Top 5 undefeated high school football teams in San Diego heading into Week 8

Several San Diego Section high school football teams are still unbeaten as the 2019 season enters the stretch run. Here's a look at the Top 5 teams that are still undefeated entering Week 8.

Santana Sultans (7-0)

The Sultans have rolled through their schedule so far without much push back. The defense has recorded 3 shutouts and allowed 14 points or less in 3 others. This past week against Mt. Miguel they allowed a season-high 21 points, but the offense responded by scoring 56 points against the Matadors. Santana played at Serra in week 2, a team they’ll likely see in the playoffs, and responded with a 31-14 victory. Senior quarterback Nathan Temple has been excellent so far throwing for 21 touchdowns and completing 71% of his passes, leading his team to 43 points per game. The Sultans will be huge favorites in their last 3 regular season games and will be the top seed in division 4 with a high probability to stay unbeaten leading up to CIF State Playoffs.

Bishop’s Knights (6-0)

Returning from an ACL tear that cost him his sophomore season, Bishop’s quarterback Tyler Buchner is back at it and looking to set records this season. The Knights started slow in their opener versus La Jolla HS, winning 18-7, but have been on a roll since then. In their last 5 games they're averaging 62.4 points per game with Buchner throwing for 24 touchdowns and running for 11 more during that time. Success in past seasons has vaulted Bishop’s up to division 2 this season, but they look up to the challenge of holding on to the top seed with 4 weeks to play. They’ll finish up the regular season with a matchup against Santa Fe Christian, who currently holds the 2-seed, but won’t have seen any of their other possible playoff opponents. The possibility of an undefeated season isn’t new to head coach Joel Allen, who’s twice led the Knights into a CIF State Championship undefeated, winning in 2010 and losing in 2016.

Scripps Ranch Falcons (6-0)

The Falcons haven’t been flashy, but they’ve been getting the job done each week. The defense has been vicious allowing 6 points per game and finally allowed two touchdowns in a game when they beat Kearny 34-13 in week 7. They currently sit as the 1-seed in division 3 and won’t see the best that the division has to offer until the playoffs. They’ve taken down La Jolla and Kearny who both sit near the bottom of the division 3 rankings. Their most difficult challenge will come in week 9 when they travel to San Diego HS. It already looks like a historic season for the Falcons as they’ve never had a season with less than 4 losses dating back to their start in 1993.

Castle Park Trojans (6-0)

It’s been a very impressive turnaround for the Castle Park program over the last two seasons. The Trojans went 1-9 in 2016 and followed it up with an 0-10 in 2017. Last season’s bounce back saw them finish 6-5 which laid the road to the 6-0 start they’re currently sitting at. Castle Park has established a run-heavy approach that has seen them run for 316 yards per game this season. The Trojans have 5 running backs with more than one touchdown led by junior Erik Hernandez’s 13 touchdowns. The Trojans currently sit as the 2-seed in division 5, though their closest game to date came against Francis Parker who currently sits as the 12-seed, the last team in. Castle Park’s top test in the regular season comes in week 11 when they visit Montgomery in a game that will likely settle the Metro – Pacific League. The Trojans have finished undefeated once, a 13-0 season in 1996 that saw them take down Carlsbad 37-10 to win a CIF Title.

Steele Canyon Cougars (6-0)

Over the last three seasons the Cougars have made a turnaround that has cemented their place as one of San Diego’s best programs. Their 2017 squad came up big at the end with several dramatic endings. The last 4 games of that season were won by a combined 9 points, which ended with a CIF Section Championship and CIF State Championship. Last year the Cougars scored a huge win over Helix to share a league championship before falling to eventual division one champion St. Augustine. All that has led to this season’s 6-0 start which has Steele Canyon currently sitting in an open division playoff spot. The defense is experienced and talented, shown by the 7 points per game they’re allowing. Steele Canyon has never finished a season with less than 3 losses, though a very tough remaining schedule, including games against Grossmont and Helix, will test their ability to keep the undefeated season going.

Other undefeated teams: San Diego Jewish Academy, Foothills Christian, San Pasqual Academy