MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 High School Football Rankings

It's pretty big news when eight out of 25 ranked teams lose games. When five of those losses are to other ranked teams, it makes the shock value go down a bit.

We saw four lower-ranked teams beat squads above them, showing that the depth this season might be even better than last year.

League play begins in a couple places, and that's good and bad. The bad is that Long Beach Poly is now in the Moore League schedule, so no marquee games there. The great news is that the Mission League schedule begins.

We welcome Corona del Mar with its 30-game winning streak, Chino Hills with wins over two ranked teams, Loyola with its stingy defense and Mission Hills with a lofty local ranking in San Diego. Bishop Amat, Rancho Verde, Upland and Oaks Christian have left the fray for now.

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1. (1 last week) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 3-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 1 state, 3 national, 4 Xcellent 25

The Braves took the week off to prepare for their game at Bishop Gorman, which will be televised nationally.

2. (2) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 3-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 3 state, 6 national, 7 Xcellent 25

The Monarchs moved up a spot in the Xcellent 25 with a 28-14 triumph over Upland. They broke open a halftime tie with 14 unanswered points and got a pair of scoring passes from Jack Lowary (14 of 25). The defense recorded five sacks and recovered a pair of fumbles for Mater Dei, which goes to Edison (Huntington Beach) on Friday.

3. (3) Alemany (Mission Hills), 4-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 8 state, 30 national

The Warriors won 45-15 over Dorsey to stay perfect. Dominic Davis returned an interception 99 yards for a score and added another on offense, plus Desean Holmes hauled in a scoring pass. Davis ran for 215 yards, according to the Los Angeles Times.

4. (6) Servite (Anaheim), 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 7 state, 22 national

The Friars, just like Mater Dei, were in halftime tie to a solid public school team before breaking out in the second half. Servite won 42-21 over Edison (Huntington Beach) thanks to 28 second-half points, and Travis Waller was 20 of 28 for 327 yards. Tate Beachley recorded a 78-yard touchdown run as well. Life will be tough this week, as Servite heads north to take on De La Salle.

5. (5) Chaminade (West Hills), 4-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 9 state, 41 national

The Eagles stay pat after they took a 45-20 victory over Birmingham, where coach Ed Croson has built a behemoth in the past. Chaminade racked up 589 yards of total offense, as Edward Sias completed nine of his 14 attempts for 214 yards and two touchdowns and the defense grabbed three interceptions. Chaminade scored on each of its first five possessions, according to the LA Daily News. Chaminade hosts newly ranked Loyola on Friday.

6. (17) Centennial (Corona), 2-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 6 state, 20 national

The Huskies were dropped earlier this season in somewhat of a clerical gaffe but they certainly have earned their climb to the No. 6 spot after beating Long Beach Poly by a 42-34 score. They entered the fourth quarter up 42-20. Nate Ketteringham and Anthony Catalano combined to toss three touchdowns, and JJ Taylor ran 22 times for 200 yards and two scores. A road goad at Valencia won't be an easy one, but the Huskies are showing that they're better than their record.

7. (4) Long Beach Poly, 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 10 state, 57 national

The Jackrabbits fell from the Xcellent 25 after their 42-34 loss at Centennial in which a fourth-quarter comeback came up short. While Josh Love did throw for 351 yards and three touchdowns, there were also two interceptions. Jeremy Calhoun ran 15 times for 79 yards and scored a touchdown. Now it's time for the Moore League schedule, one that Poly always breezes through. Don't expect to hear much about the Jackrabbits until playoff time. They go to Cabrillo (Long Beach) on Friday.

8. (7) Serra (Gardena), 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 19 state, 89 national

The Cavaliers won 37-14 over a Narbonne team that is downright tough to shake, getting 100 yards on 10 carries from Darrion Naylor and two interceptions by the defense. Narbonne actually led 14-10 at the half before Serra's 20-point fourth quarter. Serra will begin Mission League play with a home game against No. 12 Notre Dame on Friday.

9. (11) JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 4-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 5 state, 18 national

This team appears to be a legitimate hurdle to any squad that wants a Trinity League title. The knock on the Lions was their schedule, but a 42-28 win over St. Bonaventure was a sign that these Lions are ready to contend. Edward Vander scored twice, once on a pass and once on a 72-yard run, and Ethan Aguayo tallied a TD on a catch and a kickoff return, according to the LA Times. JSerra will host St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) Friday before Trinity League play begins.

10. (12) Edison (Fresno), 4-0
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 15 state, 79 national

The Tigers look like they are for real, folks. They're certainly the best in the Central Section, as their 21-20 triumph over Clovis North gives them wins over the other ranked teams from the section - each by one point. DeAndre Lockhart scores from 4 yards out with 8:20 left in the game and Bill Xiong's extra point proved to be the game winner, according to the Fresno Bee. Xiong had missed a field goal try and an extra point attempt earlier. Edison has a bye this week.

11. (8) Westlake (Westlake Village), 2-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 27 state, 178 national

The Warriors had a bye. They host Dominguez (Compton) on Friday night.

12. (9) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 3-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 26 state, 164 national

The Knights also had a bye. They travel to Serra (Gardena) for a great Friday night matchup.

13. (15) Oceanside, 4-0
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 11 state, 59 national

Say hello to the top-ranked team in the San Diego Section, according to the U-T San Diego poll. The Pirates won 42-23 against San Pasqual after leading 35-10 at the half. Caleb Ramirez ran for 133 yards, and Johnny Arzola caught five balls for 159 yards and a score. Oceanside goes to Rancho Buena Vista on Friday.

14. (14) Bakersfield, 2-1
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 20 state, 100 national

Normally a win over Crenshaw is worth a lot more. But the Drillers caught them on a really bad year. They won 42-12, getting a 3-for-8 passing performance from KeAyr Gragg with two touchdowns. The rest was running and that went to the tune of 264 combined yards. Next up is a trip to Los Angeles to face Salesian on Friday.

15. (14) Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 13 state, 67 national

The Eagles lost 41-10 to Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas). They're hardly the first team to leave Vegas saddled with a loss, so it's tough to knock them too far down. Gorman outscored the Eagles 21-0 in the second half. Kyle Sweet nabbed 10 passes for 199 yards and KJ Costello tallied 320 passing yards. They host Venice on Friday.

16. (NR) Corona del Mar (Newport Beach), 4-0
Classifications: Southern (Southwest), State II
Ranks: 14 state, 74 national

The Sea Kings have picked up right where they left off after last season's state title. Friday's 28-18 victory against Newport Harbor simply made it too tough to leave this smaller school out of the mix. CDM shut out its first two opponents and has now won an impressive 30 games in a row. That streak will face a serious challenge Friday against Tesoro.

17. (18) Orange Lutheran, 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 28 state, 184 national

The Lancers once again breezed, taking down Cabrillo (Long Beach) 52-8. In their three wins they have averaged seven points allowed. Six different players rushed for touchdowns and L.J. Northington was 9-for-10 passing with 201 yards. The defense snagged three interceptions as well. A road trip to Vista Murrieta on Friday will be a very good way to gauge just how good this team is, which took Centennial down to the wire but has otherwise bludgeoned lesser opponents.

18. (23) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 3-1
Classifications: San Diego (Eastern), State I
Ranks: 12 state, 63 national

The Dons once again found a way to grind out a low-scoring victory, and this one was big. Against former U-T San Diego No. 1 Helix, the Dons emerged with a 9-7 triumph behind a 25-yard field goal from Tim Semenza and a touchdown pass from Clayton Dale to Kai Walter from 17 yards out. Slugfests are becoming the norm for Cathedral Catholic. Need proof? Look at the stats: They recorded 227 total yards and allowed 137 - quite low for a prep game. The Dons go to Newbury Park to get a crack at the Southern Section on Friday.

19. (10) Helix (La Mesa), 2-1
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 17 state, 81 national

The Highlanders lost 9-7 to Cathedral Catholic, getting a rushing touchdown from Jihad Woods but not much else on offense. They had to drop this far because Cathedral Catholic couldn't go much higher. Nathan Stinson did run 15 times for 88 yards. Helix, now fourth in the U-T rankings, hosts Ramona on Friday.

20. (19) St. Bonaventure (Ventura), 2-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 24 state, 153 national

The Seraphs dropped a 42-28 decision to JSerra Catholic to fall to 2-2. Still, their two losses are to ranked teams. According to the LA Times, Chris Santoyo scored from 80 yards out and Lavan Alston caught eight passes for 176 yards and a score. Ricky Town was sacked five times, according to the story. They host Upland on Friday.

21. (21) Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita), 3-1
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State II
Ranks: 29 state, 201 national

The Titans whipped West Covina 38-0 (though the Orange County Register says 38-7). Devon Modster, a name all fans should start getting to know, threw for 197 yards. Next up is a huge home game against Corona del Mar on Friday.

22. (NR) Mission Hills (San Marcos), 3-1
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 44 state, 316 national

The Grizzlies, Regional Bowl Game participants last year, are now in the rankings. U-T San Diego has them second, but we differ, having them as the No. 4 SDS team in the rankings as of now. A 42-28 loss to Timpview of Utah started their season on a down note but now the Grizzlies have three consecutive wins, including shutouts in the last two weeks. We wouldn't be shocked one bit if this team wins the SDS Open Division, but for now, there are better resumes in the area. Mission Hills goes to Escondido High on Friday.

23. (NR) Loyola (Los Angeles), 4-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 22 state, 135 national

The Cubs are 18th in the LA Times rankings and have a solid Computer Rankings number, so let's see what they can do in the Mission League. In three of its four games, Loyola has yielded just six points each. And the other one was a good win, 42-35 over St. Augustine (San Diego). The problem here is that the Mission League is a murderer's row, so staying in the rankings will be tough. Loyola goes to Chaminade on Friday.

24. (NR) Chino Hills, 3-1
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 18 state, 87 national

We welcome the Huskies after they won 45-28 over Bishop Amat, which was ranked 16th last week. Chino Hills also beat Hart in Week 1, another ranked squad. And the only loss is to JSerra, so this squad is certainly deserving. Interestingly, Chino Hills gets Rancho Cucamonga and Upland (each formerly ranked) in the first two weeks of Baseline League play after a battle at Victor Valley this Friday, so there will be a big chance to move higher.

25. (24) Clovis North (Fresno), 2-2
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 47 state, 321 national

The Broncos played a one-point game for the second week in a row but it was not a good result this time, as they lost to Edison (Fresno) 21-20. Once again, we were tempted to drop them, but still feel like Clovis North is a quality team that deserves a ranking. They go to Merced this Friday, and for the Broncos, any loss in the regular season is sure to get them ousted. Six straight wins might not even be enough, should Edison or Folsom (teams that beat Clovis North) lose.

Dropped out: 16. Bishop Amat, 20. Rancho Verde, 22. Upland, 25. Oaks Christian.