Two New Teams Enter High School Football America - SoCal High School Football Rankings

By Sean Ceglinsky

High School Football America Correspondent

Santa Margarita QB John Stanton passed NFL quarterback
and Santa Margarita alum Carson Palmer as the school's all-time
total offense leader

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – With all-important league play looming less than a month away now, several of Southern California's premier programs are using this week's games as a fine-tuner, of sorts, with the hopes of being better prepared moving forward.

Steady improvement during nonleague play is the goal. Peaking at right the time, toward the end of the season and not necessarily today, is the game plan for most teams. That said, let's take an inside look at some of the schools heading in the right direction.

There are a couple newcomers in this week's High School Football America - SoCal Top 25 rankings, including Helix (La Mesa) and Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks). The top of the poll remains intact, for the most part, with Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) holding onto the top spot after Johnny Stanton’s record-breaking performance Friday against Trabuco Hills to pass Carson Palmer for total offense in a career, followed by Vista Murrietta (Murrieta) and Oaks Christian (Westlake Village).

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL AMERICA BIG SCHOOLS TOP 20

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

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

Newsworthy: In recent years past, this week's opponent from the Los Angeles City Section would be somewhat of a tough test for the Eagles (3-0). Not this season, however.

Rewind: Defeated Trabuco Hills (Mission Viejo), 55-0.

Fast forward: Carson on Friday.

2. (2) VISTA MURRIETA (MURRIETA)

Newsworthy: The battle for all-important bragging rights in the Inland Empire will be stake this week. Signs point to the Broncos (2-0) being ready, and ultimately, prevailing.

Rewind: Defeated South (Anchorage, Alaska), 49-8.

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

3. (3) OAKS CHRISTIAN (WESTLAKE VILLAGE)

Newsworthy: The Eagles (3-0) are playing well, due in large part to the leadership of Cameron Judge. The senior linebacker and UCLA commit delivers on a weekly basis.

Rewind: Defeated Venice (Los Angeles), 35-17.

Fast forward: Chaminade (West Hills) on Friday.

4. (7) NARBONNE (HARBOR CITY)

Newsworthy: The Gauchos (2-0) are getting the job done, on both sides of the ball mind you, this season. They have outscored teams 97-0 in a pair of games thus far.

Rewind: Defeated Long Beach Poly, 56-0.

Fast forward: Lakewood on Friday.

5. (5) ST. BONAVENTURE (VENTURA)

Newsworthy: After back-to-back showdowns, the Seraphs (3-0) figure to have a relatively easy time this week. The chances of them being upset are slim. And none.

Rewind: Defeated Redlands East Valley (Redlands), 18-7.

Fast forward: Atascadero on Friday.

6. (4) ALEMANY (MISSION HILLS)

Newsworthy: For the second time in as many weeks, the Warriors (3-0) play one of the top programs the Inland Empire has to offer. A victory is far from a sure thing.

Rewind: Defeated J.W. North (Riverside), 54-14.

Fast forward: Centennial (Corona) on Friday.

7. (6) MISSION VIEJO

Newsworthy: The Diablos (3-0) are the favorites to win the South Coast League title. Beyond that, a reservation in the Southern Section Pac-5 Division playoffs awaits.

Rewind: Defeated Santiago (Corona), 42-17.

Fast forward: La Quinta (Westminster) on Friday

8. (8) SERRA (GARDENA)

Newsworthy: In Southern California coaching circles, Scott Altenberg is respected for the job he's done with the Cavaliers (3-0). This season is no different from years past.

Rewind: Defeated Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach), 27-20.

Fast forward: Banning (Wilmington) on Friday.

9. (10) CENTENNIAL (CORONA)

Newsworthy: For those who thought that this might be one of those rebuilding years for the Huskies (1-1), think again. Rumors of a possible drop-off in talent were false.

Rewind: Defeated Cabrillo (Long Beach), 61-6.

Fast forward: Alemany (Mission Hills) on Friday.

10. (11) UPLAND

Newsworthy: Adonis Harrison has done well when given the opportunity this season. And based on his efforts, the senior running back will receive extra touches this week.

Rewind: Defeated Jordan (Long Beach), 57-28.

Fast forward: Silverado (Victorville) on Friday.

11. (9) SERVITE (ANAHEIM)

Newsworthy: A bye week could not have come at a better time for the Friars (1-1). The extra practice figures to bode well in their attempt to regain much-needed momentum.

Rewind: Did not play.

Fast forward: Edison (Huntington Beach) on Friday.

12. (12) TESORO (RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA)

Newsworthy: The Titans (3-0) have been far from impressive this season. Finding a way to win close games, however, is something they do particularly well. Even if it's ugly.

Rewind: Defeated Chino Hills, 24-14.

Fast forward: Colony (Ontario) on Friday.

13. (14) MATER DEI (SANTA ANA)

Newsworthy: Ryan McMahon appears to have a future playing baseball. That fact has not prevented the senior from finding his nice at quarterback for the Monarchs (2-0).

Rewind: Defeated Carson, 48-13.

Fast forward: Santa Monica on Thursday.

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

Newsworthy: A.J. Holman was seemingly unstoppable last week for the Braves (3-0). The senior receiver had four touchdown catches. What can he do for an encore?

Rewind: Defeated Sante Fe (Santa Fe Springs), 61-8.

Fast forward: Loyola (Los Angeles) on Friday.

15. (13) RANCHO CUCAMONGA

Newsworthy: When it comes to Southern California defensive backs, Chris Hawkins is one of the best in the business. The senior for the Cougars (2-1) committed to USC.

Rewind: Defeated Muir (Pasadena), 54-14.

Fast forward: Miller (Fontana) on Friday.

16. (15) WESTLAKE (WESTLAKE VILLAGE)

Newsworthy: The Warriors (3-0) nearly overlooked last week's opponent. Duplicating the feat this time around is not an option. Therefore, expect a bounce-back effort from them.

Rewind: Defeated Crenshaw (Los Angeles), 44-41.

Fast forward: La Serna (Whittier) on Friday.

17. (NR) HELIX (LA MESA)

Newsworthy: The Highlanders (2-0) have an opportunity to make a statement with a win this week and put some separation between themselves and the rest of the San Diego pack.

Rewind: Defeated Vista, 43-7.

Fast forward: Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) on Friday.

18. (17) LOMPOC

Newsworthy: The Braves (3-0) are still searching for their first true test this season. For the record, the challenge does not figure to materialize for them at any point this week.

Rewind: Defeated Pioneer Valley (Santa Maria), 42-3.

Fast forward: Dos Pueblos (Goleta) on Friday.

19. (18) CHAMINADE (WEST HILLS)

Newsworthy: It's time to find out if the Eagles (3-0) are for real. Or not. One thing is certain, coach Ed Croson will have his players prepared and ready to take the next step.

Rewind: Defeated Valencia, 41-27.

Fast forward: Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) on Friday.

20. (NR) NOTRE DAME (SHERMAN OAKS)

Newsworthy: Khalfani Muhammad is one to watch. The senior running back is one of the top unsigned recruits on the West Coast and could be on the verge of an eye-opening effort.

Rewind: Defeated Taft (Woodland Hills), 56-0.

Fast forward: Birmingham (Lake Balboa) on Friday.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL AMERICA SMALL SCHOOLS TOP 5

1. (1) SIERRA CANYON (CHATSWORTH)

Noteworthy: Talk about the Trailblazers (2-0) being the frontrunner for a berth in the CIF Division IV Bowl has started to surface. The banter about this bunch is worthy too.

Rewind: Did not play.

Fast forward: Kilpatrick (Malibu) on Friday.

2. (2) PARACLETE (LANCASTER)

Noteworthy: The size of the Southern California school does not matter to the Spirits (2-1) this season. It appears as if they are willing to play just about anyone at anytime.

Rewind: Defeated Centennial (Compton), 45-27.

Fast forward: Dorsey (Los Angeles) on Thursday.

3. (5) SAN DIMAS

Noteworthy: If the Saints (3-0) are able to pull off a victory this week, sky's the limit. Their schedule for the rest of the season is favorable and an undefeated run is possible.

Rewind: Defeated San Gabriel, 56-14.

Fast forward: Monrovia on Friday.

4. (3) ONTARIO CHRISTIAN (ONTARIO)

Noteworthy: Craig Bruinsma is off to fast start for the Knights (3-0) this season. The senior quarterback has completed close to 60 percent of passes for 584 yards.

Rewind: Defeated Eagle Rock (Los Angeles), 27-15.

Fast forward: Jurupa Valley on Friday.

5. (4) BORON

Noteworthy: Another week, another shutout for the Bobcats (3-0), who blanked their opponent the last time they stepped out on the field. Question is: Can they do it again?

Rewind: Defeated Desert (Edwards Air Force Base), 55-0.

Fast forward: Rio Hondo Prep (Arcadia) on Friday.

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