High school football: Serra remains afixed atop NorCal Top 20 rankings after beating De La Salle

1. (Last week 1) Serra (San Mateo), 2-0
Last week: Defeated De La Salle, 24-21
This week: vs. Central Catholic (Modesto)
In beating De La Salle for the first time (coach Patrick Walsh was 0-10 against his alma mater coming in), the Padres are the clear NorCal No. 1. A 20-yard field goal with seconds to play by Dylan Joudieh capped a 17-0 fourth quarter. The opening win was 17-12 at Folsom.

2. (3) Folsom, 2-1
Last week: Defeated Edison (Stockton), 65-0
This week: Bye
Austin Mack passed for 263 yards and four touchdowns, two to Mason Norberg, and three Bulldogs scored defensive touchdowns to blitz Edison.

3. (2) De La Salle (Concord), 1-1
Last week: Lost to Serra, 24-21
This week: vs. Saint Francis (Mountain View)
Too many DLS alums are grumbling on social media that the Spartans aren't playing to their standards. Or is it that NorCal teams have gotten better? Yes.



4. (4) Pittsburg, 2-0
Last week: Defeated Liberty (Nevada), 30-2
This week: vs. Folsom
The Pirates were in the Honor Bowl event in San Diego and impressed Rashid Williams earning MVP honors. Jaden Rashada passed for 296 yards and three touchdowns, one to Williams.

5. (6) Liberty (Bakersfield), 2-0
Last week: Bye
This week: vs. Buchanan (Clovis)
The top-ranked team in the Central Section had an off week to prepare for the meat of its schedule.

6. (7) Buchanan (Clovis), 3-0
Last week: Defeated Foothill (Palo Cedro), 35-21
This week: at Liberty (Bakersfield)
The Bears beat the top-ranked team in the Northern Section, leading 28-6 after three quarters, as Jayden Mandal hit Colton O'Toole for three touchdown passes.

7. (18) Monterey Trail (Elk Grove), 1-2
Last week: Defeated Saint Francis (Mountain View), 28-7
This week: vs. Merced
The Mustangs opened with losses to Folsom and De La Salle and then impressed in beating the Central Coast Section's second-ranked team behind Serra, rushing for 345 yards and attempting just one pass. Fatafehi Puloka returned an interception 86 yards for a touchdown.

8. (5) Saint Francis (Mountain View), 1-1
Last week: Lost to Monterey Trail (Elk Grove), 28-7
This week: at De La Salle
The Lancers were undone by a quick and active power from the Sac-Joaquin Section and face DLS next, having snapped the Spartans' NorCal 318-game unbeaten streak a year ago.

9. (8) San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno), 2-1
Last week: Lost to Queen Creek (Arizona), 10-7

10. (11) Granite Bay, 3-0
Last week: Defeated Vista del Lago (Folsom), 45-36
This week: vs. Spanish Springs (Nevada)
The Grizzlies received a monstrous effort by Carter Jackson, who rushed for 297 yards and five total scores.



11. (9) Central (Fresno), 2-1
Last week: Defeated Turlock, 54-41
This week: at Bishop Diego (Santa Barbara)
The Grizzlies of the Central Section received five touchdowns and 353 yards from Dayton Tafoya, two to Ladanian Streets.

12. (10) Manteca, 3-0
Last week: Defeated Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove), 67-28
This week: vs. Turlock
The Buffaloes were paced by Hudson Wyatt's two touchdown passes and running backs Alijah Cota and Blake Nichelson, who both scored touchdowns.

13. (18) Menlo-Atherton (Atherton), 2-0
Last week: Defeated Elk Grove, 40-20
This week: Bye
The Central Coast Section program beat a solid Elk Grove team of the Sac-Joaquin Section behind Billy Johnson, who had five touchdown passes, two to five-star recruit Jurrion Dickey

14. (15) St. Mary's (Stockton), 2-0
Last week: Defeated Central Catholic (Modesto), 47-7
This week: vs. St. Ignatius (San Francisco)
The Rams led 34-7 at the half against their rival as Samson Hunkin hit freshman Kenneth Moore III for two touchdown strikes, and Brooks Wheatley returned a kickoff 97 into the end zone.

15. (12) Salinas, 2-0
Last week: Defeated Valley Christian (San Jose), 55-28
This week: vs. Clovis
The Cowboys beat longtime Central Coast Section power Valley Christian with an offensive juggernaut as Cal-bound star Nyziah Hunter scored three touchdowns, two receiving. The opening win was over Clayton Valley Charter.

16. (NR) Clovis West (Fresno), 3-0
Last week: Defeated Lemoore, 40-14
This week: at Bullard
Ryan Markarian passed for 403 yards and found Marshel Sanders seven times for 242 yards and three scores.



17. (21) Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills), 2-0
Last week: Bye
This week: vs. Silverton (Oregon)
The Trojans beat Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove) 56-0 and Vacaville 62-0.

18. (14) Vanden (Fairfield), 3-0
Last week: Defeated Burbank (Sacramento), 42-8
This week: vs. Foothill (Pleasanton)
The Vikings were off and running from the start with William Stockholm returning the opening kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown for the defending CIF State Division 3-AA champions.

19. (16) Jesuit (Carmichael), 2-0
Last week: Defeated St. Ignatius (San Francisco), 17-7
This week: vs. Christian Brothers (Sacramento)
The Marauders have had defensive stops lead to this start and offensive balance with two quarterbacks: C.J. Lee and Trenton Dewar.

20. (tie) (NR) Del Oro (Loomis), 3-0
Last week: Defeated Clayton Valley Charter, 31-27
This week: at River Valley (Yuba City)
The Golden Eagles play smash-mouth on offense with a QB in Caden Pinnick who had three touchdown passes. DO rallied from 27-18 down in the fourth quarter.

20. (tie) (17) Marin Catholic (Kentfield), 2-0
Last week: Defeated Spanish Springs (Nevada), 48-10
This week: vs. Casa Grande (Petaluma)
The Wildcats have scored 55 and 48 points and tightened up on defense.

20. (tie) (20) McClymonds (Oakland, Calif.), 1-0
Last week: Defeated Bellarmine (San Jose), 24-21
This week: vs. DeAnza (Richmond)
The Warriors won in overtime on an Isaac Espinosa 38-yard field goal, and Jaivian Thomas rushed for two scores.

The Next 10
21. Wilcox (Santa Clara), 2-0
22. Los Gatos, 1-1
23. Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park), 2-0
24. Sheldon (Sacramento), 3-0
25. Rocklin, 2-1
26. Clayton Valley Charter (Concord), 0-2
27. Campolindo (Moraga), 2-0
28. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose), 2-0
29. Vacaville, 1-1
30. Sutter, 3-0