Preseason poll: We reveal the 20 best high school football teams in San Diego

San Diego Union-Tribune Preseason Football Rankings

Rank, School (2025 record), Comment, Last year’s final ranking

1. Cathedral Catholic (11-3), Dons have the best runner in the county, are huge up front., 1

2. Granite Hills (10-4), Eagles have record-setting QB, quality receivers., 3

3. Mission Hills (9-2), New coach, transfer QB lead loaded team., 4

4. Carlsbad (10-2), Lancers building around new QB., 2

5. Lincoln (10-3), Schedule is a killer, but Hornets are solid., 6

6. La Costa Canyon (9-2), Mavericks are big and fast, but lack experience., 5

7. San Marcos (7-5), Transfer QB is surrounded by talent., 7

8. Oceanside (7-5), Pirates are huge up front, have veteran QB and RB., NR

9. Rancho Bernardo (9-3), Junior QB is also among best defenders., NR

10. Helix (5-7), Two quality RBs. Talent all over., NR

11. Torrey Pines (4-7), Falcons have good QB and WRs, solid defense., NR

12. Point Loma (11-1), Tough schedule, but returning QB helps.,9

13. San Diego (7-6), Cavers could evolve into one of county’s elite., NR

14, Santa Fe Christian (13-1), Top QB leads talented team., 8

15. Ramona (5-6), League champs are ready to move up., NR

16, Steele Canyon (9-4), QB is the real deal., NR

17, Mater Dei Catholic (7-4), Transfer RB leads Crusaders’ offense., NR

18, Christian (8-8), Offense can carry Patriots to 10 wins., NR

19, Scripps Ranch (7-6), Veteran O-line must protect new QB., NR

20, Del Norte (4-7), Nighthawks finally ready to step up., NR

NOTE: Preseason poll is a compilation of coaches’ votes. Starting Tuesday, the weekly poll will include 32 voters. They are: John Maffei (San Diego Union-Tribune), Don Norcross, Kevin Farmer, Rick Hoff, Steve Brand (Union-Tribune freelance writers), Joe Heinz, Todd Cassen, Ron Marquez, Cristina Byrne (CIF Office), Brandon Stone, Allison Edmonds, John Carroll, Chase Izidoro (KUSI-TV), Rick Smith (Partletonsports.com), Braden Surprenant and Frank Marchese (97.3-FM The Fan), Mike Dolan (Coaching Legends Committee), Tom Helmantoler (Southern Conference Advisor), Joe Evangelist, Rex Johnson and Bruce Ward (CIF Advisory Committee), Raymond Brown (sdfootball.net), Christian Pedersen (San Diego Sports Association), Bodie DeSilva, John Kentera, Dennis Ackerman, Steve Dolan, Eric Williams, Thomas Gutierrez, Tom Ronco, Adam Paul (freelance contributors), MaxPreps.com.