Top 15 Central Coast Section high school football rankings (9/3/2024)

Serra flexes collective muscle, moves back to No. 1 after dramatic victory at Folsom

Serra wide receiver Charlie Wiley (82) is one of the few key returning starters from last year's squad. Here he scored on an 80-yard catch and run during a 21-14 opening win over Folsom to start the 2023 season. Serra beat Folsom again to start 2024 Friday, 22-21, moving up to the top spot in the SBLive CCS rankings. / Photo: Dennis Lee

Considering its dominated the Central Coast Section for the last three seasons, it was difficult keeping three time defending West Catholic Athletic League and CCS D1 champion Serra off the preseason No. 1 spot. 

But the Padres were replacing 18 starters. And Riordan, which we put at No. 1, had a close to 10 Division 1 college prospects returning. 

So what happened? 

Serra stunned Northern California’s top-ranked team Folsom, 22-21 and Riordan fought tooth and nail to win at McClymonds, 35-34. The pair of one-point wins were impressive in different ways, but both showed tremendous grit. 

The Padres take over the No. 1 spot but get an equally tough game Friday at North Coast Section No. 1 De La Salle. Serra has beat the Spartans each of the last two years after never beating them. The Spartans would seem to have a score to settle, but then so did Folsom. 

Other impressive opening-night wins came from No. 3 St. Francis, No. 4 Palma and No. 5 Valley Christian.

Top 15 Central Coast Section football rankings

1. Serra (1-0)

Last rank: 2
Last week: Beat Folsom, 22-21
Next: Friday at De La Salle

San Mateo Serra football coach always instills passion into his team as shown here following the school's first win ever over De La Salle 24-21 in 2022. / Photo: Dennis Lee

2. Riordan (1-0)

Riordan's massive up front warms up before Friday's wild 35-34 win over McClymonds. | Photo: Eric Taylor / Photo: Eric Taylor

Last rank: 1
Last week: Beat McClymonds, 35-34
Next: Friday at St. Bonaventure

3. St. Francis (1-0)

Last rank: 5
Last week: Beat Helix, 35-14
Next: Friday vs. McClymonds

4. Palma (1-0)

Last rank: 4
Last week: Beat Live Oak, 34-0
Next: Friday vs. King City

5. Valley Christian (1-0)

Last rank: 7
Last week: Beat Wilcox, 24-7
Next: Friday vs. Salinas

6. Los Gatos (1-0)

Last rank: 6
Last week: Beat Soquel, 14-7
Next: Friday vs. Liberty-Brentwood

7. St. Ignatius (0-1)

Last rank: 3
Last week: Lost to San Ramon Valley, 28-10
Next: Friday vs. Tamalpais

8. Monterey (1-0)

Last rank: 8
Last week: Beat Alisal, 40-14
Next: Friday vs. Menlo-Atherton

9. Mitty (1-0)

Last rank: 9
Last week: Beat James Logan, 42-12
Next: Friday at Aptos

10. Soquel (0-1)

Last rank: 10
Last week: Lost to Los Gatos, 14-7
Next: Friday at San Ramon Valley

11. Wilcox (0-1)

Last rank: 11
Last week: Lost to Valley Christian, 24-7
Next: Friday vs. Hollister

12. Carmel (1-0)

Last rank: 14
Last week: Beat Christopher, 35-31
Next Saturday vs. Seaside

13. Aptos (1-0)

Last rank: NR
Last week: Beat King’s Academy, 34-7
Next: Friday vs. Mitty

14. Menlo-Atherton (1-0)

Last rank: 15
Last week: Beat Bellarmine, 40-10
Next: Friday at Monterey

15. Sacred Heart Cathedral (1-0)

Last rank: NR
Last week: Beat Soledad, 42-0
Next: Friday vs. Sacred Heart Prep