How the Top 25 Fared on Friday

Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

We all know that high school football polls are designed to create discussion, and at the end of the day, they're just for fun.

Championships aren't won on paper, they're run on the field, in most most states.  Of course, until the California Interscholastic Federation moves to a true statewide playoff system, there will be debate on who's the top team by division in the state.

Yesterday, the team at High School Football America - SoCal unveiled its first preseason poll and already we've been shown that we're not as smart as we think we are.

Servite, our #4 team in the Big Schools Top 20, was shocked 40-23 in its season opener by unranked Bishop Amat.  LA Times preps reporter Eric Sondheimer and his team report in the Varsity Times Insider that the Servite loss ends a 25-game regular season win streak against California teams.

The best game of the night may have been in Sherman Oaks where #14 Serra beat #20 Notre Dame 26-23 in a game that had seven second half lead changes.  Read the game story from Sondheimer, by clicking here.

Tonight on ESPN2, we'll find-out if Santa Margarita can live-up to its national rankings and our #1 ranking.  The Eagles will face Arizona-power Brophy Prep starting at 7pm Pacific on national television.

There will be some changes this week in the Small School Top 5 after two teams, #2 Paraclete and Maranatha, lost their openers.

For now, here's how our Top 25 fared last night.

Big Schools Rankings

#1 - Santa Margarita vs. Brophy Prep (AZ) tonight 7pm on ESPN 2
#2 - Vista Murrieta - off
#3 - Alemany beat Pasadena 45-8
#4 - Servite lost to Bishop Amat 40-23
#5 - Oaks Christian beat Del Oro 40-0
#6 - Corona Centennial - off
#7 - Mission Viejo beat Bakersfield Centennial 35-0
#8 - St. Bonaventure beat Garfield 48-0
#9 - Narbonne - off
#10 - Rancho Cucamonga beat Redlands 40-17
#11 - Tesoro beat Compton 55-14
#12 - Westlake vs. Granite Bay tonight in Battle for Veterans
#13 - Upland beat Muir 36-6
#14 - Serra beat #20 Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 26-23
#15 - Long Beach Poly beat Carson 42-26
#16 - Mater Dei - off
#17 - Lompoc beat Arroyo Grande 31-0
#18 - Chaminade beat Venice 37-20
#19 - Redlands East Valley - off
#20 - Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) lost to #14 Serra 26-23

Small Schools Rankings

#1 - Serra Canyon beat Bishop 36-0
#2 - Paraclete lost to Serrano 42-20
#3 - Rio Hondo Prep beat Aracadia 29-7
#4 - Maranatha lost to Antelope Valley 29-15
#5 - Citrus Valley beat Riverside Poly 40-15

#6 De La Salle Scores Quickly and Often in Win Over Loyola

It only took De La Salle (Concord, CA) four plays to score its first touchdown and then scored on its next five possessions on its way to an easy 55-14 non-league win over Loyola-Los Angeles. The Spartans (2-0) were led by quarterback Mike MacGillivray was a perfect 5-for-5 for 208 yards and four touchdowns. McGillivray has now gone two games without an incompletion.

To read a complete game wrap from the Contra Costa Times, please click on our headline "#6 De La Salle Scores Quickly and Often in Win Over Loyola".

#18 Notre Dame Opens With Win Over Defending State Champs

Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, CA) used a rock solid defense to show that it's #18 ranking from USA Today could be legit.

The Knights used four interceptions and a fumble recovery to upend defending Division I champ Canyon 17-7 Friday night in the season opener for both teams. ND also limited Canyon to only 48-yards rushing. One of the defensive stars for Notre Dame was LB Hayden Hunter, who returned an interception 70-yards for a score in the 3rd quarter.

Things are much different for Canyon this year. It was the heading coaching debut for Chris Varner, who takes over for Harry Welsh. Also, the Cowboys are trying to find a replacement for running back J.J. DiLuigi, who scored 82 touchdowns in two years.

For a complete game wrap from the LA Times, please click on our headline "#18 Notre Dame Opens With Win Over Defending State Champs".

#8 Mater Dei One of the Best Because of Barkley

Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) was ranked #8 in the nation in the USA Today Pre-Season Top 25 High School Football Poll.

The reason? Junior quarterback Matt Barkley, who next week will begin his third season as a starter when Mater Dei faces West Covina.

For those of you, who don't know, Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart played at Mater Dei before moving on to his stellar career at USC. At 6-3, 228 pounds, the straight-A student is the envy of any top college football coach in the country.

To read more about Barkley from a story in the LA Times, please click on our headline "Mater Dei One of the Best Because of Barkley".