MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 high school football rankings

Well, well, well, would you look at what we have a here: A new program staking claim to the title of being known as the premier program that Southern California has to offer.

Behind the steady play of senior defensive back and USC commit Su'a Cravens, Vista Murrieta checks in at No. 1 in this week's rankings after Mater Dei (Santa Ana) knocked off Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 24-7. Chances are, Cravens & Co. could finish up regular season play in the same position in the poll considering the Broncos have been on a major roll lately. 

Seven Southern California teams now fill the Top 10 spots in the Farwest region in the Regional Computer Rankings Top 10 and two are featured in the most recent MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

El Toro (Lake Forest), Chaminade (West Hills) and Edison (Huntington Beach) are among the other teams making moves. That said, it's time to take a look at the best of the rest.

MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 high school football rankings

1. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta)
Overall record: 7-0
Previous rank: 2
Upon further review: Defeated Great Oak (Temecula), 65-14 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Murrieta Valley (Murrieta) on Friday.
Extra point: No. 13 in the Xcellent 25 rankings, the Broncos have been waiting in the wings to take over the No. 1 spot in the poll. Signs point to the view from the top suiting them well nowadays.

2. Narbonne (Harbor City)
Overall record: 7-0
Previous rank: 3
Upon further review: Defeated Banning (Wilmington), 54-7 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: San Pedro on Friday.
Extra point: The Gauchos, No. 14 in the Xcellent 25, know this week's opponent all too well. And they will be leery of their bitter rival who would like nothing more than to play the role of spoiler.

3. Mission Viejo
Overall record: 7-0
Previous rank: 4
Upon further review: Defeated San Clemente, 45-7.
Countdown to kickoff: Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita) on Friday / Qwixcore
Extra point: No. 24 in the Freeman Rankings, the Diablos entered the season as the frontrunners to take home the hardware in the South Coast League. Little, or nothing, has changed at his stage.

4. St. Bonaventure (Ventura)
Overall record: 6-1
Previous rank: 5
Upon further review: Did not play.
Countdown to kickoff: Newbury Park on Friday.
Extra point: Heard of the name Bryce Dixon? If not, consider this as a formal introduction. The 6-foot-4 and 220-pound junior tight end is one of the nation‘s more sought-after recruits already.

5. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
Overall record: 6-1
Previous rank: 11
Upon further review: Defeated Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 24-7 / Story
Countdown to kickoff: St. John Bosco (Bellflower) on Friday.
Extra point: With somewhat of an upset over the previously top-ranked team from Southern California, the Monarchs moved up to No. 13 in the Freeman Rankings. Another tough test looms large, however.

6. Alemany (Mission Hills)
Overall record: 7-1
Previous rank: 7
Upon further review: Defeated Bishop Amat (La Puente), 56-35.
Countdown to kickoff: Crespi (Encino) on Oct. 26.
Extra point: Devon Dunn has been on a roll recently. Over the course of the last month, the senior quarterback is averaging more than 275 yards passing and close to 100 yards rushing per game.

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7. Centennial (Corona)
Overall record: 6-1
Previous rank: 6
Upon further review: Defeated Norco, 38-37.
Countdown to kickoff: King (Riverside) on Friday.
Extra point: Robert Webber has been about as consistent as they come this season. The junior quarterback has completed more than 60 percent of his passes for 1,457 yards and 12 touchdowns.

8. Upland
Overall record: 7-0
Previous rank: 8
Upon further review: Defeated Glendora, 47-26 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga) on Friday.
Extra point: When the Scots have needed a big play down the field, Anthony Romero has delivered. With 24 receptions for 382 yards, the senior tight end has also found the end zone four times.

9. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village)
Overall record: 6-1
Previous rank: 9
Upon further review: Did not play.
Countdown to kickoff: Calabasas on Friday.
Extra point: Cameron Judge is the unquestioned leader on the defensive side of the ball for the Lions. The senior linebacker and UCLA commit leads the team in several statistical categories.

10. St. John Bosco (Bellflower)
Overall record: 3-4 (Four forfeits)
Previous rank: 10
Upon further review: Defeated JSerra (San Juan Capistrano), 44-41 (OT) / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Mater Dei (Santa Ana) on Friday.
Extra point: Another week, another difficult challenge on deck in Trinity League play for the Braves. The rigors of regular-season play will most likely have this team well-prepared for the playoffs.

11. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita)
Overall record: 6-1
Previous rank: 1
Upon further review: Lost to Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 24-7 / Story
Countdown to kickoff: Orange Lutheran on Friday.
Extra point: Oh how the mighty have fallen. The Eagles were considered as one of the country's premier programs, among the Top 10 in most polls. They are No. 25 in the Freeman Rankings now.

12. El Toro (Lake Forest)
Overall record: 7-0
Previous rank: 17
Upon further review: Defeated Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita), 41-31 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Trabuco Hills (Mission Viejo) on Friday.
Extra point: The Chargers, No. 24 in the Freeman Rankings, rely on Conner Manning's arm. The senior quarterback and Utah commit was on the receiving end of a touchdown pass last week.

View last week's Southern California Top 25 scoreboard

13. Chaminade (West Hills)
Overall record: 6-1
Previous rank: 15
Upon further review: Defeated St. Paul (Sante Fe Springs), 63-13.
Countdown to kickoff: Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood) on Friday.
Extra point: The focus of the Eagles figures to be Chad Kanoff this week. And rightfully so, considering the senior quarterback and Vanderbilt commit has thrown for 2,646 yards and 28 touchdowns.

14. Edison (Huntington Beach)
Overall record: 6-1
Previous rank: 18
Upon further review: Defeated Los Alamitos, 24-14 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Marina (Huntington Beach) on Friday.
Extra point: Anything less than a Sunset League title would be considered as a major disappointment for the Chargers. Beyond that, it's time for the CIF Southern Section Southwest Division playoffs.

15. Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita)
Overall record: 6-1
Previous rank: 12
Upon further review: Lost to El Toro (Lake Forest), 41-31 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Mission Viejo on Friday.
Extra point: The Titans do not have time to dwell on last week's unfavorable result. They must regroup, and do so with a sense of urgency, given the fact things do not get any easier from here on out.

16. Lompoc
Overall record: 7-0
Previous rank: 16
Upon further review: Defeated Santa Maria, 49-0 / Qwixcore / Photos
Countdown to kickoff: Santa Ynez on Friday.
Extra point: Recently, Lavon Coleman has been limited during practice due to a lingering leg injury and the status of the senior running back and Washington commit is questionable for this week‘s game.

17. Crespi (Encino)
Overall record: 7-1
Previous rank: 13
Upon further review: Lost to Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 40-34 (OT) / Story
Countdown to kickoff: Bishop Amat (La Puente) on Friday.
Extra point: When talking about Southern California's premier players in the secondary, Tyler Foreman is a name that needs to be mentioned among the best around. The senior is talented, to be sure.

18. Bishop Amat (La Puente)
Overall record: 5-1-1
Previous rank: 14
Upon further review: Lost to Alemany (Mission Hills), 56-35.
Countdown to kickoff: Crespi (Encino) on Friday.
Extra point: Two losses in competitive Serra League play could prove to be costly. The opponent this week, therefore, had better be prepared for the Lancers to put forth their best effort of the season. 

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19. Crenshaw (Los Angeles)
Overall record: 6-1
Previous rank: 19
Upon further review: Defeated Locke (Los Angeles), 42-8 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Dorsey (Los Angeles) on Friday.
Extra point: The Cougars have played well from start to finish this season. They can't afford to look past the team in front of them, however, and ahead to the CIF Los Angeles City Section playoffs.

20. Serra (Gardena)
Overall record: 5-2
Previous rank: 20
Upon further review: Defeated Cathedral (Los Angeles), 42-3 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: St. Francis (La Canada) on Friday.
Extra point: The Cavaliers were searching for a go-to guy at receiver this season and it appears as if Darrell Furey has filled the role. The senior has 18 receptions for 375 yards and eight scores thus far.

21. Rancho Cucamonga
Overall record: 5-2
Previous rank: 21
Upon further review: Did not play.
Countdown to kickoff: Glendora on Friday.
Extra point: At one point, the Cougars were considered to be among the cream of the crop in terms of programs from the Inland Empire. The road to redemption continues for them.

22. Tustin
Overall record: 8-0
Previous rank: 22
Upon further review: Defeated Cypress, 63-21.
Countdown to kickoff: Western (Anaheim) on Friday.
Extra point: The beat goes on for coach Myron Miller and his bunch. The Tillers have scored more than 40 points in each outing. In the game they didn't hit the plateau, 35 was good enough for the win.

23. Orange Lutheran
Overall record: 6-1
Previous rank: 24
Upon further review: Defeated Servite (Anaheim), 28-14 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) on Friday.
Extra point: Last week's victory for the Lancers was arguably one of the most important in the program's history. Duplicating the feat against the next opponent, however, would be a bigger statement.

24. Hart (Newhall)
Overall record: 6-1
Previous rank: 23
Upon further review: Defeated Golden Valley (Santa Clarita), 56-14.
Countdown to kickoff: Saugus on Friday.
Extra point: The Indians had been known as the best team from the Santa Clarita Valley for years and years. Given the way they've played thus far, it appears as if some of the tradition has been restored.

25. Chaparral (Temecula)
Overall record: 6-1
Previous rank: 25
Upon further review: Defeated Temecula Valley (Temecula), 42-6.
Countdown to kickoff: Great Oak (Temecula) on Friday.
Extra point: Justin Harris has been largely, although not solely, responsible for the success of the Pumas this season. The senior running back has 958 yards rushing on 108 carries and scored 12 touchdowns.

Sean Ceglinsky has covered prep and college sports in Southern California for the better part of the past 15-plus years. Follow him on twitter: @SeanCeglinsky