MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 High School Football Rankings

Despite being among the top squads in all of Southern California, a handful of teams in this week's SoCal Top 25 are fighting to even get into the playoffs. A couple other teams pretty much have no shot.

Welcome to the world of teams in superleagues, like the Trinity and Mission, where even the worst teams in the standings are still among the best in the area.

We welcome Mission Viejo into the rankings thanks to eight wins in a row, including one of them being over Tesoro in league play. Orange Lutheran drops out with a winless Trinity League record. Sure, the Lancers are a very good team (they don't get blown out) but it's about time we drop a Trinity team.

Playoff brackets will be coming out this weekend, with specific release times depending on sections and divisions. Click here to see the MaxPreps national playoff page.

Be sure to follow @lelandmaxpreps and @lamaxpreps for information specific to Southern California. Also, the California Computer Rankings can be accessed by clicking here.


1. (1 last week) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 8-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 1 state, 3 national, 7 Xcellent 25

The Braves wrapped up the Trinity League title with a 49-26 victory over Servite, putting it away in the fourth quarter. Josh Rosen tossed three touchdowns and Clifford Simms led the team with 126 rushing yards to go with a touchdown.They host Santa Margarita on Thursday.

2. (2) Centennial (Corona), 7-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 8 state, 28 national

The Huskies whipped Corona 46-7 and that sets up Thursday's game against Norco for the Big VIII league title (both teams are 4-0). They had a 39-0 lead after one quarter against Corona - so it was over quickly. JJ Taylor ran nine times for 104 yards and a score, plus Stephone Hudgens intercepted two passes.

3. (3) JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 8-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 4 state, 9 national, 24 Xcellent 25

The Lions took down Orange Lutheran, 24-20. A late touchdown provided a slight scare, but the Lions won it and are playoff-bound. JSerra got ahead 10-0 and never trailed. They host Servite on Friday.

4. (4) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 7-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 5 state, 11 national

The Monarchs made their playoff outlook a lot rosier (almost a lock) by beating Santa Margarita 19-14. Four field goals from Elias Deeb helped build a 19-0 lead, and Adrian Contreras ran 30 times for 138 yards and a score. They host Orange Lutheran on Friday.

5. (5) Long Beach Poly, 8-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 16 state, 86 national

The Jackrabbits blasted Millikan 57-0 to win the Moore League title. Justin Calhoun caught three passes for 81 yards and all three were for touchdowns. Poly is spreading the ball around during league play, as eight players rushed the ball and seven caught passes. They host Woodrow Wilson on Friday.

6. (6) Oceanside, 9-0
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 12 state, 63 national

The Pirates defeated La Costa Canyon 35-6, securing the Avocado League West title. They will face off with crosstown rival El Camino to close out the regular season on Friday.

7. (7) Crespi (Encino), 7-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 6 state, 12 national

The Celts took the week off. They will host Alemany on Friday, entering the contest in a three-way tie atop the Mission League. A win, combined with losses by Bishop Amat and Serra, would mean an outright league title.

8. (9) Bishop Amat (La Puente), 6-3
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 7 state, 18 national

The Lancers won 46-23 over Loyola to stay tied atop the Mission League. A 32-13 advantage in the second half was the catalyst. Torreahno Sweet ran 29 times for 113 yards and three scores, and Tyler Vaughns caught six passes for 123 yards and a touchdown. Next up is a Friday road game at Notre Dame.

9. (10) Serra (Gardena), 7-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 15 state, 70 national

The Cavaliers continued Chaminade's misery with a 41-28 win to stay in a three-way tie atop the Mission League. They trailed by one at the half, then held the Eagles scoreless in the second half. Khalil Tate completed seven of his 14 passes - and four went for touchdowns. The defense registered three sacks and picked off two interceptions. They host Loyola on Friday

10. (8) Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 6-3
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 9 state, 34 national

The Eagles' playoff chances took a hit after their 19-14 loss at Mater Dei. Noah Rasheed caught two scoring passes from KJ Costello in the fourth quarter but it wasn't enough to get the Eagles the victory. He caught six passes for 108 yards. A win over St. John Bosco on Friday combined with a Mater Dei loss would guarantee a playoff spot. Any other situation will require them to hope for an at-large spot.

11. (11) Bakersfield, 8-1
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 35 state, 309 national

The Drillers whacked Stockdale 49-6, and Deion Nobles recorded an interception. Friday night will be huge, as the Drillers face Liberty for the league title. Liberty beat Mission Viejo earlier this season, so certainly is a worthy opponent.

12. (13) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 9-1
Classifications: San Diego (Eastern), State I
Ranks: 11 state, 61 national

The Dons ended their regular season a week early, winning 35-3 over Mira Mesa. Hogan Irwin rushed for a pair of scores, and Clayton Dale threw two touchdown passes as well. Now the Dons will wait for the brackets to come out.

13. (14) Alemany (Mission Hills), 7-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 13 state, 65 national

The Warriors beat Notre Dame 14-10. The defense grabbed an interception and held Notre Dame to 53 rushing yards in the triumph. They face Crespi on Friday and a victory would get them one of three guaranteed playoff spots from the league. A loss puts them in a tough spot, looking for one of two at-large bids.

14. (12) Servite (Anaheim), 4-5
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 10 state, 60 national

The Friars fell victim to St. John Bosco in a 49-26 loss, their fourth in five games (all against insanely tough competition). Servite hung tough in the first half, going into halftime down by three, but couldn't keep up. Travis Waller ran 11 times for 137 yards and Tate Beachley ran 18 times for 85 yards. They go to JSerra Catholic on Friday.

15. (15) Upland, 7-2
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 17 state, 95 national

The Highlanders took down Rancho Cucamonga, 28-10, and that gave them the Baseline League title. Nathan Tilford ran 19 times for 154 yards, Malik Yoakum caught a scoring pass and the defense netted four sacks. Next up is Etiwanda.

16. (16) Westlake (Westlake Village), 7-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 19 state, 114 national

The Warriors defeated St. Bonaventure 45-28, and that means they guaranteed themselves a playoff spot from the Marmonte League. They were up 45-7 entering the final quarter. Chase Jasmin ran 18 times for 179 yards, and Malik Henry completed two touchdown passes. They will go to Oaks Christian on Friday.

17. (17) Helix (La Mesa), 8-1
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 14 state, 69 national

The Highlanders beat down Grossmont, 56-10, and that sets up a winner-take-all contest with El Capitan for the Grossmont Hills League title. Nathan Stinson carried the ball 16 times for an impressive 217 yards and three touchdowns.

18. (19) Chino Hills, 7-2
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 20 state, 122 national

The Huskies had to fight against Etiwanda, winning 38-35. Seven receivers combined for 204 yards, and Anthony Rosales intercepted a pass on defense. Next up is Los Osos on Friday.

19. (21) El Capitan (Lakeside), 9-0
Classifications: San Diego (II), State III
Ranks: 25 state, 189 national

The Vaqueros earned a 34-14 win over Mount Miguel, setting up their huge tilt with Helix on Friday for the league title. DJ Smith scored three rushing touchdowns to go with 159 yards on three carries. He also caught a touchdown pass.

20. (22) La Mirada, 8-1
Classifications: Southern (Southeast), State II
Ranks: 44 state, 442 national

The Matadores posted their second-straight shutout, blanking Cerritos 56-0. Christian Lara went 12-for-15 and threw four touchdowns, two of which went to Robert Caggiano. On Friday they face Norwalk in a winner-take-all contest for the Suburban League title.

21. (NR) Mission Viejo, 8-2
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 26 state, 194 national

The Diablos are back in the rankings (they began the season in the list), and their regular season is over with. Mission Viejo beat El Toro 24-17 to secure the South Coast League title, with Brock Johnson finding Abrae Booker-currin twice for touchdowns. Rome Innocenzi rushed for a score as well.

22. (23) Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita), 7-2
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State II
Ranks: 21 state, 149 national

The Titans had the week off. They finish the regular season against San Juan Hills.

23. (20) Notre Dame (SO) (Sherman Oaks), 6-3
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 22 state, 151 national

The Knights lost 14-10 Alemany, pretty much ending any chance of making the playoffs as an at-large team. Aidan Rattigan kicked a field goal and Khalid Taylor returned a fumble for a touchdown as well. The Knights will play Bishop Amat on Friday.

24. (24) St. Francis (La Canada), 9-0
Classifications: Southern (Southeast), State II
Ranks: 33 state, 288 national

The Golden Knights trounced La Salle, 60-0, thanks to a 52-0 first half. Jeremiah Martin tossed five touchdowns as part of a 12-for-18 night, and Jasher Foster caught four balls for 126 yards. They face Salesian on Thursday, already owning the tiebreaker for the Angelus League title.

25. (25) Corona del Mar (Newport Beach), 8-1
Classifications: Southern (Southwest), State II
Ranks: 41 state, 389 national

The Sea Kings dropped Beckman, 35-13. Cole Martin ran 15 times for 99 yards, Dylan Tucker caught three passes for 95 yards and two scores, and the defense gobbled up an impressive 10 sacks. Next up is a Friday battle with Northwood.

Dropped out: 18. Orange Lutheran