MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 Football Rankings

There were five losses by ranked teams last week. Yet only two leave the list.

That's what happens in the early going, when teams go out of their leagues and out of their areas to take on the best teams around.

Bakersfield, Oaks Christian and Centennial all lost, but lost to very good teams high in the rankings, so while they do fall, they stick around. You could throw Edison (Huntington Beach) in that group, as it lost to Servite, but the Chargers are out of the 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. And see the new MaxWire Los Angeles video at the end of the rankings.

MaxPreps Top 25 Southern California High School Football Rankings

1. (1 last week) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 4-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 1 state, 4 national, 4 Xcellent 25

The Braves didn't have Josh Rosen but still beat Loyola (Los Angeles) 24-10 in a road contest. Andrew Katnik was 8-for-20 with 163 yards to go with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also lost a fumble. Manasseh Anesi picked up a lot of the offensive slack with 22 carries for 152 yards, and Shay Fields caught six passes for 140 yards and two scores. The defense also racked up five sacks. Next up is Friday's home game against Crenshaw (Los Angeles).

2. (2) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 4-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 4 state, 16 national, 24 Xcellent 25

The Monarchs are on a defensive bender, as they blanked Santa Monica 37-0. That means 20 points allowed in four games. Eight tackles for loss, three sacks, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions highlighted their second-straight shutout. Chase Forrest rushed for a pair of scores and threw for another. We'll find out soon enough exactly the Monarchs are, as their schedule has been suspect. They host Edison (Huntington Beach) on Friday.

3. (3) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta), 3-0
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 6 state, 18 national

The Broncos now have 187 points in three games after they smashed Redlands East Valley 69-21. The Coltin Gerhart show once again provided plenty of entertainment, as he rushed eight times for 112 yards and two touchdowns to go with an 8-for-10 passing performance with 110 yards. Tito Feliciano was even more prolific, rushing 13 times for 200 yards and a pair of scores. Friday will be a decent test, as the Broncos head to San Diego to face Cathedral Catholic.

4. (4) Serra (Gardena), 4-0
Classifications: Southern (Western), State II
Ranks: 2 state, 6 national

The Cavaliers were able to jump ahead quickly and stay ahead against Dorsey (Los Angeles), something they really hadn't been able to enjoy during their first three games of the year. The 48-18 victory featured a 21-0 early lead and as usual Adoree' Jackson was spectacular catching the ball, racking up four catches for 167 yards and a score. Jalen Greene only completed 10 passes but four were for touchdowns. Now Serra will move on to play at Narbonne on Friday, hoping to avenge last season's loss.

5. (5) Mission Viejo, 4-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 3 state, 14 national

The Diablos kept on rolling by dispatching La Habra 46-21. Brayden Roesch returned an interception for a score, and the defense forced two safeties according to Pacth.com. Ian Fieber passed for a pair of scores as well. Field position played a huge role in a quick start and it appears that the Diablos could fight their way into the Xcellent 25, perhaps. They head to Aliso Niguel on Friday.

6. (7) Long Beach Poly, 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 8 state, 30 national

The Jackrabbits are making their lone loss look less burdensome, as they hit the road and beat Bakersfield 27-7 a week after toppling Centennial (Corona). Their 6-0 halftime lead turned into a 7-6 deficit in the third quarter, but the Jackrabbits got an 80-yard touchdown run from Jeremy Calhoun to take the lead back for good. James Brooks scored on the ground and Josh Love hit Johnnie Rucker for a touchdown pass as well. Calhoun racked up 186 yards on 11 carries according to gazettes.com. Don't expect Poly to lose again, as they start Moore League play Friday at home against Cabrillo.

7. (8) Alemany (Mission Hills), 4-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 5 state, 17 national

The Warriors have shown that they are beyond for real, as they picked up another important win Friday by downing Centennial 45-28. Okalani Langi rushed for three touchdowns, according to the LA Times, and his final score came in the final minute to seal the victory. Alif Grayes went 10-for-16 passing for 245 yards and posted 112 yards rushing with two scores.

8. (10) Hart (Newhall), 3-0
Classifications: Southern (Northern), State II
Ranks: 9 state, 32 national

The Indians finally had an easy game, as they beat down Ridgeview (Bakersfield) 56-7. Connor Wingenroth was huge on the ground with eight carries for 205 yards and a pair of scores and Trenton Irwin caught two touchdown passes. They've scored 56, 55 and 56 points this season - very consistent. The Indians next head to Birmingham (Lake Balboa) on Friday.

9. (14) Chaminade (West Hills), 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Western), State II
Ranks: 11 state, 41 national

The Eagles' 21-14 win at Oaks Christian on Thursday didn't come like many expected. But a win is a win, especially when it comes over one of the area's best teams. Brad Kaaya scored the winning touchdown on a fourth-down sneak with a little less than three minutes left, and then the defense held firm in the waning seconds deep in its own red zone. Chaminade gets a week off before it battles Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks).

10. (11) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 16 state, 71 national

The Knights won 28-5 at Birmingham (Lake Balboa), with Chris Colarossi rushing 16 times for 122 yards. Koa Farmer scored once on the ground and once through the air as well. On Friday, they will host Canyon (Canyon Country), a team that is undefeated and has entered the LA Times' Top 25.

11. (13) Oceanside, 3-1
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State II
Ranks: 12 state, 44 national

The Pirates mauled Poway, 61-0 last week - leading 54-0 at the half. It was a rematch of last season's San Diego Section Division II title game. Thai Cottrell had two punt returns for scores, according to Pomerado News, and Jace Whittaker returned an interception for a touchdown as well. The biggest game of the year in the SDS will be this Friday, as Oceanside will head to Mission Hills (San Marcos).

12. (15) St. Bonaventure (Ventura), 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 22 state, 125 national

The Seraphs held Atascadero without a score in the second half and won 35-24 at home. Information is scant, but it certainly shows that St. Bonaventure has bounced back from its loss to Centennial in which it yielded 69 points. Things don't get any easier, as St. Bonaventure heads to Alemany on Friday as part of the Top 10 National Games of the Week.

13. (6) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village), 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 9 state, 31 national

The Lions were tied with Chaminade at the half and had the ball within the 20-yard line in the final minute with a chance to tie the game, but it wasn't meant to be. Brandon Dawkins and Chris Davis hooked up 12 times for 127 yards and a touchdown, and Jamie Sullivan connected on two field goals as well. The Lions will play at Crenshaw on Friday.

14. (20) Servite (Anaheim), 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 17 state, 76 national

The Friars eliminated Edison (Huntington Beach) from the rankings with a commanding 31-14 victory. Tate Beachley was the leading rusher with 108 yards on 16 carries and Nick Lopiccola scored twice on the ground to go with 80 yards. Five sacks and two fumble recoveries made the night that much better. Servite gets a week off, and that's a good thing for the Friars, as they will host De La Salle (Concord) on Oct. 5 in Santa Ana.

15. (9) Centennial (Corona), 2-2
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 15 state, 67 national

The Huskies are in the midst of a two-game losing streak. That doesn't happen too often in the Centennial program. They lost 45-28 to Alemany last week, and that was despite Robert Webber and Tre Watson combining for 254 rushing yards. A visit from Carson on Friday figures to be the cure for what ails Centennial, which also lost to Long Beach Poly.

16. (18) Edison (Fresno), 4-0
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 13 state, 55 national

The Tigers earned a very credible victory by beating Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 29-14 at home, finishing the game on a 20-0 run. Blake Wright ran for 228 yards and two scores according to the Fresno Bee, and the Tigers ran for 359 as a team. It was a statement victory for the program, and the Central Section overall. Now they will turn their attention to Clovis West on Oct. 4 after a bye week.

17. (16) Mission Hills (San Marcos), 4-0
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State II
Ranks: 42 state, 344 national

The Grizzlies blasted Valley Center 45-0 and lost one spot in the rankings. The defense has been splendid, allowing 28 points this season to go with a pair of shutouts. What will determine Mission Hills' future in these rankings is its Friday home contest against a formidable Oceanside squad.

18. (19) Clovis North (Fresno), 3-1
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 21 state, 123 national

The Broncos went to Frontier (Bakersfield) and won 40-19 to continue another successful season. They led 20-19 at the half and then blew it open. Austin Autry threw four touchdown passes in his first varsity start, according to the Fresno Bee, and Bolu Olorunfunmi had touchdown runs of 40 and 79 yards. They host Merced on Thursday.

19. (21) Helix (La Mesa), 3-1
Classifications: San Diego (Open), State I (CIF has not determined yet, though)
Ranks: 19 state, 100 national

The Highlanders are third in the U-T San Diego poll, and they trounced Mount Miguel (Spring Valley) by a 42-19 score. Michael Austin threw for two touchdowns and ran for another and Adrian Petty also scored twice, according to UT San Diego. They will head to Ramona Friday for their final nonleague game of the season.

20. (22) Rancho Cucamonga, 4-0
Classifications: Southern (Inland), State I
Ranks: 18 state, 99 national

The Cougars won 34-19 at Murrieta Valley to move their record to 4-0 and continue moving up the state rankings. Khalil Muhammad ran eight times for 88 yards and a touchdown, Kiraun Mayo scored a pair of rushing touchdowns and seven different players caught passes. They will host JW North Friday.

21. (23) Bishop Amat (La Puente), 3-1
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 23 state, 163 national

The Lancers bounced back from their loss to Rancho Cucamonga by dispatching Charter Oak (Covina) 45-21. It was 21-14 at the half before they distanced themselves. Anthony Camargo ran 19 times for 132 yards and a score, and Koa Haynes went 16-for-25 with 220 yards. Amat heads to St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) on Friday.

22. (25) Orange Lutheran, 4-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 37 state, 306 national

The Lancers are gunning to begin Trinity League play unblemished, as they blasted Carbillo (Long Beach) 55-0. They ran the ball 32 times for 277 yards, led by Patrick Reardon's 11 carries for 114 yards. They only passed four times. Orange Lutheran will host Redlands East Valley on Friday at Orange Coast College.

23. (17) Bakersfield, 2-2
Classifications: Central (I), State I
Ranks: 26 state, 203 national

The Drillers are still the winningest team in state history, but they lost 27-7 to Long Beach Poly at home. They actually led 7-6 in the third quarter after Asauni Rufus rushed in from 11 yards away, but that was the last lead they would hold. Rufus ran 22 times for 103 yards and Johnathon Malone led the team with three catches. Two losses normally would mean an exit from the rankings, but these Drillers' losses are to a pair of ranked teams and one of them was by a point. Next up is Buchanan (Clovis) at home.

24. (NR) San Pasqual (Escondido), 4-0
Classifications: San Diego (I), State I
Ranks: 25 state, 198 national

The Golden Eagles moved to fourth in the UT San Diego rankings and move into these rankings. While finding the best teams in the San Diego area hasn't been hard, finding the No. 3 or 4 team has been a fluid situation. San Pasqual beat Mt. Carmel 42-17 with fullback Peter Ricardez recording two touchdowns and 122 yards. Grant Huffman scored three touchdowns as well, according to UT San Diego. They will travel to La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) on Friday.

25. (NR) Trabuco Hills (Mission Viejo), 4-0
Classifications: Southern (Pac 5), State I
Ranks: 30 state, 240 national

The Mustangs enter the rankings after a 27-17 win at Huntington Beach, and once again are off to a hot start. Tommy Kelley passed for 270 yards (14 of 25) and Jacob Breeland caught four passes for 112 yards and scored two touchdowns. Their victories aren't overwhelming, but they are solid. We'll find out a lot about the Mustangs when they take on Santa Margarita on Thursday. Last year they started hot as well but lost steam as the league season progressed.

Dropped out:
12. Edison (Huntington Beach) lost to Servite, 31-14
24. Madison (San Diego) lost to Eastlake (Chula Vista), 31-21