Monarchs open season ranked No. 1 under first-year head coach Frank McManus.
The 2023 high school football season in California kicks off this week and MaxPreps has your look at the state's top teams.
Mater Dei (Santa Ana) owns the No. 1 spot in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25.
The Monarchs, under first-year coach Frank McManus, head into the season with MaxPreps All-American quarterback
Elijah Brown. The Stanford commit is 29-1 in his career while throwing for 6,339 yards and 76 touchdowns. Mater Dei went 12-1 last season, beating teams from Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.
St. John Bosco (Bellflower) opens at No. 2. Coach Jason Negro has to replace some key players on offense but will again have one of the best defenses in the state.
In addition to St. John Bosco, other defending state champions included in the preseason state rankings include
Lincoln (San Diego),
Liberty (Bakersfield) and
Granite Hills (El Cajon).
Rankings are computer-generated, factoring in past results and adjustments such as returners and statistical data when available.
Mater Dei opens the 2023 season as the No. 1 team in California and nationally behind quarterback Elijah Brown and a dominating line led by Brandon Baker. (Photo: Louis Lopez)
1.
Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 12-1 record in 2022
2.
St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 13-1
3.
Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth), 10-5
4.
Centennial (Corona), 9-2
5.
Mission Viejo, 10-2
6.
JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 6-6
7.
Serra (San Mateo), 13-1
8.
Lincoln (San Diego), 13-1
9.
Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 5-5
10.
Orange Lutheran (Orange), 7-5
11.
Carlsbad, 10-2
12.
Serra (Gardena), 7-5
13.
De La Salle (Concord), 10-4
14.
Folsom, 12-2
15.
Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, 10-1
16.
Los Alamitos, 9-3
17.
Liberty (Bakersfield), 13-2
18.
Oaks Christian (Westlake Village), 7-4
19.
Rancho Cucamonga (Rancho Cucamonga), 9-3
20.
Warren (Downey), 8-2
21.
Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills), 10-3
22.
Chaparral (Temecula), 7-5
23.
Granite Hills (El Cajon), 13-2
24.
St. Mary's (Stockton), 10-1
25.
Bishop Amat (La Puente), 9-4
