MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 High School Football Rankings

Only two teams from the rankings suffered losses last week, and each stays in the rankings.

For Chaminade, which was No. 4, losing to No. 3 Alemany was (if you go by the rankings) expected. And we're keeping Serra around after its loss to Bishop Amat. mainly because of its win over Notre Dame.

Since no teams dropped, we couldn't add Bishop Amat, a 3-3 team. If there were a 26th spot, it would be hard not to put Amat there.

Be sure to follow @lelandmaxpreps and @lamaxpreps for information specific to Southern California. Also, the California Computer Rankings can be accessed by clicking here.


1. (1 last week) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 4-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 4 state, 8 national, 10 Xcellent 25

Last week wasn't much of a challenge for the Braves, as they throttled a down Crenshaw program 65-7. Josh Rosen completed 12 passes and five were for touchdowns. Joey Chenoweth caught five passes for 119 yards and three scores, and Clifford Simms rushed for two scores. The Trinity League schedule starts Friday with a 1 vs. 2 contest against Mater Dei at home.

2. (2) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 5-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 3 state, 5 national, 6 Xcellent 25

Last Thursday's contest gave some examples of why we just weren't ready to put Mater Dei at No. 1. The Monarchs left Westlake with a 28-27 triumph that came because they managed to partially block a field goal attempt at the end. They fumbled the ball away in the fourth quarter while trying to protect the lead and run out the clock. They trailed 17-6 at the half and the rushing game earned 75 yards on 33 carries. So there were reasons to be a bit concerned, but on the other hand, the Monarchs came back and earned a win on the road against a pretty good team. Jack Lowary ran for a score and passed for another to Curtis Robinson. He was 18-for-32 with 277 yards. Four sacks on defense also helped the effort. Mater Dei goes to St. John Bosco on Friday.

3. (3) Alemany (Mission Hills), 5-0
lassifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 6 state, 14 national, 23 Xcellent 25

The Warriors were the big story over last week, entering the Xcellent 25 after they beat Chaminade 55-38. Dominic Davis scored four of his five touchdowns in the first half and quarterback Blake Green set a school record with 437 passing yards, according to the LA Daily News. Alemany was up 28-10 at the half and never looked back. And now the next test in the Mission League is Bishop Amat at home on Friday.

4. (5) Centennial (Corona), 3-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 5 state, 13 national

The Huskies won 72-42 over Valencia on Thursday, posting a point total that seems all too common for them. Javon Mckinley caught nine balls for 162 yards and four touchdowns, and the team continued using two quarterbacks with success. One of them, Nate Ketteringham, rushed four times for 125 yards and two touchdowns. League play in the Big VIII has arrived, and the Huskies host King (Riverside) Friday.

5. (6) Servite (Anaheim), 3-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 9 state, 25 national

The Friars took the week off. They go to Orange Lutheran Friday to start the Trinity League schedule.

6. (7) Long Beach Poly, 5-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 10 state, 46 national

The Jackrabbits posted a ridiculous 99 points in their 99-9 victory over Compton. And that was after allowing the first score of the game. James Brooks, jr. scored four touchdowns and ran for 116 yards on nine carries. Jeremy Calhoun ran eight times for 102 yards and three scores. They might not score 99 points this Friday against Jordan (Long Beach), but expect Poly to win handily.

7. (9) JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 5-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 7 state, 16 national

The Lions took the week off and will start Trinity League play at Santa Margarita on Friday night.

8. (4) Chaminade (West Hills), 5-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 11 state, 52 national

The Eagles turned out to be unable to stop Alemany in a 55-38 loss. Edward Sias passed for 316 yards and a score, while Okalani Taufahema-langi added a touchdown with his 77 rushing yards. Jordan Chin caught two passes for 74 yards as well. The Eagles host Notre Dame on Friday.

9. (10) Edison (Fresno), 5-0
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 18 state, 79 national

The Tigers won 42-12 over Clovis West, using a big second half to enlarge a 14-6 halftime edge. Anthony Shepard scored an 87-yard defensive touchdown, A.j. Greeley took a punt back for a score and Chris Allison III also scored on a defensive touchdown, his from 55 yards away. They face San Joaquin Memorial on Thursday night this week.

10. (12) Oceanside, 5-0
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 23 state, 104 national

The Pirates had a bye. They have a huge game with Mission Hills on Friday night.

11. (13) Bakersfield, 4-1
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 25 state, 107 national

The Drillers had a formidable test against Ridegview (Bakersfield) and came out with a 28-20 win. Ridgeview only passed six times - so combined with the Drillers' style, it must have been a quick game. Lameshio Hill ran for a 75-yard touchdown, a 25-yard touchdown and a 1-yard score, plus passed to Marcus Watkins for a 67-yard score. His 25-yard TD came in the final minute to lock down the victory. The Drillers host Garces on Friday.

12. (14) Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 4-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 12 state, 53 national

The Eagles had a bye and will face JSerra Catholic Friday in the Trinity League opener.

13. (15) Orange Lutheran, 4-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 15 state, 67 national

The Lancers had the week off and will host Servite on Friday.

14. (8) Serra (Gardena), 4-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 22 state, 100 national

The Cavaliers were stifled in a 14-7 loss to Bishop Amat - what saves them in the rankings is that they beat Notre Dame and also the loss to Bellevue (Wash.) is hardly a bad one. Khalil Tate ran 17 times for 164 yards and a touchdown but the team's passing game could only muster 63 yards on seven completions. John Houston grabbed an interception in the loss. Life doesn't get much easier for Serra, as it goes to Crespi on Friday.

15. (11) Westlake (Westlake Village), 3-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 27 state, 123 national

The Warriors had a shot to beat Mater Dei with a field goal but it was partially blocked. Malik Henry only completed 11 of 34 passes but they were for two scores and 222 yards. Chase Jasmin ran 11 times for 89 yards and Shane Ho recorded a safety on a bad snap. Next up is Paraclete (Lancaster) at home.

16. (16) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 4-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 30 state, 159 national

The Knights got back on the winning side of things and took a 37-31 triumph over Oaks Christian. It was a tight game all the way and the Knights pulled it out after the game was tied entering the fourth quarter. Leo Lambert III rushed 28 times for 163 yards and two touchdowns, plus Cole Klayman ran for two more. Notre Dame goes to Chaminade on Friday.

17. (17) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 5-1
Classifications: San Diego (Eastern), State I
Ranks: 14 state, 62 national

Most ranked teams blow teams away. The Dons just keep finding ways to win close. They did it again against Eastlake, taking a 17-14 victory in comeback fashion, posting 10 points in the fourth quarter. Tim Semenza was once again a huge reason for the win, knocking a 32-yard field goal in the final minute to win it. The Dons play at Scripps Ranch on Friday.

18. (18) Helix (La Mesa), 4-1
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 16 state, 70 national

The Highlanders showed Bonita Vista a rough time, winning 42-0. The defense nabbed an interception as well. They host Steele Canyon on Friday, and likely are lamenting the 9-7 loss to Cathedral Catholic.

19. (19) Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita), 5-1
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State II
Ranks: 13 state, 61 national

The Titans picked up a big win with a 59-34 victory over San Clemente, a team that was starting to get recognition as a bowl games contender. They wasted no time, jumping up 17-3 in the first quarter and riding it out from there to give San Clemente and star quarterback Sam Darnold their first loss of the season. Tesoro is picking up steam, and goes to El Toro Friday for what should also be a tough game.

20. (21) Crespi (Encino), 5-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 8 state, 24 national

The Celts are on fire, as they took down Loyola 35-13 to stay unbeaten. The defense held the Cubs to 37 passing yards and picked off a pass, and only 140 rushing yards. That's solid D for the Celts. Can the mojo continue? We will find out when they host Serra on Friday.

21. (20) Mission Hills (San Marcos), 4-1
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 56 state, 406 national

The Grizzlies did not play last week and head to Oceanside on Friday.

22. (22) Chino Hills, 4-1
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 21 state, 93 national

The Huskies whacked Victor Valley (Victorville) 48-0. They scored on their first possessions, according to the Hesperia Star, and that told the story. Brysen Charbonier ran two times and scored on each of them. Now they host Rancho Cucamonga on Friday.

23. (23) Upland, 3-2
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 24 state, 105 national

The Highlanders took the week off and host Damien on Friday. 

24. (24) St. Francis (La Canada), 5-0
Classifications: Southern (Southeast), State II
Ranks: 29 state, 133 national

The Golden Knights dispatched of Calabasas 45-7, using a tough rushing attack. Areg Nazarian ran 14 times for 113 yards and two touchdowns, while Jeremiah Martin scored three times on eight carries for 69 yards. The defense nabbed an interception and picked up two fumbles as well. The Golden Knights will go to Harvard-Westlake on Friday.

25. (25) Corona del Mar (Newport Beach), 4-1
Classifications: Southern (Southwest), State II
Ranks: 20 state, 91 national

The Sea Kings were off and head to Irvine this week.