Santa Margarita continues its dominant run in the aftermath of their CIF state championship win from last season. The Eagles have started Trinity League play 2-0, starting with an impressive 14-7 win over Mater Dei a week ago. They followed that up this Friday with a 27-3 rout over Servite, and with the St. James Academy (VA) knocking off previous national No. 1 St. Frances Academy (MD), Santa Margarita (7-0) has ascended to the top spot in the latest USA TODAY Sports Super 25.
California rolled deep in this week's rankings with five schools among the top 25 in the country, four of which are from SoCal and three of which compete in the Trinity League. Those five schools are No. 1 Santa Margarita, No. 12 St. John Bosco, No. 14 Sierra Canyon, No. 19
De La Salle and No. 24 Mater Dei.
The Eagles have more than earned their ranking. Last year's state championship team was loaded with seniors such as USC standout freshman receiver Trent Mosley; this season's squad is much younger but has carried the torch with signature wins like their 21-20 thriller over Corona Centennial in Week 2 and their aforementioned league win over Mater Dei in Week 6. But now comes the toughest test for the Eagles: a long-awaited meeting on the road with St. John Bosco (6-1) in what could've been a rematch of the 2025 CIF Southern Section Division I quarterfinals, if the Braves hadn't been upset in the first round by Orange Lutheran.
Where California teams ranked in Super 25
Five teams from California cracked this week's USA TODAY Sports Super 25, the most representation by any state. Texas was a close second with four (Allen, North Crowley, North Shore and Waxahachie), followed by Florida and Georgia, who had three schools apiece.
Here's where every CIF school landed on the latest Super 25. Full rankings can be found here:
1. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA)
Record: 7-0
Previous Rank: 2
Last Result: Santa Margarita 27, Servite (CA) 3
12. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA)
Record: 6-1
Previous Rank: 11
Last Result: St. John Bosco 28, Orange Lutheran (CA) 14
14. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, CA)
Record: 7-0
Previous Rank: 14
Last Result: Sierra Canyon 58, Serra (CA) 0
19. De La Salle (Concord, CA)
Record: 6-0
Previous Rank: 20
Last Result: Idle
24. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)
Record: 5-2
Previous Rank: 25
Last Result: Mater Dei 41, JSerra Catholic (CA) 7
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: This California school is the new No. 1 HS team in the nation
