2015 Prep Football Rankings (Section Finals)

#1 Helix will take on #2 St. Augustine in what should be an epic Open Division Championship game.

Here's our updated rankings as 10 teams get set for Friday and Saturday's 2015 CIF San Diego Section Championship games. For the second straight season, all the action will take place at DeVore Stadium on the campus of Southwestern College in Chula Vista.

Saturday Recap: Aztecs finish MWC slate undefeated, Coronado wins Division V title

SDSU's hopes to host the MW Championship will depend on computer rankings

Every dream scenario played out perfect Saturday night.

After New Mexico knocked off Air Force 47-35, the San Diego State Aztecs (9-3, 8-0 MWC) held their end of the bargain with a 31-14 win over the Nevada Wolfpack (6-6, 4-4 MWC).

With the victory, the Aztecs completed its conference schedule unbeaten for the first time since 1974, when they finished 4-0 in the PCAA.

Now we must wait for the release of Sunday's computer rankings to find out who gets to host the 2015 Mountain West Conference Championship Game: 8-0 SDSU or 6-2 Air Force.

“I think we deserve to be the host team,” Aztecs head coach Rocky Long declared. “But if we're not, that's okay. We'll go up there and try to win the championship where ever it is.”

Prep Football: #3 St. Augustine advances to 4th straight Section Finals

MESA COLLEGE (11/27/2015) After rolling over every opponent that stood in its path to a perfect season, the Mission Hills Grizzlies (11-1) finally met their match.

The Grizzlies boast one of the top defenses in the county, but on this night, they had no answer for Elijah Preston and the St. Augustine Saints (10-2) rushing attack.

The senior Silver Pigskin finalist rushed for 236 yards and three scores, sparking the Saints to a 48-14 triumph and their fourth straight appearance in the CIF San Diego Section Finals.

2015 Prep Football Rankings (Playoff Update)

The top four teams will compete for the San Diego Section's most prestigious prize: 

The Open Division Championship

#4 Cathedral Catholic Dons (7-4) at #1 Helix Highlanders (9-1)

Cathedral Catholic will enter Benton Hart Stadium this Friday as a heavy underdog, as they did prior to their previous visit to Helix in week four. The Dons suffered a 37-7 loss that night, but if they hope to make their first-ever appearance in the Open Division title game, the second time must be the charm.

Since suffering a 23-19 defeat to Chaparral (Scottsdale, AZ) in the season opener, the top-seeded Highlanders are riding a nine-game winning streak. The last Helix team to win nine straight games during a season was the 2011 squad that earned the Division II State Championship.

#2 Mission Hills Grizzlies (11-0) at #3 St. Augustine Saints (9-2)

The second semifinal contest of the bracket features a matchup that has serious Game of the Year potential. Both teams appear to be evenly matched as they get set to face off for the first time ever.

The attendees at Merrill Douglas Stadium on the San Diego Mesa College campus should be in for a treat as three finalist for the KUSI Silver Pigskin Award (San Diego Prep Football's Heisman Trophy) will try to lead their respective team to the finals.

Nehemiah McFarlin (Mission Hills) and Elijah Preston (St. Augustine) has the second and third most rushing yards in the section this season, while Troy Warner (Mission Hills) has established himself as one of the county's most feared playmakers on both sides of the ball.

Toreros hold on to clinch share of PFL title

Photo Courtesy of @USDFootball

TORERO STADIUM (11/21/2015) Brain Riley caught six passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns to help the University of San Diego Toreros (9-2, 7-1 PFL) end the 2015 season with a thrilling 28-27 victory over the Butler Bulldogs (6-5, 4-4 PFL) Saturday afternoon.

With the win, the Toreros earned a share of its 7th Pioneer Football League championship.

With USD leading 28-21 with 16 seconds left, Bulldogs' lineman David Tawari recovered quarterback Matt Sjiltz's fumble in the end zone.

Butler decided to go for the lead with a two-point conversion, but Shiltz's pass was intercepted by Yogi Hale who nearly returned it the other way.

Prep Football: Helix advances to semifinals after defeating scrappy Madison

LA MESA, CA (11/20/2015) The Madison Warhawks (8-3) put up a great fight, and even drew first blood with a fumble recovery to set up the first touchdown of the game, but the top-seeded Helix Highlanders (9-1) proved to be too much as they cruised to a 56-34 victory in front of a packed house at Benton Hart Stadium Friday night.

Nathan Stinson carried the ball 30 times for 176 yards and a score, while Micheal Austin found the end zone three times through the air, including two explosive connections with Mekhi Stevenson for 61 & 41 yards.

Torero seniors look to finish careers on a winning note

San Diego Toreros (8-2, 6-1 PFL) vs. Butler Bulldogs (6-4, 4-3 PFL)

Torero Stadium at Walter J. Zable Field (San Diego, CA)

Saturday, November 21st, 2015 @ 1:00 p.m. PST

A potential share of the Pioneer Football League title won't be the only thing at stake for the University of San Diego Toreros this Saturday.

Fourteen Toreros will play the final game of their collegiate careers, and the last thing third-year head coach Dale Lindsey wants is for them to go out with a loss.

“It puts a really bad taste in your mouth,” Lindsey said while recalling the painful memory of losing his final college game as a player. “It has stuck with me for 52 years, and I don't want these kids to have that [feeling].”

One of those 14 seniors is left tackle Pono Keni, who's been a key contributor to the Toreros' offensive line since his freshman season.

“They threw him in there and all he's done is excel and play fantastic,” praised Lindsey. “I think he exemplifies a USD man, he does things the right way.”

During Keni's four-year stint with the Toreros, the team has yet to drop a PFL contest at Torero Stadium, and are hoping to extend that streak to 23 games.

“We better win on Saturday,” Keni cautioned. “I'm not willing to lose.”

Toreros run through Davidson, 35-10

DAVIDSON, NC (11/14/2015) Dallas Kessman and Jereke Armstrong both rushed for over 100 yards and a score to help the University of San Diego Toreros (8-2, 6-1 PFL) knock off the Davidson Wildcats (1-9, 0-7 PFL) Saturday morning.

With first-place Dayton holding off Marist, the best the Toreros can hope for is a share of the PFL title to end the season. For that to happen, USD must defeat Butler in next week's season-finale and hope Dayton suffers a loss to upset-minded Drake.

The Toreros finished with 278 total yards on the ground and four different rushers finding the end zone.

Anthony Lawrence completed 15 of 28 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown, including a 37-yard connection to Trevor Barney for the first score of the game.

CIF San Diego Section Playoffs (11/13 Results)

While 44 teams battled to keep their seasons alive, the SDFN Top 10 had the week off.

Open Division:

First Round (Nov. 20th)

#8 Madison (8-2) at #1 Helix (8-1)
#5 Carlsbad (7-3) at #4 Cathedral Catholic (6-4)
#6 La Costa Canyon (7-3) at #3 Mission Hills (10-0)
#7 Eastlake (5-5) at #2 St. Augustine (8-2)

Semifinals (Nov. 27th)
Finals (Dec. 5th) at Southwestern College, 7:00 p.m.

Bears' fourth quarter rally stuns Chargers on Monday Night Football

QUALCOMM STADIUM (11/09/2015) The struggle continues for the San Diego Chargers (2-7) as they head into their bye week on a five-game losing streak.

The Chargers held a nine-point lead after a quiet third quarter, but was outscored 15-3 in the fourth as the Chicago Bears (3-5) escaped with a 22-19 win on Monday Night.

The dagger came when Jay Cutler found Zach Miller, who hauled in a one-handed catch for the 25-yard game-clinching touchdown with 3:19 left to play.

Phillip Rivers' attempt at a potential game-saving drive came up short after taking two sacks from Lamar Houston and throwing an incomplete pass on fourth-and-long.

The Chargers' offense got off to a great start, ending their opening drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Rivers to Woodhead.

Jason Verrett gave the Bolts a 13-0 lead after a 68-yard pick six in the second quarter, but the second-year cornerback left the game with a groin injury a play later.

Other notable injuries were WR Malcom Floyd (shoulder) and CB Patrick Robinson (neck).

2015 Prep Football Rankings (Playoffs)

Left to Right: 

(Top) Bishop's WR Mozes Mooney, Helix RB Nathan Stinson, Christian RB Adrian Petty, 

(Bottom) St. Augustine RB Elijah Preston, Cathedral Catholic RB Hogan Irvin, Madison WR Shaheed Madyun.

As the 2015 regular season come to a close, it's now win or go home for the teams that made it to the CIF San Diego Section Playoffs.

Toreros hold off Campbell, saves PFL home winning streak

TORERO STADIUM (11/07/2015) With the Campbell offense threatening to take the lead with a minute left to play, Jamal Agnew picked off Kameron Bryant at the USD one-yard line for the game-saving interception, allowing the University of San Diego Toreros to hold on for the 31-27 win, their 22nd straight against a Pioneer Football League opponent at home.

Making his return from a collarbone injury that kept him out since week one, Jonah Hodges rushed for 79 yards on 15 carries. Jereke Armstrong ran for 57 yards and a score, while Dallas Kessman lead all rushers in touchdowns with two.

Led by Bryant who utilized his mobility to complete 20 of 36 passes for 306 yards and a touchdown, the Fighting Camels (5-5, 3-4 PFL) put up more points on the Toreros than any other PFL opponent this season.

The top receiving target for the Camels was Aaron Blockman who hauled in five catches for 115 yards.

“I believe Campbell is the most improved team in the Pioneer Football League,” USD head coach Dale Lindsey said during the post-game interview.

“Coach Minter has assembled a very nice team and the players are well coached. Our two first half turnovers really hurt us and also gave them some life. They were really good on third down conversions and their receivers were just out-jumping our guys. Today was the perfect storm for one of those games, but it is a win and we’ll take it.”

2015 CIF San Diego Section Playoff Pairings

The Helix Highlanders grab the No. 1 spot in the Open Division Playoffs, where they'll host the red-hot Madison Warhawks.

Open Division:

First Round (Nov. 20th)

#8 Madison (8-2) at #1 Helix (8-1)
#5 Carlsbad (7-3) at #4 Cathedral Catholic (6-4)
#6 La Costa Canyon (7-3) at #3 Mission Hills (10-0)
#7 Eastlake (5-5) at #2 St. Augustine (8-2)

Semifinals (Nov. 27th)
Finals (Dec. 5th) at Southwestern College, 7:00 p.m.

Prep Football Games to Watch (Week 11)

Grossmont Foothillers (7-2, 2-2) at #8 Valhalla Norsemen (7-2, 3-1)

When the 2015 Playoff Pairings are announced this Saturday, Grossmont could have a high seed in Division I or a low seed in the Open Division. Coming off a gruesome loss to top-ranked Helix, the Foothillers will visit Valhalla for a battle between two of the best teams from El Cajon. The Norsemen rolled to a 28-10 triumph over rival Steele Canyon last week, and are now looking to clinch the top seed in Division II. So far their highly-touted defense has surrendered a league-low average of 10.6 points per game. They'll be tasked with trying to slow down receiver Khaleed Davis, who hauled in nine catches for 106 yards against Helix last week. The senior's total of 863 receiving yards rank third in the county.

2015 Prep Football Rankings: Week 11

With one week left in the regular season, the top teams in the county look to clinch their league titles while positioning themselves for a favorable playoff seed.