MaxPreps NorCal Top 25 high school football rankings

1. (Last week 1) De La Salle (Concord), 2-1
Section: North Coast
League: East Bay
Coach: Justin Alumbaugh
Update: The Spartans rolled Saint Francis 48-0, leading 35-0 at the half, by rushing for 283 yards to go with Dorian Hale's passing attack to extend their unbeaten streak to 301 against NorCal teams since 1991 (north of Fresno). De La Salle is is 386-5-2 against NorCal opponents since 1984. The Spartans have won 27 consecutive North Coast Section crowns and has been to 12 successive CIF State finals (those games started in 2006) and 10 in succession in the Open Division.
Next: vs. Folsom, Friday



2. (2) Folsom, (2-0)
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Coach: Paul Doherty
Update: The two-time defending CIF State Division I-AA champion Bulldogs beat Antelope 49-13 as Jake Reithmeier passed for 284 yards and six touchdowns and ran for one. He hit Elijhah Badger for four touchdown passes. Folsom is 128-10 this decade with four CIF State banners, seven section titles and two 14-0 teams that lost to De La Salle in the since-dropped NorCal Open Division finals in 2012 and 2013. Now the great challenge looms against De La Salle, which visits Folsom for the first time.
Next: vs. De La Salle, Friday

3. (3) Liberty (Brentwood), 3-0
Section: North Coast
League: Bay Valley
Coach: Ryan Partridge
Update: The defending CIF State 1-A champion Lions defeated Clayton Valley Charter 28-27 in the Honor Bowl at Levi's Stadium behind balance and late-game grit. Liberty is in the midst of a strong early schedule.
Next: vs. Monte Vista, Friday

4. (4) Valley Christian (San Jose), 2-0
Section: Central Coast
League: West Catholic Athletic
Coach: Mike Machado
Update: The top-ranked team in the Central Coast Section and defending CCS Open Division II champion defeated Pleasant Valley of Chico, a defending CIF champion, 37-0 as nine backs rushed for 241 yards.
Next: vs. Clovis West, Friday

5. (5) Serra (San Mateo), 2-0
Section: Central Coast
League: West Catholic Athletic
Coach: Patrick Walsh
Update:  Two time CIF Northern California winners in recent years, the Padres beat Menlo-Atherton 38-13 at Levi's Stadium as Nate Sanchez scored five times. The previous week, Serra belted Pittsburg 58-21.
Next: vs. St, Mary's, Friday

6. (7) Monterey Trail (Elk Grove), 3-0
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Metro
Coach: TJ Ewing
Update: Coming off a 12-1 season, the Mustangs beat San Ramon Valley 48-6 by rushing for 318 touchdowns, including one by Otha Williams. Monterey Trail lost to Folsom in the section Division I finals in 2018.
Next: vs. Cosumnes Oaks, Friday

7. (8) Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills), 3-0
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Coach: Eric Cavaliere
Update: The Trojans did not play, but wanted to. Bishop Manogue of Reno had to forfeit due to players and coaches suffering from food poisoning from a team meal. A league opener against rival Folsom looms.
Next: vs. Folsom, Sept. 20



8. (9) Monte Vista (Danville), 2-0
Section: North Coast
League: East Bay
Coach: Matt Russi
Update: The Mustangs beat San Leandro 20-0 after beating Granite Bay 27-22. Jacob Oliphant had a 100-yard interception return for a score and had a touchdown catch against San Leandro.
Next: vs. Liberty, Friday

9. (17) Inderkum (Sacramento), 3-0
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Capital Valley
Coach: Terry Stark
Update: After racing past Del Oro 37-10, the Tigers took out Sacramento 59-12 as JJ Ray tossed four touchdown passes.
Next: vs. Bella Vista, Sept. 20

10 (10) Pittsburg, 2-1
Section: North Coast
League: Bay Valley
Coach: Vic Galli
Update: The Pirates bounced back from a loss to Serra with a 48-7 win over Wooster of Reno behind defense. Another big win was over St. Mary's, 42-35. This is the last NorCal program to defeat De La Salle, in the 1991 playoffs.
Next: vs. Bishop O'Dowd, Friday

11. (11) St. Mary's (Stockton), 1-1
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Tri-City
Coach: Tony Franks
Update: The Rams rolled previously ranked Central Catholic 42-7 in the Holy Bowl as Noah May dazzled at quarterback with four touchdown passes. The loss was to Pittsburg 42-35 in an opener.
Next: vs. Serra, Friday

12. (6) Menlo-Atherton (Atherton), 2-1
Section: Central Coast
League: Peninsula Bay
Coach: Steve Papin
Update: The defending CIF 3-AA state champions lost to Serra 38-13 at Levi's Stadium, undone by penalties, injuries and a loaded Padres team.
Next: vs. East (Salt Lake City), Friday
13. (14) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa), 3-0
Section: North Coast
League: North Bay
Coach: Paul Cronin
Update: The Cardinals rallied to beat Placer 30-27 on the road with a late Jackson Pavitt touchdown pass. An earlier win was over longtime Northern Section power Sutter 21-7. The lone loss last season was to Liberty. This program in the 1970s had the state record for consecutive wins at 47.
Next: vs. Liberty, Sept. 20

14. (13) Wilcox (Santa Clara), 1-1
Section: Central Coast
League: De Anza
Coach: Paul Rosa
Update: The defending CIF State 3-A champion Chargers beat San Benito 34-20 as Paul Rosa, son of the coach, rushed for 273 yards and two scores in a Holy Bowl event at Levi's Stadium. The loss was to No. 4 Valley Christian 23-13.
Next: vs. Leland, Friday



15. (15) Clayton Valley Charter (Concord), 1-1
Section: North Coast
League: East Bay Athletic
Coach: Tim Murphy
Update:  The Ugly Eagles lost in overtime to No. 3 Liberty, 28-27, despite a gritty effort from Makhi Gervais. CVC has had seasons of 12-2, 11-2, 15-1, 13-2 and two 9-2 seasons this decade.
Next: vs. Overfelt, Friday

16. (16) Capital Christian (Sacramento), 2-1
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Capital Athletic
Coach: Casey Taylor
Update: Coming off a program-best 13-1 season, the Cougars ramped up the schedule, including state-ranked Vista Murrieta, which came away with a 24-6 victory.
Next: vs. Chandler (Ariz.), Saturday

17. (19) Buhach Colony (Atwater), 3-0
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Central California
Coach: Kevin Navarra
Update: The top-ranked team by The Modesto Bee, BlackHatFootball and FrontRowPreps, the Thunder beat Stockton's other top team not named St. Mary's 35-27 as Nate Ruiz scored the clinching touchdown.
Next: vs. Weston Ranch, Friday

18. (19) McClymonds (Oakland), 2-0
Section: Oakland
League: OAL
Coach: Michael Peters
Update: The Warriors of the East Bay beat Encinal 20-0 behind more stout defense a week after downing ranked Marin Catholic 19-7. This program has won two CIF State titles since 2016 with a 12-0 team in 2010, a 12-1 team in 2015 and going 12-2 a year ago.
Next: vs.Campolindo, Friday

19. (18) Saint Francis (Mountain View), 0-2
Section: Central Coast
League: West Catholic Athletic
Coach: Greg Calcagno
Update:  The Lancers, CIF State winners in 2017, have lost to state-ranked Corona del Mar and to NorCal No. 1 De La Salle in a brutal start to open the season.
Next: vs.Oak Grove, Friday

20. (21) Marin Catholic (Kentfield), 2-1
Section: North Coast
League: Marin County
Coach: Mazi Moayed
Update:  The Wildcats bounced back from a 19-7 loss to McClymonds to beat Mitty 35-9. Marin Catholic teams have had teams go 12-1, 14-1, 14-2, 13-1, 12-2 and 12-1 this decade.
Next: vs. Monterey, Friday

21. (22) Turlock, 2-1
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Central California
Coach: James Peterson
Update: Previously the top-ranked team by The Modesto Bee, the Bulldogs rolled Tracy 43-14 in the annual Battle for the Dogbone as Anthony Frias ran fr 137 yards and three touchdowns.
Next: vs. Sheldon, Friday



22. (25) Oakdale), 2-1
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Valley Oak
Coach: Trent Merzon
Update: The Mustangs lost to No. 3 Liberty 19-14 then beat Aptos 21-19 as Leo Ayala, Zeke Saffar and Cameron Snow scored touchdowns.
Next: vs. Palma, Friday

23. (26) Las Lomas (Walnut Creek), 3-0
Section: North Coast
League: Diablo
Coach: Doug Longero
Update: The Knights have come of age, going from a 1-19 program from 2015 and 2016 to a 12-1 showing last season and a fast start this fall with a big win over previously ranked Bishop O'Dowd (27-14) and last week's 35-7 win over longtime power Milpitas.
Next: vs. Tennyson, Friday

24. (28) Granite Bay, 2-1
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Coach: Jeff Evans
Update: The Grizzlies are riding a section-best 20 consecutive playoff seasons streak and have lost only to Monte Vista this season, 27-22. GB is coming off of a 24-0 win over Jesuit as Dillon Hamilton accounted for three scores.
Next: vs. Vacaville, Friday

25. (12) Central Catholic (Modesto), 0-3
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Valley Oak
Coach: Roger Canepa
Update: Never mind the record, get a load of the schedule that includes De La Salle and St. Mary's. This program has won 19 section titles.
Next: vs. Upland, Friday

The next 10
26. Del Oro (Loomis), 2-1
27. Davis, 3-0
28. Rocklin, 2-1
29. Paradise, 3-0
30. Campolindo (Moraga), 3-0
31. California (San Ramon), 3-0
32. Downey (Modesto), 3-0
33. Sheldon (Sacramento), 2-1
34. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 1-1
35. Salinas, 1-0

The Sacramento Bee on struggling football programs and declining participation numbers ... click here



The Sacramento Bee on a storied program breaking in a new field ... click here

Joe Davidson has covered high school sports for The Sacramento Bee since 1988. Follow him on Twitter: SacBee_JoeD and on Instagram: JoeDavidsonMedia