J.T. Daniels of No. 1 Mater Dei is about to lead the Monarchs onto the field at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara for game last Saturday night vs. Stockton St. Mary’s. Photo: Mark Tennis.
Chaminade and Calabasas are now both in the top 10 and both have big tests Thursday this week with the Eagles facing Serra of Gardena and the Coyotes meeting Valencia. Others getting bumps this week include Mission Hills, San Ramon Valley and Central of Fresno. Newcomers to the first 25 are Upland and San Diego Madison.
For teams ranked No. 26 to No. 50 (Also Gold Club post), CLICK HERE.
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(Last week’s ranking in parentheses)
(After games of Saturday, Sept. 23)
1. (1) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 5-0
Head coach Bruce Rollinson said after his team dominated defending CIF Sac-Joaquin Section D1 champ St. Mary’s of Stockton 52-14 last Saturday at Levi’s Stadium that it was the best venue the Monarchs have ever played in. “This is a football stadium,” he said. “Anaheim Stadium is built for baseball.” His team this year is built to win it all, meaning a CIF Open Division title and a mythical national title, but he and junior QB J.T. Daniels are indeed focused first on the Trinity League and No. 2 St. John Bosco. The first part of the journey, going 5-0 in non-league games and beating two out-of-state teams like Bishop Gorman and Bergen Catholic, is all that is done. The second part, playing five Trinity League powerhouse teams in a row, starts in two weeks against No. 13 Santa Margarita. The Monarchs and all other teams in the league have a bye this week.
