MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 high school football rankings

With league play looming for most of Southern California's premier programs in two weeks, games on Friday night will serve as the final primer before things start to get far more serious for area teams.

In terms of the upper half of the most recent rankings, there is not much shuffling to speak about. The cream of the crop remains at the top. There is, however, a slight shakeup in the middle of the poll, as well as three new programs making an appearance.

Southern California is also starring on the national scene, with three SoCal teams topping the Farwest area in our regional computer rankings and four in the Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 Football Rankings

1. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita)
Overall record: 4-0
Previous rank: 1
Upon further review: Defeated Carson, 72-0 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: St. Bonaventure (Ventura) on Friday.
Extra point: We had a feeling the Eagles could sit atop this Southern California poll from start to finish this season. Ranked No. 3 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25, they have made us look good so far. Santa Margarita's big game against St. Bonaventure, and Nebraska commit Johnny Stanton, will be featured this week on the new Friday Night Live show, powered by American Family Insurance.

Last week's Southern California Top 25 scoreboard

2. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta)
Overall record: 3-0
Previous rank: 2
Upon further review: Defeated Redlands East Valley, 59-14 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) on Friday.
Extra point: The Broncos have faced a particularly difficult nonleague schedule thus far. Ranked No. 14 in the Xcellent 25, things do not get any easier for them this week, although the game is at home.

3. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village)
Overall record: 4-0
Previous rank: 3
Upon further review: Defeated Chaminade (West Hills), 44-30 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Crenshaw (Los Angeles) on Friday.
Extra point: No. 17 in the Xcellent 25 poll, the Lions were recently put to the test. A similar challenge awaits this week against a traditional powerhouse from the CIF Los Angeles City Section.
Francis Owusu feature

4. Narbonne (Harbor City)
Overall record: 3-0
Previous rank: 4
Upon further review: Defeated Lakewood, 61-6.
Countdown to kickoff: Serra (Gardena) on Friday.
Extra point: The Gauchos, ranked No. 20 in the Xcellent 25, will go as far as senior quarterback and Washington commit Troy Williams will take them. Sky's the limit, there's no doubt about it.

5. St. Bonaventure (Ventura)
Overall record: 4-0
Previous rank: 5
Upon further review: Defeated Atascadero, 56-23.
Countdown to kickoff: Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) on Friday.
Extra point: Senior running back and Arizona commit Zachary Green must figure out a way to find some measure of success on the ground this week for the Seraphs to pull off an upset.

6. Mission Viejo
Overall record: 4-0
Previous rank: 7
Upon further review: Defeated La Quinta, 63-14 / Qwixcore
Opening kickoff: Aliso Niguel (Aliso Viejo) on Friday.
Extra point: There were question marks about whether the junior running back tandem of Daniel Marx and Alex Suchesk could get the job done. The underclassman combination has done just fine.

7. Serra (Gardena)
Overall record: 4-0
Previous rank: 8
Upon further review: Defeated Banning (Wilmington), 43-0.
Countdown to kickoff: Narbonne (Harbor City) on Friday.
Extra point: Darrell Furey has emerged as the go-to-guy on the offensive side of the ball. The senior receiver has 234 yards on 10 catches this season, and four of those receptions are for touchdowns.

8. Centennial (Corona)
Overall record: 2-1
Previous rank: 10
Upon further review: Defeated Alemany (Mission Hills), 36-32 / Qwixcore and photos
Countdown to kickoff: Carson on Friday.
Extra point: After falling in the season opener to St. Bonaventure (Ventura), the Huskies have bounced back with a pair of quality victories. We expect the winning trend to continue this week.

9. Alemany (Mission Hills)
Overall record: 3-1
Previous rank: 6
Upon further review: Lost to Centennial (Corona), 36-32 / Qwixcore and photos
Countdown to kickoff: Dorsey (Los Angeles) on Friday.
Extra point: There are no moral victories. The Warriors, however, can take some consolation in the fact they played well in a hostile environment during last week's setback in the Inland Empire.

10. Upland
Overall record: 4-0
Previous rank: 11
Upon further review: Defeated Silverado (Victorville), 34-3.
Countdown to kickoff: Santiago (Corona) on Friday.
Extra point: Joe Mathis entered the season as one of the nation's top unsigned recruits and the senior defensive lineman has lived up to the advanced billing, and then some. Believe the hype.

11. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
Overall record: 3-0
Previous rank: 14
Upon further review: Defeated Santa Monica, 55-0 / Photo gallery
Countdown to kickoff: Edison (Huntington Beach) on Friday.
Extra point: The passing game has developed a bit sooner than expected, due in large part to the play of Justin Allen. The junior running back has provided balance with his effectiveness on the ground.

12. St. John Bosco (Bellflower)
Overall record: 4-0
Previous rank: 15
Upon further review: Defeated Loyola (Los Angeles), 45-0.
Countdown to kickoff: Jordan (Sandy, Utah) on Sept. 29.
Extra point: The Braves were the prohibitive favorite last week. They took care of business, of course. With a bye week, signs point to the lopsided result being enjoyed for a bit longer than normal.

13. Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita)
Overall record: 4-0
Previous rank: 12
Upon further review: Defeated Colony (Ontario), 56-7.
Countdown to kickoff: Chaparral (Temecula) on Friday.
Extra point: It was business as usual for the Titans this past weekend: Another easy opponent, another easy victory. It will be interesting to see how this team responds when presented with adversity.

14. Rancho Cucamonga
Overall record: 3-1
Previous rank: 13
Upon further review: Defeated A.B. Miller (Fontana), 45-0 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: J.W. North (Riverside) on Friday.
Extra point: We've said it before, and it's worth repeating: Throwing the ball against the Cougars and senior defensive backs Chris Hawkins and Tahaan Goodman is a no-win situation for offenses.

15. Edison (Huntington Beach) 
Overall record: 3-0
Previous rank: 23
Upon further review: Defeated Servite (Anaheim), 6-0 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Mater Dei (Santa Ana) on Friday.
Extra point: The Chargers can score points with the best of them in Southern California. The defense emerged as a formidable group last week and that bodes well for this group moving forward.

16. Bishop Amat (La Puente)
Overall record: 3-0-1
Previous rank: 21
Upon further review: Defeated Charter Oak (Covina), 30-14 / Qwixcore and photos
Countdown to kickoff: St. Paul (Sante Fe Springs) on Friday.
Extra point: With Serra League play looming right around the corner, the Lancers can not afford to become complacent. Losing the momentum built in recent weeks would be disastrous.

17. Lompoc
Overall record: 4-0
Previous rank: 18
Upon further review: Defeated Dos Pueblos (Goleta), 31-14 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Morro Bay on Friday.
Extra point: The Braves have been impressive this season, winning by an average of more than 20 points per game. One has to wonder if the perceived lack of competition will hurt in the long run.

18. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks)
Overall record: 3-1
Previous rank: 20
Upon further review: Defeated Birmingham (Lake Balboa), 44-0 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Golden Valley (Valencia) on Friday.
Extra point: With Kelly Hilinski at the helm, the Knights have been on a roll. The senior quarterback has embraced his leadership role and has displayed an unquestioned understanding of the offense.

19. Crespi (Encino)
Overall record: 5-0
Previous rank: 22
Upon further review: Defeated Palisades, 70-8 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Westlake (Westlake Village) on Friday.
Extra point: The Celts had better be prepared this week given the fact they have a road game and the opponent will be highly motivated after an upset loss. That is not a recipe for success. 

20. Servite (Anaheim)
Overall record: 1-2
Previous rank: 9
Upon further review: Lost to Edison (Huntington Beach), 6-0 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) on Friday.
Extra point: The Friars do not figure to be happy about last week's result. They have little, or no, time to dwell on the past though. Directing their focus on the task at hand must be the goal, as a national power comes to town after a loss on national TV.

21. Chaminade (West Hills)
Overall record: 3-1
Previous rank: 19
Upon further review: Lost to Oaks Christian (Westlake Village), 44-30 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) on Sept. 28.
Extra point: There is no shame in a last week's loss to one the premier programs Southern California has to offer. The Eagles, however, missed out on an opportunity to make a big statement.

22. Westlake (Westlake Village)
Overall record: 3-1
Previous rank: 16
Upon further review: Lost to La Serna (Whittier), 38-9 / Box score and stats
Countdown to kickoff: Crespi (Encino) on Friday.
Extra point: Dashon Hunt did not play last week and the Warriors did not do well without the senior defensive back in uniform. His status for the next contest is questionable at this point.

23. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego)
Overall record: 2-1
Previous rank: NR
Upon further review: Defeated Helix (La Mesa), 16-7 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) on Friday.
Extra point: The Dons were expecting a steady contribution from Garrett Bogart this season and the senior quarterback has delivered thus far. He is completing close to 60 percent of his passes.

24. Orange Lutheran
Overall record: 4-0
Previous rank: NR
Upon further review: Defeated La Habra, 27-7 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Redondo Union (Redondo Beach) on Friday.
Extra point: The Lancers have one more nonleague game before all-important and difficult Trinity League play begins in two weeks. It is important for them to not look too far ahead.

25. El Toro (Lake Forest)
Overall record: 4-0
Previous rank: NR
Upon further review: Defeated Palos Verdes (Palos Verdes Estates) 45-24 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Valhalla (El Cajon) on Friday.
Extra point: No one has been able to stop Conner Manning this season. The senior quarterback and Utah commit is averaging 410 yards passing per game and has 17 touchdown tosses.

Sean Ceglinsky has covered preps and college sports in Southern California for the better part of the past 15-plus years. Follow him on twitter: @SeanCeglinsky