California High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams - August 19

California programs Sierra Canyon and Mission Viejo each opened their 2024 seasons with wins in Hawaii last week. The rest of the Golden State will get going in just a few days.

Headlined by a top-five in-state clash between No. 1 Mater Dei (No. 1 NATL) and No. 3 Centennial (No. 12 NATL.), as well as multiple other nationally-ranked matchups, California’s finest will take the field this week.

Below are the top 25 teams in California, according to the On3 Massey Ratings, as of Aug. 19.

The On3 Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory.

*Win-Loss records are 0-0 unless noted otherwise.

1. Santa Ana Mater Dei

Mater Dei is set to begin its season at home on Thursday in a big-time in-state clash against No. 12 Centennial. Led by the likes of Alabama four-star cornerback commit Chuck McDonald, Oregon four-star running back commit Jordon Davison and 2026 Ohio State Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver commit Chris Henry Jr., the Monarchs are once again heavy favorites to land another state title. Texas A&M five-star quarterback commit Husan Longstreet is reportedly a game-time decision for the Huskies, who will look to play early-season spoiler at the Santa Ana Bowl.

2. Bellflower St. John Bosco

St. John Bosco heads to Florida to take part in the ESPN High School Football Kickoff against No. 16 Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.). The giant matchup is set for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 24 at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. The Braves have once again reloaded and will be led by the likes of 2026 four-star athlete Madden Williams, 2026 USC three-star ATH commit Joshua Holland and 2026 Arkansas three-star safety commit Tay Lockett this weekend in the Sunshine State.

3. Corona Centennial

An already tall task for the Huskies will be much taller if Longstreet is unable to take the field on Thursday night. Six other seniors committed to Power Four schools are on the roster, but no Longstreet would be an unfortunate game-changer for Centennial. Michigan State three-star cornerback pledge LaRue Zamorano and Arizona State three-star wide receiver commit Cory Butler Jr. are among the others to watch for the Huskies this week.

4. Chatsworth Sierra Canyon (1-0)

Now the No. 18 team in the nation following its 30-7 win in Hawaii over Punahou, Sierra Canyon will remain on the road this week, heading to No. 6 J Serra Catholic in San Juan Capistrano on Friday night. Junior USC commit Madden Riordan collected three interceptions in the Trailblazers’ win last week.

5. Mission Viejo (1-0)

Checking in at No. 26 nationally this week, the Diablos cruised past Kamehameha (Hi.) 41-7 last week. Star junior wide receiver Vance Spafford collected over 100 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Mission Viejo is set for its home opener on Saturday, taking on No. 11 Santa Margarita Catholic.

6. San Juan Capistrano J Serra Catholic

The Lions will have a chance to make a season-opening statement on Friday night when hosting No. 4 Sierra Canyon. J Serra is also set to bring a stout defense to the field, led by the nation’s No. 8 linebacker Madden Faraimo. Arizona State three-star quarterback commit Michael Tollefson will look to out-do Sierra Canyon QB and three-star Utah pledge Wyatt Becker — who threw for 217 yards last week.

7. Anaheim Servite

In-state action for Servite won’t begin until next week, as the Friars are set to host Salt Lake City East (Utah) on Friday night. Michigan State three-star quarterback commit Leo Hannan threw for over 2,400 yards last season and will look to get his senior campaign off on the right foot this week. SLC East (1-0) opened its season with a 42-19 win over Layton Christian Academy (Utah) last week.

8. Orange Lutheran

Nebraska four-star quarterback commit TJ Lateef and Co. will begin their campaign on the road at No. 14 Junipero Serra Gardena on Friday night in another highly-anticipated in-state clash. Arizona State four-star tight end commit AJ Ia, 2026 four-star linebacker Talanoa Ili and 2026 four-star IOL Samuelu Utu will help guide the Lancers as they embark on what’s rated as the toughest schedule in the state entering the season.

9. Concord De La Salle

De La Salle is one of the few top programs in the state that won’t be on the field this week, as it will open at Grant Union in Sacramento on Aug. 30. The Spartans reeled off 11 consecutive victories last season, adding another chapter to an illustrious program that’s consistently one of the best in the Golden State. Oregon four-star defensive lineman commit Matt Johnson is the top prospect on the De La Salle roster, checking in as a top-25 DL and a top-25 player in the state.

10. Los Alamitos

The Griffins will begin the season at home on Friday against Anaheim Western and are projected to win the contest 47-7. Los Alamitos managed nine wins a season ago and are projected to have a top-five offense in the state. Arizona State three-star IOL commit Maki Stewart, Cal three-star running back commit Anthony League and 2026 USC three-star wide receiver commit Ja’Myron Baker are among those set to lead the way.

11. Santa Margarita
12. Folsom
13. San Mateo Junipero Serra
14. Gardena Junipero Serra
15. San Diego Lincoln

16. San Clemente
17. Westlake Village Oaks Christian
18. Rancho Cucamonga
19. Carlsbad
20. Rocklin

21. El Dorado Hills Oak Ridge
22. Stockton St. Mary’s
23. Long Beach Poly
24. Pittsburg
25. Huntington Beach Edison