MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 high school football rankings

We've finally made it to the Regional Bowl Games, and you can only get to that point by playing section title games.

There were some titanic matchups in those title games, ones that caused movement in the rankings this week. The final rankings will be released next week.

Click here to see playoff brackets from across the state and click here to see remaining undefeated teams in California.

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 latest MaxWire Los Angeles videos for updates on the region.


1. (1 last week) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 14-0 *Section champ
Classifications: Southern (Pac-5), State I
Ranks: 1 state, 1 national, 3 Xcellent 25

The Braves are the Pac-5 champions for the first time ever, and they (unsurprisingly) have been selected to play in the Open Division Bowl Game. Their trip to the state playoffs was sealed with their second victory of the season over Mater Dei. They won 34-7 this time against the Monarchs, another dominant performance. They broke open a 10-7 halftime lead with a second-half onslaught, including touchdowns from Manasseh Anesi, Sean McGrew and Jaleel Wadood. Reid Budrovich also kicked a pair of field goals. Next up is Saturday's Open Division Regional Bowl against Centennial (Corona) at Cerritos College.

2. (3) Centennial (Corona), 12-2 *Section champ
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 5 state, 23 national

The Huskies are back in the Open Division Regional Bowl again, as they eliminated Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) in the Inland Division final, 26-12. It's their fifth division title since 2007. Tre Watson was a workhorse, toting the ball 48 times for 304 yards and two touchdowns. Robert Webber threw touchdown passes to Greyson Bankhead (six catches, 119 yards) and Eric Locklin. They'll get a shot at St. John Bosco on Saturday night at Cerritos College.

3. (2) Serra (Gardena), 13-1, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Western), State II
Ranks: 13 state, 58 national

The Cavaliers lost on a last-second field goal to Chaminade in the Western Division final, 38-35. A 28-14 lead at the half evaporated. Adoree' Jackson was spectacular on special teams, taking a punt back 94 yards and a kickoff 93 yards. Jalen Greene only completed 11 of 27 passes but three were for touchdowns. Jordan Lasley caught five passes for 127 yards and a pair of scores as well. But the Cavaliers will not play for the state title like they did last year. Losses by teams below them keep the Cavaliers up this high.

4. (7) Chaminade (West Hills), 12-2 *Section champ
Classifications: Southern (Western), State II
Ranks: 7 state, 36 national

Yes, the Eagles beat Serra 38-35. Yes, they are playing Hart in the Division II Bowl Game on Saturday. Yes, they looked great. But we must remember that they lost to Serra and Hart earlier this season - and the Serra loss was a blowout. So here's the deal: A win over Hart definitely gets Chaminade ahead of Serra in the rankings. If they lose then we are likely to leave them here. In the win over Serra, Donovan Lee scored four touchdowns including 133 yards on 35 carries. Brayden Lenius caught six passes for 133 yards as well. They face Hart at College of the Canyons Saturday.

5. (4) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 11-3, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac-5), State I
Ranks: 2 state, 9 national

The Monarchs succumbed to St. John Bosco yet again, this time by a 34-7 count. The offense went eight quarters this season without scoring against the Braves, as the lone touchdown came when Johnny Johnson blocked a punt and took it back for a touchdown.

6. (5) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta), 12-2, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 8 state, 39 national

The Broncos lost 26-12 to Centennial in the Inland Division final. A crucial play came when Kwesi Mashack took a kickoff 86 yards for a score but it was called back due to a penalty. It was the fourth time in a row that the teams met for the title. Coltin Gerhart was held in check, with 74 passing yards and 17 rushing yards. Darryl Denby caught a touchdown pass, and the defense stole three interceptions.

7. (6) Long Beach Poly, 11-2, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac-5), State I
Ranks: 10 state, 50 national

The Jackrabbits lost to Mater Dei in the semifinals.

8. (8) Mission Hills (San Marcos), 12-1 *Section champ
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 10 state, 55 national

The Grizzlies had the week off to enjoy their San Diego Section Open Division title, and to prepare for a likely bowl opponent. They got their wish, as they will host Bakersfield Friday in the Division I Regional Bowl.

9. (9) Alemany (Mission Hills), 10-3, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac-5), State I
Ranks: 12 state, 57 national

The Warriors lost to St. John Bosco in the semifinals.

10. (10) Mission Viejo, 11-1, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 6 state, 32 national

The Diablos lost to Mater Dei in the second round.

11. (12) Bakersfield, 11-2 *Section champ
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 11 state, 56 national

The Drillers once again dominated in the Central Section Division I playoffs, taking the title in a 60-21 romp over Clovis North that featured a running clock. Asauni Rufus completed 10 of 11 passes for 180 yards, and the running game gobbled up 376. In other words, the offense was unstoppable. Derrick Vickers ran four times for 69 yards and two touchdowns. Bakersfield was selected to play in the Division I Regional Bowl and will go to Mission Hills (San Marcos) for a Friday night tilt.

12. (15) Hart (Newhall), 12-2 *Section champ
Classifications: Southern (Northern), State II
Ranks: 15 state, 78 national

The Indians got revenge on Valencia with a 28-21 win over Valencia in the Northern Division final, and they were selected to play against Chaminade in the Division II Regional Bowl. Against Valencia, Connor Wingenroth secured the victory with an interception in the end zone, and he also ran for 183 yards. Brady White threw for two scores as well. Next up is a Regional Bowl against Chaminade Saturday at College of the Canyons, a rematch of a 55-54 win for Hart in overtime early in the season.

13. (11) Oceanside, 10-3, Season over
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 18 state, 93 national

The Pirates lost in the finals.

14. (13) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 11-2 *Section champ
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 16 state, 86 national

The Dons were not chosen for the Regional Bowl Game for Division I. They won the San Diego Section Division I title.

15. (16) San Pasqual (Escondido), 11-2, Season over
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 32 state, 265 national

The Golden Eagles lost in the section final.

16. (17) St. Augustine (San Diego), 11-2 *Section champ
Classifications: San Diego (II), State II
Ranks: 20 state, 117 national

The Saints won the SDS Division II final but were not selected for a Regional Bowl Game.

17. (14) Valencia, 11-3
Classifications: Southern (Northern), State I
Ranks: 31 state, 252 national

The Vikings lost 28-21 to Hart in the Northern Division final, ending their season. Stone Jackson ran for 159 yards in the loss.

18. (18) Norco, 9-4, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 23 state, 162 national

The Cougars lost to Vista Murrieta in the semifinals.

19. (19) Rancho Cucamonga, 10-2, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 28 state, 235 national

The Cougars lost to Norco in the quarterfinals.

20. (20) Servite (Anaheim), 6-6, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 19 state, 109 national

The Friars lost to Alemany in the quarterfinals.

21. (21) Westlake (Westlake Village), 8-3, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 44 state, 370 national

The Warriors lost to Servite in the first round.

22. (22) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village), 8-3, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 14 state, 67 national

The Lions lost to Mater Dei in the first round.

23. (23) Eastlake (Chula Vista), 10-2, Season over
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 35 state, 284 national 

The Titans lost to Oceanside in the semifinals.

24. (24) Helix (La Mesa), 9-3, Season over
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 25 state, 181 national

The Highlanders lost to Mission Hills in the semifinals.

25. (25) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 7-4, Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 24 state, 178 national

The Knights lost to St. Bonaventure in the first round.