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

Top-ranked Mater Dei survives a cross-country scare; Murrieta Valley moves into Top 25 with win over San Clemente; De La Salle knocks Folsom out of the rankings

There was plenty of rest for the weary and the California's elite last week. 

Nine of the Top 25 teams in the California Power 25 rankings had the week off, preparing for rugged league seasons and the final five-game push to the playoffs. 

For those who did play, Murrieta Valley made the biggest climb, from honorable mention all the way to No. 14 after a wild 39-38 win over previously unbeaten and then No. 13 San Clemente. 

• Top performers: Last week from Southern California
• Recruiting: Mater Dei's Brandon Baker to Texas
• Top 10 game roundup: Southern California
• Top 10 game roundup: Northern California

With one team in, another had to go out and it was No. 15 Folsom, which dropped a 14-7 game to No. 20 De La Salle. It was the second one-score loss to another state-ranked team from California. The other was 14-7 to No. 3 Serra. 

The Bulldogs are on the outside looking in, but have plenty of time to climb all the way into the Top 10 slots if they win out. 

Top-ranked Mater Dei survived one of its biggest scares in recent memory, with a 20-7 win at Baltimore-power St. Frances Academy. The Monarchs managed just a single offensive touchdown, instead relying on two defensive touchdowns and an overall superb defensive effort to prevail and hold not only California's No. 1 spot, but the country's top spot. 

California Power 25 High School Football Rankings (9/23/2023)

1. Mater Dei (5-0)

Previous rank: 1-0. Last week: def. St. Frances Academy, 20-7

Remarkably, Stanford-bound quarterback Elijah Brown did not throw a touchdown pass, instead running for a 7-yard score and relying on two defensive touchdowns to pull out a tough win over winless SFA, one of the nation's top teams who have played the nation's toughest schedule, mostly on the road. 

Next game: Friday vs. Servite

5-star linebacker Nasir Wyatt (31) had a scoop and score in last week's game at St. Frances Academy. 

Photo by John Bowers

2. St. John Bosco (4-1)

Previous rank: 2. Last week: idle

All of Bosco's goals are still in place despite the disappointing loss to Kahuku on Sept. 16 in Hawaii. 

Next game: Friday vs. Santa Margarita at Saddleback College

3. Serra-San Mateo (4-0)

Previous rank: 3. Last week: def. Sacred Heart Cathedral, 61-0

Virtually everyone at Kezar Stadium got in the act for the Padres, including two TD runs by Nano Latu, while quarterback Maealiuaki Smith ran and threw for a score. 

Next game: Saturday vs. St. Francis

Serra senior quarterback Maealiuaki Smith in a 28-0 win over De La Salle earlier this season. Photo: Dennis Lee. 

Photo: Dennis Lee

4. Corona Centennial (3-2)

Previous rank: 4. Last week: def. Liberty (Ariz.) 42-35

Cornell Hatcher has turned into a one-man rushing game with 305 yards rushing on 31 carries and four touchdowns. Junior QB Husan Longstreet also accounted for 443 yards and two scores. Hatcher went over 1,000 yards for the season (149 carries, 1,066 yards, 13 TDs)

Next game: Thursday vs. Chaparral

5. Sierra Canyon (5-0)

Previous rank: 5. Last week: def. Saguaro 63-6

Wyatt Becker had a game to remember, completing 18 of 21 for 363 yards and a school-record seven touchdowns, two each to Kwazi Gilmer and DJ Jordan. 

Next game: Friday vs. Notre Dame-Sherman Oaks

6. Long Beach Poly (4-1)

Previous rank: 6. Last week: idle

Since 2004, Poly has defeated Millikan 18 of 19 times, the lone loss was 35-34 in 2009. Six of the last 13 wins have been by shutout. 

Next game: Friday vs. Millikan at Veterans Stadium

7. Carlsbad (5-0)

Previous rank: 7. Last week: idle

The Lancers have outscored their five opponents by a cumulative count of 220-36. Mission Hills has won six of the previous 10 matchups, but Carlsbad has won the last three, 17-7, 13-7 and last season, 16-10.

Next game: Friday at Mission Hills

8. Lincoln-San Diego (6-0)

Previous rank: 8. Last week: def. Inglewood 56-6

The Hornets have recorded nothing but blowout wins, including four against Southern Section opponents: Alemany (58-6), St. Bonaventure (49-12), Cajon (34-0) and Inglewood. Overall the Hornets have outscored their opponents, 292-43. 

Next game: Friday at Madison

9. Rancho Cucamonga (6-0)

Previous rank: 10. Last week: def. Vista Murrieta, 34-24

Emiliano Villareal completed 17 of 27 for 296 yards and two touchdowns for the Cougars who jumped out early, but then held on for the road win. 

Next game: Oct. 6 vs. Etiwanda

10. Santa Margarita (4-1)

Previous rank:  11. Last week: idle

The Eagles figure they have a little payback coming, considering Bosco has won 12 straight in the series, scoring at least 40 in each of the wins. Junior QB John Gazzaniga (30 of 47, 528 yards, six touchdowns, no interceptions) has stepped in seamlessly since transferring from Orange Lutheran earlier in the season. The one-man gang has been sophomore Trent Mosley (10 rushing touchdowns, 35 catches, 561 yards, six touchdowns). 

Next game: Friday vs. St. John Bosco at Saddleback College

11. Mission Viejo (4-2)

Previous rank: 9. Last week: Lost at Washington D.C. power St. John's, 39-17

Travel will be at the forefront of this result. How do the Diablos respond from traveling cross country and how Kamehameha responds from flying from The Islands? 

Next game: Friday vs. Kamehameha Kapalama (Hi.) 

12. Orange Lutheran (3-2)

Previous rank: 12. Last week: idle

A week off is just what the Lancers needed, not only coming off a humbling loss to Sierra Canyon, but also resting up 4-star junior quarterback TJ Lateef. 

Next game: Friday at JSerra Catholic

13. Clovis North (5-0)

Previous rank: 14. Last week: Idle

It's nice resting up before going into the rugged TRAC play, but the Broncos were playing so well they didn't want to break the momentum. There's been some heart-stoppers over the years with Clovis East, including last season's 39-35 loss. North also lost to East, 7-6 in 2021. Before that, Clovis North won 10 of 11. 

Next game: Friday at Clovis East

14. Murrieta Valley (4-1)

Previous rank: NR. Last week: def. San Clemente, 39-38

Friday's win was an instant classic as Dorian Hoze rushed 32 times for 195 yards and two touchdowns and Bear Bachmeier completed 14 of 20 for 155 yards and two more scores. Hoze spelled injured Asa Chatman, one of the state's most talented running backs. Hoze scored his second touchdowns with 90 seconds remaining to cut the lead to 38-37, but rather than kick an extra point, Murrieta Valley went for 2 and Bachmeier, a 4-star junior, followed his blockers into the end zone for the game winner, the team's first lead since midway through the first quarter. 

Next game: Friday vs. Roosevelt

15. Serra Gardena (3-2)

Previous rank: 16. Last week: idle

The Cavaliers will likely put the ball in the hands of 5-10, 215-pound senior Cincere Rhaney, who has already rushed for 651 yards and seven touchdowns after going for 1,666 yards and 16 touchdowns in 12 games as a junior. 

Next game: Friday vs. Chaminade

16. JSerra Catholic (3-2)

Previous rank: 17. Last week: idle

Like the rest of the Trinity League, the Lions took the week off to save energy for a rugged final five-game onslaught. They are coming off a humbling 23-7 loss at Clovis North on Sept. 15. 

Next game: Friday vs. Orange Lutheran

17. Pacifica (6-0)

Previous rank: 18. Last week: def. Dos Pueblos, 68-7

Dominic Duran accounted for seven touchdowns, six passing, in a home victory. Duran completed 15 of 18 for 237 yards as the Tritons piled up 518 total yards.  

Next game: Friday vs. Ventura

18. Etiwanda (6-0)

Previous rank: 19. Last week: def. Cajon, 48-26

Dermaricus Davis is getting All-State attention after accounting for 278 yards and six passing touchdowns to five different receivers against Cajon.

Next game: Thursday vs. Chino Hills

19. Damien (6-0)

Previous rank: 20. Last week: def. La Serna, 35-21

Isaiah Arriaza threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns as the Spartans are off to their best start to a seasons since 1999. Arriaza, a sophomore, has thrown for 1,604 yards and 18 touchdowns and just three interceptions in the early going. 

Next game: Thursday vs. Upland

20. San Clemente (5-1)

Previous rank: 13. Last week: Lost to Murrieta Valley, 39-38

The Tritons gave up more points to Murrieta Valley then they had in the five previous games before (34). Senior running back Aiden Rubin was a one-man wrecking crew with 22 carries for 249 yards and four touchdowns. It wasn't quite enough. 

Next game: Oct. 6 at Ayala

21. De La Salle (3-2)

Previous rank: 34. Last week: def. No. 15 Folsom, 14-7

After two disappointing losses, the Spartans have won three straight, largely going back to their old-school grind it out, play stellar defense style of football. Junior tailbacks Derrick Blanche Jr. and Dominic Kelley are both elusive and run strong between the tackles. 

Next game: Friday vs. McClymonds

De La Salle senior defensive lineman Chris Biller (51) gets a hold of Folsom sophomore quarterback Ryder Lyons. Photo: Dennis Lee

22. Granite Hills (5-0)

Previous rank: 21. Last week: def. Madison, 31-0

The Eagles have allowed a total of 13 points combined over their last three wins, scoring more than 30 points in each. Freshman QB Zachary Benitez has been efficient, completing 66 percent of his passes for 640 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception.

Next game: Friday vs. Santana

23. Helix (5-0)

Previous rank: 22. Last week: idle

Senior RB Kevin Allen (716 yards rushing, nine touchdowns) and senior QB Ryland Jessee (771 yards passing, nine touchdowns) are the big-play athletes for the Highlanders who open Grossmont-Hills League play on Friday.

Next game: Friday at West Hills

24. Upland (5-1)

Previous rank: NR. Last week: def. Charter Oak, 31-10

Trent Dailey rushed for two touchdowns and quarterback Noah Sandoval completed 8 passes but for 195 yards and a touchdown, to junior Justin Benson (five catches, 145 yards) in the win over Charter Oak. The Highlanders have allowed just 88 points all season. 

Next game: Friday at Damien

25. San Ramon Valley (5-0)

Previous rank: 25. Last week: def. Liberty-Brentwood, 66-12

The Wolves don't want a break now, not after thumping a good Liberty squad behind a big performance by senior Luke Baker, who some have compared to a high school version of Drew Brees. A great leader and pinpoint passer, Baker completed 19 of 29 for 364 yards and five touchdowns, two each to Marco Jones (3 catches, 94 yards) and Owen Scott (5, 100,). Baker ranks second in the North Coast Section in passing yards (1,506) to go along with 18 touchdowns. 

Next game: Oct. 6 at Clayton Valley Charter

On the bubble: Clovis East (5-0), Folsom (3-2), Liberty-Bakersfield (4-1), Los Alamitos (3-2), Oaks Christian (3-2), Palos Verdes (5-0), Pittsburg (4-0), Servite (4-1), St. Mary's-Stockton (4-1), Villa Park (5-0).