Top 20 teams in CIF-SS, Week 5: There's a new No. 1

By foxsports
Published

After St. John Bosco's loss to Bishop Gorman on Friday night, Mater Dei is now holding the top spot in our CIF-SS football rankings.

1. Mater Dei: The Monarchs, new to the top spot in this season's rankings, disposed of Edison 34-12 to remain undefeated. The defense is giving up just 11 points per game. An undertone of the win over Edison was the brothers Lowary facing off last week -- quarterback Jack for the Monarchs and younger brother Grant, also a quarterback, who came on for Edison as a replacement in an attempt to charge the offense. A top-10 matchup with Westlake is scheduled for Thursday.

2. Alemany: The Warriors didn't take the field but climbed two spots in the rankings after their bye. They host No. 6 Chaminade in their Mission League opener Thursday. 

3. St. John Bosco: The bright lights of a nationally televised contest took a back seat to lighting in the sky delaying kickoff for nearly an hour in Las Vegas at Bishop Gorman in the huge national No. 1 vs No. 2 matchup. Bosco trailed the Gaels by as much as 24 points in the second half but fought back to lose by just three, 34-31 -- becoming the third Trinity League team to lose to Bishop Gorman this season. The loss snapped a 19-game win streak for the Braves which was the longest in the state. They'll travel to Crenshaw Friday for the final tune-up before league.  

4. JSerra: Edward Vander rushed for 231 yards and six touchdowns on just 16 carries in the Lions demolition of St. Paul. It's the third straight year JSerra finishes the non-league 5-0. Now the true test looms: Trinity League play. The Lions won a school record two games in league last season. They'll have a bye before getting ready to improve on that mark this season.  

5. Servite: The Friars did something no De La Salle opponent has done this season: hold a lead against the Spartans. Unfortunately, a Saturday night visit up north ended with the Friars doing what the rest of De La Salle's opponents have done this season: lose to the Spartans. After holding a 14-10 lead, Servite was outscored 33-14 to end the game in a 47-24 loss. Servite has outscored Southern Section opponents 143-52 in three wins this season. In two losses in 2014, Servite has been outscored 95-51 against non-Southern Section opponents -- Bishop Gorman and De La Salle. The Friars have a bye this week before entering league play. 

6. Chaminade: Freshman T.J. Pledger and senior Okalani Taufahema-Langi each rushed for over 100 yards. Dymond Lee added over 100 yards receiving as the Eagles defeated Loyola, 24-17, in the opener of the newly formed Mission League. The Eagles will visit No. 2 Alemany on Thursday. 

7. Corona Centennial: The Huskies enjoyed a bye after their big win over Long Beach Poly. Matt Logan's bunch will get back to work this week with an 84-mile trek to Valencia. 

8. Serra: Like Chaminade, the Cavs rose to the challenge in their opener of the reformed Mission League with a 28-23 win over Sherman Oaks Notre Dame. Senior tailback Malik Roberson had a 54-yard touchdown run in the game that had to be a welcome sight for Serra. Roberson missed his entire junior season recuperating from knee surgery. Serra will travel to Bishop Amat Friday in the CIF Ford Southern Section Game of the Week starting at 7:30 p.m. on Prime Ticket. The Lancers will be looking to bounce back from a tough overtime loss to Crespi in their league opener. 

9. Long Beach Poly: Looking to bounceback from a loss at Corona Centennial the previous week, the Moore League was a welcome sight for Long Beach Poly. The Jackrabbits defeated Long Beach Cabrillo 49-0. Josh Love threw six touchdown passes -- all in the first half -- in the win. Poly will host Compton and first-year head coach Elijah Asante on Friday. 

10. Westlake: Dominguez proved to be no trap game as the Warriors handled the Dons, 41-14. Malik Henry threw for 303 yards and four touchdowns. Two of Henry's touchdowns went to Theo Howard who finished with 110 yards on four catches. Jessie Cuccia was also over 100 yards receiving. The Warriors will host No. 1 Mater Dei Thursday. 

CIF-SS, Top 20: Week 4

Rank (Previous) School (Record)

1 (2) Mater Dei (4-0)

2 (4) Alemany (4-0)

3 (1) St. John Bosco (3-1)

4 (5) JSerra (5-0)

5 (3) Servite (3-2)

6 (6) Chaminade (5-0)

7 (7) Corona Centennial (2-2)

8 (8) Serra (4-1)

9 (9) Long Beach Poly

10 (10) Westlake

11 (11) Santa Margarita (4-1)

12 (12) Tesoro (4-1)

13 (14) Chino Hills (3-1)

14 (19) Orange Lutheran (4-1) 

15 (16) Los Alamitos (4-0)

16 (17) Redlands East Valley (3-1)

17 (20) Upland (3-2) 

18 (13) Corona del Mar (4-1) 

19 (NR) San Clemente (5-0)

20 (15) St. Bonaventure (2-3) 

IN: San Clemente

OUT: Bishop Amat