Our staff picks for the CIF-SS high school football playoffs in the High Desert

3 weeks ago7 min read13 comments

Alright, folks, let's huddle up and talk about the real drama unfolding in the High Desert—the CIF-Southern Section football playoffs are heating up, and it’s getting personal. Picture this: the 2025 season is winding down, but the weekly picks battle between sports reporter Jose Quintero and freelance journalists Todd Hadler and Jason Reed is still going strong, with nothing but pure bragging rights on the line.It’s like the final minutes of a tight game where every call counts, and this season, they’ve thrown a curveball by bringing in a local legend from Instagram, @HighDesert_FootballReport, to join the fray. After the first round, Reed is sitting pretty at the top with a 90-28 record, holding a slim two-game lead over Quintero and Hadler—think of it as LeBron holding off Steph in the playoffs; it’s that kind of nail-biter.Now, as we dive into the second round, the stakes are higher than ever, with local teams vying for CIF-SS titles and the picks leaderboard tracking every move until the last whistle blows. But this isn’t just about scores; it’s about the heart of high school football in communities where Friday night lights are a way of life.The High Desert has always been a hotbed for raw talent, where underdogs rise and legends are born, much like those Cinderella stories in March Madness that keep us glued to our screens. Remember last year’s upset when that unranked squad pulled off a shocker? Yeah, that’s the energy here.And let’s not forget the social media buzz—fans are chiming in on Instagram @760Varsity and X @J0seQuintero, debating picks and sharing highlights like it’s a group chat full of die-hards. It’s this blend of local passion and digital camaraderie that makes high school sports so relatable; it’s not just about the game, but the stories behind it—the kids grinding it out, the coaches strategizing like generals, and the communities rallying behind their teams.In the broader context, the CIF-SS playoffs are a microcosm of California’s sports culture, where youth athletics serve as a pipeline for college recruits and even future pros. Experts often point to how these playoffs shape character, teaching lessons in resilience and teamwork that extend far beyond the field.As we look ahead, the consequences are clear: a misstep here could end a season, while a win could ignite a championship run. So, grab your popcorn and follow along—this is more than just picks; it’s a slice of High Desert life, served up with all the intensity and humor of a locker room chat.

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#high school football

#CIF Southern Section

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#second round

#local teams