New Overall Top 25 State Football Rankings  November 24, 2009 1:30 AM It's time for "the flip” between Edison and Oceanside as those two outstanding teams exchange the No. 4 and No. 5 positions in this week's ratings. The only newcomer is Nevada Union of Grass Valley. Click inside for writeups and analysis on all 25 teams.
By Mark Tennis & Ronnie Flores Contributing: Steve Brand, Harold Abend, Paul Muyskens
(After games of Saturday, Nov. 21) (Previous ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 11-0 The start of the CIF Southern Section Northwest Division playoffs resembled just another league game for the Lions as they breezed past Santa Ynez, 70-14. It didn't take long for senior running back Malcolm Jones to get warmed up and he wound up with 280 yards and four TDs on just nine carries. Nick Montana also threw for three TDs and had 170 yards passing with two of the TDs going to junior Blair Holliday. This week, there is actually two games for the Lions' faithful to check closely. Their own team's second-round game against Harvard-Westlake of North Hollywood should be a tougher test since the Warriors have a couple of wins of note this season, including one against Alemany of Mission Hills, which Oaks topped 28-17 in its opener. Second, up in Washington, Skyline of Sammamish is getting a rematch game against Bothell in the Class 4A state semifinals. If Skyline wins, odds are good the Eagles will win a third straight state title and that in turn will give Oaks Christian some ammunition it might need in the CIF state bowl game selections. The Lions defeated Skyline, 28-25, earlier this season in a showdown game played up in Washington. 2. (2) Grant (Sacramento) 11-0 It was one of the easiest wins by the Pacers yet in the first-round of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Div. II playoffs as they blanked Tokay of Lodi, 65-0. While Grant did step up its play, especially on defense, Tokay became one-dimensional early in the game due to an injury to its quarterback. The end result was an eighth shutout of the season for the Pacers' defense, which even scored twice on fumble returns. Offensively, head coach Mike Alberghini's team was sharp and once again showcased senior Devontae Butler, who had 15 carries for 201 yards and one TD. Sophomore Shaq Thompson also is starting to run plays out of the Wildcat formation and against Tokay he scored on runs of 8 and 66 yards. This week, the Pacers play Fairfield in the quarterfinals. It does seem to be an easier opponent than top-seed St. Mary's of Stockton is playing so Grant's No. 3 seed, while it doesn't make sense, isn't so bad, either.
3. (3) Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 11-0 The best scenario for the Cougars in terms of the CIF bowl games continues to be to dominate in the L.A. City Section playoffs and root for both Lakewood and Norco to win CIF Southern Section crowns. Crenshaw did its part last Friday with a 42-6 romp past Birmingham of Lake Balboa in its playoff opener. Super junior DeAnthony Thomas is showing signs he's clicking into high gear and had nine carries for 107 yards and one TD vs. the Patriots. Geoffrey Norwood added two rushing scores for an offense that has scored 41 points or more in every game since the opener. If Lakewood and Norco do come through, the case for Crenshaw at the CIF bowl game selection meeting to be the Open Division pick – even ahead of Oaks Christian – is going to be tough to deny. (Read full post)state rankings, CA, football, state top 25 rankings, Shaq Thompson, Sacramento Grant, Devin Spann, Gardena Serra, Jerry McClanahan, Bishop Amat, Eric Niederberger, Nevada Union
Top 25: How They Fared (11/21) November 22, 2009 1:14 AM Check this post for key statewide football scores to get an idea of what the next State Top 25 will look like. Go inside as well for our pick of who's hot and who's not.
1. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 11-0 def. Santa Ynez, 70-14 2. Grant (Sacramento) 11-0 def. Tokay (Lodi), 65-0 3. Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 10-0 def. Birmingham (Lake Balboa), 42-6 4. Oceanside 10-0 BYE in 1st round of San Diego Sec D2 playoffs 5. Edison (Huntington Beach) 11-0 def. Millikan (Long Beach), 59-14 6. Lakewood 10-1 def. Newport Harbor (Newport Beach), 41-17 7. De La Salle (Concord) 9-2 def. American (Fremont), 44-0 8. St. Mary's (Stockton) 11-0 def. Buhach Colony (Atwater),49-7 9. Mission Viejo 11-0 def. Wilson (Long Beach), 41-14 10. Servite (Anaheim) 10-1 def. San Clemente, 38-10 11. Norco 10-1 def. Carter (Rialto), 48-14 12. Westlake (Westlake Village) 11-0 def. Ventura, 49-27 13. Serra (Gardena) 11-0 def. Oak Park (Agoura Hills), 54-6 14. St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 10-1 def. Oxnard, 35-7 15. Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 11-0 def. La Sierra (Riv.), 41-13 16. La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) BYE in 1st round of San Diego D1 playoffs 17. Buchanan (Clovis) 10-0 BYE in 1st round of Central Section D1 playoffs 18. Bishop Amat (La Puente) 10-1 def. Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 28-21 19. Valencia 11-0 def. Thousand Oaks, 28-27 20. Rocklin 11-0 def. Elk Grove, 35-7 21. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) 11-0 def. Santiago (Corona), 38-17 22. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 9-1-1 lost to Valley Chr. (SJ), 22-17 23. Moorpark 10-1 def. Canyon (Canyon Country), 30-0 24. Bullard (Fresno) 10-0 BYE in 1st round of Central Section D1 playoffs 25. Bellarmine (San Jose) 9-1-1 def. Palo Alto, 34-6 (Read full post)state rankings, CA, football, Brock Vereen, Valencia, James Yoder, San Jose Valley Christian, Kyle Miller, Mountain View St. Francis
New Overall Top 25 State Football Rankings November 17, 2009 12:51 AM Westlake double ups its position after big win. Bishop Amat, Bullard and Bellarmine also go in as newcomers. Click inside for writeups and analysis on all 25 teams.
By Mark Tennis & Ronnie Flores Contributing: Steve Brand, Harold Abend, Paul Muyskens
(After games of Saturday, Nov. 14) (Previous ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 10-0 Head coach Bill Redell's squad said goodbye to the Tri-Valley League with a typically easy win in its regular season finale. The Lions, who are joining the Marmonte League next season, routed Nordhoff of Ojai, 56-6, and led 42-0 after the first quarter. Malcolm Jones piled up five touchdowns with four rushing and one on an interception return. Dillon Van der Wal also returned an interception for a score while Nick Montana hooked up with Jordan Payton twice for touchdowns and passed for 213 yards. Entering the CIF Southern Section Northwest Division playoffs, it looks like Oaks Christian and unbeaten state-ranked Serra of Gardena are heading toward the finals. There's also unbeaten St. Joseph of Santa Maria in the bracket and wins need to be achieved in the earlier rounds as well. The Lions open their playoff run on Friday at home vs. Santa Ynez. 2. (2) Grant (Sacramento) 10-0 Based on the Pacers' giving up 22 points in their final regular season game, there may some chinks in the armor of their highly-touted defense. Grant still posted a 40-22 win against Burbank, won another Metro League title and for the season has still only given up 36 points. The team's offense also isn't exactly weak, either. Devontae Butler continues to look like the top running back in Northern California and piled up 293 yards and four TDs on 34 carries against the Titans. The other top individual standout in that last game was 6-3, 335-pound junior Vei Moala, who had 10 tackles and two sacks. There has been some controversy surrounding Grant's No. 3 seed (instead of No. 1 or even No. 2) in the loaded Sac-Joaquin Section Div. II playoffs and while we would agree with anyone who thinks those seedings make little sense it's going to be a tough road to navigate for all top seeds in that bracket regardless of who's seeded where. Grant will begin its playoff chase as a heavy favorite against Tokay of Lodi.
3. (3) Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 10-0 There wasn't much to say about the Cougars winning 46-0 in their regular season finale against Jefferson of Los Angeles. The team did record its third shutout and six different players etched their name into the touchdown ledger. Hayes Pullard scored once on a pass reception and rushed for a TD. Crenshaw remains firmly in the hunt to be given the CIF Open Division bowl berth from the south and it's hard to see the Cougars actually not getting it if they win the CIF L.A. City title and both Lakewood and Norco win CIF Southern Section crowns. We wouldn't be changing the rankings, though, until that vote is actually made. On Thursday, Crenshaw's playoff drive will get going with a home game vs. Birmingham of Lake Balboa.( Read full post) state rankings, CA, football, state top 25 rankings, Dillon Van der Wall, Oaks Christian, Maurice Howze, Stockton St. Mary’s, Jay Anderson, Bishop Amat, Alex Wood, Buchanan
Top 25: How They Fared (11/14) November 14, 2009 4:26 AM Check this post for key statewide football scores as well for our pick of who's hot and who's not, including our on-site look at a QB who passed for 466 yards on Friday night.
1. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 10-0 def. Nordhoff (Ojai), 56-6 2. Grant (Sacramento) 10-0 def. Luther Burbank (Sacramento), 40-22 3. Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 10-0 def. Jefferson (Los Angeles), 46-0 4. Oceanside 10-0 def. Ramona, 52-6 5. Edison (Huntington Beach) 10-0 def. Marina (Huntington Beach), 48-0 6. Lakewood 9-1 def. Wilson (Long Beach), 42-6 7. De La Salle (Concord) 7-2 def. California (San Ramon), 49-10 8. St. Mary's (Stockton) 10-0 def. Edison (Stockton), 55-7 9. Mission Viejo 10-0 def. No. 25 Dana Hills (Dana Point), 49-17 10. Servite (Anaheim) 9-1 def. JSerra (San Juan Capistrano), 48-20 11. Moorpark 9-1 lost to No. 24 Westlake (Westlake Village), 38-14 12. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 8-2 lost to Bishop Amat (La Puente), 31-14 13. Serra (Gardena) 10-0 def. Cathedral (Los Angeles), 21-7 14. Norco 9-1 def. Riverside Poly, 56-20 15. St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 9-1 def. Dos Pueblos (Goleta), 48-0 16. Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 10-0 def. Redlands, 37-7 17. La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 10-0 def. Torrey Pines (San Diego), 30-20 18. Buchanan (Clovis) 10-0 def. Central (Fresno), 56-20 19. Valencia 10-0 def. West Ranch (Santa Clarita), 49-10 20. Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 8-2 lost to Foothill (Pleasanton), 31-21 21. Rocklin 10-0 def Roseville, 51-27 22. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) 10-0 def. Murrieta Valley, 32-17 23. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 9-0-1 def. Riordan (SF), 38-14 24. Westlake (Westlake Village) 10-0 def. No. 11 Moorpark, 38-14 25. Dana Hills (Dana Point) 8-2 lost to No. 9 Mission Viejo, 49-17 (Read full post)state rankings, CA, football, Dano Graves, Folsom, Ryan Kasdorf, Notre Dame, Jim Benkert, Westlake, Nate Ray, Colfax
New NorCal & SoCal Overall FB Rankings November 10, 2009 11:07 PM Here's the top 15 teams from the north and top 20 from the south with no divisions, according to system that has been utilized for 30 years. The biggest news is in the north as Tracy makes a return and Inderkum makes a debut.
By Mark Tennis, Executive Editor
(After games of Saturday, Nov. 7) (Previous ranking in parentheses)
Note: For the second straight year, we are forced to cut off the North and the South with the CIF Central Section schools in the South. This matches the CIF Open Division bowl game format which pits the top teams from each region against each other regardless of school enrollment. We continue to maintain that due to population factors that the Central Section should be in the north and have always split teams in our rankings that way. We will continue to include Central Section in the north whenever possible.
Northern California Overall Top 15 (CIF North Open Division)
1. (1) Grant (Sacramento) 9-0 2. (2) De La Salle (Concord) 7-2 3. (3) St. Mary's (Stockton) 9-0 4. (4) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 8-1 5. (5) Rocklin 9-0 6. (6) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 8-0-1 7. (7) Bellarmine Prep (San Jose) 7-1-1 8. (8) Berkeley 9-0 9. (9) Palma (Salinas) 7-1-1 10. (14) Nevada Union (Grass Valley) 8-1 11. (NR) Tracy 9-0 12. (NR) Deer Valley (Antioch) 9-0 13. (NR) Inderkum (Sacramento) 9-0 14. (11) Del Oro (Loomis) 7-2 15. (12) Granite Bay 7-2 (Read full post)state rankings, CA, football, NorCal top 15, SoCal top 20, Mark Stroup, Tracy, Robert Garrett, Crenshaw, Inderkum, Deer Valley, Bishop Amat
New Overall Top 25 State Football Rankings November 10, 2009 2:32 AM It's been awhile since we've had four newcomers in a week but that's what we have this week with Rocklin, Archbishop Mitty, Westlake and Dana Hills getting the nod. Click inside for writeups and analysis on all 25 teams.
By Mark Tennis & Ronnie Flores Contributing: Steve Brand, Harold Abend, Paul Muyskens
(After games of Saturday, Nov. 7) (Previous ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 9-0 That time of the season in which many of the truly elite teams are routinely romping past mismatched league opponents is finally almost over. For the top-ranked Lions, their cruise through the Tri-Valley League continued last Friday with a 63-14 win over Santa Clara of Oxnard. Malcolm Jones was strong on both sides of the ball as he had eight carries for 123 yards and three TDs and also returned a fumble 15 yards for another score. Nick Montana threw for 220 yards on just nine completions in 13 throws and had three TD passes. Mercifully, the league schedule ends this week with a game against Nordhoff of Ojai.
2. (2) Grant (Sacramento) 9-0 It was same 'ol, same 'ol for the Pacers as well as they blasted Metro League foe C.K. McClatchy of Sacramento, 62-6. They didn't get an eighth shutout of the season due to a late long touchdown pass, but Grant was playing without 6-3, 335-pound junior Vei Moala for most of the game due to a sprained ankle. QB Dezmon Epps also was out in the second half with a banged up shoulder. Grant goes up against its final Metro League opponent, Burbank of Sacramento, in this week's game. Burbank was the team the Pacers beat in last year's CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Div. II championship, but it wasn't a close game and it will take a really poor effort by them for the Titans to make it close this time.
3. (3) Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 9-0 Crenshaw's stock continues to rise and if we jumped teams around like a BCS computer despite teams continuing to win the Cougars might be at the top of these state rankings right now. In our system, though, we don't think it makes sense to drop teams when they win 50-0 or more and would much rather let the season play itself out and make changes later when it does make more sense. Crenshaw took care of its business on the field with a more than solid 44-7 win against Dorsey, which was perceived to be the one Coliseum League squad that maybe could make it close. It wasn't. Geoffrey Norwood ground out 151 yards and two TDs on 14 carries while Hayes Pullard added two TDs rushing and DeAnthony Thomas got into the act with 10 carries for 82 yards and one score. This week, the Shaw takes on Jefferson of Los Angeles on the road. (Read full post)state rankings, CA, football, state top 25 rankings, Geoffrey Norwood, Crenshaw, Tyler Anderson, De La Salle, Rudy Guerrero, Servite, Seth Hansen, La Costa Canyon, Nick Isham, Westlake
Top 25: How They Fared (11/8) November 8, 2009 9:59 PM Check this post as well for our pick of who's hot and who's not and get a sense of how this week's best prep football teams in the state stack up next to each other. Note: Make sure to follow us on Twitter attwitter.com/calhisports as we'll do our best to give you live updates from the big games we attend all season long. You can also get CalHiSports.com updates on Facebook. Please become a fan of our Facebook page by CLICKING HERE.
1. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 9-0 def. Santa Clara (Oxnard), 63-14 2. Grant (Sacramento) 9-0 def. McClatchy (Sacramento), 62-6 3. Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 9-0 def. Dorsey (Los Angeles), 44-7 4. Oceanside 9-0 def. Valley Center, 45-0 5. Edison (Huntington Beach) 9-0 def. Fountain Valley, 24-0 6. Lakewood 8-1 Idle 7. De La Salle (Concord) 7-2 def. Foothill (Pleasanton), 33-7 8. St. Mary's (Stockton) 9-0 def. Tokay (Lodi), 49-13 9. Mission Viejo 9-0 def. San Clemente, 55-7 10. Servite (Anaheim) 8-1 def. Lutheran (Orange), 45-26 11. Moorpark 9-0 def. Agoura (Agoura Hills), 28-0 12. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 8-1 def. Loyola (L.A.), 45-14 13. Serra (Gardena) 9-0 def. Bosco Tech, 55-8 14. Bishop Amat (La Puente) 8-1 lost to Crespi, 38-25 15. St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 8-1 def. Santa Barbara, 56-0 16. Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 9-0 def. A.B. Miller, 28-20 17. La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 9-0 def. Fallbrook, 41-7 18. Buchanan (Clovis) 9-0 def. Clovis East, 20-17 19. Valencia 9-0 def. Saugus 49-0 20. Norco 8-1 def. Centennial (Corona), 29-28 21. Centennial (Corona) 7-2 lost to Norco, 29-28 22. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) 9-0 def. Great Oak (Temecula), 21-14 23. Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 8-1 def. Livermore, 34-7 24. Fountain Valley 8-1 lost to Edison (Huntington Beach), 24-0 25. Bullard (Fresno) 9-0 def. Edison (Fresno), 17-14 in OT (Read full post)state rankings, CA, football, Todd Gerhart, Norco, Toby Gerhart, Taylor Viloria, Santa Margarita
New NorCal & SoCal Overall FB Rankings November 3, 2009 10:27 PM Here's the top 15 teams from the north and top 20 from the south with no divisions, according to system that has been utilized for 30 years. Playing higher-ranked foes puts Serra of San Mateo back into the NorCal list while it also helps Fountain Valley displacing Bullard of Fresno for SoCal. By Mark Tennis, Executive Editor
(After games of Saturday, Oct. 31) (Previous ranking in parentheses)
Note: For the second straight year, we are forced to cut off the North and the South with the CIF Central Section schools in the South. This matches the CIF Open Division bowl game format which pits the top teams from each region against each other regardless of school enrollment. We continue to maintain that due to population factors that the Central Section should be in the north and have always split teams in our rankings that way. We will continue to include Central Section in the north whenever possible.
Northern California Overall Top 15 (CIF North Open Division)
1. (1) Grant (Sacramento) 8-0 2. (2) De La Salle (Concord) 6-2 3. (3) St. Mary's (Stockton) 8-0 4. (5) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 7-1 5. (7) Rocklin 8-0 6. (8) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 7-0-1 7. (9) Bellarmine Prep (San Jose) 6-1-1 8. (11) Berkeley 9-0 9. (12) Palma (Salinas) 6-1-1 10. (6) St. Francis (Mountain View) 6-2 11. (4) Del Oro (Loomis) 7-1 12. (10) Granite Bay 6-2 13. (14) Oakdale 8-0 14. (15) Nevada Union (Grass Valley) 7-1 15. (NR) Serra (San Mateo) 5-3 (Read full post)state rankings, CA, football, NorCal top 15, SoCal top 20, Casey Taylor, Del Oro, Patrick Walsh, San Mateo Serra, Fresno Bullard, Fountain Valley
New Overall Top 25 State Football Rankings November 3, 2009 2:42 AM Fountain Valley gets into the act just in time for The Battle for the Bell against Edison of Huntington Beach. Valencia also is on the rise. Click inside for writeups and analysis on all 25 teams. Note: Make sure you follow us at twitter.com/calhisports as we'll do our best to give you live updates from the big games we attend all season long. You can also follow us on Facebook. Please join our Facebook group by CLICKING HERE)
By Mark Tennis & Ronnie Flores Contributing: Steve Brand, Harold Abend, Paul Muyskens
(After games of Saturday, Oct. 31) (Previous ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 8-0 In the splitting hairs environment of the CIF state bowl game selection process, even though the Lions continue to do what they need to do, their chances for the open division took a hit when the best team they've played, Skyline of Sammamish, Wash., was upset in a game up in Washington last week by Bothell. Skyline could still bounce back and win a state title, but it would be more convincing to a CIF section commissioner if the Spartans' only loss was to the Lions. Oh well, the chips will fall where they fall and all the Oaks Christian players can do is beat the teams on their schedule. In last Friday's matchup, the Lions obliterated Oak Park of Agoura Hills, 59-0, for their 29th straight win. Jordan Payton caught four passes for 133 yards and three TDs, all from Nick Montana. In limited action, Montana went 6 of 10 for 176 yards. Malcolm Jones also didn't play very long and had seven carries for 113 yards and three TDs. This week, the Lions are on the road at Santa Clara of Oxnard.
2. (2) Grant (Sacramento) 8-0 It was a bye week for the Pacers, who will come into their game on Saturday at McClatchy of Sacramento with seven shutouts and just one touchdown allowed for the season. The blowout wins haven't prevented standout running back Devontae Butler to put up strong numbers with just a handful of second-half carries. Butler and the rest of the Pacers are still looking like the favorites for the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. II title, but it's also looking more and more like it will be a two-team battle involving St. Mary's of Stockton. The teams in the Sierra Foothill League (Rocklin, Del Oro, Granite Bay, etc.) just don't seem to be quite on the same level as Grant or St. Mary's.
3. (3) Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 8-0 Strange things can happen when the Cougars and their rivals from Dorsey get together and those two will face off this Friday at Crenshaw. There was no pre-Halloween scare for Crenshaw when it played Locke last Friday. The Shaw ended up with its highest scoring game yet in a 76-14 triumph. The Saints had no answer to slow down Crenshaw senior Geno Hall. He returned a kickoff 86 for a touchdown, threw a 68-yard touchdown pass and caught a 36-yard scoring pass. Marquis Thompson also did well as he threw three TD passes. (Read full post)state rankings, CA, football, state top 25 rankings, Kyle Middlebrooks, Fountain Valley, Josh Harper, Stockton St. Mary’s, Paul Richardson Jr., Gardena Serra, Nigel Simmons, Buchanan
Top 25: How They Fared (10/31) October 31, 2009 4:32 AM Check this post as well for our pick of who's hot and who's not and get a sense of how this week's best prep football teams in the state stack up next to each other.
1. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 8-0 def. Oak Park (Agoura Hills) 59-0 2. Grant (Sacramento) 8-0 had a bye 3. Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 8-0 def. Locke (Los Angeles) 76-14 4. Oceanside 8-0 def. Orange Glen (Escondido) 57-0 5. Edison (Huntington Beach) 8-0 def. Los Alamitos 27-10 6. Lakewood 8-1 def. Millikan (Long Beach) 60-7 7. De La Salle (Concord) 6-2 def. Livermore 56-0 8. St. Mary's (Stockton) 8-0 def. McNair (Lodi) 66-0 9. Mission Viejo 8-0 def. Aliso Niguel (Aliso Viejo) 70-7 10. Servite (Anaheim) 7-1 vs. Santa Margarita (Rancho SM) 48-26 11. Moorpark 8-0 def. Thousand Oaks 28-21 12. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 7-1 def. Crespi (Encino) 23-21 13. Serra (Gardena) 8-0 def. St. Bernard (Playa del Rey) 63-13 14. Bishop Amat (La Puente) 8-0 def. Loyola (Los Angeles) 27-24 in OT 15. Del Oro (Loomis) 7-1 lost to Woodcreek (Roseville) 16-9 16. St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 7-1 def. Ventura 35-7 17. Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 8-0 def. Carter (Rialto) 41-17 18. La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 8-0 def. Escondido 44-24 19. Buchanan (Clovis) 8-0 def. Clovis 28-7 20. Norco 7-1 def. M.L. King (Riverside) 32-13 21. Valencia 8-0 def. Hart (Newhall) 56-7 22. Centennial (Corona) 7-1 def. Santiago (Corona) 52-21 23. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) 8-0 def. Temecula Valley (Temecula) 45-7 24. Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 7-1 def. San Ramon Valley (Danville) 35-16 25. Bullard (Fresno) 8-0 def. Sanger 20-14 (Read full post)state rankings, CA, football, Nick Solis, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Bryan Bennett, Crespi, Bill Redell, Oaks Christian
New Overall Top 25 State Football Rankings October 27, 2009 3:04 AM There are no changes for the first 15 teams. Most are still winning by routs, including two that scored 85 points. Vista Murrieta and Amador Valley are this week's newcomers with Buchanan getting a three-spot bump. Click inside to check out write-ups and analysis of all 25 teams.
By Mark Tennis & Ronnie Flores
Contributing: Steve Brand, Harold Abend, Paul Muyskens
(After games of Saturday, Oct. 24)
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 7-0
The big news for the Lions last week came away from the field when the CIF Southern Section decreed that both themselves and St. Bonaventure of Ventura would be moving to the big-school Marmonte League. That's not good news for the public schools in the Marmonte, but the endless series of blowouts involving Oaks Christian and St. Bonaventure in small-school leagues was bound to end somehow, someway. On the field, head coach Bill Redell's team blew out Carpinteria, 43-0. Malcolm Jones rambled for 135 yards on 11 carries and scored twice while Nick Montana tossed three TD passes. The Lions' next game will be Friday at home against Oak Park of Agoura Hills.
2. (2) Grant (Sacramento) 8-0
Even though the Pacers have now outscored their opponents, 363-7, so far this season, they would still have to pour it on over their last two regular season games to approach the state record for highest point differential for a regular season. That record is 536 points for a 646-120 advantage for Bloomington in 1994. Still, no matter the weakness of the competition (other than Bellevue, Wash.), the Pacers shutting out seven of eight foes is impressive. The latest laugher was 85-0 last Friday over Kennedy of Sacramento. It was 71-0 at halftime and standout Devontae Butler was already taking it easy on the sidelines in the second quarter with 11 carries for 246 yards and five touchdowns. Kennedy ended with negative yardage on offense trying to do anything against the Pacers' defense. This week, Grant has a bye and then on Nov. 7 meets McClatchy of Sacramento.
3. (3) Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 7-0
Crenshaw's smackdowns are getting to be just as ridiculous as Grant's. After a 68-0 win to open Coliseum League play against Manual Arts of Los Angeles, the Cougars rolled up a 62-0 score in their game last Friday against Fremont. Fullback-linebacker Hayes Pullard had 151 yards and two touchdowns on just three carries while Geoffrey Norwood had 105 yards and one score on just four attempts. The score was 48-0 at halftime before head coach Robert Garrett called off the dogs. Crenshaw should keep it rolling this Friday vs. Locke and probably won't get much of a test for the rest of the regular season other than against Dorsey. ... (Read full post) state rankings, CA, football, state top 25 rankings, Hayes Pullard, Crenshaw, Cody Fajardo, Servite, Lance Orender, Buchanan, Benjamin Madison, Vista Murrieta
Top 25: How They Fared (10/25) October 25, 2009 12:31 PM Check this post as well for our pick of who's hot and who's not and get a sense of how this week's best prep football teams in the state stack up next to each other.
1. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 7-0 def. Carpinteria, 43-0 2. Grant (Sacramento) 8-0 def. Kennedy (Sacramento), 85-0 3. Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 7-0 def. Fremont (Los Angeles), 61-0 4. Oceanside 7-0 def. Mt. Carmel (San Diego), 42-7 5. Edison (Huntington Beach) 7-0 def. Newport Harbor (Newport Beach), 34-6 6. Lakewood 7-1 def. Jordan (Long Beach), 25-0 7. De La Salle (Concord) 5-2 def. Granada (Livermore), 56-14 8. St. Mary's (Stockton) 7-0 def. Stagg (Stockton), 85-40 9. Mission Viejo 7-0 def. Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita), 60-14 10. Servite (Anaheim) 6-1 def. Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 30-20 11. Moorpark 6-0 def. Royal (Simi Valley), 51-0 12. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 5-1 def. Chaminade (West Hills), 21-3 13. Serra (Gardena) 7-0 def. Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood), 34-6 14. Bishop Amat (La Puente) 7-0 def. Alemany (Mission Hills), 36-14 15. Del Oro (Loomis) 7-0 def. Roseville, 49-0 16. Rancho Cucamonga 6-1 lost to Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga), 31-28 17. St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 6-1 def. Buena (Ventura), 44-27 18. Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 7-0 def. Rialto, 49-6 19. La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 7-0 def. San Pasqual (Escondido), 38-12 20. Granite Bay 5-2 lost to Rocklin, 14-7 21. Norco 6-1 def. Santiago (Corona), 44-39 22. Buchanan (Clovis) 7-0 def. Clovis West (Fresno), 38-14 23. Valencia 7-0 def. Golden Valley (Santa Clarita), 49-0 24. Centennial (Corona) 6-1 def. J.W. North (Riverside), 52-20 25. Bullard (Fresno) 7-0 def. Reedley, 52-42 (Read full post)state rankings, CA, football, state top 25 scoreboard, Jon Ruel, Leland, Brett Mason, Tesoro
Week 7 CIF Bowl Rankings October 21, 2009 1:29 PM Unbeaten squads El Camino Real of Woodland Hills, Tracy, Mission Bay of San Diego and Placer of Auburn are among nine newcomers in this week's divisional state ratings. Still No. 1 are Oceanside, Grant of Sacramento, Crenshaw of Los Angeles, Del Oro of Loomis, Oaks Christian, St. Mary's of Stockton, Parker of San Diego and Modesto Christian.
By Mark Tennis & Steve Brand Contributing: Paul Muyskens, Harold Abend, Ronnie Flores
(Previous ranking in parentheses) (After games of Saturday, Oct. 17) (Listed with result of most recent game)
Division I South 1. (1) Oceanside 6-0 def. Westview 49-3 2. (2) Edison (Huntington Beach) 6-0 def. Esperanza (Anaheim) 34-10 3. (3) Lakewood 6-1 def. Cabrillo (Long Beach) 61-8 4. (4) Mission Viejo 6-0 def. Capistrano Valley 23-0 5. (5) Rancho Cucamonga 5-0 def. Temecula Valley 48-20 6. (6) Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 6-0 def. Fontana 48-0 7. (8) La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 6-0 def. Mission Hills 56-7 8. (9) Buchanan (Clovis) 6-0 def. Madera 54-21 9. (11) Valencia 6-0 def. Canyon (Canyon Country) 49-7 10. (10) Centennial (Corona) 6-1 def. Poly (Riverside) 56-16 11. (12) Bullard (Fresno) 56-0 def. Clovis North 35-0 12. (14) Fountain Valley 6-0 def. Marina (Huntington Beach) 56-7 13. (15) Chaparral (Temecula) 4-2 def. Murrieta Valley 47-23 14. (16) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) 6-0 def. Temescal Canyon 28-0 15. (17) Poly (Long Beach) 2-4 Idle 16. (18) Dana Hills (Dana Point) 5-1 def. Tesoro (Las Flores) 37-34 17. (13) Escondido 5-0-1 tied Torrey Pines (San Diego) 21-21 18. (19) Carson 4-2 def. Washington (L.A.) 71-0 19. (20) Taft (Woodland Hills) 3-3 def. Granada Hills 47-0 20. (NR) El Camino Real (Woodland Hills) 6-0 def. Birmingham 47-24 (Read full post)state rankings, CA, football, CIF bowl game rankings, El Camino Real, Tracy, Nevada Union, San Benito, Mission Bay, Orange Lutheran, San Marino
New NorCal & SoCal Overall FB Rankings October 20, 2009 8:00 PM Here's the top 15 teams from the north and top 20 from the south with no divisions, according to system that has been utilized for 30 years. Amador Valley gets major push in the north while the south has same three newcomers as overall state top 25.
By Mark Tennis, Executive Editor
(After games of Saturday, Oct. 17) (Previous ranking in parentheses)
Note: For the second straight year, we are forced to cut off the North and the South with the CIF Central Section schools in the South. This matches the CIF Open Division bowl game format which pits the top teams from each region against each other regardless of school enrollment. We continue to maintain that due to population factors that the Central Section should be in the north and have always split teams in our rankings that way. We will continue to include Central Section in the north whenever possible.
Northern California Overall Top 15
(CIF North Open Division)
1. (1) Grant (Sacramento) 7-0 2. (2) De La Salle (Concord) 4-2 3. (3) St. Mary's (Stockton) 6-0 4. (6) Del Oro (Loomis) 6-0 5. (4) Granite Bay 5-1 6. (7) St. Francis (Mountain View) 5-1 7. (8) Folsom 6-0 8. (10) Bellarmine (San Jose) 5-1 9. (NR) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 5-1 10. (5) Monte Vista (Danville) 4-2 11. (11) Milpitas 6-0 12. (12) Berkeley 6-0 13. (13) Palma (Salinas) 4-1-1 14. (14) Los Gatos 5-1 15. (15) Oakdale 6-0 (Read full post)state rankings, CA, football, NorCal top 15, SoCal top 20, Rick Sira, Amador Valley, Mark Stroup, Tracy, Don Arax, Fresno Bullard
New Overall Top 25 State Football Rankings October 20, 2009 3:03 AM Del Oro's bump is to No. 15 while others on the rise include La Costa Canyon and Buchanan. A second Central Section team is one of three newcomers to this week's elite honor roll. Click inside to check out write-ups and analysis of all 25 teams. Note: Make sure you follow us at twitter.com/calhisports as we'll do our best to give you live updates from the big games we attend all season long. You can also follow us on Facebook. Please join our Facebook group by CLICKING HERE
By Mark Tennis & Ronnie Flores Contributing: Steve Brand, Harold Abend, Paul Muyskens
(After games of Saturday, Oct. 17) (Previous ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 6-0 In their highest scoring game of the season so far, the Lions posted a 65-6 victory last Friday against Bishop Diego of Santa Barbara. League games for Oaks Christian will continue to be this one-sided until the team joins a league with bigger schools. Malcolm Jones had eight carries for 113 yards and scored three times, with one of those TDs coming on a 28-yard pass from Nick Montana. The University of Washington-bound Montana ended 7 of 9 for 130 yards and two TDs. Up next for the Lions should be more of the same on Friday at Carpinteria.
2. (2) Grant (Sacramento) 7-0 Speaking of league routs, Grant's in the same boat as Oaks Christian. The Pacers' latest was 63-0 last Saturday against Sacramento High. In a game they led 56-0 at halftime, Devontae Butler rushed for 219 yards on 17 carries and scored four TDs. It also was the team's sixth shutout of the season. And in case you're wondering, defensive coordinator Reggie Harris insisted to the Sacramento Bee that defensive starters are not left in the game in the second half to preserve shutouts. Dezmon Epps also had a solid game offensively for Grant with a punt return TD, a 54-yard pass reception for a TD plus an interception. The Pacers host Kennedy of Sacramento in this week's game.
3. (3) Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 6-0 According to a very interesting feature last Friday on National Public Radio (npr.org), coaches in the state of Connecticut face sanctions if their teams win by more than 50 points. While blaming coaches for blowouts is ridiculous (because it's usually administrators who determine league alignments and it's obvious to many that blowouts are going to happen if certain teams are placed in certain leagues), you can see from these first three teams in the California rankings that it's a definite problem. Crenshaw's game last Friday against Manual Arts of Los Angeles, believe it or not, was even worse than Oaks Christian and Grant. The Cougars led 52-0 after the first quarter. They only added nine points in the second quarter, thank goodness, for a 61-0 halftime lead and only won by the final score of 67-0. Crenshaw will play its second Coliseum League game on Friday at Fremont of Los Angeles.( Read full post) state rankings, CA, football, state top 25 rankings, Davion Orphey, Huntington Beach Edison, Maurice Howze, St. Mary's, Michael Boyd, Rancho Cucamonga, Ian Seau, La Costa Canyon, Alex Bishop, Valencia
Top 25: How They Fared (10/17) October 18, 2009 4:08 AM Check this post as well for our pick of who's hot and who's not and get a sense of how this week's best prep football teams in the state stack up next to each other.
1. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 6-0 def. Bishop Diego (Santa Barbara) 65-6 2. Grant (Sacramento) 7-0 def. Sacramento 62-0 3. Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 6-0 def. Manual Arts (Los Angeles) 67-0 4. Oceanside 6-0 def. Westview (San Diego) 49-3 5. Edison (Huntington Beach) 6-0 def. Esperanza (Anaheim) 34-10 6. Lakewood 6-1 def. Cabrillo (Long Beach) 61-8 7. De La Salle (Concord) 4-2 def. San Ramon Valley (Danville) 42-14 8. St. Mary's (Stockton) 6-0 def. West (Tracy) 62-7 9. Mission Viejo 6-0 def. Capistrano Valley (Mission Viejo) 23-0 10. Servite (Anaheim) 5-1 def. St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 37-19 11. Moorpark 6-0 def. Simi Valley 28-0 12. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 5-1 def. St. Francis (La Canada) 28-24 13. Granite Bay 5-1 lost to No. 23 Del Oro (Loomis) 27-21 in OT 14. Serra (Gardena) 6-0 def. Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) 56-3 15. Bishop Amat (La Puente) 6-0 def. St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) 38-6 16. Monte Vista (Danville) 4-2 lost to Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 24-21 in OT 17. Rancho Cucamonga 6-0 def. Claremont 52-24 18. St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 5-1 def. San Marcos (Santa Barbara) 42-0 19. Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 6-0 def. Fontana 48-6 20. Los Alamitos 5-1 lost to Newport Harbor (Newport Beach) 23-20 21. La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 6-0 def. Mission Hills (San Marcos) 56-7 22. Norco 5-1 def. Roosevelt (Eastvale) 30-27 23. Del Oro (Loomis) 6-0 def. No. 13 Granite Bay 27-21 in OT 24. Buchanan (Clovis) 6-0 def. Madera 51-21 25. Crespi (Encino) 3-3 lost to Alemany (Mission Hills) 21-17 (Read full post)state rankings, CA, football, Ray Herring, Mission Bay, Rashon Harper, El Camino Real, Jeff Engilman, Arleta, state top 25
New Overall Top 25 State Football Rankings October 13, 2009 2:46 AM On the eve of a showdown game against Granite Bay, Del Oro surges up into this week's elite honor roll after a 60-0 victory. Mission Viejo is now in the top 10 while where to drop Monte Vista after close loss to De La Salle was the hardest question to ponder. Note: Make sure you follow us at twitter.com/calhisports as we'll do our best to give you live updates from the big games we attend all season long. You can also follow us on Facebook. Please join our Facebook group by CLICKING HERE
By Mark Tennis & Ronnie Flores Contributing: Steve Brand, Harold Abend, Paul Muyskens
(After games of Saturday, Oct. 10) (Previous ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 5-0 The Oaks Christian offense, which is directed by former University of Tennessee quarterback Casey Clausen, only ran 12 plays in the first half last week's game against Jordan of Long Beach. That still didn't prevent the team from rolling to a 35-0 lead at the break en route to a 42-7 win over the Panthers. QB Nick Montana only threw six passes, but completed five for 126 yards and three TDs. Standout RB Malcolm Jones ran for two scores and also reached the end zone on a 71-yard interception return. These kind of routs should be commonplace over the next few weeks as Oaks Christian gets into the Tri-Valley League portion of its schedule. This week's game is against Bishop Diego of Santa Barbara at home.
2. (2) Grant (Sacramento) 6-0 Okay, the Pacers' phenomenal defense wasn't going to shut out everyone it played this season, but it still took a double-reverse pass for the first touchdown of the season to be scored against that unit in last Friday's 56-7 romp past Rosemont of Sacramento. And other than that one play, little else was allowed by the Pacers. Grant's offense, meanwhile, continued to show improved explosiveness as all-state candidate running back Devontae Butler churned out 222 yards rushing and scored four touchdowns. Dezmon Epps was another weapon for head coach Mike Alberghini as he carried three times for 95 yards and two scores and also caught a TD pass. This week, Grant travels on Saturday to play at Sacramento High. (Read full post)state rankings, CA, football, Austin Edmondson, Moorpark, Dezmon Epps, Sacramento Grant, Max Magleby, Del Oro, Nick Richardson, Los Alamitos, Greg Watson, Rancho Cucamonga
New Overall Top 25 State Football Rankings October 6, 2009 12:26 AM Bishop Amat bolts up into the top 20 after huge win. Watch out this weekend as Lakewood and Monte Vista of Danville try to break decades-long streaks of dominance by Long Beach Poly and De La Salle. Make sure you follow us at twitter.com/calhisports as we'll do our best to give you live updates from the big games we attend all season long. You can also follow us on Facebook. Please join our Facebook group by CLICKING HERE)
By Mark Tennis & Ronnie Flores Contributing: Steve Brand, Harold Abend, Paul Muyskens
(After games of Saturday, Oct. 3) (Previous ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 4-0 The Lions have proven that if opponents want to put extra defenders up front to stop Malcolm Jones and the rushing attack that they have a passing game, with QB Nick Montana leading the way, that can make big plays as well. In last week's 33-13 win over Venice, it might not have mattered how many were in the box to stop Jones. The senior standout was red-hot with 27 carries for a new school record of 329 yards and four touchdowns. Montana added 15 completions in 27 attempts for 120 yards and one TD. Coach Bill Redell's team completes the non-league portion of its regular season on Friday at home against Jordan of Long Beach.
2. (2) Grant (Sacramento) 5-0 As the goose eggs are piling up for the Pacers' defense, it could be that the offense is starting to get into a groove as well. Although last Saturday's opponent, Johnson of Sacramento, is not a good barometer to judge much against, Grant still put up 62 points in rolling to a 62-0 win over the Warriors. Senior Devontae Butler rushed for 278 yards and five touchdowns on just 13 carries. In addition to getting its fifth straight shutout and remaining unsecured on, Grant's defense got into the scoring column as well with sophomore Shaquille Thompson returning an interception 15 yards for a touchdown and with junior Darryl Paulo returning a fumble 10 yards into the end zone. The Pacers play Rosemont of Sacramento in this week's game.
3. (4) Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 5-0 Now that previous No. 3 St. Bonaventure of Ventura has fallen, a debate between the Cougars and Oaks Christian about Southern California superiority is becoming more focused. Crenshaw does have a one-point win over Lakewood and that win could get a big boost in importance if Lakewood can beat Long Beach Poly this weekend. Head coach Robert Garrett's team faced Culver City last Friday and racked up an impressive 48-7 triumph. Junior QB Marquis Thompson hit on 10 of 21 passes for 192 yards and four scores to lead the offense. Teammate Geno Hall had all four TD catches and ended up with seven grabs for 142 yards. The Cougars are off this week and have completed the nonleague portion of their regular season. Up next is the Coliseum League opener on Oct. 16 vs. Manual Arts of Los Angeles. (Read full post)state rankings, CA, football, Kevin Anderson, Lakewood, Maurice Howze, Stockton St. Mary's, Kenny Stills, La Costa Canyon, Nick Richardson, Los Alamitos
Top 25: How They Fared (10/3) October 4, 2009 2:29 PM Check this post as well for our pick of who's hot and who's not and get a sense of how this week's best prep football teams in the state stack up next to each other.
1. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 4-0 def. Venice, 33-13 2. Grant (Sacramento) 5-0 def. Hiram Johnson (Sacramento), 62-0 3. St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 4-1 lost to Bishop Amat of La Puente, 24-23 (OT) 4. Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 5-0 def. Culver City, 48-7 5. Oceanside 5-0 def. San Marcos, 56-14 6. Edison (Huntington Beach) 5-0 def. Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 36-29 (2OT) 7. Lakewood 4-1 def. Compton, 61-0 8. De La Salle (Concord) 2-2 def. Amador Valley (Pleasanton), 32-21 9. Monte Vista (Danville) 4-0 def. Livermore, 55-13 10. St. Mary's (Stockton) 4-0 def. Lincoln (Stockton), 48-18 11. Mission Viejo 5-0 def. Murrieta Valley (Murrieta), 40-7 12. Servite (Anaheim) 4-1 def. Chaparral (Temecula), 28-21 13. Moorpark 4-0 def. Calabasas, 35-14 14. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 3-1 def. Dominguez (Compton), 48-10 15. Serra (Gardena) 4-0 idle 16. Granite Bay 4-0 def. Point Loma (San Diego), 22-12 17. Rancho Cucamonga 4-0 idle 18. Alemany (Mission Hills) 3-2 lost to Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood), 24-20 19. Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 4-0 def. Eisenhower (Rialto), 69-26 20. Serra (San Mateo) 3-1 def. Sacred Heart Cathedral (SF), 27-9 21. La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 4-0 def. Rancho Buena Vista (Vista), 38-14 22. Foothill (Pleasanton) 3-1 lost to Granada (Livermore), 35-28 23. Los Alamitos 4-0 def. La Habra, 28-13 24. Norco 3-1 def. Corona, 50-43 25. Crespi (Encino) 2-2 idle (Read full post)state rankings, CA, football, Ed Croson, Chaminade, Point Loma, Harvard-Westlake, Granada Livermore
New Overall Top 25 State Football Rankings September 29, 2009 12:57 AM St. Bonaventure has to take a hit for needing overtime to beat Crespi. Other questions pondered were how high for Edison of Huntington Beach and should De La Salle drop at all for losing in overtime to Lakeland, Fla.
By Mark Tennis & Ronnie Flores
Contributing: Steve Brand, Harold Abend, Paul Muyskens
(After games of Saturday, Sept. 26)
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 3-0
While the Lions were taking last week off, following their 28-25 victory at nationally-ranked Skyline of Sammamish, Wash., on Sept. 18, the team they beat returned to form with a 55-6 win against Newport (Wash.). For their own strength of schedule ranking, Oaks Christian supporters have to not only root for Skyline to win another state title in Washington but they also have to look for continued success from teams the Lions may play later on, such as Serra of Gardena. This week, Oaks Christian returns to action to face Venice of the L.A. City Section. The Gondoliers are 3-0 after wins over West Covina (41-33), Muir of Pasadena (49-14) and Santa Monica (31-28).
2. (3) Grant (Sacramento) 4-0
It was ugly on offense for the Pacers in their 14-0 win over Oak Ridge of El Dorado Hills, but the defense racked up its fourth straight shutout. That fact plus previous No. 3 St. Bonaventure needing to go overtime to turn back Crespi of Encino is enough for Grant to move up to the No. 2 spot in this week's rankings. Touchdown runs of 8 yards by Devontae Butler and 55 yards by Glenn Deary was all the scoring Grant would need. The team was obviously flat after coming home from its shutout win on Sept. 19 over nationally-ranked Bellevue (Wash.). Head coach Mike Alberghini hopes the intensity returns this week against Hiram Johnson of Sacramento.
3. (2) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 4-0
It's always to tough to drop a top team like the Seraphs after a win, no matter the circumstances, but this week it had to be done. The team's 42-41 win in overtime last Friday came against a Crespi of Encino squad that was down 31-0 at halftime against Servite of Anaheim in its previous game, an eventual 38-28 defeat. We did not, however, drop St. Bonaventure all the way down behind Edison of Huntington Beach, which beat Servite, 23-9. The Chargers are still moving up quite a bit this week and St. Bonaventure still could face some solid competition in the CIF Southern Section Northern Division playoffs. Logan Meyer passed for 169 yards and two TDs against Crespi, including the game-tying score in OT. Sophomore Mason Kirk then booted a game-winning PAT. Troy Hill also had a huge game for the Seraphs as he scored on a 95-yard kickoff return and on an 11-yard run. This week, St. Bonnie plays Bishop Amat of La Puente.(Read full post) state rankings, CA, football, Glenn Deery, Sacramento Grant, Geno Hall, Crenshaw, Devaunte Bolton, Granite Bay, Deantre Lewis, Norco
Top 25: How They Fared (9/27) September 27, 2009 1:09 PM Check this post as well for our pick of who's hot and who's not and get a sense of how this week's best prep football teams in the state stack up next to each other.
1. (1) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 3-0 idle
2. (2) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 4-0 def. No. 24 Crespi (Encino), 42-41 (OT)
3. (3) Grant (Sacramento) 4-0 def. Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills), 14-0
4. (4) Servite (Anaheim) 3-1 lost to No. 10 Edison (Huntington Beach), 23-9
5. (5) Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 4-0 def. J.W. North (Riverside), 41-21
6. (7) Oceanside 4-0 def. Poly (Long Beach), 14-7
7. (8) Lakewood 3-1 def. Verbum Dei (Los Angeles), 51-0
8. (9) De La Salle (Concord) 1-2 lost to Lakeland (FL), 31-30 (OT)
9. (10) Monte Vista (Danville) 3-0 def. Heritage (Brentwood), 54-21
10. (11) Edison (Huntington Beach) 4-0 def. No. 4 Servite (Anaheim), 23-9
11. (12) St. Mary's (Stockton) 3-0 def. Los Banos, 39-7
12. (13) Mission Viejo 4-0 def. Vista, 41-17
13. (14) Moorpark 3-0 idle
14. (15) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 3-1 def. Birmingham (Lake Balboa), 45-14
15. (17) Serra (Gardena) 4-0 def. Peninsula (RH Estates), 48-0
16. (16) Granite Bay 3-0 def. Vacaville, 31-13
17. (20) Lutheran (Orange) 1-2 lost to No. 21 Redlands East Valley, 20-14
18. (23) Rancho Cucamonga 4-0 def. No. 25 Charter Oak (Covina), 35-25
19. (22) Alemany (Mission Hills) 3-1 def. Taft (Woodland Hills), 28-19
20. (24) Serra (San Mateo) 2-1 idle
21. (25) Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 2-1 def. No. 17 Lutheran (Orange), 20-14
22. (NR) La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 4-0 def. Santa Margarita (Rancho SM), 28-14
23. (NR) Foothill (Pleasanton) 3-0 def. Miramonte (Orinda), 31-10
24. (18) Crespi (Encino) 2-2 lost to No. 2 St. Bonaventure (Ventura), 42-41 (OT)
25. (NR) Charter Oak (Covina) 3-1 lost to No. 18 Rancho Cucamonga, 35-25 ... (Read full post) state rankings, CA, football, Fountain Valley, Newport Harbor, Buchanan, Clovis East, top 25 scoreboard
New Overall Top 25 State Football Rankings September 22, 2009 2:02 PM Like a game of dominoes, Corona Centennial tumbles all the way out after stunning loss to Mater Dei and takes Chaparral of Temecula out with them. Highest risers include Serra of Gardena, Rancho Cucamonga and La Costa Canyon.
By Mark Tennis & Ronnie Flores
Contributing: Steve Brand, Harold Abend, Paul Muyskens
(After games of Saturday, Sept. 19)
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 3-0
If a team like Servite, Edison or Mission Viejo goes 14-0 and wins the CIF Southern Section Pac-Five championship, the debate about Oaks Christian's schedule strength will really heat up. As for now, though, after the Lions came through on the road to beat nationally-ranked Skyline of Samammish, Wash., 28-25, they are a much more legit No. 1 team in the state than they were a week ago. The defense, led by LB Zac Stout and DE Alani Fua, put tremendous pressure on Skyline QB Jake Heaps all night long, forcing five turnovers. A couple of huge plays – two touchdowns that showcased the spectacular abilities of Skyline junior WR Kasen Williams plus a late interception thrown by Nick Montana – prevented Oaks Christian from posting a much more comfortable margin of victory. Montana passed for 235 yards with three TDs and two interceptions (better numbers than Heaps, his Elite 11 camp roommate) while RB Malcolm Jones ran for 137 yards on 20 carries and one TD. The trick for the Lions the rest of the regular season is going to be for the young receivers – sophomore Jordan Payton, junior Blair Holliday and junior Trey Smith – to figure out a way to keep improving in games that will be over early. The Lions have a bye on their schedule this week.
2. (2) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 3-0
The Seraphs were up 21-0 after the first quarter and went on to cruise past Jordan of Los Angeles, 42-21. QB Logan Meyer had a strong outing as he completed his first seven passes for 187 yards and two TDs. Meyer finished 18 of 25 for 312 yards and three TDs despite sitting out much of the second half. Devon Blackledge added a 21-yard TD run and a 24-yard TD reception. St. Bonaventure is playing No. 25 Crespi of Encino in this week's game and for strength of schedule purposes probably was hoping the Celts would do better against Servite (see below). It also will hurt the Seraphs in the rankings if Long Beach Poly (who they beat in the second game) continues to struggle.
3. (3) Grant (Sacramento) 3-0
It's too bad more of the media who packed into the place on Friday night in Samammish didn't also take in what the Pacers did on Saturday night at Seattle Memorial Stadium to Bellevue. Writer Josh Levine of the Bellevue paper saw both Grant and Katy of Texas in the last two weeks and said that Katy has the better offense, but that Grant has the better defense and more depth in quality athletes. The Pacers' 14-0 shutout of Bellevue was significant for many reasons, especially since there isn't likely going to be much of a test the team will face until the second round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. II playoffs. No matter what any other team does (even if De La Salle were to upset Lakeland of Florida this week), the Pacers have clearly put themselves in a dominant position as the No. 1 team in Northern California. The only way they don't get the CIF Open Division bowl bid now is if they lose. The Northwest media throng also would have gotten to see Grant's 6-3, 325-pound junior Villiami Moala blow up Bellevue in the interior on both sides of the line. As spectacular as Kasen Williams is as a wideout for the Class of 2011, Moala is just as impressive as a lineman. Remember Derek Landri of De La Salle going both ways against Long Beach Poly in 2001? Moala was just as spent after this one, except he weighs about 50 more pounds than Landri did at the time. Get used to Grant being in the top three of these rankings for possibly a long, long time. ... (Read full post) state rankings, CA, football, Chris Nicholls, Servite, Bryce McGovern, Monte Vista, Dallin McEwen, Mission Viejo, Dejon Ward, Charter Oak
Week 2 CIF Bowl Rankings September 16, 2009 12:19 AM With every school now having played at least once, it's time to get going with our CIF State Bowl Game Rankings. It's very interesting how many highly-ranked squads are not Division I, which brings up the great chance of two non-Division I teams meeting in the Open Division bowl game at the Home Depot Center. Note: Make sure you follow us at twitter.com/calhisports as we'll do our best to give you live updates from the big games we attend all season long. You can also follow us on Facebook. Please join our Facebook group by CLICKING HERE
By Mark Tennis & Steve Brand
Contributing: Paul Muyskens, Harold Abend, Ronnie Flores
(Preseason ranking in parentheses)
(First ranking of 2009 regular season)
(After games of Saturday, Sept. 12)
Division I South
1. (3) Centennial (Corona) 1-0 def. Chaparral (Temecula) 31-27
2. (4) Oceanside 2-0 def. El Camino (Oceanside) 17-9
3. (2) Lakewood 1-1 def. Palos Verdes Peninsula 28-7
4. (6) Edison (Huntington Beach) 2-0 def. LB Wilson 35-6
5. (8) Mission Viejo 2-0 def. Loyola 26-7
6. (7) Taft (Woodland Hills) 1-0 def. LA Washington 42-14
7. (5) Chaparral (Temecula) 0-1 lost to Centennial (Corona) 27-31
8. (9) Rancho Cucamonga 2-0 def. Canyon Springs (Moreno Valley) 31-9
9. (11) Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 1-0 def. Clovis East 39-13
10. (13) Valencia 1-0 def. Thousand Oaks 39-36
11. (14) Bullard (Fresno) 2-0 def. Atwater 35-12
12. (15) La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 2-0 def. Carlsbad 30-10
13. (20) Escondido 2-0 def. Eastside (Lancaster) 35-20
14. (NR) Carson 2-0 def. A.B. Miller (Fontana) 56-21
15. (NR) Buchanan (Clovis) 1-0 DNP
16. (NR) Los Alamitos 1-0 def. Mayfair (Lakewood) 31-0
17. (NR) Fountain Valley 2-0 def. Tesoro (Las Flores) 35-14
18. (1) Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 0-2 lost to St. Bonaventure 27-7
19. (17) Narbonne (Harbor City) 1-0 def. Southeast (South Gate) 46-6
20. (NR) Etiwanda 2-0 def. Summit (Fontana) 20-17
On the bubble: Carter (Rialto) 1-0, Dana Hills (Dana Point) 2-0, El Camino Real (Woodland Hills) 2-0, Saugus 1-0, Upland 2-0.
Comments: If Corona Centennial continues to win and does so all the way through another CIF Southern Section Inland Division title, it may be hard for anyone to overlook the Huskies in this division. The nightmare scenario for selectors would be an unbeaten Oceanside team vs. an unbeaten Corona Centennial vs. an unbeaten CIFSS Pac-Five Division champ. Perhaps the biggest surprise so far this year is Carson as the Colts have opened up with wins over Mater Dei of Santa Ana (14-2) and A.B. Miller of Fontana (56-21). This week, Carson could enhance its ranking even further with a win against D3 South highly-ranked Serra of Garde... (Read full post) state rankings, CA, football, Austen Fales, Palma, Dillon Baxter, Mission Bay, Nick Hirschman, Los Gatos, Brad Lohse
Week 2: State Top 25 Football Rankings September 15, 2009 3:44 AM Servite and Crenshaw make their moves into the first five as De La Salle and Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks go tumbling. Highest rising newcomer is Moorpark, fresh off its big win over Notre Dame. Redlands East Valley also goes into this week's elite honor roll.
By Mark Tennis & Ronnie Flores
Contributing: Steve Brand, Harold Abend, Paul Muyskens
(After games of Saturday, Sept. 12)
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 2-0
It's finally time for the Lions to focus completely on playing two-time defending Class 4A Washington champ Skyline of Sammamish, Wash. Both teams are in the top 10 of the ESPN RISE FAB 50 national rankings and if the Lions win they could ride it all the way to the CIF Open Division state bowl bid for Southern California. In last week's game, Oaks Christian crushed Muir of Pasadena, 51-0, holding the Mustangs to just four first downs. The defense also posted four sacks and forced two fumbles. On offense, QB Nick Montana passed for 160 yards and four TDs while standout Malcolm Jones went for 129 yards on 12 carries and scored once. Friday's game up at Skyline will be telecast nationally on ESPNU. We will be providing on-site coverage for both CalHiSports.com and ESPN RISE.
2. (2) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 2-0
Although Long Beach Poly came into last Friday's game with a 30-7 loss to Servite of Anaheim already on its grid log, it was still super sweet for the Seraphs to post a 27-7 triumph over the only team they lost to a year ago. Devon Blackledge revved up the St. Bonnie faithful with an 80-yard TD burst on the first play of the game. Poly's only score came on special teams on a kickoff return following Blackledge's first score. Blackledge finished with 290 yards rushing and later added TDs of 1 and 57 yards. The Seraphs host Jordan of Los Angeles this week and will likely be rooting hard for Oaks Christian to lose since a loss would likely move them up to No. 1 in next week's state rankings.(Read full post) state rankings, CA, football, Marquise Thompson, Crenshaw, Jerry Whitaker, Oceanside, Marcus McDade, St. Mary’s, Tyler Edmondson, Moorpark
Top 25: How They Fared (9/13) September 13, 2009 12:56 PM Check this post as well for our pick of who's hot and who's not and get a sense of how next week's best prep football teams in the state stack up next to each other.
1. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 2-0 def. Muir of Pasadena, 51-0
2. St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 2-0 def. No. 16 Poly of Long Beach, 27-7
3. De La Salle (Concord) 1-1 lost to Don Bosco Prep of Ramsey N.J., 30-6
4. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 1-1 lost to Moorpark, 27-14
5. Grant (Sacramento) 2-0 def. Edison of Stockton, 27-0(Read full post) state rankings, CA, football, Paradise, Lance Garner, Joshua Shaw, Palmdale, C.J. Reyes, Hart, top 25 scoreboard
Week 1: State Top 25 Football Rankings September 9, 2009 2:58 AM More than half of the state's top teams have already begun their seasons and there's a handful already charging upward in the rankings, especially Servite of Anaheim and Crenshaw of Los Angeles. There are no newcomers to the top 25 from the preseason, but plenty of shuffling after the first three teams.
By Mark Tennis & Ronnie Flores
Contributing: Steve Brand, Harold Abend, Paul Muyskens
(First regular season rankings; Preseason ranking in parentheses; After games of Monday, Sept. 7; This is the 31st year in which CalHiSports.com and Cal-Hi Sports have been compiling weekly state football rankings; You can now follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/calhisports or on Facebook by CLICKING HERE )
1. (1) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 1-0
The opening game for the Lions resulted in a solid win if you believe that Alemany of Mission Hills is a top-level team, but might raise some questions if you don't. Alemany kept the score respectable throughout before settling for a 28-17 loss to the state's No. 1-ranked squad. Malcolm Jones was sensational in his senior debut for Oaks Christian with 37 carries for 277 yards and three TDs. Nick Montana didn't complete a high percentage of passes, but ended up 12 of 28 for 152 yards and one score. Head coach Bill Redell's team hosts Muir of Pasadena in this week's game and will be looking to build some momentum heading into the Sept. 18 nationally-televised showdown against Skyline of Samammish, Wash. In this week's ESPN RISE West Region top 20, Oaks Christian is No. 1 and Skyline is No. 2.
2. (2) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 1-0
Like Malcolm Jones of Oaks Christian, Devon Blackledge of the Seraphs is a running back who began his senior season with a bang. For Blackledge, one of several key returnees from last year's team that went 14-1 and won its second straight CIF Division III state bowl game, his hot start consisted of all five St. Bonnie touchdowns plus 170 yards rushing in a 34-10 victory vs. St. John Bosco of Bellflower. This week, head coach Todd Therrien's team takes on Long Beach Poly, which was the only team to hand St. Bonaventure a loss last season. That score was 12-7 and if Poly has a chance the score will likely have to be similar. Three scores for the Seraphs could be plenty.
... (Read full post) state rankings, : CA, football, Malcolm Jones, Oaks Christian, Devon Blackledge, St. Bonaventure, Shaq Thompson, Sacramento Grant, Connor Preston, Gardena Serra
Top 25: How They Fared September 5, 2009 11:00 PM Check this post as well for our pick of who's hot and who's not and get a sense of how next week's best prep football teams in the state stack up next to each other.
1. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 1-0 def. No. 22 Alemany of Mission Hills, 22-17
2. St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 1-0 def. St. John Bosco of Bellfllower, 34-10
3. De La Salle (Concord) 1-0 def. No. 24 Serra of San Mateo, 14-7
4. Lutheran (Orange) 0-1 lost on Sunday, Aug. 30 to Pickerington Central of Pickerington (Ohio), 28-14
5. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 0-0 plays on Monday, Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. vs. Klein Oak (Texas)(Read full post) state rankings, CA, football, Kyle Miller, St. Francis, top 25 scoreboard, Oaks Christian, St. Bonaventure, Long Beach Poly
Preseason CIF State Bowl Game Rankings September 2, 2009 9:50 PM The enrollment cutoffs for Northern California have changed again, creating higher odds for a mismatch in Division II, similar to what could certainly occur again in the small schools division. Preseason top-ranked teams are De La Salle, Los Gatos, St. Mary's of Stockton and Modesto Christian in the north with Long Beach Poly, Lutheran of Orange (yes, we know they've already lost), Oaks Christian and Francis Parker in the top spots in the south.
By Mark Tennis, Executive Editor
Contributing: Ronnie Flores, Steve Brand, Harold Abend, Paul Muyskens
There's a good reason why the CalHiSports.com CIF state bowl game preseason football rankings are held up until the CIF itself releases its school-by-school list of each Northern and Southern California division. School enrollments change year-to-year and the cutoff line for each division changes as well.
This year, in Northern California, for example, the break between schools that will be Division I and Division II for the bowl games has been elevated from enrollments of 1,701 in 2008 to 1,851 in 2009. For the cutoff between Division II and Division III, the break has risen from 1,001 to 1,251 while between Division III and small schools it stayed the same at 400.
In Southern California, however, the various enrollment division breakdowns did not change at all. Those numbers are still 2,400 and above for Division I, 1,101 to 2,399 for Division II, 500 to 1,100 for Division III and below 500 for small schools. A small school team could be considered for the Division III bowl game under certain circumstances, primarily if there are fewer than three qualified schools on the board. That scenario is highly unlikely, however. ... (Read full post) state rankings, CA, football, CIF bowl games, John Carroll, Oceanside, Tony Franks, Stockton St. Mary’s, Harry Welch, St. Margaret’s
Preseason State Top 50 Football (26-50) August 30, 2009 11:10 PM For the second part of this feature, Loyola of Los Angeles gets things going with a promising group of players. Also included are teams that were 14-0 and 3-6-1 last season. Check later this week for our first look at the CIF state bowl game rankings.
By Mark Tennis, Ronnie Flores, Harold Abend & Steve Brand
Contributing: Paul Muyskens, Greg Biggins, Brian Stumpf
Note: All teams listed with win-loss record from 2008 season. An asterisk (*) refers to a team's on-the-field record. These rankings also represent the official start of our coverage for the 2009-2010 school year, which is our 31st year under the name Cal-Hi Sports, CalHighSports.com or CalHiSports.com. We consider our preseason rankings to be more of a starting point to the season instead of a prediction as to which teams we think will be the best at the end. Due to deadlines, we also do not have the opportunity to consider how the state's local newspapers have ranked the teams in their area. Once the regular season starts, the CalHiSports.com state rankings would include local consensus as part of the criteria. All content is free on CalHiSports.com and our state rankings have more experience behind them than any other free or subscription-based site. You can now follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/calhisports or on Facebook by CLICKING HERE To view teams ranked 1-25 in our preseason football ratings, CLICK HERE 26. Loyola (Los Angeles) 6-5
The Cubs, especially highly-regarded tailback Anthony Barr (6-4, 225), are getting a ton of preseason publicity, but we're hesitant to start out the Cubs too high after the way they finished last season. Barr rushed for 1,890 yards and scored 20 TDs as a junior, but Loyola lost three of its last five, including a 34-0 setback to No. 5 Notre Dame and a 37-7 loss to No. 18 Mission Viejo. They'll have to prove they won't tail off at the end. There is some experience with six starters returning on offense, including two stalwarts up front in Colin Tanigawa (6-3, 285) and Jordan Hansen (6-3, 280), and five on defense, but coach Jeff Kearin needs several other players to step up besides Barr in order for his team to make a deep run in the CIFSS Pac-Five Division playoffs. ... (Read full post) state rankings, CA, football, Victor Blackwell, Mater Dei, Sean Mannion, Pleasanton Foothill, Alex Crosthwaite, Cathedral Catholic, Ronald Powell, Rancho Verde
Preseason State Top 50 Football (1-25) August 30, 2009 12:21 AM This year, for the first time ever, we gathered our top four state rankings compilers into one room to come up with the preseason pecking order. Oaks Christian of Westlake Village grabs the No. 1 ranking and will play another top 25 squad in its first game. Check back tomorrow for teams ranked from No. 26 to No. 50 and for other teams on the bubble.
By Mark Tennis, Ronnie Flores, Harold Abend & Steve Brand
Contributing: Paul Muyskens, Greg Biggins, Brian Stumpf
Note: All teams listed with win-loss record from 2008 season. An asterisk (*) refers to a team's on-the-field record. These rankings also represent the official start of our coverage for the 2009-2010 school year, which is our 31st year under the name Cal-Hi Sports, CalHighSports.com or CalHiSports.com. We consider our preseason rankings to be more of a starting point to the season instead of a prediction as to which teams we think will be the best at the end. Due to deadlines, we also do not have the opportunity to consider how the state's local newspapers have ranked the teams in their area. Once the regular season starts, the CalHiSports.com state rankings would include local consensus as part of the criteria. All content is free on CalHiSports.com and our state rankings have more experience behind them than any other free or subscription-based site. You can now follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/calhisports or on Facebook by CLICKING HERE To view teams ranked 26-50 in our preseason football ratings, CLICK HERE 1. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 14-0
Going with the Lions at the top of the state to start 2009 makes sense on a number of fronts. First, they're loaded with top players returning from an unbeaten team, including running back-linebacker Malcolm Jones, the 2006 state freshman of the year and 2007 state sophomore of the year, and quarterback Nick Montana, a Washington commit who passed for 2,404 yards and 33 TDs last season. Second, they are playing a much more challenging schedule than any previous team in school history. This includes an opening game vs. No. 22 Alemany of Mission Hills, a high-profile ESPNU-televised matchup on Sept. 18 vs. Skyline of Sammamish, Wash., and some potential showdowns in the CIF Southern Section Northwest Division playoffs. Beating Skyline would make the Lions a more solid No. 1 in the state overall since the Spartans are a two-time defending state champ and are No. 9 in the preseason ESPN RISE FAB 50. Oaks Christian, which is No. 6 in the preseason FAB 50, also will be led this season by all-state underclass defensive tackle Cassius Marsh, all-state candidate offensive tackle Erik Kohler, BYU-bound linebacker Zac Stout and Division I college prospect defensive end Alani Fua.(Read full post) state rankings, CA, football, Malcolm Jones, Oaks Christian, Dylan Wynn, Concord De La Salle, Jonathon Diaz, Chaparral, D.J. Morgan, Woodland Hills Taft, Robert Jiles, Pittsburg
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