Northern California high school football rankings: No. 2 Folsom meets No. 3 De La Salle in titanic showdown

Earlier this campaign, top-ranked Serra beat No. 2 Folsom 17-12 and then Serra topped No. 3 De La Salle 24-21.
Last week: Bye
This week: at Saint Francis (Mountain View)
Serra is primed for a championship run in the West Catholic Athletic League after beating Folsom, De La Salle and Central Catholic of Modesto.



2. (2) Folsom, 3-1
Last week: Defeated Pittsburg 23-15
This week: at De La Salle
The Bulldogs came up with four interceptions on defense to stall Pittsburg and the turning play was a blocked field goal that Ayreon Smith returned 80 yards for a touchdown and a 23-7 lead.

3. (3) De La Salle (Concord), 3-1
Last week: Defeated Central Catholic (San Diego), 28-20
This week: vs. Folsom
The Spartans beat the top-ranked team in San Diego, the defending State CIF State Division I-AA champions, as Charles Greer ripped off scoring runs of 69 and 83 yards and Carson Su'esu'e had two 60-yard touchdown strikes. The loss was 24-21 to Serra.

4. (4) Pittsburg, 3-1
Last week: Lost to Folsom, 23-15
This week: Bye
The Pirates could not get star receiver Rashid Williams on track as he had just four catches for 20 yards.

5. (5) Buchanan (Clovis), 5-0
Last week: Defeated Memorial (Fresno), 31-24
This week: Bye
The Bears had another big rally and win, storming from 21-3 down to prevail as Michael Runnels had 122 yards rushing and a score. Another big win was 35-21 over Liberty (Bakersfield).

6. (7) Monterey Trail (Elk Grove), 3-2
Last week: Defeated Laguna Creek (Elk Grove), 49-7
This week: vs. Kennedy (Sacramento)
The Mustangs opened defense of their Metro League championship by racing past one of the league contenders. Jervin Navarro rushed for 174 yards and two scores. The losses were to Folsom and De La Salle.

7. (6) Liberty (Bakersfield), 3-1
Last week: Defeated Central (Fresno), 35-10
This week: at Carlsbad
The Patriots rolled with balanced offense and sound defense and felt good about it after the frustrating one-touchdown loss in a game that was called with 9 minutes to go due to nearby lightning strikes.

8. (8) St. Mary's (Stockton), 4-0
Last week: Defeated Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland), 55-7
This week: at Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa)
The Rams rolled with Christopher Maghoney rushing for 98 yards and two scores and strong defense. An earlier big win was 47-7 over Central Catholic (Modesto).

9. (9) Granite Bay, 5-0
Last week: Defeated Vacaville, 35-13
This week: Bye
The Grizzlies bound into the rugged Sierra Foothill League with a great running game and strong defense.



10. (12) Salinas, 4-0
Last week: Defeated Seaside, 56-19
This week: at Hollister

12. (12) Manteca, 4-0
Last week: Did not play
This week: Bye
The Buffaloes were left without a game when Damonte Ranch of Nevada canceled. National recruit RB/LB Blake Nichelson gave a verbal commitment this week to Florida State.

13. (14) Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills), 4-0
Last week: Defeated Pleasant Valley (Chico), 41-10
This week: vs. Pitman (Turlock)
The Trojans finally allowed points after outscoring their first three opponents 182-0, but the starting defense has not allowed a touchdown. This is a contender in the Sierra Foothill League race that includes Folsom, Granite Bay, Del Oro and defending champion Rocklin.

14. (20) Del Oro (Loomis, Calif.), 5-0
Last week: Defeated Menlo-Atherton (Atherton), 42-13
This week: Bye
The Golden Eagles have big wins at Clayton Valley Charter and the rout of Menlo-Atherton, a game in which Caden Pinnick passed for four touchdowns and ran for one.

15. (15) Clovis West (Fresno), 5-0
Last week: Defeated Edison (Fresno), 38-0
This week: vs. Buchanan
The Golden Eagles start Tri-River Athletic Conference play on a roll as Markel Sanders returned a kickoff 82 yards for a score and had a scoop-and-score effort off a blocked field goal.

16. (20) McClymonds (Oakland), 3-0
Last week: Defeated Tamalpais (Mill Valley), 49-7
This week: Bye
The Warriors on Sept. 30 play Pittsburg, a major test for Mack, winners of four straight CIF State championships.



17. (18) Wilcox (Santa Clara), 4-0
Last week: Bye
This week: vs. Menlo-Atherton
The Chargers have big early wins over Valley Christian (San Jose) and Hollister. There is experience as a host of starters are back from a team that reached the CIF State Division 2-A finals.

18. (19) Vanden (Fairfield), 5-0
Last week: Defeated Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park), 30-29
This week: Bye
The defending CIF State Division 3-AA champions received big games from Tre Dimes, Elijah Fisherman and Brayden Chavez and head into Monticello Empire League action as the favorite.

19. (20) Jesuit (Carmichael), 4-0
Last week: Defeated Sheldon (Sacramento), 35-21
This week: vs. Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove)
The Marauders opened defense of the Delta League championship with an inspired effort behind leaders CJ Lee, Anthony Seibles and Jagger Shaddix.

20. (20) Marin Catholic (Kentfield), 4-0
Last week: Defeated James Logan (Union City), 42-12
This week: at Antioch

22. Central Catholic (Modesto), 1-3
23. San Ramon Valley (Danville), 3-0
24. Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park,), 3-1
25. El Cerrito, 4-0
26. Acalanes (Lafayette), 4-0
27. Menlo-Atherton (Atherton), 3-1
28. Rocklin, 3-1
29. Campolindo (Moraga), 4-0
29. San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno), 3-2
30. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose), 3-0