MaxPreps Northern California Top 25 high school football rankings

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Every section has crowned a champion, leading to this weekend's expanded CIF Northern California Regional championship games.

The only ranked team with a bye is No. 1 De La Salle, and it's impossible to argue the point. The CIF attempted the NorCal Open title game, and De La Salle rolled Folsom twice. It was decided that in order to make things fair, the CIF would drop the NorCal Open experiment and allow the clear NorCal and SoCal teams a bye to the CIF Open title game.

Click here to see all the MaxPreps California playoff brackets.


1. (Last week 1) De La Salle (Concord) (12-1)
Section: North Coast
League: Independent
Coach: Justin Alumbaugh
Next: vs. Centennial (Corona), Dec. 19
Update: The preseason national No. 1 Spartans rolled past previous No. 5 Foothill 35-0, the program's fifth shutout of the season, to win their 24th consecutive NCS section title and 32nd since 1982. De La Salle has a bye and next plays in its sixth CIF State bowl in the last seven seasons, having won five of the last six Open state-title games. The starting defense has not allowed a touchdown since the second game. De La Salle extended its NorCal unbeaten streak to 271 games, dating back to 1991. The loss this season was to Texas powerhouse Trinity as a potential game-winning catch in the closing seconds just missed.

2. (2) Folsom (14-0)
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Coach: Kris Richardson/Troy Taylor
Next: vs. No. 3 Bellarmine, Friday
Update: Top-ranked by The Sacramento Bee, the Bulldogs beat previous No. 3 Elk Grove 35-27 in a thriller to win the SJS D-I title in front of nearly 15,000 at Sacramento State. It's the fourth successive section title for Folsom and fifth this decade to go with two CIF State titles. Jake Jeffrey, Drake Stallworth, Christian Huber, Tre Green, Matt Torres, Jonah Williams and scores of others played well. Folsom has won a state-leading 30 consecutive games and will play No. 3 Bellarmine in the D-IAA NorCal Regional at Folsom, where the Bulldogs have won 43 consecutive games.

3. (6) Bellarmine College Prep (San Jose) (12-1)
Section: Central Coast
League: West Catholic Athletic
Coach: Mike Janda
Next: at No. 2 Folsom, Friday
Update: The Bells, top ranked by the San Jose Mercury News, beat Milpitas 26-13 to win the CCS Open D-I championship, the program's seventh overall and fourth since 2008 under coach Mike Janda, whose 269 wins tie him with since-retired Saratoga coach Benny Pierce for the most in section history. Troy Martig is the quarterback star surrounded by an experienced team and backs such as Devon Buenrostro and Kyle MacAuley. The showdown at Folsom for the D-IAA NorCal Regional should be epic.

4. (3) Elk Grove (13-1)
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Delta
Coach: Chris Nixon
Next: Season complete
Update: The Thundering Herd lost to Folsom 35-27 in a SJS D-I thriller despite the gritty efforts of standout running back Ryan Robards, junior quarterback Jayden Machado and scores of others. Elk Grove reached a section final for the third time since 2012.

5. (4) Clayton Valley Charter (Concord) (12-1)
Section: North Coast
League: Diablo Valley
Coach: Tim Murphy
Next: at No. 6 Oak Grove, Saturday
Update: The Ugly Eagles were the top seed in the NCS D-II field and beat Concord 23-22 in the title game, a great achievement for a program literally limping to the finish line amid injuries. Next is surging Oak Grove in the D-1A NorCal Regional title and a shot to return to the CIF State Bowl. The loss was 27-26 to No. 2 Folsom in an opener that came down to the wire.

6. (13) Oak Grove (San Jose) (11-2)
Section: Central Coast
League: Mount Hamilton
Coach: Jay Braun
Next: vs. No. 5 Clayton Valley Charter, Saturday
Update: The Eagles beat Saint Francis 27-21 when Rashaan Fontenette broke free for a 60-yard score in the closing moment to win the CCS Open D-II championship. Oak Grove has won seven section titles, the first in 1978 and the last three since 2004. Oak Grove has avenged its two losses in these playoffs, including Valley Christian (San Jose) 42-23 in a semifinal. It now plays for the NorCal D-IA Regional title.

7. (8) Central Catholic (Modesto) (14-0)
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Valley Oak
Coach: Roger Canepa
Next: vs. Marin Catholic (Kentfield), Saturday
Update: The Raiders, top-ranked by The Modesto Bee, beat rival Oakdale 21-7 to win the program's ongoing section record 19th SJS championship. Justin Rice is one of the top running backs in Northern California. Central Catholic has won three consecutive CIF State titles and will play Marin Catholic for a shot at another state-bowl bid.

8. (5) Foothill (Pleasanton) (12-1)
Section: North Coast
League: East Bay Athletic
Coach: Matt Sweeney
Next: Season complete
Update: The Falcons beat unbeaten Antioch 55-54 in a wild NCS D-I semifinal thriller and then had the season end against De La Salle 35-0 to cap their finest year since 2006.

9. (7) Saint Francis (Mountain View) (11-2)
Section: Central Coast
League: West Catholic Athletic
Coach: Greg Calcagno
Next: vs. No. 21 Pleasant Valley, Saturday
Update: The Lancers lost to No. 6 Oak Grove 27-21 in the final moments in the CCS Open Division II title, but because that section has an Open Division, runners-up can advance. Saint Francis was seeking its 17th section title. It now plays Pleasant Valley in the NorCal Regional D-IIA title game.

10. (NR) Liberty (Bakersfield) (9-3)
Section: Central
League: Southwest Yosemite
Coach: Bryan Nixon
Next: vs. No. 12 Del Oro, Friday
Update: The Patriots crushed previously ranked Clovis 56-21 in the Central Section D-I title game, scoring the fourth most points in a D-I/large school title game in section history, according to section guru historian Bob Barnett. All of this from a program that started 1-3. Liberty has won eight in a row, and it will play a similarly hot Del Oro team (winners of six straight) in the NorCal Regional D-IAA title game.

11. (10) Oakdale (12-2)
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Valley Oak
Coach: Trent Merzon
Next: Season complete
Update: The Mustangs, defending SJS Division III champions and ranked second by The Modesto Bee, lost twice to rival No. 7 Central Catholic, including 21-7 for the title. Oakdale will be a force and a factor as long as coach Trent Merzon is the coach.

12. (24) Del Oro (Loomis) (8-6)
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Coach: Casey Taylor
Next: vs. No. 10 Liberty, Friday
Update: The Golden Eagles started the season in these rankings, then dropped out after tough losses and blowout losses, and are surging again with a six-game winning streak, including a 4-0 playoff showing. The latest was a 30-20 victory over No. 13 Rocklin to win the SJS D-II title to avenge an earlier setback to their rivals. Stone Smartt, Dalton Gee and scores of others helped Del Oro become the first team in section history to win a title with six losses. Del Oro now faces Liberty in the NorCal D-IAA title game, the second time it has faced a Bakersfield team since 2013 in the postseason.

13. (11) Rocklin (10-4)
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Coach: Greg Benzel
Next: Season complete
Update: The Thunder beat 12-0 Antelope 55-35 in SJS D-II semifinal play before falling to No. 12 Del Oro 30-20 in the finals. This closes out a great career by tailback Evyn Holtz and defensive lineman Chase Hatada.

14. (12) Antioch (11-1)
Section: North Coast
League: Bay Valley Athletic
Coach: John Lucido
Next: Season complete
Update: The Panthers had their magical season end 55-54 to No. 5 Foothill in the NCS D-I playoffs, despite Najee Harris rushing for 392 yards and six scores on 42 carries. Antioch enjoyed its first 10-0 regular season since 1977.

15. (14) Campolindo (Moraga) (13-1)
Section: North Coast
League: Diablo Foothill
Coach: Kevin Macy
Next: vs. No. 20 Milpitas, Friday
Update: The top-seeded team in the NCS D-III field, the Cougars beat No. 23 Analy (Sebastopol) 38-28 in the finals as Jacob Westphal passed for 205 yards and three touchdowns. A CIF Bowl team last season, Campolindo plays Milpitas for the NorCal D-IAA title game.

16. (16) St. Mary's (Stockton) (10-3)
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Tri-County
Coach: Tony Franks
Next: Season complete
Update: The Rams pushed powerhouse No. 2 Folsom right down to the wire in an SJS D-I semifinal, a credit to the coaching of Tony Franks and the skill and will of the players, many of whom will return next season. St. Mary's beat 11-0 Napa in a quarterfinal.

17. (16) Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) (10-3)
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Sierra Foothill
Coach: Eric Cavaliere
Next: Season complete
Update: The Trojans lost to No. 3 Elk Grove 30-18 in SJS D-I semifinal action, closing out the marvelous career of Notre Dame-bound quarterback Ian Book. Another loss was to No. 2 Folsom.

18. (17) Grant (Sacramento) (10-2)
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Delta
Coach: Mike Alberghini
Next: Season complete
Update: The Pacers lost to Granite Bay 21-3 in the SJS D-II playoffs, a credit to the Grizzlies but also an example of how the Pacers had nothing emotionally left. The stunning shooting death of popular cornerback Jaulon Clavo a week earlier rocked the team and the community.

19. (19) Inderkum (Sacramento) (12-1)
Section: Sac-Joaquin
League: Tri-County
Coach: Terry Stark
Next: Season complete
Update: The Tigers lost to No. 10 Oakdale 51-38 in an SJS D-III semifinal, falling to the Mustangs for the second straight season. Quarterback Trajon Cotton will return for one of the top programs in Sacramento.

20. (19) Pittsburg (10-3)
Section: North Coast
League: Bay Valley Athletic
Coach: Vic Galli
Next: Season complete
Update: The Pirates were impressive in earlier playoff games and then had the wheels fall off against top-ranked De La Salle, 70-14, in a NCS D-I semifinal.

21. (20) Milpitas (10-3)
Section: Central Coast
League: De Anza
Coach: Kelly King
Next: at No. 14 Campolindo, Friday
Update: The Trojans lost to No. 3 Bellarmine 26-13 in the CCS Open Division title game but because this section has an Open Division, runners-up can advance to help balance the playoff brackets. Now another formidable task: Campolindo in the NorCal Regional D-IIIAA title game.

22. (21) Pleasant Valley (Chico) (12-0)
Section: Northern
League: Eastern
Coach: Mark Cooley
Next: vs. No. 9 Saint Francis, Saturday
Update: The top-seeded Vikings beat second-seeded Shasta 49-7 to win the NCS D-II championship as Brandt Hughes tossed seven touchdowns in a remarkable showing. He tied a section single-game record as PV won the program's first title since 1998. Brandt hit Max Andersen three times and Eric Ricketts and Payton Williams twice each. The Vikings play a storied program in Saint Francis.

23. (NR) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) (12-1)
Section: North Coast
League: Marin County
Coach: Maxi Moayed
Update: The Wildcats won another NCS D-IV title, beating longtime power Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 38-21 in the finals. The winning streak is 12, and it will be tested against a three-time defending CIF State champion in Central Catholic in the NorCal Open Small School title game.

24. (23) Analy (Sebastopol) (13-1)
Section: North Coast
League: Sonoma County
Coach: Daniel Bourdon
Next: Season complete
Update: The Tigers had their dream season end against powerhouse Campolindo in the NCS D-III title game. Jack Newman, who passed for 51 touchdowns, will return.

25. (25) Palma (Salinas) (10-2)
Section: Central Coast
League: Monterey Bay
Coach: Jeff Carnazzo
Next: Season complete
Update: The Chieftains lost to ranked Riordan 17-14, despite leading 14-0 in the first quarter on two Emilio Martinez scoring runs in a CCS Open D-III semifinal. The other loss was 28-14 to No. 7 Saint Francis.

The Sacramento Bee on how far high school football has come regionally ... click here

The Sacramento Bee on explaining and understanding how the CIF expanded its playoff brackets ... click here

Joe Davidson has covered high school sports for The Sacramento Bee since 1988. Follow him on Twitter: @SacBee_JoeD and on Facebook.