Final high school football rankings

Damien’s Malachi McFarland runs the ball against Chino Hills in a Baseline League game on Oct. 18. McFarland and the Spartans will take on San Clemente on Friday in a Division 2 first-round game. PHOTO BY RAUL ROMERO JR.

Image

1. DAMIEN (8-2)

Analysis: Damien started the season as the No. 1-ranked team and finishes the 10-game regular season at the top. The Spartans had a come-from-behind 34-31 victory over Rancho Cucamonga on Friday to go undefeated in the Baseline League. They’re the only area team in the Division 2 playoffs. Damien will need QB Isaiah Arriaza to continue to be dominant to have a shot at winning in the postseason. The Spartans have been a solid team the past few years, but have not gone on a deep playoff run. Is this the season?

Previous: 1

Next: vs. San Clemente (5-5), Division 2 first round, Friday, 7 p.m.

2. BONITA (10-0)

Analysis: Bonita was dominant from start to finish in the regular season, going 10-0, which included a strong final two weeks, beating Charter Oak 49-21 and routing Colony 33-6. Bonita is led by two-way standouts, Texas A&M commit Noah Mikhail and Washington commit Dylan Robinson. But you also have to contain QB Travis Lippert and sophomore all-purpose back Joseph Lara. A road game in the first round at Cathedral is a tough assignment for the Bearcats.

Previous: 2

Next: at Cathedral (9-1), Division 3 first round, Friday, 7 p.m.

3. LA HABRA (9-1)

Analysis: The Highlanders lost their season opener to Upland, and then won nine straight, which included an impressive run to win the new Epsilon League. They run the ball with authority and play lights out defense. This is the La Habra of old with coach Frank Mazzotta doing his magic again.

Previous: 3

Next: vs. Mira Costa (5-5), Division 3 first round, Friday, 7 p.m.

4. NORTHVIEW (10-0)

Analysis: The Vikings defeated Baldwin Park 28-0 for their fourth shutout of the season and first undefeated regular season since 2018. They run the ball as well as anyone behind Keanu Tauvao. Going on the road in the first round of the playoffs to face Long Beach Poly is a tall chore. Nobody rolls up their sleeves and takes on challenges like the Vikings, but it will take a near-perfect effort to advance.

Previous: 4

Next: vs. Long Beach Poly (5-5) at Veterans Stadium, Division 4 first round, Friday, 7 p.m.

5. CHARTER OAK (8-2)

Analysis: The Chargers bounced back from a humbling 49-21 loss to Bonita with a convincing 38-14 victory over Glendora. Quarterback Corin Berry threw three touchdown passes. The Chargers go from a Division 8 finalist last season to Division 4 this season. They will be home Friday to host a tough first-round opponent, Apple Valley. The Chargers are capable, as evidenced by their win over Chino Hills and close loss to Yorba Linda early in the season. But they can’t make mistakes if they want to advance.

Previous: 6

Next: vs. Apple Valley (6-3), Division 4 first round, Friday, 7 p.m.

6. MUIR (8-2)

Analysis: The Mustangs lost their first two games of the season, to Bonita and Charter Oak, and then won eight straight while dominating the Pacific League. They beat rival Pasadena 49-13 in the Turkey Tussle to close the regular season. The Mustangs run the ball with authority and are the top seed in Division 6. Their first-round game against Schurr is a tough one.

Previous: 7

Next: vs. Schurr (9-1), Division 6 first round, Friday, 7 p.m.

7. ST. PAUL (6-4)

Analysis: The Swordsmen lost Friday’s Angelus League championship game to Cathedral 16-14, snapping a four-game winning streak. St. Paul has a chance to go far in the Division 4 playoffs. The Swordsmen played a rugged schedule, have a hard-nosed defense and can run the ball, which is important in the playoffs. They also have a desirable first-round matchup against Thousand Oaks.

Previous: 6

Next: vs. Thousand Oaks (6-4), Division 4 first round, Friday, 7 p.m.

8. LA SERNA (7-3)

Analysis: The was supposed to be a rebuild season for the Lancers after winning the Division 4 championship last year and winning a state title. But they improved every week and crushed Santa Fe 49-7 to go undefeated in the Del Rio League. Although they’re young, they have two-way talent Kaimana Tufaga and one of the best coaching staffs in the area. A drop to Division 5 gives them a shot at another title run, though Troy is a tough first-round opponent.

Previous: 8

Next: vs. Troy (9-1), Division 5 first round, 7 p.m.

9. SCHURR (9-1)

Analysis: The Spartans wrapped up the Almont League with a thunderous statement, routing Bell Gardens 49-7. It’s kind of a shame that the Spartans were given the No. 16 seed in Division 6. They’re certainly capable of beating No. 1 seed Muir, having allowed just 13 points over their past six games. But regular seasons like Schurr had should be rewarded better than this.

Previous: 9

Next: at Muir (7-3), Division 6 first round, Friday, 7 p.m.

10. RIO HONDO PREP (8-1)

Analysis: The Kares won the CIF-SS Division 9 championship last season, but now they face a tougher task by being placed in Division 7 for this year’s playoffs. And they start out having to play undefeated Ramona on the road. This is a tough assignment for a true small school.

Previous: 10

Next: at Ramona (10-0), Division 7 first round, Friday, 7 p.m.

THE REST OF THE TOP 30

11. San Dimas (8-2)

12. South Pasadena (8-2)

13. Covina (8-2)

14. Santa Fe (7-3)

15. St. Francis (3-7)

16. Monrovia (8-2)

17. Duarte (9-1)

18. La Puente (9-1)

19. La Canada (8-2)

20. Wilson (9-1)

21. Glendora (5-5)

22. Bishop Amat (2-8)

23. South El Monte (7-3)

24. Sonora (6-4)

25. South Hills (5-5)

26. Baldwin Park (5-5)

27. El Rancho (6-4)

28. Rowland (6-4)

29. Diamond Bar (3-7)

30. Nogales (6-4)

— Fred Robledo