The San Gabriel Valley area high school football rankings for teams covered by the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News and Whittier Daily News.
FOOTBALL TOP 30 RANKINGS
1. Damien (3-0)
The Spartans took care of business on their trip to Hawaii, beating another team named Damien, 59-29, after racing to a big lead. Everything is finally coming together with talent meeting expectations. They Spartans will be on the road this week against struggling Mira Costa. The Spartans need all the nonleague wins they can get, because the Baseline League is going to be brutally tough.
Previous: 1
Next: at Mira Costa, Friday, 7 p.m.
2. Bishop Amat (1-1)
The Lancers had a bye week after an exhausting 29-28 victory over rival St. Paul on Aug. 25. Now the schedule gets especially tough for them over the next three weeks. The Lancers host a Trinity League team, Santa Margarita, on Thursday night, followed by games against Rancho Cucamonga and St. Mary’s from up north. The Lancers aren’t as big up front as years past and they could get exposed.
Previous: 4
Next: vs. Santa Margarita, Thursday, 7 p.m.
3. St. Paul (1-1)
The Swordsmen also return from a bye week after their epic loss to rival Bishop Amat where they were a 2-point conversion in the final seconds away from victory. Now they get an interesting opponent in West Ranch, which has outscored its last two opponents, Pasadena and Antelope Valley, by a combined score of 103-0. West Ranch opened the season with a blowout loss to St. Francis.
Previous: 5
Next: vs. West Ranch at Valencia HS, Thursday, 7 p.m.
4. St. Francis (2-1)
After looking so good the first two weeks and rising to No. 2 in the SGV rankings, the Golden Knights took a step back with a surprising 17-10 loss to Long Beach Millikan. They couldn’t get their high-powered offense going, but on the plus side, it was the third straight week where their defense was solid.
Previous: 2
Next: at St. Pius X-St. Matthias, Friday, 7 p.m.
5. Bonita (3-0)
The Bearcats routed La Salle a year after going on the road and losing to the Lancers. They continue to plow ahead with a vengeance, winning by an average margin of 27 points that included a runaway win over Monrovia and a close one over a strong Ontario Christian team. The Bearcats have the Smudgepot game this week against San Dimas, and you can bet the Saints know they might be in trouble.
Previous: 6
Next: vs. San Dimas at Citrus College, Saturday, 7 p.m.
6. Glendora (3-0)
The Tartans’ 6-foot-5 senior tight end, Decker DeGraaf, a University of Washington commit, couldn’t be stopped in their victory over Charter Oak, hauling in three TD passes and finishing with five receptions for 202 yards. The Tartans look like the Tartans of 2021 that went 10-0 in the regular season.
Previous: 7
Next: vs. Pacifica at Bolsa Grande HS, Thursday, 7 p.m.
7. La Serna (1-2)
Give the Lancers credit for playing a tough nonleague schedule, but it has been a long time since they suffered back-to-back losses. The Lancers followed a 25-6 loss to Los Alamitos with a 39-21 loss to Warren. If there is a red flag, it’s giving up nearly 40 points when their bread-and-butter is on the defensive end. The next two weeks, against Tesoro and Damien, won’t provide any relief, either.
Previous: 3
Next: at Tesoro, Friday, 7 p.m.
8. Northview (2-1)
If you throw away the Vikings’ loss in Las Vegas, they have looked especially good in victories over Muir, 41-6, and in last week’s easy 49-14 victory over South Hills. Offensively, they showed everything against the Huskies. QB Erik Jimenez threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns, and the duo of Keanu Tauvao (134 yards, TD) and Angel Barraza (110 yards, 3 TDs) were part of a backfield that rushed for nearly 300 yards.
Previous: 8
Next: vs. Covina at Covina District Field, Friday, 7 p.m.
9. Covina (3-0)
The Colts prevailed in the battle of unbeatens against Diamond Bar, winning 42-32 and now find themselves in another battle of unbeatens against Northview for the right to say who has the best team at Covina District Field. The Colts have looked sharp offensively, but probably need to be better defensively to have a shot against the Vikings.
Previous: 9
Next: vs. Northview at Covina District Field, Friday, 7 p.m.
10. South Pasadena (3-0)
The Tigers earned their spot in the SGV Top 10 with an impressive 49-14 blowout win over Baldwin Park. Tigers running back Jason Hong continues to show why he’s one of the area’s best, rushing for 228 yards and four touchdowns in the win. With games against Hoover and Alhambra next, the Tigers might not get another test until they open the Rio Hondo League against San Marino.
Previous: 11
Next: at Hoover of Glendale, Friday, 7 p.m.
THE REST OF THE TOP 30
11. Los Altos (3-0)
12. Diamond Ranch (3-0)
13. Muir (2-1)
14. Charter Oak (1-2)
15. La Habra (1-2)
16. Monrovia (1-1)
17. Rio Hondo Prep (3-0)
18. Diamond Bar (2-1)
19. El Rancho (2-1)
20. San Dimas (2-1)
21. San Marino (3-0)
22. Cantwell Sacred Heart (2-1)
23. West Covina (2-1)
24. South Hills (1-2)
25. La Canada (2-1)
26. Schurr (2-1)
27. Maranatha (2-1)
28. Sonora (2-1)
29. South El Monte (3-0)
30. Nogales (1-1)
