MaxPreps Top 25 Southern California High School Football Rankings

The San Diego Section has been the most exciting place to look when it comes to the Southern California Top 25. We had Cathedral Catholic take down Vista Murrieta, and then two teams moved to 5-0 by defeating ranked squads. Mission Hills took down then-No. 11 Oceanside to move up and Ramona stayed perfect by besting Helix.

Ramona isn't quite good enough to make the rankings yet, as San Pasqual is also 5-0 and ranked higher by local media.

The Central Section pecking order stays the same, and in the wild Southern Section, great schools are beating great schools - so while there is movement, schools that lose aren't necessarily dropping out.

Make sure to check out the first edition of the MaxPreps California Bowl Game Rankings and 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

1. (1 last week) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 4-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 1 state, 7 national, 4 Xcellent 25

The Braves didn't play last week but keep the top spot. They will host Crenshaw (Los Angeles) on Friday, a team that is 1-3 but has played a ridiculously tough schedule.

2. (2) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 5-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 5 state, 23 national, 21 Xcellent 25

The Monarchs trailed 7-6 entering the fourth quarter against Edison (Huntington Beach) but took over in the fourth and emerged with a 21-7 victory at home. Matthew Rockett scored a defensive touchdown, Justin Allen scored on a short run to get the lead back in the fourth and Malik McMorris rumbled in from 67 yards out to ice the game. The defense was stellar as usual, as Edison's points came on a defensive touchdown. Mater Dei is off this week before starting Trinity League play with Servite at home on Oct. 11.

3. (4) Serra (Gardena), 5-0
Classifications: Southern (Western), State II
Ranks: 2 state, 9 national

The Cavaliers won 37-13 at Narbonne, and as usual Adoree' Jackson was spectacular, taking an interception 101 yards for a score and he also had a fake punt run that featured a nice hurdling move. The Cavs broke a two-game losing streak to Narbonne and outscored the Gauchos 21-6 in the second half to secure the victory. According to the Torrance Daily Breeze, the offense struggled early. They will take this week off before heading to Harvard-Westlake (Studio City) on Oct. 11 to begin Mission League play.



4. (7) Alemany (Mission Hills), 5-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 3 state, 14 national, 23 Xcellent 25

The Warriors entered the Xcellent 25 after they dispatched St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 38-24 and that means wins over two highly ranked teams in the last two weeks. The Seraphs actually led at the half, minus Ricky Town and Bryce Dixon, but the Warriors jumped ahead to stay. Alif Grayes was 15-for-17, according to the LA Times, and junior Dominic Davis rushed for three touchdowns. A trip to Norco awaits the Warriors on Friday.

5. (5) Mission Viejo, 5-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 6 state, 24 national

Aliso Niguel was no match for the Diablos as they rolled 56-7. According to Patch.com, they scored on offense, defense and special teams in the first quarter alone. Alex Suchesk rushed for three scores in the first half. Things don't appear to be much more difficult this week, as Mission Viejo goes to Redlands East Valley.

6. (6) Long Beach Poly, 4-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 13 state, 57 national

The Jackrabbits won 13-0 over Cabrillo (Long Beach), which has to be the best winless team in Southern California. Still, it was somewhat underwhelming to see a Poly team go into halftime scoreless with Cabrillo. John "Juju" Smith left the game in the second quarter with what appeared to be a head injury, according to the Long Beach Press-Telegram, and that is cause for concern, as he left via ambulance. Tai Tiedemann scored on a 1-yard sneak and threw a 17-yard pass to Johnnie Rucker for the other score and the defense was definitely on its game. Next up is a trip to Compton on Friday.



7. (8) Hart (Newhall), 4-0
Classifications: Southern (Northern), State II
Ranks: 7 state, 28 national

The Indians took down Birmingham (Lake Balboa) 42-13 behind a brutal rushing attack. Connor Wingenroth rushed for four scores to go with 13 carries for 183 yards, and he caught a touchdown pass. That helped offset two interceptions from Brady White, who was great except for the interceptions, going 20-for-27 with 243 yards. Hart goes to Santa Monica on Friday.

8. (9) Chaminade (West Hills), 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Western), State II
Ranks: 8 state, 34 national

The Eagles had a bye and will host Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) on Friday.

9. (10) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 4-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 12 state, 56 national

The Knights are ready to embark upon the toughest stretch of their schedule. They beat Canyon (Canyon Country) 45-21 behind 210 yards on 22 carries from Chris Colarossi, and that included two touchdowns. Koa Farmer scored once on the ground and once by pass. Now comes the rough stuff, though. It starts with a trip to Chaminade (West Hills) Friday, then home games against Bishop Amat and Alemany.



10. (13) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village), 4-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 10 state, 48 national

The Lions left Crenshaw (Los Angeles) with a 45-35 triumph to avenge last season's loss. The Brandon Dawkins to Chris Davis passing combo was prolific as usual, as Dawkins went 26 of 46 with 444 yards and six scores while Davis caught 11 passes for 218 yards and four touchdowns. They certainly have fared well against a quality schedule, and now the Lions will turn to Marmonte League play. They host Thousand Oaks on Friday.

11. (14) Servite (Anaheim), 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 14 state, 78 national

The Friars had the week off to prepare for De La Salle (Concord). Saturday night's game will be at the Santa Ana Bowl.

12. (15) Centennial (Corona), 3-2
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 15 state, 84 national

The Huskies got back on track by beating Carson 55-25 - and it wasn't even that close. Tre Watson ran 16 times for 190 yards and four touchdowns and Robert Webber was 9-for-17 with 221 yards passing. Barry Ware caught three passes for 123 yards and two scores. Next up is a bye, then a home game against Norco.



13. (17) Mission Hills (San Marcos), 5-0
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State II
Ranks: 16 state, 88 national

The Grizzlies catapulted up in the MaxPreps Freeman Computer Rankings after they solidified their spot atop the San Diego Section with a 30-6 whipping of Oceanside. They have all 31 first-place votes in the UT Football Poll. According to UT San Diego, it was the first win in seven tries for Mission Hills against the Pirates and they intercepted four passes and grabbed two fumbles. Dechaun Holiday had three of those interceptions and took one for a score. Mission Hills held Oceanside to 76 rushing yards as well. This team has allowed 34 points in five games, and is definitely looking like a bowl game contender. After a bye this week, Mission Hills will host Escondido.

14. (16) Edison (Fresno), 4-0
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 11 state, 51 national

The Tigers still lead the Fresno Bee's Central Section Rankings after a bye week. They face Clovis West in their final nonleague game of the season, Friday at home.

15. (NR) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 3-1
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 17 state, 95 national

The Dons are back in the rankings - and in a huge way - after they beat Vista Murrieta at home, 35-28. Two rushing scores in the fourth quarter broke a 21-all tie, and then VM battled back with a score and then was driving in Dons territory when the game ended. According to UT San Diego, a wacky play happened when Cathedral Catholic threw an interception and Chris Moliga ripped the ball out of the interceptor's hands and took it 85 yards the other way for a score. Moliga scored four times, and gained 169 yards on 32 carries. Most importantly, the Dons defense (which has been very good all year) held Vista Murrieta to 34 points less than its average. Next up is a trip to Morse (San Diego) on Friday.



16. (20) Rancho Cucamonga, 5-0
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 18 state, 97 national

The Cougars continue to climb, as well they should. They blasted winless JW North 59-7 with nine receivers racking up a combined 349 yards. Rancho Cucamonga is the top team in the Inland Division, according to the CIFSS Poll, and now the Cougars will turn their attention to the Baseline League after a bye this week.

17. (3) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta), 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 21 state, 122 national

See above about how the Broncos fared in San Diego. Coltin Gerhart passed for 303 yards and three scores, but the offense certainly was slowed down. Crespi (Encino) comes to town for the final nonleague game of the season for the Broncos.

18. (18) Clovis North (Fresno), 4-1
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 23 state, 136 national

The Broncos took a 29-10 win over Merced at home despite trailing 10-0 early. A bizarre sequence in the final minute of the second quarter set the victory in motion, according to the Fresno Bee. Austin Autry passed to Tymon Locklin for a touchdown from 21 yards out with 25 seconds left, then Merced fumbled and Clovis North recovered with enough time left to get another scoring connection from the Autry and Locklin from 33 yards out. They have this week off then start league play with Clovis West on Oct. 11.



19. (21) Bishop Amat (La Puente), 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 24 state, 144 national

The Lancers had little trouble with St. Paul, winning 49-10. Koa Haynes went 17 of 22 with 293 yards and four touchdowns, and also ran seven times for 74 yards. Seven different players scored touchdowns. Amat has its final nonleague game on Friday at Culver City, then things will get tough with Notre Dame and Alemany back-to-back.

20. (22) Orange Lutheran, 5-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 29 state, 186 national

The Lancers are 5-0 again this year. It all fell apart last year after the hot start, so observers will certainly be watching to see just how good this team is. They won 49-13 over Redlands East Valley last week after falling behind 13-0 early on, then throttling REV the rest of the way. They only threw it nine times, instead rumbling 42 times on the ground for 258 yards led by Patrick Reardon, who rushed eight times for 103 yards and three touchdowns. OLU is on a bye this week and then will open Trinity League play against JSerra Catholic.

21. (23) Bakersfield, 3-2
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 37 state, 235 national

The Drillers beat up Buchanan (Clovis) 55-7 and as usual it was all led by Asauni Rufus, who went 5-for-8 passing with 148 yards and ran for 164 yards on nine carries with three touchdowns. Lameshio Hill ran for 65 yards and also rushed for a score. Kevin Hayes caught a pair of scores too.



22. (24) San Pasqual (Escondido), 5-0
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 33 state, 212 national

The Golden Eagles stayed perfect with a 31-24 victory at La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad). According to UT San Diego, San Pasqual was up 21 with less than eight minutes left, then the Mavericks scored twice, the second coming with nine seconds left. They then recovered an onside kick, but the Golden Eagles hung on. Peter Ricardez ran 31 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns, according to the story. San Pasqual is No. 2 in the UT San Diego rankings and is off this week before facing Fallbrook on Oct. 11.

23. (11) Oceanside, 3-2
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State II
Ranks: 25 state, 146 national

The Pirates fell to Mission Hills, 30-6, and it bounced them down to No. 4 in the UT San Diego poll. Their losses have been to highly ranked teams so the 3-2 record doesn't mean this is an average team. But six turnovers against Mission Hills is certainly a cause for concern in the northern part of the county. Oceanside has a bye before heading to Carlsbad, ranked 38th in the California Freeman Rankings.

24. (12) St. Bonaventure (Ventura), 3-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 28 state, 180 national

The Seraphs have been hit hard by the injury bug, as Ricky Town and Bryce Dixon missed their 38-24 loss. They led at the half but couldn't keep Alemany down for long enough. The LA Times made mention of two players who stepped in and had huge performances, as sophomore quarterback Darius Vines passed for 295 yards and junior Lavan Alston brought in 235 receiving yards. Now the Marmonte League schedule begins Thursday with a "home" game against Westlake at Santa Barbara City College.



25. (NR) Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 3-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 32 state, 199 national

The Eagles won a thriller over previous No. 25 Trabuco Hills, taking a 28-26 win by stopping a 2-point conversion attempt in the final minute. Jeremy McNichols ran for a pair of scores and picked up 117 yards on the ground and Kyle Sweet caught 10 balls for 119 yards and a touchdown as well. Joesph McGill and Randall Swain each had three sacks and Alec McNiff intercepted a pass. Santa Margarita, which was ranked earlier this season, will take this week off and then host St. John Bosco on Oct. 11.

Dropped out:
19. Helix lost 10-6 to Ramona
25. Trabuco Hills lost 28-26 to Santa Margarita