Prep Football: San Diego Section goes 2-2 in CIF State Championships

Four San Diego Section teams played in Saturday night's CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games, but only two would end their 2015 campaign with a state title.

Prep Football: Rancho Bernardo rallies to clinch state title bid

HESPERIA, CA (12/12/2015) After a hard fought victory over the Oak Hills Bulldogs (9-6), the Rancho Bernardo Broncos (12-2) advance to the 2015 CIF State Championship, where they'll host Northern California Division III-A champion Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton, CA) next Saturday.

Coming back from a 21-7 deficit to force a 21-21 tie at halftime, Rancho Bernardo took an early third quarter lead with Matt Araiza's 20-yard field goal.

It only lasted 15 seconds as Christian Navarete's 99-yard kickoff return put Oak Hills back up 27-24.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Kevin Davis nailed a 26-yard field goal to extend the Bulldogs' lead to 30-24.

Three plays into the following drive, the Broncos caught the Oak Hills defense sleeping with a 43-yard halfback pass from Devaughn Vele to Christian Baker, for what would end up being the game-clinching touchdown.

With 1:23 left to play, Rancho Bernardo's Jeff Molina picked off Brandon Porter's deep pass to seal the 31-30 win, ending the Bulldogs' eight-game winning streak.

Prep Football: Bonita Vista, Mater Dei & Coronado advances to CIF State Finals

Bonita Vista & Mater Dei Catholic are two of three San Diego Section teams making their first State Championship appearance.

Regional Football Championship Bowl Results (12/11)

Division I-AA

Mission Viejo (15-0) 32, HELIX (11-2) 28.

Nathan Stinson led an outstanding effort by rushing for 276 yards and all four of his team's touchdowns, but a fumble on what would be the final carry of his prep career contributed to the end of the Highlanders' season and 11-game winning streak.

Helix held a 28-20 lead late in the fourth quarter, but some unfortunate turnovers powered a 12-point rally by Mission Viejo.

Down 32-28 with a minute left to play, the Highlanders' defense forced a three-and-out and appeared to block the ensuing punt on 4th and 5, but the officials called a questionable encroachment penalty, giving the Diablos a first down and a trip to the State Championship.

2015 Prep Football Rankings (Season Finale)

The Helix Highlanders become the first team in SDFN history to go wire-to-wire as the No. 1 team in the prep football rankings. The newly-crowned San Diego Section Open Division champions were selected as our Preseason No. 1, and held on to the top spot for the entire season.

Regional Football Championship Bowl Games

Friday, December 11th @ 7:30 p.m.

Division I-AA 

HELIX (11-1) at Mission Viejo (14-0) 

Division III-AA 

OCEANSIDE (9-4) at La Mirada (11-3) 

Division IV-AA 

Canyon (9-5) at BONITA VISTA (11-2)

Division V-AA 

Notre Dame (14-0) at MATER DEI CATHOLIC (12-1)

Division VI-AA 

Belmont (14-0) at CORONADO (9-4)

Saturday, December 12th @ 7:30 p.m.

Division III-A 

RANCHO BERNARDO (11-2) at Oak Hills (9-5)

2015 CIF Section Champions Crowned

For the second straight season, the CIF San Diego Section Championship games took place at DeVore Stadium on the campus of Southwestern College in Chula Vista, and once again it was a huge success.

Highlighted by a much anticipated showdown between the No. 1 and 2 ranked teams in the county, spectators showed up in full force to help pack the house and support their respective schools.

Here's a recap of all the action as we congratulate the six newly crowned champions and wish them the best of luck as they represent the San Diego Section in the Regional Football Championship Bowl Games.

Prep Football: Mater Dei & Oceanside earn 2015 section titles

Mater Dei WR/DB Eli Shelton (#14) goes 88 yards for six during the game's opening kickoff.

DIVISION IV CHAMPIONSHIP

#10 Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders (12-1) 49, Bishop's Knights (8-5) 14.