MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 high school football rankings

Video: Khalil Tate 49-yard touchdown scamper

Losing to a team ranked higher can't be looked at as catastrophic, and that's why teams like Long Beach Poly, Orange Lutheran, Norco and Narbonne are still sticking around in the SoCal Top 25. Losing to a great team doesn't necessarily mean we all should think less of a squad.

League play kicks off in the Mission League this week, and others aren't far behind.


1. (1 last week) Centennial (Corona), 4-0
Classification: Southern Section, Big VIII League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 1 state, 6 national, 3 Xcellent 25

A trip to Sherman Oaks resulted in a 52-0 shutout of Notre Dame, keeping the Huskies undefeated. JJ Taylor ran 11 times for 134 yards and a pair of scores. Centennial will take the week off before hosting Valencia on Oct. 2.

2. (2) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 4-0
Classification: Southern Section, Trinity League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 3 state, 16 national, 7 Xcellent 25

The Braves thumped a limping Crespi squad, 55-7. Devin Fleming caught seven passes for 131 yards in the victory, and the defense has allowed just 39 points this season. SJB heads off to New Jersey to take on St. Peter's Prep on Saturday.

3. (3) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 4-0
Classification: Southern Section, Trinity League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 2 state, 9 national, 25 Xcellent 25

The Monarchs entered the Xcellent 25 on the heels of a 43-14 victory at Upland in which Osiris St. Brown caught three touchdown passes from freshman Jonathan Daniels. They host Edison (Huntington Beach) on Friday.

4. (4) Long Beach Poly, 2-1
Classification: Southern Section, Moore League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 5 state, 24 national

The Jackrabbits were stomped 52-13 by Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), the No. 1 team in the nation. We can't move them below Bishop Amat because Amat's loss was to Mater Dei, and Poly has a win over Narbonne. So while it may not seem perfect, Poly stays at No. 4. They open Moore League play Friday at Woodrow Wilson (Long Beach).

5. (5) Bishop Amat (La Puente), 3-1
Classification: Southern Section, Mission League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 7 state, 34 national

The Lancers romped 63-28 over Chino Hills, continuing their ascent after opening the season with a loss at Mater Dei. Damian Garcia went 15-for-17 with 214 yards and three scores for Amat, which opens Mission League play Friday against Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks).

6. (7) Mission Viejo, 5-0
Classification: Southern Section, South Coast League, West Valley Division
Rankings: 6 state, 33 national

The Diablos now own wins over two ranked teams the last two weeks, as they downed Norco 37-13. The defense grabbed two interceptions and the Diablos controlled the game. They go to Redondo Union (Redondo Beach) on Friday.

7. (8) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta), 3-0
Classification: Southern Section, Southwestern League, West Valley Division
Rankings: 19 state, 201 national

The Broncos breezed past Lakewood, 41-7. Kyle Williams caught two scores and took another back on a kickoff, and Tanner Williams returned an interception for a score. They go to Orange Lutheran for a solid test on Friday.

8. (9) Serra (Gardena), 3-1
Classification: Southern Section, Mission League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 13 state, 99 national

The Cavaliers picked up their biggest win of the year, outlasting Narbonne 41-40 in overtime. Khalil Tate was unstoppable running the ball, toting it 25 times for 295 yards and six touchdowns. Mission League play begins Friday at Loyola.

9. (11) Alemany (Mission Hills), 4-0
Classification: Southern Section, Mission League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 8 state, 65 national

The Warriors just keep smashing teams, as they blasted Dorsey 57-19 behind four interceptions from the defense. Their schedule hasn't featured a premier team, and it looks like that will have to wait until they get into Mission League play. They open league play with Crespi Friday at home.

10. (6) Narbonne (Harbor City), 1-2
Classification: Los Angeles City Section, Marine League, Division I
Rankings: 23 state, 222 national

The Gauchos failed on a 2-point conversion in overtime and lost 41-40 to Serra in a classic contest. That equals a pair of brutal tight losses this season to great teams. Roman Ale threw five touchdown passes and Devaughn Cooper caught four of them for touchdowns as part of a nine-catch, 233-yard day. They go to Paramount on Friday.

11. (15) JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 4-0
Classification: Southern Section, Trinity League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 14 state, 110 national

The Lions are 4-0 after a 42-14 win over Hamilton (Los Angeles). They go to St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) on Friday.

12. (13) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village), 4-0
Classification: Southern Section, Marmonte League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 21 state, 212 national

The Lions won 48-14 at Antelope Valley (Lancaster), as Gil'scott Jackson II ran 16 times for 201 yards and four touchdowns. They will go to Birmingham (Lake Balboa) on Friday.

13. (12) Norco, 2-1
Classification: Southern Section, Big VIII League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 17 state, 177 national

The Cougars suffered their first loss of the season, as Mission Viejo rolled to a 37-13 triumph. Sophomore Travis Dye caught a touchdown pass. They will host Citrus Hill (Perris) on Friday.

14. (14) Orange Lutheran, 2-2
Classification: Southern Section, Trinity League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 27 state, 291 national

The Lancers certainly can't be accused of dodging anybody. They played last season's Open Division Bowl Game participants back-to-back. De La Salle punished the Lancers 41-3 a week after they lost to Centennial. It's hard to honestly say if things are getting much better, as they host Vista Murrieta on Friday.

15. (NR) Westlake (Westlake Village), 3-1
Classification: Southern Section, Marmonte League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 38 state, 383 national

The Warriors are back already. A 21-14 victory over Santa Margarita did the trick, as Chase Jasmin led the way with 28 rushes for 159 yards and a score. Theo Howard caught two touchdowns as well. They go to Dominguez (Compton) on Friday.

16. (10) Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 3-1
Classification: Southern Section, Trinity League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 26 state, 262 national

The Eagles got seven catches for 97 yards from Dylan Crawford but it wasn't enough in their loss at Westlake, 21-14. Can they rebound? We'll find out Friday when they host King (Riverside), a very good team.

17. (16) Rancho Cucamonga, 3-1
Classification: Southern Section, Baseline League, West Valley Division
Rankings: 43 state, 486 national

The Cougars earned a 34-28 victory over Murrieta Valley, as Tayari Venable intercepted a pass. Friday's home game vs. La Serna (Whittier) is their final one before league play.

18. (17) Mission Hills (San Marcos), 4-0
Classification: San Diego Section, Avocado East League, Division I (can change)
Rankings: 36 state, 359 national

The Grizzlies went to Poway and won 27-7 thanks to 20 points in the fourth quarter. That's just 14 points allowed in their last three games. They host Escondido on Friday.

19. (20) Helix (La Mesa), 2-1
Classification: San Diego Section, Grossmont Hills League, Division I (can change)
Rankings: 9 state, 78 national

The Highlanders jump because the team they lost to continues to win in Arizona, and because they beat Cathedral Catholic 37-7 last week, which is a bigger win than Santa Margarita or Oaks Christian posted against the same squad. Expect more movement as the season moves along. Helix will take the week off and then head to Bonita Vista.

20. (18) Loyola (Los Angeles), 4-0
Classification: Southern Section, Mission League, Pac-5 Division
Rankings: 12 state, 94 national

The Cubs won 52-22 at Salesian, using amazing balance. They passed for 199 yards and ran for 193. They host Serra (Gardena) on Friday, in likely what is a fight for them to stay ranked.

21. (19) Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita), 3-1
Classification: Southern Section, South Coast League, West Valley Division
Rankings: 16 state, 170 national

The Titans shut out West Covina 35-0 last week, and have a quick turnaround to face Corona del Mar on Thursday.

22. (25) La Habra, 3-1
Classification: Southern Section, Freeway League, Southwest Division
Rankings: 15 state, 131 national

The Highlanders turned in what might be the play of the week, as Eric Lancaster-garcia caught a hail mary to wrap up a stunning 37-32 victory over Los Alamitos. Now their attention will turn to Colony (Ontario) this week.

23. (22) Clovis, 4-0
Classification: Central Section, Tri-River Athletic Conference, Division I
Rankings: 55 state, 617 national

The Cougars did not have an easy time beating Stockdale (Bakersfield), 49-42, as they trailed by a touchdown entering the final quarter. But they got it done and obviously as still the Central Section's top team. They go to Centennial (Bakersfield) on Friday.

24. (23) Redlands East Valley, 2-1
Classification: Southern Section, Citrus Belt League, Inland Division
Rankings: 29 state, 301 national

The Wildcats emerged victorious against Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley), 38-34. Joey Harman ran wild, picking up 262 yards on 26 carries. They host Carter (Rialto) in a tough matchup on Friday.

25. (24) San Juan Hills (San Juan Capistrano), 4-0
Classification: Southern Section, South Coast League, West Valley Division
Rankings: 40 state, 433 national

The Stallions blasted Marina (Huntington Beach), 51-6. The offense rolled up an impressive 480 yards in the win. They have a big test Friday with Los Alamitos coming to town after its first loss.

Dropped out: 21. Los Alamitos