MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 High School Football Rankings

The Bishop Amat roller coaster continues, and it has thrown the rankings into a bit of chaos.

The Lancers soundly defeated then-No. 3 Alemany which meant they need to be in the Top 25. But they also have losses to Santa Margarita, Chino Hills and Crespi. It's simply a situation where we will have to wait for things to play out and see just how consistent the Lancers can be.

Oceanside, the top team in the San Diego Section, jumped up a bit by knocking then-No. 20 Mission Hills out of the rankings. Other than that, it was just a bunch of ranked teams beating other ranked teams.

Be sure to follow @lelandmaxpreps and @lamaxpreps for information specific to Southern California. Also, the California Computer Rankings can be accessed by clicking here.


1. (1 last week) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 5-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 2 state, 4 national, 7 Xcellent 25

We kept the Braves at No. 1 after their loss to Bishop Gorman, and that turned out to be the right call, as they beat Mater Dei 28-25. Sean Mcgrew ran 25 times for 119 yards and Kaylin Franklin caught six passes for 139 yards in the victory for Bosco. Next up is a road contest at JSerra Catholic on Friday.

2. (2) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 5-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 4 state, 8 national, 11 Xcellent 25

Quarterback Jack Lowary was stellar passing the ball with 343 yards on 21-for-30 passing but a pair of fumbles doomed the Monarchs in their 28-25 loss to St. John Bosco. The defense did record five sacks (three from Ronald Nickerson) and Kyle Penniston caught seven passes for 121 yards. Mater Dei goes to Servite on Friday.

3. (4) Centennial (Corona), 4-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 6 state, 15 national

The Huskies kicked off league play vs. King (Riverside) with a 41-9 trouncing. Nate Ketteringham got a majority of the throws with a 10-for-18 performance that included 235 yards and three scores. Receiver Javon Mckinley is putting up ridiculous numbers this season, and continued his stellar play with six catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Centennial hosts Roosevelt (Eastvale) on Friday.

4. (5) Servite (Anaheim), 4-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 7 state, 20 national, 25 Xcellent 25

The Friars earned a great win with a 28-25 triumph over Orange Lutheran thanks to an Andrew Acosta field goal at the end. Tate Beachley ran 12 times for 110 yards and Travis Waller ran for a score as well. Now the Friars will battle Mater Dei at Cerritos College on Friday night.

5. (6) Long Beach Poly, 6-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 17 state, 63 national

The Jackrabbits didn't score 99 points this time around. But they did take a 51-10 victory against winless Jordan (Long Beach). Jeremy Calhoun ran 15 times for 105 yards and three touchdowns, plus the defense snagged two interceptions. Poly goes to Lakewood on Friday.

6. (7) JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 6-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 5 state, 9 national

The Lions are now 6-0 after their 35-28 triumph over Santa Margarita. Edward Vander is above 900 yards and has 17 touchdowns this season for JSerra, which can elevate itself to national notoriety with a win over St. John Bosco on Friday.

7. (10) Oceanside, 6-0
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 19 state, 75 national

The Pirates eliminated Mission Hills from the rankings with a thorough 42-16 victory. They are undoubtedly the class of the San Diego Section and deserve a bump up. Matthew Romero went 12-for-17 with 240 yards and four touchdowns, while Josh Bernard ran 15 times for 77 yards and a score - and he threw a touchdown on his only pass attempt. Next up for Oceanside is a home game against Torrey Pines.

8. (9) Edison (Fresno), 6-0
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 20 state, 76 national

The Tigers whacked San Joaquin Memorial in the second half to cruise to a 44-14 win. They were up 18-14 at the half before putting some distance between themselves and Memorial. The defense recorded two interceptions and Khai Williams rushed for a pair of scores as well. The Tigers host Sanger on Friday.

9. (11) Bakersfield, 5-1
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 26 state, 110 national

The Drillers had no trouble in a 51-0 victory over Garces. The defense recorded three sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. They host Frontier (Bakersfield) on Friday.

10. (NR) Bishop Amat (La Puente), 4-3
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 8 state, 36 national

The Lancers may be the one team that makes these rankings so tough to assemble. Their record is not great, but their rankings from the computer rankings and media outlets are pretty good. They may have lost to Santa Margarita, Chino Hills and Crespi, yet they have wins over Aledo (Texas), Serra, Rancho Cucamonga and now a blowout over previous No. 3 Alemany. The win over Alemany was by a 47-20 count - and it was 33-7 at halftime. Damian Garcia was 24-for-37 with 368 yards and a score, while Torreahno Sweet rushed for three touchdowns and 92 yards on 26 carries. The Lancers host Chaminade on Friday.

11. (3) Alemany (Mission Hills), 5-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 11 state, 45 national

The Warriors aren't in the Xcellent 25 anymore after their 47-20 loss to Bishop Amat. The defense did pluck a pair of interceptions. They head to Loyola for a Friday game this week.

12. (12) Santa Margarita, 4-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 13 state, 52 national

The Eagles came up short against JSerra Catholic, losing 35-28. Christian Caragao rushed 19 times for 102 yards and a touchdown, while Conner Bianchini caught eight passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns. They host Orange Lutheran on Friday.

13. (13) Orange Lutheran, 4-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 21 state, 77 national

The Lancers were felled by a last-minute field goal against Servite, losing 28-25m the second-straight year they've lost a heartbreaker to Servite. Dominik Austin ran 12 times for 102 yards and Lj Northington added 52 yards and a score rushing to go with 81 passing yards. They will go to Santa Margarita on Friday.

14. (22) Chino Hills, 5-1
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 14 state, 53 national

The Huskies get a huge jump because of their victory over Bishop Amat earlier this season. They won 35-7 over a good Rancho Cucamonga squad thanks to 340 rushing yards as a team. Grady O'donnell scored twice with 10 carries and 160 yards, while Curtis Price scored twice with seven carries and 106 yards. Friday's game at Upland will be huge.

15. (14) Serra (Gardena), 5-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 12 state, 50 national

The Cavaliers escaped Crespi with a 21-20 victory when Crespi missed an extra point in the final minute that would have tied the game. Khalil Tate was all around awesome for Serra, rushing 11 times for 83 yards and passing for two touchdowns on a 14-for-26 day. The Cavaliers have their bye this week.

16. (16) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 5-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 18 state, 68 national

The Knights handed Chaminade a 41-38 loss, with Cole Klayman hitting C.j. Sanders from about 13 yards out for the game-winning touchdown in the final minute. Leo Lambert iii scored three rushing touchdowns and carried the ball 21 times for 168 yards. Sanders ran five times for for 127 yards and a score. They host Crespi on Friday.

17. (15) Westlake (Westlake Village), 4-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 27 state, 124 national

The Warriors bounced Paraclete at home, winning 52-3. Grant Bunker stepped in to play quarterback and delivered a huge game with five touchdowns and 258 yards on 18-for-24 passing. He also ran nine times for 63 yards and a touchdown. The Warriors will host Newbury Park on Friday.

18. (17) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 6-1
Classifications: San Diego (Eastern), State I
Ranks: 15 state, 58 national

The Dons finally registered a blowout win, taking down Scripps Ranch 63-7. They host Lincoln (San Diego) on Friday.

19. (18) Helix (La Mesa), 5-1
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 10 state, 41 national

The Highlanders blasted Steele Canyon 41-0, and that was against a team that came into the matchup undefeated. They go to Mount Miguel on Friday.

20. (19) Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita), 6-1
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State II
Ranks: 16 state, 59 national

The Titans continue to roll, posting a 30-21 win over El Toro. The defense grabbed three interceptions and held El Toro's rushing game to 77 yards on 26 carries. They host Mission Viejo on Friday.

21. (20) Crespi (Encino), 5-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 9 state, 37 national

The Celts finally lost, missing an extra point in the final minute to lose 21-20 to Serra. More wins in league play will rocket this squad up high. Next up is a Friday game at Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks).

22. (8) Chaminade (West Hills), 5-2
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 23 state, 100 national

The Eagles have now lost two in a row, thus the big drop. They couldn't hold off Notre Dame in a 41-38 setback, but got 175 rushing yards from Okalani Taufahema-langi and another 100 from T.j. Pledger. The 590 yards of total offense weren't enough, though. Next up is a road game at Bishop Amat.

23. (23) Upland, 4-2
Classifications: Southern (West Valley), State I
Ranks: 25 state, 109 national

The Highlanders won 44-14 over Damien, getting an efficient contest from Tyler Hilinski, who went 17-for-21 with 257 yards and three touchdowns. Their next game against Chino Hills is a huge one in the Baseline League.

24. (24) St. Francis (La Canada), 6-0
Classifications: Southern (Southeast), State II
Ranks: 38 state, 258 national

The Golden Knights broke a halftime tie and took a 21-7 victory over Harvard-Westlake. Jeremiah Martin only completed six of his 14 pass attempts but netted 152 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to Dylan Crawford. They are at Cathedral on Friday.

25. (25) Corona del Mar (Newport Beach), 5-1
Classifications: Southern (Southwest), State II
Ranks: 29 state, 142 national

The Sea Kings beat Irvine 21-7. Sophomore Chase Garbers stepped up due to a mid-game injury to the starter and went 13-for-22 with 167 yards. More important, he ran 15 times for 105 yards and a score. They host Woodbridge (Irvine) this week.

Dropped out: No. 20 Mission Hills (San Marcos)