MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 High School Football Rankings

By Leland Gordon Oct 23, 2013, 9:00pm

Ramona enters the rankings while other shakeups occur due to mega-matchups.

Nathan Cherek and Ramona have sprinted into the rankings with a perfect record.
Nathan Cherek and Ramona have sprinted into the rankings with a perfect record.
File photo by Kirt Winter
We welcome Ramona to the rankings this week, the only team that gets to jump in.

The schedule for the Bulldogs hasn't been the toughest, and they are sixth in the UT San Diego poll. But they are ranked No. 99 in the nation by the MaxPreps Computer Rankings and it's time to see if they can stick.

The Southern Section brought us some spectacular matchups and they certainly affected the rankings. When great teams beat great teams, there is movement, but not dropping.

Be sure to visit the Fresno metro site, the San Diego metro site and the Los Angeles metro site as well for more California coverage. Also, see the new MaxWire Los Angeles video at the end of the rankings.



MaxPreps Top 25 Southern California High School Football Rankings

Shay Fields, St. John Bosco
Shay Fields, St. John Bosco
Photo by Nicholas Koza
1. (1 last week) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 7-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 1 state, 5 national, 5 Xcellent 25

The Braves slipped one spot in the Xcellent 25 but still remained perfect with a 42-24 victory over Orange Lutheran. They trailed 17-14 at the half then put the game out of reach in the third quarter with 21 points. Sophomore Sean McGrew ran 14 times for 176 yards and three touchdowns and Shay Fields caught eight balls for 101 yards and a score. Jaleel Wadood intercepted a pass as well. Bosco will go to JSerra Catholic on Friday.

2. (2) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 7-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 4 state, 10 national, 20 Xcellent 25

The Monarchs made a huge jump in the national computer rankings after downing JSerra Catholic 38-14. The running game was unstoppable with 403 yards on 44 carries, led by Justin Allen and his 312 yards and four scores. Mykal Tolliver intercepted a pass as well for Mater Dei, which continues to play spectacular defense. The Monarchs host Santa Margarita on Friday.

3. (3) Serra (Gardena), 7-0
Classifications: Southern (Western), State II
Ranks: 2 state, 6 national, 15 Xcellent 25



The Cavaliers are climbing fast in all rankings after they throttled Chaminade 36-0 in a game that many thought would be a closer one. The defense held Donovan Lee to a paltry 37 yards on 11 carries, a major testament to the defense's ability. The Serra rushing game was great with 54 carries and 346 yards. Darrion Naylor ran 13 times for 114 yards, Jalen Greene ran 26 times for 113 yards and Adoree' Jackson ran 10 times for 92 yards to go with an interception. Serra is looking extremely dangerous now, and will host Cathedral (Los Angeles) on Friday.

4. (4) Mission Viejo, 7-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 6 state, 16 national

The Diablos did their usual thing Friday, obliterating San Clemente 70-17. According to Patch.com, Jake White took an interception in for a score from 27 yards out in the first minute, and it was a Diablos rout from then on. Ian Fieber passed for 300 yards and Nick Wilks and Austin Neville each scored defensive touchdowns as well. Next up is a Friday home game against Tesoro.

5. (5) Long Beach Poly, 7-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 16 state, 78 national

The Jackrabbits made it a 137-0 scoring margin in their four Moore League games as they shut out Lakewood 39-0. According to the Qwixcore game log, Iman Marshall, Tai Tiedemann and Josh Love each threw touchdown passes in the first quarter alone. Christian Pabico caught three scores as well. The Jackrabbits will take this week off and then go to Millikan (Long Beach) on Nov. 1.

6. (6) Hart (Newhall), 7-0
Classifications: Southern (Northern), State II
Ranks: 11 state, 59 national



The Indians romped over Golden Valley (Santa Clarita) 61-13, and Brady White was extremely efficient, completing all seven of his passes for 194 yards and three scores. Joey Bilbo rushed for a pair of scores as well. Connor Wingenroth did not play, still nursing an injury. Hart goes to Saugus on Friday.

7. (10) Centennial (Corona), 5-2
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 22 state, 109 national

The Huskies had little trouble in a 70-28 victory over King (Riverside). It was tied at seven points each after one quarter, then the Huskies exploded. Centennial rushed the ball 19 times and scored on six of those attempts. Robert Webber also was 13-for-18 passing. The defense recovered three fumbles, too. Now the Huskies will go to Roosevelt (Eastvale).

8. (12) Edison (Fresno), 7-0
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 15 state, 68 national

The Tigers had no problem blasting Madera South, 48-7. The defense held Madera South to 129 total yards and forced a pair of fumbles. According to centralvalleyfootball.com, Edison had five players score touchdowns. Madera comes to town for a Thursday game this week.

9. (7) Chaminade (West Hills), 5-2
Classifications: Southern (Western), State II
Ranks: 13 state, 62 national



The Eagles were tough to place after their 36-0 loss to Serra. Sure, they were shut out - but to a great team playing its best football of the year. Making it even more difficult is that they own a win over idle Oaks Christian and Notre Dame. A two-spot drop is about all that seems appropriate here. The Eagles will host St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) on Friday.

10. (8) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village), 6-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 7 state, 42 national

Shawn Arrington, Rancho Cucamonga
Shawn Arrington, Rancho Cucamonga
Photo by David Hood
The Lions had the week off and will host Calabasas on Friday.

11. (14) Rancho Cucamonga, 7-0
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 8 state, 49 national

The Cougars stayed perfect thanks to a 37-9 triumph over Glendora, which came in to the game at 6-0. According to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, The Cougars forced five turnovers (four in the first half) and they got off to a great start, recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff. Gage Pucci didn't play due to injury, something to keep an eye on as Rancho Cucamonga will host Los Osos on Friday.

12. (21) San Pasqual (Escondido), 7-0
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 24 state, 144 national



The Golden Eagles jumped an incredible 96 spots in the national computer rankings, and it came after a spectacular game between the San Diego Section's top two teams. They won 13-10 over Mission Hills (San Marcos) in double overtime thanks to a game-winning 22-yard field goal from Cameron Miller. According to UT San Diego, Peter Ricardez scored his team's only touchdown when he plunged in from a yard out on the second play of the fourth quarter and Jajuan Thomas made spectacular grabs in each overtime. Thomas caught a 28-yard pass in the first overtime on fourth-and-18 that led to a field goal and then grabbed a one-handed pass for 17 yards on third-and-10 in the second overtime. Thomas finished with six grabs for 112 yards. San Pasqual will take its No. 1 UT San Diego ranking up against Rancho Buena Vista on Friday.

13. (13) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 6-1
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 17 state, 89 national

The Dons ran right through Lincoln (San Diego) in a 38-0 victory. Chris Moliga scored once on the ground and once through the air, Drew Cowell ran for a pair of scores and Joshua Gizzi added another. The "Holy Bowl" against St. Augustine is Friday at Cathedral.

14. (15) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta), 6-1
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 12 state, 61 national

The Broncos whacked Great Oak 43-3, with Coltin Gerhart rushing eight times for 110 yards - his lowest rushing total of the season. He now has 18 rushing scores. Tyler Cook and Kenneth Wilson each recovered fumbles, and Brandon Worthy registered a safety. Murrieta Valley comes to town on Friday.

15. (16) Servite (Anaheim), 4-3
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 18 state, 93 national



The Friars got back on the winning side of things with a 30-14 victory over Santa Margarita that featured a 17-0 halftime lead. Travis Waller was dominant, rushing 20 times for 199 yards and two scores to go with 10-for-17 passing and two more scores. Equanimeous St. Brown caught five balls for 89 yards and each of those two receiving scores. Maurice Davison picked off two interceptions and the team netted 4.5 sacks. The Friars host Orange Lutheran Friday at Cerritos College.

16. (18) Alemany (Mission Hills), 6-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 9 state, 52 national

The Warriors erased their two-game losing streak by picking up a huge win over Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 35-27. Desean Holmes caught seven passes for 126 yards and a score in a huge Serra League triumph, one in which they led by 21 in the second quarter, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. Quentin Tartabull's injury is going to be tough for this team to overcome as it fights for the playoffs, with the next test coming Friday at Bishop Amat.

17. (9) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 5-3
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 10 state, 58 national

The Knights took a big drop - perhaps a lot lower than they needed to go. But three losses compared with one win against ranked teams outweighs the computer ranking. Grant Kraemer played sparingly in the 35-27 loss to Alemany, and that hurt. Koa Farmer ran the offense from the quarterback spot, and had they recovered an onside kick in the final minute, they would have had a shot to tie the game. Next up for Notre Dame is a short trip to Crespi (Encino).

18. (11) Mission Hills (San Marcos), 6-1
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State II
Ranks: 41 state, 292 national



The Grizzlies dropped that 13-10 double overtime contest to San Pasqual at home, and fell to No. 2 in the UT San Diego rankings. They will look to rebound Friday at Fallbrook.

19. (19) Clovis North (Fresno), 6-1
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 27 state, 161 national

The Broncos made it look easy in a 42-6 romp over Clovis East. Click here to see video highlights from the Fresno Bee. On Friday, they head to Central of Fresno - a team that has been heating up lately.
MacKenzie McCoy, Bakersfield
MacKenzie McCoy, Bakersfield
Photo by David Dennis


20. (20) Bakersfield, 5-2
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 29 state, 181 national

The Drillers rushed past Independence 49-7 behind 293 yards on just 19 carries. Asauni Rufus also was 5-for-8 passing. Five different players scored rushing touchdowns, and five different players caught passes. The defense has yielded 24 points total in the last three games. Friday they will travel to Frontier (Bakersfield).

21. (22) Bishop Amat (La Puente), 5-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 23 state, 135 national



The Lancers had a bye. They host Alemany in a big league game on Friday.

22. (17) Orange Lutheran (Orange), 6-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 14 state, 65 national

The Lancers led at the half against St. John Bosco but couldn't sustain it in a 42-24 setback. The rushing game once again was the focal point, as Orange Lutheran ran it 65 times for 362 yards. Playing from behind is not the Lancers' best attribute, and that showed in the second half. They head to play Servite at Cerritos College on Friday.

23. (23) Oceanside, 5-2
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State II
Ranks: 25 state, 151 national

The Pirates won easily, 38-7, against Vista. According to UT San Diego, they cleared the bench in the second half with a running clock and rested some key starters. Matthew Romero threw for three scores and ran for another for the Pirates, who go to Ramona on Friday for huge game against the 7-0 Bulldogs.

24. (24) Eastlake (Chula Vista), 6-1
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State II
Ranks: 30 state, 201 national



The Titans blanked Chula Vista 31-0 behind lineman Stephen Tapia, the player coach John McFadden chose as his Player of the Game. Traylon Reed ran seven times for 155 yards and the team ran 41 times for 449 yards. In fact, they only passed for 11 yards. Next up is a game against Bonita Vista.

25. (NR) Ramona, 7-0
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 19 state, 99 national

The Bulldogs are finally into the rankings, as they have had a spectacular computer rankings number for quite a while. Local media isn't as high on the Bulldogs, though, as they are sixth in the UT San Diego poll. For the sake of these rankings, local media votes mean a lot, and Ramona's schedule has always been the reason why it didn't appear earlier. But it's hard to deny a 99 national ranking and a win over Helix. We will find out if this team is for real when it hosts Oceanside on Friday.

Dropped out:
25. Chino Hills lost 24-17 to Charter Oak (Covina)