This is the time of year when the intensity of football is sky high, and it’s showing.

In the closing minute of the CIF State Division 7-A championship football game between Balboa and South El Monte High School, a brawl erupted on the sideline of South El Monte, forcing officials to end the contest prematurely.

Balboa secured a dominant 42-8 victory over South El Monte to win the California state championship, held Saturday afternoon at Buena Park High School.

No postgame award ceremony took place, and the teams did not exchange handshakes. According to eyewitness reports from Mitch Stephens of High School On SI, who attended the contest, the heightened emotions even carried over into the parking lot afterward. (RELATED: High School Football Team Wins Florida State Championship In Highlight That Will Be Played For Years)

“Looks like this is spilling into the parking lot. Awful,” tweeted Stephens.

Stephens also reported that the winning team, Balboa, was “escorted out of the stadium,” per Sports Illustrated.

The victory marked Balboa’s third CIF state championship and their second consecutive title.

WATCH:

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

South El Monte coach Frank Gallardo and Balboa coach Fred Velasquez meet after the game.

I’m told by a CIF official there will be no post-game ceremony @SGVNSports pic.twitter.com/EXEqvw7eL1

— Gabriel Duarte (@GabrielNDuarte_) December 13, 2025

I can’t even knock these kids, this is the exact kind of passion you want when a state championship is up for grabs … no foul here to me.