This image of Grace Brethren head football coach Josh Henderson was taken earlier this season. His team stepped up this week to defeat an opponent that was in the CIF Southern Section Division I semifinals last year. Photo: @GBHSLancersFB / Twitter.com.
Saturday losers to out-of-state foes were No. 4 Narbonne and No. 5 JSerra, but No. 6 Cathedral Catholic got it done against No. 1 team from Arizona. On Friday, No. 2 St. John Bosco again made a national statement with win over namesake school from New Jersey while No. 20 Grace Brethren had perhaps the greatest win in school history with a huge second half in a win over No. 13 Oaks Christian.
Note: Look for a brand new State Top 50 set of football rankings that won’t simply be a list on Monday. We’ll have insights and breakdowns based on more than 40 years of going to Friday night games with an overview of the state’s top teams and what’s coming up that just can’t be matched. It’s more than 8,000 words of jam-packed info. Each new set of rankings will be for Gold Club members only. The late Friday/Weekend Scoreboards will continue to be free posts and will provide snippets of info, comments and more.
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(Rankings based on last week’s State Top 50 released last Monday)
(Through reported results of Saturday, Aug. 31)
THANKS TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CORRESPONDENT DANIEL POULTER FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS POST.
1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 2-0
As expected, the Monarchs were in cruise control in 63-6 victory at home on Saturday over Villa Park. They rolled past No. 7 Centennial (Corona) 42-12 in opener.
2. St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 2-0
It wasn’t the prettiest St. John Bosco has looked, but D.J. Uiagalelei powered the Braves past New Jersey powerhouse Don Bosco Prep of Ramsey, New Jersey 56-21. The Clemson commit had 322 yards passing and two touchdowns.
On Thursday night, Don Bosco Prep football players from New Jersey were celebrated by their hosts from St. John Bosco. Photo: @boscofootball / Twitter.com.
3. De La Salle (Concord) 1-1
Central Catholic of Modesto kept it close for a quarter, but the Spartans cruised to a 49-14 victory over the Raiders. Dorian Hale was effective through the air, as the quarterback was 15-for-27 for 231 yards and added a touchdown.
4. Narbonne (Harbor City) 1-1
Gauchos had their second straight Saturday game, this week against defending Class 6A Utah state champion Lone Peak at the Brother In Arms Classic played at Moorpark High, and they couldn’t keep up in a 41-21 defeat.
5. JSerra (San Juan Capistrano) 1-1
Head coach Pat Harlow’s club took on New Jersey state No. 1 ranked St. Joseph Regional of Montvale, N.J., on Saturday as part of the Honor Bowl at Cathedral Catholic High in San Diego and lost 24-13. The Lions scored early, but St. Joseph proved it has an elite national squad this season.
6. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 2-0
The Dons were the host school once again for the SoCal portion of the Honor Bowl (the NorCal games will be the following week) and defeated Saguaro of Scottsdale, Ariz., 18-10. Saguaro is No. 1 by some in Arizona. Can this win jump the Dons up to No. 4 this week? They are playing Corona Centennial next week so only thing for certain is that winner of that game is going to be up there.
7. Centennial (Corona) 1-1
Huge bounce back game for the Huskies, as Centennial uses four pick six TDs to blow out No. 41 Lutheran (Orange) 56-14. Don’t ask them about the last time a top-ranked team in California was involved in a game in which the defense scored four times on interceptions.
8. Folsom 1-0
Elijhah Badger had a 99-yard kickoff return and the Bulldogs powered past Jesuit (Carmichael) 52-12 on Friday at Sac State. Daniyel Ngata also added three touchdown runs from the backfield. Nice debut win for new head coach Paul Doherty.
9. Rancho Cucamonga 1-1
LOST to No. 10 Calabasas 45-26 on Thursday in game seen throughout CIF Southern Section. QB C.J. Stroud passed for 295 yards and three TDs and had a 96-yard TD called back by penalty.
10. Calabasas 2-0
Defeated No. 9 Rancho Cucamonga 45-26 in Thursday night special. The Coyotes had a running game to go with their passing (Jaden Casey with three TDs, two to Johnny Wilson) as Jaylen Thompson rambled for more than 150 yards and had an 86-yard touchdown.
11. Mission Viejo 2-0
The Diablos held on to defeat Santa Margarita (Rancho SM) 21-10. The Eagles lost their starting quarterback in the first half and never recovered.
12. Liberty (Brentwood) 2-0
It is never easy playing in the Corral at Oakdale and the Lions found that out on Friday evening, as Liberty needed a goal line stand to stop the Mustangs 19-14.
13. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 1-1
LOST 54-28 No. 20 Grace Brethren (Simi Valley) in a contest that says way more about Grace Brethren than the hosts. Oaks Christian was missing at least one key player (LB Ethan Calvert) but hard to know if it would have mattered.
Jaylon Armstead had the kind of start to a season any running back at any level would love: five carries, five TDs. Photo: Twitter.com.
14. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 2-0
The Trailblazers easily handled No. 26 Lawndale 37-12. Sierra Canyon scored on its opening drive and forced a safety on Lawndale’s first possession. This was a team that the Trailblazers lost to last season.
15. Serra (Gardena) 1-0
Jaylon Armstead scored five touchdowns on his first five carries at that point in the game to power Serra to a 41-14 victory over Garfield (Los Angeles). The senior had 223 yards on the night.
16. Central (Fresno) 2-0
The Grizzlies had little trouble with former powerhouse Grant (Sacramento) in a 38-7 blowout. Jamison Silva completed 12 of 13 passes and has stepped into QB role smoothly.
17. Valley Christian (San Jose) 1-0
The Warriors got revenge for a 10-6 loss to open the season last year to No. 34 Wilcox (Santa Clara). Valley Christian opened this year with a 23-13 victory over the Santa Clara squad.
18. Norco 1-0
Did not play. The Cougars are off this week after season-opening 52-27 win over Williams Field of Arizona. They are playing Rancho Cucamonga next and after that team just lost to Calabasas 45-26 the question coming up is which team will be higher in the next rankings. Rancho is going to be dropping down from No. 9 but will that be below Norco or still in front?
19. St. Augustine (San Diego) 2-0
St. Augustine jumped out to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter and breezed to a 47-0 victory over Eastlake of Chula Vista.
20. Grace Brethren (Simi Valley) 2-0
The Lancers pulled off the shock of Southern California, as Grace Brethren handled No. 13 Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 54-28. Josh Henderson had 136 yards and Julien Stokes had 87 yards to do most of the damage for the Lancers. Mikey Zele also found Nate Bennett five times for 123 yards. Grace Brethren shutout the Lions in the second half.
21. Corona del Mar (Newport Beach) 2-0
Defeated No. 49 St. Francis (Mountain View) 42-14. For recap of this game, CLICK HERE.
22. Servite (Anaheim) 1-0
Head coach Troy Thomas’ squad overwhelmed J.W. North (Riverside) 48-7 and may have a strong young duo in Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan. Fifita threw for five touchdown passes, with his fellow sophomore catching three of them.
23. Alemany (Mission Hills) 2-0
Did not play. After playing on Aug. 17 with a 62-36 romp past Jordan of Sandy, Utah, and then getting a 55-16 win last week at Higley of Glendale, Ariz., the Warriors have this weekend off. Next game will be Sept. 6 vs. Dorsey of Los Angeles.
24. La Habra 2-0
La Habra easily cruised to a 56-7 victory over Redlands East Valley. Ryan Zanelli threw for 309 yards and five touchdown passes in the first half for La Habra.
25. Torrey Pines (San Diego) 2-0
San Clemente picked up revenge for a 47-45 defeat last season with a convincing 31-7 victory over Torrey Pines. Four forced turnovers were huge for the San Clemente defense in the victory.
TEAMS ON THE BUBBLE
Bishop Amat (La Puente) 2-0
Held on for a 28-27 victory over Paramount in overtime. Lost Cal commit Damian Moore to a leg injury before halftime. Dyson McCutcheon carried the load for Bishop Amat, as the running back had 175-yards on 16 carries.
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Buchanan (Clovis) 1-1
The Bears defeated Bullard (San Jose) 28-14, but have a major issue on their hands with five-star Georgia commit Kendall Milton going down with an injury in the first half.
Helix (La Mesa) 1-1
Helix lost 26-19 in overtime to Herriman (Utah). Elelyon Noa set Helix all-time rushing record.
Lawndale 0-1
From the opening drive it wasn’t Lawndale’s night. Loss was 37-12 to No. 14 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth).
Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 0-1
LOST to Punahou (Hawaii) 45-0 on Saturday.
Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 1-1
LOST to McClymonds (Oakland) 19-7 on Saturday.
McClymonds (Oakland) 1-0
Defeated Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 19-7 on Saturday.
Menlo-Atherton (Atherton) 1-0
The Bears showed they are one of the top teams in the Central Coast Section by blasting Bellarmine Prep (San Jose) 51-14.
Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 1-0
Defeated Desert Vista (Phoenix, Ariz.) 37-35 on Saturday.
Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) 2-0
The Trojans take care of business once again with a 45-20 victory over a hungry Vacaville squad.
Pittsburg 0-1
LOST to Serra (San Mateo) 58-21 on Saturday in matchup between two of top five teams in Bay Area. For recap, CLICK HERE.
Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley) 2-0
Scored 17 points in the opening quarter en route to a 45-7 victory over Santiago (Corona). Squares off with Upland this upcoming week.
San Clemente 2-0
Defeated No. 25 Torrey Pines (San Diego) 31-7. Team won in opener vs. Oceanside.
Serra (San Mateo) 1-0
Defeated Pittsburg 58-21 on Saturday at home. For recap of game, CLICK HERE.
South Hills (West Covina) 2-0
Held Don Lugo (Chino) to only six points in the fourth quarter and came away with 35-34 victory.
Upland 1-1
Bounced back with a 48-0 victory Crenshaw (Los Angeles). Jonathan Flowe with a pick six for the Highlanders.
Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) 1-0
Scoring 14 points in the second quarter is enough for Vista Murrieta to hold on for 24-12 victory over Los Alamitos.
Wilcox (Santa Clara) 0-1
Magic didn’t strike for a second straight season, as No. 17 Valley Christian (San Jose) picked up a 23-13 victory over Chargers.
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5 Comments
The St, John Bosco-Don Bosco score noted in the article appears incorrect. It has been reported in both California and New Jersey scoreboard results as 56-21 in favor of St John Bosco.
Narbonne never should have been ranked that high. There are easily 10 teams in the Southern Section that would beat them. Too much attention paid to 7 on 7 which is meaningless really. Lone Peak dominated them and LA City teams have been weak since the 90’s.
Valid point, but 7 on 7 had nothing to do with it. More because just get overwhelmed by all of those on the roster with major college D1 offers.
What has happened with the LB Poly program? They brought in that new coach from a small school in OC and have been horrible. Makes no sense.
Almost all top players in that area now all go to Bosco.