Adrian Salas (left) and Damian Alvarez both came up big for Clovis in victory against previously unbeaten Clovis North that moved the Cougars to No. 1 in the CIF Central Section.
13. (14) FOLSOM 9-0
Why This Ranking: Unfortunately, the Bulldogs will not have a chance to face unbeaten No. 9 Franklin of Elk Grove in the postseason. But even if the Wildcats don’t suffer a loss in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section D1 playoffs, we see playoff scenarios in which the Bulldogs could pass them for the No. 2 spot in Northern California by going unbeaten and winning the section D2 title. What if Folsom, for example, plays and beats Elk Grove by 20 or 30 points (Franklin won by 10)? And what if Folsom were to play and beat St. Mary’s of Stockton by a couple of scores (De La Salle beat St. Mary’s by 8)? An unbeaten Bulldog squad with that kind of resume may be too much for the CIF bowl game committee to ignore.
Weekend Result: Trailing 25-21 at halftime, Folsom dominated the second half and outscored Ponderosa of Shingle Springs 21-0 on the way to the 42-25 road win. Jake Browning struggled as he tossed a career-high four interceptions but he did complete 22 of his 40 pass attempts for 393 yards and four touchdowns. Lucas Owen caught eight passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns while sophomore Bailey Laolagi rushed for two touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass.
Up Next: In a game that will be televised by Comcast Hometown Network, the Bulldogs will finish the regular season and Delta River League play with a home game against Pleasant Grove of Elk Grove. This game usually is the one that decides the league title, but Pleasant Grove just lost to Oak Ridge of El Dorado Hills. Still, the Eagles have the running game that could keep Folsom’s offense on the sidelines for long stretches of time.
14. (17) OCEANSIDE 8-1
Why This Ranking: The Pirates get a solid three-spot bump after blasting what was supposed to be a fairly decent Carlsbad La Costa Canyon. Coach John Carroll’s boys do have a loss to a Chaparral team that just dropped out of the rankings after a second loss, but that was on the road in Week 2 and with some key players missing.
Weekend Result: Oceanside laid some wood on La Costa Canyon in a 56-0 shellacking in the Mavericks’ own house. It was pretty much over just after getting started after the Pirates capitalized by scoring off a long punt return, two fumble recoveries and a 99-yard drive, all in the first half. The statement of dominance by Oceanside included them being the first team to shut out La Costa Canyon in 104 games dating back to the 2004 season.
Up Next: Right now Oceanside is on a roll. The team faces crosstown archrival El Camino with a win sewing up the Avocado West League title. It is looking like no one will be able to deny the No. 1 team in the SoCal Division II Bowl Game Rankings to get a slot in the first SoCal playoff game. Defending D2 state champ Helix is in the same section playoff division, however, so you never know.
15. (18) ELK GROVE 8-1
Why This Ranking: It’s not the top 10 where the Thundering Herd resided two weeks ago but they bounced back from their loss to No. 9 Franklin of Elk Grove with a 54-40 win over Monterey Trail of Elk Grove and remain among the favorites to win the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II championship.
Weekend Result: It was the Robert Frazier and Wadus Parker show on offense for the Thundering Herd as the two combined for seven rushing touchdowns and took control in the second half of a game that was 27-27 at halftime. On just 16 carries, Frazier rushed for 220 yards and five touchdowns while Parker carried 24 times for 168 yards and two scores. Tommy Arnold also completed five of his nine pass attempts for 138 yards and one touchdown.
Up Next: Looking to enter the postseason with a winning streak, Elk Grove will go on the road to take on Davis. The Blue Devils have won three in a row at home since opening the season with a loss to Yuba City.
16. (21) BELLARMINE (SAN JOSE) 7-1
Why This Ranking: The Bells took care of business against upstart St. Ignatius of San Francisco in another game where many of the chat room prognosticators had predicted defeat. Bellarmine looked overmatched in its first game against No. 1 De La Salle, but that’s De La Salle and since then the team has successfully navigated a tough schedule.
Weekend Result: If anyone doubts he’s the West Catholic Athletic League MVP, junior K.J. Carta-Samuels removed the doubts with his performance against St. Ignatius in a 35-28 victory in San Francisco. With the Cal-Hi Sports caravan looking on, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound junior quarterback, who committed to Vanderbilt before ever taking a varsity snap, rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 101 yards and two more scores. The real difference was the Bellarmine offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage, allowing the Bells to convert all but one third down.
Up Next: No games in the wild and wacky WCAL are guaranteed and this week’s matchup with crosstown host Valley Christian is a perfect example. The Warriors are most certainly among the best five-loss teams in the state, having lost five games to good teams by a combined 33 points.
17. (20) EDISON (HUNTINGTON BEACH) 8-1
Why This Ranking: We thought about elevating the Chargers to as high as No. 15 since their only loss continues to be the one by just 20-14 to No. 6 Mater Dei. Their early-season 31-3 win over San Clemente also has picked up significance due to San Clemente beating previous No. 15 Tesoro last week. The problem, though, could be strength of schedule later on since Edison will no longer be in the CIFSS Pac-Five Division and instead will be in the CIFSS Southwest Division.
Weekend Result: In the team’s eighth straight win over Fountain Valley in the annual Battle for the Bell rivalry, Aleksander Torgersen’s touchdown passes to Trevor Barkowski (39 yards) and Marcus Stepanich (15 yards) was all the Chargers needed in a 21-3 triumph. Marquis Ross also starred with 108 yards rushing and one score.
Up Next: Coach Dave White’s team meets Huntington Beach and can win outright Sunset League crown. The Oilers have been and up-and-down team, but are coming into the week headed upward after topping Los Alamitos 28-7.
18. (22) CRENSHAW (LOS ANGELES) 8-1
Why This Ranking: Although the Cougars didn’t play last week due to the forfeiture of games at West Adams Prep of Los Angeles, they still got a strong boost in this week’s pecking order. That’s because they still own that 13-2 win over Oaks Christian and Oaks Christian has to move up after an impressive win against Moorpark.
Weekend Result: Unfortunately for the students at Crenshaw, this year’s Homecoming Game had to be scrapped when administrators at West Adams Prep decided to forfeit that school’s final two games due to injuries, ineligibilities and a lack of players. West Adams Prep was 0-7. Last year, before former coach Russell Shaw was dismissed, West Adams Prep actually upset the Cougars 26-25.
Up Next: There’s no hint of a forfeit, but Crenshaw is going to have a similarly easy time against 3-6 Manual Arts as it would have had against West Adams Prep. The Toilers have a 72-7 loss from earlier in the season to a Dorsey team that the Cougars beat 34-14.
19. (23) OAKS CHRISTIAN (WESTLAKE VILLAGE) 8-1
Why This Ranking: Coach Jeff Woodruff’s team, which was ranked as high as No. 4 earlier in the season, put it all together in a dominating 55-7 victory over bubble team Moorpark. The Lions also could make another statement this week against No. 8 St. Bonaventure. If they do, it looks like they would then overcome their loss to Crenshaw in the rankings and would get a bump close to or into the top 10.
Weekend Result: The Lions surprised Moorpark by giving the ball on fly sweeps to talented wideout Francis Owusu and the Stanford-bound senior delivered with touchdown runs of 90 and 88 yards. Owusu also had a 46-yard catch to set up another score and came up with an interception on defense. Damon Riggins also had a strong outing running the ball with nine carries for 155 yards and two scores (56, 50).
Up Next: There was no guarantee that Oaks Christian would be playing either St. Bonaventure or Westlake this season in the new two-division format of the Marmonte League. A matchup with St. Bonnie this week at home, however, was set up when both teams won last week to win their respective divisions. Since the rivalry between the two Ventura County private schools began in 2006, Oaks Christian has lost just once.
20. (19) LOMPOC 9-0
Why This Ranking: The Braves won their 29th consecutive game, a 58-13 win over Nipomo, but they drop a spot to make room for previous No. 20 Edison, which for this week anyway deserves to be in front of Lompoc and a few others. CIFSS Pac-Five member Oaks Christian and Crenshaw (which beat Oaks Christian) also were given bumps. Lompoc’s own big wins may be still to come in the CIFSS Western Division playoffs and if they do rest assured that a higher ranking will occur.
Weekend Result: To give an indication of just how easily Lompoc dispatched Nipomo, RB Nikko Hayes carried the ball three times in the first quarter — all off left tackle — and scored three touchdowns measuring 70, 38 and 80 yards. The Braves rushed for 410 yards as a team with the big news being the return of RB Lavon Coleman, who scored a touchdown on the ground.
Up Next: Lompoc will look to extend the state¹s longest winning streak (29 and counting) against 4-5 Cabrillo of Lompoc. Then it will be the loaded CIFSS Western Division playoffs as the No. 1 or No. 2 seed.
21. (24) CHAMINADE (WEST HILLS) 8-1
Why This Ranking: After another solid outing, the Eagles move right up behind the Lompoc team they figure to be in contention with for top seed in the CIFSS Western Division playoffs should both squads win this weekend. Strength of schedule clearly favors Chaminade in that comparison, but if you look at other factors it becomes a closer call.
Weekend Result: Quarterback Brad Kaaya kayoed another defense as he completed 21 of 29 passes for 311 yards and four scores in a 42-14 win over St. Francis of La Canada. Terrell Newby contributed once again as well with 12 carries for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Looking at Kaaya’s passing this week and Newby’s eight touchdowns from last week, the Eagles certainly seem to have the type of balanced, potent offense that can go far in the playoffs.
Up Next: Chaminade closes its regular season at home against 8-1 Cathedral of Los Angeles. The Phantoms just beat Harvard-Westlake 37-27, too, behind quarterback Hayden Rettig’s 448 yards passing. That only loss, though, was 42-3 to a Serra of Gardena team that the Eagles have already beaten.
22. (11) ALEMANY (MISSION HILLS) 7-2
Why This Ranking: The Warriors take a big hit in this week’s rankings after their 29-27 loss to Crespi of Encino. They still have several major wins on their resume, however, such as the ones against Bishop Amat, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, Norco and Dorsey of Los Angeles.
Weekend Result: Missing on a pair of two 2-point conversions contributed to Alemany taking the two-point loss to the Celts. With 1:06 left, Alemany scored on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Devon Dunn to Steven Mitchell, but couldn’t convert on the 2-pointer and never got the ball back. Earlier in the fourth quarter, Dunn hit on a 50-yard TD pass to Desean Holmes. There was no points after that score, either.
Up Next: Alemany’s loss also muddies the picture in the Serra League for playoff positioning. If the Warriors take care of business in their game Friday against Loyola of Los Angeles, they’d be no worse than 3-1 and tied for first-place. If there was another upset, they’d be in a three-way tie for second.
23. (NR) BISHOP AMAT (LA PUENTE) 7-1-1
Why This Ranking: The Lancers now have the best record among any teams in the rugged Serra League but are still ranked behind Alemany due to a head-to-head loss. Their best league win is still the one against Crespi of Encino (team that just beat Alemany) and they also have quality preseason wins against Servite of Anaheim, La Mirada and Charter Oak of Covina. Both La Mirada and Charter Oak have not lost to any other opponent.
Weekend Result: In their final road game of the regular season, the Lancers headed to Los Angeles and defeated Loyola 30-20. Junior signal caller Koa Haynes completed 15 of his 23 pass attempts for 293 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for an eight-yard touchdown. With the win, Amat moved into a three-way tie for first place in the Serra League.
Up Next: Coach Steve Hagerty’s club will face Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks in a huge test on Friday. If Amat wins and Loyola were to upset Alemany, the Lancers would be league champs. If Amat wins and Alemany wins, the two would be tied for first but Alemany would get the No. 1 playoff spot. If Amat loses, the result would likely force a three-way tie for second also involving Notre Dame and Crespi.
24. (NR) CLOVIS 8-1
Why This Ranking: By virtue of its thrilling 38-33 victory over previously unbeaten Clovis North, Clovis breaks into the Top 25 as the CIF Central Section’s top-ranked club. Either winning club was likely to move into the Top 25 this week, but Clovis also has the ability to quickly move up should No. 11 El Toro, which handed the Cougars their only loss, defeat No. 4 Mission Viejo this week.
Weekend Result: The scene at Lamonica Stadium in Clovis on Friday was about as passionate as regular season football gets in California. It was the biggest game in The Valley between the two top-ranked teams in the CIF Central Section. Minus some poor execution, the game lived up to the hype with the Cougars pulling out the victory after nearly blowing a 24-7 third quarter lead. Despite a career game from Clovis North QB Chris Rossi, Clovis’ defense made the big plays it needed in the first half to build the cushion it desperately needed at the end.
Up Next: Clovis looks to wrap up the TRAC title and avoid a letdown against 2-7 Clovis West. Last year, Clovis came into this game 9-0 against a 2-7 Clovis West team — and lost.
25. (NR) SERRA (SAN MATEO) 7-1
Why This Ranking: The wait is finally over for Padres’ fans as their boys finally break into the rankings by snagging the final spot after a close win over a very tough Valley Christian of San Jose. The way teams beat each other its sometimes tough for WCAL teams to get or stay ranked but the Padres only have an overtime loss to Bellarmine and a win over Mitty, plus they own a road win over Buhach Colony.
Weekend Result: It was a battle until the end in San Jose, but the Padres hung on for a 38-35 victory over host Valley Christian. After Eric Redwood rushed for his fourth touchdown with 2:53 left, the defense sucked it up and stopped the Warriors on downs at midfield with under a minute to play. Redwood had 151 yards rushing to go with the four scores and senior Angelo Arco was on high octane after rushing for a career-high 129 yards and one touchdown. Serra had 341 yards rushing on 54 combined carries.
Up Next: In a key game for playoff placing/seeding between two teams that are both 4-1 in league, the Padres play host to St. Ignatius in a clash of contrasting styles. The Padres prefer the ground while the Wildcats like to air it out much more.
TEAMS THAT DROPPED
Previous No. 15 Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita); No. 16 Chaparral (Temecula); No. 25 Hart (Newhall).
TEAMS ON THE BUBBLE
Buhach Colony (Atwater) 7-2
California (San Ramon) 8-1
Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 7-2
Chaparral (Temecula) 7-2
Charter Oak (Covina) 8-1
Citrus Hill (Perris) 9-0
Clovis North (Clovis) 8-1
Crespi (Encino) 8-2
Helix (La Mesa) 7-1
La Serna (Whittier) 8-1
Luther Burbank (Sacramento) 9-0
Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 8-1
Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 6-3
Oak Grove (San Jose) 8-0
Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) 8-1
Palmdale 9-0
Palos Verdes (PV Estates) 6-3
Placer (Auburn) 9-0
Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park) 9-0
Rancho Cucamonga 7-2
Serra (Gardena) 7-2
Serrano (Phelan) 9-0
St. Ignatius (San Francisco) 6-2
St. Mary’s (Stockton) 7-2
Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita) 6-3
Tustin 9-0
Westlake (Westlake Village) 6-3
Comments or corrections? Email markjtennis@gmail.com.
23 Comments
Oceanside gets their high ranking because they had key players missing and lost to a team that was once in the top 25?
You do realize that Against Oaks Christian, (who is still in your top 25 and better than Chapparal), Chaminade was playing without QB Brad Kaaya who was very limited in the first 4 games, and both starting Safeties Robert Hernandez and Nick doctors who were both injured in the previous weeks game against Pulaski. Kaaya has made a huge difference in Nades offense since his return and Hernandez has been back for the last 2 games at afety playing more extensively against St Francis. Doctors should be back for the playoffs.
Every team has players missing because of injuries, I don’t know who was out for Oceanside but I guess complaining about injuries will explain losses and get you a higher ranking.
Chaminade needs to get by Serra, and Oceanside by Helix. At this point to argue about rankings is meaningless. As well, the room will be cleared after the playoffs. Chaminade vs Oceanside may be in the future. Edison does not have the speed or athletes to compete with Oceanside or Chaminade this year.
Oceanside just beat La Costa Canyon 56-0 and is No. 1 in the San Diego Section. We were just making a point about overcoming a head-to-head loss. If Chaminade wins out and Oaks Christian doesn’t do well in its playoff division, at that point it can certainly move ahead of the team it lost to.
My point is that Oceanside is ranked pretty high for what they have produced this year and the level of competition they have played. Apparently the loss to Chap is OK because Oside had some injuries?
I dont expect Chap to stay in front of oside til the end of the season just because they beat them.
I am comparing the Oside production/ranking to that of Chaminades since they are in the same state division. With Nade’s one loss to a better team and having played a more difficult schedule with the same 8-1 record but they fall 7 spots lower than Oside?
Is this based on last years records or the last 5 years or this year?
In our system, yes, what has happened in the past does count in the rankings. Not saying that’s the only reason Oceanside is ranked where it is, but it does count. Not only did a San Diego team (Helix) win state and win easily in that division last year, but Oceanside has won two previous state titles as well.
Other than Oaks Christian, Chaminade’s schelude is not a more difficult schelude than Oceanside. There are many average teams on their schelude. Just because they are in the SS section does not automatically make those teams better. Oceanside is the number 1 team in an entire section, not simply a league.
Come on Miles, you cant be serious can you?
Well just wanted to chime in on injuries , they do happen and I am sure that everyone has a spin on it’s effect on the teams performance. Just for the record La Serna beat Westlake , which beat Crenshaw, who beat Norco and La Serna lost to Norco without one of their top linebackers. Many supporters believe that we could have maintained the led with him but who knows. So without that lost we would be ranked a lot higher. In addition check the scores at the half in league play.
La Serna’s win over Westlake is why we have them higher than La Mirada, which is higher in the CIFSS divisional rankings. LM’s loss is to Amat so it’s a close call and looks like an attractive CIFSS playoff matchup.
A loss is a loss no matter who played for your team. Every team has injuries its part of the game.
Chaminade, if you are lucky, Oceanside and Chaminade will meet in the regional game and the game itself will put to rest any doubt or conclusions you may have with Oceanside ranking or strength of schedule.
Chaminade, you need to concern yourself with lengthing your line i.e beating Serra in playoffs, rather than shortening Oceansides line i.e through constant criticism of your perception of their schelude.
As well, Oceanside has to focus on Helix. Serra is a track team with some good players, and Helix is a track team with several great football players.
Oceanside is well aware of the showdown if they are both fortunate enough to reach the finals. For Oceanside and Helix, it is a right of passage…both are very familiar with each other.
I am a Pirate………………… I know this.
There is no luck involved here, Chaminade will win the CIF western division over Serra, Lompoc, whatever team is in front of them. Miles you need to be realistic. Chaminade has beaten 2 teams that were ranked in these Calhisports top 17. Oceanside has beat ????
Oceanside needs a couple good wins before they start thinking state games.
Speed? Really you question Chaminades speed?
Go to Dyestat.com and look them up.
Chaminade is a National top 20 4×400, and state finalist 4×100 track team with some great players.
One thing Chaminade definitely has as is speed brother.
Chami-not is a once an a lifetime contender.
When you have ATLEAST one state title then proceed with your useless information.
How do you translate anything I said in regards to questioning Chaminades speed ? Serra is a fast team, that does not mean Chaminade is a slow team.
Mission Hills (competed with Mission Viejo), Poway (big strong kids/good team), and Helix (fast/well coached/several D-1 players) present a more formidable opponent than Serra and Lompoc in the playoffs.
After this week starts, a new season with new illusions and realities enters,and what happened in week 2 is meaningless and all proganda is diminished to wins & losses, i.e Score Board .
I will not say they are going to win their section straight out, for it has to be played out. If they get a chance to meet Chaminade, then no words need to be spoken…………………. It is all about the Score Board……………
Wow, Chaminade you really should take a chill pill and lay off Marktennis52. This is one of the very few sites that actually seem to put some real thought, time and effort into their rankings. But rankings are subjective, that’s why you have to play the game. I, for one, trust CalHi Sports. They do an amazing job and seem to be very fair with their ranking system. Still, everybody wants to be ranked higher. Just human nature.
By the way, when Oside played Chapparal they (OHS) were missing some key defensive people. But guess what? They still managed to keep the game close, losing by only 10 points. It was just the start of their season and they haven’t looked back (or lost) since. I don’t know anything about Chaminade, but after reading your posts I really hope Oside & Chaminade make it to the State Bowl game just so we can show you how legit our ranking is.
I don’t know why private schools get to compete with public schools anyway. Don’t think they have an advantage? Just look at how many private schools are in the Top 10 rankings. You guys should have your own league. Let all the private schools play each other and let the public schools compete against teams with the same limitations (no travel money, no cherry pickin players by offering “scholarships”, no big check writing boosters to help buy gear).
Im chill, nothing more than what you Oside homers are doing.
get over the injuries to a few guys in the Chap game. Its starting to get really pathetic.
Your whining about how you should be ranked higher is pathetic. It’s high school kids, what do you get out of this??
It is what it is.
Elk Grove isnt very impressive, who is Davis?
Bellarmine is just squeaking by average teams