MaxPreps California Top 25 high school football rankings: Mater Dei-St. John Bosco showdown upon us

Monarchs and Braves blowout Trinity League foes to set up national No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup; Pittsburg enters rankings after overtime win over previous No. 20 Liberty.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Mitch Stephens
By
Oct 21, 2019, 2:30pm
Video: Top 25 high school football rankings
Three California teams are part of national Top 25, including Nos. 1 and 2 Mater Dei and St. John Bosco.

It was a formality really. Top-ranked Mater Dei (Santa Ana) and No. 2 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) had to win Trinity League games last to get to Friday's showdown between the two super powers undefeated and unscathed.

Predictably, the Monarchs and Braves combined to score 108 points and give up six while beating worthy, but overmatched, foes Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) and Orange Lutheran (Orange) to set up the big showdown between not only California's, but the nation's top two teams.

That game, which reportedly sold out in a matter of hours, is scheduled 7:30 p.m. Friday at St. John Bosco's new Panish Family Stadium.

In other California Top 25 rankings news:

• Previous No. 12 Servite scored 28 first-half points to defeat previous No. 11 JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 34-21. Servite moved up one spot to No. 11 and JSerra dropped just two spots to No. 13. Both teams are 5-3 but both have played two of the toughest schedules in the state.

• Nicholas Floyd rushed for five touchdowns, none more than 10 yards, as fourth-ranked Centennial (Corona) defeated No. 25 Norco 61-23. Despite the loss Norco remained at No. 25 in the rankings.

• Pittsburg (7-1) moved into the rankings at No. 22 following a 24-21 overtime win over previous No. 20 Liberty (Brentwood). Pittsburg lost to Liberty by that same score last season and won despite losing starting quarterback Jerry Johnson to an ankle injury late.

Backup Santino Chavez, who led a game-tying drive in regulation, rallied the team to victory. It was the first regular-season loss for Liberty (7-1) in 18 games. Chavez completed 6-of-9 passes for 53 yards after replacing Johnson, who threw for 282 yards and his 24th and 25th touchdowns of the season.

San Clemente (8-1) moved back into the rankings at No. 23 and visits fifth-ranked Mission Viejo on Friday.
Pittsburg quarterback Jerry Johnson threw his 24th and 25th touchdown pass last week before injuring his ankle in a victory over then 20th-ranked Liberty (Brentwood).
Pittsburg quarterback Jerry Johnson threw his 24th and 25th touchdown pass last week before injuring his ankle in a victory over then 20th-ranked Liberty (Brentwood).
File photo by Ernie Abreu
Top 25 California high school football rankings

1. (Last week 1) Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
Record: 8-0
Last week: Beat Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita)
45-0
Next game: Oct. 25 at St. John Bosco (Bellflower)

Record: 8-0
Last week: Beat Orange Lutheran (Orange) 63-6
Next game: Oct. 25 vs. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)

3. (3) De La Salle (Concord)
Record: 8-1
Last week: Beat San Ramon Valley 52-0
Next game: Nov. 1 vs. Clayton Valley Charter (Concord)

4. (4). Centennial (Corona)
Record: 6-2
Last week: Beat Norco 61-23
Next game: Oct. 25 at King (Riverside)

5. (5) Mission Viejo
Record: 8-0
Last week: Idle
Next game: Oct. 25 vs. San Clemente

6. (6) Narbonne (Harbor City)
Record: 8-0 (awarded forfeit win)
Last week: Beat Gardena 58-6
Next game: Oct. 25 vs. Carson

7. (7) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego)
Record: 8-1
Last week: Beat St. Augustine (San Diego) 35-14
Next game: Nov. 1 vs. Lincoln (San Diego)

8. (8) Folsom
Record: 7-1
Last week: Beat Granite Bay 56-10
Next game: Oct. 25 at Grant (Sacramento)

9. (9) Grace Brethren (Simi Valley)
Record: 8-0
Last week: Beat Thousand Oaks 42-0
Next game: Oct. 25 vs. Sierra Canyon

10. (10) Corona del Mar (Newport Beach)
Record: 8-0
Last week: Beat Fountain Valley 42-7
Next game: Oct. 25 at Newport Harbor

11. (12) Servite (Anaheim)
Record: 5-3
Last week: Beat JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano) 34-21
Next game: Oct. 24 vs. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) at Veterans Stadium

12. (13) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth)
Record: 7-1
Last week: Beat San Pedro 40-7
Next game: Oct. 25 at Grace Brethren

13. (11) JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano)
Record: 5-3
Last week: Lost to Servite (Anaheim) 34-21
Next game: Oct. 25 vs. Orange Lutheran (Orange) at Santa Ana Stadium

14. (14) Calabasas
Record: 6-2
Last week: Beat Newbury Park 66-7
Next game: Oct. 25 at Oaks Christian

15. (15) La Habra
Record: 6-2
Last week: Beat Sunny Hills (Fullerton) 49-7
Next game: Oct. 25 vs. Troy (Fullerton)

16. (16) Central (Fresno)
Record: 8-0
Last week: Beat Clovis North 58-14
Next game: Oct. 24 at Clovis West

17. (17) Helix (La Mesa)
Record: 7-1
Last week: Beat Grossmont (El Cajon) 54-14
Next game: Oct. 25 vs. Granite Hills (El Cajon)

18. (18) Bishop Amat (La Puente)
Record: 7-1
Last week: Beat Serra (Gardena) 20-13
Next game: Oct. 25 vs. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks)

19. (19) Alemany (Mission Hills)
Record: 6-1
Last week: Beat Chaminade (West Hills) 35-28 (OT)
Next game: Oct. 25 vs. Serra (Gardena)

20. (21) Valley Christian (San Jose)
Record: 7-0
Last week: Beat Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco) 44-6
Next game: Oct. 25 vs. Bellarmine at San Jose City College

21. (22) Serra (San Mateo)
Record: 7-0
Last week: Beat Saint Francis (Mountain View) 35-21
Next game: Oct. 26 vs. Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco)

22. (NR) Pittsburg 
Record: 7-1
Last week: Beat Liberty (Brentwood) 24-21 (OT)
Next game: Oct. 25 vs. Heritage (Brentwood)

23. (NR) San Clemente
Record: 8-1
Last week: Beat Capistrano Valley (Mission Viejo) 36-14
Next week: Oct. 25 at Mission Viejo

Record: 7-1
Last week: Beat Valley View (Moreno Valley) 28-14
Next game: Oct. 25 at Palomar Valley

25. (25) Norco
Record: 6-2
Last week: Lost to Centennial (Corona) 61-23
Next game: Oct. 24 vs. Roosevelt (Eastvale)

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