The Northern California rankings showed no changes but that could change in a hurry as No. 2 Folsom visits No. 4 Pittsburg and then visits No. 3 De La Salle, which has a 24-21 loss to top-ranked Serra, which owns a 17-12 victory at Folsom.
The Central Section has teams ranked here because they generally compete in the Northern California playoffs.
Jaden Rashada, Pittsburg
Photo: Jason Weed
Last week: Defeated Central Catholic (Modesto), 42-30
This week: Bye
A week after beating De La Salle 24-21, the Padres beat another powerhouse in Central Catholic, rallying from a 16-7 deficit as
Maealiuaki Smith passed for 296 yards and five touchdowns. Serra plays at defending West Catholic Athletic League champion on Sept. 23.
2. (2) Folsom, 2-1
Last week: Bye
This week: at Pittsburg
The Bulldogs had an off week but did watch Pittsburg play for a scouting report after beating the Pirates 38-17 last season.
3. (3) De La Salle (Concord), 2-1
Last week: Defeated Saint Francis (Mountain View), 35-3
This week: vs. Central Catholic (San Diego)
The Spartans bounced back from the 24-21 loss to Serra to run over the very program that a year ago halted their 30-year, 318-game unbeaten streak against NorCal teams north of Fresno.
Carson Su'esu'e hit
Cooper Flanagan for a touchdown and
Dylan Greeson had two touchdown runs to lead the way. Next is the defending CIF Division I-AA champion and the top-ranked team in San Diego.
4. (4) Pittsburg, 3-0
Last week: Defeated California (San Ramon), 34-14
This week: vs. Folsom
The Pirates were led by Miami-bound QB
Jaden Rashada, who passed for 360 yards and three touchdowns, two to Khai Taylor.
5. (6) Buchanan (Clovis), 4-0
Last week: Defeated Liberty (Bakersfield), 35-27
This week: at Memorial (Fresno)
The Bears a week after topping the top team in the Northern Section, Foothill (Palo Cedro), 35-21, beat Liberty (Bakersfield) in battle of the top teams in the Central Section in a game called with 9 minutes to go due to nearby lightning strikes. Buchanan trailed 14-0 and then led 35-14.
6. (5) Liberty (Bakersfield), 2-1
Last week: Lost to Buchanan (Clovis), 35-27
This week: at Central (Fresno)
This was the top-ranked team in the Central Section and still feels it is despite the loss to Buchanan in a game called with 9 minutes to go due to lightning strikes. Another showdown looms against Central.
7. (7) Monterey Trail (Elk Grove), 2-2
Last week: Defeated Merced, 49-14
This week: vs. Laguna Creek (Elk Grove)
The Mustangs capped a brutal nonleague schedule with losses to Folsom and De La Salle and wins over Saint Francis and Merced. Monterey Trail rushed for 327 yards and had two scores each from
Daelin Ellis and
Jervin Navarro.
8. (14) St. Mary's (Stockton), 3-0
Last week: Defeated St. Ignatius (San Francisco), 49-20
This week: vs. Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland)
The Rams after rolling Central Catholic (Modesto) 47-7 crushed a good SI team that lost the previous week 17-7 to Jesuit (Carmichael). St. Mary's led 28-0 early behind
Samson Hunkin, who had two touchdown passes.
9. (10) Granite Bay, 4-0
Last week: Defeated Spanish Springs (Nevada), 23-3
This week: vs. Vacaville
The Grizzlies prevailed in the Honor Bowl as
Carter Jackson scored three more touchdowns and
Frank Cusano had 11 tackles and forced a safety.
11. (13) Menlo-Atherton (Atherton), 3-0
Last week: Bye
This week: at Del Oro (Loomis)
The Central Coast Section power has wins over Bellarmine (San Jose) and Elk Grove and prepares for another heavy in Del Oro.
12. (15) Salinas, 3-0
Last week: Defeated Clovis, 56-36
This week: vs. vs. Seaside
The Cowboys were led by
Adam Shaffer passed for 397 yards and four scores and ran for 109 and three more. He hit
Nyziah Hunter for four touchdown passes. The opening win was over Clayton Valley Charter.
13. (12) Manteca, 4-0
Last week: Defeated Turlock, 59-22
This week: vs. Damonte Ranch (Nevada)
The Buffaloes have a national recruit star in running back
Blake Nichelson, who rushed for 203 yards on 23 carries and six touchdowns, and
Bryson Davis ran for two scores.
14. (17) Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills), 3-0
Last week: Defeated Silverton (Oregon), 62-0
This week: vs. Pleasant Valley (Chico)
The Trojans have outscored three good teams 182-0 and now take on a Northern Section powerhouse before opening Sierra Foothill League play.
Dwight Martin III has played big on offensive and defense.
15. (15) San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno), 3-1
Last week: Beat Carces Memorial (Bakersfield), 28-6
This week: vs. Buchanan (Clovis)
The Panthers rolled behind their ground game as
Brandon Ramirez ran for 98 yards and two scores. The loss was 10-7 to Queen Creek of Arizona.
15. (16) Clovis West (Fresno), 4-0
Last week: Defeated Bullard (Fresno), 28-14
This week: vs. Edison (Fresno)
Ryan Markarian passed for 221 yards and hit
Marshel Sanders for a touchdown, and
Aidan Fortenberry rushed for two scores for the program's best start since 2006.
17. (15) Central (Fresno), 3-1
Last week: Defeated Bishop Diego (Santa Barbara), 38-34
This week: vs. Liberty (Bakersfield)
The Grizzlies received 335 yards passing and three touchdowns from
Dayton Tafoya, two to
Noel Felix, and
Michael James ran for two scores.
18. (21) Wilcox (Santa Clara), 3-0
Last week: Defeated Leland (San Jose), 42-14
This week: Bye
The Chargers reached the CIF State Division 2-A finals and have a lot of players back. Elijah Walker had 136 yards rushing and two scores and
Andrew Palacios had two touchdown runs.
19. (18) Vanden (Fairfield), 4-0
Last week: Defeated Foothill (Pleasanton), 23-14
This week: vs. Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park)
The Vikings led 21-0 entering the fourth quarter as
Tre Dimes ran for a score and passed for one for the defending CIF State Division 3-AA champions that returned 14 starters.
20. (tie) (19) Jesuit (Carmichael), 3-0
Last week: Defeated Christian Brothers (Sacramento), 21-7
This week: vs. Sheldon (Sacramento)
The Marauders won the 51st Holy Bowl over their biggest rival in front of some 15,000 fans at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento behind game MVP
Jagger Shaddix. The defending Delta League champions face Sheldon in a league opener.
20. (tie) (20) Del Oro (Loomis), 4-0
Last week: Defeated River Valley (Yuba City), 41-6
This week: vs. Menlo-Atherton (Atherton)
The Golden Eagles led 41-0 at the half as
Thomas Graham took the opening kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown, and the defense played big again. It will have to do so again against Menlo-Atherton.
20. (tie) (20) Marin Catholic (Kentfield), 3-0
Last week: Defeated Casa Grande (Livermore), 45-0
This week: vs. James Logan (Union City)
The Wildcats score in bunches with wins of 55-29, 48-10 and 45-0.
20. (tie) (20) McClymonds (Oakland), 2-0
Last week: Defeated DeAnza (Richmond)
This week: vs. Tamalpais (Mill Valley)
The Warriors rolled behind
Isaac Espinosa, who had two touchdown passes, and
Tajir Golden, who caught a TD and ran for 161 yards and a score.
The Next 1021.
Saint Francis (Mountain View), 1-2
22.
Central Catholic (Modesto), 1-3
24.
Los Gatos, 2-1
24.
Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park), 3-0
25.
El Cerrito, 3-0
26.
Acalanes (Lafayette), 3-0
27.
Rocklin, 3-1
28.
Clayton Valley Charter (Concord), 1-2
29.
Campolindo (Moraga), 3-0
30.
Archbishop Mitty (San Jose), 3-0
