California high school football top 25 rankings (Week 0): Mater Dei starts at No. 1

Lance Smith

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California high school football top 25 rankings (Week 0): Mater Dei starts at No. 1 image

Here are The Sporting News' preseason top 25 team rankings for the 2025 California high school football season.

The rankings include all 10 CIF sections and will be updated every week throughout the season.

California high school football top 25 rankings

1. Mater Dei

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 13-0
5-0 in Trinity League play (1st place)
CIF-Southern Section Division 1 champion
State Open Division champion

PRESEASON NATIONAL RANKING: No. 1

Another year, another start of a season in which Mater Dei's roster appears to be the most loaded in high school football, perhaps with room to spare.

The Monarchs bring back a host of key returners from their 2024 and 2023 undefeated national title runs, including a whopping nine members of our preseason all-state teams. And their talent is spread rather evenly across positions, including OL Kodi Greene (Washington) and TE Mark Bowman (USC) up front on offense, USC commits DT Tomuhini Topui and DE/LB Shaun Scott up front on defense, Ohio State commits Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and Chris Henry Jr. forming an elite receiver tandem, and CJ Lavender (Washington) and Aaryn Washington patrolling the defensive backfield. Senior transfer Ryan Hopkins (Wisconsin) is the new man under center after an all-state junior year at JSerra. Mater Dei is likely aware, however, that some of its top foes might be even tougher to deal with than last year, such as St. John Bosco and Bishop Gorman (NV).

MORE: Mater Dei overcomes rough start to win Nike Legends 7v7 Invitational

2. St. John Bosco

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 11-2
4-1 in Trinity League play (2nd place)
Lost 31-24 to Mater Dei in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 championship

PRESEASON NATIONAL RANKING: No. 3

With so many stars returning, especially at the skill positions, St. John Bosco likely has its best team since 2022 or 2019. QB Koa Malau'ulu has arguably the top receiver corps in the country to work with in seniors Madden Williams (Texas A&M), Carson Clark (San Jose State), Daniel Odom (Oklahoma), and rising sophomore Darren Tubbs. And the Braves return a 1,000-yard rusher, Maliq Allen, arguably California's best RB in the Class of 2027. St. John Bosco doesn't have its most highly-touted defense in recent memory, but it'll still be among the nation's best with S Isala Wily-Ava, DE Dutch Horisk, CB Joshua Holland (USC), and LB Josiah Poyer leading the way.

3. Corona Centennial

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 9-3
5-0 in Big West League - Upper Division play (1st place)
Lost 36-7 to Mater Dei in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals

PRESEASON NATIONAL RANKING: No. 11

Yet another high school football season where the near-consensus top three teams in the Southern Section (and state) to start are Mater Dei, St. John Bosco, and Centennial. The Huskies are extremely deep with defensive talent, including a fearsome front seven led by reigning Big West -Upper Defensive Player of the Year Jonathan McKinley (Cal). Nationally-ranked senior QB Dominick Catalano was promising under center as a junior playing behind 5-star senior Husan Longstreet (USC), completing 64 of 103 passes for 917 yards and seven touchdowns to two interceptions.

4. Orange Lutheran

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 8-4
3-2 in Trinity League play (3rd place)
Lost 20-17 to St. John Bosco in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals

PRESEASON NATIONAL RANKING: No. 16

Despite graduating an elite senior class, Orange Lutheran might not be taking any big steps back. They have the big shoes to fill at QB, RB, and TE, but there's outstanding talent returning everywhere else. Marcus Kier (Princeton) and Chris Flores Jr. could prove to be the state's top receiving duo, and junior Nico Bland is another big breakout candidate at WR. Sam Utu (Alabama) leads what might be a top-three offensive line in the state, and the defensive line might be equally good featuring senior DT Auma Jennings and 5-star sophomore DE Marcus Fakatou.

5. Mission Viejo

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 10-1
3-0 in Alpha League play (1st place)
Lost 25-20 to Corona Centennial in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals

PRESEASON NATIONAL RANKING: No. 23

With two dominant years under their belts already, QB Luke Fahey (Ohio State) and WR Vance Spafford (Miami) have a chance to prove themselves as the best battery in high school football. Fellow seniors DB Jeron Jones (Washington) and DE JD Hill (NAU) are also among California's best players. DL Kane Noelte, LB Brady Bowman, and DB Zachary Foeldi are also coming off strong junior seasons on defense. That constitutes an outstanding core, but the Diablos will need more players to break out as stars for a chance to make the CIF-SS D1 semifinals. Senior RB Davonte Curtis is a top candidate, and junior Santa Margarita transfer Jack Junker is a budding star at receiver.

6. Santa Margarita

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 5-7
1-4 in Trinity League play (tied for 4th place)
Lost 31-29 to St. John Bosco in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals

Between a few key injuries and an overwhelming strength of schedule, Santa Margarita was one of the best 5-7 teams you'll ever see. In 2025, the Eagles look to make a big leap in Carson Palmer's coaching debut, and they have the talent to do it between returners and inbound transfers. USC-bound receiver Trent Mosley is on a shortlist of statewide MVP candidates and will help assimilate new QB Trace Johnson, a Tulane commit who threw for 6,366 yards and 64 touchdowns in two seasons at Buccholz (FL). Blue chip sophomore running back Jaion Smith helps the cause too. Dash Fifita and Leki Holani (Sacramento State) might comprise the best linebacker tandem in California, and Santa Margarita has a plethora of additional stars throughout the trenches and defensive backfield. The Eagles aren't a sure thing with so much turnover, but the sky is the limit.

7. Sierra Canyon

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 8-4
5-0 in Mission League play (1st place)
Lost 33-13 to Mater Dei in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals

Sierra Canyon once again has a roster that could prove itself as the best in program history, especially with a defense that's stacked with elite returners. Richie Wesley (Texas) and Mikhal Johnson form one of the nation's premier D-line duos, and the secondary is also about as good as it gets between Madden Riordan (USC) – the No. 1 DB in California in our book – Havon Finney (LSU), and Myles Baker. And that doesn't even include Mission League co-DPOY Ronen Zamorano at backer. The offense is less of a sure thing besides a few key pieces – league co-OPOY Jaxsen Stokes, a junior RB, and senior Los Alamitos transfers WR Ja'Myron Tron Baker (USC) and RB Jerod Terry (Sacramento State). QB Laird Finkel, a promising transfer from Santa Barbara, has the opportunity to lift this team over the top if the offensive line is nearly as good as usual.

8. Folsom

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 12-2
7-0 in Sierra Foothill League play (1st place)
CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division 1 champion
Lost 28-27 to Pittsburg in 1-AA regional championship

A good few California teams might have the best QB-WR battery in the country, and Folsom seniors Ryder Lyons (BYU) and Jameson Powell (Ole Miss) are near the top of that list. Rob Larson and Isaiah Williams (Nevada) round out a fantastic receiving corps. Vlad Dyakonov (USC) and Sunia Vuki (Oklahoma State) spearhead what should be one of the biggest and best O-lines the program has ever had. Put it together, and it's a safe bet for a world-class passing game. The Bulldogs' defense has quite a few holes to fill, but count on junior DT Lua DaBerry to have a monster year.

9. De La Salle

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 12-1
3-0 in EBAL - Mountain Division play (1st place)
CIF-North Coast Section Open Division champion
Lost 37-15 to Mater Dei in Open Division state championship

2024 was the Spartans' best season in five years. Despite them graduating the majority of their top players, it's easy to see them building on it in 2025 and staying atop the NorCal throne. Jaden Jefferson (UNC) and Deuce Jones-Drew are ready to step in as feature backs and could prove to be the state's best RB duo, so De La Salle's veer should be devastating as usual. Brayden Wright is expected to start at QB after getting quite a few reps in last year with TE Landon Cook and WR Emery Speight as key targets. Seniors DL Nemyah Telona (Cal), CB Jayden Nicholas (Montana), S Trisshon Wright, and underrated LB Bubba Vargas lead what should be a staunch defense.

10. Oaks Christian

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 9-4
4-1 in Marmonte League play (tied for 1st place)
Lost 55-52 in overtime to Murrieta Valley in CIF-SS Division 2 semifinals.

Health permitting, Oaks Christian might just have its best team since its 2018 Division 1 semifinals appearance. RB Deshonne Redeaux (USC) and DB Davon Benjamin (Oregon) could prove to be the best players in California at their positions, and Trey Towns Jr. is already up to 18 D-1 offers after a particularly promising freshman year as QB1. There are some key losses of graduated seniors at receiver and throughout the defense, but the Lions still have the up-and-coming talent to thrive. Joseph Peko, Alifeleti Tuihalamaka, and Zayne Reed have a chance to prove themselves as one of the premier defensive lines in the state or even country. Andrew Powell, who's already a fixture at CB, is a breakout prospect at receiver, as is TE Colby Simpson (Tulane).

11. Lincoln (San Diego)

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 12-2
4-0 in Western League play (1st place)
CIF-San Diego Section Open Division champion
State 1-AA champion

Lincoln has a tried-and-true winning formula, and when it has its ingredients, it's a safe bet to win big. In 2025, the Hornets have the winning ingredients once again: a handful of returning Division 1 prospects, including RB and DB, a couple key transfers, and a litany of promising starters developing from within who aren't yet big names but could produce an all-state type of season. Akili Smith Jr. is off to Oregon, but Jordan Roa is a breakout candidate at QB and he has serious returning firepower with RB Davonte Curtis and WR Courtney Miller-Thompson. The key transfers are junior TE Braylen Ross from Helix and senior CB Clarence Tucker, who has 16 offers. DE Prince Tavizon (Oregon) and CB Cammeron Purnell (Oregon State) are among the state's best defensive players.

12. Servite

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 6-5
1-4 in Trinity League play (tied for 4th place)
Lost 38-14 to Sierra Canyon in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 play-in game

For all its youth, Servite has no shortage of up-and-coming stars with top-end talent. Expect the Friars to have one of the best defenses in California again with junior LB Isaiah Leilua and sophomore SS/OLB Kaleb Aiava headlining a long list of impact returners. They should also be one of the best blocking teams in California with an offensive line made up of sophomores Elisha Mueller and Keiden Lokeni, seniors Gavin Wilkins (Montana State) and Jaden Rasic, and junior Drew Fielder accompanied by Nebraska-bound TE Luke Sorensen. The big question is if Servite can regroup at the skill positions.

13. JSerra

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 6-5
1-4 in Trinity League play (tied for 4th place)
Lost 42-20 to Orange Lutheran in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals

In the last five years, many have fallen into the trap of counting the Lions out after they lose some key transfers. They always bounce back through internal development – especially in the trenches – in addition to an inbound impact transfer or two of their own, and they surprise people as soon as the season starts. So, JSerra gets the No. 13 spot more out of pedigree than returning individual production. Top players include WRs Jared Sersansie (Columbia) and Clark Cokley, OL Josh Haney (Fresno State), DL Joseph Terry, and LB Rocco Tompkins.

14. Central East

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 12-3
3-2 in Tri-Rivers Athletic Conference play (3rd place)
CIF-Central Section I-A champion
Regional 1-A champion
Lost 21-14 to Edison (Huntington Beach) in 1-A state championship

It should be yet another tremendous year for the perennial CIF-CS juggernaut and reigning section champion. The freshly-rebranded Bengals return a slew of their top players, especially at the skill positions, and could be even better in 2025. RB/DB Brandon Smith (Arizona) is one of the premier all-purpose stars in California, Jelani Dippel is one of the state's most productive returning QBs, and Bayon Harris, EJ Morgan (Cal), Zeb White (NAU), and Xavior Jones are all back at receiver. The defense graduated more stars than the offense but still returns many, such as Smith, Jones, and Jareal Albert in the secondary and Juan Ochoa and Lonzo Jenkins at linebacker.

15. Archbishop Riordan

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 7-5
5-2 in West Catholic Athletic League play (3rd place)
Lost 35-28 to Los Gatos in CIF-Central Coast Section Division 1 semifinals

The Crusaders' roster reads as an all-star team of returning focal points, up-and-coming talent, and promising transfers. Their defense looks promising, especially up front, but their offense is downright scary. Michael Mitchell Jr. (Vanderbilt) is one of California's best and most experienced signal callers, and he's throwing to a rotation of Cynai Thomas (Oregon State), Saint Francis (Mountain View) transfer Perrion Williams (Utah), Judge Nash (Harvard), and King's Academy transfer Kyle Welch. Despite graduating some stars, the offensive line will still be among NorCal's very best with Tommy Tofi (Oregon) and Michael Langi (Arizona) leading the way. And to top it off, RB Adonyae Brown is back as well. The linebackers room is deep, returning Skylar Tiatia (San Jose State), DJ Sanchez, Zachary Kleppin, and Isaiah Grant, and DL Sione Fanaika is a big addition from El Cerrito. If new faces break out in the secondary, the sky is the limit.

16. Grant (Sacramento)

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 12-3
5-0 in Metropolitan League play (1st place)
CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division 2 champion
State 2-AA champion

For a reigning section and state champion returning some of the state's best players, Grant is more of a wildcard than one would think. The Pacers have one of are tasked with filling big shoes at QB, RB, and DL, and it's unclear how they're going to do it, but there are D-1 prospects up and down the roster looking for their chance to break out. One thing is for sure – Grant has a WR/TE duo that outclasses nearly all the rest in high school football in juniors Koby Shabazz (Sacramento State) and Rahzario "Zo" Edwards, and Shabazz is also a star at DB and return specialist in addition to receiver. The offensive line is among NorCal's best too. LBs Julian Bruno and Ernie Tofi, DB Savion Bandy (El Cerrito transfer), and DL Isaiah Stephen appear to be the key cogs on defense, with many more up-and-comers expected to break out on that end.

17. Serra (Gardena)

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 8-4
4-1 in Mission League play (2nd place)
Lost 24-20 to Yorba Linda in CIF-Southern Section Division 2 quarterfinals

As is often the case, the Cavaliers enter the season with a surefire elite defense that they'll hang their hat on. The most points they allowed last year was 35 in a 42-35 win over Loyola followed by 24 in their loss to Yorba Linda. And most of that nucleus is back and rearing to go – namely Mission League co-DPOY and senior S/LB DeVohn Moutra Jr. (Sacramento State), DL Khary Wilder (Ohio State), CB Marcellous Ryan (UNC), LB/DE Anthony Pignatello, CB Duvay Williams, and LB Daylawn Reed. Moutra is also one of Serra's leading returning rushers, along with 3-star senior Jayshawn Edwards. The big variable is replacing graduated stars in the passing game.

18. Newbury Park

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 14-1
5-0 in Conejo Coast League play (1st place)
CIF-Southern Section Division 2 champion
Lost 34-27 to Lincoln (San Diego) in 1-AA regional championship

The bad news for the reigning CIF-SS D2 champions is that almost all of their top players are off to college. The good news is that the few that return are among their very best, and a couple inbound transfers should help a bunch too. Michigan-bound QB Brady Smigiel looks to close his storied high school career with a bang, and senior linebackers Balen Betancourt and Carter Taylor combined for 285 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, and four interceptions in 2024. Smigiel has a new pair of big-name WRs to work with in senior transfers Devin Olmande (Chaminade, San Jose State) and Vincent Carner (Westlake, UNLV), and junior Korbin Thomas marks another breakout candidate at receiver. RB1 Tyler Stromsoe is one of the only other sure things in the starting lineup.

19. Murrieta Valley

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 11-3
4-1 in Big West League - Upper Division play (2nd place)
Lost 31-28 to Newbury Park in CIF-Southern Section Division 2 championship

For several years, Murrieta Valley has thrived as an offensive-minded team built around all-state skill position players (many of whom with the last name Bachmeier) and dominant O-line play. In 2025 for a change, the Nighthawks have D-1 talent scattered across the field but no returning superstars on offense. Can that be a winning formula for them after an improved defensive showing in 2024? If so, don't expect the reigning CIF-SS D2 finalists to go anywhere. Elisha Faamatuainu (Cal) and Luke Kingman lead what should be another tremendous offensive line, and junior transfer Daniel Mielke is a highly-touted prospect under center who impressed as a freshman and sophomore at Ontario Christian. A slew of impact players, mostly seniors, return on defense, including LB Abelardo Leos, DL Santana Letua, DE Josiah Anyansi (Minnesota), and blue chip CBs Derrick Johnson II (Oklahoma) and Darius Johnson.

20. San Juan Hills

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 10-2
5-0 in Bravo League play (1st place)
Lost 35-21 to Oaks Christian in CIF-Southern Section Division 2 quarterfinals

The book on San Juan Hills entering 2025 is simple – the offense is a sure thing, but the defense consisted almost entirely of seniors last season. QB Timmy Herr, RB Elijah Ayala, and leading receivers Luke Frith, Dean Kolasinski, and Ryan Matheson are all back, and offensive line should be a strength once again with Cooper Javorsky (UCLA) leading the way. It's unclear how ready the defense is to reload, but having DE Maxwell Porter is a great start.

MORE: San Juan Hills caps strong summer with Seahawk Shootout title

21. Cathedral Catholic

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 9-3
3-1 in Western League play (2nd place)
Lost 31-13 to Lincoln (San Diego) in CIF-San Diego Section Open Division championship

Despite graduating a deep senior class, the Dons have enough top-end talent to get back atop the CIF-SDS. The question is if they have the depth. Their passing game will be formidable with Brady Palmer (Cal) once again throwing to Hunter Harrington, Parker Johnson, and Isaac Cook behind a strong offensive line that includes USC commit Chase Deniz. Cathedral's defense brings back LBs Cade Smith, Josh Faraimo (Washington State), and Samuel Samuela, DL Bronx Letuligasenoa, and CB Aidan Smith McGlynn. The two key questions are, will new faces step up at RB and on defense, and, how will 5-star junior Honor Fa'alave-Johnson be used?

22. Chaparral

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 7-4
3-2 in Big West League - Upper Division play (3rd place)
Lost 42-32 to Yorba Linda in first round of CIF-Southern Section Division 2 playoffs

Chaparral has a ton of talent coming back, mostly as juniors, after quietly working its way into CIF-SS Division 2 last year. It starts with 4-star junior QB Dane Weber, who threw for 2,660 yards and 27 touchdowns to three picks and also accounted for more than half the team's rushing production. Back at receiver are a quartet of 3-star recruits in Michael Farinas, Eli Woodard, Tycen Johnson, and Chase Bonta. The Pumas are also stronger at RB with Trevor Schneider over from Norco, and offensive line is usually a strength, so look out for this offense. The defense has some question marks, but there are a number of reliable contributors back who might have breakout seasons in 2025, such as LBs Logan Coleman and Evan Redd, senior DL and Liberty (Winchester) transfer Michael Ouarkoub, DE Kameron Payne, and DB Camren Williams.

23. Pittsburg

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 12-3
5-0 in Bay Valley League play (1st place)
CIF-North Coast Section Division 1 champion
State 1-AA champion

For the first time in a while, it's unclear if Pittsburg has enough top-end talent or depth to maintain its status as an arguable top-25 team in the state. Still, even after graduating an amazing senior class, the Pirates will at minimum be close. Receivers RJ Mosley and Kenneth Ward are their top returners on offense and could prove to be one of the state's premier WR tandems. The defense also doesn't return many bodies, but LB Japheth Tofaeono and CB Truly Bell (Oregon State) are among NorCal's premier players at their positions.

24. Yorba Linda

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 11-2
4-1 in Bravo League play (2nd place)
Lost 20-14 to Newbury Park in CIF-Southern Section Division 2 semifinals

No matter how few big names they return each year and receive via transfer, picking against Yorba Linda has proven exhausting. The Mustangs turned heads by having one of their best years yet in 2024 when many thought it would be time for a rebuilding year. The top players to watch are senior DE Blake Thorp, senior CB Thomas Knutson, and junior WR Troy Roberts, the latter of whom missed four games as a sophomore but still led the team in receiving with room to spare. Aiden Gutierrez and Vaughn Sharp are major breakout candidates at RB, and Sharp is also an important defensive returner at OLB. DB Jake Lopez and ILB Onassis Lim are defensive standouts as well.

25. Edison (Huntington Beach)

2024 AT A GLANCE:

Overall record: 12-4
1-2 in Alpha League play (3rd place)
CIF-Southern Section Division 3 champion
State 1-A champion

No matter how many times Edison graduates a 1,500-yard rusher, four of its top five receivers, and all but three or four starters on defense, it almost always reloads right away through internal development. Counting the Chargers out turns out to be the wrong choice almost every time, and they're now coming off their first ever state title – and at the 1-A level. Edison does return starting QB Sam Thomson, second-leading receiver Ayden Degiacomo, Sacramento State-bound DL Devyn Blake, and DBs Maddox Thomas and Will Harrison.

ON THE BUBBLE:

Damien, Los Alamitos, Inglewood

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Lance Smith

Lance has covered high school basketball, football and softball since 2019. A graduate of The USC Marshall School of Business, Smith dabbles in linear algebra and football and basketball computer rankings.