Prep Football: Bragging Rights and Playoff Fates on the Line in a Can't-Miss Friday Slate

Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography

As the 2025 high school football season charges toward the playoffs, this Friday night offers a slate of games that feels like a postseason preview. From a championship rematch to a bitter crosstown rivalry and a pair of heavyweight battles between one-loss giants, Week 10 has it all. Here are four can't-miss games that will define the landscape this weekend.

The Main Event: Lincoln vs. Cathedral Catholic

All eyes will be on Southeast San Diego this Friday for a game that needs no introduction: a rematch of the 2024 CIF San Diego Section Open Division Championship. The No. 1 ranked Lincoln Hornets (7-1) host the No. 5 Cathedral Catholic Dons (6-2) in a Western League battle dripping with history. The Hornets have won the last four meetings, including a 31-13 victory that clinched the title last December. For Lincoln, this is about defending their throne and proving their dominance remains. For Cathedral Catholic, it’s about nothing less than revenge and staying in the Open Division playoff picture.

The matchup is highlighted by elite individual talent. Lincoln's offensive juggernaut, which averages 43.5 points per game, is fueled by a multi-pronged attack. While quarterback Kainan Manna has been efficient, the ground game is devastating, led by the dynamic duo of Rashad Robinson (2nd in the section with 74 total points) and Junior Curtis (3rd in the section with 72 points). Their defense, which flies to the ball for 77.6 tackles per game, is anchored by Oregon commit Prince Tavizon, section sack leader Jaydin Lewis (7.0 sacks) and tackling machine Seth Fanua. Cathedral Catholic counters with their own stars. Quarterback Brady Palmer is 2nd in the Western League in total yards (1,547), expertly distributing the ball to top receiver Isaac Cook Jr. (13th in the section with 636 receiving yards) and versatile scoring threat Honor Faalave-Johnson (2nd in the league with 11 total TDs).

The key battles will be in the trenches and on the perimeter. Can Cathedral Catholic's offensive line contain Lincoln's pass rush? Conversely, can the Dons' secondary find an answer for Lincoln's offensive weapons and prevent the big play? The psychological edge in this contest is monumental. Lincoln plays with the swagger of a champion, a team that knows how to win these high-stakes moments. Cathedral Catholic carries the weight of recent history, but also the burning motivation that comes from it.

While the Dons have the top-end talent to pull off the upset, Lincoln’s combination of home-field advantage, championship experience, and a more diverse array of game-breaking players makes them the team to beat. In what promises to be an emotional, hard-hitting classic, the Hornets’ reign looks poised to continue for at least one more year.