A marquee matchup set for Berkeley
On September 26, 2026, the nation’s two most celebrated high school football programs will converge on the campus of the University of California‑Berkeley. Corona Centennial, the Southern California powerhouse, will host De La Salle, the Northern California dynasty, in a non‑conference showdown that has already sparked excitement across the state.
The meeting marks the first time the two squads have faced off since 2015, when De La Salle captured the CIF Open Division State Championship in a game that cemented its place in prep football lore. Since then, the rivalry has been fueled by mutual respect and a shared ambition to finish the season atop the national rankings.
Rankings and recent triumphs
Both teams enter the contest with impressive credentials. USA TODAY’s Super 25 poll placed Centennial at No. 10 and De La Salle at No. 16 in the final rankings of the previous season, underscoring the elite status each program holds in the eyes of national observers.
Centennial’s journey last year ended in the CIF Southern Section championship game, where the team fell to Santa Margarita after a hard‑fought 11‑2 campaign. De La Salle, meanwhile, posted a perfect run to the Open Division final before a single defeat at the hands of Santa Margarita halted its historic 151‑game win streak that spanned from 1992 to 2004.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN, giving fans across the country a chance to witness the clash of two traditions that have shaped California high school football for decades. Analysts expect the matchup to be a litmus test for both programs as they look ahead to the next season’s title pursuits.