Latest High School Football America - SoCal Rankings

By Sean Ceglinsky

High School Football America – SoCal Correspondent

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Consistency has been key this season for several of Southern California's premier prep football programs. Mind you, we're still in the early stages of play. There's no disputing the fact, however, that building momentum now can only help a team's chances moving forward.

As for the schools still flying underneath the radar, there is plenty of time to make an impact during nonleague play over the course of the next couple weeks. Staying focused on the task at hand figures to be a priority for the underdogs. Those who stick to the game plan will most likely be rewarded.

That said, you will not see many changes in this week's version of the High School Football America - SoCal rankings. The cream of the crop remains intact among those in the top 20, specifically speaking, the top four teams in the poll. Some minor shuffling occurred in the bottom half of the top 10 and there was not much change for programs in the teens. That said, here's an inside look at the rankings.

Note: Team's rank from last week is in parentheses.

High School Football America - SoCal Big Schools Top 20

1. (1) SANTA MARGARITA (RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA)

Newsworthy: Everyone talks about the offense for the Eagles (2-0). However, senior defensive back Connor O'Brien anchors a strong unit on the other side of the ball.

Rewind: Defeated Jordan (Long Beach), 35-6.

Fast forward: Trabuco Hills (Mission Viejo) on Friday.

2. (2) VISTA MURRIETA (MURRIETA)

Newsworthy: Senior quarterback Nick Stevens has plenty of weapons to choose from. Getting the ball into the hands of his playmakers is key for the Broncos (1-0).

Rewind: Defeated ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch, CO), 37-26

Fast forward: South (Anchorage, AK) on Friday

3. (3) OAKS CHRISTIAN (WESTLAKE VILLAGE)

Newsworthy: Senior receiver Francis Owusu is a threat to score when he touches the ball for the Lions (2-0). As a result, he's known as one of the West Coast's top players.

Rewind: Defeated Granite Bay, 48-13.

Fast forward: Venice (Los Angeles) on Friday.

4. (4) ALEMANY (MISSION HILLS)

Newsworthy: If the Warriors (2-0) hope to be mentioned in the same sentence as the best around, senior quarterback Devon Dunn must be consistent from start to finish.

Rewind: Defeated Muir (Pasadena), 49-12.

Rewind: JW North (Riverside) on Friday.

5. (6) ST. BONAVENTURE (VENTURA)

Newsworthy: The Seraphs (2-0) figure to light up the scoreboard with points on a weekly basis. The goal remains for the defense to hold up its end of the bargain.

Rewind: Defeated Centennial (Corona), 40-35.

Fast forward: Redlands East Valley (Redlands) on Friday.

6. (5) MISSION VIEJO

Newsworthy: The Diablos (2-0) don't play the most competitive nonleague schedule around. One has to wonder of the lack of challenges will hurt them in the long run.

Rewind: Defeated Mission Hills (San Marcos) 35-21.

Fast forward: Santiago (Corona) on Friday.

7. (8) NARBONNE (HARBOR CITY)

Newsworthy: Say this much for coach Manuel Douglas, he always seems to have the Gauchos (1-0) prepared. This week figures to be no different from the rest.

Rewind: Defeated Palos Verdes (Palos Verdes Estates), 41-0.

Fast forward: Long Beach Poly on Friday.

8. (12) SERRA (GARDENA)

Newsworthy: The Cavaliers (2-0) do not back down from anyone. Let it be known, they have already defeated a pair of programs ranked among the top 20 in this poll.

Rewind: Defeated Long Beach Poly (Long Beach), 20-12.

Fast forward: Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach) on Friday.

9. (20) SERVITE (ANAHEIM)

Newsworthy: If anyone figures out the Friars (1-1), let us know. They have been about as inconsistent as they come thus far. Then again, it's still early in the season.

Rewind: Defeated Rancho Cucamonga, 24-23.

Fast forward: Edison (Huntington Beach) on Friday.

10. (7) CENTENNIAL (CORONA)

Newsworthy: Starting the year with back-to-back losses is, quite simply, not an option for the Huskies (0-1). Therefore, a bounce-back effort is expected from them.

Rewind: Lost to St. Bonaventure (Ventura), 40-35.

Fast forward: Cabrillo (Long Beach) on Friday.

11. (11) UPLAND

Newsworthy: Senior Nate Romine is one of the more underrated quarterbacks in Southern California. His days of flying underneath the radar are coming to an end though.

Rewind: Defeated Windsor, 48-21.

Fast forward: Jordan (Long Beach) on Friday.

12. (10) TESORO (RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA)

Newsworthy: We're not sold on the Titans (2-0). Not just yet. They narrowly escaped with a victory last week and have plenty to prove. It's time for them to respond.

Rewind: Defeated Hart (Newhall), 10-7.

Fast forward: Chino Hills on Friday.

13. (9) RANCHO CUCAMONGA

Newsworthy: The Cougars (1-1) had a chance to make a statement with a win Friday night. The result, however, never materialized. Back to the drawing board.

Rewind: Lost to Servite (Anaheim), 24-23.

Fast forward: Muir (Pasadena) on Friday.

14. (15) MATER DEI (SANTA ANA)

Newsworthy: The Monarchs (1-0) are experienced with three seniors in the mix, quarterback Ryan McMahon, running back Treavon Coley and receiver Thomas Duarte.

Rewind: Defeated St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs), 35-0.

Fast forward: Carson on Friday.

15. (13) WESTLAKE (WESTLAKE VILLAGE)

Newsworthy: The Warriors (2-0) are up against the wall again considering their next opponent is a perennial playoff contender in the CIF Los Angeles City Section race.

Rewind: Defeated Del Oro (Loomis), 16-13.

Fast forward: Crenshaw (Los Angeles) on Friday.

16. (14) LONG BEACH POLY

Newsworthy: The Jackrabbits (1-1) have talented athletes all over the field on the defensive side of the ball. The group will be put to the test this week, no doubt about it.

Rewind: Lost to Serra (Gardena), 20-12.

Fast forward: Narbonne (Harbor City) on Friday.

17. (16) LOMPOC

Newsworthy: The game plan for the Braves (2-0) is simple: Hand the ball off to senior running back Lavon Coleman early, and often. And frequently in between.

Rewind: Defeated Frontier (Bakersfield), 21-14.

Fast forward: Pioneer Valley (Santa Maria, Calif.) on Friday.

18. (17) CHAMINADE (WEST HILLS)

Newsworthy: The Eagles (2-0) appear to have a quarterback controversy with senior Reggie Reed and junior Brad Kaaya battling for the all-important starter's role.

Rewind: Defeated Pulaski Academy (Littlerock, AK), 49-39.

Fast forward: Valencia on Friday.

19. (NR) ST. JOHN BOSCO (BELLFLOWER)

Newsworthy: Senior offensive lineman Nico Falah is an imposing presence. The Braves (2-0) are well aware of this fact and figure to run the ball behind him often.

Rewind: Defeated Lakewood, 54-7.

Fast forward: Santa Fe (Santa Fe Springs) on Friday.

20. (18) REDLANDS EAST VALLEY (REDLANDS)

Newsworthy: Senior quarterback Levi Plante completed six passes for 16 yards in the season-opener. The Wildcats (1-0) need more production out of him in the future.

Rewind: Defeated Dominguez (Compton), 36-0.

Fast Forward: St. Bonaventure (Ventura) on Friday.

High School Football America – SoCal Small Schools Top 5

1. (1) SIERRA CANYON (CHATSWORTH)

Noteworthy: Senior running back and Xavier Menifield, who is heading to Northwestern, does a little of everything for the Trailblazers (2-0). Most of it well.

Rewind: Defeated El Camino Real (Woodland Hills), 34-20.

Fast forward: Kilpatrick (Malibu) on Sept. 14.

2. (3) PARACLETE (LANCASTER)

Noteworthy: The Spirits (1-1) are concerned with the five interceptions thrown thus far by senior Tyler Carvhallo. Chances are, the quarterback fixes the problem.

Rewind: Defeated Burroughs (Burbank), 35-10.

Fast forward: Centennial (Compton) on Friday.

3. (4) ONTARIO CHRISTIAN (ONTARIO)

Noteworthy: This week's opponent from the City Section will be a measuring stick, of sorts, for the Knights (2-0). A win would provide much-needed momentum.

Rewind: Defeated El Monte, 45-24.

Fast forward: Eagle Rock (Los Angeles) on Friday.

4. (5) BORON

Noteworthy: Talk about the Bobcats (2-0) running up the score against their counterparts has started to circulate. They have, after all, outscored opponents 115-0 this season.

Rewind: Defeated Firebaugh (Lynwood), 61-0.

Fast forward: Desert (Edwards Air Force Base) on Friday.

5. (NR) SAN DIMAS

Noteworthy: Running back Jake Payton is averaging a first down every time he touches the ball. The junior has 331 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Rewind: Defeated Azusa, 50-7.

Fast forward: San Gabriel on Friday.

Sean Ceglinsky appears on High School Football America – SoCal on AM 570 Fox Sports LA. Sean has covered preps and college sports in Southern California for the better part of the past 15-plus years. Follow him on twitter: @SeanCeglinsky