MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 high school football rankings

This is it, the final week of regular-season play for some of the premier programs that Southern California has to offer. One last chance to impress observers, and perhaps more importantly, fine-tune things for the postseason that is looming right around the corner.

There is not much change in the Top 10 of the poll. However, in the bottom half of the rankings, you will find plenty of movement as Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita), Hart (Newhall), Orange Lutheran (Orange) and Redlands dropped out after losses.

Oceanside, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), La Mirada and Palmdale are among the programs making an appearance this week. Better late than never. It will be interesting to see how long the new additions last around these parts. 

Seven Southern California teams fill the Top 10 spots in the Farwest region in the Regional Computer Rankings Top 10 and two are featured in the most recent MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

Also be sure to visit the most recent California Bowl Game rankings.

MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 high school football rankings

1. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta)
Overall record: 9-0
Previous rank: 1
Upon further review: Defeated Murrieta Mesa (Murrieta), 52-0 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Chaparral (Temecula) on Friday.
Extra point: No. 12 in the Xcellent 25 rankings, signs point to this week's showdown being a challenge for the Broncos. The tests have been few and far between this season.

2. Narbonne (Harbor City)
Overall record: 9-0
Previous rank: 2
Upon further review: Defeated Washington (Los Angeles), 62-3.
Countdown to kickoff: Gardena on Friday.
Extra point: Full speed ahead for the Gauchos, No. 13 in the Xcellent 25 poll. It will be interesting to see if someone can present a problem in the Los Angeles City Section playoffs.

3. Mission Viejo
Overall record: 9-0
Previous rank: 3
Upon further review: Defeated Trabuco Hills (Mission Viejo), 35-12 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: El Toro on Friday.
Extra point: No. 10 in the Freeman Rankings, the Diablos have looked particularly good to this point. One more opponent stands in the way of an unblemished regular-season record, but it's a really good one.

4. St. Bonaventure (Ventura)
Overall record: 8-1
Previous rank: 4
Upon further review: Defeated Royal (Simi Valley), 56-7.
Countdown to kickoff: Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) on Friday.
Extra point: This week's game is the one Arizona commit and senior running back Zachary Green has been waiting for and the Marmonte League championship will be at stake.

5. St. John Bosco (Bellflower)
Overall record: 5-4 (Four forfeits)
Previous rank: 10
Upon further review: Defeated Servite (Anaheim), 39-13 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) on Friday.
Extra point: No. 14 in the Freeman Rankings, the Braves are on the verge of securing a Trinity League title, an accomplishment most considered unthinkable at the season's start.

6. Centennial (Corona)
Overall record: 9-1
Previous rank: 7
Upon further review: Defeated Roosevelt (Eastvale), 58-14 / Qwixcore, Photos
Countdown to kickoff: Santiago (Corona) on Friday.
Extra point: Living in the shadow of Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) in the Inland Empire, so to speak, has not stopped the Huskies from taking care of business during Big VII League play.

7. Upland
Overall record: 9-0
Previous rank: 8
Upon further review: Defeated Alta Loma, 49-7 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Etiwanda on Friday.
Extra point: The Scots will most likely go as far as Nate Romine takes them. That said, a prolonged postseason run is a distinct possibility with the senior quarterback at the helm.

8. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village)
Overall record: 8-1
Previous rank: 9
Upon further review: Defeated Moorpark, 55-7 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: St. Bonaventure (Ventura) on Friday.
Extra point: Cameron Judge has been a steadying presence on the defensive side of the ball for the Lions and the senior linebacker, a UCLA commit, leads the team in tackles.

9. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
Overall record: 7-2
Previous rank: 10
Upon further review: Defeated Orange Lutheran, 32-21 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Servite (Anaheim) on Friday.
Extra point: The Monarchs, No. 21 in the Freeman Rankings, have had their fair share of bumps and bruises in Trinity League play. They have managed to survive, nevertheless.

10. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita)
Overall record: 8-1
Previous rank: 11
Upon further review: Defeated JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 42-0 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: St. John Bosco (Bellflower) on Friday.
Extra point: No. 18 in the Freeman Rankings, the Eagles once sat atop this poll. For multiple weeks, mind you. With an upset victory this week, they will be in the top-spot discussion once again.

11. El Toro (Lake Forest)
Overall record: 9-0
Previous rank: 12
Upon further review: Did not play.
Countdown to kickoff: Mission Viejo on Friday
Extra point: No. 19 in the Freeman Rankings, the Chargers are attempting to crack the Southern California Top 10. A big-time win this week against Mission Viejo should be enough to seal the deal.

12. Alemany (Mission Hills)
Overall record: 7-2
Previous rank: 6
Upon further review: Lost to Crespi (Encino), 29-27.
Countdown to kickoff: Loyola (Los Angeles) on Friday.
Extra point: Senior defensive back and Colorado commit Devin Ross and the Warriors were shocked last week. A bounce-back effort this time around is a more than reasonable bet.

13. Chaminade (West Hills)
Overall record: 8-1
Previous rank: 13
Upon further review: Defeated St. Francis (La Canada), 42-14.
Countdown to kickoff: Cathedral (Los Angeles) on Friday.
Extra point: Stop Hayden Rettig and the Eagles figure to stop their next opponent. Problem is: The senior quarterback and LSU commit is playing about as well as anyone around.

14. Edison (Huntington Beach)
Overall record: 8-1
Previous rank: 14
Upon further review: Defeated Fountain Valley, 21-3 / Qwixcore, Photos
Countdown to kickoff: Huntington Beach on Friday.
Extra point: All along, the goal of the Chargers was to win a Sunset League championship. Chances are nothing is going to prevent them from taking home the elusive title.

15. Bishop Amat (La Puente)
Overall record: 7-1-1
Previous rank: 18
Upon further review: Defeated Loyola (Los Angeles), 30-20.
Countdown to kickoff: Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) on Friday.
Extra point: The Lancers have stayed the course despite several obstacles. And as a result, they have the all-important opportunity to win a share of the Serra League title.

16. Lompoc
Overall record: 9-0
Previous rank: 16
Upon further review: Defeated Nipomo, 58-13 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Cabrillo (Lompoc) on Friday.
Extra point: Lavon Coleman was back in action after a leg injury. The senior running back and Washington commit gained 55 yards last week with a touchdown in his return.

17. Crenshaw (Los Angeles)
Overall record: 8-1
Previous rank: 19
Upon further review: Did not play.
Countdown to kickoff: Manual Arts (Los Angeles) on Friday.
Extra point: With Mossi Johnson in the mix, the beat goes on for the Cougars. The senior receiver and UCLA commit leads the team in a number of statistical categories.

18. Crespi (Encino)
Overall record: 8-2
Previous rank: 22
Upon further review: Defeated Alemany (Mission Hills), 29-27.
Countdown to kickoff: Does not play.
Extra point: Not many observers gave the Celts much of a chance in last week's regular-season finale. They went out, opened some eyes, and pulled off the improbable upset.

19. Serra (Gardena)
Overall record: 7-2
Previous rank: 18
Upon further review: Defeated St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs), 53-6.
Countdown to kickoff: Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood) on Friday.
Extra point: The Cavaliers figure to focus their efforts this week on attempting to limit the effectiveness of Chad Kanoff, a senior quarterback who has committed to Vanderbilt.

20. Tustin
Overall record: 9-0
Previous rank: 22
Upon further review: Defeated Western (Anaheim), 82-7 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Kennedy (La Palma) on Friday.
Extra point: Any time you come within three touchdowns of putting 100 points on the scoreboard, the odds of winning significantly increase. The Tillers know this better than most.

21. Rancho Cucamonga
Overall record: 7-2
Previous rank: 19
Upon further review: Defeated Los Osos, 24-10 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Alta Loma on Friday.
Extra point: The talented sophomore running back tandem of Khalil Muhammad and Kiraun Mayo have played with experience of upperclassmen this season for the Cougars.

22. Oceanside
Overall record: 8-1
Previous rank: NR
Upon further review: Defeated La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad), 56-0 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: El Camino (Oceanside) on Friday.
Extra point: Oceanside had little or no trouble last week defeating senior Scott Quessenberry, a UCLA commit, and his cohorts. Next up for the Pirates, their crosstown rivals.

23. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks)
Overall record: 6-3
Previous rank: NR
Upon further review: Did not play.
Countdown to kickoff: Bishop Amat (La Puente) on Friday.
Extra point: Senior running back Khalfani Muhammad and the Knights are alive in the Mission League, as well as the Southern Section Pac-5 Division playoff picture.

24. La Mirada
Overall record: 7-1
Previous rank: NR
Upon further review: Did not play.
Countdown to kickoff: Mayfair (Lakewood) on Friday.
Extra point: Gerry Myres has been about as consistent as they come. The senior quarterback has completed more than 70 percent of his passes with 20 touchdowns thus far.

25. Palmdale
Overall record: 9-0
Previous rank: NR
Upon further review: Defeated Littlerock, 76-16 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Eastside (Lancaster) on Friday.
Extra point: When the Falcons feed the ball to sophomore running back Demario Richard, they're tough to beat. He has more than 1,200 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns.

Sean Ceglinsky has covered prep and college sports in Southern California for the better part of the past 15-plus years. Follow him on twitter: @SeanCeglinsky