Northern California Football Rankings

1. De La Salle (3-0) | Last week: No. 1

The reigning NorCal Open Champs hold wins over Cardinal Newman, Serra and St. Francis this season. The Spartans return key pieces and players on both sides of the ball—headlined by UCLA commit and running back Duece Jones-Drew, while quarterback Jaxon Loftin continues to break out under center. The team is loaded at its skill positions, including four-star junior linebacker Landon Miller, three-star Damari Dean, and three-star Jameson Mitzel. De La Salle is on the road this week against St. Mary’s-Stockton. 

2. Folsom (3-0) | Last week: No. 2

Another week, another Folsom win – this time at ranked Bay Area foe Sacred Heart Cathedral, the alma mater of Folsom head coach Paul Doherty. Previously knocked off NorCal ranked Cardinal Newman and SoCal heavyweight Mission Viejo. And they are 3-0 despite being down UCLA-bound receiver Rob Larson and others. Twenty-two players in this program have college offers. 

3. Central East (3-0) | Last week: No. 3

The defending state champs dominated Turlock 56-7, with Fresno State-bound Relando Jefferson IV catching three touchdown passes. Previously knocked off NorCal-ranked Grant and Oak Ridge. And they are doing so without Fresno State commit Bayon Harris. 

4. Pittsburg (2-1) | Last week: No. 4

Pittsburg beat James Logan 49-21, bouncing back after a loss against St. John Bosco.  The defending NCS Division 1 champs have electrifying players on their roster—including three-star Kenny Ward and junior quarterback Javale Jones. Defensively, the Pirates have some rising stars with three-star safety Jeremiah Edwards and sophomore Demetrius Toeaina. Pitt is on the road to Mission Viejo this week. 

5. Serra (2-1) | Last week: No. 5

Serra took down St. Mary’s-Stockton this past Friday night. So far this season, the Padres hold wins against Kahuku from Hawaii, with the loss coming against No. 1 De La Salle to open the year. The most talented senior class in the entire Bay Area, with safety Malakai Taufoou as an Oregon commit. Tight end Jace Cannon is USC-bound, lineman Lemani Fehoko is committed to Minnesota, and athlete Jeovanni Heanly is a part of Cal’s big class of 2027 and headlines this roster. The Padres are on a bye this week.  

6. Oak Ridge (2-1) | Last week: No. 6

Road warriors. Two weeks ago, it was Oak Ridge knocking off a Texas-ranked team. Friday? It knocked off a SoCal ranked Crean Lutheran by one score on the road. Its one loss came by one score to powerhouse Central East of Fresno. Oak Ridge has numerous college prospects, including quarterback Nick Johnson Jr., linemen Nick Hunt and Troy Fleming, linebacker Justen Womack, athlete Isaac Pierce and others.

7. Cardinal Newman (1-2) | Last week: No. 9

Cardinal Newman shined in its first win against Riordan–a statement with a 31-0 showing. The Cardinals opened the season with an overtime loss against Folsom and a loss against De La Salle, the two top teams in Northern California. The Cardinals’ collegiate-level line, with senior three-star Kahlio Vaetoe, Cal commit Josh Bunni and four-star junior Eazy Crichton, should rank as one of the top units in the entire Bay Area. The Cardinals added three-star junior running back and linebacker James Curoso from Clovis. Cardinal Newman faces Clayton Valley Charter on the road this upcoming week. 

8. San Ramon Valley (3-0) | Last week: No. 7

San Ramon Valley dominated against Clayton Valley Charter at home. It holds wins against Enchos and El Cerrito as well. The Wolves have D1 talent across the board, including four-star tackle Aden Owolabi, three-star athlete Dietrick Burks, and wide receiver Colton Fitzgibbon. Quarterback Cole Dawes returns too after breaking out last year as a junior. San Ramon Valley’s returning core makes this group dangerous—as the sky is the limit for this group’s talent plus the added experience. San Ramon Valley hosts Clovis North this Friday night. 

9. Grant (2-1) | Last week: No. 10

Grant always responds. After its season-opening loss to Central East, the Pacers answered with a victory over Cathedral from LA and another at Lincoln-Stockton. Blake Nycum threw for 306 yards. 

10. St. Ignatius (3-0) | Last week: No. 16

St. Ignatius beat Acalanes 42-38 in a wild shootout. Improving to 3-0, SI holds wins against Marin Catholic and San Marin as well. The reigning state champions once again are setting the trend in the trenches with players like junior Jack Lucas and senior Samiu Langi. Offensively, sophomore quarterback Isaac Liu will have a lot of different options—including running back Luke Tribolet, wide receiver Hawkes Packard, and tight end Elijah Farrah. St. Ignatius is on a bye this week. 

11. Buchanan (3-1) | Last week: No. 12

Dominated Liberty-Bakersfield in 49-7 fashion. Technically 4-0, but their 63-27 win over Golden West was forfeited due to player ineligibility. Previously defeated NorCal-ranked Manteca. 

12. Del Oro (3-0) | Last week: No. 14

Absolutely dominated Foothill-Palo Cedro to stay perfect, with Brennen Gibbs rushing for 133 yards and Grayson Haugen firing three touchdown strikes. Previously knocked off No. 20 Downey and Bay Area heavyweight St. Francis of Mountain View. And Del Oro is 3-0 despite waiting on quarterback Luke Taber (San Jose State offer), who has the transfer sit-out period.

13. Riordan (1-2) | Last week: No. 8

Riordan lost against Cardinal Newman last Friday night, 31-0 on the road. Although it’s a little bit of a younger group, the talent—especially in the junior and sophomore classes—is endless. Defensively, the line of Princeton commit DJ Sanchez, Washington State commit Lopeti Malupo, and three-star sophomore Soape Mafuahingano will be hard to slow down. Offensively, UNLV commit and one of the region’s top running backs, Adonyae Brown, leads a group of talented wide receivers in the underclass. Riordan is on a bye this week.

14. Acalanes (2-1) | Last week: No. 13

Acalanes lost a heartbreaker against St. Ignatius, a shootout loss at home. Averaging close to 40 points per game this season, the Dons so far hold wins against Mitty and Menlo-Atherton. The reigning Diablo Foothill Athletic Champions return some key faces—including quarterback Tyler Winkles and athlete Finn Rivera. Acalanes will see Marin Catholic this upcoming week at home.

15. Clovis (3-1) | Last week: No. 15

Won a 24-7 ballgame over fellow NorCal-ranked Los Gatos. The lone loss came by three points to always-strong Bakersfield. 

16. Central Catholic (2-1) | Last week: No. 19

Legendary Roger Canepa’s program is tough as nails. It defeated No. 6 St. Mary’s-Stockton last week and Saint Bonaventure from Ventura on Friday. Zymir Nelson erupted for 213 rushing yards. Its loss? Defending Idaho state champion Homedale. Collin Benninger is a 6-foot-4 tight end committed to New Mexico. Defensive lineman Louis Gregoris holds a San Diego State offer. Marquis Roberts is another D1-caliber defensive end with Sacramento State, San Jose State and UNLV offers. 

17. Clovis West (2-2) | Last week: No. 11

Dropped back to back games but done so against heavyweights in Bakersfield Christian and Bakersfield. Opened the year with two big wins over Bishop Manogue and La Costa Canyon. Junior quarterback Jamar Howard has 29 offers and counting. Junior running back Major Lee has 11 of them. Junior Cadillac Pina has two. Senior AJ Williams is a Fresno State commit. Sophomore Aamir Wright has three D1 offers, including from North Carolina. 

18. St. Mary’s-Stockton (1-2) | Last week: No. 20

Yes, St. Mary’s is 1-2, but consider the competition – Central Catholic and fellow powerhouse Serra of San Mateo. The defending state champs earlier defeated Bishop Manogue from Nevada. 

19. Monte Vista (3-0) | Last week: No. 25

Monte Vista has opened up the year with wins over two 2025 NCS Division 1 playoff teams in Liberty and Marin Catholic. It’s a younger team this season, but Monte Vista is looking to build off that success—keeping the momentum of the program pushing forward. Senior Grant Maina is a name to watch on this year’s squad. Piedmont transfer and quarterback Jimmy Lagios can sling it as well. Monte Vista faces James Logan this upcoming week. 

20. Los Gatos (2-1) | Last week: No. 17

Los Gatos lost at home against Clovis this past week. The Wildcats opened up the season with a shutout win against Soquel and a shootout win against Salinas. The premier public school program in the CCS, Los Gatos returns some key players like senior athlete Devounte Troutt, senior linebacker Jared Newman, and senior lineman Cole Krings. LG will look to bounce back on the road against San Mateo. 

21. St. Francis (1-2) | Last week: No. 18

Saint Francis lost to De La Salle last week. The Lancers opened up the season with an impressive win against Manteca. The other loss came against Del Oro. They have an exciting collection of playmakers on both sides of the football—headlined by quarterback Drew Cumby and defensive end Jayden Lewis. Saint Francis is on a bye this week. 

22. Manteca (1-2) | Last week: No. 21

Manteca is back in the win column after knocking off Chavez, and three-star running back Nikko Juarez added to his legend by breaking the program’s all-time rushing record. Three-star defensive back Jayden Harris is a Washington State commit. Lost to St. Francis and Buchanan. 

23. Destiny Christian (3-0) | Last week: No. 22

A win is a win. Destiny Christian won a 10-9 ballgame over Yuba City to star perfect. Its best win? In 28-12 fashion at Inderkum. 

24. Monterey Trail (1-1) | Last week: No. 23

Bye week. Previously: put up 45 points for a win at Downey. Nigel Flowers, Viliami Kefu and Xander McGee each ran for 100-plus yards. Its loss? NorCal and state-ranked Pittsburg. 

25. Woodcreek (2-0) | Last week: No. 24