With nonleague play in the books for most teams in Southern California, the attention turns toward all-important league action in an effort to better prepare for section playoffs in less than two months.
There are some shake-ups in the Top 10 this week and a few additions to the Top 25.
Six Southern California teams currently hold spots in the
Regional Computer Rankings Top 10 and three of them reside in the
MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.
Santa Margarita held on for a hard-fought win against St. Bonaventure last week to maintain its place atop the rankings.
Photo by Louis Lopez
5-0
Previous rank: 1
Upon further review: Defeated St. Bonaventure (Ventura), 35-27 /
Game story and
PhotosCountdown to kickoff: Servite (Anaheim) on Oct. 5.
Extra point: Trouble could be brewing for the Eagles, No. 3 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 rankings, when you consider senior quarterback
Johnny Stanton has an ACL injury that needs surgery.
View the MaxPreps 2012 California Bowl Game Rankings
Vista Murrieta remains undefeated and continues to climb in the national rankings.
File photo by Rob Carmell
4-0
Previous rank: 2
Upon further review: Defeated Cathedral (San Diego), 21-10 /
QwixcoreCountdown to kickoff: Palisades (Pacific Palisades) on Friday.
Extra point: Signs point to the Broncos climbing to No. 12 in the most recent Xcellent 25 rankings based on a particularly impressive victory over their worthy counterparts from down South.
3. Narbonne (Harbor City)Overall record: 4-0
Previous rank: 4
Upon further review: Defeated Serra (Gardena), 22-9 /
Box score and photosCountdown to kickoff: Mater Dei (Santa Ana) on Friday.
Extra point: Another week, another eye-opening effort from the Gauchos, ranked No. 15 in the Xcellent 25. When it comes to some of the best around, no one is playing as good as this group. This week's contest against Mater Dei will be featured on the new
Friday Night Live show driven by American Family Insurance.
4. Mission ViejoOverall record: 5-0
Previous rank: 6
Upon further review: Defeated Aliso Niguel (Aliso Viejo), 84-22 /
Qwixcore Opening kickoff: Redlands East Valley on Friday.
Extra point: We've been waiting for the Diablos to be tested all season long. Finally it appears as if the challenge will come this week. It will be interesting to see how this team responds.
5. St. Bonaventure (Ventura)Overall record: 4-1
Previous rank: 5
Upon further review: Lost to Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 35-27.
Countdown to kickoff: Westlake (Westlake Village) on Friday.
Extra point: Despite an unfavorable result last week,
Ricky Town took another step in the right direction. The sophomore quarterback played with the poise of an upperclassman in defeat.
6. Centennial (Corona)Overall record: 3-1
Previous rank: 8
Upon further review: Defeated Carson, 45-24 /
Box ScoreCountdown to kickoff: Etiwanda on Friday.
Extra point: The running back-by-committee approach is working well for the Huskies.
Austin Renken is averaging more than 8 yards per carry and
Tre Watson picks up more than 7.
View the latest California football photo galleries7. Alemany (Mission Hills)Overall record: 3-1
Previous rank: 9
Upon further review: Defeated Dorsey (Los Angeles), 45-0 /
Box ScoreCountdown to kickoff: Norco on Friday.
Extra point: The Warriors were prohibitive favorites last week against their CIF Los Angeles City Section foe. This week's CIF Southern Section opponent will also be a long-shot.
8. UplandOverall record: 5-0
Previous rank: 10
Upon further review: Defeated Santiago (Corona), 45-41 /
Box ScoreCountdown to kickoff: Rancho Cucamonga on Friday.
Extra point: In terms of showdowns in the Inland Empire, they don't get much bigger than this week's potential slugfest. This is a chance for the Scots to separate themselves from the pack.
9. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village)Overall record: 4-1
Previous rank: 3
Upon further review: Lost to Crenshaw (Los Angeles), 13-2 /
QwixcoreCountdown to kickoff: Thousand Oaks on Friday.
Extra point: Last week's setback was one of the biggest upsets of the season. Chances are the Lions are not happy with the way they played and a bounce-back effort is expected.
Mater Dei jumped into the top 10 this week, but faces a tough test in No. 3 Narbonne on Friday.
Photo by Terry Jack
: 4-0
Previous rank: 11
Upon further review: Defeated Edison (Huntington Beach), 20-14 /
Box Score and PhotosCountdown to kickoff: Narbonne (Harbor City) on Friday.
Extra point: Lingering questions about whether the Monarchs were for real this season were most likely answered with last week‘s win. Things don't get any easier this week, however.
11. St. John Bosco (Bellflower)Overall record: 0-4* (*Note: forfeited games.)
Previous rank: 12
Upon further review: Did not play.
Countdown to kickoff: Jordan (Sandy, Utah) on Saturday.
Extra point: The Braves were forced to forfeit their first four games of the season after using an ineligible player. All is not lost, though. They can still qualify for the Southern Section playoffs.
12. Serra (Gardena)Overall record: 4-1
Previous rank: 7
Upon further review: Lost to Narbonne (Harbor City), 22-9.
Countdown to kickoff: Chaminade (West Hills) on Oct. 5.
Extra point: A bye week could not have come at a worse time for the Cavaliers. The extra time off between games will certainly not help erase the memory of last week's difficult defeat.
13. Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita)Overall record: 5-0
Previous rank: 13
Upon further review: Defeated Chaparral (Temecula), 17-14 /
Box ScoreCountdown to kickoff: Trabuco Hills (Mission Viejo) on Oct. 5.
Extra point: South Coast League play begins this week with what appears to be a winnable game. Beyond that, showdowns against Mission Viejo and El Toro (Lake Forest) loom large.
14. Rancho CucamongaOverall record: 3-1
Previous rank: 14
Upon further review: Defeated J.W. North (Riverside), 17-14 /
QwixcoreCountdown to kickoff: Upland on Friday.
Extra point: The Cougars received a fair amount of respect from pollsters at the start of the season. The recognition, however, has wavered since. A victory this week would restore some order.
15. Crespi (Encino)Overall record: 5-0
Previous rank: 22
Upon further review: Defeated Westlake (Westlake Village), 45-13 /
Box ScoreCountdown to kickoff: Loyola (Los Angeles) on Oct. 5.
Extra point: The Celts were in search of a go-to-guy on the outside this season. It appears as if they have found their man in
Jabrian Blackwell. The senior receiver has been as steady as they come.
View the latest California football stat leaders16. Bishop Amat (La Puente)Overall record: 4-0-1
Previous rank: 16
Upon further review: Defeated St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs), 35-24 /
QwixcoreCountdown to kickoff: Culver City on Friday.
Extra point: Winning this week's nonleague game is imperative. With traditionally tough Serra League play right around the corner, the Lancers need to sustain their all-important momentum.
17. LompocOverall record: 5-0
Previous rank: 17
Upon further review: Defeated Morro Bay, 49-14 /
Box ScoreCountdown to kickoff: Templeton on Oct. 5.
Extra point: When push comes to shove, the Braves have relied on
Lavon Coleman. The senior running back and Washington commit has delivered with 464 yards and five touchdowns.
18. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks)Overall record: 4-1
Previous rank: 18
Upon further review: Defeated Golden Valley (Valencia), 49-6 /
Box Score and PhotosCountdown to kickoff: Chaminade (West Hills) on Friday.
Extra point:
Khalfani Muhammad is one of the West Coast's top unsigned prospects. The senior running back has scholarship offers on the table from several Pac-12 Conference programs.
No. 19 El Toro improved to 5-0 with a win against Valhalla last week.
Photo by Orlando Ramirez
: 5-0
Previous rank: 25
Upon further review: Defeated Valhalla (El Cajon), 77-46 /
Box Score and PhotosCountdown to kickoff: Garden Grove on Friday.
Extra point:
Conner Manning was up to his old tricks, once again, last week. The senior quarterback and Utah commit completed 45-of-59 passes for a season-high 613 yards and seven touchdowns.
20. Orange Lutheran (Orange)Overall record: 5-0
Previous rank: 24
Upon further review: Defeated Redondo Union (Redondo Beach), 55-21 /
QwixcoreCountdown to kickoff: St. John Bosco (Bellflower) on Oct. 5.
Extra point: The Lancers have seven guys with 15 or more carries this season, with
Tavi Jimmerson leading the way. The senior running back has 580 yards and five touchdowns thus far.
21. Edison (Huntington Beach)Overall record: 3-1
Previous rank: 15
Upon further review: Lost to Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 20-14.
Countdown to kickoff: San Clemente on Friday.
Extra point: Give them some much-needed credit — the Chargers have faced one of the more daunting nonleague schedules around. The opponent this week is no exception.
22. Chaminade (West Hills)Overall record: 3-1
Previous rank: 21
Upon further review: Did not play.
Countdown to kickoff: Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) on Friday.
Extra point: The Eagles have had days, and more days, to figure out a recent 14-point loss to Oaks Christian (Westlake Village). They will attempt to put the setback behind them this week.
23. Crenshaw (Los Angeles)Overall record: 4-1
Previous rank: NR
Upon further review: Defeated Oaks Christian (Westlake Village), 13-2 /
QwixcoreCountdown to kickoff: Rancho Dominguez Prep (Long Beach) on Oct. 5.
Extra point: Narbonne (Harbor City) is the front-runner to take home the title in the CIF Los Angeles City Section this season. Who knows, perhaps the Cougars can put a scare into the favorites.
24. TustinOverall record: 5-0
Previous rank: NR
Upon further review: Defeated Yorba Linda, 40-7 /
Box ScoreCountdown to kickoff: Valencia (Placentia) on Friday.
Extra point: The Tillers have gone about their business rather quietly this season. Without much, if any, fanfare. Given their body of work, however, this team can no longer be overlooked.
25. Hart (Newhall)Overall record: 3-1
Previous rank: NR
Upon further review: Birmingham (Lake Balboa), 55-14 /
Qwixcore and PhotosCountdown to kickoff: Santa Monica on Friday.
Extra point: Only a sophomore,
Brady White has shown some glimpses of potential from the quarterback position. In a recent start, he threw for 271 yards and a touchdown.
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
