Trevon Lampley from No. 18 Franklin of Elk Grove is one of the most explosive players in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section.
13. (13) UPLAND 5-0
Why This Ranking: We didn’t drop the Highlanders at all this week, but we did jump Mater Dei of Santa Ana and Alemany of Mission Hills higher. Both of those teams have big games coming up while Upland gave up a ton of points in its game.
Weekend Result: Leading Santiago of Corona 45-41, the Highlanders had to come up with a big goal-line stand in the final minute and stopped the Sharks on 4th and goal from the one-yard line with 38 seconds remaining. Nate Romine passed for 234 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 120 yards. Upland opened up a 31-7 lead before allowing 34 straight points to trail 41-31 before scoring the game’s final two touchdowns.
Up Next: The Highlanders will have this week off before Baseline League play starts in October. They are going on the road to take on 4-1 Rancho Cucamonga.
14. (15) ST. JOHN BOSCO (BELLFLOWER) 4-0*
Why This Ranking: The way it worked out, the Braves moved up one spot this week, but we don’t like to move up teams too far without that team being in action. *Note: All four wins were forfeited late Monday (after these rankings were done) due the use of an ineligible player. Only on-the-field results are considered for rankings, however, so the Braves won’t drop next week unless they lose.
Weekend Result: St. John Bosco had the week off after defeating Loyola of Los Angeles 45-0 two weeks ago. In the team’s four wins, it has yet to allow more than eight points in a single game.
Up Next: The Braves will head out of state this weekend as they will face Jordan of Sandy, Utah on Saturday. After that, they will kick off Trinity League play with a road game against Orange Lutheran.
15. (10) SERRA (GARDENA) 4-1
Why This Ranking: This is a natural place to drop the Cavs after their loss to No. 4 Narbonne of Harbor City. Not only was the score not close to the margins that the Gauchos had been handling other teams (such as 56-0 vs. Long Beach Poly) but Serra also still owns a head-to-head win over No. 16 Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks.
Weekend Result: Serra did a good job of slowing down Narbonne’s Troy Williams (175 yards passing, one touchdown), but it was the Gauchos’ defense that made the difference. Serra’s Jalen Greene completed 26 of 39 passes for 275 yards, but Narbon’s defense came up with big plays and four critical turnovers whenever Serra threatened in the Gauchos’ 22-9 victory.
Up Next: Coach Scott Altenberg’s team has a bye this week and then in two weeks opens up Mission League play with a key matchup against Chaminade of West Hills. It might be, in fact, the game that eventually decides the league title.
16. (17) NOTRE DAME (SHERMAN OAKS) 4-1
Why This Ranking: It clearly would have been better for Notre Dame’s ranking if No. 15 Serra of Gardena had beaten No. 4 Narbonne of Harbor City last weekend instead of the other way around. Still, due to Oaks Christian’s upset loss to Crenshaw, there is room to move up the Knights one spot in this week’s pecking order.
Weekend Result: In the third of what looked like three straight easy wins on the schedule when the season began, Notre Dame crushed Golden Valley of Santa Clarita 49-6. Reigning Cal-Hi Sports State Athlete of the Year Khalfani Muhammad led the way with eight carries for 101 yards and two scores.
Up Next: It is often a great battle when Notre Dame and Chaminade of West Hills play. The two parochial San Fernando Valley rivals used to be in the same league, but are now in different leagues. Chaminade comes to Sherman Oaks on Friday in what will be the final non-league game on the schedule for both squads.
17. (18) JAMES LOGAN (UNION CITY) 5-0
Why This Ranking: The No. 2 team from the S.F. Bay Area continues to roll after pounding Berkeley. The Colts get a one-spot rise, and although they’ve played one of their toughest non-league schedules ever, it’s still not tough enough to move them ahead of a team like Serra of Gardena that just lost to No. 4 Narbonne.
Weekend Result: Logan scored 41 first-half points and the defense didn’t give up a touchdown in a 54-5 demolition of visiting Berkeley. In fact, the first string defense hasn’t given up a touchdown since a win over Reed of Sparks (Nev.) to open the season. For the second straight week, quarterback Jeffrey Prothro Jr. also was on target. He was 6 of 7 passing with 145 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 48 yards on six carries and two touchdowns. Northwestern-bound Warren Miles-Long rushed for 111 yards and one score.
Up Next: In a game the Cal-Hi Sports football caravan is strongly considering attending, coach George Zuber’s boys get what could be its toughest non-league test of all when they pack up the bus on Friday night and head to Loomis to face Del Oro. The host team may be 0-4 but don’t let that fool you. The first two losses were to Oaks Christian and Westlake, then they lost to 4-0 Sacramento Burbank, and last week they dropped a 31-30 decision at up-and-down Sacramento Grant. Logan will prove its mettle with a win.
18. (24) FRANKLIN (ELK GROVE) 5-0
Why This Ranking: With Lincoln of Stockton losing to St. Mary’s of Stockton, the undefeated Wildcats are more solid the Sac-Joaquin Section’s No. 2 team and earn a six-spot bump in this week’s rankings.
Weekend Result: Facing 3-0 Jesuit of Carmichael, the Wildcats handed the Marauders their first loss of the season as they scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to pull away for a 21-7 win. Trevon Lampley did a bit of everything in the win as he carried the ball eight times for 51 yards and two scores, caught four passes for 62 yards and a touchdown and on defense he intercepted a pass.
Up Next: Coach Mike Johnston’s team will have this week off before Delta Valley League play starts next week with the boys playing at long-time nemesis Grant of Sacramento. Also in their league is No. 8 Elk Grove, who the Wildcats face on October 19.
19. (19) CHAPARRAL (TEMECULA) 3-1
Why This Ranking: It’s not often a team stays put after a loss but the Pumas looked impressive and nearly defeated No. 7 Tesoro on Friday night in a 17-14 loss. The team’s earlier win over Oceanside also has gained in significance due to Oceanside beating Poway.
Weekend Result: Trailing early, the Pumas relied on their special teams to create a short field for two third-quarter touchdowns in the game against Tesoro. The Titans, however, came back as well and won it with less than two minutes left. Patrick Clifford caught a touchdown pass from Kellen Mataafa to get Chaparral on the board and Chris Stratton had a 23-yard touchdown pass to Rashid Jones on a trick play.
Up Next: The Pumas should get back to their winning ways this week when they host struggling Santa Fe of Santa Fe Springs, which has lost by a combined 154-8 the last three weeks.
20. (21) CENTRAL (FRESNO) 5-0
Why this ranking: The No. 2 team from the CIF Central Section moves up one spot after an easy road win at Tulare Union, but until the Grizzlies really play and beat someone that’s really tough, it will be hard for them to move up too far until perhaps they play teams in the Tri-River Athletic Conference.
Weekend Result: The 75-mile ride home from Tulare was a happy one but at halftime of the 40-21 victory over Tulare Union, and when the score was 7-7, there were some worries. Michiah Quick quickly took care of that when he returned the second-half kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. After a quick series by the hosts, Quick struck for a 54-yard punt return that went to the house. A 69-yard fumble return made it look like it might be a rout, but Tulare Union didn’t fold and the deal was not sealed until the middle of the fourth quarter.
Up Next: Coach Justin Garza and the boys have a bye week to rest up before a Tri-River Athletic Conference opener with Buchanan of Clovis.
21. (22) LOMPOC 5-0
Why This Ranking: The Braves move up a spot after winning their 25th consecutive game with a 49-14 victory over Morro Bay. It would be a huge upset if Lompoc were to drop a game in the regular season. There will be tests, however, in the CIFSS Western Division playoffs.
Weekend Result: Morro Bay was no match for the Braves, a s Lompoc scored four touchdowns in the first quarter. With star back Lavon Coleman sitting out another game, Lompoc carried the ball by committee 34 times for 216 yards.
Up Next: Coach Andrew Jones and his team will look to extend its winning streak against a 4-1 Templeton team that has only lost to Arroyo Grande. Templeton will likely be the toughest league test for the Braves.
22. (NR) OCEANSIDE 3-1
Why This Ranking: We’re going to put the No. 1 team from the CIF San Diego Section back in the rankings after a 23-13 win over defending CIFSDS Division I champion Poway. Plus, the Pirates’ only loss was 40-30 to No. 19 Chaparral when the team had several key injuries.
Weekend Result: Playing Poway for only the third time in 27 years, Oceanside bolted out to a 23-0 first-half lead, and although they didn’t score in the second half, their defense played very well against a seasoned Titans team that despite being at home, came out sluggish before finding some legs in the second half. Quarterback Israel “Tofi” Paopao completed 20 of 27 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns.
Up Next: Before opening Avocado West League play in two weeks with Carlsbad, the Pirates should get a good game from a Mission Hills (San Marcos) team whose lone loss is 35-21 at No. 6 Mission Viejo to open the season. This probably won’t be a cakewalk.
23. (NR) EL TORO (LAKE FOREST) 5-0
Why This Ranking: The Chargers just got nosed out in last week’s top 25 by fellow Orange County school Edison of Huntington Beach. And while Edison certainly didn’t get thumped in its loss to No. 11 Mater Dei, it now seems like it’s time to give El Toro the nod, especially considering how strong El Toro’s league (South Coast) is looking so far this season.
Weekend Result: In Northern California for the past four years, the pass-happy offense at Folsom has been about as prolific as one can imagine. El Toro is the Folsom of the South and quarterback Conner Manning could be on track to become the state’s second 5,000-yard passer for a single season after Folsom’s Tanner Trosin did it last year. Manning moved to No. 2 on the single-game state list with his 613-yard effort in last Friday’s 77-46 win over Valhalla of El Cajon. He completed 45 of 59 passes to get his 613 yards and had seven touchdowns. Dominic Collins was the top receiver with 18 grabs for 247 yards while Jacob Ferrari rushed 23 times for 183 yards. El Toro had 821 yards of total offense, which also makes the state record book but doesn’t break the record of 912 set in 1967 by Happy Camp.
Up Next: Coach Rob Firth’s squad shouldn’t have a problem in this week’s game at home against Garden Grove. Once South Coast League action begins, though, it will be much different. The South Coast also includes No. 6 Mission Viejo, No. 7 Tesoro and San Clemente, which was 4-0 until last weekend.
24. (25) BELLARMINE (SAN JOSE) 2-1
Why This Ranking: Since the Bells had a bye, their rankings rise is minimal even though three teams ranked higher than them from last week suffered losses. Bellarmine’s only loss came in the season-opener against No. 1 De La Salle.
Weekend Result: Like several other teams from the West Catholic Athletic League, the Bells did not play prior to their first game of WCAL competition.
Up Next: Upstart Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco) comes to town to open WCAL play on Friday, and although the Crusaders are 3-0 to start the competition, two wins have come over CIF San Francisco Section teams. It hasn’t been against anything like what the Bells have faced. Look for Riordan to get rung up.
25. (NR) OAK RIDGE (EL DORADO HILLS) 5-0
Why This Ranking: A win over defending CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II champ Vacaville isn’t only reason Oak Ridge goes in. The Trojans also have a 42-14 win over Grant of Sacramento (which beat Del Oro on Friday) and a 16-7 win over Rocklin (which just beat NorCal D2 ranked Inderkum). Oak Ridge also plays 5-0 Folsom in two weeks. By time they play, both should be in Top 25.
Weekend Result: After the large-margin win against Grant, Oak Ridge went on the road to beat Vacaville 24-21. A last-second field goal try by Vacaville failed that would have tied the score, but it is still an impressive win. Jason Samuels led the offense by completing 19 of 33 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns. Ross Dwelley added seven catches for 113 yards while Nick Gordon starred on defense with 21 tackles.
Up Next: Oak Ridge has a bye on its schedule this week. The Trojans then host 5-0 Folsom in two weeks, which also will be coming off a bye. Also in the same league is Pleasant Grove of Elk Grove, a Division I section finalist the past two years.
Teams That Dropped Out
Previous No. 4 Oaks Christian (Westlake Village); No. 20 Lincoln (Stockton); No. 23 Edison (Huntington Beach).
Bubble Teams
Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 3-0
Bishop Amat (La Puente) 4-0-1
California (San Ramon) 4-0
Chaminade (West Hills) 3-1
Clovis North (Clovis) 5-0
Crenshaw (Los Angeles) 4-1
Crespi (Encino) 6-0
Edison (Huntington Beach) 4-1
Folsom 5-0
Hart (Newhall) 3-1
Helix (La Mesa) 4-1
La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 3-1
Lutheran (Orange) 5-0
Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 4-1
Norco 3-1
Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 4-1
Placer (Auburn) 4-0
Rancho Cucamonga 4-1
Serra (San Mateo) 3-0
Serrano (Phelan) 4-0
St. Mary’s (Stockton) 3-2
Comments or corrections? Email markjtennis@gmail.com.
