San Diego Section Top 10 high school football rankings via SBLive Sports/Sports Illustrated, (9/25/2023)

Carlsbad and Lincoln sit atop the San Diego Section rankings after the first six weeks

The sixth week of high school football in the San Diego Section included significant movement in the back half of the top 10.

Del Norte makes their season debut in the rankings, slotting in at No. 8 following their 4-1 start to the season.

Mater Dei Catholic returns to the rankings at No. 10 following two straight victories including last week's 24-13 win over St. Augustine.

The top four teams in the rankings remain unbeaten but will be tested in the coming weeks with the beginning of league play around the San Diego Section.

SBLive's San Diego Section Top 10 football rankings

1. Carlsbad (5-0)

Next game: Friday at Mission Hills

Previous ranking: 1

Carlsbad has outscored their first five opponents by 184 points. They will travel to Mission Hills on Friday to open up Avocado League play following last week's bye.

2. Lincoln (6-0)

Next game: Friday at Madison

Previous ranking: 2

Lincoln has scored 34 points or more in all six games and surpassed the 50 point mark for the third time in Friday's 56-6 win over Inglewood. They'll begin Western League play on a Friday with a trip to Madison.

3. Granite Hills (5-0)

Next game: Friday at Santana

Previous ranking: 3

Granite Hills shutout Madison 31-0 on Friday, surpassing 30 points for the third straight game. The Eagles will take their 14-game winning streak into Friday's Grossmont-Hills League opener against Santana.

4. Helix (5-0)

Next game: Thursday at West Hills

Previous ranking: 4

Helix enjoyed a bye week following their 5-0 start. They'll be away from home once again this week to open up Grossmont-Hills League play at West Hills.

5. La Costa Canyon (4-1)

Next game: Friday vs. Poway

Previous ranking: 5

The Mavericks followed up their first loss of the season with back-to-back wins of 38-7 and 49-7 before last week's bye. They'll host Poway on Friday in the first of two straight Avocado League home games.

6. Mission Hills (4-1)

Next game: Friday vs. Carlsbad

Previous ranking: 7

Mission Hills had a bye week to prepare for this week's matchup against top-ranked Carlsbad. The Grizzlies almost picked off Carlsbad last season, falling 16-10.

7. El Camino (4-1)

Next game: Friday vs. Torrey Pines

Previous ranking: 9

El Camino continued their dominance in last week's win over rival Oceanside, beating the Pirates 49-8. The Wildcats have scored 161 points over their past three games.

8. Del Norte (4-1)

Next game: Friday vs. Rancho Bernardo

Previous ranking: NR

Like many teams in the North County, Del Norte had their bye last week. The Nighthawks will host Rancho Bernardo on Friday in their opening game of Palomar League play.

9. Cathedral Catholic (1-5)

Next game: Friday vs. University City

Previous ranking: 9

Cathedral Catholic wrapped up their grueling non-league slate on Friday, losing to Liberty (NV) 41-7 out in Las Vegas. They'll host University City to open Western League play on Friday before next week's showdown with Lincoln.

10. Mater Dei Catholic (2-3)

Next game: 10/6 vs. Montgomery

Previous ranking: NR

After a slow start against a loaded schedule, the Crusaders have responded with back-to-back wins over Point Loma and St. Augustine. They'll have a bye this week before starting Metro-Mesa play against Montgomery in two weeks.

Honorable Mention

Madison

St. Augustine

Poway

Torrey Pines

Ramona

(Feature photo by Steven Silva)

-- Bodie De Silva | bodie@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveca