Some Mater Dei players were practicing some dance moves after they made more correct moves on the field during 17-7 win on Friday over St. John Bosco. Photo: Mark Tennis.
No. 1 Mater Dei of Santa Ana wins in the trenches and on the scoreboard with a 17-7 victory over No. 2 St. John Bosco of Bellflower. While that score was on the low side, two other big ones from around the state were not. St. Mary’s of Stockton won its biggest game in years by beating De La Salle of Concord (the Spartans’ third loss this season to a NorCal opponent). Then there was what happened in the Inland Empire: an overtime win by Norco over Murrieta Valley that resulted in a new CIF Southern Section record. We’ll have more details on some games once we return back home to Stockton from Santa Ana after traveling on Saturday.
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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(After games of Saturday, Oct. 8)
(Thanks to correspondent Daniel Poulter for contributing writeups and scores)
1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 7-0
Defeated No. 2 St. John Bosco 17-7 on Friday at the Santa Ana Bowl. A 7-7 tie in the third quarter was broken on a 22-yard field goal by Andre Medina. The Monarchs’ defense then stepped up with 3-and-out, which put the Braves’ defense right back on the field and that allowed Mater Dei to ice the win on a 33-yard TD run by standout sophomore RB Jordon Davison. QB Elijah Brown had MD’s other score on a seven-yard to start the second quarter and improved to 24-0 as a starter. At least one player said the team was motivated by a lot of the national rankings that put the Braves at No. 1 even though they haven’t beaten MD on the field since 2019.
Cameron Jones scored the only TD for the Braves in their loss to Mater Dei. He and everyone else in the stadium knows that there’s a very possible rematch down the road and the winner of that game is the one that is really going to be celebrating. Photo: Mark Tennis.
2. St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 6-1
LOST to No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 17-7 on Friday on the road. QB Pierce Clarkson missed the second half with what was an apparent concussion. Still, the Braves mainly used their running game led by Cameron Jones to drive the field and score in the third quarter. Jones ran for a six-yard score on a fourth down and two that got the Bosco faithful excited. The defense just couldn’t prevent Mater Dei from answering with a field goal and then the Monarchs scored a touchdown run with just 1:01 left for a 10-point lead.
3. Centennial (Corona) 6-1
Defeated Roosevelt of Eastvale, 62-14, on Thursday. The Huskies led 55-0 at halftime vs a team that was 5-0 until two weeks (before a lopsided loss to Norco). Cornell Hatcher rushed for four TDs and Israel Carter threw for four TDs.
4. Serra (San Mateo) 6-0
In the last five meetings between Bellarmine (San Jose) and Serra, the Bells have only managed a total of seven points in those contests. It looked positive for the Bells, as the San Jose side jumped on the Padres early with a 7-0 lead Friday at SJCC. This would be the last points of the game, however, for Bellarmine, as Serra would rattle off 28 unanswered in the 28-7 victory.
5. Folsom 6-1
Whitney (Rocklin) gave up two defensive touchdowns to Folsom, as the Bulldogs breezed to a 55-7 Sierra Foothill League rout. All eyes will now be on Del Oro vs Folsom next week for the SFL crown. Austin Mack had four passing touchdowns for the Bulldogs.
6. Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 7-0
Defeated Wilson (Long Beach) 70-0 on Friday. Head coach Stephen Barbee’s squad grabbed a 42-0 lead by halftime and cruised from there against its longtime rivals. Junior QB Darius Curry led the way with five TD passes.
7. Los Alamitos 5-2
Defeated No. 44 Corona del Mar (Newport Beach) 49-14 on Thursday. Despite the final score, it wasn’t easy for the Griffins. They were only ahead by one score (21-14) in the third quarter, top WR Makai Lemon was out with an injury after the first quarter and QB Malachi Nelson had just went down with a bad cramp. But there was no panic. Freshman Jaden O’Neal led a scoring drive, RB Damian Henderson wasn’t stopped at any point and then a couple of CdM turnovers (one a pick six from Gavin Porch) broke it open. No. 12 Edison (Huntington Beach) is next.
8. Mission Viejo 6-1
Defeated No. 29 Helix of La Mesa 55-27 at home on Friday. Helix led 20-14 in the second quarter, but the Diablos came back to lead 28-14 at halftime and ran away with it in the third quarter. Kadin Semonza hit on a 43-yard TD to Mikey Matthews to give Mission a 35-20 lead in the third quarter. He had two TD passes to K.J. Reed in the first half.
9. De La Salle (Concord) 3-3
LOST to No. 27 St. Mary’s of Stockton 45-35. St. Mary’s earlier gave a clue that it might have a team similar to its 2017 squad that lost in OT in the CIF D1-AA state final to Cathedral Cqtholic when it rolled over Central Catholic of Modesto, 47-7. As has been the case in all three DLS losses, there were positives (including three TD runs by junior QB Carson Su’esu’e plus long TD passes to Journey McKoy and Cooper Flanagan) but this time the defense got torched for the type of points that it hasn’t allowed for many years (other than games when it played either Bosco or Mater Dei in a state final).
10. Chaminade (West Hills) 7-0
The Eagles scored 21 unanswered points in the first quarter and cruised to a 65-34 victory over Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks. The Eagles also picked up a surprise visit from Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
11. Inglewood 7-0
This talented squad had little trouble in a 63-0 rout of Centennial of Compton. Husan Longstreet led the way with five passing touchdowns for the Sentinels. They are playing Leuzinger of Lawndale next week for the Ocean League title.
12. Edison (Huntington Beach) 7-0
Defeated Newport Harbor (Newport Beach) 47-14 on Friday. The Chargers played on the same field that Los Alamitos played at on Thursday and had a similar score. They will be hosting Los Al next Thursday and we know that the L.A. Times will be there since the man himself (Eric Sondheimer) told us on Friday in the Santa Ana Bowl press box.
13. Lutheran (Orange) 6-1
Defeated Servite (Anaheim) 35-14. The Lancers moved to 2-0 in the Trinity League (same as Mater Dei) but they still have to play the Monarchs and St. John Bosco in coming weeks.
Naseri Danielson and Samson Hunkin were two of the key players who helped St. Mary’s of Stockton post a historic victory on Friday over De La Salle of Concord. Photo: Harold Abend.
14. JSerra (SJ Capistrano) 3-4
LOST to No. 18 Santa Margarita 29-28 on Friday. For the second straight week, the Lions got a boost from a kickoff return TD (this time by Clarence Chaney). QB Zander Singh also hit on a pair of TD passes, but the Eagles held on for the Trinity League triumph.
15. Bishop Amat (La Puente) 5-2
LOST to No. 16 Serra (Gardena) 27-21. Stacy Bey scored on a 3-yard run to tie the score at 21-21 in the fourth quarter, but unlike against Sierra Canyon from last week in a similar game this time the other team had just a couple more big plays down the stretch.
16. Serra (Gardena) 5-2
Defeated No. 15 Bishop Amat (La Puente) 27-21. A 1-yard run by Cincere Rhaney with 1:02 left gave the Cavaliers the lead and then sophomore C.J. McBean came up with an interception to seal it. Earlier, Rodrick Pleasant scored on a 9-yard run and on a 98-yard kickoff return. Serra lost to Amat 41-40 in overtime when the two played last season.
17. Pittsburg 5-1
The Pirates were not immune to the wild upset bug that went from the North Coast Section Division 1 field on Friday evening, as the they needed a last minute drive to hold off Liberty of Brentwood 31-29. The Lions scored 17 unanswered points in the second half to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. Pittsburg hit the 24-yard field goal with 58 seconds on the clock.
18. Santa Margarita (Rancho SM) 4-2*
Defeated No. 14 JSerra (SJ Capistrano) 29-28. Early in the fourth quarter, the Eagles scored a touchdown on a 1-yard run by Taurian Nash and then went for two points and got it on a pass from Jaxon Potter to Kyle Brody. That play ended up as a game-winner since the Santa Margarita defense didn’t give up any more points. Potter also was reported with 393 yards passing on a school record 35 completions.
19. Lincoln (San Diego) 7-1
Defeated St. Augustine (SD) 54-0. As expected, an easy win. And now that Madison also has beaten Cathedral Catholic, Lincoln and Madison’s upcoming matchup will finally provide a really solid No. 1 team in the San Diego Section.
20. Carlsbad 6-1
Defeated San Marcos 42-7. It was another easy Avocado League win for the Lancers.
21. Monterey Trail (Elk Grove) 5-2
Reportedly it looks like the game vs McClatchy (Sacramento) for the Mustangs was canceled.
22. Warren (Downey) 6-1
Defeated Paramount 62-0 on Thursday. The Bears (only loss to Serra of Gardena) have their big rivalry game next week vs Downey.
23. Madison (San Diego) 7-0
It was a one-point deficit at halftime in their Western League matchup at No. 28 Cathedral Catholic, but the Warhawks won 28-14. Jaylen Brown had a TD run after a Dons’ fumble and then on the next series it was quickly up to 28-14 on a pick six by Titus Toilolo.
24. West Ranch (Valencia) 8-0
The Wildcats survive again, as they outlasted second place Valencia 23-16 and took a commanding lead in the Foothill League. Tyler Scott had two key touchdowns for the Wildcats. This is the first time that West Ranch has defeated both Valencia and Saugus.
25. Clovis West (Fresno) 7-0
Surviving as the top team in the Central Section, the Golden Eagles held on for a 42-30 victory over previously undefeated Clovis East (Clovis). Clovis East looked to have recovered an onside kick down only five with a 1:32 left, but the recovery was called back because of a controversial illegal kick call. Clovis West quarterback Ryan Markarian had five touchdown passes.
TEAMS ON THE BUBBLE
Apple Valley 6-1
Defeated Sultana (Hesperia) 49-12 on Thursday. The Sun Devils trailed 12-0 early, then 12-6 at half but scored four times in the third quarter.
Cajon (San Bernardino) 6-1
Defeated Citrus Valley (Redlands) 28-7. An out-of-state one-point loss is now completely overcome by the Cowboys as they got a big win over league foe that went up in the rankings with a win over Norco. Cajon will be the team jumping up now.
Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 3-5
For a second straight week, Cathedral Catholic falls in Western League play, as the Dons can’t outlast No. 23 Madison (San Diego) in a 28-14 defeat.
Citrus Valley (Redlands) 5-2
LOST to Cajon (San Bernardino) 28-7. After their recent win over Norco, the Blackhawks had to go up in the rankings. It’s not a big upset, though. Cajon won its 29th straight league game.
Del Oro (Loomis) 7-0
The Golden Eagles jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead over defending Sierra Foothill League champion Rocklin. The Thunder clapped back with 13 unanswered in the third quarter, but a late surge gave the Golden Eagles a 33-20 victory. Caden Pinnick had three TD passes and one TD run for Del Oro.
Helix (La Mesa) 5-2
LOST to No. 8 Mission Viejo 55-27. This loss was similar to the one that the Highlanders had last season to Servite of Anaheim. They were leading 20-14 at one point in the second quarter.
Manteca 6-0
The Buffs routed 1-6 Sierra (Manteca) with a 68-0 blasting. Florida State four-star Blake Nichelson returned a highlight 58-yard punt for a score.
McClymonds (Oakland) 4-1
Massive NorCal bowl game result, as McClymonds hold off a late charge from North Coast Section D2 favorites San Ramon Valley (Danville) in a wild 45-42 victory. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Warriors had a 42-21 lead and looked to run out the clock, but the Wolves scored 21 unanswered to force Isaac Espinosa to kick a 25-yard go ahead field goal with just under two minutes remaining in the game. Jaivan Thomas had four rushing touchdowns and nearly 300 yards on the ground. Luke Baker had 511 passing yards in defeat for San Ramon Valley.
Murrieta Valley (Murrieta) 5-2
LOST to Norco 77-76 in overtime on Friday. No, it’s not a typo. The Nighthawks have historically been in shootouts like this, but not 77-76. The game was tied 69-69 in regulation. Norco won it by going for two points after its overtime TD after Murrieta Valley kicked it for one point. Bear Bachmeier passed for 397 yards and two TDs and rushed for five TDs and 147 yards and 10 carries (according to Riverside Press-Enterprise).
Norco 5-2
Defeated Murrieta Valley (Murrieta) 77-76 in overtime. This is the highest scoring game for two teams in CIFSS history (according to our own records). It breaks the record of 144 set in 1994 by Bloomington (82) and Lakewood Artesia (62). It’s also No. 4 in state history (record is still 165 set in 2012 by Porterville (86) vs Tulare (79). That one was no overtimes. Tyler Dudden passed for seven touchdowns to lead Norco.
Oak Hills (Hesperia) 6-0
Defeated Hesperia, 49-16, on Thursday. In two weeks, state’s No. 1 medium schools team plays Apple Valley.
Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 5-2
Aidan Flintoft hit a 15-yard field goal to help Oaks Christian defeat Bishop Diego (Santa Barbara) 24-21. Bishop Diego running back Qu’Ran Gossettt had 200 yards and two touchdowns in defeat.
Rancho Cucamonga 5-2
Defeated Etiwanda 21-6. The Cougars trailed 3-0 at halftime in their Baseline League opener but came on strong in the third quarter.
Salinas 6-0
Does not play. The Cowboys, who won their last game 55-7 over Santa Cruz, are on a bye this week.
San Clemente 5-2
Does not play. It is a bye week for the Tritons, who will be playing No. 8 Mission Viejo next week.
Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 3-4
Defeated No. 41 Alemany (Mission Hills) 42-0. The Trailblazers still have Serra (Gardena) and Chominade (West Hills) to play in the Mission League.
St. Mary’s (Stockton) 7-0
Defeated No. 9 De La Salle (Concord) 45-35. We’re not sure why some of the local rankings had Manteca ahead of the Rams, but none of them will now after this statement win. They could be as high as the top 15 next week. Head coach Tony Franks had never beaten the Spartans in his career (1984-86 and 2002-2021), but they got it done this time. A 74-yard bubble screen TD run by Brooks Wheatley gave St. Mary’s a 31-28 lead in the third quarter. Samson Hunkin (QB) and Naseri Danielson (WR) also hooked up for big plays in the first half.
Wilcox (Santa Clara) 6-0
It was an easy night for the Chargers, as Wilcox cruised to a 48-9 league victory over Milpitas.
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