MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 high school football rankings

For the second time in as many weeks, there is not much change in the recent Southern California Top 25. The premier programs from the region went out and handled business.

The rankings remained the same among those teams in the Top 10. A pair of schools moved into the Top 20, however, as Crenshaw (Los Angeles) and Edison (Huntington Beach) crept up after big wins. Also, Chaparral (Temecula) made its move and makes an appearance among the Top 25 programs.

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

MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 high school football rankings

1. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita)
Overall record: 6-0
Previous rank: 1
Upon further review: Defeated Servite (Anaheim), 21-0 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Mater Dei (Santa Ana) on Friday.
Extra point: Things are about to get interesting for the Eagles, No. 9 in the Xcellent 25. They are attempting to replace senior quarterback and Nebraska commit Johnny Stanton with a pair of underclassmen as junior Josh Canty and sophomore Kyle Sweet will now share the responsibility.

2. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta)
Overall record: 6-0
Previous rank: 2
Upon further review: Defeated Temecula Valley (Temecula), 58-14 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Great Oak (Temecula) on Friday.
Extra point: No. 14 in the Xcellent 25, the Broncos are ready, willing and able to move atop the poll should the top-ranked teams stumble along the way. They have been impressive from start to finish this season and appear worthy of carrying the torch as Southern California's top program.

View the latest California Bowl Game rankings

3. Narbonne (Harbor City)
Overall record: 6-0
Previous rank: 3
Upon further review: Defeated Carson, 26-20 / Box score 
Countdown to kickoff: Banning (Wilmington) on Friday.
Extra point: No one has been able to stop Troy Williams and the Gauchos, ranked No. 15 in the Xcellent 25, thus far. The senior quarterback and Washington commit entered the season as one of the West Coast's more well-known prospects and has done little to tarnish his reputation.

4. Mission Viejo
Overall record: 6-0
Previous rank: 4
Upon further review: Did not play.
Countdown to kickoff: San Clemente on Friday.
Extra point: A bye week did not prevent the Diablos from making a leap in this week‘s Freeman Rankings. They check in at No. 25, accordingly. They could ascend upward with a victory this week and a similar result next week against Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita).

5. St. Bonaventure (Ventura)
Overall record: 6-1
Previous rank: 5
Upon further review: Defeated Simi Valley, 42-0 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Newbury Park on Friday.
Extra point: It was business as usual for Zachary Green and the Seraphs last week: Another underdog opponent and another impressive victory for the favorites. The senior running back and Arizona commit rushed for 170 yards on eight carries and scored twice, an 80-yarder and 5-yarder.

6. Centennial (Corona)
Overall record: 5-1
Previous rank: 6
Upon further review: Defeated Corona, 61-24 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Norco on Friday.
Extra point: If anyone is capable of actually competing against the Huskies and making things somewhat interesting in Big VIII League play, perhaps it's their counterparts this week. Whether that kind of speculation translates into a competitive game remains to be seen.

7. Alemany (Mission Hills)

Overall record: 6-1
Previous rank: 7
Upon further review: Defeated Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 49-42 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Bishop Amat (La Puente) on Friday.
Extra point: Standout Steven Mitchell was held in check, on the stat sheet that is, for a majority of his last game. The senior receiver and USC commit, however, did get loose on one play and scored on a highlight-reel worthy 9-yard touchdown run that figures to be talked about for a while.

8. Upland
Overall record: 6-0
Previous rank: 8
Upon further review: Defeated Rancho Cucamonga, 19-7 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Glendora on Friday.
Extra point: Any lingering question about the who the frontrunner should be to take home all of the hardware in the Baseline League was answered last week. Moving forward, the Scots figure to run the table and won't be challenged much until the CIF Southern Section Inland Division playoffs. 

Read Sean Ceglinsky's feature on Joe Mathis, Upland's sack machine

9. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village)
Overall record: 6-1
Previous rank: 9
Upon further review: Defeated Agoura, 35-0 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Calabasas on Oct. 19.
Extra point: The Lions have a week off, and once they return to action, their focus will most likely shift to designing a game plan geared toward limiting the effectiveness of Marshall Faulk, son of the NFL Hall-of-Famer. Successfully stop the senior running back, you stop the next opponent.

10. St. John Bosco (Bellflower)
Overall record: 2-4 (Four forfeits)
Previous rank: 10
Upon further review: Defeated Orange Lutheran (Orange), 21-6 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: JSerra (San Juan Capistrano) on Friday.
Extra point: One difficult Trinity League showdown in the books, only four more to go. With games against powerhouse programs such as Mater Dei (Santa Ana) and Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) on the horizon, the Braves must grab victories while they're easier to get.

11. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
Overall record: 5-1
Previous rank: 11
Upon further review: Defeated JSerra (San Juan Capistrano), 42-10 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) on Friday.
Extra point: Interesting fact about Ryan McMahon is, for as well as the senior quarterback has done on the gridiron this season, he's probably better on the diamond and playing baseball. Nevertheless, McMahon has completed close to 60 percent of his passes for 784 yards and nine scores.

12. Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita)

Overall record: 6-0
Previous rank: 13
Upon further review: Defeated Trabuco Hills (Mission Viejo), 35-28 / Box Score
Countdown to kickoff: El Toro (Lake Forest) on Friday.
Extra point: Could last week's scare in what did not figure to be a close South Coast League game be a sign of things to come? The Titans certainly do not hope that's the case. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how well this team responds when it is put to the test for a second time.

13. Crespi (Encino)
Overall record: 7-0
Previous rank: 15
Upon further review: Defeated Loyola (Los Angeles), 20-7 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) on Friday.
Extra point: Rivalries in the San Fernando Valley don't get much bigger than the one this week. The Celts, of course, are well aware of the bragging rights at stake and the ramifications of a costly loss. Also worth noting is, the opponent was a mainstay in these rankings, until recently.

14. Bishop Amat (La Puente)
Overall record: 5-0-1
Previous rank: 16
Upon further review: Did not play.
Countdown to kickoff: Alemany (Mission Hills) on Friday.
Extra point: Dionza Blue figures to have his hands full in the secondary this week. And then some, in fact. The senior defensive back will be responsible for keeping a watchful eye on a pair of capable senior pass-catchers, USC-bound Steven Mitchell and Colorado-bound Devin Ross.

15. Chaminade (West Hills)
Overall record: 5-1
Previous rank: 20
Upon further review: Defeated Serra (Gardena), 28-20 / Box Score and Photos
Countdown to kickoff: St. Paul (Sante Fe Springs) on Friday.
Extra point: It's far from a secret: It appeared as if the quarterback controversy was over after junior Brad Kaaya emerged as somewhat of a reliable presence underneath center. Senior Reggie Reed is back in the mix, however, and will most likely continue to see an increased workload.

16. Lompoc
Overall record: 6-0
Previous rank: 17
Upon further review: Defeated Templeton, 42-3 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Santa Maria on Friday.
Extra point: With senior running back and Washington commit Lavon Coleman being the focal point on the offensive side of the ball, fellow upperclassman and quarterback Tyler Ornelas has not experienced much pressure. He has completed more than 51 percent of his passes as a result.

17. El Toro (Lake Forest)
Overall record: 7-0
Previous rank: 18
Upon further review: Defeated San Clemente, 49-37 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita) on Friday.
Extra point: Jacob Furnari doesn't receive enough credit. The junior running back has rushed for 783 yards on 134 yards with 11 touchdowns. In the passing game, he's been able to get the job done as well, to the tune of more than 9 yards per reception. Not too shabby, if you ask us.

18. Edison (Huntington Beach)
Overall record: 5-1
Previous rank: 21
Upon further review: Defeated Newport Harbor (Newport Beach), 35-0 / Box Score
Countdown to kickoff: Los Alamitos on Friday.
Extra point: The running back by committee approach has worked, at times, this season. Seniors Marquis Ross, Donald Rice and Elijah Herrera combined to average 6 yards per carry. If the Chargers hope to contend for a Sunset League title, consistency from the trio is a must.

19. Crenshaw (Los Angeles)
Overall record: 5-1
Previous rank: 22
Upon further review: Defeated Rancho Dominguez Prep (Long Beach), 57-0 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Locke (Los Angeles) on Friday.
Extra point: Mossi Johnson is a difference-maker for the Cougars, who are in the midst of good run in the CIF Los Angeles City Section race. The senior and UCLA commit plays on both sides of the ball, although his true value to the team remains at receiver rather than defensive back.

Read about Drew Wolitarsky, Canyon High's receiver, who set a state record last week

20. Serra (Gardena)
Overall record: 4-2
Previous rank: 12
Upon further review: Lost to Chaminade (West Hills), 28-20.
Countdown to kickoff: Cathedral (Los Angeles) on Friday.
Extra point: If the reeling Cavaliers hope to turn things around, sooner rather than later, they had better find a way to contain Hayden Rettig this week. The senior quarterback and LSU commit has thrown for 1,317 yards and 20 touchdowns. Equally impressive, he has a mere three interceptions.

21. Rancho Cucamonga
Overall record: 4-2
Previous rank: 14
Upon further review: Lost to Upland, 19-7.
Countdown to kickoff: Etiwanda on Friday.
Extra point: With an outstanding defensive backfield as well as an above-average linebacking corp playing behind him, Chris Unga has been able to roam free along the line of scrimmage and make play after play, week after week. The junior defensive lineman has four sacks this season.

22. Tustin
Overall record: 7-0
Previous rank: 23
Upon further review: Defeated Pacifica (Garden Grove), 56-0 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Cypress on Friday.
Extra point: The Tillers appear poised to run the table during regular-season play. The only thing separating them from an unblemished record heading into the CIF Southern Section Southwest Division playoffs is three Empire League games and a nonleague contest to close things out. 

View last week's Southern California Top 25 scoreboard

23. Hart (Newhall)
Overall record: 5-1
Previous rank: 25
Upon further review: Defeated West Ranch (Valencia), 49-6 / Qwixcore
Countdown to kickoff: Golden Valley (Santa Clarita) on Friday.
Extra point: Signs point to Valencia and possibly Canyon (Canyon Country) being the last potential bumps in the road to an imminent Foothill League title for the Indians. Beyond that, challenges will abound during postseason play in the CIF Southern Section's Northern Division.

24. Orange Lutheran

Overall record: 5-1
Previous rank: 19
Upon further review: Lost to St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 21-6.
Countdown to kickoff: Servite (Anaheim) on Friday.
Extra point: There are no easy games in the Trinity League. The Lancers learned that firsthand last week. This time around, a formidable foe awaits. Showdowns against Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) and Mater Dei (Santa Ana) are major concerns the next two weeks as well.

25. Chaparral (Temecula)
Overall record: 5-1
Previous rank: NR
Upon further review: Defeated Murrieta Mesa (Murrieta), 46-20 / Box Score
Countdown to kickoff: Temecula Valley (Temecula) on Friday.
Extra point: The resume looks good with an early-September 40-30 victory over Oceanside and a narrow 17-14 loss to Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita) a week later wasn't the worst thing in the world either. A showdown with Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) looms large on Nov. 2.

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