After a Week 0 that saw the CIF Southern Section take it on the chin, Week 1 brought the CIF-SS back to life with some terrific wins. It was also a bounce back week for some teams who took ugly losses in section play, like Corona Centennial and Tesoro, but was it enough to get them back into the Top 20?
It was a quiet week in the Top 5, but considering the schedules, that was expected. The real action came after the Top 5.
Here's a look at the CIF-SS Top 20 after two weeks of play.
Note: The full rankings are listed at the bottom of the story.
1. (1) St. John Bosco (2-0)
It looks like the Braves took the week off to solidify the passing game with their young receivers. Scout's No. 1 rated quarterback Josh Rosen can throw it as well as anyone in the last several years, but he lost most of his targets to graduation. We're used to seeing junior running back Sean McGrew run the ball, but there was a lot of catching and running as he had 159 of Rosen's total 384 yards last week against an overmatched Norwalk team. Bosco will make their debut on Prep Zone this Friday as it hosts one of the top teams from Oregon in Central Catholic out of Portland.
Last: Def. Norwalk 48-3
Next: Central Catholic (Ore.) (1-0), Friday, Prep Zone
The Monarchs weren't expecting a challenge from Villa Park last week, and they didn't get one -- Mater Dei rolled the Spartans 63-0. After watching Mater Dei manhandle Corona Centennial in Week 0, one can only imagine the Monarchs could have named their score on Friday. Mater Dei will take the week off before battling on Upland in two weeks in what should be its stiffest challenge of the young season.
Last: Def. Villa Park 63-0
Next: Upland (2-0), Sept. 19
Poly has now taken out the two best teams in the City Section in back-to-back weeks. The Jackrabbits were expecting more of a challenge from Narbonne than they got from Crenshaw, and they sure were tested. Poly's offense was effective at times, but the defense, particularly DL lineman Joseph Wicker, was the difference in this one. Poly should get their toughest test of the season this week on Prep Zone against Westlake. Wicker will be needed again to put pressure on 5-star junior quarterback Malik Henry and running back Chase Jasmin.
Last: Def. Narbonne 34-21 (Prep Zone replay)
Next: Westlake (2-0), Friday, Prep Zone
Servite had the perfect salve after a humbling from Bishop Gorman in Week 0 -- a Corona squad that they could take out some frustration on. A 45-17 win was just what the Friars needed as they head into the teeth of their schedule. La Mirada is up next, and the Matadores have started well with wins over Tesoro and Charter Oak. La Mirada is just outside the Top 20, and a win would prove it's legit. With Edison, a trip to De La Salle, and the Trinity League schedule looming, Servite can't afford to look past La Mirada.
Last: Def. Corona 45-17
Next: La Mirada (2-0), Friday
Alemany helped restore some shine to the CIF-SS with a nice win over Eastside Catholic in Washington last week. The Warriors' Dominic Davis (Washington State) rushed for over 180 yards and three touchdowns. Alemany hits the road again this week against Narbonne, a squad that gave No. 3 Long Beach Poly all it could handle last week.
Last: Def. Eastside Catholic (Wash.) 31-14
Next: Narbonne (1-1), Friday
We mentioned last week that the Highlanders may have learned a lesson last year by scheduling Mater Dei to kick off their season. This year, Upland has outscored Knight and Redondo Union 114-0. It's not all cupcakes for the Scots, though. Upland takes on Tesoro this week before getting a shot at redemption against Mater Dei in two weeks. Senior quarterback Tyler Hilinski (Washington State) has looked comfortable so far with nearly a completion percentage of near 80 percent, but Tesoro will be a much better challenge. Tesoro is looking to get back into the Top 20 after a disappointing Week 0 loss to La Mirada.
Last: Def. Redondo Union 43-0
Next: Tesoro (1-1), Friday
It took us a while, but we finally see some movement in the Top 10. I get the feeling there's a lot of wait and see attitude surrounding the Lions, but last week's 45-21 win over Chino Hills was a good win. No one doubts that JSerra will be challenged playing in the Trinity League. It should move to 3-0 this week against a Huntington Beach team that couldn't keep up with San Clemente last week (Prep Zone replay).
Last: Def. Chino Hills 45-21
Next: At Huntington Beach (0-2), Friday
After a 4-6 mark in the 2013 season, it shouldn't be too surprising that the Eagles started this season out of the Top 20, but after two weeks, here is Santa Margarita in the Top 10. The Eagles crushed a potent Corona Santiago squad on Friday (Prep Zone replay) behind the right arm of junior quarterback K.J. Costello and a potent defense. The final score, while decisive, wasn't quite indicative of the sureness of Santa Margarita's win. The Eagles' Week 0 win over Bishop Amat in a hard fought game looks even more impressive after Amat went to Texas and humiliated Aledo, a defending state champion. Santa Margarita should get a nice tune up this week against Dorsey with a trip to Bishop Gorman coming the following week.
Last: Def. Santiago 56-27 (Prep Zone Replay)
Next: Dorsey (1-1), Friday
Chaminade expected a better effort from Hart after the Indians gave up 63 points in Week 0, and Hart hung tough with the Eagles until the better team finally wore down its opponent. In the end, Chaminade won comfortably 44-21 in large part to the running of freshman T.J. Pledger ... yep ... a freshman. Chaminade gets Valencia this week, who looked terrific against Palmdale on Prepzone last week (Prep Zone replay).
Last: Def. Hart 44-21
Next: Valencia (1-0), Friday
Bishop Amat did more to restore order in the Southern Section than anyone last week after many of the top teams lost in Week 0. Amat went to Aledo, Texas, a team who won a state championship in 2013 by an average score of 64-9, and boat raced them 42-7. It was the most surprising score in the country last week, college, high school or pro. Granted Amat was the best team Aledo had played in two years, but a blowout like this? No one expected that. Amat didn't drop a spot after losing to Santa Margarita in Week 0, remaining at No. 16. The Lancers can't afford to celebrate too long though, because a good Rancho Cucamonga team would love nothing more than to bring them back down to earth.
Last: Def. Aledo (Texas) 42-7
Next: Rancho Cucamonga (2-0), Friday
Rank (Last) Team Record
1 (1) St. John Bosco (2-0)
2 () Mater Dei (2-0)
3 (3) Poly (2-0)
4 (4) Servite (1-1)
5 (5) Alemany (2-0)
6 (6) Upland (2-0)
7 (9) JSerra (2-0)
8 (13) Santa Margarita (2-0)
9 (10) Chaminade (2-0)
10 (16) Bishop Amat (1-1)
11 (7) Serra (1-1)
12 (8) Vista Murrieta (1-0)
13 (11) Westlake (2-0)
14 (14) St. Bonaventure (1-1)
15 (19) Edison (3-0)
16 (20) Los Alamitos (1-0)
17 (NR) Corona del Mar (2-0)
18 (NR) Rancho Cucamonga (2-0)
19 (NR) Rancho Verde (2-0)
20 (NR) Redlands East Valley (1-0)
