday at 1 p.m., while No. 8 Alisal (5-5) heads to No. 1 St. Ignatius (4-6) on Friday at 7 p.m.

In Division III, the action continues with No. 6 Stevenson (9-1) at No. 3 Menlo-Atherton (4-6) on Friday at 7 p.m. The matchup between No. 7 Sacred Heart Prep (5-5) and No. 2 Carmel (6-4) will take place at Monterey Peninsula College, also on Friday at 7 p.m. No. 5 King City (9-1) will challenge No. 4 Live Oak (8-2), while No. 8 San Mateo (7-3) travels to face No. 1 Woodside (10-0), both on Friday at 7 p.m.

Division IV sees No. 6 Scotts Valley (8-2) visit No. 3 Lincoln-San Jose (7-3) on Friday at 7 p.m. Other notable games include No. 7 San Lorenzo Valley (8-2) against No. 2 Willow Glen (8-2), and No. 5 Half Moon Bay (7-3) taking on No. 4 Burlingame (6-4), both scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. Finally, No. 8 Christopher (5-5) will face No. 1 Branham (5-5) on the same evening.

In Division V, the competition heats up with No. 6 South San Francisco (5-5) visiting No. 3 Terra Nova (7-3) on Friday at 7 p.m. No. 7 Santa Cruz (7-3) will meet No. 2 Sobrato (6-4) on Saturday at 1 p.m., while No. 5 Pioneer (6-4) faces No. 4 Jefferson (8-2) on Friday night. Lastly, No. 8 San Jose (7-3) will challenge No. 1 Piedmont Hills (7-3) on Friday at 7 p.m.

As the playoffs progress, teams will be eager to secure their spots in the next rounds, setting the stage for an exciting series of games in the coming weeks. Fans can look forward to thrilling showdowns that will determine the champions of the CCS football playoffs.