California high school football season begins

The 2026 California high school football season is underway, with more than 320 CIF games scheduled between August 20 and August 22. The opening weekend features numerous matchups across various classifications, including several games involving ranked teams. Notable matchups include St. John Bosco visiting Bishop Gorman in Nevada and a game featuring nationally ranked Santa Margarita against Jones from Florida.

Preseason rankings for the state are also being released. In the current countdown of teams ranked 6 through 10, Orange Lutheran is positioned at number 10 following a 3-9 season, while Pittsburg holds the number 9 spot. The season opener schedule varies by region, with most sections beginning play in late August.