SBLive's Southern Section Top 25 Football Rankings: Mater Dei begins its reign at No. 1

We're already down to the last three weeks of the 2022 regular season, and every remaining week is filled with massive league games. Here are SBLive's Southern Section rankings heading into the ninth week of the season. The rankings are released every week throughout the season.

1. Mater Dei (7-0 – 2nd)

After defeating St. John Bosco 17-7 last week, the Monarchs will be the top-ranked team in the country at least until the Division 1 title game.

2. St. John Bosco (6-1 – 1st)

Time for the Braves to reload. Assuming they hold up against the next three toughest teams in the Trinity League, their next match that's circled on a national calendar is a potential semifinals clash with Centennial.

3. Corona Centennial (6-1 – 3rd)

Now that Bosco is a near-lock for the second seed in Division 1, the Huskies – a near-lock to grab their usual third seed – know who their projected semifinal showdown will come against.

4. Long Beach Poly (7-0 – 4th)

Expect another Moore League annihilation at the hands of Poly this week, this time against Cabrillo.

5. Los Alamitos (5-2 – 5th)

Los Al takes on Edison on Thursday in the game of the week.

6. Mission Viejo (6-1 – 6th)

Even though the Diablos will be the overwhelming favorite, Friday is by many accounts the biggest regular season game of the year for them – arch rival San Clemente.

7. Edison (7-0 – 7th)

Can the Chargers break through for a Sunset League title this year? They'll be the underdog against Los Alamitos like the last two seasons, but nobody can count them out.

8. Chaminade (7-0 – 8th)

'Nade had an offensive explosion last week in a 65-34 win against Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks). Things could be testy this week against Bishop Amat.

9. Orange Lutheran (6-1 – 9th)

It's an unenviable stretch of just over a week for Orange Lutheran. Mater Dei this week, St. John Bosco the next.

10. Santa Margarita (5-2 – 10th)

The Eagles picked up a massive win last week, beating JSerra 29-28. Expect them to get some long-awaited payback against Servite this week, and then it's on to Mater Dei and Bosco before the playoffs.

11. Inglewood (7-0 – 12th)

This week's matchup against Leuzinger is the only real test of league play for the Sentinels, but the odds are good that they'll roll.

12. Serra Gardena (5-2 – 14th)

The Cavaliers' winning streak is up to five games after knocking off Amat last week. This week they may be tested by Sierra Canyon.

13. Bishop Amat (5-2 – 11th)

It's unlikely, but the Lancers' league title hopes aren't dead yet. If they can upset Chaminade this week, they'll only need Serra to beat Chaminade in two weeks to finish tied atop the Mission League.

14. JSerra (3-4 – 13th)

After losing by one point to Santa Margarita, JSerra is the best sub-.500 team in California. The Lions will probably get flattened by St. John Bosco this week, but have the opportunity for huge wins if they come out better for it with Servite and OLu on deck.

15. Warren (6-1 – 15th)

It's arguably the biggest week of the regular season for the Bears as they host crosstown rival Downey. The Vikings could plausibly give them a run for their money, but there's a strong chance Warren locks up a Gateway League title on Friday.

16. Oak Hills (7-0 – 16th)

The Bulldogs host Serrano this week before next week's long-awaited league title match with Apple Valley.

17. Cajon (6-1 – 25th)

Cajon is the biggest gainer of the week after not only beating Citrus Valley for its sixth straight league title last week, but doing it emphatically, with a final of 28-7. One could make the argument they were ranked a bit too low for a few weeks.

18. Citrus Valley (5-2 – 17th)

The Blackhawks did not bring their A-game in what many thought would be the week they break through in the Citrus Belt League. They're still a dang good team though, and will cruise to an 8-2 finish.

19. Norco (5-2 – 18th)

Norco made Southern Section history last week in an overtime win against Murrieta Valley. It has a couple more weeks to reach peak form before finish the regular season against rival Corona Centennial.

20. Ayala (6-1 – 19th)

After a week of rest, the Bulldogs play perhaps their biggest game of the regular season on Friday – a league title match against unbeaten Charter Oak.

21. Rancho Cucamonga (5-2 – 20th)

Heading to Chino Hills on Thursday, the Cougars are the heavy favorite, but know they have their work cut out for them. Chino Hills upset them 20-6 a year ago.

22. Apple Valley (6-1 – 21st)

Apple Valley hosts Hesperia this week before hosting another team from Hesperia next week for all the marbles – Oak Hills.

23. Yorba Linda (7-0 – 22nd)

The Mustangs are the overwhelming favorite in the Crestview League, and can take care of arguably their biggest competition this week in Villa Park.

24. Murrieta Valley (5-2 – 23rd)

Murrieta Valley's 76 points last week was the most in a loss in Southern Section history by leaps and bounds. MVHS has a good chance to bounce back this week against Chaparral, but will need a solid showing to ensure victory.

25. San Clemente (5-2 – 24th)

Coming off a bye-week, this is by far the biggest game of the regular season for the Tritons. Whether or not they have a chance to upset rival Mission Viejo, they'll need an effort they feel solidly about with the playoffs around the corner.

NEXT FIVE:

Corona del Mar, La Serna, Oaks Christian, St. Bonaventure, Sierra Canyon