Nonleague play has been fast and furious up to this relatively early point in the prep football season. Accordingly, we're starting to see some separation between Southern California's premier programs and the rest of the pack.
There's plenty at stake in this week's games, of course, as the teams toward the top of the rankings hope to strengthen their respective reputations. As for the second tier of schools, each undoubtedly would like nothing more than to move up into the poll before league play begins in October. That said, it's time to unveil the new top 25.
Be sure to check out last week's Southern California Top 25 Scoreboard, and check back Friday for the newest version.
MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 Football Rankings
Last year, Long Beach Poly dragged Narbonne's Troy Williams down in a victory. This past week, Narbonne exacted revenge in a huge way.
File photo by John Fajardo
3-0
Previous rank: 1
Upon further review: Defeated Trabuco Hills (Mission Viejo), 55-0.
Countdown to kickoff: Carson on Friday.
Extra point: With seemingly everyone focused on the offensive side of the ball, senior defensive back
Connor O'Brien tends to go unnoticed for the Eagles, ranked No. 5 in the
MaxPreps Xcellent 25. The 6-foot-3 and 207-pound Washington commit is one to watch, however.
Vista Murrieta continues to impress.
Photo by Rob Carmell
2-0
Previous rank: 2
Upon further review: Defeated South (Anchorage, Alaska), 49-8.
Countdown to kickoff: Redlands East Valley on Friday.
Extra point: Senior defensive back
Su'a Cravens did it all last week for the Broncos, No. 17 in the Xcellent 25. Most of it extremely well, mind you. The USC commit scored a touchdown on offense, defense and special teams. Let's see what he can do for an encore.
Video from the Vista Murrieta vs. Anchorage South contest
3. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village)
Overall record: 3-0
Previous rank: 3
Upon further review: Defeated Venice (Los Angeles), 35-17.
Countdown to kickoff: Chaminade (West Hills) on Friday.
Extra point: Not much was expected from Andre Chevalier this season. The sophomore linebacker was merely supposed to contribute. He's earned a starter's role nevertheless, and it appears as if Chevalier is well on his way to stardom for the Lions, No. 20 in the Xcellent 25.
Oaks Christian is listed in this week's MaxPreps regional rankings
4. Narbonne (Harbor City)
Overall record: 2-0
Previous rank: 7
Upon further review: Defeated Long Beach Poly, 56-0.
Countdown to kickoff: Lakewood on Friday.
Extra point: A thorough dismantling of the perennial powerhouse Jackrabbits last week certainly looks impressive on the resume for the Gauchos, now No. 25 in the Xcellent 25. The focus now is sustaining the all-important momentum following the eye-opening victory.
5. St. Bonaventure (Ventura)
Overall record: 3-0
Previous rank: 5
Upon further review: Defeated Redlands East Valley, 18-7.
Countdown to kickoff: Atascadero on Friday.
Extra point: No one has played a tougher nonleague schedule than the Seraphs. Think about it, two of their three wins have come against programs ranked among the Top 25 out here in Southern California. Not many schools can boast about accomplishing such a feat.
Photo gallery from the Redlands East Valley game
6. Alemany (Mission Hills)
Overall record: 3-0
Previous rank: 4
Upon further review: Defeated J.W. North (Riverside), 54-14.
Countdown to kickoff: Centennial (Corona) on Friday.
Extra point: The Warriors didn't necessarily deserve to drop a couple positions in the latest poll after a particularly favorable result against the Huskies. Still, they find themselves a bit lower in the rankings after many of their peers delivered more-memorable performances.
7. Mission Viejo
Overall record: 3-0
Previous rank: 6
Upon further review: Defeated Santiago (Corona), 42-17.
Opening kickoff: La Quinta (Westminster) on Friday.
Extra point: The Diablos haven't been tested this season. Signs point to this week's opponent not being capable of putting up much of a fight either. A showdown against Redlands East Valley looms large on Sept. 28. Until then, expect smooth sailing.
8. Serra (Gardena)
Overall record: 3-0
Previous rank: 8
Upon further review: Defeated Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach), 27-20.
Countdown to kickoff: Banning (Wilmington) on Friday.
Extra point: Anterio Bateman was expected to pile up loads and loads of yardage for the Cavaliers. The senior running back is off to somewhat of a slow start though. Once he gets things going on the ground, this program will be as formidable a foe as anyone around.
Robert Webber has taken over atCentennial and is producing.
Photo by Ian Tennant
9. Centennial (Corona)
Overall record: 1-1
Previous rank: 10
Upon further review: Defeated Cabrillo (Long Beach), 61-6.
Countdown to kickoff: Alemany (Mission Hills) on Friday.
Extra point: When Michael Eubank graduated and moved on to the next level at Arizona State, it was panic time for the Huskies. They needed to find a replacement at quarterback. Lo and behold, junior Robert Webber emerged and the team has not looked back since.
10. Upland
Overall record: 3-0
Previous rank: 11
Upon further review: Defeated Jordan (Long Beach), 57-28.
Countdown to kickoff: Silverado (Victorville) on Friday.
Extra point: Nate Romine is becoming more and more comfortable in the pocket, having completed close to 60 percent of his passes this season. If the senior quarterback continues to develop at a rapid pace, the Scots could be on the verge of big things.
11. Servite (Anaheim)
Overall record: 1-1
Previous rank: 9
Upon further review: Did not play.
Countdown to kickoff: Edison (Huntington Beach) on Friday.
Extra point: Talk about Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Friars fit the bill in this regard. They lost to Bishop Amat (La Puente), 40-23, in the season-opener. A 24-23 victory over Rancho Cucamonga the following week restored some order. Which team will show up next?
12. Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita)
Overall record: 3-0
Previous rank: 12
Upon further review: Defeated Chino Hills, 24-14.
Countdown to kickoff: Colony (Ontario) on Friday.
Extra point: A first-quarter injury last week to Nate Tago did little, or nothing, to stop him from having a big game. The senior running back gained 227 yards and scored three touchdowns. An apparent shin issue is not expected to hamper him moving forward.
13. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
Overall record: 2-0
Previous rank: 14
Upon further review: Defeated Carson, 48-13.
Countdown to kickoff: Santa Monica on Thursday.
Extra point: If you figure out a way to stop Sebastian LaRue, you stop this week's opponent. It will be interesting to see if the Monarchs' defense is up to the task. One thing is certain: The senior wide receiver and USC commit will be involved from start to finish.
14. St. John Bosco (Bellflower)
Overall record: 3-0
Previous rank: 19
Upon further review: Defeated Sante Fe (Santa Fe Springs), 61-8.
Countdown to kickoff: Loyola (Los Angeles) on Friday.
Extra point: For those who haven't heard the name Josh Rosen, consider this a formal introduction. The sophomore quarterback completed 18 of 26 passes for 312 yards last week and seven touchdowns. His numbers would have been better if the score was closer.
Photo gallery from the Santa Fe game
15. Rancho Cucamonga
Overall record: 2-1
Previous rank: 13
Upon further review: Defeated Muir (Pasadena), 54-14.
Countdown to kickoff: Miller (Fontana) on Friday.
Extra point: Given their combined production this season, it appears as if the sophomore running back tandem of Khalil Muhammad and Kiraun Mayo will split carries for the Cougars in the foreseeable future. Together, they average more than 182 yards rushing per game.
16. Westlake (Westlake Village)
Overall record: 3-0
Previous rank: 15
Upon further review: Defeated Crenshaw (Los Angeles), 44-41.
Countdown to kickoff: La Serna (Whittier) on Friday.
Extra point: Reno Dubreuil has emerged as a rather pleasant surprise for the Warriors. The sophomore running back had a breakout effort last week, gaining 114 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown. He is picking up more than six yards on the ground with every touch.
17. Helix (La Mesa)
Overall record: 2-0
Previous rank: 22
Upon further review: Defeated Vista, 43-7.
Countdown to kickoff: Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) on Friday.
Extra point: The battle for bragging rights in San Diego will be waged this week and the Highlanders are considered by most observers to be the slight favorite. Not by much though. The Dons, on the other hand, would like nothing more than to play the role of spoiler.
18. Lompoc
Overall record: 3-0
Previous rank: 17
Upon further review: Defeated Pioneer Valley (Santa Maria), 42-3.
Countdown to kickoff: Dos Pueblos (Goleta) on Friday.
Extra point: After rushing for more than 170 yards and scoring a pair of touchdowns in the first two games of the season, Lavon Coleman came back down to reality last week. The senior running back and Washington commit gained 60 yards on 15 carries with a score.
19. Chaminade (West Hills)
Overall record: 3-0
Previous rank: 18
Upon further review: Defeated Valencia, 41-27.
Countdown to kickoff: Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) on Friday.
Extra point: The Eagles have an all-important opportunity to make a statement with a win this week. In order to do so, the coaching staff must get the ball into the hands of Terrell Newby as much as possible. The senior running back is a difference-maker, to be sure.
20. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks)
Overall record: 2-1
Previous rank: 18
Upon further review: Defeated Taft (Woodland Hills), 56-0.
Countdown to kickoff: Birmingham (Lake Balboa) on Friday.
Extra point: For the second time in as many weeks, the Knights face a CIF Los Angeles City Section school from the San Fernando Valley. If the past is any indication of what could possibly be in store for the future, the Patriots figure to be heading for some trouble.
Bishop Amat celebrated a win over ChinoHills and has climbed into the rankings.
Photo by Josh Thompson
2-0-1
Previous rank: NR
Upon further review: Defeated La Mirada, 34-24.
Countdown to kickoff: Charter Oak (Covina) on Friday.
Extra point: With wins against two teams that have been ranked among the Top 25 at some point this season, it was difficult to keep the Lancers on the outside looking in for this week's poll. How long they stay in the mix with Southern California's best remains to be seen.
22. Crespi (Encino)Overall record: 4-0
Previous rank: 21
Upon further review: Defeated Clovis West (Fresno), 49-17.
Countdown to kickoff: Palisades on Friday.
Extra point: Opposing quarterbacks have been a tad bit leery of throwing the ball in the direction of
Tyler Foreman. Rightfully so. The senior defensive back is one of Southern California's top uncommitted prospects and has offers from multiple Pac-12 conference programs.
23. Edison (Huntington Beach)Overall record: 2-0
Previous rank: NR
Upon further review: Defeated Villa Park, 27-7.
Countdown to kickoff: Servite (Anaheim) on Friday.
Extra point: When the Chargers have needed a big play this season, they've turned to
Jeremy Maxwell. The junior wide receiver has responded too. He is averaging more than 33 yards per reception and four of his catches have resulted in touchdowns, with a long of 54 yards.
24. Redlands East ValleyOverall record: 1-1
Previous rank: 20
Upon further review: Lost to St. Bonaventure (Ventura), 18-7.
Countdown to kickoff: Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) on Friday.
Extra point: Hakeim McKenzie III has not been as productive as the coaching staff might have hoped for. Nevertheless, the senior running back keeps defenses honest with his ability to change field position on one play. His effectiveness this week is vital for the Wildcats.
25. Long Beach PolyOverall record: 1-2
Previous rank: 16
Upon further review: Lost to Narbonne (Harbor City), 56-0.
Countdown to kickoff: Bakersfield on Friday.
Extra point: A pair of nonleague losses in the last two games might discourage some teams. Not the Jackrabbits. They are a resilient group and can take consolation in the fact that both setbacks were to programs ranked among Southern California's Top 10
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
Watch more videos of Oaks Christian football
