The Press-Telegram’s high school football rankings as of Oct. 20.
St. John Bosco’s Josh Holland intercepts a ball intended for Santa Margarita’s Jayden Crowder during a game at Santa Margarita High School in Mission Viejo on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer/Contributing Photographer)
FOOTBALL TOP 20 RANKINGS
1. ST. JOHN BOSCO (8-0)
Sophomore quarterback Koa Malau’ulu completed 17 of 21 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns in the Braves’ 27-14 victory over Santa Margarita. Receivers Carson Clark, Daniel Odom, Madden Williams and DJ Tubbs each had a touchdown catch. Bosco will clinch at least a share of the Trinity League title with a victory over Servite on Friday.
Previous: 1
Next: vs. Servite (5-3), Friday, 7 p.m.
2. LOS ALAMITOS (8-0)
The Griffins are coming off a 41-22 victory over Edison in an Alpha League opener at SoFi Stadium. Senior running back Lenny Ibarra ran for 216 yards and two touchdowns. Los Alamitos is 8-0 for the first time since 1998.
Previous: 2
Next: at San Clemente (4-4), Friday, 7 p.m.
3. DOWNEY (7-1)
Senior quarterback Oscar Rios threw five touchdown passes in the Vikings’ 48-9 victory over Paramount. Downey will play crosstown rival Warren at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson on Friday. The Vikings will clinch at least a share of a second consecutive Gateway League title with a victory.
Previous: 3
Next: vs. Warren (2-6) at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Friday, 7 p.m.
Wilson’s Thomas Jones (1), John Chapman (50), and Gavin Guiza (19) celebrate their historic win over Long Beach Poly in Long Beach, CA, on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
4. LONG BEACH WILSON (7-1)
The Bruins rise to No. 4 in this week’s rankings after a 22-21 comeback victory over Long Beach Poly. It was the program’s first win over Poly since 1991. Wilson will clinch at least a share of the Moore League title with a victory over last-place Long Beach Jordan on Friday. Wilson can clinch the outright league title for the first time since 1991 with a win Friday and a victory over Lakewood on Oct. 30.
Previous: 5
Next: vs. Long Beach Jordan (1-7), Friday, 7 p.m.
5. LONG BEACH POLY (3-5)
The Jackrabbits drop to No. 5 in this week’s rankings after a 22-21 loss to Long Beach Wilson. Poly’s special teams and defense must regroup after allowing 16 straight points in the second half, including a 92-yard kick return for a touchdown, two 2-point conversions and two long runs on Wilson’s game-winning drive.
Previous: 4
Next: at Cabrillo (1-7), Friday, 7 p.m.
Lakewood’s Tiwan Jones, from left, Kagiso Boikanyo, Troy Norried and Kade Casillas walk to midfield for the coin toss prior to taking on rival Millikan at Millikan High School in Long Beach on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
6. LAKEWOOD (6-3)
The Lancers improved to 3-1 in the Moore League with a 3-0 victory over Millikan. Lakewood is on a bye this week and can earn a share of the Moore League title if they beat Long Beach Wilson on Oct. 30.
Previous: 6
Next: vs. Long Beach Wilson, Oct. 30, 7 p.m.
7. MILLIKAN (2-7)
The Rams are coming off a 3-0 loss to Lakewood. Millikan needed to win that game to control its playoff destiny. The Rams are on a two-game losing streak and will play at Compton in a Moore League finale.
Previous: 8
Next: at Compton (4-4), Friday, 6 p.m.
8. ST. PIUS X-ST. MATTHIAS (3-5)
The Warriors are coming off a 35-34 loss in overtime to St. Paul. St. Pius will play Friday at Cathedral, which is the first-place team in the Angelus League.
Previous: 7
Next: at Cathedral (4-4), Friday, 7 p.m.
9. NORWALK (8-0)
Senior running backs Diego Cerritos and Daron Walker combined for 221 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 30 carries in Norwalk’s 27-13 victory over Gahr. Cerritos also had a 34-yard touchdown catch. The Lancers will clinch at least a share of the Mid-Cities League title with a victory over last-place Firebaugh on Friday.
Previous: 10
Next: vs. Firebaugh (1-7), Friday, 7 p.m.
Mayfair quarterback Quinonez Elijah #18 looks to pass during the first half of a prep football game against ..Paramount at Bellflower High School in Bellflower on Thursday, Oct.. 9, 2025. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)
10. MAYFAIR (2-6)
The Monsoons have won two straight Gateway League games, including a 26-20 win over Warren. Mayfair will move closer to clinching an automatic playoff berth with a win over Dominguez.
Previous: Not ranked
Next: at Dominguez (6-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
THE NEXT 10: 11. Warren (2-6); 12. Valley Christian (5-3); 13. Cerritos (6-2); 14. La Mirada (3-5); 15. St. Anthony (2-6), 16. Dominguez (6-2); 17. Paramount (3-5); 18. Gahr (4-4); 19. Compton (4-4); 20. Bellflower (6-2).
Note: Long Beach Poly has a forfeit loss and Millikan has two forfeit losses.
Originally Published: October 20, 2025 at 11:44 AM PDT