The Monarchs are ranked No. 1 by both MaxPreps and High School Football America. CalPreps has the Southern California squad in the two-spot behind
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). The Ascenders, the defending MaxPreps National Champion and 2020 consensus champions, are No. 2 by MaxPreps and fifth by High School Football America.
IMG beging its season Aug. 29 against Ohio's Bishop Sycamore at Tom Benson Stadium in Caton, Ohio.
The Monarchs have seen two games canceled as the Aug. 20 opener vs. Corona Centennial was dropped after positive tests in the Huskies' program and Hawaii postponed its start to Sept. 24. Mater Dei's first schedule game now is an Aug. 27 trip to play Duncanville, the first time a California school has ventured to the Lone Star State since 2015.
Only schools recognized within all three Top 100 media outlets are eligible for inclusion in the composite Top 25 rankings. You also have to land in one of the three polls Top 25 to be considered.

Mater Dei starts the season No. 1 in the Composite Top 25 high school football rankings.
Photo by Heston Quan
Composite Top 25 high school football rankings
1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)Average rank: 1.3
MaxPreps Top 25: 1
High School Football America: 1
CalPreps: 2