Video: California preseason Top 25 football rankings
National No. 1 Mater Dei leads a formidable pack of teams from the Golden State.
The Golden State could be considered the gold standard when it comes to high school football.
Over the past five years, Mater Dei (Santa Ana) and St. John Bosco (Bellflower), have battled and captured not just California Interscholastic Federation Open Division titles, but national crowns as well.
De La Salle (Concord) and Centennial (Corona) have been battling for national crowns for well over a decade now.
Add in Long Beach Poly — which has sent more players to the NFL than any in history according to many reports — Serra (Gardena), another garden for future NFL players, and recent juggernauts Folsom and Narbonne, and the state clearly can hold its own with Texas and Florida for high school football supremacy.
The 2019 class of California football upholds that tradition, with five squads ranked among the Top 25 national in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25. Further, 16 teams earned MaxPreps National Top 100 spots.
Other teams beyond the 16 also are among the Top 100 in the MaxPreps national computer rankings.
Taking all those rankings into consideration, here is our California 2019 preseason Top 25 high school football rankings. Keep in mind with such a deep and populated state, there are numerous if not dozens of teams on the bubble waiting to climb into The Top 25.
Once the season begins on Aug. 23, come back each week to see how it all shakes out.
California 2019 preseason Top 25 high school football rankings
1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)2018 record: 13-2
Preseason national rank: 1
First game: Aug. 23 vs. No. 3 Centennial (Corona) at Santa Ana Bowl.
Outlook: The back-to-back CIF Open Division state champs, and 2017 national champions, are once again loaded led by 5-star quarterback
Bryce Young, 5-star linebacker
Raesjon Davis and 2020 Washington commit
Myles Murao, a 6-foot-3, 280-pound offensive lineman.
2. St. John Bosco (Bellflower)2018 record: 13-1
Preseason national rank: 3
First game: Aug. 24 vs. DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.)
Outlook: 5-star quarterback
DJ Uiagalelei leads the way for one of the most explosive offenses in high school football that features running back
Nate Jones and 4-star receivers
Kris Hutson,
Logan Loya and
Beaux Collins. The defense, led by four-star linebacker
Kourt Williams II, is stout.
3. Centennial (Corona)2018 record: 12-1
Preseason national rank: 12
First game: Aug. 23 at No. 1 Mater Dei
Outlook: The Huskies, under Matt Logan, have gone 121-21 over the last 10 seasons and perennially are a national Top 25 team. The 2019 version is led by 5-star receiver
Gary Bryant Jr., senior outside linebackers
Korey Foreman (6-foot-4, 245 pounds) and Jacob Mitchell (6-4, 225) and senior cornerback
Isaiah Young (5-9, 155).
4. De La Salle (Concord)2018 record: 12-1
Preseason national rank: 18
First game: Aug. 23 vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Outlook: The Spartans have won at least 10 games every year since 2004. Don't expect that to change this season thanks largely to one of the best and most versatile offenses in the program's storied history. Junior quarterback
Dorian Hale has an army of receivers to throw to led by
Grant Daley. DLS's bread and butter is the running game off the veer attack. Leading 2018 rusher
Shamar Garrett is also one of Northern California's top safeties.
De La Salle quarterback Dorian Hale is a terrific dual threat.
File photo by Dennis Lee
5. Folsom2018 record: 14-1
Preseason national rank: 25
First game: Aug. 30 vs. Jesuit (Carmichael)
Outlook: For the first time since 2005 the Bulldogs are without Kris Richardson or Troy Taylor at head coach. Still, expect them to compete at a high level with Paul Doherty taking over. Folsom is loaded offensively with running back
Daniyel Ngata and wide receivers
Elijhah Badger and
C.J. Hutton all returning. Don't look for Doherty to change much up on offense. In its last 76 games (72 wins), Folsom has scored 3,710 points (48.8 per game).
6. Narbonne (Harbor City)2018 record: 10-4
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 27
First game: Aug. 24 at No. 24 Buchanan (Clovis).
Outlook: One of the most talented teams in the country already, the Gauchos added, among others, 4-star cornerbacks
Darion Green-Warren and
Macen Williams,4-star safety
Jared Greenfield, 4-star receiver
Traeshon Holden and 4-star athlete and
Anthony Beavers Jr. in the offseason. Add in one of the top junior quarterbacks in the country,
Jake Garcia, and several other FBS prospects, and Narbonne should probably be ranked higher. But with uncertainty at the top — head coach Manny Douglas was reassigned by the Los Angeles Unified School District in June — it might take the Gauchos time to mesh. Former defensive coordinator Joe Aguirre was named interim head coach.
7. Mission Viejo2018 record: 6-6
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 33
First game: Aug. 23 at Konawaena (HI)
Outlook: Chad Johnson had one of the toughest jobs in the country last year replacing legendary head coach Bob Johnson at the helm. Expect the Diablos to be even better this season, especially with 2021 quarterback
Peter Costelli under center for the next two seasons. Mission Viejo is stacked on the line with FBS prospects
Keanu Tanuvasa,
Lance Keneley and
Tommy Mirabella.
8. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village)2018 record: 12-1
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 40
First game: Aug. 23 at Chaminade (West Hills)
Outlook: The lone loss last year came against St. John Bosco in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 semifinals. With junior 4-star athlete
Ethan Calvert, two college prospects at quarterback,
Patrick Roberg and
Jameson Wang, throwing to college-bound receivers
Bryce Farrell (Stanford) and
Alonzo Fontenette (Arizona State) they have a good chance to win at least 11 games for the fourth time in the last five years.
9. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano)2018 record: 9-3
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 48
First game: Aug. 23 at East (Salt Lake City)
Outlook: This could be the best of a long line of talented Lions teams, led by 2020 California commit
Chris Street, 2020 Michigan commit
Jeffrey Persi, 2021 linebacker
Jaden Genova and 2021 quarterback
General Booty. Middle linebacker and fullback
Malaki Te'o (6-0, 220) is one of the top sophomores in the state.
Michigan-bound Joseph Wiersma (79) anchors the line for JSerra Catholic.
File photo by Terry Jack
10. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth)2018 record: 12-4
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 51
First game: Aug. 23 at Westlake (Westlake Village)
Outlook: While the basketball team is making all the headlines expect the football squad to be equally as successful. After falling just short in the CIF State 1-A championship last season, the Trailblazers will be in the mix again with 4-star junior cornerback
DJ Harvey, junior quarterback
Chayden Peery (4,571 career passing yards, 32 touchdowns), sophomore safety
Kamari Ramsey (offers from Ohio State, Nebraska, Oregon, Penn State) and junior wide receiver-safety
JD Sumlin (BYU offer) leading the way.
11. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego)2018 record: 12-2
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 54
First game: Aug. 23 vs. La Costa Canyon
Outlook: The Dons beat Narbonne in the CIF Division 1-AA Southern California regional final and lost in overtime to Folsom in the championship game. They return 13 starters including 3-star senior quarterback
DJ Ralph (6-2, 190), inside linebacker
Jordan Allen (6-2, 215, Arizona State offer), offensive tackle
Holden Brosnan (6-4, 284) and defensive tackle
Logan Berzins (6-4, 281).
12. Upland2018 record: 12-3
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 55
First game: Aug. 22 vs. No. 19 La Habra.
Outlook: Darryl Thomas has been on the Highlanders' coaching staff the past seven years and takes over as head coach after the legendary Tim Salter retired. You can expect Thomas to lean on one of the most talented defenses in the state led by 5-star
Justin Flowe, ranked the No. 1 player in the country by MaxPreps football editor Zack Poff. His brother, 4-star linebacker
Jonathan Flowe, is one of the top juniors in the state. The Highlanders return just three offensive starters, but one of them is quarterback
Evan Rowe (1,736 yards passing, 17 touchdowns, 2 interceptions).
13. Serra (Gardena)2018 record: 5-6
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 62
First game: Aug. 30 vs. Garfield (Los Angeles)
Outlook: Over the last decade-plus, the Cavaliers have developed future NFL standouts like wide receiver Robert Woods, Adoree Jackson and Marqise Lee, to name a few. The talent pool continues this season with the likes of four4-star receiver
LV Bunkley-Shelton (23 offers), 3-star linebacker
Justin Houston (12 offers), sophomore quarterback
Maalik Murphy (12 offers), UNLV-bound quarterback
Doug Brumfield, UNLV-bound senior wide receiver
Ronald Gilliam and Maryland-bound cornerback
Devyn King.
14. Calabasas2018 record: 10-3
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 65
First game: Aug. 23 vs. Bakersfield at Rancho Cucamonga
Outlook: Despite the transfer of 5-star receiver Jermaine Burton to IMG Academy, the Coyotes should have one of the most explosive offenses in the country. They'll be led by another 5-star receiver in
Johnny Wilson, along with other top college prospects in senior quarterback
Jaden Casey, sophomore receiver
Larry Turner (12 offers, including Florida and LSU) and senior running back
Jyden King (Washington State commit).
15. Liberty (Brentwood)2018 record: 13-1
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 74
First game: Aug. 23 at Vacaville
Outlook: The Lions won the school's first state title last season beating Sierra Canyon in the CIF Division 1-A championship. Will be good on both sides of the ball, but especially on offense with 2020 Oregon commit
Jay Butterfield back at quarterback and outstanding linemen
Payton Zdroik and
Akili Calhoun. Liberty returns 12 starters, six on each side of the ball.
16. Corona del Mar (Newport Beach)2018 record: 11-2-1
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 95
First game: Aug. 23 vs. Downey
Outlook: With a whopping 15 starters back, including 10 on offense, the Sea Kings figure to improve on last year's banner season. Among the offensive standouts are senior quarterback and Washington commit
Ethan Garbers, Stanford-bound senior receiver
John Humphreys, 6-4, 245-pound tight end
Mark Redman (another Washington commit), senior receiver
Bradley Schlom and junior running back
Jason Vicencio. They scored 491 points in 2018 and could surpass the 500-mark this season.
17. Central (Fresno)2018 record: 13-1
Preseason national computer rank: 73
First game: Aug. 23 vs. Edison (Fresno)
Outlook: With 16 starters back and additions from a 9-1 JV team, the Grizzlies should be a large-division threat throughout the state. They have college experience, speed and college prospects throughout the 58-man roster, including senior wide receiver
Jeremiah Hunter (Cal commit), 6-4, 359-pound defensive tackle
Ricky Correia (Arizona, Colorado offers), senior running back
Quali Conley and 6-2, 367-pound guard
Dwight Tatum. The big challenge will be replacing quarterback Trent Tompkins, now at UC Davis.
Central wide receiver Jeremiah Hunter is a Cal commit.
File photo Gary Jones
18. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks)2018 record: 9-4
Preseason national computer rank: 170
First game: Aug. 31 vs. Desert Vista (Phoenix, Ariz.) at neutral site
Outlook: It all starts with defense for legendary coach Kevin Rooney, whose team returns nine starters, including 6-1, 215-pound inside junior linebacker
Jake Moore and senior cornerback
Sean Guyton. The offense is in fine shape with 6-3, 200-pound junior dual-threat quarterback
Cooper Meek.
19. Grace Brethren (Simi Valley)2018 record: 14-2
Preseason national computer rank: 46
First game: Aug. 23 at Aquinas (San Bernandino)
Outlook: Josh Henderson continues to build this small-school juggernaut into a state power. The Lancers return 13 starters to last year's state 2-AA title squad, a year after losing in the state 2-A championship game. Among the top returners are senior linebacker/running back
Josh Henderson (six college offers), senior defensive end/fullback
Soane Toia (6-0, 270) and senior wide receiver
Nate Bennett (5 offers). The Lancers will be tested with games against ranked squads Oaks Christian and Sierra Canyon.
20. La Habra2018 record: 7-4
Preseason national computer rank: 236
First game: Aug. 22 at 12 Upland
Outlook: One of the Southern Section's most consistent programs, the Highlanders should enter elite territory with the likes of some elite talent, led by 5-star cornerback and receiver
Clark Phillips III. The 5-11, 178-pound senior has 36 college offers, but he's already committed to Ohio State. Coach Frank Mazzotta has much more to work with on the team's 61-man roster, including Pennsylvania-bound quarterback
Ryan Zanelli (3,180 yards passing, 42 touchdowns in 2018) and 6-4, 248-pound tight end
Mason West, a Washington commit.
21. Norco2018 record: 9-3
Preseason national computer rank: 50
First game: Aug. 23 at William Field (Gilbert, Ariz.)
Outlook: With a whopping 16 starters back, including the top players at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, line and defense, coach Chuck Chastain has to feel good about where the Cougars are. It always helps to have your quarterback return and in 6-6, 235-pound
Shane Illingworth, an Oklahoma State commit, Norco has one of the state's best. He threw for 2,739 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. He has a tremendous target in
Jaden Navarrette, a 6-3, 235-pound sheer athlete, who has already committed to Oregon. The Cougars lost one of the state's top sophomore running backs Jadyn Ott (1,096 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns as a freshman), who transferred to Bishop Gorman. That will give senior wideout
Marquis Ashley even more touches.
22. Lawndale2018 record: 14-2
Preseason national computer rank: 106
First game: Aug. 30 vs. No. 13 Sierra Canyon at a neutral site
Outlook: The Cardinals are loaded with college prospects, led by senior safety
Makell Esteen (Pac-12 offers), senior defensive end
Tuli Tuipulotu (14 offers, including Stanford), senior cornerback
Elijah Jackson (16 offers) and senior quarterback
Jalon Daniels (eight offers).
Makell Esteen (7), Lawndale
File photo by Louis Lopez
23. Orange Lutheran (Orange)2018 record: 5-6
Preseason national computer rank: 126
First game: Aug. 23 vs. San Juan Hills
Outlook: Playing out of the Trinity League, you can just throw out the records. Orange Lutheran has 11 starters returning from last season, including a pair of stud inside linebackers/fullbacks in
Ethan Howard (6-0, 225) and
Jonah Laban (6-0, 230). Junior cornerback Robert Regan is gaining plenty of college attention. Replacing graduated quarterback Ryan Hilinski and his favorite target Kyle Ford won't be easy.
24. Buchanan (Clovis)2018 record: 10-3
Preseason national computer rank: 119
First game: Aug. 24 vs. No. 6 Narbonne
Outlook: Kendall Milton, a 6-2, 225-pound senior tailback, earns a lot of attention. He's ranked the No. 4 running back in the country, the No. 22 recruit overall and he recently committed to Georgia. He's also rushed for more than 3,200 career yards and 56 touchdowns. But there's much more to the Bears, who not only open with No. 6 Narbonne, but also travel to No. 4 De La Salle on Sept. 20. Other top players include senior cornerback
CJ Jones (offers from Fresno State, San Jose State and UNLV) and 6-2, 255-pound senior linebacker
Matt Merritt (Arizona offer).
25. Servite (Anaheim)2018 record: 4-5
Preseason national computer rank: 79
First game: Aug. 30 at JW North (Riverside)
Outlook: With 18 starters returning, coach Troy Thomas has his Friars back into the conversation. Other than quarterback, Servite returns key players at every position and then some, including 6-5, 230-pound senior tight end
Jake Overman (14 offers), two-way linemen
Nick Martinez (6-6, 300, Kansas commit) and
Jeminai Leuta-Ulu (6-4, 295, UNLV commit), and senior receivers
Zedakiah Centers and
Ender Aguilar (6-5, 245, Cal commit).