Top 10 toughest California high school football schedules of 2019

Ten of the Top 25 ranked teams in the Golden State also play the toughest schedules.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Mitch Stephens
By
Aug 16, 2019, 10:45am
Video: Top 25 preseason California football rankings
The 10 teams playing the toughest California schedules are also 10 of the Top 25 teams in the state.

It's not a coincidence. Teams that challenge themselves are rewarded, on the field and off. 

A tough schedule is a risk-reward game that tests a team and prepares it for future success and to overcome adversity.

These squads are among the Golden State's elite because of their willingness to challenge themselves with tough and gritty opponents. Four of them, in fact, are ranked among the top 20 in the country.

Top 10 toughest California football schedules for 2019

10. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village)
Three toughest games
Aug. 30 vs. Grace Brethren (Simi Valley)
Sept. 6 vs. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth)
Oct. 25 vs. Calabasas

9. Calabasas
Three toughest games
Sept. 6 vs. Serra (Gardena)
Sept. 13 vs. La Habra
Sept. 20 at JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano)

8. Serra (Gardena)
Three toughest games
Sept. 6 at Calabasas
Sept. 20 at Narbonne (Harbor City)
Oct. 11 vs. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks)

7. Narbonne (Harbor City)
Three toughest games
Aug. 24 at Buchanan (Clovis)
Sept. 13 at Orange Lutheran (Orange)
Sept. 20 vs. Serra (Gardena)

6. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego)
Three toughest games
Aug. 31 vs. Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Sept. 6 vs. Centennial (Corona)
Sept. 13 at Helix (San Diego)

5. De La Salle (Concord)
Three toughest games
Aug. 23 vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla)
Sept. 13 at Folsom
Sept. 20 vs. Buchanan (Clovis)
Shamar Garrett, De La Salle running back.
Shamar Garrett, De La Salle running back.
File photo by Gint Federas
4. Centennial (Corona)
Three toughest games
Aug. 13 at Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
Aug. 30 vs. Orange Lutheran (Orange)
Sept. 6 at Cathedral Catholic (San Diego)

3. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano)
Three toughest games
Aug. 31 vs. St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.)
Oct. 11 vs. St. John Bosco (Bellflower)
Nov. 1 at Mater Dei (Santa Ana)

2. St. John Bosco (Bellflower)
Three toughest games
Aug. 24 vs. DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.)
Sept. 13 vs. Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.)
Oct. 25 vs. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)

1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
Three toughest games
Sept. 14 vs. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore)
Sept. 27 at St. John's (Washington, D.C.)
Oct. 25 at St. John Bosco (Bellflower)
When you play a tough schedule, says Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson, the better the chance you hold up a trophy at the end of the season.
When you play a tough schedule, says Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson, the better the chance you hold up a trophy at the end of the season.
File photo by Louis Lopez

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