High school football rankings: Mater Dei headlines CIF Southern Section Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

All-American quarterback Elijah Brown leads Monarchs into season as No. 1 team in section, nation.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Thomas Frey
By
Aug 8, 2023, 11:30am
The 2023 high school football season kicks off this week for a handful of teams in the CIF Southern Section and MaxPreps has your look at the section's top teams. Mater Dei owns the No. 1 spot in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25.

Mater Dei (Santa Ana) went 12-1 last season, beating teams from Hawaii, Nevada and Utah on the way to a No. 3 final national ranking. The Monarchs begin the season Aug. 18 and have games against teams from Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland and Utah this season.

The season begins on Friday in Hawaii this week for No. 11 Long Beach Poly (Long Beach), which heads to Konawaena (Kealakekua, Hawaii) (ranked No. 8 in Hawaii). Villa Park takes on Damien (Honolulu) (No. 23 in Hawaii), while No. 14 Edison (Huntington Beach,) travels to Baldwin (Wailuku, Hawaii).

St. John Bosco (Bellflower) comes in at No. 2 in the section and No. 3 in the nation. The Braves begin the season at home Aug. 18 against Liberty (Henderson, Nev.) before taking on nationally ranked St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) in Florida the following week.

Rankings are computer-generated, factoring in past results and adjustments such as returners and statistical data when available.
With Elijah Brown under center, Mater Dei piled up 38.5 points per game in 2022. The Monarchs enter the season at No. 1 nationally and in the CIF Southern Section MaxPreps Top 25 rankings. (Photo: Louis Lopez)
With Elijah Brown under center, Mater Dei piled up 38.5 points per game in 2022. The Monarchs enter the season at No. 1 nationally and in the CIF Southern Section MaxPreps Top 25 rankings. (Photo: Louis Lopez)
CIF Southern Section Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 12-1 record in 2022
2. St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 13-1
3. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth), 10-5
4. Centennial (Corona), 9-2
5. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 6-6
6. Mission Viejo, 10-2
7. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 6-5
8. Serra (Gardena), 7-5
9. Orange Lutheran (Orange), 7-5
10. Los Alamitos, 9-3
11. Long Beach Poly (Long Beach), 10-1
12. Rancho Cucamonga, 9-3
13. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village), 7-4
14. Edison (Huntington Beach), 9-2
15. Warren (Downey), 9-2
16. Chaparral (Temecula), 7-5
17. Bishop Amat (La Puente), 9-4
18. Yorba Linda, 14-1
19. Murrieta Valley (Murrieta), 6-5
20. Oak Hills (Hesperia), 11-1
21. Upland, 9-5
22. San Clemente, 7-4
23. Etiwanda, 9-6
24. St. Bonaventure (Ventura), 7-4
25. Bishop Diego (Santa Barbara), 9-4

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