This was how the scoreboard looked at Liberty High in Bakersfield when its game against Buchanan of Clovis was stopped in the fourth quarter due to lightning. The game already had been delayed to an 8 pm start due to excessive heat. Buchanan was credited with the victory over the No. 21 Patriots. Photo: Twitter.com.
On a bizarre Friday night when tropical thunderstorms plagued games in the south while a wildfire in Placer/El Dorado counties caused games to be cancelled or postponed in the north, the beat rolled on for the state’s top three teams. The biggest winner of the night may have been No. 19 Serra (Gardena), which got past No. 20 Warren (Downey). Saturday night add ons usually aren’t huge, but they sure were this week as top 50 ranked Lincoln of San Diego’s Rodrick Robinson ran wild with 470 yards rushing and eight TDs in a big win over top 50 ranked Mater Dei Catholic.
Note: Look for a brand new State Top 50 set of football rankings that won’t simply be a list on Monday night. We’ll have insights and breakdowns based on 44 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 usually 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 previous State Top 50)
(Through reported results of Saturday, Sept. 10)
(Thanks to Northern California correspondent Daniel Poulter for contributions)
1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 4-0
Defeated La Mirada 35-0. The Monarchs took it easy on the Matadores in the Friday matchup at the Santa Ana Bowl. They were ahead 35-0 at halftime. What would winning by double that score really accomplish and Mater Dei could have done that for sure.
Here’s the uniform designed by Nike that St. John Bosco wore in its game up at the University of Oregon. TE/DE Matayo Uiagalelei is shown flipping ball. Photo: @boscofootball / Twitter.com.
2. St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 3-0
Defeated Central Catholic (Portland, Oregon) 49-0. This also was a halftime score like Mater Dei that ended up as the final, but there is a big difference in the teams played. Central Catholic has been No. 1 in Oregon and last week beat Bellevue, Wash., the top-ranked Class 3A in Washington. As we’ve said many times, this MD-Bosco arms race hasn’t just lifted the two schools way in front of anyone else in California, but way in front of 99.9 percent of other top teams from other states as well.
3. Centennial (Corona) 3-1
Defeated No. 17 JSerra (San Juan Capistrano) 41-0 at home Friday. Cornell Hatcher ran for two TDs and Cory Butler had a 91-yard TD run to lead the Huskies. They bounced back from last week’s 49-20 loss to No. 1 Mater Dei.
4. Serra (San Mateo) 3-0
Following two huge games on the road, the Padres had their home opener on Saturday and overcame a slow start in beating Central Catholic (Modesto), 42-30. The Raiders led 9-0 early, but Maealiuaki Smith (who had five TD passes) and the offense then started rolling.
5. Santa Margarita (Rancho SM) 3-0*
Defeated Mullen Prep (Denver) 63-6 on Friday. It was 42-0 at halftime with a running clock in the fourth quarter. The Eagles used three QBs on the night. *Indicates forfeit win not included. Yes, we know officially it is a forfeit win from last week but we have never counted forfeit results in our rankings or state records.
6. Folsom 2-1
Did not play. Bulldogs have a bye this week after win vs Monterey Trail, loss to Serra of San Mateo and win over Edison of Stockton. They are playing No. 10 Pittsburg next Friday.
7. De La Salle (Concord) 2-1
New year and a new result, as De La Salle earned some payback for last season, as the Spartans cruised to a 35-3 victory over St. Francis (Mountain View) on Friday. It was only 14-3 at halftime, but the De La Salle defense held strong all evening.
8. Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 4-0
Defeated Leuzinger (Lawndale) 34-24. Maybe a bit closer than thought, but win over Mission Viejo got strengthened quite a bit, too. Devin Samples scored once by recovering a teammate’s fumble in the end zone. Daylen Austin helped ice the win with a 42-yard pick six.
9. Mission Viejo 3-1
Defeated No. 28 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 41-0. Great win after 35-30 loss to Long Beach Poly from previous week. Kadin Semonza passed for 280 yards and one TD plus he rushed for 59 yards and two scores.
10. Pittsburg 3-0
The Pirates never trailed in a 34-14 victory over previous 2-0 California (San Ramon), but the Pirates only truly pulled away late. The Grizzlies were within two scores to start the fourth quarter.
11. Los Alamitos 2-2
Still no T.A. Cunningham, the No. 1 ranked junior defensive lineman in the county, but Los Alamitos breezed past Servite (Anaheim) 47-14 on Friday at home. Up next is No. 5 Santa Margarita Catholic.
12. Chaminade (West Hills) 4-0
The Eagles had little trouble with Crespi of Encino, as they routed the Celts 59-7. Crespi just lost 63-6 to Newbury Park.
13. Inglewood 4-0
Defeated Adelanto 50-0 on Friday in the high desert. In the last three weeks, the Sentinels have played at Henderson, Nev., at Carlsbad and now back out to Adelanto.
14. Bishop Amat (La Puente) 2-1
Did not play. Head coach Steve Hagerty’s squad has a bye this week and will come back next week to play Leuzinger of Lawndale.
15. Edison (Huntington Beach) 4-0
Defeated Palos Verdes (PV Estates) 35-7 on Thursday night. Another good sign for the Chargers is that they beat a Sea Kings’ squad by a much greater margin than league rival (and state No. 32) Corona del Mar did. That score last week was 14-7.
This is the cover illustration from the seventh edition of the Cal-Hi Sports State Record Book. Our online records for the first time are now complete for the five sports covered on this site (football, boys & girls hoops, baseball & softball).
16. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 2-2
Defeated No. 26 Helix (La Mesa) 14-13. This was called an upset by some because of the San Diego Union-Tribune rankings, but we couldn’t understand how the Dons could drop locally for losing to two big-time national powerhouse teams. Will Bond scored what turned out to be the winning TD on an 8-yard run and the defense only gave up a field goal in the second half.
17. JSerra (SJ Capistrano) 2-2
LOST to No. 3 Corona Centennial 41-0. The team’s other loss was to No. 12 Chaminade. The wins have been over Sierra Canyon and Newport Harbor.
18. Lutheran (Orange) 3-1
The Lancers received everything they could handle from hosting Damien (La Verne) on Friday. They used a strong situational running attack to pick up the 26-20 victory.
19. Serra (Gardena) 2-2
Defeated No. 20 Warren of Downey, 16-13, on Friday. Rodrick Pleasant flashed that fastest player in America speed (based on track) with an 88-yard kickoff return TD. He also had two interceptions on defense in very wet conditions.
20. Warren (Downey) 3-1
LOST to No. 19 Serra (Gardena), 16-13, on Friday. The Bears, who won in this game 14-0 last season, didn’t have top-notch WR Jordan Ross plus two starting offensive linemen.
21. Liberty (Bakersfield) 2-1
The Patriots found themselves down 35-14 in the second half to No. 27 Buchanan (Clovis) at home on Friday, but were mounting a major comeback before mother nature struck. With just over 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and Liberty down 35-27, lightning strikes happened in the greater Bakersfield area and the game was put on a 30-minute delay. Mother nature didn’t let up and the refs decided to call the game.
22. (16) Carlsbad 2-1
After losing last week at home to Inglewood, Carlsbad bounced back with a 20-14 victory over El Camino of Oceanside (2-1). All 34 points were scored in the first half between the two teams and Carlsbad scored 17 in the first quarter.
23. Simi Valley 3-1
LOST on Thursday night to Saugus, 16-14. Since Saugus was coming off of a 34-30 loss to Camarillo and Simi had been rolling in its first three games, this one can be called an upset.
24. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 2-1
Did not play. After their big wins over Sierra Canyon and Regis Jesuit of Colorado, the Lions have a bye this week. They return next Friday to play higher-ranked Serra of Gardena.
25. Norco 2-1
Defeated Corona 83-0 on Thursday. There’s a reason the old Big VIII League split up because scores like this involving the Cougars and Corona Centennial happen all the time. Norco and Corona, however, are longtime rivals. Perhaps it’s time they stop playing for a while. Historically, it’s happened with rivals like that before going in opposite directions.
TEAMS ON THE BUBBLE
Alemany (Mission Hills) 1-1
Did not play. It was the second straight bye for the Warriors. They will get No. 9 Mission Viejo next week when they come back.
It’s a touchdown from earlier this season at San Clemente, which will likely be the team next week making the biggest moves in all of the rankings (Orange County, SoCal & state). Photo: @Tritonfootball / Twitter.com.
Apple Valley 3-1
It was a much easier week than last, as the Sun Devils routed Victor Valley of Victorville 48-6.
Buchanan (Clovis) 4-0
The thoughts that Buchanan may be vulnerable this season have been overblown, as the Bears held on for a 35-27 weather shortened victory over No. 21 Liberty (Bakersfield). Buchanan led 35-14 in the second half and scored 35 unanswered to take command of the Central Section. ‘
Central (Fresno) & San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno)
It came down to the last seconds in the Grizzlies’ game in Santa Barbara on Saturday vs state top 50 ranked Bishop Diego. They pulled out a 38-34 win on a touchdown pass from Dayton Tafoya to Josh Hill. Central’s loss was to San Joaquin Memorial, which won its game on Saturday 28-6 over Garces (Bakersfield). SJM has 10-7 loss to Queen Creek, Ariz.
Corona del Mar (Newport Beach) 3-1
LOST to San Clemente, 23-7, on Friday. CdM didn’t have QB David Rasor for a second straight weeek due to an ankle injury.
Granite Bay 4-0
The Grizzlies didn’t hit the field until 9:30, but eventually pushed past Spanish Springs of Sparks (Nevada) 24-3, a team that was just routed at home by bubble team Marin Catholic. Super sophomore Carter Jackson had all three touchdowns for Granite Bay. The game finished near midnight.
Helix (La Mesa) 3-1
LOST to No. 16 Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 14-13 on Friday. Kevin Allen had a 7-yard TD run for the Highlanders that gave them a 10-7 lead at halftime.
Lincoln (San Diego) 3-1
Defeated state top 50 ranked Mater Dei Catholic of Chula Vista, 56-20, on Saturday. It was an epic performance by Lincoln RB Rodrick Robinson as the UCLA commit went bonkers. He ended with an unofficial total of 470 yards rushing on 32 carries and an official total of eight touchdowns. Lincoln’s only loss is to Alemany (Mission Hills).
Madison (San Diego) 4-0
The Warhawks hosted Ramona on Saturday in this week’s game and chalked up a 35-0 victory. They will have a bye next weekend.
Menlo-Atherton (Atherton) 2-0
The Bears will be at 3-0 Del Oro (Loomis) next Friday.
Monterey Trail (Elk Grove) 2-2
Monterey Trail used 418 yards of total offense to rout Merced 49-16.
Rancho Cucamonga 3-1
Defeated Valencia on the road 21-14 on Friday. The Cougars took the lead with about seven minutes left and then turned back the Vikings three times after that to get the win.
Salinas 3-0
This team needed 17 unanswered fourth quarter points to push past an upset minded Clovis side, as the Cowboys held on for a 50-36 victory over the Cougars.
San Clemente 4-0
Defeated Corona del Mar (Newport Beach) 23-7. Broderick Redden had one TD pass and one TD run while Blake Allen rushed for 128 yards and one TD. The Tritons will move way up in all rankings next week. Games also are coming up with Edison (Huntington Beach) and Mission Viejo.
Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 1-3
LOST Friday at home to No. 9 Mission Viejo, 41-0. This was the first-ever shutout suffered by the Trailblazers, who began playing in 2007.
St. Mary’s (Stockton) 3-0
Defeated St. Ignatius (San Francisco) 49-20. The Rams have now scored 58, 47 and 49 points in three games.
West Ranch (Valencia) 3-0
As expected, West Ranch handled St. Paul of Santa Fe Springs 35-0.
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