Balboa defeated South El Monte to win its second-straight high school football championship in the state of California. The game was called early due to a nasty brawl late in the fourth quarter.
It was an unfortunate ending to a dominant victory for the Buccaneers.
California high school football officials decided not to finish out the final minute of the contest because of how things went down in the closing moments. The trophy ceremony was also canceled.
Balboa destroyed South El Monte.
Balboa High School, colloquially known as Bal, is located near the Excelsior District in the Mission Terrace neighborhood of San Francisco. It serves approximately 1,250 students in Grades 9-12.
South El Monte High School is located in the greater Los Angeles region of Southern California, to the far east of downtown near Hacienda Heights. It also serves approximately 1,250 students in Grades 9-12.
These two schools compete on the Division 7-A level of high school football competition. They met in the state championship game at Buena Park High School in Orange County on Saturday. The Eagles entered with four losses. The Buccaneers entered with only two losses as the reigning state champions.
It was the latter that dominated the former for all four quarters. Balboa defeated South El Monte by a final score of 42-8. Running back Mekei Smith ran for four touchdowns during the win.
A violent brawl spoiled the California high school football championship.
Unfortunately, the game did not end with a cordial exchange of respect. Rather, the opposite.
A nasty brawl broke out on the sideline with just 60 seconds remaining during the fourth quarter. It took multiple coaches, officials and administrators from both sides to break up the altercation.
Here is how it looked from the sideline:
PANDEMONIUM: A fight break out at the end of the CIF State 7-A championship game between South El Monte and Balboa @SGVNSports pic.twitter.com/Qzm2UmTlyT
— Gabriel Duarte (@GabrielNDuarte_) December 13, 2025
Officials ultimately decided not to play the last minute of the game. Balboa defeated South El Monte to win its second state championship in two years and third all-time. However, the Buccaneers did not get to celebrate. They were escorted out of the stadium before the trophy presentation.
CIF San Francisco Section commissioner Melvin Landry called the team an “embarrassment” and said it has to “show class.” Mitch Stephens reported that the altercation also spilled out into the parking lot.
It is not entirely clear as to what exactly started the fight but it had been chippy all game. There were approximately 20 penalties in total before things got even further out of hand.
Balboa head coach Fred Velazquez stood by his players.
“People don’t realizes they’re two similar communities. They come from a gang-infested area, so do we. We’re trying to do our job … (both coaches) making sure they’re staying out of the grave. Stay out of jail.”
“Their natural reaction kicks in. They’re not going to stand there and watch 30 guys jump on one of their teammates. I tried to hold them back, so did the assistant coaches.“
I expect the CIF will review the incident alongside Landry during the offseason. Players from both teams will likely be suspended for the first game (or multiple games) next season.