Northern California Top 25 high school football rankings: Rocklin climbs to No. 2 with statement win over Folsom

1. (Last week 1) Serra (San Mateo), 6-0
Last week: Beat Valley Christian (San Jose), 28-21
Next: St. Ignatius (San Francisco), Friday
Update: The Padres led 28-0 and remained unbeaten in West Catholic Athletic League action as Petelo Gi rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown, and Dominique Lampkin provided the passing balance. This school has produced Tom Brady, Lynn Swann, Barry Bonds and a ton of others. The showdown against Saint Francis is Nov. 6, a regular-season finale in San Mateo. Since 2017, Serra has won two CIF NorCal titles and a CIF State crown under coach Patrick Walsh.

2. (2) Saint Francis (Mountain View), 6-0
Last week: Beat Riordan (San Francisco), 33-0
Next: Bellarmine (San Jose), Friday
Update: The Lancers moved to 4-0 in the WCAL as Viliami Teu rushed for 123 yards and a score. The monstrous win was the 31-28 effort against De La Salle, the first NorCal loss by the Spartans north of Fresno since 1991. Saint Francis caps the regular season at Serra on Nov. 6. Saint Francis has won a record 17 Central Coast Section titles.

3. (3) De La Salle (Concord), 5-2
Last week: Beat California (San Ramon), 52-14
Next: San Ramon Valley (Danville), Friday
Outlook: The Spartans blasted a team that came in 7-0 despite being down several players and head coach Justin Alumbaugh due to COVID-19 protocols. The losses were to Saint Francis (Mountain View) 31-28 to halt the program's 318-game unbeaten streak to NorCal teams north of Fresno dating back to 1992, and to the top team in Maryland. A big win was a 31-10 effort at previous No. 1 Folsom. DLS is 45-0 against the Sac-Joaquin Section since 1982 and 20-0 since 2012, including 5-0 against Folsom. DLS hasn't lost to a North Coast Section team since 1991, a streak of 254 games. DLS has gone a gaudy 405-6-2 against NorCal teams North of Fresno since 1984. The football program has won 29 consecutive section championships and has reached a record 14 successive CIF State finals since the state finals were introduced in 2006.

4. (5) Rocklin, 8-0
Last week: Beat Folsom, 40-7
Next: Grant (Sacramento), Friday
Update: The Thunder waited years for a chance to topple Folsom and did in resounding fashion as both teams played without star quarterbacks due to injury to halt Folsom's 54-game league winning streak that dated back 11 seasons. The defense had four interceptions, and Joey Roberts passed for two scores in continued solid relief in place of hobbled starter Kenny Lueth. Rocklin is the likely No. 1 seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs. This is Rocklin's best team since the 2009 group that reached the CIF State Division II finals.

5. (4) Folsom, 6-2
Last week: Lost to Rocklin, 40-7
Next: Whitney (Rocklin), Friday
Update: The Bulldogs lost back-to-back games in the same season for the first time since 2007, suffering a crusher in Placer County, undone by four interceptions. The loss halted a Sacramento regional record 54-game, 11-year league winning streak. An earlier win was 37-17 over Pittsburg and a 56-7 effort over Jesuit. Folsom has won eight Sac-Joaquin and four CIF State titles since 2010.

6. (6) Pittsburg, 4-1
Last week: Beat Liberty (Brentwood), 49-28
Next: Deer Valley (Antioch), Friday
Update: The Pirates stormed to a 35-7 lead in producing three interceptions, and Jaden Rashada again smoothly led the offense in the Bay Valley Athletic League rout. The loss was at Folsom, 38-17. An opener against Serra was smoked out. Pittsburg is the last North Coast Section program to beat De La Salle, doing so in the 1991 NCS finals.

7. (7) Buchanan (Clovis), 7-1
Last week: Beat Clovis, 33-24
Next: Clovis North, Friday
Update: The Bears are the top-ranked team in the Central Section and remain the front runner in the deep and talented Tri-River Athletic Conference. The loss was to state-ranked Los Alamitos 34-31.

8. (7) Central (Fresno), 5-1
Last week: Did not play
Next: Clovis West, Thursday
Update: The Grizzlies' game against Clovis East was canceled due to COVID issues within the Clovis East program. The Loss was to Buchanan 24-17. This could still be the No. 2 seed in the Central Section Division I field.

9. (9) Valley Christian (San Jose), 5-3
Last week: Lost to Serra, 28-21
Next: Mitty (San Jose), Friday
Update: The Warriors trailed 28-0 to the top team in the Central Coast Section and then made it a game. Jakson Berman hit Jurrion Dickey for a touchdown. The other losses were to Saint Francis and Pittsburg.

10. (10) Edison (Stockton), 7-1
Last week: Beat Bear Creek (Stockton), 50-0
Next: McNair (Stockton), Friday
Update: The Vikings roll on as a looming force in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs, nearly beating Folsom in 2019. The loss was to then Central Section No. 1 Central (Fresno) 17-10.

11. (11) Jesuit (Carmichael), 7-1
Last week: Beat Elk Grove, 70-35
Next: Davis, Friday
Update: The winning streak is seven after opening with a loss at Folsom. Against Elk Grove, the defense forced seven turnovers and the offense put up a record total against the storied Thundering Herd to take command of the Delta League race. Jack Hemmert scored a defensive touchdown and Garrett McGriff continued his hot stretch. One of the big wins for the Delta League favorites was 28-14 over Granite Bay.

12. (12) Los Gatos, 8-0
Last week: Beat Palo Alto, 49-0
Next: Mountain View, Friday
Update: The best public school football team in the Central Coast Section, the Wildcats posted their third successive shutout as Jake Boyd passed for 211 yards and three touchdowns and Emiliano Mejia rushed for three scores. The D came up with four sacks, two interceptions and three forced fumbles. Los Gatos has been a longtime power in the Central Coast Section.

13. (14) Central Catholic (Modesto), 7-1
Last week: Beat Manteca, 56-33
Next: East Union (Manteca), Friday
Update: The Raiders beat another previously unbeaten team in Valley Oak League action in scoring on their first seven possessions. Earlier big wins were over San Ramon Valley 21-14 and St. Mary's (Stockton), 41-27. The loss was to Bellarmine, 28-21

14. (NR) San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno), 7-0
Last week: Beat Madera, 47-3
Next: Edison (Fresno), Friday
Update: The Panthers are the class of the County Metro League and a threat in the Central Section Division I title race. Michael Bell passed for 171 yards and four touchdowns against Madera. One big win was over Bullard (Fresno).

15. (16) Granite Bay, 7-2
Last week: Beat Whitney (Rocklin), 16-6
Next: Folsom, Oct. 29
Update: The Grizzlies remain in the Sierra Foothill League title race thanks to defense. The losses were to Rocklin in the Sierra Foothill League and to Jesuit in nonleague action. An earlier big win was over Vacaville. The program seeks its 24th consecutive playoff berth.

16. (21) St. Mary's (Stockton), 6-2
Last week: Beat Tokay (Lodi), 62-3
Next: West (Stockton), Friday
Update: The Rams have won six consecutive games after opening with losses to De La Salle and Central Catholic, with do-all star Jadyn Marshall a factor. He scored twice against Tokay, a rush and a reception. A big early win was 34-14 over Cardinal Newman.

17. (13) Bellarmine College Prep (San Jose), 5-2
Last week: Lost to Sacred Heart Cathedral, 20-13
Next: Saint Francis, Friday
Update: The Bells were stunned in the loss, which shows how deep the West Catholic Athletic League is. The other loss was to Serra. Big wins include Menlo-Atherton (56-41) and Central Catholic (28-21).

18. (15) Menlo-Atherton (Atherton), 5-2
Last week: Sacred Heart Prep, 56-20
Next: Terra Nova (Pacifica), Thursday
Update: The Bears remain perfect in the Peninsula Bay standings as Johnnie Barbie rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns. The losses were to Bellarmine 56-41 and to Oregon power Tualatin, 44-33.

19. (17) McClymonds (Oakland), 4-1
Last week: Beat Oakland 56-0
Next: Fremont (Oakland), Friday
Update: Mack played its first game since Sept. 24 and cruised in Oakland Athletic League play. The loss was to Menlo-Atherton. A big win was over Marin Catholic, 32-22.

20. (27) Clayton Valley Charter (Concord), 5-2
Last week: Beat San Ramon Valley, 28-21
Next: Amador Valley (Pleasanton), Friday
Update: The Ugly Eagles are back in gear with a dominant rushing attack and stout defense. CVC won the 2019 CIF Division I-AA state championship.

21. (18) San Ramon Valley (Danville), 5-2
Last week: Lost to Clayton Valley Charter, 28-21
Next: De La Salle, Friday
Update: The Wolves play everyone tough, including defeats, falling to Clayton Valley Charter 28-21 and to Central Catholic 21-14. The East Bay Mountain includes De La Salle, California, Clayton Valley, Monte Vista and Amador Valley.

22. (20) Salinas, 6-0
Last week: Christopher (Gilroy), 49-34
Next: Alvarez, Oct. 29
Update: The Cowboys roll on and moved to 5-0 in the Pacific Coast Gabilan Division as Adam Shaffer had two touchdown passes. The signature win was a 42-14 rout of previously unbeaten Aptos.

23. (22) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa), 5-2
Last week: Carrillo (Santa Rosa), 34-10
Next: Windsor, Friday
Update: The Cardinals remained unbeaten in North Bay action as Santino Acevedo ran for 121 yards and two scores to set up a showdown against Windsor. The losses were to San Leandro, 20-17, and St. Mary's, 34-14. A big win was a 20-13 win over Vacaville.

24. (23) Vacaville, 6-2
Last week: Beat Vanden, 35-17
Next: Rodriguez (Fairfield), Friday
Update: The Bulldogs stand alone in the Monticello Empire League after dispatching Vanden as Ryan Vaughan accounted for more than 300 yards of offense to stretch the winning streak to four. An early win was 17-10 over Oak Ridge. The losses were 20-13 in overtime to Cardinal Newman and 14-9 to Granite Bay.

25. (24) Marin Catholic (Kentfield), 6-1
Last week: Beat Redwood (Larkspur), 35-7
Next: San Marin (Novato), Saturday
Update: The Wildcats were led by Charles Williams, who had three scores and nearly 200 yards of offense and Michael Ingrassia, who had three touchdowns to set up a showdown against unbeaten San Marin. The loss was to McClymonds, 33-22.

The Next 10
26. Clovis, 5-3
27. Monte Vista (Danville), 6-0
28. Antelope, 8-0
29. Manteca, 7-1
30. California (San Ramon), 7-1
31. Aptos, 7-1
32. San Benito (Hollister), 6-1
33. Palma (Salinas), 5-2
34. Windsor, 7-0
35. Oakdale, 5-2

Joe Davidson has covered high school sports for The Sacramento Bee since 1988. He was named a CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Distinguished Award winner in April. Follow him on Twitter: SacBee_JoeD and through sacbee.com.