The game of the year is finally here. Friday night, No. 1 Mater Dei will host No. 2 St. John Bosco for the Trinity League title and for the top spot in our California Top 25 and High School Football America 300 national rankings, both powered by NFL Play Football.
And, if we’ve learned anything over the last decade, Friday’s game may not be the last time that these two will meet in 2024.
Since 2016, Mater Dei and St. John Bosco have played twice in the same season, six times. And, it’s not always best to win the first one.
As you can see below, in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023, the winner of the first game, lost the rematch.
Mater Dei vs. St. John Bosco Parts I & II
2023
Regular season – St. John Bosco 28, Mater Dei 0
Playoffs – Mater Dei 35, St. John Bosco 7
2022
Regular season – Mater Dei 17, St. John Bosco 7
Playoffs – St. John Bosco 24, Mater Dei 22
2019
Regular Season – Mater Dei 38, St. John Bosco 24
Playoffs – St. John Bosco 39, Mater Dei 34
2018
Regular Season – St. John Bosco 41, Mater Dei 18
Playoffs – Mater Dei 17, St. John Bosco 13
2017
Regular Season – Mater Dei 31, St. John Bosco 21
Playoffs – Mater Dei 49, St. John Bosco 24
2016
Regular Season – Mater Dei 26, St. John Bosco 21
Playoffs – St. John Bosco 42, Mater Dei 28
2013
Regular Season – St. John Bosco 24, Mater Dei 2
Playoffs – St. John Bosco 34, Mater Dei 7
As far as the latest in our statewide rankings, De La Salle moves from No. 7 to No. 6 after beating former No. 21 San Ramon Valley. The loss drops SRV to No. 23.
At the bottom of the rankings, Leuzinger re-enters at No. 22 and St. Francis (Mountain View) makes its first appearance this year at No. 24.
In addition to the MD/SJB showdown, St. Francis will square-off with No. 25 St. Ignatius College Prep for first place in the West Catholic Athletic League.
High School Football America California Top 25
| Ranking/Team | Record | Last Week |
| No. 1 Mater Dei | (7-0) | 1 |
| No. 2 St. John Bosco | (8-0) | 2 |
| No. 3 Orange Lutheran | (6-2) | 3 |
| No. 4 Mission Viejo | (8-0) | 4 |
| No. 5 Corona Centennial | (6-2) | 5 |
| No. 6 De La Salle | (7-0) | 7 |
| No. 7 Servite | (6-2) | 6 |
| No. 8 JSerra | (5-3) | 8 |
| No. 9 Folsom | (7-1) | 9 |
| No. 10 Sierra Canyon | (5-3) | 11 |
| No. 11 Santa Margarita | (3-5) | 10 |
| No. 12 Lincoln (San Diego) | (6-2) | 12 |
| No. 13 Pittsburg | (6-1) | 13 |
| No. 14 Oaks Christian | (6-2) | 14 |
| No. 15 Serra (Gardena) | (6-2) | 15 |
| No. 16 Inglewood | (8-0) | 17 |
| No. 17 Murrieta Valley | (6-2) | 18 |
| No. 18 Clovis North | (6-2) | 19 |
| No. 19 St. Mary’s (Stockton) | (6-2) | 20 |
| No. 20 Rocklin | (7-1) | 23 |
| No. 21 Rancho Cucamonga | (6-2) | 24 |
| No. 22 Leuzinger | (6-2) | NR |
| No. 23 San Ramon Valley | (7-1) | 21 |
| No. 24 St. Francis (Mountain View) | (6-1) | NR |
| No. 25 St. Ignatius College Prep | (6-1) | 22 |
Dropped-out: No. 16 Los Alamitos, No. 25 Cathedral Catholic (San Diego)
Editor’s Note: The High School Football America national, regional and state rankings are developed using our proprietary algorithm.
