MaxPreps Northern California Top 25 high school football rankings

MaxPreps Northern California Top 25 Football Rankings

1. De La Salle (Concord) (1) 10-0
The Spartans are in the playoffs a NorCal-record 31st consecutive season and seek the program's 21st successive North Coast Section Division I championship and fourth CIF State Open Bowl triumph in a row. This is a remarkable show of staying power. And this: DLS has not lost to a NorCal foe since Pittsburg in the 1991 playoffs. That's 232 games ago. Yes, De La Salle can pick it up a bit in the postseason, and yes, only a fool would beat against the Spartans now with that fast defense and the 1-2 backfield punch of Tiapepe Vitale (1,491 yards, 19 touchdowns) and Das Tautalatasi (658 and 4). After a North Coast Section Division I bye, the Spartans now take on a very talented Pittsburg club.

2. Franklin (Elk Grove) (2) 11-0
Shook off a sluggish first half in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I opener against Nevada Union for a 35-14 victory. The Wildcats had six first-half turnovers but settled down, unleashed its runners in Kyran Harris and Christian Fonbuena and pitched a second-half shutout. Next is a grudge rematch against Lincoln (Stockton), which eliminated Franklin last season in the postseason. Franklin is rated No. 3 in the MaxPreps NorCal D-I Bowl rankings.

3. Bellarmine (San Jose) (3) 9-1
The Bells stand tall as unbeaten West Catholic Athletic League champions again, and that's no easy roll considering all the bruisers in one of the top conferences on the West Coast. Central Coast Section Open playoffs against Terra Nova (6-4) with visions of a third trip to a state bowl behind quarterback K.J. Carta-Samuels and running back Joey Sanfilippo.

4. Folsom (4) 11-0
The Bulldogs stormed into their Sac-Joaquin Section Division II opener, belting Atwater 59-12 as Jake Browning passed for more than 400 yards and seven touchdowns, giving him 50 on the season. He has passed for 4,147 yards — and yes, he's just a sophomore. He has a terrific offensive line and a steady defense, too. Face Vacaville in Round II in a rematch of last season's D-II section title bout, won by Vacaville. Folsom is rated second in the MaxPreps NorCal D-II Bowl rankings behind De La Salle.

5. Elk Grove (5) 10-1
Rolled Ponderosa 41-0 in Sac-Joaquin Section Division II play to make up for an otherwise sluggish finish to the regular season. Touchdowns were scored by backs Robert Frazier and Wadus Parker and on defense by lineman Bwon Canada. Next is a regular-season rematch game with Del Campo, which fell to Elk Grove 20-16 in September.

6. Burbank (Sacramento) (7) 11-0
Beat rival Grant 26-19 in Sac-Joaquin Section Division I action as Isiah Williams, Calvin Green and Ernest Jenkins each rushed for 100 yards and scored. The defense was paced by Ngalu Tapa, who had two fourth-quarter sacks. Next play Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) on Saturday. Pleasant Grove beat 9-1 Staff (Stockton) 22-21 on a late field goal in an opener.

7. Logan (Union City) (8) 10-1
The Colts rolled Irvington 56-8 in a North Coast Section Division I opener behind Warren Miles Long, who rushed for 211 yards and scored four touchdowns. He raced 67 yards on the team's first play from scrimmage for a score, and Jeffrey Prothro had two touchdown passes as Logan won an opener for the first time since 2007 — it had lost its last four. The one loss this season was to a very good program in 2011 bowl team, Del Oro, 20-13 in overtime. Take on Freedom next in a terrific showdown that could include both teams scoring in the 40s.

8. St. Mary's (Stockton) (9) 9-2
Beat Tracy 34-6 in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division II opener to set up a titanic meeting with Del Oro in a meeting of traditional powers. The Rams are dangerous out of the spread and playing good defense. Losses are to Central Catholic (Modesto), 28-21, and state-ranked No. 1 De La Salle, 21-13.

9. Serra (San Mateo) (6) 8-2
If the Padres wanted a wake-up call, they got it in emphatic fashion, buckling to St. Francis (Mountain View) 24-0 in a West Catholic Athletic League finale. Still, Serra will make a run in the North Coast Section D-I Open playoffs as a proven product, and a grumpy one, too. Serra takes on Palo Alto (8-2) in a tough opener, and then could face Bellarmine in the second round in a rematch of Serra's first loss, 35-34 in a thriller. Serra runner Eric Redwood is closing in on more school rushing records. He needs a monster postseason to survive this field.

10. Buhach Colony (Atwater) (10) 9-2
Rolled McNair 59-22 in Sac-Joaquin Section Division II opening action behind 513 rushing yards, including 194 by Leon Miles and 164 by Stefon Gold. The backs combined for six touchdowns. The last loss was 36-35 to Serra (San Mateo), which won it with a late two-point run and explains why Serra didn't slip below the Thunder in these rankings. Now play Antelope, a 31-24 opening-round winner over Rocklin.

11. Granite Bay (11) 8-3
The defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division I champions are rolling now, winners of seven straight, including 52-0 shelling over a very solid Napa team in an opener. Grant Caraway completed 12 of 14 passes for 159 yards and hit four different receivers for touchdowns, and the team rushed for 267 yards to hand the Indians their worst playoff beating. Losses are to Westlake, Oaks Christian and Pittsburg (Antioch). Play Downey (Modesto) next.

12. Placer (Auburn, Calif.) (12) 11-0
Rolled defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV champion Hilmar 59-3 with Isaac Brahce rushing for 104 yards, Cameron Scott 99 and Todd Valliere 86 and three scores and the defense recovering five fumbles. Next is a great showdown against Escalon, a past state bowl winner with as good a section resume as you can find. The teams have not played in the postseason before. The Hillmen are ranked No. 1 in the MaxPreps NorCal D-III Bowl rankings.

13. Marin Catholic (Kentfield) (13) 10-1
The Wildcats opened North Coast Section Division III action with a 38-7 rout of Hercules with quarterback ace Jared Goff passing for 246 yards and four touchdowns. He hit eight different receivers, and he handed off to Akili Terry, who rushed for 187 yards and a score.

14. Central Catholic (Modesto) (14) 9-2
Rolled Bear River 63-20 in Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV play as Rey Vega rushed fro 121 yards and Ray Lomas went for 136 as the backs combined to score seven touchdowns. The defense came up with six sacks and held the Bruins to 20 yards rushing on 28 carries, including sacks. Wins include St. Mary's (28-21) with losses to Placer (48-30) and Downey (45-42). Next face 11-0 Ripon, a 40-0 winner over Argonaut.

15. Oak Grove (San Jose) (15) 10-0
Winners of the Mount Hamilton League are the No. 2 seed in the North Coast Section Open Division behind Bellarmine, thanks to a punishing run game headed by Nick Bernardo (1,709 yards and 19 touchdowns) and Chidobe Awuzie (1,247 and 15). Face Mitty (San Jose).

16. Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) (16) 10-1
The Trojans led 21-14 after the first quarter then stormed from there, beating Enochs (Modesto) 49-21 in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I opener. There was again offensive balance and a defensive stand, including a second-half shutout. Wins include Grant, Vacaville and Pleasant Grove. Next face another 209 club in Pitman (Turlock).

17. Freedom (Oakley) (17) 9-2
Rolled Berkeley 63-7 in the North Coast Section Division I playoffs as Joe Mixon reached the end zone four times and Dante Mayes accounted for four total scores. Freedom is seeded sixth and takes on Logan in what expects to be a thriller. If it's a defensive slugfest, get your money back. One loss was to NorCal No. 2 Franklin 35-21 after Freedom led 21-0. One win was against Pittsburg, 49-48.

18. Oakdale (18) 10-1
The Mustangs rolled Pacheco 63-7 in Sac-Joaquin Section Division III opening action behind the same ingredients: a punishing run game and a dominant defense. Loss was to San Diego No. 1 Oceanside in early season showcase. This is your heavy D-III section favorite until further notice. The Mustangs are rated No. 2 in the MaxPreps NorCal D-II Bowl rankings.

19. California (San Ramon) (19) 9-2
Looking formidable as a No. 2 seed in the North Coast Section Division I field after falling to De La Salle 27-14 in a regular season finale, thus earning a first-round bye. One win includes a 40-34 effort at Pittsburg. Now face Foothill (Pleasanton), a team California steamed 36-7 this season.

20. Pittsburg (20) 8-3
The Pirates downed Monte Vista 55-29 to avenge an earlier loss to the same club and now draw a familiar foe in De La Salle. Yes, Pittsburg was the last NorCal team to beat DLS, in 1991 — ancient history — and there's this to remember, too: DLS has bounced the Pirates 10 times since. Losses are to California 40-34, Monte Vista 44-14 and Freedom 49-48.

21. El Cerrito (21) 11-0
Blasted Kennedy (Fremont) 56-8 to open North Coast Section Division III play in looking the part as top seed. Marcellus Pippins scored on punt returns of 82 and 70 yards and Austin Harper ran for 109 yards and had a 65-yard scoring burst. Next is No. 9-seed Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) on Saturday at De Anza College. Biggest win this season was a 16-14 effort over Campolindo (Moraga) for Campo's lone regular-season loss.

22. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) (22) 8-2
The Monarchs of the West Catholic Athletic League enter the Central Coast Section Open field steaming from a 21-6 loss to St. Ignatius, but otherwise sport a strong defense. And talk about a fun opener: Oak Grove. Mitty earlier lost a 14-10 contest to Bellarmine and to Serra 30-21. That's how close the margin is in this WCAL.

23. Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park) (23) 11-0
The Cougars of the North Bay League are primed for a North Coast Section D-II playoff march with the No. 2 seed and take on No. 7 Las Lomas, a 31-14 first-round winner over Washington. Wins include 21-14 over rival Cardinal Newman. RC is No. 1 in the MaxPreps NorCal D-II Bowl rankings.

24. Sutter (25) 11-0
The top seed in the North Section Division II playoff mix also stands as the overall No. 1 team in the entire North State. The Huskies rolled Yreka 49-7. Now take on Orland (9-2), a team they beat 20-3 earlier this season. The Huskies are rated second behind Placer in the MaxPreps NorCal D-III rankings and a spot ahead of Marin Catholic. Wins include larger-school heavy Enterprise (Redding) 34-27 in a nonleague contest in Week 8.

25. Clayton Valley (Concord) (25) 9-1
Winners of nine consecutive games since opening with a 40-27 shootout loss to Pittsburg, the Eagles are primed for a title run in the North Coast Section Division II field as the No. 1 seed. CV takes on Dublin, an opening-round 44-21 winner over Livermore and sits at No. 4 in the MaxPreps NorCal D-II Bowl rankings below Enterprise (Redding), which is not ranked here due to its loss to Sutter.

On the bubble:
Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 9-1
Del Oro (Loomis) 6-5
Antelope 10-1
Downey (Modesto) 10-1
Del Campo (Fair Oaks) 9-2
Lincoln (Stockton) 8-3
Vacaville 8-3
Center (Antelope) 8-2
Vista del Lago (Folsom) 9-1
Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove) 8-2
Grant (Sacramento) 5-6
Enterprise (Redding) 8-3
Paradise 7-3
Chico 7-3
Capital Christian (Sacramento) 10-1
Ripon 11-0
Argonaut (Jackson) 11-0
Los Banos 10-1
Rocklin 5-6
Stagg (Stockton) 9-2
Whitney (Rocklin) 8-3

Joe Davidson has covered high schools with The Sacramento Bee since 1988. Follow him on Twitter: @SacBee_JoeD; on Facebook: sacbeepreps; and online: sacbee.com/preps; and radio podcasts: ESPN1320.net.