CIF-Southern Section High School Football Rankings: Oct. 29

As the regular season winds down and the CIF-Southern Section high school football playoffs loom, the On3 Massey Ratings has released its latest top-25 rankings.

The top five teams remained the same this week, but there was plenty of movement elsewhere on the list ahead of the final week of the regular season.

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 

Previous Ranking: No. 1

The Monarchs cemented themselves as the state’s No. 1 team Friday night, obliterating No. 2 St. John Bosco 59-14 in what was billed as one of the best games of the year prior to kickoff. They’ll look to finish a perfect 9-0 with a win over No. 5 Orange Lutheran this weekend.

2. St. John Bosco 

Previous Ranking: No. 2

St. John Bosco was handed one of its biggest defeats in more than a decade by rival Mater Dei, getting trucked 59-14. The Braves will have to respond quickly though, as No. 6 J Serra Catholic comes to town Friday night for the regular season finale.

3. Mission Viejo 

Previous Ranking: No. 3

The Diablos have been tested in each of their past two games by unranked opponents, but have come out on top. Most recently, Edison held Viejo’s high-powered offense to just 21 points, but their defense responded as well. A tough test to end the season awaits this weekend against No. 18 Los Alamitos, who will be looking to play spoiler on MV’s perfect season.

4. Centennial

Previous Ranking: No. 4

Centennial continues to roll after a slow start to the season, now the winners of seven in a row. They’ll look to keep the momentum going this week against No. 26 Chaparral as the playoffs loom in two weeks.

5. Orange Lutheran 

Previous Ranking: No. 5

The Lancers put on a dominant performance across the board Friday night, routing No. 8 Servite 38-0 at home. But their biggest challenge of the year comes this week against No. 1 Mater Dei, fresh off a huge win over Bosco.

6. J Serra Catholic 

Previous Ranking: No. 7 (+1)

After dropping three straight Trinity League games, the Lions got the ship turned around against Santa Margarita Catholic in a heart-racing 35-33 win. Now 6-3, they’ll be hoping to pull off a big upset this week against No. 2 St. John Bosco in the final game of the season.

7. Servite 

Previous Ranking: No. 6 (-1)

Servite’s slide continued on Friday night, as the Friars were blown out 38-0 by Orange Lutheran. In three consecutive games against top-5 opponents, they were outscored 93-23. Now they’ll look to get back on track this week against a reeling Santa Margarita Catholic squad.

8. Sierra Canyon

Previous Ranking: No. 8

Winners of four in a row, the Trailblazers enter Friday’s season finale against No. 14 Junipero Serra with a lot of wind at their back. Buoyed by one of the state’s best offensive units, they’re projected to beat their rivals by three touchdowns, per the On3 Massey Ratings.

9. Santa Margarita Catholic 

Previous Ranking: No. 9

The slide continues for Santa Margarita Catholic, which now sits at just 3-6 after five straight losses. Four of those, however, have come against teams ranked among the top six teams in the state by combined 32 points. They’ve got a final shot to make some noise before the playoffs begin this weekend against No. 8 Servite.

10. Junipero Serra Gardena

Previous Ranking: No. 11 (+1)

The Cavaliers are now winners of five straight after dominating Bishop Amat 52-21, setting up a huge showdown against No. 8 Sierra Canyon on Friday night. The Trailblazers are nearly three-touchdown favorites, per the On3 Massey Ratings, but few teams in the state are hotter right now than Junipero Serra.

Teams 11-25 in CIF-Southern Section High School Football Rankings

11. Murrieta Valley (-1)
12. Oaks Christian
13. Los Alamitos (+1)
14. Inglewood (+1)
15. San Juan Hills (+3)

16. Oak Hills
17. Chaparral
18. Damien (+1)
19. Rancho Cucamonga (-6)
20. Newbury Park

21. Yorba Linda
22. Leuzinger (+1)
23. Villa Park (-1)
24. Downey
25. Cajon (previously unranked)

Dropped out: Granite Hills