California Top 25 high school football rankings by SBLive/Sports Illustrated (9/18/2023)

Clovis North is the big winner this week, jumping 10 spots to No. 14 after impressive 23-7 win over previously No. 10 JSerra Catholic

We're largely at the midseason point for most of the state in the California high school football season. 

And though second-ranked St. John Bosco was shocked in Hawaii on Saturday with a 30-23 defeat to Kahuku, a team that No. 1 Mater Dei waxed 55-8 the previous week, the Braves still have all their season's goals within reach. 

Those would be Trinity League, Southern Section and CIF State Open Division championships are still well within reach. 

The big mover this week was Clovis North, which was in total control during a 23-7 win over another Trinity League power, JSerra Catholic. The Broncos moved from 24th all the way to 14th with the decisive victory. 

Clovis North tailback Jackson Cinfel rushed 23 times for 182 yards and a touchdown and for the season he's rushed for 726 yards and eight scores. Photo: Bobby Medellin

Clovis North has outscored five opponents by a combined count of 209-35, while piling up 1,500 yards of rushing offense. 

Only two teams left the rankings, including St. Mary's-Stockton following a 24-10 loss at then No. 25 De La Salle. The No. 18 Rams were replaced by defending Northern California 2-AA champion San Ramon Valley, which improved to 4-0 with an impressive 35-7 win over a McClymonds-Oakland squad that had outscored its two previous opponents, 85-0 and allowed all of 41 total yards.

San Ramon Valley, however, got things rolling after the first quarter and with one of the North State's top quarterbacks, Luke Baker, in charge, the Wolves earned a spot into the state rankings. 

Previous No. 19 Oaks Christian also left the rankings, following a 26-13 loss to Serra-Gardena. Replacing Oaks Christian is No. 20 Damien at 5-0. 

1. Mater Dei (4-0)

Previous rank: 1. Last week: idle 

Defeated St. Frances Academy in its only other meeting 34-18 in 2019 when current Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young ran for four touchdowns. 

Next game: Friday at St. Frances Academy (Baltimore)

2. St. John Bosco (4-1)

Previous rank: 2. Last week: Lost to Kahuku, 30-23

First loss to a non-Trinity League team since 2017. Has Santa Margarita and Servite before huge 10/13 home game with Mater Dei.  

Next game: 9/29 at Santa Margarita

3. Serra-San Mateo (3-0)

Previous rank: 3. Last week: Idle

Is in the driver's seat to represent Northern California again in the CIF State Open Division game.

Next game: Friday vs. Sacred Heart Cathedral at Kezar Stadium

4. Corona Centennial (2-2)

Previous rank: 4. Last week: Idle

Friday opponent Liberty has outscored foes, 209-34, and feature dynamic 5-11, 180-pound senior quarterback Navi Bruzon, who has completed 71 percent of his passes for 851 yards and 10 touchdowns (no interceptions) and rushed 20 times for 166 yards and eight more scores. 

Next game: Friday vs. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)

5. Sierra Canyon (4-0)

Previous rank: 5. Last week: def. Orange Lutheran, 40-6

As good as the Trailblazers' offense has looked the last two wins, scoring 96 points, the defense has allowed just 27 points all season. Six receivers have between 86 and 196 yards in receptions, mostly from 4-star junior QB Wyatt Becker, who has 23 college offers. 

Next game: Friday vs. Saguaro (Ariz.)

6. Long Beach Poly (4-1)

Previous rank: 5. Last week: def. Lakewood, 48-19

The combined records of Poly's next five opponents is 13-14. 

Next game: 9/29 vs. Millikan

7. Carlsbad (5-0)

Previous rank: 7. Last week: def. Ramona, 38-7

The Lancers led 28-0 at halftime on their way to a 38-7 win over visiting Ramona. Running back Mason Walsh rushed for 193 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries while the Carlsbad defense totaled six sacks and an interception.

Next game: 9/29 at Mission Hills

8. Lincoln-San Diego (5-0)

Previous rank: 8. Last week: def. Cajon, 27-0

Lincoln picked up their second shutout of the season, blanking Cajon 27-0 on Friday night. Trenice Woods reeled in two touchdown passes while the Hornets defense limited Cajon to 70 total yards.

Next game: Friday vs. Inglewood

9. Mission Viejo (4-1)

Previous rank: 11. Last week: def. Los Alamitos, 34-28 (3 OT)

After two scoreless overtimes, Mission Viejo got the game winner on a 4-yard run by Hinesward Lilomaiava. Luke Fahey and Draiden Trudeau combined to throw for 292 yards and three touchdowns, all to Vance Spafford. 

Next game: Saturday at St. John's (Washington, D.C.)

10. Rancho Cucamonga (5-0)

Previous rank: 12. Last week: def. Bishop Amat 31-20

Nothing has come easy for the Cougars, who needed to outscore Amat 17-6 in the fourth quarter to pull out the win. Trey Wilson rushed for 203 yards and two touchdowns and three QBs combined to complete 15 of 26 for 303 yards and two more scores. Jonah Dawson had four catches for 175 yards and two TDs for the Cougars, who won their three previous games by scores of 29-27, 34-31 and 21-14.

Next game: Friday at Vista Murrieta

11. Santa Margarita (4-1)

Previous rank: 13. Last week: def. Leuzinger, 42-7

Next game: 9/29 vs. St. John Bosco

12. Orange Lutheran (3-2)

Previous rank: 9. Last week: lost to Sierra Canyon 40-6

Next game: 9/29 at JSerra Catholic

13. San Clemente (5-0)

Previous rank: 14. Last week: def. Corona del Mar, 31-7

Next game: Friday vs. Murrieta Valley

14. Clovis North (5-0)

Previous rank: 24. Last week: def. JSerra Catholic, 23-7

Next game: 9/29 at Clovis East

15. Folsom (3-1)

Previous rank: 15. Last week: Idle

Next game: Friday vs. De La Salle

16. Serra-Gardena (3-2)

Previous rank: 16. Last week: def. Oaks Christian, 26-13

Next game: 9/29 vs. Chaminade

17. JSerra Catholic (3-2)

Previous rank: 10. Last week: lost to Clovis North, 23-7

Next game: 9/29 vs. Orange Lutheran

18. Pacifica-Oxnard (5-0)

Previous rank: 20. Last week: def. San Marcos, 49-14

Next game: Friday vs. Dos Pueblos

19. Etiwanda (5-0)

Previous rank: 21. Last week: def. Glendora, 34-14

Next game: Friday at Cajon

20. Damien (5-0)

Previous rank: NR. Last week: def. Charter Oak, 35-0

Next game: Friday vs. La Serna 

21. Granite Hills (4-0)

Previous rank: 22. Last week: def. Central-El Centro, 34-6

The Eagles have outscored their past two opponents by a score of 69-13. Freshman quarterback Zachary Benitez had 184 passing yards and two touchdowns in Thursday's win over Central.

Next game: Friday vs. Madison

22. Helix (5-0)

Previous rank: 23. Last week: def. Cathedral Catholic, 35-21

Next game: 9/28 at West Hills

23. Los Alamitos (3-2)

Previous rank: 17. Last week: Lost to Mission Viejo, 34-28 (OT)

Next game: 9/28 at Fountain Valley

24. De La Salle (2-2)

Previous rank: 25. Last week: def. St. Mary's, 24-10

Next game: Friday at Folsom

25. San Ramon Valley (4-0)

Previous rank: NR. Last week: def. McClymonds, 35-7

Next game: Friday vs. Liberty-Brentwood

On the bubble: Clovis East (5-0), Liberty-Bakersfield (4-1), Murrieta Valley (3-1), Oaks Christian (2-2), Palos Verdes (5-0), Pittsburg (4-0), St. Mary's-Stockton (3-1), Upland (4-1), Villa Park (4-0), Warren (3-2).