All divisions have been expanded for the final installment of the season. These rankings were complled every week by Steve Brand, Ronnie Flores and Mark Tennis. Thanks also to Stockton office assistant Paul Muyskens.  

Division I North

1. (2) Grant (Sacramento) 14-0
2. (1) De La Salle (Concord) 12-2
3. (3) Bellarmine Prep (San Jose) 12-1
4. (4) Junipero Serra (San Mateo) 8-4
5. (5) Oak Grove (San Jose) 11-1
6. (6) Pittsburg 11-2
7. (7) Foothill (Pleasanton) 9-3
8. (8) Lincoln (Stockton) 10-2
9. (nr) Granite Bay 9-2
10. (9) San Ramon Valley (Danville) 8-4*
11. (10) Monte Vista (Danville) 8-3*
12. (na) California (San Ramon) 7-5
13. (na) Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 11-3
14. (na) Merced 11-2
15. (na) Freedom (Oakley) 10-2

Division I South

1. (2) Centennial (Corona) 15-0
2. (1) Poly (Long Beach) 14-1
3. (3) Tesoro (Las Flores) 13-1
4. (4) Chaparral (Temecula) 12-2
5. (5) Rancho Cucamonga 13-0-1
6. (6) Lakewood 10-3
7. (7) Mission Viejo 10-2
8. (8) Clovis West (Fresno) 10-3
9. (9) Narbonne (Harbor City) 12-1-1
10. (10) San Pedro 12-1-1
11. (11) La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 11-2
12. (12) Esperanza (Anaheim) 8-4
13. (13) Los Alamitos 8-3
14. (14) Edison (Huntington Beach) 7-3
15. (nr)  Quartz Hill 13-1
16. (nr)  Murrieta Valley (Murrieta) 9-4
17. (15) Saugus 9-4
18. (na) A.B. Miller (Fontana) 11-1
19. (na) San Clemente 8-3
20. (na) Buchanan (Clovis) 9-3

Division II North

1. (1) Valley Christian (San Jose) 10-3
2. (2) St. Mary's (Stockton) 12-3
3. (3) Casa Roble (Orangevale) 13-0
4. (4) Whitney (Rocklin) 12-0
5. (5) Encinal (Alameda) 13-0
6. (6) Inderkum (Sacramento) 11-2
7. (7) Paradise 11-1
8. (8) Novato 11-3
9. (9) Sacred Heart Cathedral (SF) 8-5
10. (10) Campolindo (Moraga) 10-2
11. (na) Miramonte (Orinda) 10-3
12. (na) Placer (Auburn) 9-4
13. (na) Las Lomas (Walnut Creek) 9-4
14. (na) Pioneer (San Jose) 10-2
15. (na) Castlemont (Oakland) 9-2-1

Division II South

1. (1) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 14-0
2. (2) Oceanside 12-0-1
3. (3) Lutheran (Orange) 10-3
4. (4) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 11-1
5. (5) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 8-4
6. (6) Servite (Anaheim) 7-4
7. (7) Tulare Union 13-0
8. (8) Citrus Hill (Perris) 14-0
9. (9) Charter Oak (Covina) 13-0-1
10. (11) Moorpark 12-2
11. (10) Helix (La Mesa) 10-2-1
12. (12) Bishop Amat (La Puente) 8-3
13. (13) La Habra 12-2
14. (14) Crespi (Encino) 6-4
15. (15) Laguna Hills 13-0
16. (na) Alemany (Mission Hills) 11-2
17. (na) Atascadero 9-3
18. (na) Paso Robles 9-3
19. (na) St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 7-3
20. (na) El Diamante (Visalia) 11-2

Division III North

1. (1) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 13-1
2. (2) Hilmar 12-1
3. (3) Central Catholic (Modesto) 11-2
4. (4) Sutter 10-1
5. (5) Palma (Salinas) 8-3
6. (6) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 9-3
7. (7) Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) 11-1-1
8. (8) West Valley (Cottonwood) 9-3
9. (9) King's Academy (Sunnyvale) 10-1-1
10. (10) Justin-Siena (Napa) 9-4
11. (na) Carmel 8-2
12. (na) Piedmont 7-3
13. (na) Menlo School (Atherton) 6-5
14. (na) Colfax 6-4
15. (na) Salesian (Richmond) 9-3

Division III South

1. (1) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 14-1
2. (2) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 14-0
3. (3) Bakersfield Christian 12-1
4. (4) Serra (Gardena) 13-1
5. (5) Chowchilla 12-1
6. (7) Paraclete (Lancaster) 11-3
7. (9) St. Joseph (Santa Maria) 10-2
8. (6) Corcoran 12-1
9. (8) Twentynine Palms 10-4
10. (10) Exeter 9-2
11. (na) Morro Bay 8-5
12. (na) Harvard-Westlake (N. Hollywood) 8-3-1
13. (na) Coronado 9-3
14. (na) St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) 4-6
15. (na) Bishop's (La Jolla) 7-7

Small Schools North

1. (4) Ferndale 10-1
2. (nr) Modesto Christian 9-2
3. (3) St. Vincent (Petaluma) 11-1
4. (1) Hamilton (Hamilton City) 10-3
5. (2) Modoc (Alturas) 12-0
6. (5) Rio Vista 10-2
7. (na) Capital Christian (Sacramento) 5-6
8. (na) Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento) 10-2
9. (na) Vacaville Christian 9-2
10. (na) St. Elizabeth (Oakland) 8-5

Small Schools South

1. (1) St. Margaret's (SJ Capistrano) 15-0
2. (2) Parker (San Diego) 12-1
3. (4) Santa Clara (Oxnard) 9-2
4. (3) Central Valley Christian (Visalia) 9-3
5. (5) Christian (El Cajon) 10-2
6. (na) Brentwood (Los Angeles) 10-2
7. (na) Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach) 6-5
8. (na) Aquinas (San Bernardino) 10-2
9. (na) Rio Hondo Prep (Arcadia) 10-3
10. (na) Riverside Christian 12-2

Comments or corrections? Email mark@studentsports.com and be sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say. 

CalHiSports.com editors plus other media experts statewide weigh in on what they think might happen in each of the five contests played Friday and Saturday at The Home Depot Center.

By Mark Tennis, CalHiSports.com Executive Editor

Open: Poly 21, Grant 7
Grant is unbeaten and perhaps playing the biggest game any team from Sacramento has ever played. As a native Sacramentan, I hope the Pacers do well. But they were a better team two years ago and don't think they will quite be able to hang with the Jackrabbits for a full four quarters. Poly gets it done and wins first state title since 1919.

Div. I: De La Salle 31, Centennial 28
This is the hardest game to choose and the picks that follow show that as well. Based on the playoffs so far, De La Salle has been more impressive and has shown it's been a different team than the one most in SoCal saw early in the season. On the other hand, we just don't know how good Chaparral of Temecula was this year, which is the team that gave Centennial its two closest game, including last week when it was 14-14 going into the fourth quarter. If Chap was actually very good, then Centennial wins. If Chap wasn't that good, then DLS likely prevails.

Div. II: Cathedral Catholic 34, St. Mary's (Stockton) 29
Is it a good thing or a bad thing that the Rams have already faced a number of top running backs this season, such as Stephon Mathis (Merced), Michael Spanos (Lincoln) and Usua Amanam (Bellarmine)? They may be facing the best of them all, although Cathedral's Tyler Gaffney isn't as darting and quick as Amanam. St. Mary's has experience trying to stop a top back, but that experience, especially against Amanam, wasn't positive. The Rams will score against Cathedral's defense, but just not sure about their defense getting enough stops. This should be the best D2 game so far, but the North still will likely lose.

Div. III: St. Bonaventure 27, Cardinal Newman 15
The Seraphs are going for their second straight title and overall, across the board, they look better than last year. The way they romped through the normally competitive CIF Northern Division playoffs was impressive indeed. The Cardinals will have the confidence from playing Oaks Christian into overtime from two years ago and they just took down an undefeated Clayton Valley squad in the North Coast Section finals. St. Bonnie wins and afterward the media needs to start the ball rolling so the Seraphs and Oaks Christian can resume their series next year. They will both be among the top teams in the nation next year and they better be playing each other. If they don't and Oaks gets a win over a top-ranked team from another state, the Lions may get the nod to be in this game a year from now.

Small Schools: St. Margaret's 27, Hamilton 10
The Hamilton defense will prevent this one from getting too out-of-hand, but the Tartan defense looks like it's even better. It's also an edge that the Harry Welch-coached team just played last weekend against Twentynine Palms while Mark Cooley's squad is coming off a three-week layoff. Think of how Ohio State has done in bowl games when it plays teams that have had shorter periods of time from the end of the regular season.

By Ronnie Flores, CalHiSports.com Senior Editor

Open: Poly 24, Grant 14
Grant is always the more athletic team and the team with the most burners. What will happen when the Pacers are not for the first time in God knows when? They can't get behind too much because they'll be forced to pass and the Poly D will start to tee off. If they get ahead, no problem, Poly obviously has experience coming from behind, too. In other words, Grant has a tall task ahead of it.

Div. I: Centennial 37, De La Salle 31
Boy, it's hard to pick against De La Salle no matter what team the Spartans play. Still, I can't get the picture out of my mind of how Loyola's Anthony Barr was able to run on a smallish D-line. I think the Spartans have improved, but they are clearly not as good as last year. Mater Dei didn't turn out to be great, but I can't say as certain that Centennial is not as good so the tables will be turned. Throw in the motivation factor and the Huskies get it done.

Div. II: Cathedral Catholic 28, St. Mary's 14
Too bad St. Mary's couldn't have a healthy Josh Harper, but it probably wouldn't make a difference because he doesn't play up front. The Rams couldn't stop Bellarmine and they won't be a able to stop Cathedral's running game, either. Is Cathedral as good as Bellarmine? No, but Cathedral's strength seems to be St. Mary's weakness.

Div. III: St. Bonaventure 31, Cardinal Newman 21
If it wasn't for the Oaks Christian game two years ago when Ryan Lingle almost led his team to an upset win, I would pick the SoCal team in a romp. Newman will find a way to stay in the game, but St. Bonaventure will be prepared. Oaks needed overtime to beat this program and Patrick Hall was on the field when the Lions embarrassed St. Bonnies. He won't let that feeling happen again.

Small Schools: St. Margaret's 36, Hamilton 17
I just think the calming influence of Harry Welch will make the difference. He can't tackle or throw passes but he can give his team confidence. Hamilton might be a deer in the headlights a bit, and will adjust after it's too late.

By Harold Abend, ESPN RISE CalHiSports.com Correspondent

Open: Poly 42, Grant 14
Grant's power running attack featuring RB Devontae Butler and QB Kopeli Koniseti has rolled over Sacramento area teams but it hasn't faced anyone like Long Beach Poly. This would seem to be a bad matchup for the Pacers, who most certainly will be forced from their game plan and have to pass the ball to have a chance. That is if they can slow Poly down, which we doubt.

Div. I: De La Salle 35, Centennial 28
Still, we see De La Salle executing in the crucial situations to score as many points as Mater Dei did against Centennial while holding them just enough on defense. The result will give Coach Lad his 345th victory, thus becoming California's all-time winningest prep football coach.

Div. II: Cathedral 34, St. Mary's 20
St. Mary's couldn't stop Usua Amanam and the running game of Bellarmine in a 35-7 loss and that was when Cody Vaz had Josh Harper, one of the top junior receivers in the state, healthy and in the lineup, which he apparently won't be for the game against Cathedral Catholic. Can the Rams stop Tyler Gaffney with 4.5 speed in the 40 on a 6-foot-1, 215-pound frame? We doubt it.

Div. III: Cardinal Newman 38, St. Bonaventure 35
If Newman can move the ball and keep the Seraphs off balance with its hurry-up spread offense, the Cardinals can stay close enough to win on a Randy Wright field goal.

Small Schools: Hamilton 21, St. Margaret's 20, Ostrich 0
I don't know diddly about these two teams other then I just missed a seven-foot tall California Ostrich/Road Runner that ran out from the tule weeds in front of my car 25 years ago just south of Hamilton City on Hwy 45...for that we go with the Braves of Hamilton City.

By Steve Brand, CalHiSports.com & California Prep Sportswriters Association Founder

Open: Poly 28, Grant 14
Unless Sacramento Grant is leading by three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, Long Beach Poly just has too much finishing power. Grant won't be intimidated but Poly seems to be on a mission and you can't discount the "home" field advantage as I suspect Poly will bring a large contingent.

Div. I: De La Salle 34, Centennial 20
Both teams will arrive in a nasty mood. Concord De La Salle must feel snubbed for not playing in the Open game having played what everyone other than some select CIF section commissioners feel is a more difficult schedule than Grant. Corona Centennial has been itching for another shot at the Spartans after losing last year's Div. I game.

Div. II: Cathedral Catholic 24, St. Mary's 7
Stockton St. Mary's has lost only to San Jose Bellarmine Prep and Modesto Central Catholic. The Rams beat CalHiSports state-ranked Merced and Stockton Lincoln -- twice -- playing what many consider a tougher schedule. Cathedral Catholic of San Diego has star power with running back Tyler Gaffney (51 TDs) and an unsung but dominating offensive line.

Div. III: St. Bonaventure 31, Cardinal Newman 14
The hitting in this game should be spectacular. Cardinal Newman dominated its opponents and some of the players undoubtedly remember losing to Oaks Christian two years ago. St. Bonaventure has toughened up itself against teams like Encino Crespi and its only loss was a five-pointer to Long Beach Poly, or the Seraphs would be in the Open game.

Small Schools: St. Margaret's 39, Hamilton 0
St. Margaret's of San Juan Capistrano has won all 14 of its games this year and an Orange County record 42 in a row behind QB David Mothander. A mobile, swarming defense will harass Hamilton all evening. Not playing since Thanksgiving has to hurt Hamilton, the Northern Section's first Bowl finalist.

By Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times

Open: Poly 28, Grant 7
Poly is waiting to play its best game of the playoffs, and this will be it.

Div. I: Centennial 42, De La Salle 35
There will be lots of scoring in this one.

Div. II: Cathedral 21, St. Mary's 14
Cathedral lets everyone know there's a rising Catholic school power in San Diego County.

Div. III: St. Bonaventure 21, Cardinal Newman 7
St. Bonaventure's defense is second to LB Poly. There's no way they are giving up more than a touchdown.

Small Schools: St. Margaret's 28, Hamilton 7
Harry Welch never loses the big one.

By Brian Stumpf, ESPN RISE Senior Director of Event Development

Open: Poly 17, Grant 7
Grant will play well on the big stage but Poly's defense is a little faster and its offense just too physical in the end.

Div. I: Corona Centennial 27, De La Salle 24
Centennial will not be intimidated after a narrow loss to the Spartans last year and finishes the job in '08.

Div. II: Cathedral Catholic 31, St. Mary's 20
The rest of the state gets introduced to the best player nobody talks about, Tyler Gaffney.

Div. III: St. Bonaventure 27, Cardinal Newman 10
The Seraphs make it two in a row in the DIII game.

Small Schools: St. Margaret's 33, Hamilton 18
Harry Welch moves to 2-0 in state bowl games

By Greg Biggins, ESPN RISE Director of Player Personnel

Open: Long Beach Poly 24, Grant 14
Grant has a high-octane offense for sure but this Jackrabbit defense might be the state's best in a few years. Poly running back Melvin Richardson could be the top running back in the state as well and is the type of back that gets stronger as the game goes on. Grants' best player is junior running back Devontae Butler who rushed for 1,850 yards and 36 touchdowns this season. Poly doesn't blow anyone out and this one will be close throughout but the Jackrabbits should pull away in the end.

Div. I: Centennial 31, De La Salle 24
This is easily the hardest game to pick of the weekend. Neither of these team's look as strong as the two teams that competed in last year's Div I final. Saying that, both are still stocked with talent and extremely well coached. On paper, the Huskies look more talented but I made a pact long ago to never pick against De la Salle. Still, this Husky team is just so balanced on offense with plenty of playmakers on defense. The Spartans have a strong stable of running backs but Centennial's strength is their run defense and Husky quarterback Taylor Martinez has gotten better each game this year.

Div. II: Cathedral Catholic 34, St. Mary's 21
This should be a very competitive contest but it's tough to imagine St. Mary's getting enough stops against a loaded Cathedral offense. Everyone knows about Dons running back Tyler Gaffney, who has rushed for 51 touchdowns this season. What is scary about Cathedral is their balance. Quarterback Parker Hipp has thrown for over 2,200 yards and 23 touchdowns. St. Mary's is led by Oregon State bound quarterback Cody Vaz but we would like the Rams chances a lot more if they had the services of junior wide out Josh Harper. Harper was the WR MVP at the NIKE Camp at Stanford and he looks doubtful at this time.

Div. III: St. Bonaventure 35, Cardinal Newman 17
If there is one game that could get out of hand, it could be this one. That's not a knock on Cardinal Newman, St. Bonny is just that good. They had the ball on the 15-yard line going in for a game winning score against Long Beach Poly but couldn't get it done. That was the Seraphs only loss all year. Their defense is tremendous and they have two big time running backs in Patrick Hall and Devon Blackledge. Newman is very well coached and nearly pulled off a huge upset in the Div III state title game two years ago against an Oaks Christian team that sent 11 players to Div I colleges. Jacob Gowan leads a strong offensive line and running back Jeff Badger has averaged over 10 yards a carry in rushing for over 1,400 yards.

Small Schools: St. Margaret's 42, Hamilton 10
This is the toughest game for me to pick for one simple reason- I haven't seen either of these teams play this year. Saying that, anytime Harry Welch is involved, it's always a safe bet to go with whatever team he's coaching. De La Salle head man Bob Ladouceur might be the only coach in the state with a better track record than Welch. He's already won one state title and it's tough to envision a scenario where he won't win his second this Friday.

By Mitch Stephens, Maxpreps.com & California Prep Sportswriters Association President

Open: Poly 13, Grant 6
Fifth game. Sloppy field. Poly wants a state title and the defense knows how to get it.
 
Div. I: Centennial 28, De La Salle 27
Both teams score four TDs, but De La Salle goes for the win late and in a monumental convergence of wills, Vontaze Burfict stops Blake Wayne inches shy on two-point try.
 
Div. II: Cathedral Catholic 38, St. Mary's 28
Choo-choo. The Tyler Train steamrolls through the Home Depot.  
 
Div. III: St. Bonaventure 27, Cardinal Newman 21
Fittingly, a special teams TD decides this matchup of two special teams.

Small schools: St. Margaret's 28, Hamilton 14
Harry Welch, AKA George Bailey, is once again the richest coach in Carson.

By Kevin Askeland, Maxpreps.com

Open: Long Beach Poly 28, Grant 21
Grant overwhelms opponents with its tremendous athletic ability. Long Beach Poly will be first Pacer opponent who can match Grant's athleticism. Jackrabbits have more experience in close games and that could prove to be the difference.

Division I: Centennial 35, De La Salle 28
Centennial avenges loss from last year. Vontaze Burfict limits De La Salle running game and puts pressure on Spartans to throw the ball.

Division II: Cathedral 30, St. Mary's 14
Tyler Gaffney will score four touchdowns and rush for over 150 yards. St. Mary's offense will struggle if Josh Harper is unavailable.

Division III: St. Bonaventure 28, Cardinal Newman 27
Seraphs will be too big across the offensive and defensive lines and will control the line of scrimmage. Cardinal Newman will get big plays from QB Randy Wright and RB Jeff Badger to keep it close.

Small Schools: St. Margaret's 40, Hamilton 28
Hamilton will put up a good fight, but will not be able to match the depth of the Tartans. Braves will intercept three passes, but David Mothander will still throw for 300 yards with running backs still on the mend.

CalPreps.com computer projections (Courtesy of co-founder Eric Maddy)

Open: Poly 31, Grant 17
Div. I: De La Salle 28, Centennial 27
Div. II: Cathedral 41, St. Mary's 28
Div. III: St. Bonaventure 35, Cardinal Newman 21
Small Schools: St. Margaret's 31, Hamilton 17

Hamilton hopes first bid to Northern Section school is a strong one, while St. Margaret's is looking for 43rd straight victory.

By Mark Tennis & Steve Brand

From the North: Hamilton (Hamilton City) 10-2

Head Coach: Mark Cooley
Last Game: Defeated Willows, 21-14, in the CIF Northern Section Div. III title game.
Surprise Factor: For those who thought the CIF would never take a Northern Section team since the season ends so early way up north, this was a surprise. For those who know how good the Braves usually are under head coach Mark Cooley, it's not.
School Tradition: Hamilton is often solid within the Northern Section, but not dominant. It seems like every team in every sport (boys or girls) has a star player with Lohse as the last name.
Key Players: Yes, there's a Lohse on this team, too, as junior QB Brad Lohse has passed for 1,419 yards and 12 scores. Brad is a cousin of major league pitcher Kyle Lohse, who was a multi-sport standout for the Braves.
LB Ryan Schimke averaged more than 11 tackles per game and has been racking up ringing hits for a long time. "We brought him up as a freshman for the playoffs and he's been doing a great job ever since," Cooley said.
K Oscar Pineda is one of the state's best regardless of school size. He has 13 field goals this year, 22 for his career and has the Northern Section record with a 57-yarder from last season. Pineda also averages 45 yards per punt.
RB-DB Omar Diaz has rushed for nearly 1,200 yards while on defense he's been quick to the ball on passing and rushing plays. He has eight interceptions for the season.
Early Matchup Analysis vs. St. Margaret's: While Cooley has been practicing hard since the Monday after Thanksgiving, it's a different beast compared to actually going up against a Harry Welch coached-team that is in rythym. That is going to be almost impossible.
"When I get back, I'm going to tell them the field is only 100 yards long, no more, no less," Cooley said on Monday. "We're just a bunch of fun-loving, good kids who get along well. We'll stay positive no matter what happens."

From the South: St. Margaret's (San Juan Capistrano) 14-0

Head Coach: Harry Welch (2nd CIF Bowl Game appearance)
Last Game: Defeated Twentynine Palms, 17-3, in the CIF Southern Section East Valley Division title game.
Surprise Factor: Very little, although the pick in this division just as easily could have gone to Francis Parker of San Diego, a team the Tartans will play next season. "They aren't going to be happy when they play us," Welch said. "They'll have back that great player (junior QB Deon Randall), too."
School Tradition: St. Margaret's set the Orange County record for most consecutive wins this year at 42 and counting. The Tartans have also won three consecutive CIFSS divisional titles, the last two under Welch.
Key Players: QB David Mothander, RB John Murayama, DL Jeremy Baileys. The Tartans are an opportunistic bunch, scoring equally quickly with a swarming defense led Baileys or their quick-strike offense led by Mothander and Murayama. The 5-foot-3 running back is a crowd favorite and is a darting, dashing runner who is as easy to catch as a hummingbird.
Early Matchup Analysis vs. Hamilton: This may be the first trip to the State Bowl Championship for the Tartans, but not for their coach. Welch guided Canyon of Canyon Country to the Div. I title in 2006, beating favored Concord De La Salle, 27-13. That might just be a memory for some, but Welch's calming influence and his first experience at the Home Depot Center might give the Tartans a slight edge over a team that is traveling a long ways for the game. "Did its previous Super Bowls help the Patriots against the Giants? Familiarity with the locker rooms, the field, and the process might help, but that's up to me," Welch said. "This is pure high school football, nobody went to Hamilton just to play football and vice versa. This it's what it's all about."
In its section title game win, the Tartans scored twice in the first six minutes and never looked back en route to a 17-3 victory. If they get up early on Hamilton, they might be tough to beat because they are accustomed to winning and will be confident playing in the first game of the weekend. Welch, however, knows there is a tough task ahead especially since the two schools know so little about each other.
"I know they have a great defense that hasn't given up 100 points all season while scoring nearly 400 points on offense," Welch said "They have a monster of a linebacker and one of the best kickers in California."

Corrections or comments? Email mark@studentsports.com and be sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say.

Here's the newest rankings, breakdowns and comparisons that will be presented to the 10 CIF section commissioners prior to their selection meeting for the bowl games to be held on Sunday at The Home Depot Center.

By Mark Tennis, Ronnie Flores & Steve Brand

*Indicates team is not eligible for bowl game consideration.

Division I North
1. (1) De La Salle (Concord) 12-1
2. (2) Grant (Sacramento) 13-0
3. (3) Bellarmine Prep (San Jose) 12-1
4. (6) Junipero Serra (San Mateo) 8-4*
5. (5) Oak Grove (San Jose) 11-1*
6. (4) Pittsburg 11-2*
7. (7) Foothill (Pleasanton) 9-3*
8. (nr) Lincoln (Stockton) 10-2*
9. (10) San Ramon Valley (Danville) 8-4*
10. (nr) Monte Vista (Danville) 8-3*
Others: California (San Ramon) 7-5*, Clayton Valley (Concord) 12-1*, Freedom (Oakley) 10-2*, Granite Bay 9-2*, Laguna Creek (Elk Grove) 9-4*, Lincoln (San Francisco) 10-2, Merced 11-2*, Monte Vista (Danville) 8-3*, North Salinas (Salinas) 9-2.*
Looking Deeper At Each Team/Selection
1. De La Salle's only loss is to nationally-ranked Don Bosco Prep of New Jersey by two points. Bosco won its third straight state title two weekends ago and won every game against in-state foes convincingly. The Spartans also won their North Coast Section playoff games by scores of 52-7, 42-7 and 34-10 on Friday against Pittsburg. This was their 17th consecutive section title. In this time span, from 1992 to the present, DLS also has not lost a single game to any team from Northern California (if you count the Central Section as being from the south). There have been two ties but no losses. Therefore, plus the fact the Spartans are the defending Division I state bowl champion from last year, it seems to be a solid choice for them not just to be in the bowl games this year but also as the Northern California Open Division representative.
2. Grant has wins over two state champions. We wouldn't place that much value on the win over Highland of Pocatello, Idaho, because that team also lost an additional game to a Utah school. You have to give the Pacers much credit, though, for the win over Alta High of Sandy, Utah. Alta not only won the largest-class state title in Utah this year but also won last year as well and its only loss in its last 25 games has been to Grant. In the playoffs, Grant had difficulty in its first game against Granite Bay with a 22-19 victory. Granite Bay, however, was ranked No. 1 by the Sacramento Bee for the first two months of the season with Grant at No. 2 and last year Granite Bay would have been considered the Sac-Joaquin Section's top team overall. Grant won its title game, 55-6, over Burbank of Sacramento. We would not rank this year's team quite as highly as the one that was seriously considered for the bowl games two years ago, but it's an extremely quick, hard-hitting squad.
3. If Bellarmine Prep had not dropped a regular season game to Serra of San Mateo, the Bells not only would be ahead of Grant but also ahead of De La Salle for the open division since DLS only beat Serra by one point (although that was in the first game). Bellarmine came back to beat Serra, 25-7, in the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs and then won in the final 21-0 over Valley Christian of San Jose. We've seen Bellarmine three times and Grant twice. The Bells have some truly special players, maybe 4-5 who will be standouts in college. Grant doesn't have that, but does have superior depth. Bellarmine has at least five players that go both ways. Both teams would be outstanding NorCal representatives for the Division I game. It's a question of Grant not losing any games for the second time in three years (including a huge win over Alta) vs. Bellarmine playing a stronger schedule overall with some star power players but also is a team with a loss.

Division I South
1. (1) Poly (Long Beach) 14-0
2. (2) Centennial (Corona) 14-0
3. (3) Tesoro (Las Flores) 13-1*
4. (4) Chaparral (Temecula) 12-2*
5. (5) Rancho Cucamonga 13-0-1
6. (6) Narbonne (Harbor City) 12-1-1
7. (7) San Pedro 12-1-1
8. (8) Lakewood 10-3*
9. (9) Mission Viejo 10-2*
10. (10) Clovis West (Fresno) 10-3
11. (11) La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 11-2
12. (13) Esperanza (Anaheim) 8-4*
13. (nr) Los Alamitos 8-3*
14. (14) Edison (Huntington Beach) 7-3*
15. (15) Saugus 9-4*
Others: A.B. Miller (Fontana) 11-1*, Buchanan (Clovis) 9-3*, Clovis East (Clovis) 9-4*, Escondido 10-3*, Los Alamitos 8-3*, Loyola (Los Angeles) 6-4*, Murrieta Valley (Murrieta) 9-4*, Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 10-2*, San Clemente 8-3*, Taft (Woodland Hills) 11-2*, Thousand Oaks 10-2*, Upland 11-3*.

Looking Deeper At Each Team/Selection
1. Long Beach Poly opened the season in Miami with a 32-7 win over Miami Northwestern, the consensus national No. 1 team from last year. That team is playing for its third straight Class 6A state title next weekend in Orlando. Poly also has a 12-7 win over St. Bonaventure, which is defending Div. III state champ and has lost only to Poly this year. In addition, Tesoro of Las Flores, Poly's opponent in the CIFSS Pac-Five Division final, was 13-0 and nationally-ranked.
2. Centennial is hoping to get into the CIF state bowl games for the second straight season and probably would like to take another crack at De La Salle, which defeated the Huskies, 38-31, a year ago in the Division I final. Centennial's key wins are over CIF Central Section Div. I champ Clovis West, CIFSS Pac-Five quarterfinalist Mater Dei and two wins over Chaparral of Temecula, which went 12-0 against the rest of its schedule. If Clovis West did not have three losses and if Mater Dei had done better in the Pac-Five playoffs, then Centennial's argument to be in front of Poly would have merit. Those results clearly broke in Poly's favor in the last few weeks.
3. Kudos to the other champions and co-champions in this division. There just isn't a comparison to make against Long Beach Poly and Centennial. And since the Jackrabbits have that win over St. Bonaventure, this also makes them the open division choice with Centennial as the top choice for the Division I bowl game.
4. A Poly-De La Salle Open Division matchup will bring up memories when the two schools played in 2001 when they were No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation. DLS won, 29-15, and there were six or seven players on the field who are now in the NFL.

Division II North
1. (1) Valley Christian (San Jose) 10-3*
2. (2) St. Mary's (Stockton) 12-2
3. (3) Casa Roble (Orangevale) 13-0
4. (4) Whitney (Rocklin) 12-0
5. (6) Encinal (Alameda) 13-0
6. (7) Inderkum (Sacramento) 11-2*
7. (8) Paradise 11-1
8. (5) Novato 11-3*
9. (nr) Sacred Heart Cathedral (SF) 8-5
10. (6) Campolindo (Moraga) 10-2*
Others: Castlemont (Oakland) 9-2-1, Escalon 11-1*, Las Lomas (Walnut Creek) 9-4*, Miramonte (Orinda) 10-3*, Pioneer (San Jose) 10-2*; Placer (Auburn) 9-4*.
Looking Deeper At Each Team/Selection
1. We would still have Valley Christian ahead of St. Mary's in the rankings due to comparative scores and performances in the two teams' game against D1 Bellarmine, but Valley Christian obviously isn't eligible due to losing in the CCS open division final to the Bells.
2. St. Mary's winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 1 title by 36-14 over Pleasant Grove, a D1 school, gives it the edge over Casa Roble, which won the Sac-Joaquin Section D3 title, 27-21, in overtime vs. Inderkum. Prior to beating Pleasant Grove, St. Mary's posted its second win over Lincoln of Stockton (also D1 and 10-0 vs. the rest of its schedule) and then beat Merced (also D1) on the road, 35-24. The Rams are led by Oregon State-bound QB Cody Vaz.
3. Casa Roble has been No. 2 overall behind Grant of Sacramento in the Sacramento Bee's rankings (ahead of Pleasant Grove) and the team is unbeaten compared to two losses for St. Mary's. From a strength of schedule standpoint, however, these Rams have not played any opponent similar to Lincoln, Merced or Pleasant Grove. One team they beat 35-0, Del Campo of Fair Oaks, did play Pleasant Grove and won by one point.
4. Whitney won the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. IV title, 35-14, over Placer of Auburn on Friday and also is unbeaten. Casa Roble beat the same team 42-27. While Casa is ranked higher by local media, the difference between these two teams might not be that much.
5. Last year's D2 bowl game rep from the north, Novato, was beaten by Encinal on Saturday night in the NCS Division III final, 35-28. The Jets ended the season unbeaten. They did not play a D1 school all season, though, so their candidacy to appear in the bowl game, especially compared to St. Mary's and Casa Roble, loses steam.
6. Paradise won its third Northern Section Division I title in the last four years. The team's only loss came in the first game to Pitman of Turlock, a D1 team from the Sac-Joaquin Section that went 7-3 but did not make the SJS D1 playoffs. Remember, St. Mary's won that section crown.

Division II South
1. (1) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 13-0
2. (2) Oceanside 12-0-1
3. (3) Lutheran (Orange) 10-3*
4. (4) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 11-1*
5. (6) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 8-4*
6. (7) Servite (Anaheim) 7-4*
7. (8) Tulare Union 13-0
8. (9) Citrus Hill (Perris) 14-0
9. (11) Charter Oak (Covina) 13-0-1
10. (10) Helix (La Mesa) 10-2-1*
11. (5) Moorpark 12-2*
12. (12) Bishop Amat (La Puente) 8-3*
13. (nr) La Habra 12-2
14. (nr) Crespi (Encino) 6-4*
15. (nr) Laguna Hills 13-0
Others: Alemany (Mission Hills) 11-2*, Atascadero 9-3*, Barstow 10-4*, El Diamante (Visalia) 11-2*, Edison (Fresno) 9-3*, Paso Robles 9-3*, St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 7-3*.
Looking Deeper At Each Team/Selection
1. Cathedral Catholic and Oceanside are about as close to being tied in the rankings as you can get. We don't have ties and since both teams won on Friday the rankings did not change heading into Selection Sunday.
2. The crux of the debate between these two is that Oceanside appears to be the more talented team and has played a stronger schedule, although perhaps not that much stronger and certainly not stronger compared to league foes, while at the same time having a tie on its record. That tie was 33-33 with Ramona, which did not make it out of the semifinals of the division in which Cathedral Catholic played in.
3. Oceanside has won five straight section titles and is the defending Division II bowl champ. The Pirates also have a 25-game unbeaten streak (not a winning streak, though, because of the tie).
4. Of the San Diego area media members we informally polled in the press box at Qualcomm Stadium after they watched both teams play, there was a slight edge for Cathedral Catholic, 5-4. Both correspondents we use for San Diego, who have combined for more than 50 years of experience in covering teams there, went with Cathedral Catholic.
5. Oceanside's perceived advantage in talent is mostly due to speed on the corners. Cathedral Catholic, however, has a bigger offensive line and has one player, RB Tyler Gaffney (section record 51 touchdowns), who would be the best player on the field if the two played.
6. There are some additional undefeated teams on the board in this division who all had outstanding seasons. So why aren't any of those teams considered serious contenders in addition to Cathedral Catholic and Oceanside? The answer is strength of schedule and local consensus in the rankings. Tulare Union, for example, despite being 13-0, is not considered locally to be a better team than Central Section Division I champ Clovis West even though CW has three losses. Cathedral Catholic and Oceanside, on the other hand, are considered the top two teams in the San Diego Section regardless of school size.

Division III North
1. (1) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 13-0
2. (2) Hilmar 12-1
3. (3) Central Catholic (Modesto) 11-2*
4. (4) Sutter 10-1
5. (5) Palma (Salinas) 8-3*
6. (6) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 9-3*
7. (7) Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) 11-1-1*
8. (8) West Valley (Cottonwood) 9-3*
9. (9) King's Academy (Sunnyvale) 10-1-1*
10. (nr) Justin-Siena (Napa) 9-4
Others: Carmel 8-2*, Colfax 6-4*, Menlo School (Atherton) 6-5*, Piedmont 7-3*, Willows 10-2*.
Looking Deeper At Each Team/Selection
1. Cardinal Newman defeated Central Catholic in its first game and then Central Catholic downed Sutter the following week. Cardinal Newman, which lost in overtime to heavily-favored Oaks Christian two years ago in the first CIF Division III state bowl game, also had to get past undefeated D1 school Clayton Valley of Concord, 17-7, on Saturday night to win the North Coast Section Div. II crown.
2. Hilmar lost to Central Catholic of Modesto, 23-7, when those teams played early in the season and then two weeks ago in the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. V final it was the Yellowjackets who came up with a stunning 17-6 triumph. Central Catholic had won 34 straight section playoff games and was going for its seventh straight section title. Hilmar does not have a win on its schedule equal to the wins that Cardinal Newman had in its playoff run against bigger schools, however, so that would give the Cardinals the edge in that comparison.

Division III South
1. (1) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 13-1
2. (2) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 14-0
3. (4) Bakersfield Christian 12-1
4. (3) Serra (Gardena) 13-1*
5. (6) Chowchilla 12-1
6. (5) Corcoran 12-1*
7. (7) Paraclete (Lancaster) 11-3
8. (8) Twentynine Palms 10-4*
9. (9) St. Joseph (Santa Maria) 10-2*
10. (10) Exeter 9-2*
Others: Bishop's (La Jolla) 7-7*, Coronado 9-3*, Fowler 10-2*, Harvard-Westlake (N. Hollywood) 8-3-1*, Maranatha (Sierra Madre) 11-2*, Morro Bay 8-5*, St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) 4-6*.
Looking Deeper At Top Teams/Selection
1. Just from looking at the teams in this division, you might think that Oaks Christian should be in the lead. The Lions handed Serra of Gardena, which was No. 3 all season in these rankings, a lopsided loss in Friday's CIFSS Northwest Division title game. They also are the only team to beat Bakersfield Christian, which won the Central Section Div. V title.
2. Looking at teams from outside this division, however, St. Bonaventure is a clear choice. The Seraphs' only loss is to CIFSS Pac-Five champion Long Beach Poly and by only 12-7. They also defeated D2 Crespi of Encino and in the CIFSS Northern Division playoffs (the same division three years ago that produced CIF state Div. I champ Canyon of Canyon Country) they cruised to wins of 38-14 over Newbury Park, 32-7 over Paso Robles, 35-8 vs. Saugus and then 42-7 in the final over Moorpark. Moorpark was 12-1 coming into that game with its first loss by just 17-14 to Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, which got as high as No. 3 overall in the state ratings.

Small Schools North
1. (1) Hamilton (Hamilton City) 10-2
2. (2) Modoc (Alturas) 12-0
3. (3) St. Vincent (Petaluma) 11-1
4. (4) Ferndale 10-1*
5. (5) Rio Vista 10-2*
Others: Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento) 10-2, Capital Christian (Sacramento) 5-6*, Fall River (McArthur) 10-2, Modesto Christian 9-2*, Portola 10-2*, St. Elizabeth (Oakland) 8-5*, Vacaville Christian 9-2*.
Looking Deeper At Top Teams/Selection
1. All three of the teams at the top are solid and would be worthy selections.
2. Hamilton is higher than Modoc in these rankings because it won its title in a higher division of the Northern Section and in its final beat a D3 school. One of Hamilton's losses was to D3 Menlo School of Atherton, 21-17, in a game the Braves led until two minutes left when Jerry Rice Jr. broke loose for a game-winning score. Menlo School also had a win over Justin-Siena of Napa (29-17) and Justin-Siena was the team that knocked off season-long rankings leader Ferndale in the North Coast Section Div. IV playoffs. Hamilton's other loss was by 8-6 to Quincy in a mud bowl. Quincy later lost to Portola and Hamilton beat Portola, 40-0. Modoc beat Portola, 33-10, in its section title game.
3. St. Vincent's only loss was by just 8-7 to Clear Lake. The Mustangs closed strong with a 30-6 win in the North Coast Section Division V playoffs. This is not as strong as Division IV, which is the division Ferndale was trying to win. The only touchdown St. Vincent gave up in its two playoff games was on an interception return. There's just not much in the way of comparative scores to go on to base a choice between St. Vincent and Hamilton and/or Modoc.
4. St. Vincent played in its title game two weeks ago. Hamilton and Modoc played on Thanksgiving. Reports indicate that Hamilton has been practicing in the hope it will be picked.
5. In close picks, it should be appropriate to look at previous season and tradition. Last year, Hamilton went 13-0 and won its section title. The other two main contenders lost in their section finals. Hamilton therefore has won two straight section titles compared to Modoc and St. Vincent, which have not.

Small Schools South
1. (1) St. Margaret's (SJ Capistrano) 14-0
2. (2) Parker (San Diego) 12-1
3. (4) Central Valley Christian (Visalia) 9-3*
4. (nr) Santa Clara (Oxnard) 9-2*
5. (5) Christian (El Cajon) 10-2*
Others: Aquinas (San Bernardino) 10-2*, Brentwood (Los Angeles) 10-2*, Linfield Christian (Temecula) 10-3*, Rio Hondo Prep (Arcadia) 10-3, Riverside Christian 12-2*, Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach) 6-5*.
Looking Deeper At Top Teams/Selection
1. This selection may take even longer than Division I. That's because there are two very deserving teams -- St. Margaret's of San Juan Capistrano and Francis Parker of San Diego.
2. Each has three strong arguments. Parker has played a much tougher schedule, was more impressive in its title game 51-22 win over The Bishop's School and has the best player on either team, junior quarterback Deon Randall, who passed for four TDs and rushed for three in that game. St. Margaret's counters with a better defense as the Tartans just fly to the ball and gang tackle, which was very apparent in their 17-3 win on Saturday night against Twentynine Palms.
3. St. Margaret's has an Orange County record 42 straight wins and sports a 14-0 record while Parker lost its opener to Division II Westview of San Diego, 27-24. Westview, however, finished 9-3 and its three losses were to teams that were 28-6-2.
4. St. Margaret's is led by head coach Harry Welch, who was the head coach in 2006 at Canyon of Canyon Country when it defeated De La Salle in the CIF Division I state bowl game. Welch is 28-0 since he arrived on campus.
5. There is the probability that a game involving Parker might be more high-scoring and entertaining compared to St. Margaret's, which is more defensive-minded.

Corrections or comments? Email mark@studentsports.com and be sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say.

Next edition will be done after midnight on Saturday, updated in time for CIF bowl game selection meeting the next morning.

By Mark Tennis, Ronnie Flores & Steve Brand

This is the 30th year in which CalHiSports.com has been providing weekly state rankings. At the end of the season, we will be releasing final rankings according to our traditional five divisions based on league and playoff strength. Check this site on Wednesdays during the current season for updates.
*Indicates team's season is over and will not be eligible for bowl game consideration.
**Indicates team has won section title and is now eligible for bowl game consideration.

Division I North
1. (1) De La Salle (Concord) 11-1
2. (2) Grant (Sacramento) 13-0**
3. (3) Bellarmine Prep (San Jose) 12-1**
4. (5) Pittsburg 11-1
5. (4) Oak Grove (San Jose) 11-1*
6. (6) Junipero Serra (San Mateo) 8-4*
7. (7) Foothill (Pleasanton) 9-3*
8. (nr) Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 11-2
9. (nr) Lincoln (Stockton) 10-2*
10. (9) San Ramon Valley (Danville) 8-4*
Others: California (San Ramon) 7-5*, Clayton Valley (Concord) 12-0, Freedom (Oakley) 10-2*, Granite Bay 9-2*, Laguna Creek (Elk Grove) 9-4*, Merced 11-2*, Monte Vista (Danville) 8-3*, North Salinas (Salinas) 9-2.*
Rundown: You couldn't blame Grant followers for having a sense of déjà vu as they pull for De La Salle of Concord to stumble Friday night when the Spartans play Pittsburg for the North Coast Section Division I title. Two years ago Grant thought it had a good case for going to the inaugural State Bowl Championship Division I game but most everyone else agreed De La Salle was the better team. Now there are three Division I teams in the mix for two spots but only one Grant is unbeaten. Then you get into difficulty of schedule, always a fun argument. Just how good was that Alta team from Sandy, Utah that finished 13-1? Better than 11-1 Don Bosco Prep of New Jersey, which beat De La Salle by two points? Probably not. Better than Serra of San Mateo, which beat Bellarmine? Probably. A De La Salle loss to Pittsburg would get Pirates fans excited but the loss to Danville's Monte Vista dooms that thought. Having an Open division was supposed to make these decisions easier, wasn't it?

Division I South
1. (1) Poly (Long Beach) 13-0
2. (2) Centennial (Corona) 13-0
3. (3) Tesoro (Las Flores) 13-0
4. (4) Chaparral (Temecula) 12-1
5. (6) Rancho Cucamonga 12-0-1
6. (7) Narbonne (Harbor City) 12-1
7. (11) San Pedro 12-1
8. (5) Lakewood 10-3*
9. (8) Mission Viejo 10-2*
10. (9) Clovis West (Fresno) 10-3**
11. (nr) La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 10-2
12. (nr) Upland 11-2
13. (15) Esperanza (Anaheim) 8-4*
14. (nr) Edison (Huntington Beach) 7-3*
15. (10) Saugus 9-4*
Others: A.B. Miller (Fontana) 11-1*, Buchanan (Clovis) 9-3*, Clovis East (Clovis) 9-4*, Escondido 10-2, Los Alamitos 8-3*, Loyola (Los Angeles) 6-4*, Murrieta Valley (Murrieta) 9-4*, Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 10-2*, San Clemente 8-3*, Taft (Woodland Hills) 11-2*, Thousand Oaks 10-2*.
Rundown: Take a peek at the bowl game scenario in Div. I North and just replace De La Salle, Grant and Bellarmine with Poly, Centennial and hard-charging Tesoro. Tesoro's impressive 42-14 dismantling of then Div. II South front-runner Orange Lutheran makes the Titans a strong candidate in this division should they knock off Long Beach Poly. The joy in this division, unlike the North, is that two of the teams in the debate will actually play each other so only one would be bowl eligible, which means one of the aforementioned teams will likely be the open division selection with the other sliding to this game. Poly has been No. 1 in this division from the beginning, and although the Jackrabbits haven't buried quality opponents, they haven't lost a game, either. With a win in Saturday's Pac-Five Division final, Poly would have the strongest credentials for the open division and Centennial would likely make a return trip to the Div. I game. Should Tesoro upset the Jackrabbits, Centennial is not as clear a choice for the open division game because Tesoro would have clearly beaten a tougher slate of playoff opponents. If No. 4 Chaparral upsets Centennial in the CIFSS Inland Division title game, the Pumas would then likely grab the Division I slot with the Poly-Tesoro winner in the open.

Division II North
1. (1) Valley Christian (San Jose) 10-3*
2. (3) St. Mary's (Stockton) 11-2
3. (2) Casa Roble (Orangevale) 13-0**
4. (4) Whitney (Rocklin) 12-0
5. (5) Novato 11-2
6. (10) Encinal (Alameda) 12-0
7. (7) Inderkum (Sacramento) 11-2*
8. (8) Paradise 11-1**
9. (nr) Sacred Heart Cathedral (SF) 8-5**
10. (6) Campolindo (Moraga) 10-2*
Others: Escalon 11-1*, Las Lomas (Walnut Creek) 9-4*, Miramonte (Orinda) 10-3*, Pioneer (San Jose) 10-2*; Placer (Auburn) 9-3.
Rundown: Even though Valley Christian lost to Bellarmine and is not eligible for the CIF bowls, the Warriors are still the No. 1-ranked team in this division because two of the losses were to Bellarmine and they put up huge wins over Serra and Oak Grove. This brings it down to either St. Mary's or Casa Roble. St. Mary's still has one more game to play with a matchup on Saturday afternoon at the University of Pacific against Division I Pleasant Grove for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title. If the Rams win, that would complete an impressive three-week run of wins against Lincoln of Stockton, Merced and then Pleasant Grove. Casa Roble stamped its ticket to the selection meeting with a 27-21 win over Inderkum in the Sac-Joaquin Division III final. That game went into overtime, though, which doesn't help in a possible comparison at the end with the Division I champ. Casa Roble, which has been the Sacramento Bee's No. 2-ranked team overall behind Grant since Granite Bay was upset by Roseville, does have a strong enough resume to be clearly in front of Whitney should it win the section Div. IV title this weekend, or Paradise out of the Northern Section or whoever wins between Novato and Encinal in the North Coast Section Div. III final.

Division II South
1. (3) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 12-0
2. (4) Oceanside 11-0-1
3. (1) Lutheran (Orange) 10-3*
4. (2) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 11-1*
5. (5) Moorpark 12-1
6. (7) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 8-4*
7. (8) Servite (Anaheim) 7-4*
8. (9) Tulare Union 12-0
9. (10) Citrus Hill (Perris) 13-0
10. (11) Helix (La Mesa) 10-1-1
11. (15) Charter Oak (Covina) 12-0-1
12. (12) Bishop Amat (La Puente) 8-3*
13. (14) Atascadero 9-3*
14. (nr) Paso Robles 9-3*
15. (nr) El Diamante (Visalia) 11-1
Others: Alemany (Mission Hills) 11-2*, Barstow 10-3, Crespi (Encino) 6-4*, Edison (Fresno) 9-3*, Hanford 11-1, Laguna Hills 12-0, St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 7-3*.
Rundown: For the second consecutive season, San Diego Section teams have watched as talented Southern Section teams have beat each other up in the CIFSS Pac-Five Division to the point where the boys down South now hold the top two spots in this division heading into their title games Friday at Qualcomm Stadium. When previous No. 1 Lutheran of Orange got hammered by Div. I South contender Tesoro of Las Flores, 42-14, in the CIFSS Pac-5 semifinals, it allowed both Cathedral Catholic and defending CIF Div. II state champion Oceanside to catapult their way to the top of these ratings above Lutheran and the Notre Dame team Lutheran had previously defeated in the quarterfinals. Unless top-ranked Cathedral stumbles to Valhalla of El Cajon in the CIFSDS Div. III title game, the Dons continue to hold a slight edge on Oceanside because of the Pirates' still unbelievable tie with Ramona in the last game of the regular season. Oceanside may well be the better team, but since the two do not play in the same division within the San Diego Section playoffs, the only thing other than a loss to separate the two is that tie. Both teams playing back-to-back at Qualcomm, though, could be a boost to Oceanside. The Pirates are playing a stronger Helix team in their game and they have the talent to impress the many media onlookers, other coaches and section commissioner Dennis Ackerman. If both teams win Friday and Oceanside is the pick by a majority of those watching, the Pirates also may be the pick on Sunday. The one thing that might make the pick in this division even more sticky is if No. 5 Moorpark were to upset St. Bonaventure of Ventura, the top-rated Div. III South program, in the CIFSS Northern Division finals. Is a Southern Section divisional champ with only a three-point loss to No. 4 Notre Dame more impressive than an undefeated Central Catholic or a once-tied defending state Div. II champion?

Division III North
1. (1) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 12-0
2. (7) Hilmar 12-1**
3. (2) Central Catholic (Modesto) 11-2*
4. (3) Sutter 10-1**
5. (4) Palma (Salinas) 8-3*
6. (5) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 9-3*
7. (6) Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) 11-1-1*
8. (8) West Valley (Cottonwood) 9-3*
9. (9) King's Academy (Sunnyvale) 10-1-1*
10. (nr) Justin-Siena (Napa) 9-4**
Others: Carmel 8-2*, Colfax 6-4, Menlo School (Atherton) 6-5*, Piedmont 7-3*, Willows 10-2*.
Rundown: Hilmar's 17-6 victory over Central Catholic of Modesto not only avenged an earlier loss, it gave the Yellowjackets the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V title and perfect positioning if Cardinal Newman were to stumble in the North Coast Section title game against Clayton Valley Saturday night at Santa Rosa. While that seems unlikely and the odds favor the Cardinals to secure the Northern California bid in this division, Clayton Valley is a solid squad in its own right with a 12-0 record and a coach in Herc Pardi who is still the last from Northern California with a win against De La Salle. Central Catholic's dominance in the Sac-Joaquin Section has been almost as dominant as the Raiders had won 34 straight section playoff games until Hilmar's huge effort. Since Central Catholic has a win over Sutter, Hilmar also logically has to be ahead of Sutter in the rankings. From the CIF's standpoint and no disrespect to Hilmar for what it just did, a Division III state bowl game between the Yellowjackets and St. Bonaventure wouldn't be pretty.

Division III South
1. (1) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 12-1
2. (2) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 13-0
3. (3) Serra (Gardena) 13-0
4. (4) Bakersfield Christian 11-1
5. (5) Corcoran 12-0
6. (6) Chowchilla 11-1
7. (7) Paraclete (Lancaster) 10-3
8. (8) Twentynine Palms 10-3
9. (9) St. Joseph (Santa Maria) 10-2*
10. (10) Exeter 9-2*
Others: Bishop's (La Jolla) 7-6, Coronado 9-3*, Fowler 10-2*, Harvard-Westlake (N. Hollywood) 8-3-1*, Maranatha (Sierra Madre) 11-2*, Morro Bay 8-5*, St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) 4-6*.
Rundown: The section title games involving top-ranked St. Bonaventure, No. 2 Oaks Christian and No. 5 Corcoran are really good matchups and should help make this division crystal clear heading into the CIF commissioners selection meeting Sunday morning. St. Bonaventure's lone loss was to overall state No. 1 Long Beach Poly and the Seraphs have a tough final against Moorpark. Remember, Moorpark's only loss was to Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, so a win over the Musketeers should be enough to send the Seraphs to the Div. III bowl game for the second consecutive season. Oaks Christian gets No. 3 Serra of Gardena, a team that is looking for some respect after rolling through its schedule, although the Cavaliers did need to pull out all the stops in a semifinal win over El Segundo. A win over the Lions and Serra will move up at least one spot in the final ratings and would then have to be seriously considered for the bowl game in this division. With St. Bonaventure and Serra not having any common opponents, it's one of those scenarios where you have to check both teams out in person. The CIFSS Northwest Division final might also decide who is the state junior of the year between Serra's Robert Woods and Oaks Christian's Malcolm Jones, although Notre Dame's Ryan Kasdorf was the leader in the clubhouse before the playoffs.

Small Schools North
1. (1) Hamilton (Hamilton City) 10-2**
2. (2) Modoc (Alturas) 12-0**
3. (3) St. Vincent (Petaluma) 11-1**
4. (4) Ferndale 10-1*
5. (nr) Rio Vista 10-2*
Others: Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento) 10-2**, Capital Christian (Sacramento) 5-6*, Fall River (McArthur) 10-2**, Modesto Christian 9-2*, Portola 10-2*, St. Elizabeth (Oakland) 8-5*, Vacaville Christian 9-2*.
Rundown: The CIF commissioners can start deliberating over this one already as no games will be played this week involving these teams. The eligible teams are Hamilton, Modoc, Fall River, Bradshaw Christian and St. Vincent. Fall River has a head-to-head loss to Modoc and Bradshaw Christian won its title under controversial circumstances so those two would be cut first. Modoc is the only unbeaten among the group, but Hamilton is from a higher and tougher playoff division in the Northern Section and one of Hamilton's losses is to a Div. III school. St. Vincent improved its chances with a 30-6 win last Saturday over St. Elizabeth in the North Coast Section Div. V final. If St. Vincent was unbeaten, it would be going to Carson. It's unclear if a strength of schedule argument for the Mustangs will work, but it might. Any one of the three teams at the top could go and the pick could be defended. The problem for the CIF is that any one of the three is going to be a huge underdog against potentially St. Margaret's or Parker of San Diego in the actual bowl game. St. Vincent at least played last weekend while the two Northern Section teams haven't played since Thanksgiving. Another factor is that the Northern Section has yet to have a team in any bowl game and by the time the commissioners vote the NCS already probably will have had De La Salle and Cardinal Newman selected. St. Vincent would be its third.

Small Schools South
1. (1) St. Margaret's (SJ Capistrano) 13-0
2. (2) Parker (San Diego) 11-1
3. (4) Central Valley Christian (Visalia) 9-3*
4. (nr) Riverside Christian 12-1
5. (4) Christian (El Cajon) 10-2*
Others: Aquinas (San Bernardino) 10-2*, Brentwood (Los Angeles) 10-2*, Linfield Christian (Temecula) 10-3*, Rio Hondo Prep (Arcadia) 9-3, Santa Clara (Oxnard) 9-2*, Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach) 6-5*.
Rundown: As if St. Margaret's doesn't have enough incentive against dangerous Twentynine Palms in the CIFSS East Valley Division championship Saturday night at home, the Tartans will be gunning for the Orange County win streak record after equaling the 41 straight by Mission Viejo last week. This division would be a lock if St. Margaret's played a stronger schecule (hint for next year). Parker's lone loss was in the season-opener to a Division II school. Parker plays in a quality league and if you need a score comparison, St. Margaret's beat Army-Navy 41-0 and Parker is coming off a 63-7 victory over Army-Navy. Not much there, either. Both teams play tough opponents Saturday, St. Margaret's a Division III school in Twentynine Palms and Parker a surging Bishop's (La Jolla) club that it beat only 31-23 midway through the season when Bishop's was struggling. Parker's opponents have posted a 74-60 record this year while St. Margaret's are 66-78. We've had St. Margaret's higher in these rankings all year, but if Parker puts on a show in its next game, this one could easily flip.

Comments or corrections? Email mark@studentsports.com and make sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say.

By Mark Tennis, Ronnie Flores & Steve Brand

This is the 30th year in which CalHiSports.com has been providing weekly state rankings. At the end of the season, we will be releasing final rankings according to our traditional five divisions based on league and playoff strength. Check this site on Wednesdays during the current season for updates.
*Indicates team's season is over and will not be eligible for bowl game consideration.
**Indicates team has won section title and is now eligible for bowl game consideration.
    
Division I North
1. (1) De La Salle (Concord) 10-1
2. (3) Grant (Sacramento) 11-0
3. (4) Bellarmine Prep (San Jose) 11-1
4. (2) Oak Grove (San Jose) 11-1*
5. (7) Pittsburg 10-1
6. (5) Junipero Serra (San Mateo) 8-4*
7. (8) Foothill (Pleasanton) 9-2
8. (9) Merced 11-1
9. (nr) San Ramon Valley (Danville) 8-3
10. (6) Monte Vista (Danville) 8-3*
Others: California (San Ramon) 7-5*, Freedom (Oakley) 10-2*, Granite Bay 9-2*, Laguna Creek (Elk Grove) 9-3, Lincoln (Stockton) 10-2*, North Salinas (Salinas) 9-2*, Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 10-2.
Rundown: De La Salle, Grant, Bellarmine Prep. The three front-runners for the Northern California Open and Division I State Championship Bowl berths will be squaring off against teams they have already beaten this weekend and for two of them it will be for a section title. If Grant can repeat or even better its 35-13 win over Burbank of Sacramento Friday in the Sac-Joaquin Division II championships at Folsom High and Bellarmine Prep can stop a Valley Christian team it edged earlier, 27-16, in Friday's Central Coast Open Division championship at San Jose City College, the two will conclude their seasons and turn their attention to De La Salle. The Spartans host Foothill of Pleasanton, a team they crushed 63-7 in East Bay Athletic League play, but still have a North Coast Section Division I title match Dec. 12 at Dublin High. If all three win out, one will end up on the outside looking in when bowl berths are determined Dec. 14. Bellarmine Prep's 25-7 victory in the grudge game against Junipero Serra of San Mateo last week puts the Bells right back into the big picture. Keep an eye on Pitt as well. The Pirates could be the ones to play DLS in that NCS final and if they were to pull off the upset they'd be bowl eligible with just one loss and that loss came on a last-second field goal to Monte Vista of Danville.

Division I South
1. (1) Poly (Long Beach) 12-0
2. (2) Centennial (Corona) 12-0
3. (3) Tesoro (Las Flores) 12-0
4. (4) Chaparral (Temecula) 11-1
5. (nr) Lakewood 10-2
6. (8) Rancho Cucamonga 11-0-1
7. (9) Narbonne (Harbor City) 11-1
8. (6) Mission Viejo 10-2*
9. (13) Clovis West (Fresno) 9-3
10. (nr) Saugus 9-3
11. (14) San Pedro 11-1
12. (nr) Murrieta Valley (Murrieta) 9-3
13. (nr) Clovis East (Clovis) 9-3
14. (5)  A.B. Miller (Fontana) 11-1*
15. (12) Esperanza (Anaheim) 8-4*
Others: Buchanan (Clovis) 9-3*, Edison (Huntington Beach) 7-3*, La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 9-2, Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga) 10-2, Los Alamitos 8-3*, Loyola (Los Angeles) 6-4*, Norco 8-4, Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 10-2*, San Clemente 8-3*, Taft (Woodland Hills) 11-1, Thousand Oaks 10-2*.
Rundown: Fast-rising Lakewood is making a nice late-season run and gets another shot at top-ranked Long Beach Poly after losing to the Jackrabbits, 32-15, during Moore League play. The Lancers are clearly a spoiler with not much hope for a bowl bid because while their above record indicates what they have accomplished on the field, the Lancers have four forfeit losses which the CIF section commissioners would not overlook. Still, it should be fun Friday because Lakewood has the home field advantage and Poly certainly isn't rolling over its opponents in the post-season. The other Pac-5 game is for the unofficial Orange County championship. Unbeaten Tesoro of Las Flores, which is new to this level of playoff pressure, must travel to the Santa Ana Bowl to play a Lutheran crew that won the first state Division II Bowl Championship two years ago and is coming off a huge 24-14 win over Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks at the same venue. That win was so impressive, the Lancers leapfrogged Cathedral Catholic of San Diego into the driver's seat in Div. II South and should Tesoro win out No. 2 Centennial will have to look awfully impressive in the CIFSS Inland Division playoffs to hold off the Titans.

Division II North
1. (2) Valley Christian (San Jose) 10-2
2. (1) Casa Roble (Orangevale) 12-0
3. (3) St. Mary's (Stockton) 10-2
4. (4) Whitney (Rocklin) 11-0
5. (5) Novato 10-2
6. (6) Campolindo (Moraga) 10-1
7. (7) Inderkum (Sacramento) 11-1
8. (8) Paradise 11-1**
9. (9) Miramonte (Orinda) 10-2
10. (10) Encinal (Alameda) 11-0
Others: Dixon 9-2, Escalon 11-1*, Las Lomas (Walnut Creek) 9-3, Pioneer (San Jose) 10-2*; Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco) 7-5.
Rundown: In both Division II races, teams jumped others that won. Here's how that works while the state is adamant that they will not count margin of victory, that applies if one team rolls up a score on another. However, if one team scores an impressive win, like Valley Christian of San Jose edging previous Division I No. 2 Oak Grove, 23-20, and the No. 1 team does not play as strong an opponent, movement can, and does, happen. The stay, however, could be short as Valley Christian seeks to reverse a 27-16 loss to Bellarmine Prep Friday night at San Jose CC in the Central Coast Section Open championships. Casa Roble won't have it easy against No. 7 Inderkum in the Sac-Joaquin Division III championships Saturday afternoon at Oakmont High. Still, if Valley Christian beats Bellarmine, it's hard to see how any other team can get this berth. Even if St. Mary's of Stockton were to win the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I title, the Rams would clearly be behind Valley Christian due to the common opponent factor involving Bellarmine. With a Valley Christian loss and a St. Mary's title, though, the pick between St. Mary's and Casa Roble could then potentially get real interesting. It's not as clear-cut as Casa Roble vs. Valley Christian, but from strength of schedule standpoint St. Mary's might have slight edge. Now it has been a month since any team in this division's Top 10 has lost. That ends this week because teams will be playing each other but it must be some kind of record. We also have to mention Sacred Heart Cathedral, which won a coin flip at 5-5 in the regular season to get into the CCS small school division. Why a team from the West Catholic Athletic League got put into any small school division is a mystery, but the Irish so far have rolled through that division and play Sacred Heart Prep of Atherton in the final. If the Irish win, as expected, they would become bowl eligible in this division and they are the other team besides Bellarmine to pin a loss against Valley Christian. It's possible the section commissioners could go strictly by their head-to-head criteria and would then pick Sacred Heart Cathedral possibly ahead of Valley Christian. That, of course, would be hard to believe, similar to Oregon State still being able to go to the Rose Bowl because of its head-to-head win over USC. That's because Rose Bowl berths and CIF bowl berths have and should have league standings as even more of a criteria than head-to-head. While SHC did beat Valley Christian, the Irish also got rocked three times in league play and finished behind the Warriors in final league standings.

Division II South
1. (3) Lutheran (Orange) 10-2
2. (1) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 11-1*
3. (2) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 11-0
4. (4) Oceanside 10-0-1
5. (5) Moorpark 11-1
6. (7) Alemany (Mission Hills) 11-1
7. (6) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 8-4*
8. (8) Servite (Anaheim) 7-4*
9. (9) Tulare Union 12-0
10. (10) Citrus Hill (Perris) 12-0
11. (13) Helix (La Mesa) 9-1-1
12. (12) Bishop Amat (La Puente) 8-3*
13. (14) Edison (Fresno) 9-2
14. (11) Atascadero 9-3*
15.  (nr) Charter Oak (Covina) 11-0-1
Others: Barstow 9-3, Crespi (Encino) 6-4*, El Diamante (Visalia) 10-1, Hanford 10-1, Laguna Hills 11-0, Paso Robles 9-3*, St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 7-3*.
Rundown: The noise you hear are the Cathedral Catholic of San Diego faithful wondering how the Dons could beat Point Loma of San Diego, a team they pounded for the section title a year ago, 20-14, and not only not take over the No. 1 spot, but drop one position. The answer is relatively easy as Lutheran of Orange scored an impressive 24-14 win over front-running and previously unbeaten Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, a team rated as high as No. 2 in the nation in some polls. Notre Dame, in turn, didn't lose big enough to drop very far, so for this week the Knights are ranked in front of Cathedral but of course are no longer bowl eligible as noted. This week, Div. I South contender Tesoro has a couple thousand new fans as Cathedral would love to see Lutheran fall to the Las Flores school in an all-Orange County Pac-5 showdown. Although Lutheran is ahead of Cathedral Catholic this week, winning its last two games to become bowl eligible will be a very difficult task and should they accomplish that, the Lancers overall resume would be very strong despite losses to Bishop Amat of La Puente and Servite of Anaheim during the regular season. In its own backyard, Cathedral has Oceanside looking very strong again after blanking a talented Lincoln of San Diego team, 41-0. When the Pirates suffered their tie against Ramona, the reason it looked like Cathedral Catholic might have the edge is because the Dons might have been able to post a win over Ramona in the playoffs. That now won't happen since Ramona lost last week. Throw in the 41-0 and 20-14 scores from last week and the Oceanside vs. Cathedral Catholic debate may have flipped among many in San Diego toward the Pirates.

Division III North
1. (1) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 11-0
2. (2) Central Catholic (Modesto) 11-1
3. (3) Sutter 10-1**
4. (4) Palma (Salinas) 8-3*
5. (5) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 9-2
6. (7) Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) 11-0-1
7. (9) Hilmar 11-1
8. (6) West Valley (Cottonwood) 9-3*
9. (8) King's Academy (Sunnyvale) 10-1-1*
10. (10) Carmel 8-2*
Others: Colfax 6-4*, Justin-Siena (Napa) 8-4, Menlo School (Atherton) 6-5*, Piedmont 7-3*, Willows 10-2*.
Rundown: It was a strong win of 38-6 by Central Catholic of Modesto over highly-regarded Division II Escalon, but barring a Cardinal Newman loss to either Campolindo of Moraga Friday in the North Coast Section Division II semifinals or in the championship game, the Cardinals would appear to be a lock to be going back to Carson for the second time in three years. The commissioners should thank their lucky stars that Central Catholic and Cardinal Newman play each other every season. Also, congratulations to retiring Sutter head coach Scott Turner, who goes out after a 12-7 win over West Valley in the Northern Section Div. II final. It's not completely official that Turner has coached his last game, but the odds of both Cardinal Newman and Central Catholic losing in the next two weeks are about the same as the Earth being hit by an asteroid.

Division III South
1. (1) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 11-1
2. (2) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 12-0
3. (3) Serra (Gardena) 12-0
4. (4) Bakersfield Christian 10-1
5. (7) Corcoran 11-0
6. (9) Chowchilla 10-1
7. (10) Paraclete (Lancaster) 9-3
8.  (nr) Twentynine Palms 9-3
9.  (6)  St. Joseph (Santa Maria) 10-2*
10. (nr) Fowler 10-1
Others: Coronado 9-2, Exeter 9-2*, Harvard-Westlake (N. Hollywood) 8-3-1*, Maranatha (Sierra Madre) 11-1, Morro Bay 8-4, St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) 4-6*.
Rundown: The CIF commissioners are going to have real fun with this division. Remember, St. Bonaventure¹s only loss was to overall state No. 1 Long Beach Poly, 12-7, and the Jackrabbits have positioned themselves for a berth in the Open or Div. I bowl game. Season-long No. 2 Oaks Christian had hoped Poly would drop another game or lose early in the CIFSS Pac-5 playoffs, taking some glimmer off the Seraphs' close loss. And what about Serra of Gardena? If it can defeat Oaks Christian in the CIFSS Northwest Division title game they too would have a strong resume, especially if Taft of Woodland Hills advances to the L.A. City Section title game. There still is potentially two big games to be played by the above-mentioned teams so these bowl game scenarios still need to be played out.
    
Small Schools North
1. (2) Hamilton (Hamilton City) 10-2**
2. (3) Modoc (Alturas) 12-0**
3. (4) St. Vincent (Petaluma) 10-1
4. (1) Ferndale 10-1
5. (nr) St. Elizabeth (Oakland) 8-4
Others: Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento) 10-2**, Capital Christian (Sacramento) 5-6*, Fall River (McArthur) 10-2*, Modesto Christian 9-2*, Portola 10-2*, Rio Vista 10-2*, Vacaville Christian 9-2*.
Rundown: Eight weeks ago, Hamilton of Hamilton City lost its second game of the season and dropped out of the elite Top 5. But the Braves won their last seven, including the 21-14 overtime victory over Willows for the Northern Section Div. III title on Thanksgiving Day, and now will have to wait to see if they get that Northern California Small School bid. Modoc, of the same section, has a pretty good argument, too, as these Braves beat Fall River of McArthur during the regular season and Fall River went on to win the Northern Division V title. Hamilton would seem to have a strength of schedule edge and a slight edge looking at common opponents Mt. Shasta and Portola. We also like the fact that Hamilton played Menlo School of Atherton to a 21-17 loss compared to a 29-17 loss that Justin-Siena of Napa had against the same team. Justin-Siena, which plays in the same league as Novato and Marin Catholic, was the team that just knocked off front-running small school Ferndale in the North Coast Section Division IV playoffs. Even fast-finishing St. Vincent of Petaluma could make an argument if it beats St. Elizabeth in the North Coast Section title game this week.

Small Schools South
1.    (1.) St. Margaret's (San Juan Capistrano) 12-0
2.    (2.) Francis Parker (San Diego) 10-1
3.    (4.) Central Valley Christian (Visalia) 9-2
4.    (5) Christian (El Cajon) 10-1
5.    (nr) Mission Prep (San Luis Obispo) 9-1
Others: Aquinas (San Bernardino) 10-2*, Brentwood (Los Angeles) 10-2*, Linfield Christian (Temecula) 10-2, Rio Hondo Prep (Arcadia) 8-3, Santa Clara (Oxnard) 9-2*, Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach) 6-5*.
Rundown: Top-ranked St. Margaret's has been running roughshod over every opponent, so the rest of this division can take heart after Yucca Valley played the Tartans fairly close before falling, 17-6, in the CIFSS East Valley Division playoffs. When the playoffs started, many thought Aquinas of San Bernardino would be the team to challenge Harry Welch's club, but Div. III South club Twentynine Palms' 40-0 rout of the Falcons suddenly thrusts the Wildcats into the spoiler role in the East Valley Division. First up for St. Margaret's will be a strong Maranatha of Sierra Madre team this Friday. Looking ahead, a highly anticipated rematch between Parker and Christian of El Cajon would take place in the CIFSDS Div. V finals should both win semifinal games this week. Parker would have a strong resume with two more wins, but St. Margaret's would break the Orange County record of 41 consecutive victories should it win its division title so it will be a close call in this division.

Comments or corrections? Email mark@studentsports.com and make sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say.

By Mark Tennis, Ronnie Flores & Steve Brand

This is the 30th year in which CalHiSports.com has been providing weekly state rankings. At the end of the season, we will be releasing final rankings according to our traditional five divisions based on league and playoff strength. Check this site on Wednesdays during the current season for updates.
*Indicates team's season is over and will not be eligible for bowl game consideration.
    
Division I North
1. (1) De La Salle (Concord) 9-1
2. (2) Oak Grove (San Jose) 11-0
3. (3) Grant (Sacramento) 10-0
4. (4) Bellarmine (San Jose) 10-1
5. (5) Junipero Serra (San Mateo) 8-3
6. (6) Monte Vista (Danville) 8-2
7. (7) Pittsburg 9-1
8. (8) Foothill (Pleasanton) 8-2
9. (9) Merced 10-1
10. (nr) Lincoln (Stockton) 10-1
Others: California (San Ramon) 7-4, Freedom (Oakley) 10-1, Granite Bay 9-2*, Napa 10-1, Nevada Union (Grass Valley) 10-1, North Salinas (Salinas) 9-2*, San Ramon Valley (Danville) 8-3.
Rundown: You can't have much movement when four of the Top 10 don't play and only No. 10 loses. Lincoln of Stockton goes back into the top 10 after scoring 56 in iis Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I playoff opener. This week, the Trojans also will get a chance to avenge their only loss, which was to St. Mary's of Stockton in week four. All eyes, meanwhile, will be on the Central Coast Section Open Division rematch between Bellarmine Prep and Junipero Serra Saturday night at San Jose City College. In Week 7, the Padres stunned the then-No. 1 Bells, 31-28, at the exact same venue. Bellarmine has worked its way back to No. 4 with Serra right behind at No. 5 and both still have hopes for the Northern California Division I bid. No. 2 Oak Grove (San Jose) meets Division II No. 3 Valley Christian (San Jose) Friday night at San Jose City College heading into next weekend's championship.

Division I South
1. (1) Poly (Long Beach) 11-0
2. (2) Centennial (Corona) 11-0
3. (3) Tesoro (Las Flores) 11-0
4. (4) Chaparral (Temecula) 10-1
5. (5) A.B. Miller (Fontana) 11-0
6. (6) Mission Viejo 10-1
7. (8) Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 10-1
8. (9) Rancho Cucamonga 10-0-1
9. (10) Narbonne (Harbor City) 10-1
10. (11) Thousand Oaks 10-1
11. (13) Buchanan (Clovis) 9-2
12. (14) Esperanza (Anaheim) 8-3
13.  (nr) Clovis West (Fresno) 8-3
14. (15) San Pedro 10-1
15.  (nr) Bullard (Fresno) 9-2
Others: Clovis East (Clovis) 8-3, Edison (Huntington Beach) 7-3*, La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 8-2, Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga) 9-2, Los Alamitos 8-3*, Loyola (Los Angeles) 6-4*, San Clemente 8-3*, Taft (Woodland Hills) 10-1, Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) 9-2.
Rundown: In the CIF Southern Section and L.A. City Section, the top-seeded teams do not receive byes as playoff brackets consist of 16 teams. With two exceptions, things played out as expected in this division last weekend. Norco¹s 19-9 win over previously unbeaten and No. 7 Rancho Verde of Moreno Valley in the CIFSS Inland Division playoffs was more of a stunner than Westlake of Westlake Village edging Oxnard, 36-35, in the Northern Division. The Yellowjackets finished the regular season 10-0 but only one non-league team they played finished with a record above .500 and their league wasn't too strong, either. Now the real fun begins in this division as the competition heats up in the quarterfinal round for many ranked teams. Some pundits would like to see Centennial of Corona and perhaps even Tesoro of Las Flores get consideration to move up past season-long front-runner Poly of Long Beach, which struggled to get past Bishop Amat of La Puente in its CIFSS Pac-5 Division playoff opener. Amat, however, was an extremely tough opening round opponent; one which had been in the Div. II South ratings all season. More so, Poly's victories over defending mythical national champion Miami Northwestern on the road and Div. III South front-runner St. Bonaventure are more impressive than any win Centennial and Tesoro have on their resume so hopping the Jackrabbits is not yet justified in these ratings. Besides, Poly could play Tesoro in the CIFSS Pac-Five finals.

Division II North
1. (1) Casa Roble (Orangevale) 11-0
2. (3) Valley Christian (San Jose) 9-2
3. (2) St. Mary's (Stockton) 9-2
4. (4) Whitney (Rocklin) 11-0
5. (5) Novato 9-2
6. (6) Campolindo (Moraga) 9-1
7. (7) Inderkum (Sacramento) 10-1
8. (8) Paradise 10-1
9. (9) Miramonte (Orinda) 9-2
10. (10) Encinal (Alameda) 10-0
Others: Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 10-1, Dixon 9-2, Escalon 11-0, Pioneer (San Jose) 10-1.
Rundown: Make that three straight weeks all of the top 10 teams in this division have won or didn't play. And even if they all win next week again, there could be movement at the top because that would mean that Valley Christian (San Jose) upset Division I Oak Grove in the Central Coast Secton Open Division semifinals. This week, we already made the switch to Valley Christian ahead of St. Mary's after VC beat 9-1 North Salinas last Friday. The Warriors also have a win against San Mateo Serra. If they win the CCS open division crown, as we've said many times before, it will be very tough for them not to get the Div. II bowl bid no matter what Casa Roble and St. Mary's do. The strength of schedule in that open division is that important. The Oak Grove-Valley Christian game will be played Friday night at San Jose City College as fans in that area get to see both semis since they're played on different nights. The state's first titlist will be determined Thanksgiving night when No. 8 Paradise hosts Shasta (9-2) in one of six traditional Northern Section title games. When the two collided earlier during Eastern League play, Paradise won 27-19. Obviously, weather is why that section finishes so early. A new team on the bubble to watch is Pioneer of San Jose, which is 10-1 and has lost only to Oak Grove. The Mustangs don't have much in terms of quality wins, but they could win the CCS Large Schools Division title (a step below the open) and would then become bowl eligible.

Division II South
1. (1) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 11-0
2. (2) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 10-0
3. (3) Lutheran (Orange) 9-2
4. (4) Oceanside 9-0-1
5. (6) Moorpark 10-1
6. (7) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 8-3
7. (8) Alemany (Mission Hills) 10-1
8. (5) Servite (Anaheim) 7-4*
9. (9) Tulare Union 11-0
10. (10) Citrus Hill (Perris) 11-0
11. (12) Atascadero 9-2
12. (11) Bishop Amat (La Puente) 8-3*
13. (13) Helix (La Mesa) 8-1-1
14. (14) Edison (Fresno) 8-2
15. (15) Paso Robles 9-2
Others: Charter Oak (Covina) 10-0-1, Crespi (Encino) 6-4*, El Diamante (Visalia) 9-1, Hanford 9-1, Laguna Hills 10-0, Palm Springs 8-3, St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 7-3*.
Rundown: Top-ranked Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks could compare scores and have a strong argument that it should be the open division front-runner because there is no doubt they are the front-runner in this division. The Golden Knights beat Compton 44-0 in the first round of the CIFSS Pac-Five Division playoffs, but the Jackrabbits beat them 40-13. That's pretty much a wash. Poly beat Amat, 21-17, while Notre Dame blasted the Lancers 56-21 so give the edge to Notre Dame although the Jackrabbits only scored more than 40 points twice this season against weak league foes Cabrillo and Millikan. Poly is at its best when it grinds out yardage on the ground and relies on its defense so a come-from-behind win over Amat might actually give them confidence heading into its quarterfinal contest against Esperanza of Anaheim. With Notre Dame now employing a wide-open spread only makes the contrasting styles of those two clubs more intriguing to fans should they meet in the Pac-5 championship game. Will Notre Dame be the front-runner for the South's open berth should it defeat Poly? The overall state rankings would naturally indicate Div. I No. 2 Centennial would move up in that coveted spot but a win over Poly plus a tougher schedule would make that an interesting discussion, one in which No. 2 Cathedral Catholic of San Diego would love to be a fly on the wall for. Before that conversation can take place, Notre Dame has to take care of business against No. 3 Lutheran Friday night at Santa Ana Stadium.

Division III North
1. (1) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 10-0
2. (3) Central Catholic (Modesto) 10-1
3. (4) Sutter 9-1
4. (2) Palma (Salinas) 8-3*
5. (6) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 8-2
6. (7) West Valley (Cottonwood) 9-2
7. (8) Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) 10-0-1
8. (9) King's Academy (Sunnyvale) 10-0-1
9. (10) Hilmar 10-1
10. (5) Carmel 8-2*
Others: Colfax 6-4*, Mariposa 9-1, Menlo School (Atherton) 6-5*, Middletown 10-1, Piedmont 7-3*, Willows 10-1.
Rundown: The big news here has been off the field. Colfax was all set to open the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. IV playoffs, benefiting from Placer having to forfeit four games due to the paperwork of a foster child not having been sufficiently supplied. Making a long story short, the section decision was overturned by an Alameda County Superior Court Judge on Monday, so Placer advances and will play Oakdale this weekend, making Dixon, which won its opener, wait another week to see which team it plays and pushing the Sac-Joaquin Div. IV playoffs back a week. The school itself did not pursue the case, very similar to a San Diego basketball situation a few years back. Paperwork for sensitive situations make full disclosure sometimes dicey. On the field, meanwhile, Palma was ousted by Div. I Oak Grove, as expected, and Carmel fell to Div. II Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco). Now it's Central Catholic's turn to play up as it meets Div. II Escalon, which is 11-0. The Raiders have owned the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. V playoffs in recent years, but will get a battle from the Cougars.

Division III South
1. (1) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 10-1
2. (2) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 11-0
3. (3) Serra (Gardena) 11-0
4. (5) Bakersfield Christian 9-1
5. (6) Harvard-Westlake (N. Hollywood) 8-2-1
6. (7) St. Joseph (Santa Maria) 10-1
7. (9) Corcoran 10-0
8. (4) Exeter 9-1
9. (10) Chowchilla 9-1
10. (nr) Paraclete (Lancaster) 8-3
Others: Fowler 9-1, Maranatha (Sierra Madre) 10-1, St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) 4-6*, Taft 7-3, Twentynine Palms 8-3.
Rundown: There are 10 ranked teams in this division and five additional clubs were mentioned for ratings consideration last week and all 15 won or did not play. Thus, the status remains quo as it relates to these ratings and the  bowl scenario in this division. Since the Central Section is relegated to SoCal for the CIF Bowl Games (although we maintain they should be considered for NorCal berths), it will be interesting to see how the six teams that drew byes handle the extra week off. As for the top-three ranked teams that did play, none had much trouble in its opening-round win. No. 3 Serra downed Templeton in the CIFSS Northwest Division playoffs and would like nothing more than to see Div. I Taft of Woodland Hills win the L.A. City Section title. Robert Woods and company handed the Toreadors their only regular season loss and every positive Serra can put on its resume will help in a comparison with top-ranked St. Bonaventure provided those two club win their respective divisional titles within the Southern Section.
    
Small Schools North
1. (1) Ferndale 10-0
2. (3) Hamilton (Hamilton City) 9-2
3. (4) Modoc (Alturas) 11-0
4. (5) St. Vincent (Petaluma) 9-1
5. (nr) Portola 10-1
Others: Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento) 9-2, Capital Christian (Sacramento) 5-6*, Fall River (McArthur) 10-2, Modesto Christian 9-2*, Rio Vista 10-2*, Vacaville Christian 9-1.
Rundown: The Small Schools Division was added to give the really small schools a chance, but once again in both the north and south it was shown they're just not able to compete against schools twice their size. Last week it was Modesto Christian being spanked by Div. III Hilmar, 55-14, in the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. V playoffs. Don't be surprised if Div. III Justin-Siena (7-4) gives Ferndale all it can handle this week in the North Coast Section playoffs. With Modesto Christian dropping out, moving up to No. 2 this week is Hamilton, which beat Rio Vista, 18-15, in a Northern Section playoff game.

Small Schools South
1. (1) St. Margaret's (SJ Capistrano) 11-0
2. (2) Parker (San Diego) 9-1
3. (4) Aquinas (San Bernardino) 10-1
4. (5) Central Valley Christian (Visalia) 8-2
5. (nr) Christian (El Cajon) 9-1
Others: Boron 10-1, Brentwood (Los Angeles) 10-1, Linfield Christian (Temecula) 9-2, Mission Prep (San Luis Obispo) 8-1, Santa Clara (Oxnard) 9-2*, Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach) 6-4.
Rundown: Santa Clara was stuck in a playoff system that wasn't as kind to it as last season when the Saints captured the CIFSS Mid-Valley Division title. They were going to have a difficult path to navigate in order to win the tougher Northwest Division title and without star RB Cierre Wood healthy, that task became impossible as the Saints were bombed by El Segundo, 42-0. It is almost impossible for the small schools playing in some of the larger-school divisions within the Southern Section to become bowl eligible, even with a talent such as Woods. Even top-ranked St. Margaret's will have to beat larger enrollment programs like Div. II Yucca Valley this week, possibly Div. III Big Bear next week and two of the other four quarterfinalists are either Div. II or Div. III enrollment schools. The most interesting game on the docket this week sees 8-3 Twentynine Palms playing at No. 3 Aquinas in the CIFSS East Valley Division playoffs. The Falcons are expected to be the team that gives St. Margaret's a challenge down the line.

Comments or corrections? Email mark@studentsports.com and make sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say.

By Mark Tennis, Ronnie Flores & Steve Brand

This is the 30th year in which CalHiSports.com has been providing weekly state rankings. At the end of the season, we will be releasing final rankings according to our traditional five divisions based on league and playoff strength. Check this site on Wednesdays during the current season for updates.
   
Division I North
1. (1) De La Salle (Concord) 9-1
2. (2) Oak Grove (San Jose) 10-0
3. (3) Grant (Sacramento) 9-0
4. (5) Bellarmine (San Jose) 9-1
5. (6) Junipero Serra (San Mateo) 7-3
6. (4) Monte Vista (Danville) 8-2
7. (7) Pittsburg 9-1
8. (8) Foothill (Pleasanton) 8-2
9. (9) Merced 9-1
10. (10) North Salinas (Salinas) 9-1
Others: California (San Ramon) 6-4, Freedom (Oakley) 9-1, Granite Bay 9-1, Lincoln (Stockton) 9-1, Milpitas 9-1, Napa 9-1, Nevada Union (Grass Valley) 9-1, San Ramon Valley (Danville) 7-3.
Rundown: San Ramona Valley (Danville) shocked Monte Vista (Danville), 26-7, and California (San Ramon) played a close game with De La Salle (Concord), eventually losing 21-14, leaving this division with a lot of questions but not a lot of changes because Monte Vista was the only top 10 team to lose. Grant (Sacramento) won its showdown with Burbank (Sacramento), 35-13, and its reward? It opens the Sac-Joaquin playoffs against dangerous Granite Bay, which has rebounded from its one-point upset loss to Roseville to win its last two games. Oak Grove, Bellarmine, Serra and North Salinas all have challenging opening games, meanwhile, in the Central Coast Section open division. Rounding out the field in that division is Valley Christian of San Jose, Palma of Salinas, Gilroy and Milpitas.

Division I South
1. (1) Poly (Long Beach) 10-0
2. (2) Centennial (Corona) 10-0
3. (3) Tesoro (Las Flores) 10-0
4. (4) Chaparral (Temecula) 9-1
5. (5) A.B. Miller (Fontana) 10-0
6. (9) Mission Viejo 9-1
7. (10) Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley) 10-0
8. (11) Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 9-1
9. (15) Rancho Cucamonga 9-0-1
10. (12) Narbonne (Harbor City) 9-1
11. (13) Thousand Oaks 9-1
12. (14) Oxnard 10-0
13.  (nr) Buchanan (Clovis) 8-2
14.  (nr) Esperanza (Anaheim) 7-3
15.  (nr) San Pedro 9-1
Others: Bullard (Fresno) 8-2, Clovis East (Clovis) 7-3, Clovis West (Fresno) 7-3, Edison (Huntington Beach) 7-3, La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 8-2, Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga) 8-2, Los Alamitos 8-2, Loyola (Los Angeles) 6-4, San Clemente 8-2, Taft (Woodland Hills) 9-1, Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) 8-2.
Rundown: A lot of times it isn't so much losing as when you lose. Just ask Edison of Huntington Beach. Despite some quality wins and a top 25 overall rating for portions of the regular season, coach Dave White's club is on the outside looking in at the brutal CIF Southern Section Pac-Five playoffs, the toughest playoff division in the state. Edison might still be one of the better teams in this division, but the Chargers are not the only talented Pac-Five club turning in their uniforms as evidenced in the Div. II South ratings. With the top five teams winning their final regular season games, there is no movement at the top of these ratings, but with numbers 6-8 tumbling, four teams took advantage with three spot jumps. Another team coming up is unbeaten Oxnard. The Yellowjackets head into the CIFSS Northern Division seeded No. 3. Some question Oxnard's strength of schedule, but with Div. III South front-runner St. Bonaventure and fast rising Div. II Moorpark seeded ahead of them in the Northern Division, the Yellowjackets will have plenty of opportunity to prove their worth.

Division II North
1. (1) Casa Roble (Orangevale) 10-0
2. (2) St. Mary's (Stockton) 8-2
3. (3) Valley Christian (San Jose) 8-2
4. (4) Whitney (Rocklin) 10-0
5. (5) Novato 8-2
6. (6) Campolindo (Moraga) 9-1
7. (7) Inderkum (Sacramento) 9-1
8. (8) Paradise 9-1
9. (9) Miramonte (Orinda) 8-2
10. (10) Encinal (Alameda) 10-0
Others: Bear River (Lake of the Pines) 8-2, Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 9-1, Escalon 10-0, Lassen (Susanville) 8-3.
Rundown: For the second straight week, all of the top 10 teams win? What's going on? Well, the good teams have separated and when they don't play each other, it takes an upset and these teams have avoided that. Now that the playoffs are on across the state, things could change very quickly. Some sections have byes but not the Sac-Joaquin where Inderkum got the No. 2 seed in Division III but opens with dangerous Rio Americano (8-2). Paradise is already in the semifinals of the Northern Section Division I where it meets Enterprise of Redding, which won a shootout over Foothill (Palo Cedro), 41-40.

Division II South
1. (2) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 10-0
2. (4) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 10-0
3. (6) Lutheran (Orange) 8-2
4. (1) Oceanside 9-0-1
5. (5) Servite (Anaheim) 7-3
6. (7) Moorpark 9-1
7. (3) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 7-3
8. (8) Alemany (Mission Hills) 9-1
9. (12) Tulare Union 10-0
10. (14) Citrus Hill (Perris) 10-0
11. (9) Bishop Amat (La Puente) 8-2
12. (nr) Atascadero 8-2
13. (nr) Helix (La Mesa) 8-1-1
14. (15) Edison (Fresno) 8-2
15. (13) Paso Robles 8-2
Others: Charter Oak (Covina) 9-0-1, Crespi (Encino) 6-4, El Diamante (Visalia) 9-1, Hanford 9-1, Laguna Hills 9-0, North (Torrance) 9-1, Palm Springs 7-3, St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 7-3.
Rundown: Top-ranked Notre Dame will get to compare scores, provided it gets past Compton, with state No. 1 Long Beach Poly since the Jackrabbits open the postseason with the same Bishop Amat team in which the Knights rolled up 56 points against. Of course, Poly easily handled then-unbeaten Compton when it clashed in Moore League play so the Notre Dame-Poly debate might not get settled unless the two actually meet on the field. An ideal scenario would be to seed the top 16 teams into the Pac-5 Division because each year teams with solid resumes such as Crespi of Encino and St. John Bosco this season and Los Alamitos last season, are left out of the playoffs. When "weak" teams don't make the playoffs or get bypassed for a CIF bowl game the old battle cry is usually "play a tougher schedule". One of these days the response will be, "sure, like Crespi and St. John Bosco". The season moves on and there are some great first-round playoff games, especially in the Southern Section, so this topsy-turvy division could get shaken up again  next week. Cathedral Catholic moving up past Oceanside could have far-reaching implications since the two will not meet in the CIF San Diego Section playoffs. Waiting down the road for Cathedral, however, is the same Ramona team that tied Oceanside 33-33, when the Pirates couldn't stop the clock in time to attempt a game-winning 30-yard field goal. Oceanside would love nothing more than Ramona recording a postseason win over Cathedral Catholic and a second consecutive CIFSS Pac-Five Division title for Long Beach Poly.

Division III North
1. (1) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 10-0
2. (2) Palma (Salinas) 8-2
3. (3) Central Catholic (Modesto) 9-1
4. (4) Sutter 8-1
5. (6) Carmel 8-1
6. (5) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 7-2
7. (7) West Valley (Cottonwood) 9-2
8. (8) Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) 9-0-1
9. (9) King's Academy (Sunnyvale) 9-0-1
10. (10) Hilmar 9-1
Others: Colfax 6-4, Menlo School (Atherton) 6-4, Piedmont 7-3*, St. Patrick-St. Vincent (Vallejo) 7-3, Willows 9-1.
Rundown: Yes, Marin Catholic (Kentfield) lost but since Novato is the No. 5 team in Division II, and few teams have much luck playing up a division, the Wildcats didn't fall far. Carmel did move up because as the season has gone along the team's loss to North Salinas is hurting less and less. The  Padres also have QB Ken Johnston, who is moving up on the state career TD pass list. Trouble is, Marin Catholic is in the tough North Coast Division III playoffs where most of the teams are state Division II, so the Wildcats are seeded fifth. Cardinal Newman, which plays in the North Coast Division II playoffs, gets the week off as the No. 1 seed. The Southern Section's Pac-5 doesn't have the corner on tough playoffs. Palma just has to work its way past teams like Bellarmine (see Division I) and Oak Grove (ditto) in the Central Coast Open Division playoffs. Cardinal Newman is looking more and more like this bracket's state bowl team, as much because the Cardinals are very good as the closest pursuers have a very bumpy road ahead.

Division III South
1. (1) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 9-1
2. (2) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 10-0
3. (3) Serra (Gardena) 10-0
4. (5) Bakersfield Christian 9-1
5. (6) Harvard-Westlake (N. Hollywood) 7-2-1
6. (7) St. Joseph (Santa Maria) 9-1
7. (9) Corcoran 10-0
8. (4) Exeter 9-1
9. (10) Chowchilla 9-1
10. (nr) Paraclete (Lancaster) 7-3
Others: Fowler 9-1, Maranatha (Sierra Madre) 9-1, St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) 4-6, Taft 7-3, Twentynine Palms 7-3.
Rundown: There were a few shakeups in this division but nothing entirely unexpected. Top-ranked St. Bonaventure rolled past San Marcos of Santa Barbara, 50-0, and has now scored in 198 consecutive games in addition to winning its last 61 league contests. If you don't come to play and are looking ahead to the post-season against teams like Central Valley Christian of Visalia or Brentwood of Los Angeles you'll likely pay the price as previous No. 4 Exeter and bubble club Maranatha of Sierra Madre found out. No. 2 Oaks Christian is the top-seeded team in the CIFSS Northwest Division playoffs, but possible hurdles such as Harvard-Westlake, Div. II North Torrance and Serra of Gardena await the Lions. Can Oaks Christian or Serra do anything to unseat St. Bonnies? If anything, the Seraphs could strengthen their case even more in the poat-season since they are in the same CIFSS playoff division as Moorpark, Oxnard and Atascadero.
   
Small Schools North
1. (1) Ferndale 10-0
2. (2) Modesto Christian 9-1
3. (3) Hamilton (Hamilton City) 8-2
4. (4) Modoc (Alturas) 10-0
5. (5) St. Vincent (Petaluma) 9-1
Others: Big Valley Christian (Modesto) 9-0, Capital Christian (Sacramento) 5-5, Lindhurst (Olivehurst) 7-3, Portola 9-1, Rio Vista 9-1, Vacaville Christian 8-1.
Rundown: Well, Ferndale certainly showed the victory over McKinleyville earlier in the year was well-deserved as the Wildcats did even better, winning 54-14. Modesto Christian rebounded from its loss to D2 Escalon by racing past Ripon Christian, 51-19. The Northern Section schools, meanwhile, that drew byes are back in action this week in semifinal play.

Small Schools South
1. (2) St. Margaret's (SJ Capistrano) 10-0
2. (4) Parker (San Diego) 9-1
3. (1) Santa Clara (Oxnard) 9-1
4. (5) Aquinas (San Bernardino) 9-1
5. (nr) Central Valley Christian (Visalia) 8-2
Others: Boron 9-1, Brentwood (Los Angeles) 9-1, Christian (El Cajon) 9-1, Linfield Christian (Temecula) 8-2, Mission Prep (San Luis Obispo) 8-1, Saddleback Valley Christian (SJ Capistrano) 10-0, Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach) 6-4.
Rundown: Santa Clara finally loses its No. 1 spot after a narrow 14-13 win over Carpinteria plus the likelihood that it will run into Oaks Christian again or Serra of Gardena or another top larger school in the CIF Southern Section Northwest Division playoffs. The new No. 1 ranking is shown for St. Margaret's, but it's about as close to a tie for the top as we will ever get. This is due to Parker's impressive 45-21 victory over previous No. 3 Christian of El Cajon, which also was unbeaten. Keep in mind that Parker's lone loss came in the first game to big school Westview of San Diego, which is now 8-2 and that loss was by just 27-24. While St. Margaret's will play in a stronger playoff division this year in the Southern Section -- perhaps facing Aquinas at some point -- the Tartans have not and will not be playing anyone as good as Westview. Dropping Christian down out of the top five might seem harsh, but Central Valley Christian just beat 9-0 Exeter, 14-7, and already has a win over 9-1 Chowchilla. That team's only losses are to Div. III South contender Bakersfield Christian and to Div. II Kingsburg.

Comments or corrections? Email mark@studentsports.com and make sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say.

By Mark Tennis, Ronnie Flores & Steve Brand

This is the 30th year in which CalHiSports.com has been providing weekly state rankings. At the end of the season, we will be releasing final rankings according to our traditional five divisions based on league and playoff strength. Check this site on Wednesdays during the current season for updates.

Division I South
1. (1) Poly (Long Beach) 9-0
2. (2) Centennial (Corona) 9-0
3. (3) Tesoro (Las Flores) 9-0
4. (4) Chaparral (Temecula) 8-1
5. (5) A.B. Miller (Fontana) 9-0
6. (6) Los Alamitos 8-1
7. (7) Edison (Huntington Beach) 7-2
8. (8) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) 8-1
9. (9) Mission Viejo 8-1
10. (11) Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley) 9-0
11. (10) Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 8-1
12. (12) Narbonne (Harbor City) 8-1
13. (14) Thousand Oaks 8-1
14. (nr) Oxnard 9-0
15. (nr) Rancho Cucamonga 8-0-1
Others: Buchanan (Clovis) 7-2, Clovis East (Clovis) 6-3, Clovis West (Fresno) 6-3, Compton 7-1, Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga) 7-2, Loyola (Los Angeles) 5-4, San Clemente 7-2, San Pedro 8-1, Upland 8-1.
Rundown: Compton was supposed to give top-ranked Poly a tough test and actually did score more against the Jackrabbits than their three previous opponents combined (14-13), but the outcome was predictable -- 40-14 in favor of Poly. One more week before the Pac-5 playoffs begin and you can bet the games will be wars, too. After the first round, even the teams that figure to be top seeds such as Poly and Div. II South contender Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks will be playing teams that have a realistic shot to beat them. Many pundits and fans think No. 2 Centennial will have an easy road in the CIFSS Inland Division playoffs. Easier than Poly? Absolutely. But strong programs from the Southwestern and Citrus Belt Leagues should test last year's Division I finalists. It would also be a feather in the Huskies' cap in Div. II South contender Mater Dei were to win the Trinity League title outright since they defeated the Monarchs in their second game.

Division II North
1. (1) Casa Roble (Orangevale) 9-0
2. (2) St. Mary's (Stockton) 7-2
3. (3) Valley Christian (San Jose) 7-2
4. (4) Whitney (Rocklin) 9-0
5. (5) Novato 7-2
6. (6) Campolindo (Moraga) 8-1
7. (7) Inderkum (Sacramento) 8-1
8. (8) Paradise 9-1
9. (9) Miramonte (Orinda) 7-2
10. (10) Encinal (Alameda) 9-0
Others: Bear River (Lake of the Pines) 7-2, Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 8-1, Escalon 9-0, Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco) 5-4.
Rundown: Sacred Heart Cathedral, one week after tumbling then-No. 1 Valley Christian, was reminded just how strong the West Catholic Athletic League is, as previous Div. I North front-runner Bellarmine Prep of San Jose chewed up the Frightin' Irish, 41-0. SHC was knocked from these ratings, but the leaders in this division have clearly separated from the challengers as all of the ranked teams were successful last week. In fact, only No. 9 Miramonte was pressed, beating tough Las Lomas of Walnut Creek, 33-31. This week, top-ranked Casa Roble hosts Rio Americano, losers only to No. 7 Inderkum and winners of its last five games, with the Capital League title on the line.

Division II South
1. (1) Oceanside 9-0
2. (2) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 9-0
3. (4) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 7-2
4. (5) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 9-0
5. (6) Servite (Anaheim) 6-3
6. (7) Lutheran (Orange) 7-2
7. (9) Moorpark 8-1
8. (11) Alemany (Mission Hills) 8-1
9. (12) Bishop Amat (La Puente) 7-2
10. (3) Crespi (Encino) 6-3
11. (8) St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 7-2
12. (13) Tulare Union 9-0
13. (15) Paso Robles 8-1
14. (nr) Citrus Hill (Perris) 9-0
15. (10) Edison (Fresno) 7-2
Others: Atascadero 7-2, Charter Oak (Covina) 8-0-1, El Diamante (Visalia) 8-1, Helix (La Mesa) 7-1-1, Laguna Hills 9-0, North (Torrance) 9-0, Westlake (Westlake Village) 6-3.
Rundown: It has been proposed that Div. II North is the most predictable as it relates to the CIF Bowl Game Ratings. It can also be argued that Div. II South is the most volatile. When you have teams like No. 2 Notre Dame, No. 10 Crespi, No. 9 Bishop Amat and Loyola of Los Angeles competing in a four-team league and taking on strong Div. I and II programs on a weekly basis, good teams inevitably will lose. Thus two straight losses, that usually results in a big drop elsewhere, doesn't even place Crespi out of the Top 10. St. John Bosco's second loss in three weeks, to resurgent No. 3 Mater Dei, resulted in a three-spot drop. Citrus Hill, winners of 23 consecutive games over the last two seasons, is this week's lone newcomer.  There could be some more movement next week as Lutheran tries to deny Mater Dei the Trinity League title Thursday night while Servite and St. John Bosco square off on Friday in a game with CIFSS Pac-Five playoff ramifications. In the Serra League, Bishop Amat has the last chance to derail Notre Dame in the regular season. Up north, No. 13 Paso Robles plays at Atascadero in a Pac-7 showdown and even top-ranked Oceanside has to remain focused, traveling into the mountains to play 8-1 Ramona for the Valley League crown.

Division III North
1. (1) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 9-0
2. (2) Palma (Salinas) 7-2
3. (3) Central Catholic (Modesto) 8-1
4. (4) Sutter 8-1
5. (5) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 7-2
6. (6) Carmel 7-1
7. (8) West Valley (Cottonwood) 8-2
8. (10) Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) 8-0-1
9. (7) King's Academy (Sunnyvale) 8-0-1
10. (nr) Hilmar 8-1
Others: Colfax 5-4, Menlo School (Atherton) 6-3, Piedmont 6-3*, St. Patrick-St. Vincent (Vallejo) 7-2, Willows 9-1.
Rundown: There is no movement among the top six in this division since all were impressive winners. Sacred Heart Prep and King's Academy played to a 21-21 tie, but with a automatic playoff spot going to the Ocean Division champion, the teams played an overtime session with the Gators coming out on top. Although the game will go down in the books as a tie, King's Academy drops one spot behind Sacred Heart Prep because of its "loss". Colfax wasn't quite as fortunate as it lost to Div. II Placer and dropped from the top 10. Up top, Sutter showed its No. 4 ranking is well-deserved with a 47-6 win over Wheatland, which came to the contest with just one loss. No. 5 Marin Catholic plays Div. II contender Novato Friday and a road win would be quite impressive for the underdog Wildcats.

Division III South
1. (1) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 8-1
2. (2) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 9-0
3. (3) Serra (Gardena) 9-0
4. (4) Exeter 9-0
5. (5) Bakersfield Christian 8-1
6. (6) Harvard-Westlake (N. Hollywood) 6-2-1
7. (7) St. Joseph (Santa Maria) 8-1
8. (8) St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) 4-5
9. (9) Corcoran 9-0
10. (10) Chowchilla 8-1
Others: Big Bear (Big Bear Lake) 6-2-1, Fowler 8-1, Maranatha (Sierra Madre) 9-0, Taft 7-2, Paraclete (Lancaster) 6-3, Twentynine Palms 7-3.
Rundown: There was a lot of media chatter surrounding Bill Redell's comments last week that this might be the best club he's ever coached at the prep level, including Oak Christian's 2006 Div. III state title team that was selected Cal-Hi Sports State Team of the Year and his CIFSS Big Five title team at Crespi in 1986. We've seen all three clubs and know Redell's motivation was to get his club ready for last week's game versus SoCal Small School contender Santa Clara. Redell is also clamoring to give this team a shot at the CIF Div. III Bowl Game and Oaks Christian was impressive in its 49-6 victory. In regards to Redell's comments, this year's team is not as mature physically, doesn't have as many playmakers as his club two seasons ago and doesn't have three legitimate first team all-state talents (Jimmy Clausen, Marc Tyler, Marshall Jones), not to mention Duke Lemmons, Casey Matthews, Chris Owusu and Sean Wiser. Cierre Wood is a major talent they slowed down, but the team he plays on is nowhere near as good as the St. Bonaventure team that gave up 604 total yards to Oaks Christian and saw its 27-game winning streak snapped in what was Oak Christian's marquee game of the regular season that year. Oaks Christian perhaps closed the gap on top-ranked St. Bonaventure, which defeated Dos Pueblos of Goleta, 56-9, last Friday night, but they would still need to defeat No. 3 Serra of Gardena in convincing fashion in the post-season. Things could get interesting if state No. 1 Long Beach Poly (which handed St. Bonaventure a close loss) were to fall completely flat in the CIFSS Pac-Five Division playoffs.       

Small Schools South
1. (1) Santa Clara (Oxnard) 8-1
2. (2) St. Margaret's (SJ Capistrano) 9-0
3. (3) Christian (El Cajon) 9-0
4. (4) Parker (San Diego) 8-1
5. (5) Aquinas (San Bernardino) 8-1
Others: Boron 8-1, Brentwood (Los Angeles) 8-1, Central Valley Christian (Visalia) 7-2, Linfield Christian (Temecula) 7-2, Mission Prep (San Luis Obispo) 8-0, Saddleback Valley Christian (SJ Capistrano) 9-0, Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach) 5-4.
Rundown: Pundits will argue that outscoring your last three opponents, 200-13, as St. Margaret's has done after dispatching winless Capistrano Valley Christian, 72-0, should catapult the Tartans to No. 1 following Santa Clara's loss to Div. III South contender Oaks Christian. While the Saints predictably fell, 49-6, undefeated St. Margaret's and unblemished Christian has played no one close to the ability of the Lions. So for now, Santa Clara retains its spot as does the balance of the top five. We have to admit the ranking might not make some fans in South Orange County and San Diego too happy, but the reasoning is quite simple, actually. Santa Clara plays in the same CIFSS Northwest Division playoffs as Oaks Christian and if they were to avenge the loss to the Lions or beat a team such as Serra of Gardena on the way to a section title, they would deserve the top spot regardless. They are not expected to accomplish that so St. Margaret's and Christian actually have a better chance to make the trip to Carson than the top-ranked team does. Down the way of San Diego, Francis Parker's all-weather field figures to be overflowing with fans when the Lancers battle Christian for the Coastal League title and No. 1 seed in the San Diego Div. V playoffs.

Comments or corrections? Email mark@studentsports.com and make sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say.

By Mark Tennis, Ronnie Flores & Steve Brand

This is the 30th year in which CalHiSports.com has been providing weekly state rankings. At the end of the season, we will be releasing final rankings according to our traditional five divisions based on league and playoff strength. Check this site on Wednesdays during the current season for updates.

Division I North
1. (1) De La Salle (Concord) 7-1
2. (2) Oak Grove (San Jose) 8-0
3. (4) Grant (Sacramento) 8-0
4. (6) Gilroy 8-0
5. (5) Monte Vista (Danville) 7-1
6. (7) Bellarmine (San Jose) 7-1
7. (8) Junipero Serra (San Mateo) 5-3
8. (nr) Pittsburg 7-1
9. (9) Merced 7-1
10. (nr) Folsom 8-0
Others: California (San Ramon) 5-3, Foothill (Pleasanton) 6-2, Freedom (Oakley) 7-1, Granite Bay 7-1, Laguna Creek (Elk Grove) 6-2, Lincoln (Stockton) 7-1, Napa 7-1, Roseville 6-2, San Ramon Valley (Danville) 6-2.
Rundown: After eight weeks, it is clear there is no dominant team in this division. Not with Monte Vista (Danville) rolling up 400 yards against De La Salle and teams like Bellarmine and Granite Bay tumbling in recent weeks. That's not to say there aren't good teams, just that there is no absolute lock every week. Roseville (6-2) won its sixth straight game when it handed Granite Bay a one-point loss and plays Woodcreek (Roseville) Friday for first place in the Sierra Foothill League. Gilroy dodged its first loss when it escaped Division III power Palma (Salinas), 34-28. Pittsburg moves into the Top 10 with its sixth straight win, a 42-14 thumping of previously unbeaten Freedom (Oakley). The Pirates' lone loss was a three-pointer to No. 5 Monte Vista (Danville). Got to figure Sacred Heart Cathedral caught Bellarmine Prep's attention heading into Friday's game at venerable Kezar Stadium with its 28-24 win over Valley Christian (San Jose).

Division I South
1. (1) Poly (Long Beach) 8-0
2. (2) Centennial (Corona) 8-0
3. (5) Tesoro (Las Flores) 8-0
4. (6) Chaparral (Temecula) 7-1
5. (12) A.B. Miller (Fontana) 8-0
6. (3) Los Alamitos 7-1
7. (7) Edison (Huntington Beach) 6-2
8. (8) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) 7-1
9. (10) Mission Viejo 7-1
10. (4) Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 7-1
11. (13) Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley) 8-0
12. (15) Narbonne (Harbor City) 7-1
13. (14) Buchanan (Clovis) 7-1
14. (nr) Thousand Oaks 7-1
15. (nr) Compton 7-0
Others: Clovis West (Fresno) 5-3, Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga) 6-2, Loyola (Los Angeles) 5-3, Oxnard 8-0, Rancho Cucamonga 7-0-1, San Clemente 6-2, San Pedro 7-1, Upland 7-1, Valencia 7-1, West Valley (Hemet) 8-0.
Rundown: Top-ranked Poly of Long Beach has outscored its last three opponents, 129-14, but should get its first big test in a month when the Jackrabbits play undefeated Compton at Veterans Stadium Friday night. The Tarbabes have not played nearly as challenging of a schedule and if the Jackrabbits really are the class of the state, they should beat Compton comfortably. Loyola of Los Angeles was impressive with its win over Div. II candidate Bishop Amat of La Puente and its reward in the Serra League is playing an even higher-ranked Div. II club, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks. If the Cubs can pull off the upset, it would shake up the rankings in both divisions. There will be plenty of league showdowns with title implications this week such as 3-0 Saugus playing at 3-0 Valencia in the Foothill League of the CIF Southern Section. Speaking of Valencia, Thousand Oaks (which has win over Valencia and lost by only three points to Div. II Moorpark) and Compton went in as newcomers this week for Los Osos and Upland. Los Osos had to go after a 27-21 loss in overtime to Rancho Cucamonga, plus the Grizzlies' earlier win over Bishop Amat has now lost significance due the Amat loss to Loyola. Upland also had to drop out since its loss was to Los Osos.

Division II North
1. (2) Casa Roble (Orangevale) 8-0
2. (3) St. Mary's (Stockton) 6-2
3. (1) Valley Christian (San Jose) 6-2
4. (4) Whitney (Rocklin) 8-0
5. (6) Novato 6-2
6. (8) Campolindo (Moraga) 7-1
7. (7) Inderkum (Sacramento) 7-1
8. (9) Paradise 8-1
9. (10) Miramonte (Orinda) 6-2
10. (nr) Encinal (Alameda) 8-0
Others: Bear River (Lake of the Pines) 6-2, Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 7-1, Escalon 8-0, Las Lomas (Walnut Creek) 6-2, Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco) 5-3.
Rundown: Just a week after bemoaning the boredom in this division, Sacred Heart Cathedral upended No. 1 Valley Christian, 28-24. It was the Irish's first win over a team with a winning record, so a giant leap just doesn't seem right. Nor did a big drop seem in order for the Warriors who only lost by 11 to Bellarmine Prep and still own quality wins over Serra (San Mateo), Novato and San Leandro. The biggest jump came from Campolindo (Moraga) after its 28-23 win over over previous No. 5 Las Lomas (Walnut Creek). Casa Roble (Orangevale) should get a quick test as the new No. 1 as it plays at 7-1 Division I Del Campo (Fair Oaks) on Friday. The Rams also still have a potential strength of schedule problem at the end of the playoffs even if they win the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. III title. St. Mary's of Stockton, should it win the SJS Div. I title, or Valley Christian, if it were to bounce back and win a Central Coast Section title, could have the edge in that criteria even with two losses. In another game to watch, Inderkum (Sacramento) travels to Woodland (3-0) in a Tri-Valley League showdown.

Division II South
1. (1) Oceanside 8-0
2. (2) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 8-0
3. (3) Crespi (Encino) 6-2
4. (8) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 6-2
5. (7) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 8-0
6. (9) Servite (Anaheim) 5-3
7. (5) Lutheran (Orange) 6-2
8. (6) St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 7-1
9. (10) Moorpark 7-1
10. (11) Edison (Fresno) 7-1
11. (12) Alemany (Mission Hills) 7-1
12. (4) Bishop Amat (La Puente) 6-2
13. (13) Tulare 8-0
14. (14) Westlake (Westlake Village) 6-2
15. (15) Paso Robles 7-1
Others: Atascadero 6-2, Cathedral (Los Angeles) 8-0, Citrus Hill (Perris) 8-0, El Diamante (Visalia) 7-1, Helix (La Mesa) 6-1-1, Laguna Hills 8-0, North (Torrance) 8-0, San Dimas 8-0.
Rundown: When three of the top five teams lose, there is bound to be some movement. Because Crespi of Encino lost to red-hot No. 2 Notre Dame, the Celts hold their spot but there was a mad scramble below them with Mater Dei (Santa Ana), Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) and Servite (Anaheim) taking advantage. Just how tough is this division? St. John Bosco of Bellflower won and had to drop two spots to stay behind the Orange Lutheran team it lost to. Don't worry about the Braves, however, as they take on Mater Dei Friday night and can jump up with a win. Oceanside may get tested the next two weeks, playing 7-1 Valley Center at home and 7-1 Ramona on the road, but don't count on it. The really unfortunate thing in San Diego County football this year is that although Cathedral Catholic and Oceanside are in this bowl division, they are in different divisions in the section's playoffs.

Division III North
1. (1) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 8-0
2. (2) Palma (Salinas) 6-2
3. (3) Central Catholic (Modesto) 7-1
4. (4) Sutter 7-1
5. (5) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 6-2
6. (6) Carmel 6-1
7. (7) King's Academy (Sunnyvale) 8-0
8. (10) West Valley (Cottonwood) 7-2
9. (9) Colfax 5-3
10. (nr) Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) 8-0
Others: Hilmar 7-1, Menlo School (Atherton) 6-2, Piedmont 5-3, St. Patrick-St. Vincent (Vallejo) 6-2, Wheatland 8-1, Willows 8-1.
Rundown: Losing by such a big margin (48-6) to Encinal of Alameda cost St. Patrick-St. Vincent the No. 8 spot from last week's rankings. Going up is unbeaten Sacred Heart Prep, which plays The King's Academy in a big game this week. Sacred Heart Prep and Menlo then play the following week. At the top of the list, Cardinal Newman showed its class again with a 42-7 win over previously unbeaten Rancho Cotate. No. 2 Palma took a loss, but it was by 34-28 to unbeaten and Div. I North-ranked Gilroy. The Chieftains also don't drop because they still beat out Central Catholic in a comparison between how those two did against Newman.

Division III South
1. (1) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 7-1
2. (2) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 8-0
3. (3) Serra (Gardena) 8-0
4. (5) Exeter 8-0
5. (6) Bakersfield Christian 7-1
6. (7) Harvard-Westlake (N. Hollywood) 5-2-1
7. (10) St. Joseph (Santa Maria) 7-1
8. (5) St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) 3-5
9. (9) Corcoran 8-0
10. (nr) Chowchilla 7-1
Others: Fowler 7-1, Maranatha (Sierra Madre) 8-0, Taft 6-2, Paraclete (Lancaster) 6-3, Twentynine Palms 7-2.
Rundown: As predicted, there was no shortage of points when top-ranked St. Bonaventure took on Channel League foe Santa Barbara. Whereas the Seraphs gave up the most points to any one team this season, they also kept the scoreboard operator busy in their 51-21 victory. Santa Barbara's QB John Uribe, who just might be the best signal-caller to play for the Dons since CIFSS Div. III Player of the Year Poncho Renteria in 1989, passed for 275 yards and three TDs but the Seraphs raced out to a 48-7 lead and cruised. No. 2 Oaks Christian had even an easier time in its 54-0 win over Oak Park, so neither No. 3 Serra of Gardena nor No. 4 Exeter could harbor hopes of making a move up. Speaking of Exeter, the Monarchs could get tested this week as they travel to Kingsburg, which has identical 4-0 mark in the Central Sequoia League and 8-0 overall. Oaks Christian has its own challenge as well as it hosts unbeaten Santa Clara, the top-ranked SoCal Small School club which competes in the same playoff division within the CIF Southern Section as Oaks and Serra.

Small Schools North
1. (1) Modesto Christian 7-1
2. (2) Ferndale 8-0
3. (4) Hamilton (Hamilton City) 7-2
4. (nr) Modoc (Alturas) 9-0
5. (3) St. Vincent (Petaluma) 7-1
Others: Capital Christian (Sacramento) 4-4, Portola 8-1, Quincy 8-1, Rio Vista 8-1, Vacaville Christian 6-1.
Rundown: Clear Lake's win over previous No. 3 St. Vincent was anything but traditional. The Cardinals, who are D3 for the bowl game rankings, took a 6-0 lead in the second quarter, saw St. Vincent go ahead 7-6 and then ended up getting the winning points when a punt snap sailed out of the end zone for a safety. This week's Mid-Valley League showdown in the Northern Section has No. 3 Hamilton (Hamilton City) playing at dangerous East Nicolaus, which upended Quincy two weeks ago. The team that dropped out was previous No. 5 Rio Vista, which lost to Willows, 42-26. Modoc went in after dispatching Chester, 41-0.

Small Schools South
1. (1) Santa Clara (Oxnard) 8-0
2. (2) St. Margaret's (SJ Capistrano) 8-0
3. (3) Christian (El Cajon) 8-0
4. (4) Parker (San Diego) 7-1
5. (5) Aquinas (San Bernardino) 7-1
Others: Boron 7-1, Brentwood (Los Angeles) 7-1, Central Valley Christian (Visalia) 6-2, Linfield Christian (Temecula) 6-2, Saddleback Valley Christian (SJ Capistrano) 8-0, Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach) 4-4.
Rundown: Top-ranked Santa Clara plays its biggest game of the regular season as a win over Div. III South contender and league power Oaks Christian would pretty much settle matters if the Saints sweep to the CIF Southern Section Northwest Division title. Oaks Christian is favored, however, so if the Saints do lose, the focus will turn south for the season finale between Christian and Parker. The difference is that Christian and Parker are heavily favored to play again for the San Diego Section Division V title. And through it all, No. 2 St. Margaret¹s prepares for a much tougher Southern Section divisional playoff than it encountered when it went undefeated last season.

Comments or corrections? Email mark@studentsports.com and make sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say.

By Mark Tennis, Ronnie Flores & Steve Brand 

This is the 30th year in which CalHiSports.com has been providing weekly state rankings. At the end of the season, we will be releasing final rankings according to our traditional five divisions based on league and playoff strength. Check this site on Wednesdays during the current season for updates.

Division I North

Others: Chowchilla 6-1, Fowler 7-1, Maranatha (Sierra Madre) 7-0, Taft 6-1, Twentynine Palms 6-2.
Rundown: There are very few teams in the state, and only three in this division, that could play teams such as Div II. power Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks on a weekly basis and expect to survive. St. Paul of Santa Fe Springs has faced a brutal schedule and that where the argument starts -- record versus schedule. In this situation, St. Paul doesn't deserve to drop far because its non-league schedule has included Div. II South contenders Servite of Anaheim, St. John Bosco and Notre Dame, not to mention all the other teams in the Mission League are Div. II enrollment schools. No. 3 Serra of Gardena has shown it deserves some consideration for the No. 2 spot with Oaks Christian, but top-ranked St. Bonaventure is clearly the best team in this division even with its loss. Although the Seraphs are prohibitive favorites this week, the scoreboard could get quite a workout when St. Bonaventure faces Santa Barbara and its record-setting QB John Uribe on Thursday.

Small Schools North
1.   (1) Modesto Christian 6-1
2.   (2) Ferndale 7-0
3.   (3) St. Vincent (Petaluma) 7-0
4.   (5) Hamilton (Hamilton City) 6-2
5.  (nr) Rio Vista 8-0
Others: Capital Christian (Sacramento) 4-3, Modoc (Alturas) 8-0, Portola 7-1, Quincy 7-1, Vacaville Christian 5-1.
Rundown: The Mid-Valley League of the Northern Section has a four-way tie for first and three of those teams are being considered in the above rankings. That means eventual showdowns and another one of those comes this week when Quincy plays Portola. Quincy suffered its first loss last week, 33-13, to East Nicolaus, which is now one of the four teams tied atop the league standings.

Small Schools South
1.   (1) Santa Clara (Oxnard) 7-0
2.   (2) St. Margaret's (SJ Capistrano) 7-0
3.   (3) Christian (El Cajon) 8-0
4.   (4) Parker (San Diego) 6-1
5.   (5) Aquinas (San Bernardino) 6-1
Others: Boron 7-1, Brentwood (Los Angeles) 6-1, Central Valley Christian (Visalia) 5-2, Saddleback Valley Christian (SJ Capistrano) 7-0, Riverside Christian 7-0, Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach) 4-3.
Rundown: It was supposed to be the first real test for Christian (El Cajon) when the Patriots battled always tough Santa Fe Christian, which schedules up and often sees the benefits late in the year. This time, though, Christian had way too much firepower in rolling to the 45-21 Coastal League win. Christian and No. 4 Francis Parker (San Diego) play in the season finale. Top-ranked Santa Clara (Oxnard) continues to play close  and win against league opponents from higher enrollment divisions and won last week, 21-7, over Oak Park of Agoura Hills. Most assume the Saints will lose when they play Oaks Christian and if that indeed does happen then it will be a tough call at the top between Christian and St. Margaret's. If you look at strength of schedule, especially considering some of the big schools that the Patriots have played so far, then Christian may have the edge. St. Margaret's, though, is in a much stronger playoff division in the Southern Section this year than in the past so once all games are played, including the playoffs, the strength of schedule argument between the two gets much closer. Even if St. Margaret's is on the board with a 42-game win streak, we still see the potential decision in this division to be perhaps the toughest one for the section commissioners on selection day.

Corrections or comments? Email mark@studentsports.com and be sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say. 

By Mark Tennis, Steve Brand and Ronnie Flores

This is the 30th year in which CalHiSports.com has been providing weekly state rankings. At the end of the season, we will be releasing final rankings according to our traditional five divisions based on league and playoff strength. Check this site on Wednesdays during the current season for updates.

Division I North
1. (1) Bellarmine (San Jose) 6-0
2. (2) De La Salle (Concord) 5-1
3. (3) Oak Grove (San Jose) 6-0
4. (4) Granite Bay 6-0
5. (5) Grant (Sacramento) 7-0
6. (6) San Ramon Valley (Danville) 6-0
7. (7) Monte Vista (Danville) 6-0
8. (8) Gilroy 6-0
9. (nr) Merced 5-1
10. (nr) Nevada Union (Grass Valley) 6-0
Others: California (San Ramon) 3-3, Del Campo (Fair Oaks) 6-0, Foothill (Pleasanton) 4-2, Freedom (Oakley) 6-0, Junipero Serra (San Mateo) 3-3, Lincoln (Stockton) 5-1, Napa 5-1, Pittsburg 5-1.
Rundown: With Bellarmine looking good in a win over Valley Christian in which the Bells won by nine even though they suffered two huge turnovers and De La Salle blowing out Foothill of Pleasanton, 63-7, the prospects of Bellarmine and DLS getting the open and Div. I bowl bids from Northern California look more probable. If the Spartans continue to play like they did last week, it's hard to see them losing the rest of the regular season and in the North Coast Section playoffs despite being in the new league. Bellarmine, on the other hand, could have Oak Grove, Gilroy and others to deal with in the CCS. It would be a shame if an unbeaten Granite Bay or Grant (remember those two probably will play each other in Sac-Joaquin D2 final) doesn't get into a bowl game, but compared to DLS, Bellarmine and potentially an Oak Grove, it's very possible that will happen.

Division I South
1. (1) Poly (Long Beach) 6-0
2. (2) Centennial (Corona) 6-0
3. (4) Los Alamitos 6-0
4. (5) Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 6-0
5. (9) Tesoro (Las Flores) 6-0
6. (6) Edison (Huntington Beach) 5-1
7. (7) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) 6-0
8. (8) Upland 6-0
9. (10) Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga) 6-1
10. (12) Thousand Oaks 6-0
11. (3) Mission Viejo 5-1
12. (nr) Loyola (Los Angeles) 4-2
13. (13) Clovis West (Fresno) 5-2
14. (15) Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley) 6-0
15. (nr) Chaparral (Temecula) 5-1
Others: A.B. Miller (Fontana) 6-0, Buchanan (Clovis) 5-1, Narbonne (Harbor City) 5-1, Newport Harbor (Newport Beach) 4-2, Oxnard 6-0, San Clemente 6-0, San Pedro 6-0, Santa Monica 6-0, Santiago (Corona) 4-2, Valencia 5-1.
Rundown: Top-ranked Long Beach Poly and No. 2 Centennial rolled in league contests last week, but there is some shakeup after the two front-runners. Tesoro of Las Flores was good enough to crack the top 10 last week but Brian Barnes¹ team had only beaten one opponent with a winning record. We¹d find out if the Titans were for real when they played in their South Coast League opener against previous No. 3 Mission Viejo and we definitely got our answer. Mission Viejo looked good on offense, averaging 45.6 points a game, but the Diablos also had allowed a lot of points. Tesoro yielded just a pair of TDs and dominated in the trenches in a 31-14 shocker (the score, not the result). Tesoro will have to keep its focus against San Clemente this week and the unbeaten Tritons now find themselves in the exact same position as Tesoro last week. Giving up 50 points is no way to win -- just ask previous No. 11 J.W. North of Riverside, which dropped a 50-40 shootout to Big VIII League foe Norco and No. 14. Lakewood, which fell to talented Long Beach Jordan, 50-14. Big games this week, in addition to Tesoro and San Clemente, see No. 3 Los Alamitos playing No. 6 Edison Thursday at Long Beach Veterans Stadium, No. 8 Upland at No. 9 Los Osos in a Baseline League showdown, Thousand Oaks hosting Moorpark and a titanic collision between unbeaten San Pedro (6-0) at Narbonne (5-1) in the L.A. City Section's Marine League. The winner of that game would then be clear-cut No. 1 for the L.A. City Section would then be able to start moving up higher in the rankings. Narbonne's only loss is to Los Alamitos.

Division II North
1. (1) Valley Christian (San Jose) 5-1
2. (2) Casa Roble (Orangevale) 6-0
3. (3) St. Mary's (Stockton) 4-2
4. (4) Whitney (Rocklin) 6-0
5. (5) Las Lomas (Walnut Creek) 5-1
6. (7) Novato 5-2
7. (9) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 6-0
8. (6) Del Oro (Loomis) 2-4
9. (nr) Inderkum (Sacramento) 5-1
10. (nr) Campolindo (Moraga) 5-1
Others: Encinal (Alameda) 6-0, Escalon 6-0, Miramonte (Orinda) 4-2, Paradise 6-1, Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco) 2-3, Sonora 5-1.
Rundown: Giving Bellarmine Prep its closest game of the season is certainly no reason to drop Valley Christian. The weary Warriors' defense simply could not stop the Bells' 12-play, 78-yard drive after closing to 21-16. Elsewhere, Casa Roble's 55-3 win over Bella Vista was impressive and St. Mary's got back on the winning track against West of Tracy. It's interesting to add that Casa Roble's enrollment is just seven students below the cutoff line that would have made the Rams D1 instead of D2. Campolindo edges into the Top 10 after blanking Miramonte, a team that lost by just one score to D1 Foothill of Pleasanton. Bishop O'Dowd has a big Hayward Area Athletic League game this week against San Leandro, which although only 3-3 overall is 3-0 in league play.

Division II South
1. (1) Oceanside 6-0
2. (2) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 6-0
3. (3) Crespi (Encino) 5-1
4. (5) Bishop Amat (La Puente) 5-1
5. (6) Lutheran (Orange) 5-1
6. (7) St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 6-0
7. (8) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 6-0
8. (10) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 4-2
9. (4) Servite (Anaheim) 3-3
10. (11) Edison (Fresno) 6-1
11. (12) Moorpark 5-1
12, (9) Alemany (Mission Hills) 5-1
13. (13) Tulare 7-0
14. (14) Westlake (Westlake Village) 4-2
15. (15) Paso Robles 5-1
Others: Atascadero 5-2, Citrus Hill (Perris) 6-0, El Diamante (Visalia) 5-1, Helix (La Mesa) 4-1-1, Laguna Hills 6-0, North (Torrance) 6-0, San Dimas 6-0, St. Francis (La Canada) 5-1.
Rundown: Just when it seemed previous No. 8 Servite of Anaheim was in position to beat rival Mater Dei of Santa Ana for the first time in 20 tries, the Monarchs rose up and recorded a 42-21 victory. The score was close 28-21 Mater Dei at the half but Mater Dei kept it on the ground (279 yards rushing) to collect the victory. Equally impressive was a win by No. 2 Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks over previously unbeaten Alemany of Mission Hills, 44-17. Top-ranked Oceanside is carrying the banner for public schools in this division, as the rest of the top nine are private schools. And the Pirates are doing a good job, thrashing previously unbeaten but untested Westview, 49-7. The San Diego Section powerhouse would obviously want Long Beach Poly to take the CIFSS Pac-Five division crown to knock off a majority of the top-ranked bowl game contenders in this division. If the Jackrabbits don't win it, Oceanside wouldn't want Notre Dame or No. 6 St. John Bosco to win it and perhaps finish unbeaten, either. Those clubs play in extremely tough leagues so there is a good chance one or both of those clubs could drop a game before the postseason starts. In fact, the surging Braves travel to Orange Coast College Friday for a Trinity League showdown with No. 5 Orange Lutheran.

Division III North
1. (1) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 6-0
2. (2) Palma (Salinas) 5-1
3. (3) Central Catholic (Modesto) 5-1
4. (4) Sutter 6-1
5. (5) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 4-2
6. (9) West Valley (Cottonwood) 6-1
7. (6) Menlo School (Atherton) 6-0
8. (7) Carmel 5-1
9. (8) King's Academy (Sunnyvale) 7-0
10. (10) St. Patrick-St. Vincent (Vallejo) 6-1
Others: Colfax 3-3, Hilmar 6-0, Justin-Siena (Napa) 4-3, Kennedy (Richmond) 4-2, Wheatland 6-1.
Rundown: No. 5 Marin Catholic didn't budge despite a 15-13 loss to Notre Dame Prep of Scottsdale, Ariz. This was the closest game by far for Notre Dame Prep so far this season. That team (7-0) also was a state champ last year in its division in Arizona. West Valley was given a bump up to the No. 6 spot after a 42-0 win over Anderson plus the fact that the Eagles own a win over Enterprise of Redding, which just knocked off D1 unbeaten Shasta of Redding. One new bubble team added this week is Hilmar, which is unbeaten and plays No. 3 Central Catholic on Friday.

Division III South

1. (1) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 5-1
2. (2) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 6-0
3. (3) Serra (Gardena) 6-0
4. (4) St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) 3-3
5. (5) Exeter 6-0
6. (6) Harvard-Westlake (N. Hollywood) 4-1-1
7. (8) Bakersfield Christian 4-1
8. (9) Valley Christian (Cerritos) 5-1
9. (10) Corcoran 6-0
10. (nr) St. Joseph (Santa Maria) 5-1

Others: Chowchilla 5-1, Fowler 6-1, Maranatha (Sierra Madre) 6-0, Taft 5-1, Twentynine Palms 5-2.
Rundown: The two teams that lost among last week's top 10 -- St. Paul of Santa Fe Springs and Chowchilla -- were facing quality opponents, but Chowchilla still had to drop out to make room for St. Joseph of Santa Maria. Loyola of Los Angeles, a traditional Div. I powerhouse within the Southern Section, and has its best team since winning a section title in 2005 and was the team St. Paul lost to. The other top-ranked teams in this division continue to make trouble for larger enrollment schools. It's been well-versed as to why St. Bonaventure remains the top-ranked club in this division with only a loss to state No. 1 Long Beach Poly, but if No. 3 Serra of Gardena, a 50-3 winner over Bosco Tech of Rosemead, were to finish undefeated and beat No. 2 Oaks Christian en route to a CIFSS Northwest Division title, would the perception be different than if Oaks were to finish 14-0? Serra has defeated traditional L.A. City powers Taft and Carson and both those clubs might be better than anyone the Lions have defeated.

Small Schools North
1. (1) Modesto Christian 5-1
2. (2) Ferndale 6-0
3. (3) St. Vincent (Petaluma) 6-0
4. (4) Quincy 7-0
5. (nr) Hamilton (Hamilton City) 5-2
Others: Capital Christian (Sacramento) 3-3, Modoc (Alturas) 7-0, Portola 6-1, Rio Vista 7-0, Vacaville Christian 4-1.
Rundown: Hamilton certainly took care of business with a lopsided 40-0 win over Portola, which came in at 6-0. Hamilton's losses are by two points to Quincy and by 21-17 to Menlo School, an unbeaten D3 team. The others in the top five had no trouble. Modesto Christian will face only its second team with a winning record (the other was Chowchilla, and they lost in a wild one, 46-41) this Friday when they host 4-2 Ripon.

Small Schools South
1. (1) Santa Clara (Oxnard) 6-0
2. (2) St. Margaret's (SJ Capistrano) 6-0
3. (3) Christian (El Cajon) 7-0
4. (4) Parker (San Diego) 5-1
5. (5) Aquinas (San Bernardino) 5-1
Others: Boron 6-1, Brentwood (Los Angeles) 5-1, Central Valley Christian (Visalia) 5-1, Saddleback Valley Christian (SJ Capistrano) 6-0, Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach) 4-2, Western Christian (Covina) 5-0.
Rundown: Talk about a wild finish. Top-ranked Santa Clara of Oxnard fell behind Nordhoff of Ojai, 16-15, with 1:18 to play in the game. Done, right? Not with Notre Dame commit and Mr. Football candidate Cierre Wood in the game,as he caught a short pass from Michael Laubaucher and turned it into a 70-yard TD. Wait, Nordhoff still had a minute left to pull out the victory, driving to the Saints' 23-yard line before two incomplete passes ended the struggle. No. 3 Christian of El Cajon will face highly-regarded Santa Fe Christian of Solana Beach Saturday night at Valhalla High. SFC has played a
tougher schedule than Christian and is coming off a solid 30-20 win over Coronado.

Comments or corrections? Email mark@studentsports.com and be sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say.

By Mark Tennis, Ronnie Flores & Steve Brand 

This is the 30th year in which CalHiSports.com has been providing weekly state rankings. At the end of the season, we will be releasing final rankings according to our traditional five divisions based on league and playoff strength. Check this site on Wednesdays during the current season for updates.

Division I North
1.   (1)  Bellarmine (San Jose) 5-0
2.   (2)  De La Salle (Concord) 4-1
3.   (3)  Oak Grove (San Jose) 5-0
4.   (4)  Granite Bay 5-0
5.   (5)  Grant (Sacramento) 6-0
6.   (6)  San Ramon Valley (Danville) 5-0
7.   (7)  Monte Vista (Danville) 5-0
8.   (8)  Gilroy 5-0
9.  (nr) Merced 4-1
10. (nr) Foothill (Pleasanton) 4-1
Others: California (San Ramon) 3-2, Elk Grove 4-1, Junipero Serra (San Mateo) 2-3, Lincoln (Stockton) 4-1, Napa 4-1, Nevada Union (Grass Valley) 5-0, Pittsburg 4-1, Shasta (Redding) 6-0.
Rundown: It's a big week in the north as Division I front-runner Bellarmine plays Division II leader Valley Christian in a showdown of West Catholic League unbeatens and this one will be at Valley Christian. Look for defense to be the key here as Mike Janda's Bellarmine club has allowed just 33 points all season. Foothill (Pleasanton), with its 13-6 win over previous No. 9 California (San Ramon), goes back into this week's rankings at No. 10. Pittsburg, which only lost by three to No. 7 Monte Vista (Danville), could be next on the list after blanking Fremont (Oakland), 41-0, but Nevada Union (5-0) is coming on strong as well. Another big game this week is No. 2 De La Salle hosting No. 10 Foothill in an early East Bay Athletic League biggie.

Division I South
1.   (1) Poly (Long Beach) 5-0
2.   (2) Centennial (Corona) 5-0
3.   (3) Mission Viejo 5-0
4.   (4) Los Alamitos 5-0
5.   (5) Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 5-0
6.  (nr) Edison (Huntington Beach) 5-1
7.   (6) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) 5-0
8.   (7) Upland 5-0
9.   (8) Tesoro (Las Flores) 5-0
10.   (9) Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga) 5-1
11.  (10) J.W. North (Riverside) 4-2
12.  (11) Thousand Oaks 5-0
13.  (14) Clovis West (Fresno) 4-2
14.  (13) Lakewood 5-1*
15.  (14) Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley) 5-0
*Record does not include forfeit losses.
Others: A.B. Miller (Fontana) 5-0, Buchanan (Clovis) 4-1, Chaparral (Temecula) 4-1, Loyola (Los Angeles) 3-2, Narbonne (Harbor City) 4-1, Newport Harbor (Newport Beach) 4-1, Oxnard 5-0, San Pedro 5-0, Santiago (Corona) 3-2, Stockdale (Bakersfield) 5-0, Valencia 4-1.
Rundown: Although Division III leader St. Bonaventure (Ventura) gave No. 1 Long Beach Poly a major scare, in the end Poly prevailed in a game that actually boosts both of the schools' status. If the commissioners at the end of the season are looking at Poly as the Open Division rep from the South, a win over St. Bonaventure would only enhance its appeal. The only movement in this division had to be done to make room for Edison of Huntington Beach being Division I this year instead of Division II. We previously had incorrect enrollment data for that school. If there was room for any team, the Loyola of Los Angeles victory by  52-14 over Hart (Newhall) was impressive. The game of the week matches No. 3 Mission Viejo and No. 9 Tesoro (Las Flores) in a South Coast League showdown.

Division II North
1.   (1) Valley Christian (San Jose) 5-0
2.   (3) Casa Roble (Orangevale) 5-0
3.   (2) St. Mary's (Stockton) 3-2
4.   (4) Whitney (Rocklin) 5-0
5.   (5) Las Lomas (Walnut Creek) 4-1
6.   (8) Del Oro (Loomis) 2-3
7.   (6) Novato 4-2
8.   (7) Sonora 5-0
9.  (nr) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 5-0
10.   (9) Rocklin 2-3
Others: Campolindo (Moraga) 4-1, Encinal (Alameda) 5-0, Inderkum (Sacramento) 4-1, Miramonte (Orinda) 4-1, Paradise 5-1, Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco) 2-3.
Rundown:  All the local coverage by the Stockton Record after St. Mary's dropped a 27-25 game to Central Catholic says that the Rams are just about dead in any hope to gain the bowl bid in this division. Huh? Yes, they do now have two losses but one was to Bellarmine and Central Catholic has lost only to Cardinal Newman. Plus, the St. Mary's bowl bid always has been based on the fact if the Rams were to win the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title, they would have a huge advantage in strength of schedule. That still has not changed, either, although they will have to get a lot better on defense to do actually do that. Even if Casa Roble were to go 13-0 and win the Sac-Joaquin Division III title, a two-loss St. Mary's team that wins in Division I would still be a stronger choice for the bowl game. Besides, other than No. 1 Valley Christian, no other team in this division has a win so far as strong as St. Mary's over Lincoln of Stockton. Del Oro's win last week over Elk Grove could turn out to be just as strong, too. The Golden Eagles' three losses are to Lake City of Idaho (by one point), Cardinal Newman and Merced. They will take a crack at Granite Bay this week.

Division II South
1.   (1) Oceanside 5-0
2.   (5) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 5-0
3.   (3) Crespi (Encino) 4-1
4.   (4) Servite (Anaheim) 3-1
5.   (6) Bishop Amat (La Puente) 4-1
6.   (7) Lutheran (Orange) 4-1
7.   (8) St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 5-0
8.   (9) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 5-0
9. (10) Alemany (Mission Hills) 5-0
10. (12) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 4-2
11.  (2) Edison (Fresno) 5-1
12. (15) Moorpark 4-1
13. (14) Tulare 6-0
14.  (nr) Westlake (Westlake Village) 3-2
15.  (nr) Paso Robles 4-1
Others: Atascadero 4-2, Citrus Hill (Perris) 5-0, El Diamante (Visalia) 4-1, Helix (La Mesa) 3-1-1, Laguna Hills 5-0, North (Torrance) 5-0, San Dimas 5-0, St. Francis (La Canada) 5-0, Westview (San Diego) 5-0.
Rundown: Defending state bowl champ Oceanside continues to roll along as expected although San Pasqual was supposed to be one of the tougher challenges in the new Valley League. This is one division where it may go down to the very last week, like last year. Having a tough schedule gives you points in the minds of the state commissioners but not on the scoreboard as Edison (Fresno) and Servite (Anaheim) discovered again. Less than half of the Top 10 have perfect records. No. 3 Crespi (Encino) plays unbeaten No. 10 Alemany (Mission Hills) in a non-league battle. We also had to add a team in this division due to Edison of Huntington Beach going up to Division I. The Chargers, who were Division II last year, have gone up in enrollment.

Division III North
1.   (1) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 5-0
2.   (2) Palma (Salinas) 4-1
3.   (3) Central Catholic (Modesto) 4-1
4.   (4) Sutter 5-1
5.   (5) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 4-1
6.   (9) Menlo School (Atherton) 5-0
7.   (6) Carmel 4-1
8.   (7) King's Academy (Sunnyvale) 6-0
9.   (8) West Valley (Cottonwood) 5-1
10. (10) St. Patrick-St. Vincent (Vallejo) 4-1
Others: Colfax 2-3, Justin-Siena (Napa) 3-3, Kennedy (Richmond) 4-1, Wheatland 5-1.
Rundown: There was strong consideration to reward Central Catholic for its win over St. Mary's of Stockton by jumping the Raiders ahead of Palma, but Palma was much closer in its game against Cardinal Newman than Central Catholic. Plus, Palma probably has a big game coming up against Gilroy. The only other change in this division was putting Menlo School back up at No. 6. We had an incorrect score for the Knights in last week's rankings.

Division III South
1.   (1) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 5-0
2.   (2) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 5-0
3.   (3) Serra (Gardena) 5-0
4.   (4) St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) 3-2
5.   (5) Exeter 4-0
6.   (6) Harvard-Westlake (N. Hollywood) 2-1-1
7.   (7) Chowchilla 4-0
8.   (8) Bakersfield Christian 3-1
9.   (9) Valley Christian (Cerritos) 5-1
10. (10) Corcoran 5-0
Others: Fowler 5-1, Maranatha (Sierra Madre) 5-0, Morro Bay 4-1, St. Joseph (Santa Maria) 4-1, Taft 4-1.
Rundown: Had St. Bonaventure been No. 2, losing to Division I leader Poly (Long Beach) by just five points would have been impressive enough to catapult the Seraphs to No. 1. Since the Seraphs were already on top, few outside of Westlake Village would argue that they still belong at No. 1. The rest of the Top 10 won or didn't play and were strong enough to hold off an impressive win by St. Joseph of Santa Maria. St. Bonaventure opens Channel League play at Buena (3-2) Friday night.

Small Schools North
1.   (1) Modesto Christian 4-1
2.   (2) Ferndale 6-0
3.   (3) St. Vincent (Petaluma) 4-0
4.   (4) Quincy 6-0
5.  (nr) Portola 6-0
Others: Capital Christian (Sacramento) 3-2, Hamilton (Hamilton City) 4-2, Modoc (Alturas) 6-0, Rio Vista 6-0, St. Elizabeth (Oakland) 3-2, Vacaville Christian 3-1.
Rundown:  Quincy emerged last week as a strong unbeaten team out of the Northern Section, but there are several others with similar credentials and it may take until the playoffs are over before the best of the best is determined. We'll find out more this week when Hamilton plays Portola. The Tigers just posted a 20-point over East Nicolaus, which is 18 better than when unbeaten Rio Vista topped the same team. Top-ranked Modesto Christian defeated Amador of Sutter Creek last week, 47-14.

Small Schools South
1.   (1) Santa Clara (Oxnard) 5-0
2.   (2) St. Margaret's (SJ Capistrano) 5-0
3.   (3) Christian (El Cajon) 6-0
4.   (5) Parker (San Diego) 4-1
5.   (4) Aquinas (San Bernardino) 5-1
Others: Boron 5-1, Brentwood (Los Angeles) 4-1, Saddleback Valley Christian (SJ Capistrano) 5-0, Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach) 3-2, Western Christian (Covina) 5-0.
Rundown: There wasn't much movement here as Francis Parker and Aquinas switched places after Aquinas lost to Division III Twentynine Palms by just three. Santa Clara plays dangerous Nordhoff this weekend after rolling past Kilpatrick of Malibu, 50-8. Santa Fe Christian (Solano Beach) moves in as its two losses were to Division III schools but the Eagles face 4-1 Coronado this week and No. 3 Christian next.

Comments or corrections? Email mark@studentsports.com and be sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say. 

By Mark Tennis, Ronnie Flores & Steve Brand 

This is the 30th year in which CalHiSports.com has been providing weekly state rankings. At the end of the season, we will be releasing final rankings according to our traditional five divisions based on league and playoff strength. Check this site on Wednesdays during the current season for updates.

Division I North
1. (1) Bellarmine (San Jose) 4-0
2. (2) De La Salle (Concord) 3-1
3. (3) Oak Grove (San Jose) 4-0
4. (4) Granite Bay 4-0
5. (5) Grant (Sacramento) 5-0
6. (6) San Ramon Valley (Danville) 4-0
7. (7) Monte Vista (Danville) 4-0
8. (8) Gilroy 4-0
9. (10) California (San Ramon) 3-1
10. (nr) Elk Grove 4-0
Others: Foothill (Pleasanton) 3-1, Junipero Serra (San Mateo) 1-3, Lincoln (Stockton) 3-1, Manteca 4-0, Merced 3-1, Napa 3-1, Pittsburg 3-1, Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 3-1, Shasta (Redding) 5-0.
Rundown: It was literally a play-in game for the NorCal overall and Division I rankings when 3-0 Elk Grove met 3-0 Pleasant Grove last week in the Sacramento area. The Thundering Herd won, 13-7, and went in this week for Lincoln of Stockton, which lost to St. Mary's of Stockton. It was supposed to be somewhat of a transitional year for Elk Grove under new head coach Chris Nixon, but on the sidelines of a game earlier this year it was evident not much is different. It's the same coaches as before. They're just in different roles. Lincoln only lost by 28-22 and was in the game until its last series. The Trojans probably will return to the top 10 above when some of the East Bay Athletic League teams start beating each other. Top-ranked Bellarmine pounded St. Ignatius of San Francisco, 50-12, in its league opener and should be okay this week as well against Riordan. Next week, though, the Bells are playing Valley Christian in a matchup of top-ranked bowl division teams.

Division I South
1. (1) Poly (Long Beach) 4-0
2. (2) Centennial (Corona) 4-0
3. (3) Mission Viejo 5-0
4. (4) Los Alamitos 4-0
5. (5) Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 4-0
6. (6) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) 5-0
7. (7) Upland 5-0
8. (8) Tesoro (Las Flores) 5-0
9. (10) Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga) 4-1
10. (12) J.W. North (Riverside) 3-2
11. (14) Thousand Oaks 4-0
12. (9) Lakewood 4-1*
13. (nr) Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley) 4-0
14. (nr) Clovis West (Fresno) 3-2
15. (13) Buchanan (Clovis) 3-1
Others: Chaparral (Temecula) 3-1, Loyola (Los Angeles) 2-2, Mira Mesa (San Diego) 3-1, Narbonne (Harbor City) 4-0, Newport Harbor (Newport Beach) 3-1, Oxnard 4-0, San Pedro 3-1, Santiago (Corona) 2-2, Stockdale (Bakersfield) 4-0, Valencia 3-1.
*Record does not include forfeit losses.
Rundown: No. 2 Centennial of Corona would like to see Div. III South St. Bonaventure defeat top-ranked Long Beach Poly in this week's showdown game. That would make the Huskies an attractive team should it finish 14-0 with their second consecutive CIFSS Inland Division title in hand. If the Seraphs were selected for the open division game, Centennial would likely be the top rated team on the board in this division especially if the Jackrabbits do not go on to win the CIFSS Pac-Five title. No. 3 Mission Viejo could also be a major factor in this division if Poly were to lose Friday and the Diablos appear to an improved club compared to last year. Bob Johnson's boys, however, will have to prove it on the field in two weeks when they meet undefeated Tesoro of Las Flores in a South Coast League showdown. Tesoro defeated Mission Viejo, 28-24, last season en route to the league crown and both teams have a bye week this week to prepare. No. 4 Los Alamitos is coming off a 28-21 victory over La Habra that snapped that program's 16-game winning steak, but the Griffins still have land mines to cross in the Sunset League while No. 5 Redlands East Valley has Centennial to worry about in the Inland Division before it can become bowl eligible.

Division II North
1. (1) Valley Christian (San Jose) 4-0
2. (2) St. Mary's (Stockton) 3-1
3. (3) Casa Roble (Orangevale) 4-0
4. (4) Whitney (Rocklin) 4-0
5. (5) Las Lomas (Walnut Creek) 4-1
6. (6) Novato 3-2
7. (7) Sonora 4-0
8. (8) Del Oro (Loomis) 2-2
9. (9) Rocklin 2-2
10. (10) Campolindo (Moraga) 4-0
Others: Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 4-0, Encinal (Alameda) 4-0, Inderkum (Sacramento) 3-1, Miramonte (Orinda) 3-1, Paradise 4-1, Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco) 2-2.
Rundown: The only team from last week's top 10 that lost was No. 8 Del Oro, but we didn't drop the Golden Eagles since their loss was by just 21-14 to Div. I Merced. Del Oro's other loss is to NorCal D3 No. 1 Cardinal Newman. St. Mary's of Stockton, meanwhile, appears to be developing more options on offense and that could make the Rams tougher to beat the rest of the season. In their 28-=22 win over previously unbeaten Lincoln of Stockton last week, two of the team's top playmakers were junior running back Maurice House and junior wide receiver Louie Lechich. St. Mary's still has to win the tough Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I title to get bowl eligible, but the two top teams overall in the section (Granite Bay & Grant) probably are in a different section playoff. The Rams will take on NorCal Div. III ranked Central Catholic of Modesto in yet another tough nonleague game this week.

Division II South
1. (1) Oceanside 4-0
2. (2) Edison (Fresno) 5-0
3. (4) Crespi (Encino) 3-1
4. (5) Servite (Anaheim) 3-1
5. (6) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 4-0
6. (7) Bishop Amat (La Puente) 3-1
7. (8) Lutheran (Orange) 2-1
8. (9) St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 5-0
9. (12) Edison (Huntington Beach) 4-1
10. (10) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 4-0
11. (11) El Diamante (Visalia) 4-0
12. (3) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 3-2
13. (13) Alemany (Mission Hills) 4-0
14. (14) Tulare 5-0
15. (nr) Moorpark 3-1
Others: Atascadero 3-2, Citrus Hill (Perris) 4-0, Helix (La Mesa) 3-1-1, La Habra 3-1, Laguna Hills 4-0, Lompoc 4-0, San Dimas 5-0, St. Francis (La Canada) 4-0, Valley Center 4-0, Westlake (Westlake Village) 2-2.
Rundown: On the surface, this division looks like a two-horse race between defending Div. II state champion Oceanside and No. 2 Edison, but there is more than meets the eye when it comes to possible scenarios. New No. 3 Crespi would love to see Div. III front-runner St. Bonaventure defeat Long Beach Poly to lessen the sting associated with the Celts' 31-14 loss to the Seraphs. No. 5 Notre Dame is starting to resemble a serious Pac-Five contender as new QB Ryan Kasdorf is getting comfortable under center. With Crespi, No. 6 Bishop Amat and Loyola in its league and No. 4 Servite on tap this week, the Golden Knights will have the opportunity to rise, or fall, in these ratings based solely on what they do on the field. Another major player down the line could be No. 9 Cathedral Catholic of San Diego, which is coming off a 42-14 victory over Otay Ranch of Chula Vista. The Dons are a solid No. 2 team from the San Diego Section that could crack the overall top 25 soon with games coming up with Chino, undefeated San Diego Lincoln and Mira Mesa. The Dons will compete for the CIF San Diego Section Div. III crown while Oceanside competes in Div. II so both teams could finish unbeaten.

Division III North
1. (1) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 4-0
2. (2) Palma (Salinas) 3-1
3. (3) Central Catholic (Modesto) 3-1
4. (4) Sutter 4-1
5. (5) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 3-1
6. (8) Carmel 3-1
7. (9) King's Academy (Sunnyvale) 5-0
8. (nr) West Valley (Cottonwood) 4-1
9. (7) Menlo School (Atherton) 4-1
10. (nr) St. Patrick-St. Vincent (Vallejo) 3-1
Others: Colfax 2-2, Justin-Siena (Napa) 3-2, Wheatland 4-1.
Rundown: Although it lost to a bigger school, Colfax's 31-12 defeat at the hands of Bear River (Lake of the Pines) certainly shows that the Falcons aren't as powerful as they usually are. The Falcons, who were No. 6 last week, were joined as dropouts this week by previous No. 10 Wheatland, which lost to River Valley of Yuba City, 28-12. West Valley of Cottonwood, which some in the Northern Section have ranked ahead of Sutter and has lost its only game by just 14-6 to unbeaten Shasta, was inserted as a newcomer along with St. Patrick-St. Vincent, which has lost only to Marin Catholic. Top-ranked Cardinal Newman rolled to a 63-0 win last week over Elsie Allen of Santa Rosa.

Division III South
1. (1) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 4-0
2. (2) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 5-0
3. (3) Serra (Gardena) 4-0
4. (4) St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) 2-2
5. (5) Exeter 4-0
6. (6) Harvard-Westlake (N. Hollywood) 2-1-1
7. (nr) Chowchilla 4-0
8. (10) Bakersfield Christian 3-1
9. (9) Valley Christian (Cerritos) 4-1
10. (8) Corcoran 4-0
Others: Fowler 5-0, Maranatha (Sierra Madre) 4-0, Morro Bay 3-1, St. Joseph (Santa Maria) 3-1, Taft 3-1, Yosemite (Oakhurst) 2-2.
Rundown: The scenario in this division remains unchanged from previous weeks. Win or lose this week against Long Beach Poly, top-ranked St. Bonaventure put together a gaudy enough schedule where a single loss to Crespi or the Jackrabbits wouldn't warrant a team such as No. 2 Oaks Christian or No. 3 Gardena Serra hopping them in these rankings. It also helps the Seraphs' cause that the CIFSS Inland Division playoffs traditionally yield a stronger crop of teams than the CIFSS Northwest division playoffs that the Lions and Serra compete in. It remains to be seen if any team will be strong enough to challenge St. Bonaventure in the postseason and a Channel League loss for the Seraphs would be one of the state's biggest upsets in recent memory. In fact, St. Bonaventure hasn't loss a league game since 1996 when it competed in the same Tri-Valley League in which Oaks Christian is currently a member.

Small Schools North
1. (1) Modesto Christian 3-1
2. (2) Ferndale 5-0
3. (3) St. Vincent (Petaluma) 4-0
4. (nr) Quincy 5-0
5. (4) Hamilton (Hamilton City) 3-2
Others: Capital Christian (Sacramento) 2-2, Modoc (Alturas) 5-0, St. Elizabeth (Oakland) 2-2, Vacaville Christian 2-1.
Rundown: In a Northern Section battle of unbeatens, Quincy came up with an 8-6 win over previous No. 4 Hamilton. It improved Quincy to 5-0 and the school has an enrollment that falls just below the Small Schools and Div. III cutoff line. Top-ranked Modesto Christian continued to give up a ton of points,, but still won last week, 50-42, vs. Argonaut of Sutter Creek. No. 2 Ferndale's 35-6 win over Fortuna gave the Wildcats possession of the Milk Can in those two Humboldt-Del Norte schools' annual rivalry game.

Small Schools South
1. (1) Santa Clara (Oxnard) 4-0
2. (2) St. Margaret's (SJ Capistrano) 4-0
3. (3) Christian (El Cajon) 5-0
4. (4) Aquinas (San Bernardino) 5-0
5. (nr) Parker (San Diego) 3-1
Others: Boron 4-1, Brentwood (Los Angeles) 3-1, Saddleback Valley Christian (SJ Capistrano) 4-0, Western Christian (Covina) 4-0.
Rundown: The top teams in this division remain the same, but there is one major shakeup as new No. 5 Parker of San Diego made a resounding statement with a 76-7 victory over previous No. 5 La Jolla Country Day. The Lancers have now won three consecutive games since a season-opening loss to 4-0 Westview of San Diego, a Div. II enrollment team. A major Coastal League showdown could be looming to close out the regular season between Parker and No. 3 Christian of El Cajon, which moved to 5-0 on the year with a 35-15 victory over Central of El Centro. Top-rated Santa Clara of Oxnard had the week off and No. 2 St. Margaret's steamrolled Campbell Hall of North Hollywood, 37-0, as Harry Welch's club held the Vikings to 134 yards of total offense.

By Mark Tennis & Ronnie Flores     (Contributing: Paul Muyskens) 

This is the 30th year in which CalHiSports.com has been providing weekly state rankings. At the end of the season, we will be releasing final rankings according to our traditional five divisions based on league and playoff strength. Check this site on Wednesdays during the current season for updates.

Division I North
1.   (2)  Bellarmine (San Jose) 3-0
2.   (1)  De La Salle (Concord) 2-1
3.   (3)  Oak Grove (San Jose) 3-0
4.   (4)  Granite Bay 3-0
5.   (5)  Grant (Sacramento) 4-0
6.   (7)  San Ramon Valley (Danville) 3-0
7.   (8)  Monte Vista (Danville) 3-0
8.   (9)  Gilroy 3-0
9.  (10) Lincoln (Stockton) 3-0
10.  (nr) California (San Ramon) 2-1
Others: Elk Grove 3-0, Foothill (Pleasanton) 3-0, Junipero Serra (San Mateo) 1-2, Merced 2-1, Napa 2-1, Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 3-0.
Rundown: Merced's margin of defeat in its 43-14 loss to Edison of Fresno was such that the Bears (previously No. 6) slid all the way out of this week's top 10. If they bounce back, though, they could go back up quickly since De La Salle, San Ramon Valley, Monte Vista and California are all in the same league. In addition to Bellarmine perhaps benefiting down the road from De La Salle's loss to Don Bosco Prep of New Jersey, Oak Grove becomes more of a factor in this division as well. If the Eagles can repeat as the Central Coast Section Open Division champs and do that over a field that includes Bellarmine plus Gilroy and others, they also probably would have a 25-game win streak.

Division I South
1.   (1) Poly (Long Beach) 3-0
2.   (2) Centennial (Corona) 3-0
3.   (3) Mission Viejo 4-0
4.   (4) Los Alamitos 3-0
5.   (6) Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 3-0
6.  (nr) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) 4-0
7.   (7) Upland 4-0
8.   (8) Tesoro (Las Flores) 4-0
9.   (11) Lakewood 4-0
10.   (5) Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga) 3-1
11. (14) Mission Hills (San Marcos) 4-0
12.   (9) J.W. North (Riverside) 2-2
13.  (nr) Buchanan (Clovis) 3-0
14.  (nr) Thousand Oaks 3-0
15.  (nr) Bullard (Fresno) 3-1
Others: Clovis West (Fresno) 2-2, Loyola (Los Angeles) 2-2, Mira Mesa (San Diego) 3-1, Narbonne (Harbor City) 3-0, Newbury Park 3-0, Newport Harbor (Newport Beach) 2-1, Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley) 3-0, San Pedro 3-0, Santiago (Corona) 2-1, Stockdale (Bakersfield) 3-0, Valencia 2-1.
Rundown: If top-ranked Poly were to lose to Div. III South front-runner St. Bonaventure in two weeks, No. 2 Centennial would be the clear-front runner in this division. If Poly were to lose by a close margin to the Seraphs and bounce back and win the CIFSS Pac-Five title, it would surely make things interesting especially if another strong CIFSS Inland Division team doesn't emerge. The Big VIII League in which Centennial now competes has quality teams, but only unranked Poly of Riverside is still unbeaten so the viable opponent may turn out to be new No. 6 Vista Murrieta or No. 5 Redlands East Valley. Last season, REV was rolling along at 12-0 before losing, 25-10, to Santiago of Corona in the CIFSS Inland Division quarterfinals. Santiago was then beaten by 35 points by Centennial in the final after Centennial had won by 62 points during the regular season. It's a scenario Centennial would like to avoid this season since the common opponent factor among this division's top contenders from the Pac-Five Division probably won't exist.

Division II North
1.   (1) Valley Christian (San Jose) 3-0
2.   (2) St. Mary's (Stockton) 2-1
3.   (3) Casa Roble (Orangevale) 3-0
4.   (4) Whitney (Rocklin) 3-0
5.   (5) Las Lomas (Walnut Creek) 3-1
6.   (7) Novato 2-2
7.   (8) Sonora 3-0
8.   (9) Del Oro (Loomis) 2-1
9.   (6) Rocklin 1-2
10. (nr) Campolindo (Moraga) 4-0
Others: Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 3-0, Encinal (Alameda) 3-0, Inderkum (Sacramento) 2-1, Miramonte (Orinda) 3-1, Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco) 1-2, St. Ignatius (San Francisco) 2-1.
Rundown: Rocklin may be 1-2, but we couldn't drop out the Thunder after a 45-41 loss to No. 5 Las Lomas. They aren't in the same league as city rival Whitney, but will play Del Oro and Granite Bay in the Sierra Foothill League. St. Mary's, meanwhile, rebounded from its loss to Bellarmine of San Jose with a 51-38 triumph on the road against Los Banos. This week, the Rams have another tough matchup on tap against rival Lincoln of Stockton. Lincoln is 3-0 and lost by just seven points to the Rams last year in the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I South finals. Top-ranked Valley Christian had a bye last week and this week opens its West Catholic Athletic League schedule against Junipero Serra of San Mateo, the same team that lost by just 29-28 to De La Salle.

Division II South
1.   (2) Oceanside 3-0
2.   (3) Edison (Fresno) 4-0
3.   (4) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 3-1
4.   (1) Crespi (Encino) 3-1
5.   (5) Servite (Anaheim) 3-1
6.   (6) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 3-0
7.   (8) Bishop Amat (La Puente) 3-1
8.   (9) Lutheran (Orange) 2-1
9.   (nr) St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 4-0
10. (10) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 3-0
11. (11) El Diamante (Visalia) 3-0
12. (7) Edison (Huntington Beach) 3-1
13. (14) Alemany (Mission Hills) 3-0
14. (15) Tulare 4-0
15.  (nr) Westlake (Westlake Village) 2-1
Others: Atascadero 2-2, Citrus Hill (Perris) 3-0, Helix (La Mesa) 2-1-1, La Habra 3-0, Laguna Hills 3-0, Moorpark 2-1, Norco 2-1, San Dimas 4-0, Santa Margarita (Rancho SM) 2-2, Valley Center 4-0.
Rundown: Although San Diego Section kingpin Oceanside is facing a 2-2 San Marcos club it should defeat this week, Pirates' fans might be a little leery for the simple fact that the top team in this division has lost three consecutive weeks. Previous No. 1 Crespi was beaten soundly by Div. III front-runner St. Bonaventure which followed Centennial's defeat of No. 3 Mater Dei and Bishop Amat's victory over No. 8 Orange Lutheran on September 12. Oceanside will likely win this week and would like to see No. 6 Notre Dame and No. 9 St. John Bosco lose at least once in the coming weeks since all the other top CIFSS Pac-Five contenders in this division have already tasted defeat. Of course, Oceanside also has No. 2 Edison of Fresno to worry about and the Tigers are coming off an impressive 43-14 victory over previous Div. I North No. 6 Merced. Edison, in fact, has the edge over Oceanside in terms of quality intersectional wins as the Pirates do not play outside the section and no longer play in the traditionally strong Avocado League. Not only does Tim McDonald's club own a win over Sac-Joaquin power Merced, the Tigers also beat traditional Southern Section power Dominguez of Compton although that team is reeling right now. Edison also will play Bullard of Fresno in its league (which just beat Clovis East) and could be involved potentially in a battle of undefeated teams in the Central Section Div. II final against El Diamante.

Division III North
1.   (1) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 3-0
2.   (2) Palma (Salinas) 2-1
3.   (3) Central Catholic (Modesto) 2-1
4.   (4) Sutter 4-1
5.   (6) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 2-1
6.   (7) Colfax 2-1
7.   (8) Menlo School (Atherton) 4-0
8.   (9) Carmel 2-1
9. (10) King's Academy (Sunnyvale) 4-0
10. (nr) Wheatland 4-0
Others: Justin-Siena (Napa) 3-1, McClymonds (Oakland) 2-1, St. Patrick-St. Vincent (Vallejo).
Rundown: One play is all that decided last Friday's thrilling matchup between Cardinal Newman and Palma. It was definitely closer than Newman's earlier win over Central Catholic so there was no change at the top of this week's order. Coach Paul Cronin's team certainly is in the driver's seat now to collect its second CIF state bowl bid in three seasons. There was a change at the No. 5 position after previous No. 5 McClymonds got swamped 55-0 by Oakdale. Wheatland, a 42-20 winner over defending Sac-Joaquin Section Div. VI champ Lindhurst, was chosen as the replacement.

Division III South
1.   (1) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 4-0
2.   (2) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 4-0
3.   (3) Serra (Gardena) 4-0
4.   (5) St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) 2-1
5.   (6) Exeter 3-0
6.   (8) Harvard-Westlake (N. Hollywood) 2-0-1
7.   (9) Yosemite (Oakhurst) 2-1
8. (10) Corcoran 3-0
9.  (nr) Valley Christian (Cerritos) 3-1
10. (nr) Bakersfield Christian 2-1
Others: Chowchilla 3-0, Fowler 4-0, Maranatha (Sierra Madre) 3-0, Morro Bay 2-1, St. Joseph (Santa Maria) 2-1, Taft 3-1.
Rundown: According to the CIF state office's "corrected list of teams in their enrollment divisions, St. John Bosco of Bellflower (4-0) would be Division III South. Apparently, though, someone forgot to double St. John Bosco's boys-only enrollment so the Braves actually should be Division II South. With Bosco back up in the division it belongs, all teams from St. Paul backward were all moved up one spot in this week's rankings. The St. Bonaventure-Long Beach Poly game in two weeks will be a huge matchup in regards to the open division and Div. I race in Southern California, but it might not be in regards to this division. The top-ranked Seraphs could lose to Long Beach Poly and would likely retain the top spot, although it certainly is a scenario other top-rated contenders such as Oaks Christian and Serra would like to see happen. It's been clearly laid out to fans, coaches and media types that strength of schedule is clearly one of the main selection criteria the CIF section commissioners use to select  teams for the CIF Championship Bowl Games. The Seraphs clearly have an advantage over No. 2 Oaks Christian in that category. Win or lose against Long Beach Poly, last week's win over a Crespi team that entered as the top-rated Div. II South team was quite impressive considering the Seraphs led by 31-0 at one point.

Small Schools North
1.   (1) Modesto Christian 2-1
2.   (2) Ferndale 4-0
3.   (3) St. Vincent (Petaluma) 3-0
4.   (4) Hamilton (Hamilton City) 3-1
5.   (5) St. Elizabeth (Oakland) 2-1
Others: Capital Christian (Sacramento) 1-2, Modoc (Alturas) 4-0, Vacaville Christian 2-1.
Rundown:  For the second straight week, Modesto Christian scored 41 points only this time instead of a 54-41 win it came in a 45-41 loss to Chowchilla. The Crusaders stayed No. 1 in this division because Chowchilla is a top Div. III school and because they still have Escalon coming up in league plus a tough playoff.  Ferndale would still appear to have the edge to eventually land the bowl bid with a second straight North Coast Section title in its division.

Small Schools South
1.   (1) Santa Clara (Oxnard) 4-0
2.   (2) St. Margaret's (SJ Capistrano) 3-0
3.   (3) Christian (El Cajon) 4-0
4.   (4) Aquinas (San Bernardino) 4-0
5.   (5) La Jolla Country Day (La Jolla) 3-0
Others: Boron 4-0, Brentwood (Los Angeles) 2-1, Parker (San Diego) 2-1, Saddleback Valley Christian (SJ Capistrano) 3-0.
Rundown: The top teams in this division continue to roll, as top-ranked Santa Clara downed L.A. Baptist, 40-18, as Cierre Wood churned for 176 yards on 21 lugs. He scored three touchdowns rushing and also caught a 31-yard scoring pass. Santa Clara has one more non-league contest before jumping into Tri-Valley League play where the Saints face Oaks Christian in week nine. A big game and a victory over the Lions would make Wood a serious Mr. Football candidate. St. Margaret's kept pace with the Saints in these rankings courtesy of a 42-26 victory over Whittier Christian. Coach Harry Welch's club jumped all over the visitors 28-0 and got a boost after halftime when John Murayama returned the second half kickoff 92 yards for a score. Only No. 5 La Jolla Country Day didn't impress last week and that's only because the Torreys had a bye.

Comments or corrections? Email mark@studentsports.com and be sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say.

By Mark Tennis & Paul Muyskens

(Contributing: Ronnie Flores) 

This is the 30th year in which CalHiSports.com has been providing weekly state rankings. At the end of the season, we will be releasing final rankings according to our traditional five divisions based on league and playoff strength. Check this site on Wednesdays during the current season for updates.

Division I North
1.   (1)  De La Salle (Concord) 2-0
2.   (2)  Bellarmine (San Jose) 2-0
3.   (3)  Oak Grove (San Jose) 2-0
4.   (4)  Granite Bay 2-0
5.   (7)  Grant (Sacramento) 3-0
6.   (5)  Merced 2-0
7.   (6)  San Ramon Valley (Danville) 2-0
8.  (nr)  Monte Vista (Danville) 2-0
9.   (8)  Gilroy 2-0
10.  (10) Lincoln (Stockton) 2-0
Others: California (San Ramon) 1-1, Elk Grove 2-0, Foothill (Pleasanton) 2-0, Napa 1-1, Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 2-0.
Rundown: Playing at home and on ESPNU this Saturday should push De La Salle to a strong performance against nationally-ranked Don Bosco Prep of New Jersey. If not, these rankings could change next week with Bellarmine perhaps  poised to move up to the top. Grant went up by two spots after beating defending Class 5A Utah champ Alta of Sandy, but the Pacers could slide back one next week if Merced does well in its showdown with D2 South-ranked Edison of Fresno. Granite Bay and Grant figure to both be in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Div. II playoffs. Teams that are projected to be in the SJS Div. I playoffs that have CIF Div. I enrollments include Merced, Lincoln of Stockton, Napa and Pleasant Grove.

Division I South
1.   (1) Poly (Long Beach) 2-0
2.   (2) Centennial (Corona) 2-0
3.   (4) Mission Viejo 3-0
4.   (3) Los Alamitos 2-0
5.   (7) Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga) 3-0
6.   (8) Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 2-0
7.   (10) Upland 3-0
8.   (12) Tesoro (Las Flores) 3-0
9.   (13) J.W. North (Riverside) 2-1
10. (11) Loyola (Los Angeles) 2-1
11. (15) Lakewood 3-0
12. (14) Clovis East (Clovis) 2-1
13.  (nr) Palmdale 2-0
14.  (nr) Mission Hills (San Marcos) 3-0
15.  (nr) Clovis West (Fresno) 2-1
Others: Bakersfield 1-1, Buchanan (Clovis) 2-0, Hart (Newhall) 1-1, La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 2-1, Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach) 2-1, Mira Mesa (San Diego) 2-1, Newbury Park 2-0, Newport Harbor (Newport Beach) 1-1, Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley) 3-0, Santiago (Corona) 1-1, Stockdale (Bakersfield) 2-0.
Rundown: The top teams in this division remain the same and three of them play in the tough CIF Southern Section Pac-Five playoffs so the real contenders will eventually emerge among a large group of quality teams. The one team that hurt not only its chances but the entire CIF Central Section's chances in this division was previous No. 5 Bakersfield. The Drillers were upset, 34-29, by Stockdale of Bakersfield and with the loss could also hurt its chances to schedule a big-time intersectional opponent. Central Section club Clovis East did record a 31-14 victory over Sanger, but still has a long climb towards the top of these ratings. The best scenario for the section would be a Clovis West victory over No. 2 Centennial this week and for Clovis East to defeat a one-loss Golden Eagles club down the line. It would also look good for Clovis West if Heritage of Colleyville, Texas, which beat the Golden Eagles in their first game, has a strong showing in the Texas 5A playoffs. It also wasn't a good week for the CIF San Diego Section in this division as previous No. 6 La Costa Canyon and previous No. 9 Mira Mesa went down in flames.

Division II North
1.   (1) Valley Christian (San Jose) 3-0
2.   (2) St. Mary's (Stockton) 1-1
3.   (3) Casa Roble (Orangevale) 2-0
4.   (4) Whitney (Rocklin) 2-0
5.   (6) Las Lomas (Walnut Creek) 2-1
6.   (5) Rocklin 1-1
7.   (9) Novato 1-2
8.  (nr) Sonora 2-0
9.  (7)  Del Oro (Loomis) 1-1
10. (10) Inderkum (Sacramento) 2-0
Others: Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 2-0, Campolindo (Moraga) 3-0, Del Norte (Crescent City) 2-0, Encinal (Alameda) 2-0, Miramonte (Orinda) 3-0, Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco) 1-2, St. Ignatius (San Francisco) 2-1.
Rundown: After it was defeated by NorCal D1 power Bellarmine last week, dropping St. Mary's at all especially behind Casa Roble -- just wasn't an option. The Rams should still have an outstanding season. It's just that the Bells were that good. The other big news in this division is the turnaround for 2007 CIF Div. II bowl participant Novato. Coach Travis Brackett's squad blanked previous No. 8 St. Ignatius of San Francisco, 36-0. This is after the Hornets lost their first two games to Valley Christian of San Jose and Foothill of Pleasanton. Sonora, which has been No. 2 overall among large schools behind Merced in the Modesto Bee's rankings, was picked to go in this week as a newcomer in place of St. Ignatius.

Division II South
1.   (2) Crespi (Encino) 3-0
2.   (3) Oceanside 3-0
3.   (4) Edison (Fresno) 3-0
4.   (2) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 2-1
5.   (5) Servite (Anaheim) 2-1
6.   (6) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 2-0
7.   (7) Edison (Huntington Beach) 3-0
8.   (8) Bishop Amat (La Puente) 2-1
9.   (9) Lutheran (Orange) 1-1
10. (10) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 2-0
11. (11) El Diamante (Visalia) 2-0
12. (13) Helix (La Mesa) 2-1
13.  (nr) Hart (Newhall) 2-1
14. (15) Alemany (Mission Hills) 2-0
15. (nr) Tulare 3-0
Others: Atascadero 1-2, Citrus Hill (Perris) 2-0, La Habra 2-0, Laguna Hills 2-0, Moorpark 2-1, Norco 1-1, San Dimas 3-0, Valley Center 3-0, Westlake (Westlake Village) 1-1.
Rundown: For the second consecutive week, there is a new No. 1 team in this division in the aftermath of Corona Centennial's 47-35 victory over Mater Dei, which spent one week at the top after Orange Lutheran's loss to No. 8 Bishop Amat. Crespi is the new No. 1 following its 21-20 victory over Servite of Anaheim, which doesn't fall in these ratings after dropping one spot in the overall top 25. The scenario for San Diego Section power Oceanside has been well-versed -- if a Div. I South club wins the CIFSS Pac-Five title, seven of the current top teams 10 teams would be ineligible for the bowl games. Pac-Five powers knocking each other off also bodes well for No. 3 Edison of Fresno, which has averaged 49 points through its first three games and has a tough test this week against Div. I North contender Merced. The Central Section, San Diego Section and Southern Section all have great contenders in this division, with only the L.A. City Section on the outside looking in.

Division III North
1.   (1) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 2-0
2.   (2) Palma (Salinas) 2-0
3.   (4) Central Catholic (Modesto) 1-1
4.   (3) Sutter 3-1
5.   (7) McClymonds (Oakland) 2-0
6.   (6) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 1-1
7.   (8) Colfax 1-1
8.   (9) Menlo School (Atherton) 3-0
9.   (5) Carmel 2-1
10. (nr) King's Academy (Sunnyvale) 3-0
Others: Justin-Siena (Napa) 2-1, St. Patrick-St. Vincent (Vallejo) 1-1, Wheatland 3-0.
Rundown: Cardinal Newman's 52-25 win over a Del Oro of Loomis team it has had quite the battles with in recent years shows that head coach Paul Cronin may have put together his most complete team. That still remains to be seen, but if Cardinal Newman beats No. 2 Palma this week, then it will be firmly in control of this bowl bid. Another result that helps Newman was Central Catholic topping Sutter, 30-28, on a last-second field goal. You really have to credit Sutter coach Scott Turner for going after this game and while the odds are long that both Cardinal Newman and Central Catholic will lose in their section playoffs, it's not impossible.

Division III South
1.   (1) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 3-0
2.   (2) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 3-0
3.   (3) Serra (Gardena) 3-0
4.   (4) St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 3-0
5.   (5) St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) 1-1
6.  (nr) Exeter 2-0
7.  (nr) Morro Bay 2-0
8.   (9) Harvard-Westlake (N. Hollywood) 1-0-1
9.   (6) Yosemite (Oakhurst) 1-1
10. (10) Corcoran 2-0
Others: Bakersfield Christian 1-1, Fowler 3-0, Maranatha (Sierra Madre) 3-0, St. Joseph (Santa Maria) 1-1, Taft 2-1, Valley Christian (Cerritos) 2-1.
Rundown: The top rated teams in this division all recorded easy victories last week and the overall scenario remains the same. Top-rated St. Bonaventure beat a tough Jordan of Los Angeles team and No. 2 Oaks Christian routed Diamond Ranch, 48-6. The St. Bonaventure-Oaks Christian series has basically decided this division the past two years, but the two Ventura County powers won't play this season. Ironically, there are talks between the two programs to resume the series next season. One wildcard team that could drastically alter this division is St. John Bosco of Bellflower. The Braves potentially could be as good as Oaks Christian, but they'll have to win the brutal CIFSS Pac-Five Division playoffs just to be eligible. It remains to be seen if they are that good. No. 3 Serra of Gardena, led by junior multi-purpose standout Robert Woods, routed San Gabriel 53-0 last week, but the Cavaliers probably have to get through Oaks Christian at some point to become bowl eligible.

Small Schools North
1.   (1) Modesto Christian 2-0
2.   (2) Ferndale 3-0
3.   (3) St. Vincent (Petaluma) 2-0
4.   (5) Hamilton (Hamilton City) 2-1
5.  (nr) St. Elizabeth (Oakland) 1-1
Others: Capital Christian (Sacramento) 0-2, Modoc (Alturas) 3-0, Vacaville Christian 1-1.
Rundown: Modesto Christian outscored Capital Christian, 54-41, in a wild shootout last week and remains No. 1 in this division. Capital Christian, however, still may have a better shot at getting bowl eligible since it would be in the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. VII playoffs while the Crusaders would be in Division V, same as Central Catholic. MC also will have to deal with Escalon in its league. Ferndale would have to win the North Coast Section Division V title (formerly Class 1A) for the second straight year to become eligible. As of now, that certainly looks more doable than what MC has to do.

Small Schools South
1.   (1) Santa Clara (Oxnard) 3-0
2.   (2) St. Margaret's (SJ Capistrano) 2-0
3.   (3) Christian (El Cajon) 3-0
4.   (4) Aquinas (San Bernardino) 3-0
5.   (5) La Jolla Country Day (La Jolla) 2-0
Others: Boron 3-0, Brentwood (Los Angeles) 2-0, Parker (San Diego) 1-1, Saddleback Valley Christian (SJ Capistrano) 2-0.
Rundown: All-American back Cierre Wood didn't play in the first quarter, but he still rushed for 259 yards and three touchdowns in Santa Clara's 35-7 victory over Channel Islands. Not only did the top-ranked Saints win last week, but so did the five top-rated teams in this division. No. 2 St. Margaret's won its 30th consecutive game with a 41-0 victory over Army-Navy of Carlsbad although head coach Harry Welch wasn't exactly pleased with the victory. If the Tartans win the rest of their games this season, not only would they be in great position for the smalls schools bowl berth, they would break the Orange County record for most consecutive victories. Mission Viejo had a 41-game winning steak between 2001 and 2003.

Comments or corrections? Email mark@studentsports.com and be sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say.

This is the 30th year in which CalHiSports.com has been providing weekly state rankings. At the end of the season, we will be releasing final rankings according to our traditional five divisions based on league and playoff strength. Check this site on Wednesdays during the current season for updates.

By Mark Tennis & Ronnie Flores 

Division I North
1.   (1)  De La Salle (Concord) 1-0
2.   (2)  Bellarmine (San Jose) 1-0
3.   (4)  Oak Grove (San Jose) 2-0
4.   (3)  Granite Bay 1-0
5.   (5)  Merced 1-0
6.   (6)  San Ramon Valley (Danville) 1-0
7.   (9)  Grant (Sacramento) 2-0
8.   (7)  Gilroy 1-0
9.   (8)  Napa 1-0
10.  (10) Lincoln (Stockton) 1-0
Others: California (San Ramon) 1-0, Elk Grove 1-0, Foothill (Pleasanton) 1-0, Junipero Serra (San Mateo) 0-1, Monte Vista (Danville) 1-0, Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 1-0.
Rundown: De La Salle would currently be the top overall pick for Northern California, so Bellarmine would then be the top pick for Division I. Oak Grove and Bellarmine would perhaps meet in the Central Coast Section playoffs and the Eagles are the defending champions. They have been very impressive so far and might have the best offensive line in the region to go with playmaking brothers Jabari and Omari Carr. De La Salle, meanwhile, will have to play San Ramon Valley, Monte Vista, Foothill and California in the East Bay Athletic League. We decided not to drop San Ramon Valley in order to match the current East Bay rankings (which have California second-highest in the EBAL) but we'd have to bump up the Grizzlies if they were to win this weekend in Seattle against 2-0 Bellevue, currently the No. 2 overall ranked team in Washington.

Division I South
1.   (1) Poly (Long Beach) 1-0
2.   (2) Centennial (Corona) 1-0
3.   (3) Los Alamitos 1-0
4.   (4) Mission Viejo 2-0
5.   (7) Bakersfield 1-0
6.   (nr) La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 2-0
7.   (nr) Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga) 2-0
8.   (nr) Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 1-0
9.   (nr) Mira Mesa (San Diego) 2-0
10. (nr) Upland 2-0
11. (nr) Loyola (Los Angeles) 2-0
12. (12) Tesoro (Las Flores) 2-0
13. (12) J.W. North (Riverside) 0-1
14. (nr) Clovis East (Clovis) 1-1
15. (14) Lakewood 2-0
Others: Buchanan (Clovis) 1-0, Clovis West (Fresno) 1-1, Esperanza (Anaheim) 2-0, Mission Hills (San Marcos) 2-0, Newport Harbor (Newport Beach) 1-0, Palmdale 1-0, Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley) 2-0, Santiago (Corona) 1-1.
Rundown: This division will be quite interesting should Long Beach Poly fail to win its second consecutive CIFSS Pac-Five Division title. No. 2 Centennial of Corona, another CIFSS Inland Division champion, such as Redlands East Valley, or possible CIFSS Central Division champion Los Osos of Rancho Cucamonga could have strong cases should those teams keep winning. Of course, if top-ranked Poly were to falter somewhere along the line, Centennial could be a prime candidate for the SoCal open division berth as well. That could open the door for No. 5 Bakersfield, assuming the Drillers go on to win the CIF Central Section Div. I title. Bakersfield has a dynamic group  of players and would be quite attractive from the standpoint of fan interest. The Drillers got their season off on the right foot with a 38-32 victory over Canyon of Canyon Country and need to keep pace with No. 3 Los Alamitos and No. 4 Mission Viejo. Those two clubs would participate in the Pac-Five playoffs with Poly and a section crown by either one of those clubs would make Drillers' fans sweat bullets, although the Drillers would have the edge over REV and Los Osos at this time should Poly be chosen for the open division game.

Division II North
1.   (1) Valley Christian (San Jose) 2-0
2.   (2) St. Mary's (Stockton) 1-0
3.   (nr) Casa Roble (Orangevale) 1-0
4.   (5) Whitney (Rocklin) 1-0
5.   (8) Rocklin 1-0
6.   (6) Las Lomas (Walnut Creek) 1-1
7.   (4) Del Oro (Loomis) 0-1
8.   (nr) St. Ignatius (San Francisco) 2-0
9.   (3) Novato 0-2
10. (nr) Inderkum (Sacramento) 1-0
Others: Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 1-0, Campolindo (Moraga) 2-0, Del Norte (Crescent City) 1-0, Encinal (Alameda) 2-0, Oakdale 0-1, Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco) 1-1, Sonora 1-0.
Rundown: After its 52-0 win over Jesuit of Carmichael, a team that just never seems to have lost like that before, there was some consideration to move St. Mary's in front of Valley Christian. But with the Rams hosting Bellarmine on Thursday and Valley Christian, of course, playing the Bells later on, we'll have a real good common opponent comparison coming up soon. A St. Mary's win would probably force a change anyway. Casa Roble was inserted into the No. 3 spot since it is higher than Whitney, Rocklin and Del Oro in the Sacramento Bee's rankings. The Rams also were Division I previously. Las Lomas lost last week to California of San Ramon (Division I) but won in its opener over Archbishop Mitty of San Jose. Del Oro's loss was to Lake City of Couer d'Alene, Idaho, while Novato's two losses have come to Valley Christian and Foothill of Pleasanton. The Hornets, who were in last year's CIF Div. II bowl game, will try to bounce back against St. Ignatius this week. Their bowl chances look bleak now, but Valley Christian, St. Mary's, Rocklin, Del Oro and others higher could all easily lose in their section playoffs to schools with Division I enrollments.
 
Division II South
1.   (2) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 2-0
2.   (4) Crespi (Encino) 2-0
3.   (3) Oceanside 2-0
4.   (5) Edison (Fresno) 2-0
5.   (9) Servite (Anaheim) 2-0
6.   (6) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 1-0
7.   (7) Edison (Huntington Beach) 2-0
8.   (nr) Bishop Amat (La Puente) 1-1
9.   (1) Lutheran (Orange) 1-1
10. (14) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 2-0
11. (11) El Diamante (Visalia) 1-0
12. (nr) Norco 1-0
13. (nr) Helix (La Mesa) 1-1
14. (nr) Westlake (Westlake Village) 1-0
15. (15) Alemany (Mission Hills) 0-1
Others: Atascadero 1-1, Chaminade (West Hills) 1-0, Citrus Hill (Perris) 1-0, Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 0-1, Hart (Newhall) 0-1, Laguna Hills 1-0, Moorpark 1-1, San Dimas 2-0, South Hills (Covina) 1-0, Tulare 1-0, Valley Center 2-0.
Rundown: Previous No. 1 Orange Lutheran fell from its preseason perch after a 47-39 upset loss to resurgent Bishop Amat of La Puente. The best case scenario for the Lancers to climb back up in this division is for Amat to beat No. 2 Crespi, No. 6 Notre Dame and Loyola of Los Angeles in Serra League play to end the regular season. The perfect scenario would be for Amat to continue winning, Orange Lutheran to defeat new No. 1 Mater Dei for the fourth consecutive year and win a rematch with Amat in the playoffs. Mater Dei will defend its No. 1 rating this week against Div. I South No. 2 Centennial and a close loss probably won't drop the Monarchs too far. All of the above mentioned clubs compete in the CIFSS Pac-Five playoffs, so No. 3 Oceanside is hoping for a Div. I enrollment team to win out in that playoff division while capturing a CIF San Diego Section Div. II title once again.

Division III North
1.   (1) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 1-0
2.   (2) Palma (Salinas) 1-0
3.   (4) Sutter 3-0
4.   (3) Central Catholic (Modesto) 0-1
5.   (5) Carmel 2-0
6.   (8) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 1-1
7.   (8) McClymonds (Oakland) 1-0
8.   (6) Colfax 0-1
9. (10) Menlo School (Atherton) 2-0
10. (nr) Justin-Siena (Napa) 2-0
Others: King's Academy (Sunnyvale) 2-0, St. Patrick-St. Vincent (Vallejo) 1-1, Wheatland 2-0.
Rundown: After exploding in the second half of its 38-20 win over Central Catholic last Saturday night, Cardinal Newman could be in a commanding position in this division in just two more weeks. Part one of that scenario comes this week when Sutter travels down to play at Central Catholic. Part two comes the next week when Cardinal Newman plays Palma. No matter what happens this week against Del Oro, a Central Catholic win over Sutter combined with a Cardinal Newman win against Palma will give the Cardinals a definite advantage in these rankings for the rest of the season. Marin Catholic's loss came last week to D2 St. Ignatius of San Francisco, but the Wildcats opened up with a 28-7 win over St. Patrick-St. Vincent. Menlo's two wins have both come against Northern Section schools, including last week against East Nicolaus. This week, the Knights are playing Justin-Siena.

Division III South
1.   (1) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 2-0
2.   (2) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 2-0
3.   (3) Serra (Gardena) 2-0
4.   (nr) St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 2-0
5.   (4) St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) 1-1
6.   (nr) Yosemite (Oakhurst) 1-0
7.   (5) St. Joseph (Santa Maria) 1-0
8.   (6) Taft 2-0
9.   (nr) Harvard-Westlake (N. Hollywood) 1-0-1
10. (7) Corcoran 1-0
Others: Bakersfield Christian 0-1, Fowler 2-0, Maranatha (Sierra Madre) 1-0, Morro Bay 2-0, Notre Dame (Riverside) 1-0, Paraclete (Lancaster) 0-2.
Rundown: No. 1 St. Bonaventure has a tough three-game stretch coming up with Jordan of Los Angeles, Div. II South contender Crespi and Div. I South front-runner Long Beach Poly. The Seraphs could lose to either Crespi or Long Beach Poly and still retain the No. 1 rating. If St. Bonaventure were to lose to Jordan and one of the other two games, it could create room at the top for No. 2 Oaks Christian and No. 3 Serra of Gardena. The Cavaliers recorded an impressive 21-19 victory over L.A. City Section contender Carson after that team played nationally-ranked Mater Dei to the wire. If St. Bonaventure were to falter, one of those clubs would be in the driver's seat if it eventually won the CIFSS Northwest Division title. Oaks Christian routed the Cavaliers in last year's postseason so the Lions will remain higher in our ratings for now.

Small Schools North
1.   (1) Modesto Christian 1-0
2.   (2) Ferndale 2-0
3.   (nr) St. Vincent (Petaluma) 1-0
4.   (nr) Vacaville Christian 1-0
5.   (3) Hamilton (Hamilton City) 1-1
Others: Capital Christian (Sacramento) 0-1, Modoc (Alturas) 3-0, St. Elizabeth (Oakland) 0-1.
Rundown: Yes, that big kid rumbling around catching passes for Modesto Christian in its easy first game win over Orestimba of Newman was UCLA-bound basketball player Reeves Nelson. St. Vincent and Vacaville Christian moved up after strong starts with St. Vincent beating Tomales, 34-0, while Vaca Christian took on bigger school Madera South and won, 24-20. St. Vincent's enrollment was reported at 400, which means just one more student and that school would be D3 instead of small schools. Hamilton's loss was to Menlo School and it took a fourth down conversion for the Knights to pull out a dramatic victory. Menlo beat East Nicolaus much more comfortably last weekend.

Small Schools South
1.   (1) Santa Clara (Oxnard) 2-0
2.   (2) St. Margaret's (SJ Capistrano) 1-0
3.   (nr) Christian (El Cajon) 2-0
4.   (nr) Aquinas (San Bernardino) 2-0
5.   (nr) La Jolla Country Day (La Jolla) 2-0
Others: Boron 2-0, Brentwood (Los Angeles) 1-0, Parker (San Diego) 0-1, Saddleback Valley Christian (SJ Capistrano) 2-0.
Rundown: Top-ranked Santa Clara of Oxnard has impressed in season-opening victories over Mary Star of San Pedro (29-7) and Hueneme of Oxnard (28-0), but it won't be easy for All-American Cierre Wood and company to become bowl eligible. They are now in the same Tri-Valley League as Div. III South contender Oaks Christian so it's conceivable they could meet twice this season. No. 2 St. Margaret's won't play against a team with the talent-level of Oaks Christian this season, but a possible 42-game winning streak and another section crown for the Tartans would be quite impressive to CIF commissioners when they vote. That section title, however, would be against tougher opponents than last season as St. Margaret's has been moved from the CIF Southern Section's Northeast Division to the East Valley Division that was won last season by Citrus Hill of Perris.

Comments or corrections? Email mark@studentsports.com and be sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say.

By Mark Tennis, Executive Editor 

It's a new format this year for the CIF state football games. After the first two seasons of CIF state football bowl games were successful, especially from a TV package sponsorship point of view, the straightforward Division I, Division II and Division III matchups have been replaced.

The new system created the Open Division, which will match the top team in Northern California vs. the best from Southern California regardless of school enrollment. Also new is the Small Schools Division, which is for schools of less than 400 students in Northern California and less than 500 in Southern California.

Last year, for example, under the bowl game format for this year, De La Salle of Concord and Centennial of Corona would have met in the Open Division game instead of Division I. That would then have created berths for two other schools in Division I, which likely would have been Oak Grove of San Jose from the north and Birmingham of Lake Balboa for the south.

Using the same system for this year for two years ago, the Open Division game would have pitted De La Salle vs. Oaks Christian of Westlake Village. That would then have opened up spots in Division I North for another school (Grant of Sacramento) and in Division III South for another school (possibly Garces of Bakersfield).

To become eligible for a bowl game, a team still must win its section championship. For the new small school division, that could create a problem so if there are less than three qualified schools from within those enrollment guidelines, the selection committee will have the option of picking another team from Division III.

Last week, the CIF state office sent out lists of schools in each enrollment division for the football games, but the next day pulled the list due to inaccurate information. No new list had been sent out as of Friday morning, September 5, and since the season is getting underway in some areas of the state we decided to go ahead and release preseason rankings for each CIF bowl game division.

These CIF bowl game rankings will be the only regular season divisional state rankings that CalHiSports.com will compile every week this season. At the end of the season, however, we will once again release final state rankings according to each of our traditional five divisions.

For the rankings that follow, the CIF enrollment lists for last year had to be used. See the rundowns underneath each division to find out which schools are on the bubble and actually may be in a different division.

Division I North
1. De La Salle (Concord) 13-0
2. Bellarmine (San Jose) 10-2
3. Granite Bay 11-2
4. Oak Grove (San Jose) 12-1
5. Merced 11-1
6. San Ramon Valley (Danville) 12-1-1
7. Gilroy 10-3
8. Napa 13-1
9. Grant (Sacramento) 7-4
10. Lincoln (Stockton) 9-5*
Others: California (San Ramon) 11-2, Monte Vista (Danville) 8-4, San Leandro 8-3.
Rundown: De La Salle and San Ramon Valley are now both in the same league as the Spartans are part of the East Bay Athletic League. The two teams are in separate playoff divisions, though, so SRV would not have to beat DLS to become bowl eligible. The toughest game for the Spartans probably will come at home on Saturday, Sept. 27 against nationally-ranked Don Bosco Prep of New Jersey. That game will be shown nationally on ESPNU.

Division I South
1. Poly (Long Beach) 13-1
2. Centennial (Corona) 13-2
3. Los Alamitos 7-3
4. Mission Viejo 6-4-1
5. Birmingham (Lake Balboa) 13-1
6. Clovis West (Fresno) 9-4-1
7. Bakersfield 13-1
8. Poway 12-0
9. Hart (Newhall) 12-1-1
10. Carson 11-3
11. Helix (La Mesa) 8-2-1
12. J.W. North (Riverside) 13-1
13. Tesoro (Las Flores) 7-4
14. Lakewood 7-4
15. Santiago (Corona) 9-5
Others: Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga) 8-3, Mayfair (Lakewood) 8-4, Mission Hills (San Marcos) 10-2, Norco 9-3, Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 12-1, Sanger 7-4, Taft (Woodland Hills) 8-4, Vista 5-5.
Rundown: In addition to Poly opening up with that huge win over Miami Northwestern, Mission Viejo also has already won with a 48-21 victory in Hawaii against Baldwin of Maui. Birmingham, however, has already lost with a 29-28 upset loss on Thursday of this week against Garfield of Los Angeles. Mission Hills, Sanger and Mayfair were all barely above the cutoff for Division I last year. One, two or all of them possibly could be Division II this season.

Division II North
1. Valley Christian (San Jose) 7-3-1
2. St. Mary's (Stockton) 12-2
3. Novato 13-1
4. Del Oro (Loomis) 11-2
5. Whitney (Rocklin) 11-2
6. Las Lomas (Walnut Creek) 13-1
7. Oakdale 12-1
8. Rocklin 8-2
9. St. Francis (Mountain View) 4-4-2
10. Del Norte (Crescent City) 12-1
Others: Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 7-4, Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 8-3, Sonora 8-4.
Rundown: A big game right out of the chutes gets this division going this weekend when Novato travels to play Valley Christian. Novato will have to win the CIF North Coast Section Division III title to become bowl eligible, which won't be easy because fellow Redwood Empire powerhouse Cardinal Newman also is in that division. Novato almost was selected for the bowl game two years ago and got the nod last year in a close vote over Foothill of Palo Cedro. This year, Foothill, by the way, is trying to reload after losing a ton of players to graduation. The preseason team to beat in the CIF Northern Section was Shasta of Redding, which actually has a Division I bowl game enrollment.

Division II South
1. Lutheran (Orange) 11-2
2. Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 10-2
3. Oceanside 12-1
4. Crespi (Encino) 11-3
5. Edison (Fresno) 10-1-1
6. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 8-3
7. Edison (Huntington Beach) 8-4
8. Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 8-5
9. Servite (Anaheim) 9-3
10. Newport Harbor (Newport Beach) 9-4
11. El Diamante (Visalia) 12-1
12. Dominguez (Compton) 10-3
13. Gahr (Cerritos) 10-3
14. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 10-2
15. Alemany (Mission Hills) 8-4
Others: Atascadero 9-3, Cypress 10-3, Newbury Park 11-2, Tulare 13-1.
Rundown: A number of these teams had enrollments last year were just below the cutoff for Division I. The best team in that category is Edison of Fresno. The other Edison, plus Newport Harbor, also were just barely below 2,400 enrollment. If those enrollments went up only slightly, all three of those teams could be Division I this season. Look for the CIF to release those official lists any day now.
Lutheran, Mater Dei, Crespi, Notre Dame, Edison of Huntington Beach, Servite and Newport Harbor are all CIF Southern Section Pac-Five Division teams. Obviously, the key in this division again is whether a Div. II enrollment school wins the Pac-Five or if a Div. I enrollment school like Long Beach Poly last year wins the Pac-Five and knocks out all of the others from bowl consideration.

Division III North
1. Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 11-2-1
2. Palma (Salinas) 8-3
3. Central Catholic (Modesto) 11-2-1
4. Sutter 12-0
5. Carmel 7-4
6. Colfax 10-2
7. St. Patrick/St. Vincent (Vallejo) 12-1
8. Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 4-6
9. McClymonds (Oakland) 5-6-1
10. Menlo School (Atherton) 7-3
Others: King's Academy (Sunnyvale) 7-3, Pacific Grove 11-2, Wheatland 9-3.
Rundown: The big three of Cardinal Newman, Palma and Central Catholic could be joined by Sutter this year. The Northern Section powerhouse returns a wealth of talent from last year and to its credit went out and scheduled a tough schedule, which includes a game vs. Central Catholic. Of those top three, Central Catholic again would seem to have the easiest task of winning a section title, in its case the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division V crown. Cardinal Newman won't have to play San Ramon Valley again, but this time would possibly have to beat Novato to get bowl eligible. Palma, meanwhile, will likely play once again in the CCS Open Division. Colfax was just below the Division III cutoff last year and this year actually could be Division II.

Division III South
1. St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 14-1
2. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 11-3
3. Serra (Gardena) 10-2
4. St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) 10-4
5. St. Joseph (Santa Maria) 7-4
6. Taft 12-1
7. Corcoran 11-2
8. Paraclete (Lancaster) 12-1
9. Twentynine Palms 8-3
10. Bishop's (La Jolla) 12-0
Others: Big Bear (Big Bear Lake) 8-3, Garces (Bakersfield) 7-4, Morro Bay 11-1, St. Bernard (Playa del Rey) 8-5.
Rundown: For the first two years of the CIF bowl games, St. Bonaventure and Oaks Christian played each other in highly-anticipated Ventura County showdowns and the winner of that game basically went on to win the first two CIF Division III state titles. This year, those two aren't playing each other and Oaks Christian's schedule is significantly weaker. This means that if St. Bonnie were to lose two or three of its early-season games, such as the ones for example to Long Beach Poly and Crespi, and then would still go on to repeat as the CIF Southern Section Northern Division champion it's hard to see how even an unbeaten Oaks Christian team would get the pick over the Seraphs. Strength of schedule is that important. Oaks Christian, by the way, opens its season this weekend against Bakersfield Christian.

Small Schools North
1. Modesto Christian 8-4
2. Ferndale 11-1
3. Capital Christian (Sacramento) 9-3
4. Hamilton (Hamilton City) 13-0
5. St. Elizabeth (Oakland) 8-4
Others: East Nicolaus (Nicolaus) 9-3, Modoc (Alturas) 8-5, Vacaville Christian 11-1.
Rundown: Modesto Christian is loaded with veteran players this year, led by QB Isiah Burse, plus some talented newcomers, including tight end Reeves Nelson, the 6-7, 225-pound basketball star. The Crusaders, however, would have to likely beat Central Catholic (see above) in the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. V playoffs to become bowl eligible. Ferndale also will have to beat bigger schools to get eligible, which it did last year. With the smallest Northern Section divisions, the North Coast Division V and Sac-Joaquin Division VII, it doesn't look like the CIF will have to look up to Division III to fill this slot for the bowl games.

Small Schools South
1. Santa Clara (Oxnard) 11-1-1
2. St. Margaret's (SJ Capistrano) 14-0
3. Bakersfield Christian 11-2
4. Parker (San Diego) 5-6
5. Bishop Diego (Santa Barbara) 11-3
Others: Brentwood (Los Angeles) 12-2, Christian (El Cajon) 10-2.
Rundown: With All-American RB Cierre Wood, Santa Clara is an attractive team that falls into this division. The Saints, however, have been put into a different league this year and to become bowl eligible will have to win the same CIFSS division as Oaks Christian. Bakersfield Christian's chances for this spot might depend greatly on this weekend's first game against Oaks Christian. Even a close loss would help if that ends up being the only one of the season and St. Margaret's, for example, has no similar results on its schedule. It's not going to be happy occasion for Bakersfield Christian's home opener, either, as the school is still trying to get over the recent death of football player Patrick Allen. He died on Sunday, August 18, after what has been reported as a heat-related illness.

Corrections or comments? Email mark@studentsports.com and be sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say.