MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 High School Football Rankings

Let's just jump right into it. It's time for high school football in California and we've got the rankings for the sections that make up the Southern Regional area: San Diego Section, Los Angeles City Section, Southern Section and Central Section. Teams from all four sections are eligible and we don't break it up by Bowl Game divisions.

You're going to see many familiar names this season because the balance of power is staying in the same hands thus far. But expect things to change as more games are played.

These are the "preseason" rankings. Readers will see more about these teams in the next edition after most (if not all) have played a game.

Be sure to follow @lelandmaxpreps and @lamaxpreps for information specific to Southern California. Also you can always check out the California Computer Rankings and last year's final SoCal Top 25.

1. St. John Bosco (Bellflower)
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 1 state, 6 national, 8 Xcellent 25

The Braves are back after a season in which they were touted as perhaps the best team in Southern California history. They were 16-0 last year and return UCLA commit Josh Rosen at quarterback and junior running back Sean McGrew showed last season that he is only going to be a bigger star going forward. Zachary Robertson and Matthew Katnik are also big-name returners on the offensive line. Eric Golston will contribute at defensive tackle as well. The schedule will be brutal, but Jason Negro will have his team ready.

2. Servite (Anaheim)
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 3 state, 12 national, 12 Xcellent 25

The Friars were 6-6 last season and now they jump this high? It may seem strange, but the youngsters from last season have so much talent that this team should be expected to make a significant improvement. Travis Waller, an Oregon commit, is a dual-threat star at quarterback and linebacker Jack Savage lives up to his name. Equanimeous St. Brown is a coveted wide receiver and offensive lineman Clayton Johnston is a USC commit.

3. Serra (Gardena)
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 7 state, 37 national, 19 Xcellent 25

The path to state glory is going to be much tougher for the Cavaliers this season, as they are now in the Pac 5. Depth could be the biggest hindrance to success though the roster looks large enough. Still, this team has talent, as it always seems to have. The defense has studs in linebacker John Houston, defensive lineman Rasheem Green and defensive end Corey Adolphus, a San Jose State commit. Expect the Mission League schedule to make the Cavaliers work a lot harder for their wins.

4. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 2 state, 7 national, 23 Xcellent 25

This makes three Trinity League teams in the first four squads. It's well-deserved though. The Monarchs will be bringing in a new quarterback but Kyle Penniston (Wisconsin commit) and Ben Humphreys (Duke) will certainly make themselves dependable targets. The entire front seven is back, and that means that scoring on Mater Dei won't be an easy task. The question is if the Monarchs can score enough.

5. Alemany (Mission Hills)
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 6 state, 31 national

The Warriors' path to the title will be tougher now with Serra in the Mission League, but there is talent at the offensive skill positions: Dominic Davis and Desean Holmes. Getting production out of the offensive line will be a challenge, but otherwise coach Dean Herrington has a well-rounded team that has played in plenty of big games before. Tyree Thompson and Sylvester Robinson each return at linebacker to help the defense.

6. Bakersfield
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 11 state, 54 national

The Drillers are the defending Division I state champions and showed that the best in the Central Section can definitely play with the best in all the other sections. Replacing quarterback Asauni Rufus will be an interesting situation, as Rufus was much more spectacular as a runner. Perhaps his replacement will give the offense the possibility of more air action. Eleven total starters are back and they include Lameshio Hill and Marcus Bruce.

7. Westlake (Westlake Village)
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 6 state, 31 national

The Marmonte League looks a little different this year, but the Warriors playing good football is something most fans can depend on. Last season was an 8-3 campaign that saw a solid finish and now this year's team has high hopes. Andre Baccellia is a Washington commit who should play well at receiver and Reno Dubreuil returns at linebacker. Jim Benkert has coached plenty of winners, so expect this team to get back to a high level quickly.

8. Chaminade (West Hills)
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 10 state, 51 national

The Eagles are fresh off a Division II state title, but there will be lots of work to do when it comes to replacing star players at the skill positions. Brandyn Lee, however, looks like a star in the making at wide receiver. The top player is Bar Milo, a 6-6, 310-pound monster offensive lineman. Chris Bounds is also going to be solid on the defensive line. This team has also moved up into the Mission League and therefore the Pac 5.

9. Mission Viejo
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 12 state, 59 national

Lots of talent left after an undefeated regular season and 11-1 finish. At least six Division I recruits moved on. But as we all have seen, Mission Viejo knows how to reload. Things are a lot different this year for the Diablos in that they are now in the West Valley Division, meaning those brutal Pac 5 playoff brackets are a thing of the past. That could be a benefit. However, Tesoro is emerging as a team to be dealt with in the South Coast League. Senior offensive lineman Cole Smith (6-3, 255) will be a key player.

10. Long Beach Poly
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 14 state, 65 national

The Antonio Pierce era begins at Poly, as Raul Lara moved on. Pierce, a former New York Giants star, will benefit from tons of talent. Iman Marshall, Justin Calhoun and Colin Samuel will form a solid defensive backfield, Joseph Wicker should star at defensive end, and on offense Kanya Bell is a big-time receiving prospect, Jeremy Calhoun II has experience running the ball and Josh Love has experience at quarterback. It's a wealth of talent. And of course a typical tough nonleague schedule.

11. Centennial (Corona)
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 17 state, 82 national

The Huskies are now in the Pac 5. How's that for added appeal to a playoff bracket that was already regarded as one of the nation's best? There are big-time changes at Centennial, as J.J. Taylor takes over at running back. The small stature for Taylor makes him a "Barry Sanders type" according to coach Matt Logan, and the offensive line returns three offensive linemen. Nate Ketteringham takes over for Robert Webber at quarterback but will have Greyson Bankhead to catch passes. It's hard to expect this team not to keep scoring, the question, as usual, is the defense.

12. Upland
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 16 state, 70 national

The Highlanders' influx of transfers last season drew a lot of buzz, and after a very rough start, the team did reach the playoffs and win two games. There's lots of college-bound talent here: quarterback Tyler Hilinski (Washington State), defensive back Kameron Powell (Washington State), linebacker Josh Woods (UCLA) and tight end Hasani Smith (San Diego State).

13. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta)
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 13 state, 61 national

The Broncos fell to Centennial in the section final last season and are now in a different playoff division, so the rivalry will likely take a rest for a bit. Six starters return on each side of the ball and the JV team was 9-1 last season. Senior tight end Jamie Nunley is an Arizona commit and the offense will need to find a way to replace Coltin Gerhart at quarterback - no easy task. Senior lineman Tevita Mo'unga is 6-3, 300 pounds. Quite a bit of talent graduated, so this team may need some time to jell.

14. Hart (Newhall)
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 9 state, 48 national

The Indians bring back seven offensive starters and two of them are a big-time production pair: wide receiver Trent Irwin and quarterback Brady White. They were ringleaders in a potent attack last season and Ethan Quinn is back on the line. All said, this team's offense is legit. If the defense comes together, Hart could be a force. But there's a big problem: Now they're in State Division I. That makes a repeat trip to the regional playoffs much less likely.

15. St. Bonaventure (Ventura)
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 15 state, 67 national

The Seraphs still have star quarterback Ricky Town, a former Alabama commit now committed to USC, and that's enough to be in contention - provided he can stay healthy. Lavan Alston should be a force at receiver and defensive back and Nick Capella will be part of big offensive and defensive lines. The defense may struggle, so running back Marcus Chambers will have to also shoulder some burden along with Town to keep the offense scoring.

16. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks)
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 51 state, 416 national

The Computer Rankings aren't too high on Notre Dame, but the Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Daily News are. We'll side with the humans for now. The Knights will look to their defense this season as their top offensive playmakers moved on. Well, not all of them, as Notre Dame commit C.J. Sanders returns at wide receiver. Aaron Haigler will be back at tight end and defensive end.

17. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village)
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 19 state, 94 national

The Lions have plenty of Division I talent coming in, though a decent amount left too. Lots of quality seniors dot this roster, so a move up the rankings is very attainable. Offensive lineman Reno Rosene is 6-7, 315 and committed to Duke, and defensive end Trevor Howard is 6-3, 225 and committed to Cal. Wide receiver Alex Bachman is committed to Wake Forest as well. Losing Brandon Dawkins at quarterback hurt. The Lions lost to Westlake last season and undoubtedly want to get back on top in that crosstown rivalry.

18. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano)
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 8 state, 40 national

Another Trinity League team? Sure, why not? The Lions improved a lot last year and this year there's enough buzz to give them a spot in the rankings. The computer rankings have them sixth among Southern California teams (which seems far too high) and the LA Times has them 22nd, behind Orange Lutheran and Santa Margarita and Tesoro. The Orange County register has them fifth in their area, behind Santa Margarita but ahead of Tesoro. The jury is out on this team, which has eight starters returning on each side of the ball. Nick Robinson is back as a senior to lead the offense at quarterback.

19. Clovis North (Fresno)
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 20 state, 112 national

The Broncos have a new coach this season, and it was a close call getting them into the rankings. Some in the Central Section think Edison (Fresno) should be the No. 2 sqaud in that section and there's validity to the thought. We're going with Clovis North as of now, knowing that Edison is right on the doorstep. Nose guard Jacob Daniel and running back Bolu Olorunfunmi are Pac 12 recruits and add star power to the squad that hopes to topple Bakersfield for a section title.

20. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego)
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 22 state, 128 national

The Dons are the top San Diego Section team in these rankings, and maybe a surprise. The UT San Diego poll has the Dons third behind Oceanside and Helix, but the computer rankings show Cathedral Catholic well ahead of those two squads. Linebacker Casey Toohill is a Stanford commit, defensive lineman Ray Smith is a Boston College commit and Clayton Dale comes back at quarterback. The Dons open the season against NorCal power Folsom.

21. Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita)
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 26 state, 162 national

The Titans have Devon Modster back at quarterback and his favorite target Jake Smeltzer is also back, giving Tesoro a formidable air tandem. Zach Hickman comes back on the offensive line as well. Thirteen total starters are back, and Tesoro is sure to benefit a bit from its move to the West Valley Division.

22. Helix (La Mesa)
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 35 state, 236 national

The Highlanders have Michael Austin returning to play quarterback and lineman Jalen Kuykendel is committed to Northern Arizona. Their schedule early on is quite tough, including a state title game rematch with Del Oro. UT San Diego has Helix ranked first, but the computer rankings have four other SDS teams ranked above the Highlanders. Looks like the top five in the SDS are all capable of being No. 1.

23. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita)
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 33 state, 218 national

The Eagles will begin the post-Harry Welch era with what should be a pretty god passing game and offensive line. Austin Maihen is a big-time blocker and UCLA commit Rick Wade is a defensive tackle/tight end with big size. Kyle Sweet comes back as a receiver and KJ Costello returns to play quarterback. The tough thing is that the Trinity League gives no gimmes - so Santa Margarita will need to shock some teams to stay in the rankings.

24. Orange Lutheran
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 24 state, 181 national

Now that we have chosen the entire Trinity League, it's official: Everybody is good - and the hype is justified. The Lancers are the most likely team from the league to drop from the rankings, as they have about four returning starters on each side of the ball and the team's depth may be worse than others in the league. Still, watch out for Nevada commit Riley Brand at safety, senior outside linebacker Keisean Lucier-South and junior quarterback LJ Northington.

25. Oceanside
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 28 state, 175 national

The Pirates have John Carroll back at the helm after health issues last season and they, as usual, have lots of good players waiting to live up to the tradition. Offensive linemen Cedric Bigge-Duren (Washington State commit) and Christian Cronk will be looked upon for leadership on the line and another Wazzu commit, Jordan Miller, will star on defense. The emergence of quarterback Matthew Romero will play a big role in this team's amount of success. UT San Diego has Oceanside ranked second.