As we told you when we released our High School Football America Southern California Preseason Top 25 that is created with our proprietary algorithm, Mater Dei and St. John Bosco were separated by the smallest of margins in preseason criteria. Now that the games are underway, the algorithm will do what it’s designed to do — analyze on-field competition.
With that as the backdrop, Mater Dei climbs to the top of the SoCal Top 25, while St. John Bosco drops from the top spot to No. 2 and No. 3 Corona Centennial closed the gap on both in the latest rankings.
This week will go a long way to shaping where the top three will be for weeks to come.
Mater Dei’s spot at the top will be tested against national power Bishop Gorman from Nevada Friday night in Santa Ana. A win by the Monarchs will set the tone for what could prove to be a run at the “mythical” national championship.
Corona Centennial can make a major move by beating nationally-ranked IMG Academy from Florida. Everyone in Corona remembers last year’s heart-stopping 50-49 loss to the Ascenders, who have won 30 straight after Saturday night’s win over nationally-ranked Chandler from Arizona.
Next week’s rankings will also be shaped by Friday night’s clash between No. 4 Narbonne and No. 6 Long Beach Poly.
There are two other all-Top 25 match-ups — No. 5 Mission Viejo faces No. 24 Vista Murrieta and No. 10 Edison against No. 25 Oaks Christian.
In addition to Mater Dei and Corona Centennial playing top-notch out-of-state opponents, No. 7 Chaminade and No. 8 Serra will also face quality OOS teams.
Chaminade will face nationally-ranked Mountain Pointe, the top team in Arizona in the Under Armour Brother in Arms Classic in Mission Viejo. Serra will square-off with Punahou, ranked No. 3 in the High School Football America Hawaii Top 5.
No. 16 Servite, which climbs four spots this week after beating former No. 21 Norco, will also be in action in the six-game Brother in Arms event at Mission Viejo. The Friars will square-off with American Fork from Utah, ranked No. 10 in the latest High School Football America Utah Top 10.
Bishop Amat, which drops a couple of spots after losing to Mater Dei, heads to Illinois to face Loyola Academy, which began the season ranked in our national Top 25, but lost its season opener Saturday against Phillips Academy (Illinois).
New to the poll this week are Corona Santiago at No. 20 after beating former No. 11 Murrieta Valley 30-28 and Upland at No. 21.
Murrieta Valley drop to No. 23 this week. Dropping-out are Norco and Sierra Canyon.
High School Football America Southern California Preseason Top 25
No. 1 Mater Dei Monarchs (1-0), LW: #2
This Week: Bishop Gorman (Nevada)
No. 2. St. John Bosco Braves (0-1), LW: #1
This Week: Garces Memorial
No. 3 Corona Centennial Huskies (1-0), LW: #3
This Week: IMG Academy (Florida)
No. 4 Narbonne Gauchos (1-0), LW: #4
This Week: No. 6 Long Beach Poly
No. 5 Mission Viejo Diablos (1-0), LW: #5
This Week: No. 24 Vista Murrieta
No. 6 Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits (1-0), LW: #6
This Week: No. 4 Narbonne
No. 7 Chaminade Eagles (1-0), LW: #8
This Week: Mountain Pointe (Arizona)
No. 8 Serra (Gardena) Cavaliers (0-1), LW: #7
This Week: Punahou (Hawaii)
No. 9 Rancho Cucamonga Cougars (1-0), LW: #9
This Week: Norco
No. 10 Edison Chargers (1-0), LW: #10
This Week: No. 25 Oaks Christian
No. 11 Calabasas Coyotes (1-0), LW: #12
This Week: Salesian
No. 12 JSerra Lions (1-0), LW: #14
This Week: Alemany
No. 13 Valencia Vikings (0-0), LW: #13
This Week: Palmdale
No. 14 Santa Margarita Eagles (1-0), LW: #17
This Week: Loyola
No. 15 San Clemente Tritons (1-0), LW: #18
This Week: Huntington Beach
No. 16 Servite (1-0), LW: #20
This Week: American Fork (Utah)
No. 17 Bishop Amat Lancers (0-1), LW: #15
This Week: Loyola Academy (Illinois)
No. 18 Heritage Patriots (1-0), LW: #19
This Week: Oak Hills
No. 19 Orange Lutheran Lancers (1-0), LW: #23
This Week: Cathedral
No. 20 Corona Santiago Sharks (1-0), LW: NR
This Week: Citrus Hill
No. 21 Upland Highlanders (1-0), LW: NR
This Week: Claremont
No. 22 Paraclete Spirits (1-0), LW: #24
This Week: Helix
No. 23 Murrieta Valley Nighthawks (0-1), LW: #11
No. 24 Vista Murrieta (0-1), LW: #22
This Week: No. 5 Mission Viejo
No. 25 Oaks Christian (0-1), LW: #16
This Week: No. 10 Edison
Dropped-out: No. 21 Norco, No. 25 Sierra Canyon
On the bubble: Cathedral (1-0), Lompoc (1-0), Norco (0-1), Rancho Verde (1-0), Roosevelt (Eastvale) (0-0), Sierra Canyon (0-1), Westlake (1-0)
Editor’s Note: The High School Football America national, regional and state rankings are developed using our proprietary algorithm.
