MaxPreps NorCal Top 25 high school football rankings

1. (Last week 1) De La Salle (Concord), 3-1
Section: North Coast
League: East Bay
Coach: Justin Alumbaugh
Update: The Spartans stormed to a 28-0 lead at Folsom, then led 42-14 and won 42-27 in a meeting of NorCal heavies. Dorian Hale rushed for four scores in expertly running the veer offense, and the team had 268 yards on the ground. The unbeaten streak against NorCal teams north of Fresno is now 302 (with two ties). De La Salle is is 387-5-2 against NorCal opponents since 1984. The Spartans have won 27 consecutive North Coast Section crowns and have been to 12 successive CIF State finals (those games started in 2006) and 10 in succession in the Open Division.
Next: vs. Buchanan (Clovis), Friday

2. (2) Folsom, (2-1)
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Coach: Paul Doherty
Update: The two-time defending CIF State Division I-AA champion Bulldogs lost to the same team that last handed them their previous setback: De La Salle. A year ago, it was a 14-0 defeat to the Spartans. On Friday, it was a 42-27 loss, though team anchors Jake Reithmeier, Daniyel Ngata, DeShawn Lynch and especially Elijhah Badger showed they can compete against anyone. Folsom is 128-11 this decade with four CIF State banners, seven section titles and two 14-0 teams that lost to De La Salle in the since-dropped NorCal Open Division finals in 2012 and 2013. Folsom has not lost an SFL game since being realigned to the super league in 2013.
Next: vs. Oak Ridge, Friday

3. (5) Serra (San Mateo), 3-0
Section: Central Coast
League: West Catholic Athletic
Coach: Patrick Walsh
Update: Two time CIF Northern California winners in recent years, the Padres beat another stellar team, taking out St. Mary's 56-28, following wins over Pittsburg (58-21) and Menlo-Atherton (38-13). Nate Sanchez ran for three scores and caught a touchdown from Daylin McLemore, who impressed again at quarterback. For now, this is the best team in the Central Coast Section.
Next: vs. Riordan, Sept. 27

4. (4) Valley Christian (San Jose), 3-0
Section: Central Coast
League: West Catholic Athletic
Coach: Mike Machado
Update: The defending CCS Open Division II champion defeated Clovis West 34-12 as Isaiah McElvane ran for 132 yards and a score and Chase Laubach for 104 and two.
Next: vs. Saint Francis, Sept. 27

5. (3) Liberty (Brentwood), 4-0
Section: North Coast
League: Bay Valley
Coach: Ryan Partridge
Update: The defending CIF State 1-A champion Lions defeated Monte Vista 24-21 as Darrion Bartley ran for 199 yards on 40 carries. Earlier wins were over Clayton Valley Charter, Vacaville and Oakdale.
Next: vs. Cardinal Newman, Friday

6. (7) Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hill), 3-0
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Coach: Eric Cavaliere
Update: The Trojans had a bye, which followed a non-contest against Bishop Manogue of Reno, which had to forfeit due to players and coaches suffering from food poisoning from a team meal. A league opener against rival Folsom looms as the early Game of the Year for the Sierra Foothill League.
Next: vs. Folsom, Friday

7. (9) Inderkum (Sacramento), 3-0
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Capital Valley
Coach: Terry Stark
Update: The Tigers were idle. They have early big wins over Del Oro and Elk Grove and loom as prohibitive favorites in the Capital Valley Conference.
Next: vs. Bella Vista, Friday

8. (15) Clayton Valley Charter (Concord), 2-1
Section: North Coast
League: East Bay Athletic
Coach: Tim Murphy
Update: The Ugly Eagles rolled Overfelt 69-6 with a punishing rushing attack, including Omari Taylor rushing for 172 yards and Rahsaan Woodland going for 150. The loss was 28-27 in overtime to Liberty. CVC has had seasons of 12-2, 11-2, 15-1, 13-2 and two 9-2 seasons this decade.
Next: vs. Canyon Springs, Friday

9. (13) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa), 4-0
Section: North Coast
League: North Bay
Coach: Paul Cronin
Update: The Cardinals rallied to beat Placer 30-27 on the road with a late Jackson Pavitt touchdown pass. An earlier win was over longtime Northern Section power Sutter 21-7. The lone loss last season was to Liberty. This program in the 1970s had the state record for consecutive wins at 47.
Next: vs. Liberty, Friday

10. (8) Monte Vista (Danville), 2-1
Section: North Coast
League: East Bay
Coach: Matt Russi
Update: The Mustangs lost to Liberty 24-21, undone by a tying field-goal attempt that hit the upright. Jack Stewardson hit Nate Rutchena for three touchdown passes. An early big win was over Granite Bay.
Next: vs. Bishop O'Dowd, Friday

11. (10) Pittsburg, 3-1
Section: North Coast
League: Bay Valley
Coach: Vic Galli
Update: The Pirates belted Bishop O'Dowd 56-10 as Avant Muldrow ran for 126 yards and three scores and Jerry Johnson tossed three touchdown passes. The loss was to Serra. An early big win was over St. Mary's, 42-35. Pittsburg is the last NorCal program to defeat De La Salle, doing so in the 1991 North Coast Section finals.
Next: vs. Wilcox, Friday
12. (14) Wilcox (Santa Clara), 2-1
Section: Central Coast
League: De Anza
Coach: Paul Rosa
Update: The defending CIF State 3-A champion Chargers beat Leland 49-34 despite not having leading rusher Paul Rosa, son of the coach (groin). The loss was to Valley Christian 23-13.
Next: vs. Pittsburg, Friday

13. (12) Menlo-Atherton (Atherton), 1-2
Section: Central Coast
League: Peninsula Bay
Coach: Steve Papin
Update: The defending CIF 3-AA state champions lost to Utah power East 49-20 after being up 20-7. The other loss was to Serra 38-13 at Levi's Stadium. A fun one looms against Folsom.
Next: vs. Folsom, Sept. 27.

14. (6) Monterey Trail (Elk Grove), 3-1
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Metro
Coach: TJ Ewing
Update: Coming off a 12-1 season, the Mustangs suffered their first regular-season setback since 2017, a stunning 36-35 setback to upstart Cosumnes Oaks. Monterey Trail is still the overwhelming favorite to repeat as Metro League champions. The Mustangs lost to Folsom in the section Division I finals in 2018.
Next: vs. Paraclete, Sept. 27

15. (11) St. Mary's (Stockton), 1-2
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Tri-City
Coach: Tony Franks
Update: The Rams lost to Serra 56-28 in a game that felt much closer. This is the most difficult schedule in program history, including a loss to Pittsburg 42-35 with De La Salle also looming.
Next: vs. Mission Viejo, Friday

16. (18) McClymonds (Oakland), 3-0
Section: Oakland
League: OAL
Coach: Michael Peters
Update: The Warriors of the East Bay beat Campolindo 41-21 as Gary Alexander Jr. ran for 138 yards and three scores, and the Mack defense recorded two touchdowns. An earlier win was 19-7 over Marin Catholic. McClymonds has won two CIF State titles since 2016 with a 12-0 team in 2010, a 12-1 team in 2015 and going 12-2 a year ago.
Next: vs. Downey, Friday

17. (20) Marin Catholic (Kentfield), 3-1
Section: North Coast
League: Marin County
Coach: Mazi Moayed
Update:  The Wildcats beat Monterey 41-0 which followed a 35-9 effort over Mitty. The loss was 19-7 to McClymonds. Marin Catholic teams have had teams go 12-1, 14-1, 14-2, 13-1, 12-2 and 12-1 this decade.
Next: vs. Antioch, Friday

18. (21) Turlock, 3-1
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Central California
Coach: James Peterson
Update: Top ranked by FrontRowPreps.com, the Bulldogs beat Sheldon 14-6 as the defense allowed just 2.8 yards per play against a prolific team. The loss was to Clayton Valley Charter, 21-7.
Next: vs. Central, Friday

19. (17) Buhach Colony (Atwater), 4-0
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Central California
Coach: Kevin Navarra
Update: The Thunder beat Weston Ranch 71-14 with more relentless running and defense. Buhach Colony's best teams were the 12-1 outfits in 2010 and 2011, though this one is getting into that best-yet argument.
Next: vs. Patterson, Friday

20. (19) Saint Francis (Mountain View), 1-2
Section: Central Coast
League: West Catholic Athletic
Coach: Greg Calcagno
Update: The Lancers, CIF state winners in 2017, beat Oak Grove 44-12 as Ryan Daly tossed a touchdown pass and Camilo Arquette ran for two touchdowns. Saint Francis has lost to state-ranked Corona del Mar and to NorCal No. 1 De La Salle in a brutal start to open the season.
Next: vs. Valley Christian, Sept. 27

21. (26) Del Oro (Loomis), 3-1
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Coach: Jeff Walters
Update: Reliable cogs such as Sheldon Conde and Aiden Foster have kept the machine rolling in Placer County, the lone loss coming to Inderkum. Del Oro won section and NorCal titles last season and reached its sixth CIF State final this decade.
Next: vs. Granite Bay, Friday

22. (23) Las Lomas (Walnut Creek), 4-0
Section: North Coast
League: Diablo
Coach: Doug Longero
Update: The Knights rolled Tennyson 56-0 with early wins over Bishop O'Dowd (27-14) and Milpitas (35-7). Las Lomas went 1-19 during the 2015 and 2016 seasons and went 12-1 last season.
Next: vs. Vanden, Sept. 27

23. (27) Davis, 4-0
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Delta
Coach: Steve Smyte
Update: The Blue Devils were a storied program in the 1970s, '80s and into the '90s before the decline hit, and they have roared back under fiery coach Smyte, looming as a Delta contender.
Next: vs. Elk Grove, Friday

24. (28) Rocklin, 3-1
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Coach: Jason Adams
Update: The Thunder have produced powerhouse teams for years, including a 14-1 group that played for a CIF State championship. First-year head coach Adams was the longtime defensive coordinator.
Next: vs. Whitney, Friday

25. (16) Capital Christian (Sacramento), 2-2
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Capital Athletic
Coach: Casey Taylor
Update: The big win was 32-7 over Cosumnes Oaks, which just upset previous No. 6 Monterey Trail, 36-35. The losses are to state and national powers Vista Murrieta and Chandler (Ariz).
Next: vs. Christian Brothers, Friday

The next 10
26. Los Gatos — 3-0
27. California (San Ramon) — 3-0
28. Paradise — 3-0
29. Elk Grove — (2-1)
30. Vacaville — 2-2
31. Granite Bay — 2-2
32. Campolindo (Moraga) — 3-1
33. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) — 2-1
34. Palma (Salinas) — 2-1
35. Oakdale — 2-2



Joe Davidson has covered high school sports for The Sacramento Bee since 1988. Follow him on Twitter: SacBee_JoeD and on Instagram: JoeDavidsonMedia