The Press-Telegram’s high school football rankings to begin Week 5 of the season.
FOOTBALL TOP 10 RANKINGS
1. St. John Bosco (4-1)
Freshman running back Kahi Jiminez-Labra, sophomore receiver Kuika Moaali, junior receiver DJ Tubbs, sophomore defensive back Solomon Nash, senior running back Maliq Allen, and sophomore safety Darnell Lacy Jr. combined for nine touchdowns in a 63-21 victory over Saint Louis in Honolulu on Sept. 18. Jiminez-Labra, Moaali and Tubbs all scored twice. The Braves piled on 35 unanswered points in the second half after leading 28-21 at halftime.
Previous: 1
Next: vs. JSerra (4-1), Oct. 2, 7 p.m.
2. Downey (2-2)
Sophomore quarterback Chase Watkins has completed 45 of 71 passes for 787 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception. New Mexico commit Damani Porras has 21 catches for 387 yards and six touchdowns. The Vikings will get their shot at Inglewood this week. Inglewood has nonleague victories over Los Alamitos and Long Beach Poly.
Previous: 3
Next: at Inglewood (4-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Downey quarterback Chase Watkins (2) hands off the ball to running back Max Acosta (26) in the first half of a prep football game against Millikan at Downey High School in Downey on Friday, September 4, 2026. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)
3. Warren (4-1)
Senior quarterback Jordan Malikin completed 32 of 52 passes for 463 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception in Warren’s 54-51 double-overtime loss at home to Culver City last week. Senior receiver Julian Padin had 12 receptions for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
Previous: 4
Next: vs. La Serna (4-1), Oct. 2, 7 p.m.
4. Long Beach Poly (1-4)
The Jackrabbits drop to No. 4 after playing Miami five-star defensive back commit Donte Wright Jr. at quarterback in a 36-10 loss to Inglewood at SoFi Stadium last week. Wright, who normally starts at cornerback and receiver, gave it his all but has not played quarterback since youth football. He did find some rhythm late with a 15-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Jayden Coley. Long Beach Poly’s extremely tough nonleague schedule continues with a road game against Rancho Cucamonga this week. The Jackrabbits have not scored more than 14 points in a game since a season-opening 24-7 win over Downey on Aug. 21.
Previous: 3
Next: at Rancho Cucamonga (2-3), Friday, 7 p.m.
Long Beach Poly QB Donte Wright looks to pass under pressure vs. Inglewood in football game Friday September 18, 2026 at SoFi Stadium (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
5. Compton (5-0)
Senior running back Edward Rivera had 210 total yards of offense (171 rushing, 39 receiving) and three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) in the Tarbabes’ 34-6 win at Narbonne on Sept. 18. They are the area’s last undefeated team in the Top 10 rankings and will host former Moore League rival Wilson on Friday. It will be a Hub City League versus Moore League showdown.
Previous: 6
Next: vs. Wilson (0-5), Friday, 7 p.m.
6. Los Alamitos (0-5)
The Griffins drop to No. 6 after a 35-7 loss at Granite Hills of El Cajon last week. They will be off this week to prepare for an important Alpha League opener against San Juan Hills on Oct. 2.
Previous: 5
Next: at San Juan Hills (4-1), Oct. 2, 7 p.m.
7. La Mirada (4-1)
Senior running back Josiah Fregoso scored two touchdowns in the second half to help the Matadores defeat El Rancho 19-18 last week.
Previous: 9
Next: vs. Cerritos (1-4), Oct. 2, 7 p.m.
8. Lakewood (2-3)
Juniors Larry Morris and Terrish Weston Jr. scored touchdowns in the second half of Lakewood’s 38-13 loss at home against Torrance last week.
Previous: 7
Next: at Villa Park (4-0), Thursday, 7 p.m.
9. Paramount (4-1)
The Pirates cruised to a 65-0 victory over Dymally last week. Paramount is on a three-game win streak, with its only loss coming to Lakewood in Week 1.
Previous: 8
Next: at Gahr (2-1-1), Oct. 2, 7 p.m.
10. Bellflower (3-2)
The Buccaneers move into this week’s Top 10 led by freshman receiver Keondre Smith with 42 catches for 823 yards and five touchdowns in five games. Freshman running back Kevin Cuba III had 17 carries for 124 yards and two touchdowns in Bellflower’s dominant 55-10 victory over Dominguez last week, which is the program’s second straight game scoring at least 55 points.
Previous: not ranked
Next: at Santa Fe (2-3), Oct. 2, 7 p.m.
Also considered: Valley Christian (3-1-1); Mayfair (2-3); Wilson (0-5); Millikan (0-4); Gahr (2-1-1); St. Pius X-St. Matthias (0-4); Dominguez (2-3); Glenn (4-0).
Press-Telegram football Top 10: Downey, Warren rise in the rankings