The top four teams held steady in these rankings, representing the Central Coast Section, the Sac-Joaquin and North Coast.
The NorCal showdown this week is No. 3 De La Salle visiting No. 6 St. Mary's of Stockton. The two best leagues are the Sierra Foothill League of the SJS and the West Catholic Athletic League in the Central Coast.
Jaden Rashada, Pittsburg
Photo: Ernie Abrea
Last week: Defeated Archbishop Mitty, 35-7
This week: vs. Bellarmine
Serra is 2-0 in the West Catholic Athletic League after the rout of Bellarmine in the program's lone home night game of the season.
Maealiuaki Smith passed for 209 yards and two touchdowns and
Jaden Green rushed 85 yards for a score. Other wins are 17-12 over Folsom and 24-21 over De La Salle.
2. (2) Folsom, 5-1
Last week: Defeated Oak Ridge, 42-13
This week: at Whitney
The Bulldogs shutout their rivals in the second half after it was a 21-13 game in a Sierra Foothill League opener, and
Austin Mack hit
Rico Flores Jr. for two touchdown bombs to break it open. It's the 17th consecutive win for Folsom over Oak Ridge. Folsom beat Pittsburg 23-15 and De La Salle 24-20 and lost 17-12 to Serra.
3. (3) De La Salle (Concord), 3-2
Last week: Bye
This week: At St. Mary's
The Spartans had a bye and gear up for another team eager to take them on in St. Mary's, a program that has challenged DLS in nonleague games before, some thrillers, but has never defeated the Spartans. The DLS losses are 24-21 to Serra and 24-20 to Folsom.
4. (4) Pittsburg, 4-1
Last week: Defeated McClymonds, 39-21
This week: vs. Liberty
The Pirates impressed in beating Mack as
Khai Taylor caught two touchdowns, and
Cameron Clanton had a touchdown run to seal it.
Jaden Rashada had three touchdown passes for the Bay Valley Athletic League favorites. The loss was 23-15 to Folsom.
5. (6) Monterey Trail (Elk Grove, Calif.), 5-2
Last week: Defeated Burbank, 56-0
This week: vs. McClatchy
The Mustangs won their fifth consecutive game in holding the Titans to 11 total yards in the Metro League rout.
Jervin Navarro had two touchdowns rushing for Monterey Trail, which has losses to Folsom and De La Salle.
6. (7) St. Mary's (Stockton), 6-0
Last week: Defeated Lodi, 35-14
This week: vs. De La Salle
A 14-14 game became all Rams behind offensive balance and defense for a surging program that is every bit a contender in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship race. The showdown with De La Salle will be telling.
7. (10) Del Oro (Loomis), 6-0
Last week: Defeated Granite Bay, 21-10
This week: vs. Rocklin
In a Sierra Foothill League showdown of rivals, the Golden Eagles led 21-10 at the half and held on behind quarterback
Caden Pinnickand playmaker
Thomas Graham II, who had a 68-yard punt return touchdown. Other big wins include a rally at Clayton Valley Charter and a rout of Menlo-Atherton.
8. (11) Clovis West (Fresno), 6-0
Last week: Defeated Buchanan, 29-22
This week: vs. Clovis East
The top-ranked team in the Central Section earned a tough Tri-River Athletic Conference win over Buchanan as
Ryan Markarian hit
Marshel Sanders for a long touchdown with 40 seconds left, and Jayden Madal sealed it with an interception.
9. (5) Buchanan (Clovis), 5-1
Last week: Lost to Clovis West, 29-22
This week: vs. Central
The Bears impressed with a 99-yard drive, capped by
Michael Runnels running it in from 24 yards out, but Clovis West won it with a deep touchdown. The Tri-River Athletic Conference race will be a good one.
10. (12) Salinas, 6-0
Last week: Defeated Santa Cruz, 55-7
This week: Bye
The Cowboys rolled but still have upcoming challenges against Aptos and Palma. This could be the No. 1 seed in Division I for the Central Coast Section if the train keeps rolling.
11. (13) Manteca, 5-0
Last week: Defeated Kimball, 55-19
This week: vs. Sierra
The Buffaloes
Hudson Wyatt and
Blake Nichelson led the charge as Manteca sets aim on winning the Valley Oak League race that includes Central Catholic and Oakdale.
12. (14) Liberty (Bakersfield), 4-2
Last week: Defeated Garces Memorial, 13-0
This week: at Stockdale
The Patriots recovered from their 27-0 loss to San Diego power Carlsbad with a satisfying Yosemite River League effort.
13. (8) Granite Bay, 5-1
Last week: Lost to Del Oro, 21-10
This week: vs. Oak Ridge
The Grizzlies were shutout in a half for the first time all season, blanked in the second half as the offense stalled out. The next SFL showdown is against Oak Ridge, where the loser will suddenly be 0-2 in league play.
14. (9) Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills), 5-1
Last week: Lost to Folsom, 42-13
This week: vs. Granite Bay
The Trojans had a game in the first half, trailing 21-13, and then struggled to to cash in the final two quarters in falling for the 17th consecutive time to Folsom, dating back to 2006.
15. (16) Wilcox (Santa Clara), 5-0
Last week: Defeated Mountain View, 44-14
This week: at Milpitas
The Chargers rolled behind quarterback
Armand Johnson, who passed for 256 yards and three touchdowns, and
Elijah Diallo Walker rushed for 144 yards and a score.
16. (15) McClymonds (Oakland), 3-1
Last week: Lost to Pittsburg, 39-21
This week: vs. San Ramon Valley
The Warriors were led by running back
Jaivian Thomas with another big NorCal nonleague game looming against 5-0 San Ramon Valley.
17. (17) Vanden (Fairfield), 6-0
Last week: Defeated Armijo-Fairfield, 42-6
This week: vs. Vacaville
The defending CIF State Division 3-AA champions won their 13th consecutive game as
Tre Dimes fired three touchdown passes. Vanden now faces the team that last stuck them with a loss: Vacaville. This will be for the Monticello Empire League championship.
18. (19) Marin Catholic (Kentfield), 6-0
Last week: Bye
This week: vs. Tamalpais
The Wildcats are the class of the Marin County Athletic League.
19. (20) Saint Francis (Mountain View), 2-3
Last week: Defeated St. Ignatius, 42-20
This week: vs. Sacred Heart Cathedral
The Lancers were led by
Keala Keanaaina's 232 yards and two touchdowns and the three touchdown passes from Matthew Doughterty to roll their rivals. The Lancers won the WCAL last season.
20. (21) San Ramon Valley (Danville), 5-0
Last week: Defeated Foothill-Pleasanton, 31-7
T
his week: vs. McClymonds
The Wolves are off and running, and
Luke Baker hit
Trevor Scott for three touchdown passes to belt Foothill. Another test looms in McClymonds.
The next 1021.
Central Catholic (Modesto), 2-3
22.
Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park), 5-1
23.
El Cerrito, 5-0
24.
Acalanes (Lafayette), 5-0
25.
Rocklin, 5-1
26.
Campolindo (Moraga), 5-0
27.
San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno), 4-2
28.
Downey (Modesto), 6-0
29.
Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton), 4-1
30.
Central (Fresno), 4-2
