MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 high school football rankings

Video: Plays of the Week (Nov. 13 - Nov. 20) #MPTopPlay

With all due respect to the Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard, we're keeping St. John Bosco at No. 2 instead of leapfrogging the Braves over Centennial for the top spot in Southern California.

Centennial hasn't done anything to lose the top spot, and we all know that the Braves are more than worthy of the consideration. But with the way things are going in the Pac-5, this debate could be settled next week at Angel Stadium in Anaheim as the teams face off for the title.

The only new team is Rancho Cucamonga, which was ranked earlier this season. Rancho Cucamonga eliminated Tesoro to get in, and now Tesoro is hanging on at No. 25.

Read through to find out about everybody's most recent game and their next opponent, and click here to see all the MaxPreps California playoff brackets.


1. (1 last week) Centennial (Corona), 12-0
Classification: Southern Section, Big VIII League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 2 state, 2 national, 2 Xcellent 25

The Huskies beat Orange Lutheran for the second time this season, this time by a 49-27 score. It was 49-7 entering the final quarter. They rushed for 285 yards, impressive against such a good defense. They go to Mater Dei on Friday.

2. (2) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 12-0
Classification: Southern Section, Trinity League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 1 state, 1 national, 1 Xcellent 25

The Braves just kept on rolling, eliminating Loyola in a 52-14 win. It was 31-0 at the half, and Sean McGrew went wild for 227 yards on 22 carries. They host Bishop Amat on Friday.

3. (3) Mission Viejo, 12-0
Classification: Southern Section, South Coast League, West Valley Division
Rankings: 6 state, 25 national

The Diablos took down Murrieta Valley, 42-21, using a fourth-quarter explosion to break open what was a close game. They will look to stay undefeated against Chino Hills on Friday.

4. (6) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 10-2
Classification: Southern Section, Trinity League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 5 state, 13 national

The Monarchs edged Serra, 28-27, showing serious guile. They scored on a fumble recovery in the final two minutes to get it to 27-26 then went for the 2-point conversion and got it to win. Chase Ault also scored on a blocked field goal in the first quarter. They will battle Corona Centennial on Friday.

5. (4) Bishop Amat (La Puente), 10-2
Classification: Southern Section, Mission League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 4 state, 11 national

The Lancers continued their blazing-hot offensive onslaught in the postseason, winning 61-40 over previously undefeated Oaks Christian. Torreahno Sweet ran for an incredible 380 yards with three scores on 34 carries. Now comes the biggest game of the year - at St. John Bosco.

6. (5) Long Beach Poly, 5-5 *Season over
Classification: Southern Section, Moore League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 28 state, 263 national

The Jackrabbits missed the playoffs due to three forfeit losses.

7. (7) Narbonne (Harbor City), 10-2
Classification: Los Angeles City Section, Marine League, Division I
Rankings: 43 state, 461 national

The Gauchos beat San Pedro for the second time in three weeks, this time 55-24. They trailed 10-0 then slammed the door shut. And they only passed for 70 yards, choosing instead to rack up 353 rushing yards. The No. 1 seed will host Dorsey on Friday.

8. (8) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village), 11-1 *Season over
Classification: Southern Section, Marmonte League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 13 state, 119 national

The Lions lost 61-40 to Bishop Amat, ending their undefeated season. Michael Pittman had a spectacular game with 16 catches for 354 yards and five touchdowns.

9. (9) Serra (Gardena), 9-3 *Season over
Classification: Southern Section, Mission League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 10 state, 95 national

The Cavaliers lost 28-27 to Mater Dei, as they were hurt by a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown and a fumble taken back for a score. Khalil Tate rushed 28 times for 356 yards and two scores in the loss.

10. (10) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta), 11-1
Classification: Southern Section, Southwestern League, West Valley Division
Rankings: 15 state, 137 national

The Broncos broke a fourth-quarter tie with Upland and won 21-14. We can't move them up just yet, as they need to likely reach the title game to leapfrog the teams above the. Vista Murrieta faces Rancho Cucamonga on Friday.

11. (11) Mission Hills (San Marcos), 11-0
Classification: San Diego Section, Avocado East League, Open Division
Rankings: 23 state, 205 national

The Grizzlies earned their third shutout of the season, winning 47-0 over La Costa Canyon. They are seeded third and will face No. 2 St. Augustine in the Open Division on Friday.

12. (12) Helix (La Mesa), 9-1
Classification: San Diego Section, Grossmont Hills League, Open Division
Rankings: 8 state, 71 national

The Highlanders lived up to their top seed number by eliminating Madison, 56-34. Mekhi Stevenson caught four passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Cathedral Catholic will be their opponent on Friday.

13. (13) Camarillo, 12-0
Classification: Southern Section, Camino League, Northern Division
Rankings: 11 state, 102 national

The Scorpions are crushing the Northern Division thus far. They won 38-7 over St. Joseph (Santa Maria) behind 20 rushes for 168 yards and two scores by Isaiah Otis. Bishop Diego (Santa Barbara) is up next on Friday.

14. (14) Norco, 8-3 *Season over
Classification: Southern Section, Big VIII League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 29 state, 267 national

The Cougars lost to Bishop Amat in the opening round.

15. (15) Chaminade (West Hills), 7-4 *Season over
Classification: Southern Section, Mission League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 21 state, 193 national

The Eagles lost to Centennial in the opening round.

16. (17) JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 7-3 *Season over
Classification: Southern Section, Trinity League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 18 state, 178 national

The Lions did not make the playoffs.

17. (18) Orange Lutheran, 6-6 *Season over
Classification: Southern Section, Trinity League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 14 state, 132 national

The Lancers lost to Centennial for the second time this season, 49-27. Lj Northington passed for three touchdowns and ran for another.

18. (19) La Habra, 11-1
Classification: Southern Section, Freeway League, Southwest Division
Rankings: 22 state, 201 national

The Highlanders took down Laguna Hills, 42-14, and they haven't allowed more than 14 points in any game since Sept. 18. They face Villa Park on Friday.

19. (20) Loyola (Los Angeles), 9-3 *Season over
Classification: Southern Section, Mission League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 12 state, 118 national

The Cubs are done after losing 52-14 to St. John Bosco. Their three losses this season were to Serra, St. John Bosco and Bishop Amat.

20. (21) St. Augustine (San Diego), 9-2
Classification: San Diego Section, Eastern League, Open Division
Rankings: 17 state, 173 national

The Saints took down Eastlake (Chula Vista) 54-14 to stay alive as the No. 2 seed in the Open Division. They scored 33 points in the second quarter and four of Rodney Thompson's eight completions went for touchdowns. They face Mission Hills on Friday.

21. (22) Chino Hills, 10-2
Classification: Southern Section, Baseline League, West Valley Division
Rankings: 31 state, 315 national

The Huskies have now won eight in a row after a tight 16-14 victory over Valencia, which always plays well in the postseason. They will battle Mission Viejo on Friday.

22. (23) Arroyo Grande, 11-1
Classification: Southern Section, Pac-5 League, Northern Division
Rankings: 41 state, 444 national

The Eagles dominated Antelope Valley, winning 41-0 behind 144 yards and three touchdowns by running back Bradley Mickey. They host Thousand Oaks on Friday.

23. (24) Calabasas, 11-1
Classification: Southern Section, Canyon League, Western Division
Rankings: 39 state, 435 national

The Coyotes felled a very good Lawndale team, 33-7. Tristan Gebbia went 25-for-43 with 325 yards and three touchdowns in the victory. They face Redondo Union Friday in the semifinals.

24. (NR) Rancho Cucamonga, 9-3
Classification: Southern Section, Baseline League, West Valley Division
Rankings: 20 state, 187 national

We welcome the Cougars back after they whacked Tesoro, 53-28 to reach the semifinals. They rushed for 319 yards, led by 179 on 21 carries by Aaron Manning. They will battle Vista Murrieta on Friday.

25. (16) Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita), 9-3 *Season over
Classification: Southern Section, South Coast League, West Valley Division
Rankings: 30 state, 283 national

The Titans saw their season end in a 53-28 loss to Rancho Cucamonga. Their spot here is precarious, but they do have a wonderful resume overall.

Dropped out: 25. Upland