SBLive’s California Top 25: Mater Dei moves to No. 1 in statewide football rankings

The spring 2021 high school football season wrapped up for the majority of teams in California over the weekend. In the CIF Southern Section, Mater Dei took down top-ranked St. John Bosco 34-17, which earned the Monarchs the No. 1 ranking this week.

The spring 2021 high school football season wrapped up for the majority of teams in California over the weekend. In the CIF Southern Section, Mater Dei took down top-ranked St. John Bosco 34-17, which earned the Monarchs the No. 1 ranking this week.

Elsewhere in the state, every other ranked team in Central and Northern California won. With a handful of teams across the state still playing for two more weeks, our rankings will continue until every team is done playing.

SBLive's statewide high school football rankings are compiled by SBLive California reporter Connor Morrissette and will be released every Monday throughout the shortened season.

--

SBLIVE CALIFORNIA TOP 25 FOOTBALL RANKINGS

April 19, 2021

1. Mater Dei (5-0)

Last week: 2

Elijah Brown threw four touchdown passes to lead Mater Dei to a 34-17 win over rival St. John Bosco, which pushed the Monarchs to No. 1.

2. St. John Bosco (5-1)

Last week: 1

St. John Bosco sophomores Matayo Uiagalelei (left) and Pierce Clarkson

St. John Bosco fell short against Mater Dei, which drops the Braves to No. 2.

3. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) (6-0)

Last week: 3

De La Salle beat Clayton Valley Charter 21-7 to finish the year undefeated. The Spartans unbeaten streak against Northern California opponents is up to 316 games.

4. Servite (4-2)

Last week: 4

Noah Fifita

Servite took Santa Margarita 42-13 to clinch third place in the Trinity League. The Friars rushed for six scores in the win.

5. Sierra Canyon (5-1)

Last week: 5

Cole Bullock

After falling to No. 2 St. John Bosco 42-21 in their opener, Sierra Canyon allowed only two points in their five final games.

6. Serra (San Mateo, Calif.) (5-0)

Last week: 6

Serra beat St. Ignatius 34-3. The Padres intercepted six passes in the win.

7. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.) (3-0)

Last week: 7

(Photo by Josh DaFoe)

Cathedral beat up Madison 51-0 to end the year as San Diego's top team.

8. Folsom (5-0)

Last week: 9

Tyler Tremain

Folsom beat Oak Ridge 54-21. Tyler Tremain threw five TDs in the win.

9. Pittsburg (4-0)

Last week: 10

Pittsburg beat Antioch 47-8.

Pittsburg football wins the 102nd Big-Little Game by rolling over Antioch, 47-8.

Pirates complete the spring season undefeated, 5-0. There will be no playoffs, so the team finishes with a perfect record.

— Luke Johnson (@Scoop_Johnson) April 18, 2021

10. Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.) (5-0)

Last week: 11

Buchanan beat Clovis East 36-13, which earned the Bears an outright Tri-River League championship.

11. San Clemente (5-0)

Last week: 12

San Clemente beat Mission Viejo on a last second field goal, which propels the Tritons to No. 11.

12. Long Beach Poly (4-0)

Last week: 19

Poly won a hard fought overtime showdown against Gardena Serra to open the season thanks to a balanced rushing attack and good defense. The Jackrabbits finish the season as undefeated Moore League champions.

13. Valley Christian (San Jose, Calif.) (3-1)

Last week: 13

Valley Christian beat St. Francis 16-13 in overtime. Jakson Berman threw two touchdowns in the win.

14. Los Alamitos (6-0)

Last week: 18

Malachi Nelson

Los Alamitos beat Newport Harbor 41-3. Watch out for the Griffins next season. They return star 2023 QB Malachi Nelson and WR/DB Makai Lemon.

15. San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.) (4-0)

Last week: 14

The Panthers beat Edisoon 57-20. Jordan Hornbeak rushed for 204 yards and five TDs in the win.

16. Monterey Trail (Elk Grove, Calif.) (5-0)

Last week: 15

Monterey Trail beat Antelope 55-19. The Mustangs rushed for five TDs in the win.

17. St. Mary’s (Stockton, Calif.) (3-1)

Last week: 16

St. Mary’s beat Central Catholic 42-34 to end their season. Their lone loss on the year came against No. 3 De La Salle.

18. Central (Fresno, Calif.) (3-1)

Last week: 17

Central beat Clovis North 69-0. DJ Stevenson threw three touchdowns and rushed for two more in the win.

19. Mission Viejo (4-1)

Last week: 8

Mikey Matthews

Mission Viejo’s 10-7 defeat to San Clemente pushes the Diablos back to No. 19.

20. Rocklin (4-0)

Last week: 21

Rocklin beat Whitney 31-3.

Touchdown @RocklinFootball: Anthony Johnston sprints down the right sideline for a 35-yard touchdown. Rocklin leads Whitney 21-0 with 1:20 left in the half. Rocklin’s line play is dominant. @SacBee_JoeD @RocklinSports pic.twitter.com/NHglAZwDSv

— Cameron Salerno (@cameronsalerno1) April 17, 2021

21. Norco (5-0)

Last week: 22

Norco finishes the season as Big VIII League champions.

22. Corona Centennial (4-1)

Last week: 23

Jake Retzlaff

Corona Centennial blew out Corona 62-0 to end the year 4-1.

23. Liberty (Bakersfield, Calif.) (3-0)

Last week: 24

Liberty beat Stockdale 44-14. Prentice Boone rushed for two touchdowns in the win.

24. Carlsbad (5-0)

Last week: 25

Carlsbad rolled through the spring season to finish 5-0. They’re the No. 2 team in San Diego thanks to wins over Torrey Pines, Oceanside and Granite Hills.

25. Chaminade (4-2)

Last week: NR

Led by Jaylen Henderson, Chaminade stormed back from an 0-2 start to clinch a share of the Mission League championship in the Southern Section.