California high school football top 25 rankings (Week 8): Carlsbad debuts

2 hours ago 2

Here are The Sporting News' top 25 team rankings for Week Eight (Oct. 13-19) of the 2025 California high school football season.

Teams from all 10 CIF sections are eligible for the rankings, which will be updated every week throughout the season.

PREVIOUS RANKING: Week Zero | Week One | Week Two | Week Three | Week Four | Week Five | Week Six | Week Seven

California high school football top 25 team rankings

1. St. John Bosco (7-0 – 1st last week)

The gap is widening between St. John Bosco and almost all of the rest of the pack. Last week's 48-0 beatdown of Orange Lutheran was among its most impressive wins yet. 

2. Corona Centennial (6-1 – 3rd)

Centennial's offense is on an incredible run right now, not to mention that its defense has also been stellar. During the Huskies' five-game winning streak, they're averaging 50.4 PPG against Bingham (UT), Mater Dei, Rancho Cucamonga, Roosevelt (Eastvale), and most recently, Vista Murrieta. 

3. Sierra Canyon (7-0 – 4th)

Just how good has Sierra Canyon's defense been this season? In last week's 45-14 win over Chaminade that effectively clinched the Mission League title barring a collapse, Chaminade scored two of the only three touchdowns the Trailblazers' defense has allowed all season.

4. Santa Margarita (5-2 – 4th)

It's official: Santa Margarita is playing for a Trinity League title on Friday when it faces St. John Bosco. Trent Mosley returned from injury to score the Eagles' only touchdown in last week's 7-6 victory over Mater Dei. By the way, if you think the rankings have been confusing so far this season with all the upsets among California's top teams, just imagine if Santa Margarita upsets St. John Bosco next week. 

5. Mater Dei (4-2 – 2nd)

Last week's 7-6 loss to Santa Margarita spelled the end of Mater Dei's national title hopes and probably its Trinity League title hopes too. But the Monarchs are still in the running for a section and state championship.

6. Mission Viejo (6-1 – 5th)

The McCallie loss is once again likely the difference of four spots for the Diablos, which would otherwise be unbeaten with the Santa Margarita win under their belt. This week they face arch rival San Clemente, which may or may not be able to rise to the occasion and challenge the higher-ranked Diablos like in some recent years. 

7. De La Salle (6-0 – 7th)

The Spartans' stock did not benefit from Cathedral Catholic – the top-ranked team they've beaten – getting upset by Point Loma a week after they beat them. But nobody would argue that De La Salle should drop for it. It's now time for EBAL - Mountain Play, which De La Salle opens up against Amador Valley.

8. Orange Lutheran (3-4 – 8th)

It feels too harsh to drop the Lancers thanks to their wins over Miami Northwestern (FL) and Rancho Cucamonga given that its 48-0 was at the hands of St. John Bosco, the No. 1 team in all of high school football. But their resume is losing its luster. Still, Orange Lutheran will have plenty of chances to rise down the stretch of the season with JSerra, Santa Margarita, and Servite on deck before the playoffs.

9. Folsom (6-1 – 9th)

Look, if the Bulldogs win every game for the rest of the season by two scores, they'll be section and state champions once again. It won't matter that the outside world is expecting them to win a lot of these games by another score or two. Ryder Lyons passed for 321 yards and four touchdowns and three Bulldogs had interceptions in last week's 35-20 win over Del Oro. 

10. Lincoln-San Diego (6-1 – 10th)

The bigger news for Lincoln last week than its 54-3 blowout of La Jolla is that injury-riddled Cathedral Catholic got upset by Point Loma. The Hornets might have the upside to rise three or more spots but will probably have to wait for the playoffs to show what all they can do – which is exactly what they're known to do come playoff time – with Cathedral Catholic falling off.

11. Servite (5-2 – 13th)

After last week's 43-26 win over JSerra, it should be near-consensus that Servite is once again good enough to be in CIF-SS Division 1. The Friars won the game up front against a Lions team that's tough in the trenches, rushing for 348 yards and four touchdowns on 8.3 yards per carry while holding JSerra to 61 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries. Not to mention they collectively recorded eight sacks.

12. Archbishop Riordan (5-0 – 12th)

Saturday's win against St. Ignatius was nearly the Crusaders' biggest statement of the season. Their offense dropped 54 points as usual, but their defense was equally dazzling as they shut out St. Ignatius.

13. Los Alamitos (7-0 – 14th)

The Griffins jump back into the fire for Alpha League play after not one but two bye weeks. They ramp up by facing Edison (Huntington Beach), San Clemente, and then Mission Viejo.

14. Murrieta Valley (6-1 – 16th)

Last week's 56-42 win over high-powered Chaparral is about what most people expected from the Nighthawks, who are pretty close to clinching a top-two spot in the Big West - Upper. Their pursuit of securing a top-two finish, however, pauses this week as it takes a shot at the gold metal hosting Corona Centennial.

15. Manteca (7-0 – 17th)

Enough teams have gotten played out of the rankings that Manteca's wins over Cardinal Newman, Marin Catholic, and Central Catholic have landed the Buffaloes a top-15 spot. They will play for the Valley Oak League title on Oct. 31 at Oakdale if both teams stay unbeaten in league play before then.

16. Carlsbad (7-0 – Bubble)

We've had Carlsbad near or on the bubble for the entire season, so a 31-17 win over previously-unbeaten Mission Hills is absolutely enough to go straight to No. 16. Eli MacNeal threw for 216 yards, four touchdowns, and no picks on 19-25 completion (76%), and TE/LB Rocky Cummings stuffed the stat sheet with two touchdown catches, two tackles for loss, and one sack.

17. Pittsburg (5-1 – 19th)

If Pittsburg is going to be tested in BVAL play this season, it'll most likely have to come this week from Liberty (Brentwood). Liberty is 5-1 (1-0) like Pittsburg with its only loss coming 35-7 against a Los Gatos team that the Pirates narrowly beat.

18. Corona del Mar (7-0 – 24th)

After rolling to a win over San Juan Hills last week, nearly the best possible thing for CdM's stock would be a convincing San Juan Hills over Yorba Linda. And that's exactly what happened last week. Corona del Mar finishes against Yorba Linda on Oct. 30 and must first beat Villa Park and Tesoro.

19. Mission Hills (6-1 – 18th)

We feel pretty confident about where Mission Hills fits into the pecking order with wins over La Costa Canyon and Oak Ridge, and unbeaten Carlsbad has the firepower to be a top-20 team. So for now, Mission Hills only drops a bit. No Avocado League title this year though most likely.

20. La Costa Canyon (5-1 – 21st)

Don't rule out La Costa Canyon upending Carlsbad next week to force a three-way tie atop the Avocado League. First it's tasked with holding off El Camino (Oceanside) this week.

21. San Juan Hills (5-2 – 25th)

San Juan Hills came out with something to prove against Yorba Linda, winning 41-17 to stay in the Bravo League race. It must now win out against lower-ranked Newport Harbor, Tesoro, and Villa Park while hoping Yorba Linda upsets Corona del Mar in Week 10.

22. Crean Lutheran (7-0 – 22nd)

It was just another day at the office last week as the Saints walloped El Dorado (Placentia) 50-7. Its next two weeks are its biggest of the regular season as it faces La Habra and Huntington Beach for an Epsilon League title.

23. Cardinal Newman (5-1 – 23rd)

With Grant and Central East continuing to maintain their spots, Cardinal Newman isn't going anywhere in the rankings as long as it's taking care of business. Especially with some tough competition in the second-year Redwood Empire - Adobe. The Cardinals started conference play strong by handing Windsor its first loss, 35-20.

24. Grant Union (4-4 – Bubble)

Finally a chance to breathe after starting 2-4 against outstanding competition. The Pacers opened Metropolitan League play by routing Destiny Christian Academy 42-6 and West Park 38-3. Their Aug. 29 win over Central East is carrying their stock pretty heavily at this point.

25. Central East (6-1 – Bubble)

The Bengals had to come back to the top 25 when opportunities came up with some tremendous recent wins covering for a Grant Union loss from early in the year. If not for that loss, Central East would be pushing the top 10 after beating Clovis North and Clovis East by a combined score of 106-33 to open TRAC play.

ON THE BUBBLE:

Pacifica (Oxnard), Woodcreek, Acalanes, Point Loma, Cathedral Catholic, Oak Ridge, Granite Bay, Jesuit, Granite Hills (El Cajon), Serra (San Mateo)

More California high school football news

Read Entire Article