The Press-Telegram’s high school football rankings on Monday, Aug. 24, to begin Week 1 of the season.
FOOTBALL TOP 10
1. St. John Bosco (0-1)
St. John Bosco remains No. 1 in the local rankings after losing to the nation’s new No. 1 team, Bishop Gorman. Braves junior quarterback Koa Malau’ulu completed 17 of 37 passes with two touchdowns and two interceptions. St. John Bosco fell behind by 21 points but wasn’t able to pull off a comeback and lost 38-28 in Las Vegas on Friday night. Bosco’s defense gave up 339 yards of total offense. The Braves will play their home opener against Roman Catholic of Philadelphia on Friday. Roman Catholic was Pennsylvania’s 5A state champs last season.
Previous: 1
Next: vs. Philadelphia Roman Catholic (0-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
2. Long Beach Poly (1-0)
Long Beach Poly moves up to No. 2 in the rankings after opening the season with a dominant win, 24-7, on Friday night. It was the Jackrabbits’ first game with new coach Travon Patterson. Junior quarterback Ace Fa’agata threw touchdown passes to junior receiver Zion Anderson and senior receiver Jayden Coley. Poly’s defense scored the team’s first touchdown. Senior safety Toa Cagnolatti intercepted a pass and was returning it, but he fumbled. Fortunately for Poly, junior defensive lineman Sammy Timu picked up the fumble and ran the rest of the way for the score. Fa’agata and the Jackrabbits’ receiving corps must step up this week against Yorba Linda if they want to remain undefeated in nonleague play.
Previous: 5
Next: vs. Yorba Linda (1-0) at Veterans Stadium, Friday, 7 p.m.
3. Los Alamitos (0-1)
Los Alamitos quarterbacks Zachariah Correa and Elijah McDaniel alternated drives in a 20-7 loss to Inglewood. Correa’s 7-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Caeson Miller was the Griffins’ only score late in the fourth quarter. Los Alamitos might need to rely on its running game until either Correa, who is a sophomore, or McDaniel emerges as the squad’s primary signal-caller.
Previous: 2
Next: at Huntington Beach (1-0), Thursday, 7 p.m.
Downey quarterback Chase Watkins (2) looks to pass in a non-league game and season opener against Long Beach Poly on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
4. Downey (0-1)
Downey sophomore quarterback Chase Watkins completed 9 of 19 passes for 56 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 24-7 loss to Long Beach Poly. The Vikings found some success on the ground. They ran for 120 yards on 24 carries, led by junior running back Max Acosta’s 62 yards. Watkins ran for 48 yards. Coach Jack Williams said his squad needs to find a better offensive rhythm to sustain scoring drives going forward.
Previous: 3
Next: at Capistrano Valley (1-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
5. Mayfair (1-0)Mayfair rises to No. 5 after running for 297 yards and three touchdowns on 50 carries in a 41-40 victory over Wilson. Speedy senior running back Jeromy Powell had 29 carries for 175 yards and one rushing touchdown. Senior power running back Braxton Johnson ran for 71 yards and a touchdown. Junior dual-threat quarterback Lukasz Shriver ran for 66 yards and a touchdown. Mayfair coach Derek Bedell’s most successful teams in recent years have been able to run the ball. This season’s team is trending in that tried and true direction.
Previous: not ranked
Next: at Fresno Bullard (1-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
Mayfairs Jeromy Powell (3) races past Wilsons defense in Bellflower, CA, on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
6. Wilson (0-1)
Wilson drops to No. 6 despite putting up 40 points in a season-opening loss to Mayfair. Junior receiver Kyle Harris led the way with 334 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns (two receiving, two kick returns). The Bruins’ schedule does not get any easier. They will play a nonleague game at JSerra, which is from the Trinity League, on Friday night.
Previous: 4
Next: at JSerra (0-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
7. St. Pius X-St. Matthias (0-0)
St. Pius X-St. Matthias will play its season opener this week against always-tough St. Bonaventure, which beat Paraclete 28-6 last week. Junior quarterback Tyreq Conley and senior running back Le’Allyn “AJ” Monroe will lead the Warriors’ offense.
Previous: 7
Next: vs. St. Bonaventure (1-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
8. Millikan (0-1)
Rams junior running back Ryan Carter ran for 95 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries. However, Millikan’s defense gave up 519 yards of total offense in a 42-14 loss to Huntington Beach last week. The Rams allowed 451 passing yards and six touchdowns to quarterback Brady Edmunds (Ohio State commit).
Previous: 6
Next: at Loyola (0-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Millikan’s Ryan Carter (7) looks to get through Huntington Beach’s defense in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
9. Warren (1-0)
Senior quarterback Jordan Malikin had four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) in Warren’s thrilling 41-28 victory at home against Serrano. Senior receiver/defensive back Dallas Watson scored three touchdowns ( two receiving, one interception return) and showed immense potential as a two-way player.
Previous: 9
Next: Scripps Ranch (0-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
10. Compton (1-0)
Compton junior quarterback Donnie Johnson threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-13 victory at Jordan on Thursday. Senior running back Nathaniel Willard ran for 47 yards and one touchdown. The Tarbabes will be tested this week when they take on Orange Vista.
Previous: 10
Next: at Orange Vista (1-0), Thursday, 7 p.m.
Also considered: Bellflower (1-0); Paramount (1-0); La Mirada (1-0); Lakewood (0-1); Dominguez (1-0); Valley Christian (0-0-1); Gahr (0-0-1).
Press-Telegram football preview: St. John Bosco ranked No. 1 in Top 10