1. DAMIEN (3-2)

Analysis: Before their bye last week, the Spartans lost 49-21 to JSerra on Sept. 20. It was their second straight loss, and now they begin Baseline League play. The Spartans are ranked No. 20 in the CIF-SS on Calpreps, which would place them in Division 2 of the playoffs. Damien should get a significant boost from adding running back Malachi McFarland, a transfer from St. John Bosco who is now eligible after going through the sit-out-period.

Previous: 1

Next: vs. Etiwanda (2-2-1), Friday, 7 p.m.

2. CHARTER OAK (4-1)

Analysis: The Chargers followed their bye week with a trip to San Diego, where they hammered winless Mira Mesa 42-14. They’re the favorites to win the new Sierra League. They open on the road against Claremont, which owns a win over Diamond Ranch. The Chargers’ big games against Bonita and Glendora come in the final two weeks of league play.

Previous: 2

Next: at Claremont (3-2), Friday, 7 p.m.

3. NORTHVIEW (5-0)

Analysis: The Vikings toyed with visiting Sun Valley Village Christian in their final nonleague tune-up before winning 35-6. They had a chance to rest several starters. They have it all, offensively and defensively. If they can stay away from penalties, they’ll be hard to beat.

Previous: 5

Next: at Diamond Ranch (0-5), Thursday, 7 p.m.

4. BONITA (5-0)

Analysis: The Bearcats are the San Gabriel Valley’s highest-ranked public school at No. 42 by Calpreps. They had a bye last week following a 47-0 win over Kaiser. They look like the Sierra League co-favorites with Charter Oak. They have a tough opener against surging Glendora.

Previous: 6

Next: vs. Glendora (3-2) at Citrus College, Friday, 7 p.m.

5. ST. PAUL (2-3)

Analysis: The Swordsmen have lost three straight, but those losses were to Damien, Los Alamitos and Servite, 33-14. All three of those opponents are in the Top 20 of the Calpreps CIF-SS rankings. They will find out how much the tough scheduling has helped when they take on winless St. Francis in their Angelus League opener.

Previous: 3

Next: at St. Francis (0-5), Friday, 7 p.m.

6. BISHOP AMAT (2-3)

Analysis: Bishop Amat went up north and stayed close with Stockton St. Mary’s for much of the first half before losing 56-21. Amat was without wide receiver Cam Vasquez and running back Ryan Salcedo for a second straight game and the Lancers were also missing some other key starters. They need to be at close to full health for this week’s Mission League opener at Notre Dame. The Lancers’ playoff chase starts now.

Previous: 4

Next: at Notre Dame (3-2), Friday, 7 p.m.

7. LA HABRA (4-1)

Analysis: Before a bye last week, the Highlanders won their fourth straight, routing La Mirada 48-21. Now they begin play in the new Epsilon League, which is loaded. Five of the six teams have winning records with La Habra and Crean Lutheran looking like the co-favorites.

Previous: 7

Next: at El Dorado (2-3), Thursday, 7 p.m.

8. MUIR (3-2)

Analysis: The Mustangs have won three straight to make their return to the SGV Top 10. They are 2-0 in the Pacific League. The Mustangs have looked like a different team with the return of QB Keyon Mills, and they put it all together in a 53-0 win over Crescenta Valley.

Previous: 14

Next: at Arcadia (1-4), Friday, 7 p.m.

9. LA SERNA (3-3)

Analysis: The Lancers lost their second straight, falling to Edison (32-21) a week after getting shut out by Crean Lutheran (20-0). Not to worry, these were step-up games for the Lancers, who still look like big favorites heading into the Del Rio League, though Santa Fe and El Rancho might have something to say about it.

Previous: 9

Next: vs. El Rancho (4-2) at California HS, Friday, 7 p.m.

10. SCHURR (4-1)

Analysis: The Spartans enter the Almont League looking like overwhelming favorites. They stepped up their nonleague schedule and did well, losing only to La Serna (21-3) with solid wins over South Pasadena (28-0) and Franklin (34-0).

Previous: 10

Next: vs. San Gabriel (1-4), Friday, 7 p.m.

THE REST OF THE TOP 30

11. Rio Hondo Prep (5-1); 12. San Dimas (4-1); 13. La Canada (5-0); 14. Glendora (3-2); 15. Covina (4-1)

16. Monrovia (4-1); 17. Temple City (5-0); 18. Santa Fe (4-2); 19. Maranatha (3-2); 20. St. Francis (0-5); 21. El Rancho (4-2); 22. Wilson (4-1); 23. Duarte (5-0); 24. South Hills (2-3); 25. West Covina (2-3); 26. Los Altos (3-2); 27. Rowland (4-2); 28. South Pasadena (3-2); 29. San Marino (3-2); 30. La Puente (4-0)

— Fred Robledo