Top 25 Northern California Coast high school football rankings (10/3/2023)

West Catholic Athletic League riser Riordan jumps five spots to No. 6 to highlight this week's elite teams from four sections

Expectations were high for the Riordan football team in 2023. 

With a humbling 24-14 loss to Southern California juggernaut St. Bonaventure, the hype was quelled somewhat on Sept. 9. 

But the Crusaders, with roughly a dozen top-end transfers, and some excellent parts returning from 2022, showed what all the excitement was about, following a 42-17 home win over Valley Christian on Saturday. 

Sophomore quarterback Mike Mitchell Jr., one of the key returners, had a breakout game by completing 21 of 29 passes for 373 yards and a school and West Catholic Athletic League record, six touchdown passes. 

The Crusaders piled up close to 500 yards against a defense that had allowed less than 10 points per game coming in. The win moved them to 4-1 and 2-0 in West Catholic Athletic League play and jumped them five spots to No. 6 in the Northern California Coast rankings, which combine four NorCal sections (North Coast, Central Coast, San Francisco and Oakland). 

They were the biggest climbers of a list that largely stayed the same. 

1. Serra (5-0)

Previous rank: 1. Last week: def. Saint Francis, 45-17 

Maealiuaki Smith broke loose for his best game of the season, completing 19 of 28 for 320 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for two more scores. 

Next game: Friday vs. Mitty at Foothill College

2. De La Salle (4-2)

Previous rank: 21. Last week: def. McClymonds, 21-0

Spartans squander five red-zone chances but still have more than enough to knock off perennial small-school state powers. Dominic Kelley rushes for two scores, Chris Biller records three tackles for loss.

Next game: Oct. 13 at San Ramon Valley

3. San Ramon Valley (5-0)

Previous rank: 25. Last week: idle

Dangerous precursor this week before highly-anticipated home game against De La Salle.

Next game: Friday at Clayton Valley Charter 

4. Pittsburg (5-0)

Previous rank: 4. Last week: def. Los Gatos, 37-27

Jewelous Walls, a top junior recruit at defensive end, had 12 tackles, four for loss including two sacks. He also caught a touchdown pass from his tight end spot. Jamar Scarcy also had a big defensive game with seven tackles and two interceptions to go with 78 yards rushing and a TD.  

Next game: Friday vs. Deer Valley

5. Marin Catholic (5-0)

Previous rank: 5. Last week: idle

It's been the usual onslaught for the Wildcats, a 2021 state champion. They've outscored foes 215-21. On Saturday they face a good Tamalpais team that its beaten 21 straight times since 2004. 

Next game: Saturday vs. Tamalpais

6. Riordan (4-1)

Previous rank: 11. Last week: def. Valley Christian, 42-17

It was a breakout game for the Crusaders and sophomore quarterback Mike Mitchell Jr., who completed 21 of 29 passes for 373 and a school and West Catholic Athletic League record six touchdowns against a very good VC defense

Next game: Friday vs. Bellarmine at San Jose City College

7. San Marin (5-0)

Previous rank: 7. Last week: def. San Rafael, 56-0

Senior quarterback Dom Ingrassia continues to have a marvelous season, completing 11 of 12 passes for 248 yards and four touchdowns. Two touchdowns went to Blake Hart. Big test this week against 5-0 Redwood.

Next game: Friday vs. Redwood-Larkspur

8. Valley Christian (4-1)

Previous rank: 6. Last week: lost to Riordan, 42-17

The Warriors defense before Saturday had allowed only 33 points in four games. 

Next game: Friday vs. Sacred Heart Cathedral at Kezar Stadium

9. McClymonds (2-2)

Previous rank: 8 Last week: Lost to De La Salle, 21-0

The Warriors were actually very impressive up front and overall on defense against the Spartans, which was thwarted five times in the red zone without giving up a point.

Next game: Oct. 13 vs. Castlemont

10. El Cerrito (5-0)

Previous rank: 10. Last week: idle

Kamani Jackson, a Washington State commit, is a Northern California Player of the Year candidate with his vast skills as a receiver and defensive back. 

Next game: Friday at Bethel

The rest

11. Los Gatos (3-2)
12. Cardinal Newman (5-0)
13. California (4-2)
14. St. Ignatius (3-2)
15. Wilcox (3-2)
16. St. Francis (2-3)
17. Windsor (3-1-1)
18. Campolindo (3-1-1)
19. Clayton Valley Charter (2-3)
20. Christopher (5-0)
21. Redwood (5-0)
22. Menlo School (5-0)
23. Hillsdale (5-0)
24. Liberty (4-2)
25. Mitty (4-1)


Published
Mitch Stephens, SBLive Sports
MITCH STEPHENS, SBLIVE SPORTS

Mitch Stephens is a senior editor at SBLive Sports for California, a state he's covered high school sports since 1984. He won multiple CNPA and CPSWA writing awards with the Contra Costa Times, San Francisco Chronicle and MaxPreps.com before joining the SBLive staff in 2022. He's covered the beat nationally since 2007, profiling such athletes as Derrick Henry, Paige Bueckers, Patrick Mahomes, Sabrina Ionescu, Jayson Tatum, Chiney Ogwumike, Jeremy Lin and Najee Harris as preps. You can reach him at mitch@scorebooklive.com.