High school football: De La Salle again starts No. 1 in Preseason MaxPreps Northern Califorina Top 25 rankings

1. De La Salle (Concord), 6-0 (spring 2020)
Coach: Justin Alumbaugh
Section: North Coast
League: East Bay Athletic
Opener: vs. St. Mary's (Stockton), Aug. 27
Outlook: Defense will be the focal point for the storied Spartans, a unit headed by Arizona-bound defensive back Zeke Berry and defensive lineman Tyler Henry, off to Sacramento State. New QB Carson Su'esu'e takes over for Dorian Hale, now at Sac State. He will work with Berry at receiver and tight ends Cooper Flanagan and Brodie Tagaloa, both of whom also play on defense. De La Salle has gone a remarkable 401-5-2 against NorCal teams north of Fresno since 1984 and won 28 consecutive section championships and have reached a record 12 successive CIF State finals.

2. Folsom, 6-0
Coach: Paul Doherty
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Opener: vs. Monterey Trail, Aug. 20
Outlook: With 19 starters back, Folsom used the spring season to roar into this fall campaign, and it's a unit headed by homegrown QB star Tyler Tremain, whose twin Josh Tremain is among the team defensive leaders along with San Jose State-bound LB Justin Eklund. The team's unsung, do-all talent is Justin Arnaz, who can catch the ball, run with it, play on defense and special teams. Folsom has won eight section and four CIF State titles since 2010.

3. Serra (San Mateo), 5-0
Coach: Patrick Walsh
Section: Central Coast
League: West Catholic Athletic
Opener: vs. Pittsburg, Aug. 27
Outlook: Winners of the CCS Open title in 2019 and dominant in the spring, Serra figures to be monstrous again under veteran coach Patrick Walsh, who, along with De La Salle coach Justin Alumbaugh, was a driving force to get football games in during the spring. QB Dominique Lampkin and RB Hassan Mahasin lead the charge behind linemen Drew Azzopardi and Nathan Elu. In West Catholic Athletic League play, the Padres have gone 29-4 in recent years.



4. Pittsburg, 5-0
Coach: Vic Galli
Section: North Coast
League: Bay Valley Athletic
Opener: vs. Serra, Aug. 27
Outlook: In his 20th season with the program, coach Galli has another fierce bunch, this one headed by national recruit QB Jaden Rashada, who has star receivers Israel Polk, Khai Taylor and Rashid Williams to look for. The defense is led by LB Jakobe Harmon. Pittsburg is the last NorCal team to beat De La Salle, in the 1991 NCS finals.

5. Monterey Trail (Elk Grove), 5-0
Coach: TJ Ewing
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Delta
Opener: vs. Folsom, Aug. 20
Outlook: The Mustangs toppled Folsom in the 2019 SJS Division I playoffs and nearly landed a last-minute game with the Bulldogs during a chaotic spring. They get Folsom in an opener in a battle of The Sacramento Bee's top-ranked teams. QB Frank Arcuri returns to lead the veer offense, and all-purpose back Brevin Amiga, DB Ronnie Brutus, DL Uvante Usher and LB Tanaki Tonga will also impact the program.

6. Clovis, 3-2
Coach: Rich Hammond
Section: Central
League: Tri-River Athletic
Opener: vs. Sanger, Aug. 20
Outlook: The Central Section has heavies again, and always. The Cougars are led by Utah-bound QB Nate Johnson and RB Tristan Risley.

7. Central (Fresno), 4-1
Coach: Kyle Biggs
Section: Central
League: Tri-River-Athletic
Opener: vs. Bullard (Fresno), Aug. 29
Outlook: This has been a powerhouse of late, punctuated by a 15-0 showing and a CIF State Division 1-AA title in 2019. This group has 15 starters back, headed by defensive stars in DE Jeremiah Shelton and DL Tanner Hirschler.

8. St. Mary's (Stockton), 3-1
Coach: Tony Franks
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Tri-City Athletic
Opener: vs. De La Salle, Aug. 27
Outlook: Longtime coach Franks has worked with a lot of stars, few as gifted as UCLA-bound WR Jadyn Marshall, also a superb hurdler in track and field. QB Cruz Herrera is also back, as is WR Naseri Danielson. The loss in the spring was to De La Salle, 35-25, and the teams face off to open the season.

9. Buchanan (Clovis), 5-0
Coach: Matt Giordano
Section: Central
League: Tri-River Athletic
Opener: vs. Kingsburg, Aug. 20
Outlook: The Bears toppled Clovis and Central in the spring to win the league in the shortened spring fling and return QB Jayden Mandal. He will work with WR Josiah Ayon.

10. Rocklin, 4-0
Coach: Sam Pulino
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Opener: vs. Turlock, Aug. 20
Outlook: Pulino moves up from the junior varsity ranks to head the program, though previous coach Jason Adams is also on staff, making for a formidable 1-2 punch. QB Kenny Lueth and WR Nathan Kent lead the offense along with four-year starting lineman Bobby Piland, a beast in the trenches and headed to Air Force.



11. Elk Grove, (0-1)
Coach: John Heffernan
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Delta
Opener: vs. Inderkum, Aug. 20
Outlook: The Thundering Herd managed to get in just one game in the spring due to COVID issues across the league. Elk Grove is massive in the trenches, headed by fast-rising national recruit Simione Pale, son of assistant coach James Pale, and there are runners galore in Ethan Archuleta, Zeke Burnett, Isea Liu and Pita Folaumotui.

12. Lincoln (Stockton), 4-0
Coach: Natello Howard
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Tri-City Athletic
Opener: vs. Edison (Stockton), Aug. 20
Outlook: The Trojans have a workhorse back in Arizona-bound senior Jonah Coleman, and QB Kenyon Nelson is a dual-threat star and a national recruit. The defense is led by Fresno State-bound LB Tim Thomas and DB Jomarion Briggs, also a receiver. This is a rising threat in the Sac-Joaquin Section with big nonleague games against SJS heavies Oak Ridge and Monterey Trail and a league finale against St. Mary's.

13. Valley Christian (San Jose), 3-1
Coach: Mike Machado
Section: Central Coast
League: West Catholic Athletic
Opener: vs. Wilcox (Santa Clara), Aug. 27
Outlook: The Warriors have been a factor for decades and come from the battle-tested WCAL. QB Jackson Bernman had a star WR in Jurrion Dickey, and the defense is led by LB Will Cuddie and DT Nehemiah Musika.

14. San Ramon Valley (Danville), 4-2
Coach: Aaron Becker
Section: North Coast
League: East Bay
Opener: vs. Vintage (Napa), Aug. 27
Outlook: The Wolves return 15 starters, including QB Jack Quigley, RB Za'darion Nardi and offensive linemen Jackson Brown and Matt Shapiro. League showdowns loom against De La Salle, Clayton Valley Charter and California, among others.

15. Clayton Valley Charter (Concord), 4-2
Coach: Tim Murphy
Section: North Coast
League: East Bay
Opener: vs. Turlock, Aug. 27
Outlook: The run-heavy Ugly Eagles (still the best mascot anywhere) have rumbled to championship success, including the CIF State Division 2-AA title in 2019. The next back of note is Rahsaan Woodland, and receiver Brandon Rush and LB Jared Palega are playmakers.

16. McClymonds (Oakland), 4-0
Coach: Michael Peters
Section: Oakland
League: Oakland Athletic
Opener: vs. Tamalpais (Mill Valley), Aug. 27.
Outlook: With CIF State championship pedigree at the lower levels, the Warriors roar into another season thinking big with 19 returning starters, headed by four-year starting QB Dreyan Paul. OL Simeon Mitchell and Tigana Cisse lead the trenches.



17. Menlo-Atherton (Atherton), 5-0
Coach: Chris Saunders
Section: Central Coast
League: Peninsula
Opener: vs. Bellarmine Prep (San Jose), Aug. 27.
Outlook: The Bears return third-year starting QB Matt MacLeod, WR Jalen Moss and RB Thomas Taufui on offense and are led on defense by DBs Andrew Buck and Jeremiah Earby. The nonleague schedule includes Bellarmine, Pleasant Valley of Chico, Placer of Auburn and McClymonds.

18. Vacaville, 5-0
Coach: Mike Papadopoulos
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Monticello Empire
Opener: vs. Davis, Aug. 20.
Outlook: Eleven starters return for the Bulldogs, who averaged nearly 50 points in spring action, including RB Darian Leon-Gurrero, who rushed for 701 yards and 15 scores in five spring games. QB Ryan Vaughan also returns after tossing nine TD passes. The Bulldogs usher in sparkling new renovated Tom Zunino Stadium in the opener.

19. Granite Bay, (4-2)
Coach: Joe Cattolico
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Opener: vs. Vista del Lago, Aug. 20
Outlook: Cattolico is the new coach but a familiar old name, having won championships in San Jose and in the Elk Grove Unified School District at Pleasant Grove and Sheldon. He's a throwback, big on running the ball, though he has a stout QB in Noah Mitcheom, OL Talae Tuimaunei and TE James Stabbert. The defense is led by LB Zach Annis and Stabbert, a DE.

20. Edison (Stockton), 3-1
Coach: Booker Guyton
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: San Joaquin Athletic
Opener: vs. Lincoln (Stockton), Aug. 20
Outlook: The Vikings nearly beat Folsom in the section Division I playoffs, falling 45-42, and return 14 starters for another run. RB Jaylen Blacksher, WR Johnathan Taylor and DB Keoni Lindsay lead the way.

21. Los Gatos, 5-0
Coach: Mark Krail
Section: Central Coast
League: De Anza
Opener: vs. Oak Grove (San Jose), Aug. 27.
Outlook: The Wildcats had a spring to remember, outscoring teams 221-56 and return Boise State-bound LB Jake Ripp. Among the big nonleague early games are Liberty of Brentwood.

22. Saint Francis (Mountain View, Calif.), 3-2
Coach: Greg Calcagno
Section: Central Coast
League: West Catholic Athletic
Opener: vs. Central Catholic (Modesto), Aug. 27.
Outlook: Eleven starters return, including RB/LB Camilo Arquette and RB/DB Nico Andrighetto. The defense is headed by San Diego State-bound LB Clayton Lynam, and the trenches include Uluakinofo Taliauli. A Sept. 10 home game against De La Salle follows an opener at Central Catholic of Modesto and a home game against Oak Grove of San Jose.



23. Marin Catholic (Kentfield), 5-0
Coach: Mazi Moayed
Section: North Coast
League: Marin County
Opener: vs. El Cerrito, Aug. 27.
Outlook: Third-year starting QB Michael Ingrassia leads the playoff regulars and DB Charlie Allen and DE Kyle McBride head the defense. MC has had teams go 12-1, 14-1, 14-2, 13-1, 12-2 and 12-1 in a recent stretch.

24. Jesuit (Carmichael) 3-2
Coach: Marlon Blanton
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Delta
Opener: vs. Folsom, Aug. 27
Outlook: The Marauders are senior heavy with runners and defensive backs, including Garrett McGriff and Kai Santos, and QB Preston Vukovich is steady in leading the show. The opener is telling against Folsom with other nonleague showdowns against Granite Bay, Inderkum and rival Christian Brothers for the 50th Holy Bowl contest.

25. Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hilla), 2-4
Coach: Casey Taylor
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Opener: vs. Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove), Aug. 19
Outlook: New coach Taylor is a familiar name, having coached Del Oro and Capital Christian to championship success before returning to his roots, all while keeping previous coach Eric Cavaliere on staff. QB Drew Cowart and AP star Reese Catchings lead the way.

Next 10
26. Turlock, 5-0
27. Vintage (Napa), 6-0
28. Pleasant Valley (Chico), 4-1
29. California (San Ramon), 2-4
30. Palma (Salinas), 0-1
31. Campolindo (Moraga), 6-0
32. Manteca, (5-1)
33. Liberty (Brentwood), 5-1
34. Central Catholic (Modesto), 3-2
34. Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland), 4-1
35. Oakdale, 4-1

Joe Davidson has covered high school sports for The Sacramento Bee since 1988. He was named a CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Distinguished Award winner in April. Follow him on Twitter: SacBee_JoeD and through sacbee.com.