Miliani's (HI) shocking loss to Kapolei (HI) ended one of the more dominant runs across this regular season in the nation. As such, the Super 15 West Region rankings saw a shift this week, with two teams that share a name re-entering at the bottom of the list.
The Mililani Trojans had averaged nearly 40 points per game, but they managed just seven against Kapolei, falling in the final game of the regular season. Kapolei is just outside these rankings, but will have a chance to push forward in postseason play.
St. John Bosco's (Bellflower, CA) win over Orange Lutheran was less surprising. The Braves have been, as expected, one of the top teams in the nation — a level above the Lancers. Orange Lutheran's record of 4-3 is largely due to an extremely
difficult schedule, but the team has lost by multiple possessions twice and carries that opening week loss to Miami Central (FL). Those losses offset its win over Basha (Chandler, AZ) and are reflected in the Super 15.
See the full rankings below.
1. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA)
Record: 7-0
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, at St. John Bosco (CA), 7 p.m. PST
Santa Margarita's rise to the national rankings is complete. The Eagles are No. 1 in the West and No. 1 in the Super 25. But nothing is promised: They'll face what may be their hardest test this week in St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA).
2. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV)
Record: 5-1
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, vs. Sports Leadership Management (NV), 7 p.m. PST
The Bishop Gorman defense has allowed exactly three points in back-to-back games, and in those contests, WR Zyren Menor has six receptions for 189 yards and three touchdowns. Everything is clicking for the Gaels.
3. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA)
Record: 6-1
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, vs. Santa Margarita (CA), 7 p.m. PST
St. John Bosco took down a very solid Orange Lutheran (CA) squad 28-14, and the score could have been more lopsided if the Braves didn't decide to run out the clock from the 1-yard line to end the game. Bosco's season, which has seen opponents from four states, has led up to this week: A matchup against reigning champion Santa Margarita to battle for the top spot in California.
4. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, CA)
Record: 7-0
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, at Chaminade (CA), 7 p.m. PST
Sierra Canyon does nothing but dominate, shutting out its opponent for the second week in a row. The Trailblazers have outscored opponents 287-48 through seven games. Myles Baker had a rushing TD and a pick-six against Serra this past weekend.
5. Hamilton (Chandler, AZ)
Record: 6-0
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, at Pinnacle (AZ), 7 p.m. MT
Hamilton walked to victory over Valley Vista, scoring 49 first-half points before coasting in the second half. Starting QB Jax Sculley only had to attempt five passes, throwing two for touchdowns, and Jake Disanti went 7-for-7 with 141 yards and two more TDs. Up next is a game against a tough Pinnacle (Phoenix) squad.
6. De La Salle (Concord, CA)
Record: 7-0
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, at Monte Vista (CA), 7:15 p.m. PST
De La Salle was idle over the weekend, a week off before its final four games of the season. A quick shoutout to junior LB Jmo Mitzel, who has a team-high 33 tackles to go with 6.5 tackles for loss.
7. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)
Record: 5-2
Next game: Thursday, Oct. 15, at Servite (CA), 7 p.m. PST
Finally, the offensive performance we've been waiting for — Mater Dei crushed JSerra Catholic 41-7, scoring more than its last three games combined and reaching 40 for the first time this season. This week was not all smiles for the Monarchs, though, as star DB Danny Lang suffered an injury that will cost him the season.
8. Folsom (CA)
Record: 7-0
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, at Oak Ridge (CA), 7 p.m. PST
Folsom has now posted more than 40 points in four of its last five games, and will look to continue that momentum on the road this weekend against a solid Oak Ridge team. If the Bulldogs win, they'll have a good chance to finish the regular season 10-0.
9. Mountain Ridge (Herriman, UT)
Record: 9-0
Next game: Thursday, Oct. 15, at Westlake (UT), 7 p.m. MT
For the fifth time this season, Mountain Ridge allowed exactly seven points. The Sentinels had 38 first-half points, and there was no contest, as QB Jaxon Hunt threw for 319 yards and five TDs, with Xander Thayer receiving 170 yards and catching three touchdown passes.
10. Basha (Chandler, AZ)
Record: 4-2
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, at Mesa (AZ), 7 p.m. MT
Coming off an idle week, Basha was able to go deep into its lineup against Westwood in a 48-7 win. Star running back Noah Roberts had two carries and two touchdowns, playing just 12 snaps, as it turned into a rout early. The hardest part of the Bears' regular season schedule is behind them, but they'll have to continue this strong play to make up for the two early-season losses.
11. Chandler (AZ)
Record: 5-1
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, vs. Centennial (AZ), 7 p.m. MT
By this coming Friday, Chandler will have gone three weeks without playing a game. The Wolves got a forefit win on Oct. 2 and were idle this weekend. Will that equate to rest or rust? They'll host a hungry Centennial team that just re-entered the Super 15 rankings.
12. Liberty (Peoria, AZ)
Record: 5-1
Next game: Thursday, Oct. 15, vs. Boulder Creek (AZ), 7 p.m. MT
Liberty was idle ahead of its game against Boulder Creek (Anthem, AZ). The Lions are expected to roll, but they'll have to make sure they don't get ahead of themselves and start looking too far ahead with Hamilton on the horizon.
13. Puyallup (WA)
Record: 6-0
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, at Sumner (WA), 7 p.m. PST
It was a down week for the Vikings, who only scored 69 points after back-to-back weekends with 70+. All jokes aside, this is the matchup of the regular season for Puyallup: a rematch of last year's semifinals and a chance to get one on the reigning back-to-back champions.
14. Centennial (Peoria, AZ)
Record: 6-0
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, at Chandler (AZ), 7 p.m. MT
Centennial has bounced in and out of the Super 15 this year, and the Coyotes now have a chance to assume their spot near the top of Arizona. A win over Chandler would propel them up the Open Division playoffs conversation. DB/LB Luke Franklin, who leads the team with 16.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, will be key in stopping the Wolves offense.
15. Centennial (Corona, CA)
Record: 4-3
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, at Chandler (AZ), 7 p.m. MT
Centennial is hovering on the border of the Super 15. Like Orange Lutheran, the three losses downplay how good of a team this is. But the Huskies have shown the ability to compete with the best of the best, losing by one to Santa Margarita and Mater Dei and one to De La Salle. In its two most recent games, Centennial has outscored opponents 107-34.
Who dropped out
- Mililani (HI): previously ranked No. 8
- Orange Lutheran (CA): previously ranked No. 9
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA TODAY Sports Super 15 West region football rankings, Week 9
