MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 High School Football Rankings

Who is the best team in Southern California? Depends on who you ask.

With St. John Bosco losing to Bishop Gorman last week in Las Vegas, a warranted debate has opened about whether Mater Dei should be elevated to the top spot. There's not a clear-cut right answer, as Bishop Gorman is the top team in the nation according to the MaxPreps Computer Rankings and has felled many SoCal squads already.

Unlike the Los Angeles Times, Xcellent 25 and computer rankings, we are keeping St. John Bosco as the top team in the area. Cal-Hi Sports has done the same.

What makes all this easier to deal with is that Mater Dei and St. John Bosco will battle each other Oct. 10 in the Trinity League opener. So let's let the top spot be decided on the field.

Upland is back (seems like they've been in and out each week), and the other new teams are St. Francis (La Canada) and Crespi. The means that Loyola, St. Bonaventure and Clovis North have left the rankings.

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), 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 4 state, 6 national, 10 Xcellent 25

We mentioned it above how this was a brutally tough call. Bosco was down big early in the second half (27-3) in Las Vegas to Bishop Gorman, then stormed back and made it a game in a 34-31 loss. Josh Rosen tossed three touchdowns, and Anselem Umeh grabbed a highlight reel catch with one hand. Star running back Sean McGrew was somewhat bottled up, especially early, and that hurt the Braves. They go to Crenshaw this Friday for a game that shouldn't be close. Then comes Mater Dei.

2. (2) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 4-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 3 state, 5 national, 6 Xcellent 25

OK Monarch fans, we're ready to hear some disagreement here. Everybody (LA Times, MaxPreps computer and Xcellent 25) put you above St. John Bosco but Cal-Hi Sports and this spot have not. Mater Dei continued its great start with a 34-12 victory over Edison (Huntington Beach), one in which the defense yielded just 4 yards rushing and intercepted three passes. Nick Hutson ran for 74 yards and a score, plus Gerran Brown caught a 38-yard scoring pass from Jack Lowary. The Monarchs head to Westlake for a Thursday contest.

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

The Warriors took the week off. They host Chaminade in a Thursday night contest.

4. (5) Chaminade (West Hills), 5-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 9 state, 31 national

The Eagles stayed perfect by beating then-No. 23 Loyola 24-7 in a Mission League opener. Freshman T.j. Pledger ran seven times for 101 yards and a score, plus Dymond Lee caught seven passes for 132 yards. They are at No. 3 Alemany for a Thursday game.

5. (6) Centennial (Corona), 2-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 5 state, 18 national

The Huskies were off last week. They play at Valencia Thursday night.

6. (4) Servite (Anaheim), 3-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 7 state, 28 national

The Friars are doing similar things that they did last year: Taking on the best in America. Their trip to De La Salle ended in a 47-24 loss, again representing a tough loss. Travis Waller found Terrell Bynum for a 47-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter that made it 14-10 Friars, the first time DLS had trailed all season long. Andrew Acosta kicked a field goal in the third quarter that got it to 20-17, but then the Spartans ran away with the contest from there. Servite is off this week, then heads to Orange Lutheran to kick off the Trinity League schedule.

7. (7) Long Beach Poly, 4-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 11 state, 57 national

The Jackrabbits started the Moore League schedule with a 49-0 whacking of Cabrillo (Long Beach). All 49 points came in the first half. Josh Love completed 13 of his 22 passes, and six went for touchdowns (to five different receivers). Don't expect much trouble with Friday's home game against Compton, either.

8. (8) Serra (Gardena), 4-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 14 state, 68 national

The Cavaliers earned a wonderful 28-23 triumph over then-No. 12 Notre Dame to begin Mission League play. Right now, we can't move them higher because of the quality teams above. But a good run through the league schedule will certainly mean a move up. Khalil Tate was great running and throwing, racking up 71 yards and two scores on 11 carries, plus posting 159 passing yards. The Cavaliers go to Bishop Amat for a Friday night game.

9. (9) JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 5-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 6 state, 22 national

St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) was no problem in a 52-0 victory for the Lions. Edward Vander continues to absolutely destroy opposing defenses, rushing for six touchdowns and 231 yards on just 16 carries. Riley O'Brien took his only carry of the game 59 yards for a score. On defense, Daniel (dj) Bailey tallied 4.5 sacks. JSerra has this week off, then heads to Santa Margarita to kick off Trinity League play.

10. (10) Edison (Fresno), 4-0
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 19 state, 93 national

The Tigers did not play. They host Clovis West on Friday.

11. (11) Westlake (Westlake Village), 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 29 state, 168 national

The Warriors blasted Dominguez (Compton) 41-14, with Malik Henry completing 17 of 28 passes for 303 yards and four touchdowns. Theo Howard caught four passes (two touchdowns) for 110 yards, and the defense blocked a punt, tallied an interception and intercepted a pass. They host Mater Dei Thursday.

12. (13) Oceanside, 5-0
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 11 state, 59 national

The Pirates beat Rancho Buena Vista 42-10 to move to 5-0, though they trailed 10-7 after one quarter. Matthew Romero completed 9 of 14 for 222 yards and Josh Bernard rushed for three touchdowns and 137 yards on just 12 carries. They have a bye this week.

13. (14) Bakersfield, 3-1
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 22 state, 119 national

The Drillers went to Los Angeles and blasted Salesian, 49-6. They started slow, with a 14-6 halftime lead, then rode their defense the rest of the way. Salesian managed just 147 yards of total offense, including 73 rushing on 26 tries, and Bakersfield recovered three fumbles on defense. Next up is a Friday road contest at Ridgeview (Bakersfield), ranked third in the Central Section by both the Fresno Bee and Bakersfield Californian.

14. (15) Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 4-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 15 state, 71 national

The Eagles registered a 42-0 victory over Venice, a team from the Los Angeles City Section that is quite down compared with last year. KJ Costello was 13 of 15 for 129 yards, Rick Wade took an interception back for a score and Kyle Sweet returned a punt for a touchdown as well. The Eagles have the week off before facing JSerra Catholic.

15. (17) Orange Lutheran, 4-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 16 state, 77 national

The Lancers made a nice statement with a 37-3 whitewashing of Vista Murrieta. Ten different runners combined to net 44 carries and 362 yards, led by 151 yards and three scores from Patrick Reardon. Jerry Fitschen also connected on a field goal. The Lancers have the week off before hosting Servite next Friday.

16. (12) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 34 state, 232 national

The Knights, just like last year, got close against Serra but couldn't pull out the win. Notre Dame lost 28-23, with three rushing touchdowns and a field goal. Max Weisman caught five passes for 89 yards. After the tough start to the Mission League schedule, Notre Dame will host Oaks Christian Friday in a nonleague game.

17. (18) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 4-1
Classifications: San Diego (Eastern), State I
Ranks: 10 state, 56 national

The Dons headed to Newbury Park and were rewarded with a 42-28 victory thanks to a spectacular fourth quarter. It was tied at 21 entering the final period, then the Dons got three touchdowns. Clayton Dale found Currie Thomason from 18 yards out to break the tie and after Newbury Park tied it again, Thomason registered a 5-yard scoring run and Drew Cowell sewed it up with a 5-yard scoring run of his own. Next up for the Dons is a Friday road game at Eastlake.

18. (19) Helix (La Mesa), 3-1
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 13 state, 64 national

The Highlanders weren't challenged much in their 42-0 victory over Ramona. Nathan Stinson ran 18 times for 219 yards and four touchdowns, and the defense snagged two interceptions. They host Bonita Vista Friday night.

19. (21) Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita), 4-1
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State II
Ranks: 17 state, 85 national

The Titans snapped a 30-game winning streak for Corona del Mar by taking a 28-14 victory. The defense grabbed a pair of interceptions in the big game, which represents the second win of the season over a ranked team. Next up is another huge game, Thursday at San Clemente.

20. (22) Mission Hills (San Marcos), 4-1
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 53 state, 400 national

The Grizzlies did not play last week and head to Oceanside next Friday.

21. (NR) Crespi (Encino), 4-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 12 state, 63 national

We welcome the Celts into the rankings, yet another Mission League squad. They beat Bishop Amat 32-31 in overtime with a gutsy 2-point conversion after trailing 17-6 at the half. Coach Troy Thomas will take his boys to a road game against Loyola on Friday night.

22. (24) Chino Hills, 3-1
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 20 state, 101 national

The Huskies had the week off and will head to Victor Valley (Victorville) on Friday.

23. (NR) Upland, 3-2
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 23 state, 122 national

The Highlanders just can't seem to figure out whether they are in or out. They beat then-No. 20 St. Bonaventure by a 25-21 score, getting a fourth-quarter touchdown to take the lead for good when Tyler Hilinski scored from 44 yards away. Josh Woods ran 14 times for 113 yards as well. Now Upland will have a bye and host Damien next Friday. 

24. (NR) St. Francis (La Canada), 4-0
Classifications: Southern (Southeast), State II
Ranks: 25 state, 127 national

The Golden Knights move in with a very solid resume that includes wins over Chino, Moorpark, Monrovia and Canyon (Canyon Country). The Angelus League has a few other contenders, so this team will have to continue to play well to stay in the rankings. St. Francis faces Calabasas on Thursday.

25. (16) Corona del Mar (Newport Beach), 4-1
Classifications: Southern (Southwest), State II
Ranks: 21 state, 113 national

The Sea Kings saw their 30-game winning streak come to end when Tesoro downed them, 28-14. The running game struggled mightily, netting just 57 yards on 44 carries, but Cole Collins did grab six receptions for 129 yards and a touchdown. The Sea Kings have the week off and then will go to Irvine next Friday night.

Dropped out: No. 20 St. Bonaventure, No. 23 Loyola and No. 25 Clovis North.