SBLive's LA City Section Top 10 Football Rankings: 10-0 San Pedro ends regular season No. 1
With the regular season in the books, here are SBLive's final LA City Section regular season football rankings. The LA City Section will release playoff pairings on Saturday evening based on CalPreps rankings. Here are the final CalPreps ratings of the regular season.
PRESEASON RANKINGS | WEEK 1 | WEEK 2 | WEEK 3 | WEEK 4 | WEEK 5 | WEEK 6 | WEEK 7 | WEEK 8 | WEEK 9 | WEEK 10
(Photo credit: Jamaal Street)
1. San Pedro (10-0)
Last week: 1
Last game: 14-7 win over No. 3 Banning
Next game: TBD playoffs
Like they've done all season, the Pirates leaned on their defense in Friday night's 14-7 Battle of the Harbor win over No. 3 Banning. Late in the fourth quarter with San Pedro clinging to its seven point lead, 5-foot-8 Juan Reyes recorded his first sack of the season to force a punt. From there, the Pirates ran out the clock to lock up the No. 1 seed in the City Section Open Division playoffs.
2. Venice (8-2)
Last week: 3
Last game: 60-14 win over Palisades
Next game: TBD playoffs
Venice has the best offense in the City Section and it might not be particularly close. The Gondoliers destroyed Western League rival Palisades 60-14 to win the league title on Friday. Quarterback Paul Kessler and receiver Rashawn Jackson make up the best QB/WR combo in the City. The duo has combined for 16 touchdowns.
3. Banning (5-5)
Last week: 2
Last game: 14-7 loss to No. 1 San Pedro
Next game: TBD playoffs
Banning dropped a 14-7 game to No. 1 San Pedro on Friday. The Pilots may have fallen short, but they showed that they're certainly in the mix to win the Open Division crown — they had their chances. Robert Guerrero threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Nuhi-Yandall in the defeat.
4. Franklin (10-0)
Last week: 4
Last game: 55-0 win over Marshall
Next game: TBD playoffs
Let's give it up for Franklin head coach Narciso Diaz. The Panthers head man has led his team to an undefeated regular season and the first Open Division playoff berth in school history. Franklin is set to play at No. 4 Garfield in the first round of the Open Division playoffs, per CalPreps. That matchup will become official on Saturday night when the City Section releases its playoff brackets.
5. Birmingham (6-4)
Last week: 6
Last game: 38-0 win over Cleveland
Next game: TBD playoffs
Another year, another West Valley League title for the Patriots. Birmingham hasn't lost a league game since 2017 and they've won the last two Open Division titles in the City Section. So what's their reward following another league crown? CalPreps ranks Birmingham at No. 7 setting up a first round Open Division playoff matchup with Venice and the Gondoliers high flying offense.
6. Eagle Rock (9-1)
Last week: 5
Last game: 23-19 win over Lincoln
Next game: TBD playoffs
Similarly to Birmingham, CalPreps ranks Eagle Rock lower than we do. The Eagles are No. 8 in CalPreps setting up a first round Open Division matchup against No. 1 San Pedro. That's a tough break for Andy Moran's group.
7. Garfield (8-2)
Last week: 7
Last game: 70-7 win over Legacy
Next game: TBD playoffs
In front of 45,000 fans at the LA Coliseum, Garfield took down arch rival Roosevelt 16-8 in the 87th East LA Classic two weeks ago. The Bulldogs played masterful defense to shutout the Rough Riders for the final three quarters. On offense, Garfield scored two TDs via Damian Cabrera QB keepers. Garfield will host Franklin in the first round of the Open Division playoffs, per CalPreps.
8. Roosevelt (9-1)
Last week: 8
Last game: 62-40 win over South Gate
Next game: TBD playoffs
Roosevelt rebounded from its East LA Classic defeat to beat South Gate 62-40. The Rough Riders are currently No. 6 in CalPreps, setting up an Open Division first round matchup against No. 3 Banning. In last season's Open Division playoffs, Roosevelt took on San Pedro in the first round, another Marine League team, and lost 42-0.
9. Granada Hills (7-2)
Last week: 9
Last game: 44-15 win over El Camino Real
Next game: TBD playoffs
Bucky Brooks' team ends the season at lucky No. 9 in the CalPreps rankings. They'll be the No. 1 seed in Division 1 just outside of the eight team Open Division. The Highlanders have the best player in the City Section in Utah running back commit Dijon Stanley. They look primed for a City title run.
10. Carson (5-5)
Last week: 10
Last game: 14-7 win over Gardena
Next game: TBD playoffs
Carson will also be in the Division 1 playoffs where they'll be a tough out. Running back Jerry Misaalefua is the player to watch for the Colts.