MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 high school football rankings

The beginning of the playoffs allowed for some restructuring of the rankings, as top teams are now playing each other again. That means losing teams moving up, winning teams moving down and some teams having byes. Playoff results will hash it all out, so while some teams are in now, it's pretty much inevitable that they will fall out by the end of it all.

Click here to see playoff brackets from across the state. Click here to see remaining undefeated teams in California, and click here to see the California Bowl Game Rankings.

Be sure to visit the Fresno metro site, the San Diego metro site and the Los Angeles metro site as well for more California coverage. Also, see the latest MaxWire Los Angeles videos for updates on the region.


1. (1 last week) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 11-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 1 state, 3 national, 5 Xcellent 25

The Braves throttled Agoura 69-24 to open the playoffs behind some ridiculously efficient stat lines. Shay Fields grabbed four catches for four touchdowns and 224 yards. Sean McGrew ran three times for 97 yards and two touchdowns. Ten touchdowns is always a nice way to begin the playoffs. Next up is Tesoro, a team the Braves eliminated last season as well.

2. (2) Serra (Gardena), 11-0
Classifications: Southern (Western), State II
Ranks: 3 state, 11 national, 9 Xcellent 25

The Cavaliers handily beat Pacifica (Oxnard), 48-16. It was a very balanced effort with eight players catching passes, eight carrying the ball and seven different players scoring touchdowns. Three interceptions were also part of the party for the defending Western Division champions. Adoree' Jackson carried the ball twice for 47 yards and a score. Next up is a trip to Buena (Ventura) on Friday.

3. (3) Mission Viejo, 11-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 2 state, 8 national

The Diablos had not trouble eliminating Crespi in a 45-0 romp that featured a 38-0 halftime count. Alex Suchesk ran for four touchdowns, smashing in from a yard away two times and then scoring from 57 and 24 yards. Daniel Marx also scored. The Diablos have not been challenged since Sept. 14 against Don Bosco Prep. That will change Friday against Mater Dei.

4. (4) Long Beach Poly, 10-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 10 state, 50 national

The Jackrabbits had a tough first-round matchup with Orange Lutheran and needed a touchdown catch from Christian Pabico in the final minutes to take the lead for good in an 18-16 triumph. See video highlights from the game. John Smith also made a spectacular scoring grab for Poly in the home win that was aided by a critical mistake from the Lancers on a punt while they led late. Next up is a trip to St. Bonaventure on Friday.

5. (5) Centennial (Corona), 9-2
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 11 state, 54 national

The Huskies jumped all over Etiwanda and won 56-23 to advance in the Inland Division. Three different quarterbacks threw touchdown passes and Barry Ware caught four balls for 112 yards and two scores. Tre Watson was his usual self, rushing 29 times for 249 yards and three touchdowns. On Friday, the Huskies will face Chaparral (Temecula).

6. (7) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 9-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 6 state, 20 national

The Monarchs showed that great running and defense wins out over great offense on Friday when they eliminated Oaks Christian 28-17. They only passed for 19 yards on four completions, but rumbled 54 times for 332 yards on the ground, and the defense held Oaks Christian at bay long enough. Chase Forrest ran 11 times for 112 yards, showing that the quarterback doesn't need big passing numbers to be effective. London Iakopo rushed for two scores as well. Mater Dei faces Mission Viejo Friday in one of the state's best games.

7. (6) Chaminade (West Hills), 9-2
Classifications: Southern (Western), State II
Ranks: 12 state, 76 national

The Eagles weren't challenged in a 71-8 blowout of Morningside (Inglewood). Fifteen rushes turned into five touchdowns and seven completions netted two scores. The average completion was good for 29.6 yards for the Eagles, who scored on the first play of the game and got a pair of defensive touchdowns from Evan Yeager. They will go to Ventura on Friday.

8. (8) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta), 10-1
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 7 state, 30 national

The Broncos won 57-14 over Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga), and the Riverside Press-Enterprise states that they scored on eight of their nine drives, and it was all set up by the defense forcing advantageous field position. The offense rolled up 437 yards, and now the Broncos can shift their attention to Friday's game against Charter Oak (Covina).

9. (9) Alemany (Mission Hills), 9-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 9 state, 48 national

The Warriors got a very good matchup in the first round and beat Lakewood 48-29. Lakewood was within a score starting the fourth quarter. Coach Dean Herrington told the Los Angeles Daily News that the team played terrible and that this week's game at Cerritos College against Servite will require a much better effort.

10. (18) Rancho Cucamonga, 10-1
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 15 state, 93 national

The Cougars won 48-7 over Redlands East Valley to bounce back from their season-ending loss to Upland. They blocked a punt, grabbed a fumble and an interception in the rout and coach Nick Baiz lauded the offensive line, according to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. Aaron Manning scored twice and Angel Matute threw for three touchdowns. They face Norco on Friday, a team they beat 24-7 earlier this season.

11. (NR) Servite (Anaheim), 6-5
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 14 state, 92 national

The Friars are back in the rankings. Their season has just been full of ups and downs all over the place. Last week, they handled Westlake 42-21 to advance in the Pac 5 behind 14 carries and 114 yards from Nick Lopiccola, plus 17 carries, 102 yards and three touchdowns rushing from quarterback Travis Waller. It was 21-all entering the second half before the Friars busted it open. Why do they go from not ranked to 11th? They beat Westlake, which beat Oaks Christian, which beat Bakersfield, etc. The Friars host Alemany Friday.

12. (11) Mission Hills (San Marcos), 10-1
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 42 state, 385 national

The Grizzlies opened the inaugural Open Division playoffs with a 56-35 triumph over Steele Canyon. The top seed led by eight points entering the final quarter, then got a pair of defensive scores from Ricky Liuchan and Esteban Sentino to get the necessary breathing room. Connor Wynn threw for five scores, according to UT San Diego, and Dechaun Holiday and Scott Higgins each caught two scores. Helix is up next on Friday.

13. (13) Oceanside, 9-2
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 10 state, 41 national

The No. 3-seeded Pirates beat Torrey Pines by a commanding 35-0 score Friday, as Jace Whittaker was the star. According to UT San Diego, he tallied a rushing score, a fumble return for a touchdown and a punt return for a score all before halftime. Since it's an eight-team bracket, it's already semifinals time in the Open Division and that means a trip to face No. 2 Eastlake on Friday.

14. (16) Westlake (Westlake Village), 8-3 - Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 35 state, 312 national

The Warriors lost 42-21 to Servite - and moved up? It was a strange week for the rankings. Their season is now over, so expect some slippage, likely out of the Top 25.

15. (17) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village), 8-3 - Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 16 state, 102 national

The Lions lost 28-17 to Mater Dei - and moved up as well. Brandon Dawkins rushed for two scores. The earlier win over Bakersfield keeps them this high.

16. (12) Bakersfield, 8-2
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 28 state, 244 national

The four top seeds in the Central Section D-I bracket got byes. The Drillers host Clovis West on Friday in the quarterfinals.

17. (NR) St. Bonaventure (Ventura), 8-3
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 21 state, 148 national

The Seraphs fell out of the rankings when they lost two weeks in a row. They are healthier and playing good ball. They eliminated Notre Dame 35-21 thanks to two touchdown passes from Ricky Town to Bryce Dixon, a rushing score from Town and two rushing scores from Marcus Chambers. They host Long Beach Poly on Friday.

18. (14) Valencia, 9-2
Classifications: Southern (Northern), State I
Ranks: 39 state, 348 national

The Vikings have now won six in a row after dispatching Redondo Union, 38-17. The lead was 14-7 at the half and ended up being a little closer than the final score indicates. According to the Santa Clarita Valley Signal, Nick Jones caught six passes for 154 yards and two scores, and Jake Wallace completed 18 of 30 passes for 348 yards and a touchdown run. Next up is Arroyo Grande on Friday.

19. (19) Eastlake (Chula Vista), 10-1
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 24 state, 172 natinal 

The No. 2-seeded Titans made it 10 wins in a row with a 41-7 beatdown of Poway in the Open Division. It was anything but balanced: Eastlake completed just one pass but ran for 527 yards on 42 carries. Traylon Reed had 12 rushes for 176 yards and two scores, and Isaiah Strayhorn ran for two scores with seven carries for 158 yards. A huge test comes Friday when Eastlake hosts No. 3-seeded Oceanside.

20. (23) Helix (La Mesa), 9-2
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I
Ranks: 13 state, 90 national

The Highlanders kicked off their Open Division foray with a 41-7 victory over La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad). It was scoreless after one period and 14-0 at the half. Michael Austin was 16-for-24 with 221 passing yards for Helix, and the rushing game added 192 yards and three scores. Helix has a huge matchup with Mission Hills in the Open Division semifinals on Friday.

21. (22) San Pasqual (Escondido), 9-1
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 36 state, 328 national

The Golden Eagles had a bye in the first round and on Thursday they will face El Camino (Oceanside) as the top seed.

22. (24) Hart (Newhall), 9-2
Classifications: Southern (Northern), State II
Ranks: 31 state, 275 national

The Indians finally bounced back from a not-so-stellar end to the regular season when they went on the road and beat Paso Robles 56-35. It was35-all in the fourth quarter before Hart turned on the afterburners and ran off three unanswered touchdowns. Connor Wingenroth ran 24 times for 285 yards and a pair of touchdowns, something the Indians undoubtedly had to be happy about. Brady White was 21-for-29 and threw four touchdown passes. This Friday is a major test with Palos Verdes coming to College of the Canyons.

23. (10) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 7-4 - Season over
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 23 state, 158 national

The Knights lost 35-21 to St. Bonaventure. Koa Farmer scored twice and Hunter Woods had a defensive touchdown.

24. (25) La Habra, 10-1
Classifications: Southern (Southwest), State II
Ranks: 38 state, 347 national 

The Highlanders started the postseason with a 42-21 win over Canyon (Anaheim). A 28-7 advantage in the second quarter enabled them to cruise the rest of the way. The defense picked off five interceptions in the victory and now the Highlanders now have won seven in a row. Newport Harbor is their second-round opponent on Friday.

25. (NR) Palos Verdes (Palos Verdes Estates), 9-2
Classifications: Southern (Northern), State II
Ranks: 29 state, 257 national 

The Sea Kings make their first appearance, and had it not been for a Hail Mary to start the season, they would be 10-1. They advanced in the Northern Division by beating Righetti (Santa Maria) 63-16 behind six rushing scores and 163 receiving yards from Lance Brown. They face Hart on Friday.

Dropped out:
15. Canyon (Canyon Country) lost 35-27 to West (Torrance).
20. Orange Lutheran lost 18-16 to Long Beach Poly.
21. JSerra did not qualify for the playoffs.