As the high school football season transitions into October, the CIF Southern Section rankings are solidifying, with St. John Bosco holding the top spot. Following a week where 14 of the top 25 teams had a bye, the start of league play promises more intense and meaningful matchups across Southern California.
Key Takeaways
- St. John Bosco and Sierra Canyon remain undefeated and hold the top two positions.
- The start of league play in October will test the top-ranked teams, especially within the competitive Trinity League.
- Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks enters the Top 25 for the first time this season after a significant win.
- Several key games this week feature ranked teams playing each other, including No. 2 Sierra Canyon vs. No. 14 Gardena Serra.
The Unbeaten Leaders Hold Firm
St. John Bosco maintains its position as the number one team in the Southern Section with a perfect 5-0 record. The Braves are coming off a bye week, giving them extra time to prepare for their Trinity League opener against JSerra. Their dominance has been a consistent theme throughout the early part of the season.
Right behind them, Sierra Canyon also boasts an undefeated 5-0 record. After their bye week, the Trailblazers face a tough league opponent in No. 14 Gardena Serra. This matchup will be a critical test for both programs as they begin their quest for a league title.
The Importance of League Play
The shift from non-conference games to league play is a pivotal moment in the high school football season. These games determine league championships and have significant implications for CIF Southern Section playoff seeding. Rivalries intensify, and every game carries more weight from this point forward.
Trinity League Powerhouses Prepare for Battle
The Trinity League, widely regarded as one of the toughest high school football leagues in the nation, is heavily represented in the top rankings. Corona Centennial (4-1) and Mater Dei (4-1) hold the third and fourth spots, respectively. Both are coming off bye weeks and will jump directly into difficult league contests.
Centennial is set to face Roosevelt, while Mater Dei will take on No. 8 Orange Lutheran. This game between Mater Dei and Orange Lutheran is one of the most anticipated matchups of the week, pitting two top-10 teams against each other in a high-stakes league opener.
Mission Viejo, ranked fifth with a 4-1 record, secured a convincing 36-21 victory over Chaparral. The Diablos now face a challenging non-league game against Long Beach Poly, another historically strong program.
No. 6 Santa Margarita (3-2) showed defensive strength in a 14-0 loss to Bishop Gorman, a top national team. The Eagles' defense will be crucial as they enter their league schedule against No. 10 Servite, who is on a four-game winning streak.
By the Numbers: Week 5
14: The number of Top 25 teams that were on a bye week.
5: The number of teams in the Top 10 that remain undefeated.
49-8: The score of Servite's decisive victory over St. Paul, marking their fourth consecutive win.
Movers and Shakers in the Top 25
Undefeated Teams on the Rise
Several undefeated teams are making their presence felt. Los Alamitos moved to a 7-0 record after a 48-21 win over Calabasas and will now take a bye week. Damien (5-0) and Vista Murrieta (4-0) also remain perfect. Damien faces a tough test against Rancho Cucamonga, while Vista Murrieta plays Chaparral.
Pacifica of Oxnard has quietly assembled a 5-0 record. Quarterback Taylor Lee has been a standout performer, throwing for four touchdowns in a recent win against LA Hamilton. According to team statistics, Lee has an impressive 26 touchdown passes already this season. Their upcoming game against Oaks Christian will be a major test.
Corona del Mar also stays undefeated at 5-0 after a 35-13 win over Trabuco Hills. The Sea Kings will face a ranked opponent in No. 13 San Juan Hills this week.
Key Matchups and Recent Results
Murrieta Valley (4-1) climbed in the rankings after a 26-14 victory over San Clemente. Running back Jeremiah Watson was instrumental in the win, carrying the ball 29 times for 204 yards and two touchdowns. His performance highlights the team's strong ground game.
"Jeremiah Watson ran for 204 yards on 29 carries and two TDs in a 26-14 win over San Clemente."
In contrast, San Clemente (3-3) and Chaparral (2-3) both dropped after losses to ranked opponents. San Clemente fell to Murrieta Valley, and Chaparral lost to Mission Viejo. Both teams will look to rebound as they enter challenging league schedules.
Welcome to the Top 25: Notre Dame Sherman Oaks
A new team has entered the conversation this week. Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks makes its debut in the Top 25 at the number 25 spot. The Knights earned their place with a significant victory over a strong Culver City team.
The win was made more notable by the debut of Tyran Stokes, who scored a touchdown. This addition gives the Knights another offensive weapon as they prepare to face Loyola. Their entry into the rankings shows the depth of talent within the Southern Section.
Full CIF Southern Section Top 25 Rankings
Here is the complete list of the rankings as of September 28, 2025.
- St. John Bosco (5-0) - Next: at JSerra
- Sierra Canyon (5-0) - Next: vs. Gardena Serra
- Corona Centennial (4-1) - Next: vs. Roosevelt
- Mater Dei (4-1) - Next: at Orange Lutheran
- Mission Viejo (4-1) - Next: vs. Long Beach Poly
- Santa Margarita (3-2) - Next: at Servite
- Los Alamitos (7-0) - Next: BYE
- Orange Lutheran (3-2) - Next: vs. Mater Dei
- Damien (5-0) - Next: vs. Rancho Cucamonga
- Servite (4-1) - Next: vs. Santa Margarita
- Vista Murrieta (4-0) - Next: at Chaparral
- Beaumont (3-1) - Next: vs. Redlands
- San Juan Hills (4-1) - Next: at Corona del Mar
- Gardena Serra (3-2) - Next: at Sierra Canyon
- JSerra (3-2) - Next: vs. St. John Bosco
- Downey (4-1) - Next: at Mayfair
- Murrieta Valley (4-1) - Next: at Norco
- Leuzinger (2-1) - Next: at Inglewood
- Tustin (3-2) - Next: at Cypress
- San Clemente (3-3) - Next: at Coronado (NV)
- Yorba Linda (4-1) - Next: at Villa Park
- Chaparral (2-3) - Next: vs. Vista Murrieta
- Pacifica/Oxnard (5-0) - Next: vs. Oaks Christian
- Corona del Mar (5-0) - Next: vs. San Juan Hills
- Notre Dame Sherman Oaks (3-2) - Next: vs. Loyola