MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 High School Football Rankings

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It's semifinals time, and the rankings have brought in a pair of teams. Vista Murrieta (previously ranked) and Great Oak are now part of the Top 25, and they each will face big tests this week in their playoff contests.

We are still waiting to see which team wins the Central Section title in Division I, as the winner stands a good chance of getting in. But until then, we are still seeing some Southern Section teams that didn't make the playoffs in the rankings.

Click here to see the MaxPreps national playoff page, and find your favorite California bracket.



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1. (1 last week) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 11-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 1 state, 5 national, 6 Xcellent 25

The Braves once again faced little resistance, eliminating Norco 48-7. Joey Chenoweth caught six passes for 111 yards and a score while Clifford Simms rushed for three touchdown. Friday's battle with Long Beach Poly is a hot ticket in the area.

2. (2) Centennial (Corona), 10-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 3 state, 8 national

The Huskies got revenge on Mater Dei, avenging an early-season setback with a 27-24 triumph. The Huskies were down 11 entering the fourth quarter but pulled out the win. J.J. Taylor was out due to an appendix issue, and Sammonte Bonner stepped in with 61 rushing yards and a touchdown. This team has made it to the semifinals the hard way, and it continues with a matchup against Bishop Amat.

3. (5) Long Beach Poly, 11-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 5 state, 18 national



The Jackrabbits were too much for Crespi in a 44-27 win after trailing at halftime. Josh Love tossed four touchdowns and Jeremy Calhoun ran 10 times for 114 yards while Johnnie Rucker caught two of his three passes for touchdowns. They face St. John Bosco on Friday.

4. (6) Oceanside, 11-0
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 10 state, 50 national

The Pirates had little trouble beating Carlsbad for the second time this season, this time by a 38-0 score. That's 13 points allowed in the last three games. PJ Poumele returned a fumble for a touchdown and Roman Roberson did the same with an interception. They face Mission Hills on Friday.

5. (8) Bishop Amat (La Puente), 9-3
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 4 state, 14 national

The Lancers ended JSerra Catholic's dream season with a 24-17 win. Ryder Ruiz was 21-for-29 with 223 yards and two scores, while Torreahno Sweet rushed for a touchdown as well. They go to Centennial this week.

6. (3) JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 10-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 9 state, 38 national



The Lions saw their season end in a 24-17 loss to Bishop Amat. Their second-place finish in the Trinity League was a massive leap and have established themselves as a regional power - perhaps one worthy of national consideration going forward.

7. (4) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 9-3
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 7 state, 21 national

The Monarchs lost 27-24 to Centennial, ending their season after blowing a 24-13 lead. Adrian Contreras ran 23 times for 126 yards and a touchdown, while the defense coaxed three turnovers.

8. (10) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 10-1
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 12 state, 75 national

The Dons felled Torrey Pines 27-0, a much easier win than their previous meeting. That's 10 wins in a row for the Dons, whose only loss is to NorCal power Folsom in the opening week. They will battle Helix this week.

9. (9) Serra (Gardena), 8-3 *Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 11 state, 72 national



The Cavaliers lost in the opening round. With Crespi's loss, we honor the head-to-head and leave them

10. (7) Crespi (Encino), 9-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 6 state, 20 national

The Celts lost a halftime lead and fell to Long Beach Poly, 44-27. The defense yielded 528 yards to the Jackrabbits.

11. (11) Upland, 10-2
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 14 state, 91 national

The Highlanders earned a 52-21 victory over Hart. Their gameplan was to rush and they did it well, passing only seven times and rushing for 259 yards as a team. Josh Woods rushed 13 times for 119 yards and two scores and Nathan Tilford rushed 20 times for 111 yards and three touchdowns. They face Vista Murrieta this week.

12. (12) Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 6-5 *Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 19 state, 170 national



The Eagles lost in the opening round.

13. (13) Servite (Anaheim), 4-7 *Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 23 state, 199 national

The Friars lost in the opening round.

14. (14) Westlake (Westlake Village), 8-3 *Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 17 state, 145 national

The Warriors lost in the opening round.

15. (15) El Capitan (Lakeside), 11-0
Classifications: San Diego (II), State III
Ranks: 18 state, 149 national



The Vaqueros had no trouble in a 48-6 win over Mt. Carmel. Dj Smith ran 13 times for 133 yards and three scores, and Brad Cagle ran six times for 60 yards and a touchdown. They face Brawley next.

16. (16) Alemany (Mission Hills), 7-3 *Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 13 state, 87 national

The Warriors didn't make the playoffs.

17. (17) Mission Viejo, 10-2
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 15 state, 132 national

The Diablos continued their solid play lately with a 38-35 victory over Rancho Cucamonga. A late touchdown pass was the winning margin for Mission Viejo. Great Oak is up next.

18. (19) Helix (La Mesa), 9-2
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 20 state, 171 national

The Highlanders trounced Ramona for the second time this season, opening the playoffs with a 58-35 triumph. They face Cathedral Catholic in a rematch next.



19. (NR) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta), 10-2
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State II
Ranks: 16 state, 138 national

The Broncos are back. We had them here early on but it has taken a while to return. Their 28-27 victory over Tesoro shows that they're certainly deserving, and the fact that they did it after a 24-0 halftime deficit is even more proof. Dwayne Johnson returned a punt for a score and Jalen Russell did the same with a fumble. They face Upland this week.

20. (18) Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita), 9-3
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State II
Ranks: 26 state, 235 national

The Titans fell 28-27 to Vista Murrieta on a late touchdown pass and saw their season end.

21. (22) Mission Hills (San Marcos), 9-2
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 30 state, 265 national

The Grizzlies won 38-27 over Eastlake, picking off three interceptions in the process. They will face Oceanside this week.



22. (23) San Clemente, 11-1
Classifications: Southern (Southwest), State II
Ranks: 27 state, 258 national

The Tritons blasted Foothill 56-6, with Sam Darnold completing five of his 15 connections for touchdowns. Cole Fotheringham caught eight passes for 115 yards and two scores. They face Capistrano Valley this week.

23. (NR) Great Oak (Temecula), 10-2
Classifications: Southern (Southwest), State II
Ranks: 24 state, 223 national

The Wolfpack has earned their spot here with playoff wins over Chino Hills and El Toro (last week, 27-24). The defense held El Toro to 30 rushing yards on 24 attempts. Great Oak will play Mission Viejo on Friday.

24. (24) Chino Hills, 8-3 *Season over
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 34 state, 316 national

The Huskies lost in the first round.



25. (25) Notre Dame (SO) (Sherman Oaks), 6-4 *Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 25 state, 230 national

The Knights did not make the playoffs.

Dropped out: 20. St. Francis, 21. Corona del Mar