Top 25 CIF Southern Section High School Football Rankings, Aug. 23

There's a new No. 1 heading into Week 1 after preseason No. 1 St. John Bosco falls in Las Vegas to Bishop Gorman.

San Clemente runs out onto the field before taking on Tustin in its 2026 season opener on Friday, August 21. | San Clemente Football/X

Just one week into the football season, a new No. 1 has already been crowned. Corona Centennial will work its way into Week 1 as the No. 1 team in the Southland.

St. John Bosco drops after falling in Las Vegas to powerhouse Bishop Gorman; Crean Lutheran, San Clemente, Rancho Cucamonga and Chaminade rise after impressive victories; and Oaks Christian drops out of the Top 25 as Norco joins the fold.

After Week 0, here are the latest CIF Southern Section Top 25 football rankings.

TOP 25 RANKINGS, AUG. 23

1. Corona Centennial (1-0)

Jaden Jefferson and Quentin Hale show delivers in 41-21 win over Servite. | vs. Santa Margarita

2. St. John Bosco (0-1)

Braves' rally falls short in Vegas to Bishop Gorman. | vs. Roman Catholic (PA)

3. Santa Margarita (1-0)

Fletch Palmer gets a victory in his debut under center. | at Corona Centennial

4. Sierra Canyon (1-0)

Trailblazers impress in big win at JSerra. Remember the name Stephan Harrison. | at Chaminade-Madonna (FL)

5. Mater Dei (1-0)

Monarchs ride the running game of sophomore Asir Nembhard in 31-11 in over American Fork (UT). | at Orem (UT)

6. Mission Viejo (1-0)

Sophomore QB Brett Burnor gets his debut victory, throwing for 228 yards and four touchdowns. | vs. St. Paul

7. Orange Lutheran (0-1)

Lancers fall to Miami Central 23-22. | at Cathedral Catholic

8. Crean Lutheran (1-0)

Ty Johnson had 11 catches and a touchdown in a lopsided win over Loyola. | at Mira Costa

9. Pacifica/Oxnard (1-0)

Taylor Lee threw four touchdowns on six attempts in 52-6 win over Del Sol. | vs. San Diego Lincoln

10. San Clemente (2-0)

Tritons shutout Tustin 17-0 behind a stellar performance from Jaxson Rex. | BYE

11. Chaparral (0-1)

Pumas are without Cal commit QB Dane Weber. | vs, San Juan Hills

12. Rancho Cucamonga (1-0)

Comeback victory over Murrieta Valley has the Cougars buzzin'. | vs. Oaks Christian

13. Palos Verdes (1-0)

Niko Dragin was the hero, nailing a FG in the waning minutes to beat Gardena Serra. | vs. Bishop Moore (FL)

14. Gardena Serra (0-1)

Cavs falls short to Palos Verdes, but RB AJ McBean looked good. | vs. Hamilton

15. Damien (1-0)

Anthony Randolph threw for three TDs in win over Aquinas. | at Vista Murrieta

16. Chaminade (2-0)

Eagles win in Hawaii then come home and shutout Oaks Christian. Very nice. | at Valencia

17. Edison (1-0)

Chargers had a the week off after a win in Hawaii last week. | at Pinnacle (AZ)

18. Norco (1-0)

The Cougars take down Roosevelt 55-14 in their home opener. Julian Medina threw for 408 yards and five TDs. Blake Wong caught three TDs. | vs. Colony

19. Tustin (0-1)

Tillers are talented, but need to look inward after going scoreless in loss to San Clemente. | vs. Foothill

20. Servite (0-1)

The Friars go on the road and lose to No. 1 Corona Centennial. | at Murrieta Valley

21. JSerra (0-1)

Lions will look to rebound after big loss to Sierra Canyon. | vs. Long Beach Wilson

22. Corona del Mar (1-0)

Quarterback Luca DiNapoli led the Sea Kings to a 48-3 win over Lakewood. | vs. Santa Barbara

23. Westlake (1-0)

Warriors find a way to win a triple-overtime thriller against Newbury Park. | vs. Agoura

24. Valencia (1-0)

Larry Muir starts 2026 with a big win over fellow longtime coach Jim Benkert. | vs. Chaminade

25. Oak Hills (1-0)

Dahlin Hill scored two rushing touchdowns in a win over Highland. | vs. Bishop Amat

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DROPPED: Oaks Christian (lost to Chaminade 18-0)
NEW: Bishop Amat (win over St. Paul 55-0)

• TOP 25 PRESEASON RANKINGS