MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 High School Football Rankings

The Central Section took a hit when previous No. 8 Edison (Fresno) lost a shocker to Sanger, and now there is only one squad from the section left in the rankings. Bakersfield is now the only CIFCS squad on the list, and the Drillers actually lost to Edison earlier this season. But the entire body of work is still better for Bakersfield.

That's the same story with No. 23 Tesoro, sort of, which lost to Mission Viejo but stayed in the rankings. And Mission Viejo did not enter. We're holding off just a bit more with Mission Viejo and holding onto Tesoro's solid wins from earlier. But the Diablos are right there waiting to enter.

The new teams are undefeated El Capitan (Lakeside) of the San Diego Section Division II and La Mirada of the Southern Section's Southeastern Division.

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1. (1 last week) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 6-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 1 state, 3 national, 8 Xcellent 25

The Braves got all they could handle at JSerra Catholic and found a way to win against a great team, affirming their status as the top team in the state. JSerra won 49-44, thanks in part to Sean Mcgrew, who ran 26 times for 386 yards and five touchdowns. Josh Rosen only threw for 115 yards - obviously because handing it to McGrew was the best idea. Now the Braves face Orange Lutheran.

2. (2) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 6-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 4 state, 7 national, 10 Xcellent 25

The Monarchs bested Servite in a battle of Xcellent 25 teams, 20-17, using a Brandon LaMarche touchdown with about 90 seconds left to take the lead for good. He finished with 17 rushes for 102 yards. Noah Delgadillo also eclipsed 100 yards, taking 13 carries for 107 yards. It was a slugfest against Servite, and now a battle with JSerra Catholic awaits.

3. (3) Centennial (Corona), 5-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 7 state, 19 national

The Huskies were too much for Roosevelt, building a 46-0 lead entering the final quarter and winning 46-10. The defense picked off a pair of passes and three different Centennial quarterbacks posted numbers in the blowout. JJ Taylor scored six touchdowns on 20 carries with 197 yards. A road trip to crosstown rival Santiago should at least be fun, though the Huskies are still heavily favored.

4. (4) Servite (Anaheim), 4-3
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 9 state, 31 national

The Friars yielded a late touchdown to Mater Dei and lost 20-17. The offense had a very rough time accomplishing much, as the total offense for the Friars was just 143 yards. Still, that shows how good the Friars are, that they had a lead with 90 seconds left despite the lack of offense. Tate Beachley scored both of Servite's touchdowns as part of a 16-run, 44-yard night. Next up is a road game at Santa Margarita on Friday.

5. (5) Long Beach Poly, 7-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 15 state, 66 national

The Jackrabbits did what they do in league play: Win big. They trounced Lakewood, 49-7, despite a scoreless first quarter. Josh Love tied the school record for touchdown passes with seven, as part of a 26-for-36 day with 357 yards. Iman Marshall caught four of those touchdowns. Poly has a bye coming up this week.

6. (6) JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 6-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 5 state, 11 national

The Lions suffered their first loss of the season, a 49-44 setback to St. John Bosco that was a very competitive contest. Edward Vander ran 29 times for 219 yards and two touchdowns, while Ethan Aguayo caught a pair of scores. The Lions led at halftime and were down four entering the fourth quarter, showing they belong in the upper echelons. Another monumental task awaits Friday at Mater Dei.

7. (7) Oceanside, 7-0
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 16 state, 72 national

The Pirates are getting high praise from Cal-Hi Sports and are the top team in the San Diego Section, and they continue to roll. They won 42-21 over Torrey Pines, a plucky team that other top SDS teams have had to battle with down to the wire. Josh Bernard scored three touchdowns on the ground, in addition to 13 carries and 90 yards. Matthew Romero continues to lead the team in a solid, non-glitzy manner, passing for 190 yards on a 10-for-17 effort. The Pirates host Carlsbad Friday.

8. (10) Bishop Amat (La Puente), 5-3
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 8 state, 20 national

The Lancers knocked Chaminade out of the rankings with a dominant 52-22 win. Damian Garcia was stellar with 405 yards on 20-for-26 passing with four touchdowns. Torreahno Sweet ran 21 times for 128 times and two scores as well. Nico Carillo kicked a 42-yard field goal as well. They get a well-deserved week off this week.

9. (21) Crespi (Encino), 6-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 6 state, 15 national

The Celts continue their climb up the rankings after they whipped Notre Dame, 56-21. They allowed just 127 yards of total offense to Notre Dame, and only a one-point loss to Serra is holding them back from a perfect mark. The Celts are also climbing fast in all the rankings, newspaper and computer alike. They face Chaminade on Friday, a chance to move to 7-1 against a team that is in an extreme rough patch.

10. (11) Alemany (Mission Hills), 6-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 12 state, 46 national

The Warriors rebounded from their loss to Bishop Amat by felling Loyola, 24-23. They had an 11-point lead entering the fourth quarter then survived thanks to a missed extra point. According to the LA Daily News, Blake Green passed for 188 yards and ran for another 84, while Brandon Pierce racked up 123 receiving yards with a touchdown. Serra comes to town for a game on Friday.

11. (12) Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 5-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 10 state, 33 national

The Eagles moved to 1-1 in the Trinity League by posting a 42-41 win over Orange Lutheran that featured a furious comeback. They were down 41-21 entering the final quarter, then ended up winning thanks to KJ Costello rushing for the tying touchdown on fourth down with 18 seconds left (6 yards) and then Kyle Sweet converting the extra point, according to the Orange County Register. It was a record-setting day for Costello, according to the story, as he set school records with 495 yards, 34 completions and 47 attempts (stats used are the ones submitted to MaxPreps, not stats from the game story). Next up is Servite on Friday.

12. (9) Bakersfield, 6-1
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 31 state, 193 national

The Drillers were shut out in the first half but the defense carried them to a 19-7 win over Frontier (Bakersfield). The Drillers only enter defensive stats, so there is no offense to report on, but Curtis Hampton and Dymon Ford each recorded interceptions. Bakersfield is now the only Central Section team in the rankings. Next up is a road game at Centennial (Bakersfield) on Friday.

13. (15) Serra (Gardena), 5-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 13 state, 49 national

The Cavaliers did not play. They go to Alemany on Friday.

14. (18) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 7-1
Classifications: San Diego (Eastern), State I
Ranks: 14 state, 59 national

The Dons kept rolling, as they won 48-0 over Lincoln (San Diego). Clayton Dale passed for two touchdowns, Drew Cowell scored twice and Choyce Bostian III scored a defensive TD. Friday's road game at St. Augustine will be a big test for the Dons.

15. (13) Orange Lutheran, 4-3
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 21 state, 94 national

The Lancers again lost a tight game late, a tough realization of just how difficult it is to win in the Trinity League. Their 20-point lead entering the fourth quarter evaporated in a 42-41 loss to Santa Margarita. Lj Northington threw for two touchdowns and Jd Pickell scored two touchdowns as part of his six-rush, 92-yard night. Things aren't any easier now, as they go to St. John Bosco on Friday.

16. (23) Upland, 5-2
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 17 state, 76 national

The Highlanders won 28-16 over Chino Hills to grab the inside track in the Baseline League. Nathan Tilford ran eight times for 40 yards, including the touchdown in the fourth quarter that put the game out of reach. He scored two total touchdowns. Elijah Jones intercepted a pass, and according to submitted stats, Upland registered a jaw-dropping 11 sacks. Next up is Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga).

17. (17) Westlake (Westlake Village), 5-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 24 state, 111 national

The Warriors got a scare from Newbury Park, winning 30-27 thanks to three field goals from Kevin Robledo, who scored the deciding field goal in the fourth quarter and also set the state record for career field goals. Chase Jasmin rushed 17 times  for 197 yards and a touchdown. They go to Moorpark Friday.

18. (19) Helix (La Mesa), 6-1
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 11 state, 39 national

The Highlanders blew out Mount Miguel, 42-0. Michael Austin ran for a score and, threw for two more. Evan Perkins scored a 100-yard defensive touchdown as well. Helix hosts Valhalla on Friday.

19. (14) Chino Hills, 5-2
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 19 state, 90 national

The Huskies fell 28-16 to Upland, severely hurting their shot at a Baseline League title. Zac Sturdivant and Grady O'donnell each scored a touchdown for Chino Hills, and Carlos Benites kicked a field goal. Next up for the Huskies is a trip to Damien (La Verne).
 
20. (16) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 5-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 18 state, 68 national

The Knights had a brutally tough night in a 56-21 blowout loss to Crespi. Three different players combined to complete three of 15 passes. Tyler McGarry did complete a 75-yard scoring pass to Leo Lambert iii, and Nikolas Lyons returned an interception for a score. Notre Dame will look to bounce back Friday against Loyola.

21. (NR) El Capitan (Lakeside), 7-0
Classifications: San Diego (II), State III
Ranks: 27 state, 151 national

We welcome the Vaqueros to the rankings. What we don't welcome are any losses for this team. The perfect record comes with loads of convincing wins. In fact, El Capitan's closest game was decided by 14 points. Yes, it is odd to have a state Division III team in the rankings, but this team is getting respect from the Computer Rankings and U-T San Diego (which has it ranked fourth). A home game with Steele Canyon is Friday, and El Capitan finishes the season against Helix.

22. (NR) La Mirada, 6-1
Classifications: Southern (Southeast), State II
Ranks: 44 state, 304 national

We also welcome the Matadores, who are highly regarded by the Los Angeles Times. They started their season with a win over Tesoro and their only loss is to Servite. Now they are in the middle of Suburban League play and they are dominating. They are at Mayfair on Friday.

23. (20) Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita), 6-2
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State II
Ranks: 22 state, 102 national

The Titans had a one-point lead entering the fourth quarter but fell 12-10 to Mission Viejo due to a field goal with 29 seconds left. We're going to keep this squad around (and not add Mission Viejo for now) but its grip on a rankings spot is very slippery. Mission Viejo could claim the spot with one more win.

24. (24) St. Francis (La Canada), 7-0
Classifications: Southern (Southeast), State II
Ranks: 34 state, 212 national

The Golden Knights stayed perfect with a 52-41 triumph over Cathedral, one that included a halftime deficit and dominant second half. Areg Nazarian ran 17 times for 172 yards and Jeremiah Martin ran 21 times for 124 yards and a score. Dylan Crawford caught a pair of touchdown passes as well. Avery Williams also intercepted a pair of passes. St. Francis goes to St. Paul on Friday.

25. (25) Corona del Mar (Newport Beach), 6-1
Classifications: Southern (Southwest), State II
Ranks: 36 state, 220 national

The Sea Kings won 41-3 over Woodbridge (Irvine), with all the points coming in the first half. Sophomore quarterback Chase Garbers continued to impress, going 15-for-20 with 202 yards and two scores, not to mention two rushing touchdowns. Barrett Barbato ran eight times for 114 yards. Next up is a Friday home game against University (Irvine).

Dropped out: No. 8 Edison (Fresno), No. 22 Chaminade (West Hills)