Top 25 California high school football Southern Section rankings 9/3/23

Long Beach Poly moves up after beating Mission Viejo, while Villa Park and Palos Verdes join the Top 25 for the first time this season.

(Rank: school, W-L record, comment; Week 2 opponent, previous ranking (trending arrow))

1. Mater Dei (3-0): Elijah Brown set a career high with 372 passing yards and seven touchdowns in a 62-0 win over Creekside (GA); vs. Kahuku (HI); No. 1 —

2. St. John Bosco (3-0): The Braves route Friendship Academy (D.C.) 48-12; vs. St. Frances (MD); No. 2 —

3. Corona Centennial (2-1): Huskies edge Punahou (HI) 50-43 on Saturday; at Bishop Gorman (NV); No. 3 —

4. Orange Lutheran (3-0): TJ Lateef was at it again, throwing two TDs in a 20-0 win over Eastside Catholic (WA); at Chandler (AZ); No. 5 —

5. Sierra Canyon (3-0): Wyatt Becker threw four TDs, two to Xavier Jordan in a 56-0 win over Green Valley (NV); BYE; No. 6 —

6. Long Beach Poly (2-1): Sophomore wideout Kamarie Smith tallied 251 yards and three TDs in a 32-28 comeback win over Mission Viejo; at Gardena Serra; No. 7 ↑

7. Los Alamitos (3-0): A dominating 57-35 win over Timpview (UT); vs. Servite; No. 8 ↑

8. JSerra (2-1): The Lions top Chaminade 41-7. JSerra's only loss is to Sierra Canyon in Week 0; vs. Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks; No. 10 ↑

9. Mission Viejo (2-1): Diablos fall to Long Beach Poly despite 175 rushing yards from Hinesward Lilomaiava; vs. Highland; No. 6 ↓

10. Rancho Cucamonga (3-0): The Cougars drop slightly after barely beating Norco 21-14; vs. Valencia; No. 10 ↑

11. Serra Gardena (2-1): The Cavs bounced back from a lopsided Week 0 loss with a 27-0 win over Warren; vs. LB Poly; No. 13 ↑

12. Santa Margarita (2-1): Hunter Melton throws for 316 yards and three TDs in a 34-14 win over Bakersfield Liberty; at Bishop Amat, Thursday; No. 12 —

13. San Clemente (3-0): The Tritons defeated La Costa Canyon 28-3 thanks to RB Aiden Rubin's 129 yards, two TDs; vs. Corona del Mar; No. 13 —

14. Oaks Christian (2-1): The Lions' offense comes alive in a 50-14 win over Eastvale Roosevelt. Chase Farrell caught three TDs ; BYE; No. 14 —

Richie Wesley is 6-foot-4, 235 pounds and is only 14 years old.

That's not rare, that's unheard-of 😳

In the Sierra Canyon (CA) freshman EDGE's first two games he has a combined six sacks, and already has offers from the likes of USC and Georgia.

✍️ https://t.co/kMHUyhE8X1 pic.twitter.com/uiHyONik3S

— High School on SI (@SBLiveSports) August 31, 2023

15. Oxnard Pacifica (3-0): Josh Joyner ran for 153 yardson 7 carries and a TD to help beat Santa Barbara 28-15; at Buena; No. 16 ↑

16. Etiwanda (3-0):  Dermaricus Davis was 18 of 24 for 310 yards and three TDs to beat St. Pius 27-7., at Jurupa Hills; No. 16 ↑

17. Murrieta Valley (1-1): The Nighthawks were idle in Week 2; at Murrieta Mesa; No. 18 ↑

18. Valencia (3-0): The Vikings stay unbeaten after beating Murrieta Mesa 20-14; at Rancho Cucamonga; No. 19 ↑

19. Warren (2-1): Madden Iamaleava was 21 of 34 for 410 yards and four TDs in a 39-21 win over La Serna. Jordan Ross had nine catches for 262 yards; at Woodford County (KY); No. 20 ↑

20. Villa Park (3-0): The Spartans debut in the Top 25 after going on the road to shock Upland 35-23. Carter Christie ran for 117 yards and two TDs; BYE; Unranked ↑

El Camino Real Charter (CA) hasn't had a home field since theirs melted in 2021 and was declared unusable in 2022.

Now, with leadership under question, and morale at a low point, stakeholders are seeking answers 📰@Tarek_Fattal ✍️ https://t.co/HnHoUAd7Ny pic.twitter.com/cq40AGgpKA

— High School on SI (@SBLiveSports) August 30, 2023

21. Upland (2-1): Fell at home to Villa Park; at Millikan; No. 15 ↓

22. Damien (3-0):  The Spartans beat Damien of Hawaii 59-29; at Mira Costa; No. 25 ↑

23. Edison (2-1): The Chargers were idle in Week 2; at Palos Verdes, 3:15 p.m.; No. 23 —

24. Oak Hills (2-0): The Bulldogs were idle in Week 2; at Citrus Valley; No. 21 ↓

25. Palos Verdes (3-0): The Sea Kings debut in the Top 25 after a quality 14-11 win over Corona del Mar. Palos Verdes starts a freshman at QB, Ryan Rakowski; vs. Edison; Unranked ↑

Dropped out: St. Bonaventure; Chaparral

PREVIOUS RANKINGS

➜ SBLive's Top 25 rankings, Aug. 27

➜ SBLive's Top 25 rankings, Aug. 20

➜ SBLive's preseason rankings, Aug.