Top 25 California high school football CIF Southern Section rankings (9/24/2023)

Mater Dei stays unbeaten in D.C. and Murrieta Valley flies up the rankings after a big win.

The latest SBLive Top 25 high school football rankings for the CIF Southern Section after Week 5.

(Rank: school, W-L record, comment; Week 6 opponent, previous ranking (trending arrow))

1. Mater Dei (5-0)

Mater Dei stays unbeaten after taking down St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, 20-7. The Monarchs got two defensive touchdowns in the game. A pick-six from Chuck McDonald and a scoop and score from Nasir Wyatt; vs. Servite; No. 1

2. Corona Centennial (3-2)

Huskies complete a comeback victory over Liberty (AZ), 42-35,thanks to 305 yards rushing from Cornell Hatcher; vs. Chaparral, Thursday; No. 2

3. St. John Bosco (4-1)

The Braves were on a bye week ahead of starting Trinity League play this Friday night; vs. Santa Margarita at Saddleback College; No. 3

4. Sierra Canyon (5-0)

Trailblazers thumped Saguaro (AZ) 63-6 at home. QB Wyatt Becker threw a school record seven touchdowns and rushed for a score. He threw for 364 yards; vs. Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks; No. 4

5. Long Beach Poly (4-1)

The Jackrabbits are coming off a bye week before starting Moore League competition; vs. Millikan at Veterans Stadium; No. 5

6. Rancho Cucamonga (6-0)

Emiliano Villareal completed 17 of 27 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Cougars to a 34-24 victory over Vista Murrieta; BYE; No. 7 ↑

7. Santa Margarita (4-1)

The Eagles come off a bye week before heading into Trinity League play against the defending national champions; vs. St. John Bosco at Saddleback College; No. 8 ↑

8. Mission Viejo (4-2)

The Diablos fall in D.C. to St. John's 39-17. Mission Viejo's only other loss is to LB Poly; vs. Kamehameha Kapalama (HI); No. 6 ↓

9. Orange Lutheran (3-2)

The Lancers are coming off a bye week and are expecting QB TJ Lateef to return after missing the Sierra Canyon game due to injury; at JSerra; No. 9

10. Murrieta Valley (4-1)

QB Bear Bachmeier and RB Dorian Hoze led the Nighthawks to a road win, 39-38, over San Clemente. Bachmeier scored three TDs (one rushing) and Hoze rushed 195 yards and two scores; vs. Eastvale Roosevelt; No. 20 ↑

11. Gardena Serra (3-2)

The Cavs take a week off after win over Oaks Christian on Sept. 15. Now, they'll embark on Mission League play; vs. Chaminade; No. 11

12. JSerra (3-2)

Lions had a bye week; vs. Orange Lutheran; No. 12

13. Oxnard Pacifica (6-0)

Dominic Duran threw six touchdown passes and ran for another TD to pace Pacifica to a 68-7 win over Santa Barbara Dos Pueblos. Josh Joyner had three touchdown receptions; vs. Ventura High; No. 13

14. Etiwanda (6-0)

Eagles stay unbeaten after a win over Cajon, 48-26. QB Dermaricus Davis threw six TD passes to five different receivers and tallied 278 yards through the air; vs. Chino Hills, Thursday; No. 14

15. Damien (6-0)

The Spartans are off to their best start since 1999 after beating La Serna 35-21. QB Isaiah Arriaza threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns; vs. Upland, Thursday

16. San Clemente (5-1)

The Tritons fell to Murrieta Valley 39-38, taking their first loss of the season; BYE; No. 10 ↓

17. Upland (5-1)

The Scots hammer Charter Oak 31-10; at Damien, Thursday; No. 18 ↑

18. Los Alamitos (3-2)

The Griffins are coming off a bye week; vs. Fountain Valley at Huntington Beach, Thursday; No. 16 ↓

19. Villa Park (5-0)

A 28-13 win over Mira Costa keeps Villa Park unbeaten; vs. El Dorado at Valencia/Placentia; No. 17 ↓

20. Oaks Christian (3-2)

Lions top Loyola 31-14. QB Nate Bennett returned for the first time this season after missing the last three games due to injury. Davon Benjamin returned a fumble for TD and DeShonne Redeaux had a kickoff return for a TD; at Calabasas; No. 19 ↓

21. Servite (4-1)

The Friars' only loss this season is to Rancho Cucamonga. They beat St. Paul this past week, 34-13; at Mater Dei; No. 24 ↑

22. Palos Verdes (5-0)

The Sea Kings are off a bye week; at Santa Monica, 6:30 p.m.; No. 22

23. Warren (3-2)

The Bears are coming off a bye week. If Madden Iamaleava is playing QB, Warren is in good shape; vs. Mayfair at Bellflower High; No. 21 ↓

24. Valencia (5-1)

The Vikings take down Castaic, 48-14, in Foothill League action. LB Reid Farrell leads a stout defense; vs. Golden Valley at Canyon; No. 23 ↓

25. St. Bonaventure (3-2)

The Seraphs are off a bye week ahead of Marmonte League play; vs. Santa Barbara Bishop Diego at Santa Barbara CC; No. 25

PREVIOUS RANKINGS

➜ SBLive's Top 25 rankings, Sept. 17

➜ SBLive's Top 25 rankings, Sept. 10

➜ SBLive's Top 25 rankings, Sept. 3

➜ SBLive's Top 25 rankings, Aug. 27

➜ SBLive's Top 25 rankings, Aug. 20

➜ SBLive's preseason rankings, Aug.