MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 high school football rankings

Playoff positioning is becoming the topic to hit on lately, as league losses hurt big-time in that area. A few teams in the rankings lost to league opponents this past week but it may not have hurt terribly, as those teams were underdogs coming in.

Not a whole lot of change before the final week of regular season football, as just one new team enters the rankings. Central of Fresno is out and JSerra Catholic of San Juan Capistrano takes its place after beating Servite.

Check out the California Bowl Game Rankings, which now get released earlier in the week.

Be sure to visit the Fresno metro site, the San Diego metro site and the Los Angeles metro site as well for more California coverage. Also, see the new MaxWire Los Angeles video at the end of the rankings.


1. (1 last week) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 9-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 1 state, 4 national, 5 Xcellent 25

The Braves officially claimed the Trinity League title by beating Mater Dei, 24-2. They started a little bit slow, but got a big game with big plays from Sean McGrew, who scored from 49 yards on a rush and 33 on a pass in the first half. It will be interesting to see if the Braves sit some of their regulars in the season finale against Servite at home, as their playoff position is locked in.

2. (2) Serra (Gardena), 9-0
Classifications: Southern (Western), State II
Ranks: 2 state, 7 national, 10 Xcellent 25

The Cavaliers got a little bit of a challenge from St. Francis (La Canada) but emerged victorious 35-21 to win the Mission League title. It was tied at 21 entering the fourth quarter but the Cavs once again showed that they have no problem busting open games when it counts the most. Jalen Greene ran 12 times for 127 yards and two scores, while Adoree' Jackson and Jordan Lasley each had 106 receiving yards to go with a touchdown. Serra faces a similar scenario that Bosco does: Sit any regulars Friday against what will be an overmatched St. Paul team on the road?

3. (3) Mission Viejo, 9-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 3 state, 9 national

The Diablos own the South Coast League title and they beat Trabuco Hills 35-0 on the road. Ian Fieber found Sean Modster for the first two scores of the game, and then in the second quarter hit Connor Hill for a 27-yard touchdown. Tony Williams also rushed for a score before Modster caught his third score of the contest. The regular season finale is a trip to El Toro on Friday.

4. (4) Long Beach Poly, 8-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 17 state, 86 national

The Jackrabbits finally allowed a point in Moore League play. We doubt they're too bothered by it all. Millikan was the latest victim in a 49-6 game and Poly got five touchdowns in the first half, scored by five different players in a variety of ways. Poly is always tough to judge at this time of year because of the Moore League's lack of depth, but things are looking great for coach Raul Lara. They go to Woodrow Wilson (Long Beach) on Friday.

5. (6) Centennial (Corona), 7-2
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 16 state, 84 national

The Huskies won 52-24 over a very good Santiago (Corona) team, using a 19-3 second-half scoring advantage to run away with it. That secures the Big VIII title. Robert Webber may have only completed 10 passes, but they went for 252 yards. Tre Watson was his usual self with 33 runs for 312 yards and four touchdowns. Last-place Corona is this week's opponent before the playoffs.

6. (7) Edison (Fresno), 9-0
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 14 state, 69 national

The Tigers are still rolling along in the Central Section. San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno) was just a small roadblock in a 35-7 victory. Info on their games is always a little harder to find that some teams, but here is what we do know for sure: 8-1 Bullard and Edison will battle it out Friday for the County-Metro League title and the winner will get a boost in playoff positioning. We also know that Edison's defense has yielded 70 points all year long. Keep an eye on this one, as it would legitimize Edison's schedule if the Tigers win.

7. (9) Chaminade (West Hills), 7-2
Classifications: Southern (Western), State II
Ranks: 6 state, 31 national

The Eagles trampled a Harvard-Westlake squad hurt by injuries, 73-0. That's two titanic blowouts in two weeks. They allowed just 74 yards of total offense and racked up 473 to go with that ridiculous point total. Brad Kaaya threw for four touchdowns. They host St. Francis Friday in a huge game that will decide the league No. 2 slot.

8. (10) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village), 8-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 10 state, 41 national

The Lions reached the Marmonte League title game this week against Westlake by dispatching Moorpark, 49-21. Darik Holmes needed just nine carries to get to 149 rushing yards and Chris Davis caught five passes for 128 yards. It has been a cakewalk lately for Oaks Christian, but things will get a little more difficult against Westlake, which has won five in a row.

9. (11) Rancho Cucamonga, 9-0
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 15 state, 75 national

The Cougars breezed past Alta Loma, 44-7. The defense held Alta Loma to 54 passing yards and picked off a pair of interceptions. According to the San Bernardino Sun, Aaron Manning ran 20 times for 205 yards and three touchdowns in the victory as a fill-in for the injured Khalil Muhammad. He scored from 47 yards out on the game's second play, and that was it. The Cougars will face Upland on the road Friday for the Baseline League title.

10. (8) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 7-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 8 state, 37 national

The Monarchs are who the Monarchs are: A low-scoring offense with a great defense. Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't. In a 24-2 loss to St. John Bosco, the offense just couldn't get much going against the Braves and it equaled a second-straight defeat. A playoff berth is not quite a guarantee (by the book) but even with a loss against Orange Lutheran on Friday, it would hard to imagine the Monarchs not getting an at-large berth. The winner (assuming Bosco wins as well) would be the No. 2 team and the loser would be in a big jumble.

11. (12) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta), 8-1
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 11 state, 44 national

The Broncos have a huge game Friday to decide the Southwestern League title at Chaparral (Temecula). They got to this point by beating Murrieta Mesa 43-14 behind Coltin Gerhart and his 11 carries for 105 yards and three touchdowns. Eight different receivers caught passes. Friday is a huge game with major playoff implications.

12. (5) Hart (Newhall), 8-1
Classifications: Southern (Northern), State II
Ranks: 33 state, 246 national

The Indians entered the tough part of the Foothill League schedule and took a hard knock from Valencia, losing to what is now the league champion, 24-19. The running game was nonexistent, as Connor Wingenroth came back from injury but only got 21 yards on seven carries. Brady White was the only other played with rushing yards and he had negative-35 on 15 carries due to sacks. He did throw 50 passes and that equaled 404 yards. And the team was driving in the final minute but came up short. A tough game with Canyon (Canyon Country) will close out the schedule.

13. (14) Alemany (Mission Hills), 7-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 9 state, 39 national

The Warriors had a bye last week and will face Crespi Friday for a playoff berth from the Serra League.

14. (15) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 7-3
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 13 state, 52 national

The Knights finished their regular season a week earlier than just about everybody, taking a 24-14 victory from Loyola. Chris Colarossi ran 24 times for 103 yards and three touchdowns against a good Loyola defensive effort. Lucas Alfonso added a field goal as well. Now all Notre Dame can do is sit and wait to find out its postseason opponent.

15. (22) Orange Lutheran, 7-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 12 state, 51 national

The Lancers shook off their last-second loss to Servite by thumping Santa Margarita 54-14. The team ran for 323 yards on 46 carries, led by Patrick Reardon getting 132 yards on just five carries. The defense was good too, forcing and recovering four fumbles by the Eagles.

16. (16) Mission Hills (San Marcos), 8-1
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 50 state, 393 national

The Grizzlies won 31-14 over Rancho Buena Vista behind two passing touchdowns from Connor Wynn. Dechaun Holiday also totaled a big interception that stopped an RBV drive. Somehow they slipped to No. 2 in the UT San Diego poll even though they blasted No. 1 Oceanside earlier this year. If San Pasqual loses, the Avocado East League title will belong to Mission Hills, which on Friday will play San Marcos in the Discovery Bowl (a nonleague game).

17. (17) Bakersfield, 7-2
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 27 state, 209 national

The Drillers won 54-7 over Centennial to earn a share of the league title. Asauni Rufus completed 10 of his 11 pass attempts and Kevin Hayes took an interception 60 yards for a score to turn a somewhat close game into a rout just before halftime. The regular-season finale is against Stockdale at home, and after that we will get to see if Bakersfield is the best team in the Central Section - something that is likely true.

18. (18) Oceanside, 7-2
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 7 state, 35 national

The Pirates shut out La Costa Canyon 43-0 with offensive balance and a defense that has allowed two touchdowns in the past four weeks. Matthew Romero threw for a trio of touchdowns, Thai Cottrell ran 17 times for 114 yards and a score and Jace Whittaker caught two touchdown passes. Oceanside is now No. 1 in the UT San Diego poll. Next up is a crosstown battle against El Camino (Oceanside) on Friday.

19. (19) Eastlake (Chula Vista), 8-1
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 23 state, 172 national

The Titans have four shutouts in their last five games. That's definitely domination. The 51-0 win over Olympian last week featured only six complete passes for Eastlake and the rest was done by the defense and running game. It should be noted those six passes did go for 131 yards. Next up is a road game at Otay Ranch before the playoffs begin.

20. (NR) JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 6-3
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 19 state, 118 national

The Lions get praise from the LA Times and the MaxPreps Computer Rankings. These rankings have been a little guarded when it comes to how good JSerra is. A 48-43 victory over Servite last week is enough reason to get them back into the mix, as they went punch for punch with Servite and always had an answer against the Friars. Casey Eugenio rushed 31 times for 203 yards and Nick Robinson was 21-for-27 with 328 yards and three touchdowns. The Lions will face Santa Margarita in a huge game on Friday - one that will have playoff implications.

21. (13) Servite (Anaheim), 5-4
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 20 state, 123 national

The Friars had a chance to solidify a good playoff positioning with a win against JSerra but couldn't get it done. The Lions held Travis Waller in check when it came to passing, with just a 4-for-11 performance with two touchdowns and two interceptions. But he was a monster running the ball, with 18 carries netting 247 yards. Equanimeous St. Brown caught a touchdown pass as well. They go to St. John Bosco on Friday and that likely means bad things.

22. (20) San Pasqual (Escondido), 8-1
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 38 state, 262 national

The Golden Eagles bounced back from their loss to Rancho Buena Vista with a 41-0 pasting of Valley Center. Jajuan Thomas caught a touchdown pass and also scored on a punt return to lead San Pasqual to the victory. Grant Huffman also scored twice. The Golden Eagles can close out the season with a league title by winning at Escondido.

23. (21) Helix (La Mesa), 7-2
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 18 state, 106 national

The Highlanders won 58-36 at Grossmont featuring two rushing touchdowns each from Michael Austin and Nathan Stinson. Jalen Davis also took a kickoff 82 yards for a score. They will close the regular season at Steele Canyon on Friday.

24. (23) La Habra, 8-1
Classifications: Southern (Southwest), State II
Ranks: 32 state, 245 national

The Highlanders had little trouble in a 56-13 triumph over Sonora, and that sets up a Freeway League championship game on Friday with Buena Park. In the Sonora game, the defense picked off a pair of passes and held Sonora to less than four yards per carry.

25. (24) St. Francis (La Canada), 8-1
Classifications: Southern (Western), State II
Ranks: 24 state, 174 national

The Golden Knights were supposed to fall off, assuming that they lost to Serra. But they played a good game and were in it, as the game was tied entering the fourth quarter. We're going to give St. Francis one more shot, and that will be a tough shot, as it is against Chaminade on Friday. Against Serra in that 35-21 loss, quarterback Ty Gangi was 19 of 40 for 312 yards and a score - and sophomore Dylan Crawford caught seven passes for 136 yards.

Dropped out:
25. Central (Fresno) lost 38-28 to Clovis West