Defending national champion Mater Dei headlines preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings

Monarchs bring back plenty of talent led by Mark Bowman, Kodi Greene, Tomuhini Topui, Chris Henry Jr. and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Zack Poff
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Jul 14, 2025, 10:30am
For the sixth time since 2017, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) begins the season as the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings. The Monarchs are coming off a 13-0 campaign and Open Division state title, their fifth over the last eight years. 

Mater Dei, which has won 74 of its last 77 games dating back 2018, went wire-to-wire as the No. 1 team in the country in 2024 with eight wins over teams that finished ranked in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Raul Lara enters his second season as head coach and will have plenty of talent. Transfer Ryan Hopkins takes over at quarterback with a plethora of weapons to throw to led by Chris Henry Jr., Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Gavin Honore and five-star tight end Mark Bowman.

Kodi Greene, Lex Mailangi and Joe Hamby anchor an offensive line that wouldn't look out of place at the college level.

The Monarchs are loaded on all three levels defensively behind Tomuhini Topui, Shaun Scott, Aaryn Washington, Ace Leutele, C.J. Lavender, Danny Lang and Ezekiel Su'a.

Mater Dei is joined by five other teams from California in the initial MaxPreps Top 25. St. John Bosco (Bellflower), Centennial (Corona), Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), Mission Viejo and Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) all begin the season nationally-ranked. 

Florida (5), Georgia (3) and Texas (3) all have multiple teams in the rankings. Alabama, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina and Utah all have one. 

Read on for a complete look at the preseason MaxPreps Top 25. Click on school names for team previews.
1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Head coach: Raul Lara
2024 record: 13-0 | Final ranking: No. 1

Head coach: Jason Negro
2024 record: 11-2 | Final ranking: No. 5

Head coach: Brent Browner
2024 record: 11-1 | Final ranking: No. 4

Head coach: Santavious Bryant
2024 record: 14-1 | Final ranking: No. 7

Head coach: Messay Hailemariam
2024 record: 8-3 | Final ranking: No. 8

Head coach: Greg Studrawa
2024 record: 7-2 | Final ranking: No. 17

Head coach: Dameon Jones
2024 record: 13-2 | Final ranking: No. 11

Head coach: Mike Smith
2024 record: 12-2 | Final ranking: No. 20

Head coach: Reginald Samples
2024 record: 13-1 | Final ranking: No. 6

Head coach: Roger Harriott
2024 record: 12-3 | Final ranking: No. 23

Head coach: Teddy Bridgewater
2024 record: 12-2 | Final ranking: N/A

Head coach: Matt Logan
2024 record: 9-3 | Final ranking: No. 14

Head coach: Bryant Appling
2024 record: 12-2 | Final ranking: No. 12

Head coach: Chad Johnson
2024 record: 10-1 | Final ranking: No. 16 

Head coach: Brice Brown
2024 record: 14-0 | Final ranking: No. 25

Head coach: Carson Palmer
2024 record: 5-7 | Final ranking: N/A

Head coach: Darryl Brown
2024 record: 16-0 | Final ranking: No. 21

Head coach: Ray Gates
2024 record: 16-0 | Final ranking: No. 3

Head coach: Eric Kjar
2024 record: 13-1 | Final ranking: No. 15

Head coach: Vito Campanile
2024 record: 11-1 | Final ranking: No. 19

Head coach: Jon Ellinghouse
2024 record: 8-4 | Final ranking: N/A

Head coach: Ben Reaves
2024 record: 15-0 | Final ranking: No. 2

Head coach: Marvin Rushing
2024 record: 12-2 | Final ranking: N/A

Head coach: Mark Freeman
2024 record: 11-3 | Final ranking: N/A

Head coach: Willie Gaston
2024 record: 14-1 | Final ranking: N/A

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