MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 high school football rankings

Teams are getting eliminated from playoff competition all over the state, but the favorites keep winning in most places, and that means little movement in the rankings. Two new teams enter this week, though, as Cathedral Catholic and Norco return to the rankings after long breaks.

We will see section champions crowned in the San Diego Section on Monday. Finals matchups for other sections, meanwhile, will be set by the end of the weekend.

An added bonus is we have the SoCal Regional Bowl preview package. You can click here to view this week's preview package, and also click here to see the NorCal version.



Click here to see playoff brackets from across the state. Click here to see remaining undefeated teams in California, and click here to see the California Bowl Game Rankings.

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 latest MaxWire Los Angeles videos for updates on the region.


1. (1 last week) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 12-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac-5), State I
Ranks: 1 state, 3 national, 5 Xcellent 25

The Braves won 55-7 over Tesoro to keep advancing in the Pac-5, scoring five touchdowns in the opening quarter. Josh Rosen was 13-for-17 and five of those connections resulted in touchdowns. Jaleel Wadood caught five balls for 143 yards and three scores. They will face Alemany on Friday for a shot at the title-game berth that eluded them last season.

2. (2) Serra (Gardena), 12-0
Classifications: Southern (Western), State II
Ranks: 3 state, 16 national, 9 Xcellent 25

The Cavaliers romped 40-6 at Buena (Ventura), leading 38-0 at the half. The team managed 312 rushing yards and two of five completions for Jalen Greene resulted in touchdowns. Olajuwon Tucker intercepted a pass and the team picked up a pair of fumbles as well. Serra will go to St. Francis Friday for a rematch with a league opponent that gave it a good game earlier this year.



3. (4) Long Beach Poly, 11-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac-5), State I
Ranks: 6 state, 19 national

The Jackrabbits were brutal in a 44-8 pasting of St. Bonaventure, with the defense making a big statement. Jason Fao and Rodney Shorter each scored defensive touchdowns, plus there was a safety as well. John Smith scored on a pass and a run as well. The going gets much tougher this week when Mater Dei comes to Veterans Stadium in a rematch of last season's Pac 5 title game.

4. (5) Centennial (Corona), 10-2
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 8 state, 32 national

The Huskies won 49-14 over Chaparral (Temecula) behind six touchdown passes from Robert Webber. Greyson Bankhead, Barry Ware and Eric Locklin each caught two touchdowns. Tre Watson was held to just 39 rushing yards on 17 carries but it mattered little for Centennial. Next up is a trip to Upland for the semifinals.

5. (6) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 10-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac-5), State I
Ranks: 2 state, 11 national

The Monarchs handed Mission Viejo its first - and only - loss of the season in a 21-14 triumph. The Monarchs got a pair of touchdown passes from Chase Forrest and Adrian Contreras led the team with 58 rushing yards. Jonathan Lockett intercepted two passes for Mater Dei, Matthew Rockett added another and the defense scooped up two fumbles. Expect the defenses to be dominant against Poly on Friday.



6. (7) Chaminade (West Hills), 10-2
Classifications: Southern (Western), State II
Ranks: 13 state, 84 national

The Eagles went to Ventura and won 36-3, extending their playoff dominance thus far. Donovan Lee ran 19 times for 156 yards and three touchdowns and Yancy Kieren ran six times for 95 yards and a score. Friday's home contest against Lompoc will be interesting, because the Braves are 11-1 and have a very good defense, but have stayed up in the northern part of the section all year.

7. (8) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta), 11-1
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 10 state, 38 national

The Broncos blasted Charter Oak, 52-7. It was 45-0 at halftime. Yes, this team has a great offense, but the defense came up huge in terms of field position and forcing turnovers. Curtis Bolton recorded six of the team's nine sacks and three players added interceptions. Coltin Gerhart only had to run the ball six times and threw eight passes. Gerhart will face his former school Friday as the Broncos will battle Norco.

8. (9) Alemany (Mission Hills), 10-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac-5), State I
Ranks: 9 state, 37 national

The Warriors squeaked out a 21-19 victory over Servite to stay alive in the Pac-5. According to the LA Daily News, Okalani Langi stuffed a 2-point conversion run with 1:03 left to secure the win for Alemany. The Warriors had led 21-0 then had to hold on at Cerritos College. Alif Grayes ran for a touchdown and passed for one. According to the story, Alemany seeks its first football championship in the school's 57-year history. Now comes another Trinity League opponent: St. John Bosco on Friday.



9. (3) Mission Viejo, 11-1, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 7 state, 29 national

The Diablos lost 21-14 to Mater Dei, the second-straight season that included an undefeated regular season before an early playoff exit. Connor Hill scored on a run from 26 yards out with around a minute left in the game but the team couldn't recover the ensuing onside kick.

10. (12) Mission Hills (San Marcos), 11-1
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 18 state, 142 national

The Grizzlies will play in Monday's Open Division title game after they eliminated Helix, 24-21. Ricky Liuchan, a star linebacker, moved over to offense in the second half and that helped propel Mission Hills to the win, according to UT San Diego. Connor Wynn hit Scott Higgins for the touchdown pass that equaled the winning margin in the fourth quarter and Higgins pitched to Nate Ostrom on a punt for a tricky return touchdown. The Grizzlies will face Oceanside for the title, a team they whacked 30-6 earlier this season.

11. (13) Oceanside, 10-2
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 11 state, 47 national

The Pirates also will be in the Open Division title game at Qualcomm Stadium, as they eliminated Eastlake in a tight 33-30 win. It was hardly an ordinary win, as they trailed 30-7 at halftime. Jackson Koonce won the game with a 19-yard field goal in the final seconds, according to UT San Diego. Thai Cottrell scored on a run and a pass, and Mikah Holder caught a 72-yard score from Matthew Romero. Now they will look for revenge and a ninth section title in 10 years.



12. (16) Bakersfield, 9-2
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 23 state, 186 national

The Drillers won 44-21 over Clovis West to keep advancing. It was 37-7 at the half and those final two scores for Clovis West came with a running clock. According to the Bakersfield Californian, Jeremiah Reddick ran for a 77-yard score on the first play from scrimmage. The Drillers had a 339-(minus-3) rushing advantage at the half, according to the story, and Johnathon Malone scored a defensive touchdown. This team's Regional Bowl Game chances are still alive. Next up is Central (Fresno) on Friday in the semifinals.

13. (NR) Norco, 9-3
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 12 state, 80 national

Welcome back, Cougars. They got revenge on Rancho Cucamonga in a 23-21 triumph that avenged a regular-season loss. Wes Koerber was the hero with a 19-yard kick with 25 seconds left to gain the victory, according to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. Next up is a huge game at Vista Murrieta, as the Broncos' quarterback Coltin Gerhart is a former Norco standout.

14. (18) Valencia, 10-2
Classifications: Southern (Northern), State I
Ranks: 38 state, 333 national

The Vikings edged Arroyo Grande on the road, 28-23. Jake Wallace was 20-for-29 passing with 272 yards and three touchdowns, though he also tossed four interceptions. Stone Jackson ran 25 times for 112 yards and Nick Jones caught three passes for 120 yards and two scores. The Vikings will face league rival Saugus in the semis, a team they beat 38-24 earlier this year.



15. (21) San Pasqual (Escondido), 11-1
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 29 state, 247 national

The Golden Eagles won twice last week, as the SDS has a different schedule than other sections. Last Thursday, they eliminated El Camino (Oceanside) 42-9. Then on Wednesday, they advanced to the D-I title game by beating Carlsbad 28-14. According to UT San Diego, they resorted to the pass and racked up 148 passing yards - all of them in the first half. They ran the ball every time but twice in the second half and secured a trip to Qualcomm Stadium to face Cathedral Catholic on Monday for the title.

16. (22) Hart (Newhall), 10-2
Classifications: Southern (Northern), State II
Ranks: 21 state, 178 national

The Indians appear to have their groove back, as they beat Palos Verdes 33-12. The defense didn't allow any points until the fourth quarter, and Brady White was 16-for-22 with four touchdowns. Connor Wingenroth ran 18 times for 278 yards and a touchdown as well. They face West (Torrance) on Friday in the semifinals.

17. (10) Rancho Cucamonga, 10-2, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 20 state, 174 national

The Cougars lost 23-21 to Norco, a team they beat earlier this season. Angel Matute had found Blake Fisher for a score with 2:22 left but Norco fought back for the win.



18. (11) Servite (Anaheim), 6-6, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 15 state, 111 national

The Friars are by far the best 6-6 team in America. They lost 21-19 to Alemany when they couldn't punch in a 2-point conversion late in the game. Tate Beachley scored from 17 yards away to lead to that 2-point attempt. Travis Waller threw for 223 yards.

19. (14) Westlake, 8-3, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 35 state, 312 national

The Warriors lost to Servite in the first round.

20. (15) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village), 8-3, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 16 state, 102 national

The Lions lost to Mater Dei in the first round.



21. (19) Eastlake (Chula Vista), 10-2, Season over
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 26 state, 237 national 

The Titans blew a huge lead against Oceanside and saw their season come to an end. Isaiah Strayhorn ran for an 80-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage and added another rushing score soon after. By halftime, they had 256 rushing yards, according to UT San Diego, but it all ended badly.

22. (20) Helix (La Mesa), 9-3, Season over
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 24 state, 208 national

The Highlanders fell 24-21 to Mission Hills in the semifinals. Sophomore Nathan Stinson ran 24 times for 176 yards and fellow sophomore Michael Austin scrambled for a 76-yard score.

23. (NR) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 10-2
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 27 state, 240 national

The Dons are back in the rankings after reaching the SDS Division I title game. They shut out Ramona 20-0, with Mathew Fornaca returning a fumble for a score, then two rushing scores from Chris Moliga. The Qualcomm Stadium matchup with San Pasqual on Monday should be a very good one.



24. (23) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 7-4, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 22 state, 183 national

The Knights lost in the first round.

25. (17) St. Bonaventure (Ventura), 8-4, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 28 state, 241 national

The Seraphs lost 44-8 to Long Beach Poly, allowing a safety and two defensive touchdowns. Ricky Town hit Bryce Dixon for the lone touchdown for St. Bonny.

Dropped out:
24. La Habra lost 49-48 to Newport Harbor (Newport Beach)
25. Palos Verdes (Palos Verdes Estates) lost 33-12 to Hart (Newhall).