California High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams - September 2

The California high school football rankings have once again shifted following the second full week of the season out West.

Three teams have entered the On3 Massey Ratings California top 25 this week, while two have pushed up the rankings into the top 10 in the Golden State. This week, four top-25 matchups are slated, headlined by No. 2 St. John Bosco heading to No. 9 Sierra Canyon.

Below are the updated top 25 programs in California heading into the first weekend of September.

The On3 Massey Ratings — which were officially used during the BCS era and have generated college high school sports team rankings since 1995 — rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory.

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1. Mater Dei (1-0)

Previous: No. 1
After rolling in its season-opener, Mater Dei was idle last week as it now gears up for one of, if not the biggest national regular season matchup of the year. The Monarchs are set to host Bishop Gorman (Nev.) at Santa Ana Stadium on Friday night in a national top-10 showdown. The matchup will feature nearly 20 blue-chip prospects. Mater Dei has won all three previous meetings between the two powerhouse programs.

2. St. John Bosco (2-0)

Previous: No. 2
St. John Bosco made a statement to the state of Texas with a 71-14 demolition of El Paso Eastwood last week. The Braves now have wins over teams from Florida and the Lone Star State and will now prepare for their first in-state game on Saturday night, when they head to Chatsworth to take on No. 9 Sierra Canyon in the California game of the week.

3. Mission Viejo (2-0)

Previous: No. 3
Behind Alabama five-star cornerback commit Dijon Lee and Co., the Diablos have made an early case for the best defense in the Golden State, as they’ve allowed just one touchdown in each of their first two wins of the season. Viejo stays at home for one of many games scheduled between California and Nevada this week, as Liberty (No. 3 in Nev.) makes the trip in from Henderson.

4. J Serra Catholic (2-0)

Previous: No. 5 (+1)
After opening the season with a 35-7 surprise dusting of Sierra Canyon, it was reasonable to expect a hangover of some sort from J Serra Catholic last week. Instead, the Lions turned around and provided the same score line in their win over Aquinas. What awaits J Serra the rest of the season is arguably the toughest schedule in the nation, as each of its eight remaining regular season games are against teams currently ranked in the top 25. First up this week is a home game against No. 20 Clovis North on Friday.

5. Orange Lutheran (2-0)

Previous: No. 6 (+1)
Led by Nebraska four-star quarterback commit TJ Lateef, the Orange Lutheran offense arrived last week in a 45-14 road win over Rancho Cucamonga. The Lancers now face a similar schedule to J Serra Catholic, as no gimmes await the rest of the fall. Up next this Friday, St. Frances Academy flies in from Baltimore as the No. 14 team in the nation.

6. Servite (2-0)

Previous: No. 7 (+1)
The Friars went on the road last week and cruised past Murrieta Valley for a 37-17 ranked victory. Michigan State QB commit Leo Hannan has thrown for six touchdowns, no interceptions and 321 yards thus far. Servite remains away from home this weekend to take on Chaminade in West Hills. The Friars are currently favored to win their next three games.

7. Junipero Serra San Mateo (1-1)

Previous: No. 12 (+5)
Many expected Serra San Mateo to open its season with a defeat at Folsom last week, but the Padres banded together for one of the more impressive wins of the early season, downing the Bulldogs 22-21. As a result, Serra made a big move into the top 10. Another big test is on the docket this weekend, as it heads to No. 11 De La Salle for an important Friday matchup.

8. Santa Margarita Catholic (1-1)

Previous: No. 13 (+5)
The Eagles rebounded nicely from a season-opening loss to Mission Viejo by defeating then top-five Centennial on the road 31-15 last week. Like Serra San Mateo, Santa Margarita now checks in inside the top 10 and will host No. 23 Liberty on Friday to begin a two-game stretch at home that will also feature a matchup against No. 16 Oaks Christian.

9. Sierra Canyon (2-1)

Previous: No. 8 (-1)
In Sierra Canyon’s pair of victories so far this season, it has looked dominant, allowing a total of 17 points. In its loss to J Serra Catholic, it was instead dominated, losing 35-7. The Trailblazers clearly posses the pieces to win games, but they’ll have to prove it on Saturday when hosting No. 2 St. John Bosco. USC safety commit Madden Riordan already has five interceptions through three games.

10. Centennial (0-2)

Previous: No. 4 (-6)
It’s been a rocky start for the Huskies. After giving No. 1 Mater Dei a game without star Texas A&M five-star quarterback commit Husan Longstreet, Centennial was stymied at home last week in 31-15 loss to Santa Margarita Catholic. Longstreet will look to shake off the rust this weekend when Timpview (Utah) comes to Corona. The Thunderbirds enter the week as the No. 5 team in Utah.

Teams 11-25 in California High School Football Rankings

11. De La Salle
12. Los Alamitos (-3)
13. Folsom (-3)
14. Junipero Serra Gardena (+3)
15. Cathedral Catholic (+9)

16. Oaks Christian (-2)
17. Rocklin (+4)
18. Clovis East (-2)
19. Lincoln (previous unranked)
20. Clovis North (-2)

21. Damien (-2)
22. Pittsburg (+3)
23. Liberty (previous unranked)
24. Murrieta Valley (-9)
25. Granite Hills (previous unranked)

Dropped Out: Central Fresno (previous 20th), St. Bonaventure (previous 22nd), Chaparral (previous 23rd)