News Summary
As the high school football season in California approaches, Mater Dei and St. John Bosco once again dominate the state and national rankings. With new key players joining their prestigious rosters, both teams are set for a thrilling competition. Mater Dei enters as the defending champion, while St. John Bosco aims to assert itself as a formidable rival. The season kicks off soon, promising an exciting array of games across various sections in California.
Santa Ana, California – As the high school football season approaches in California, Mater Dei and St. John Bosco are once again at the forefront, dominating both state and national rankings. The new season kicks off on August 22, 2025, with Mater Dei entering as the defending CIF Bowl champion for the Open Division and St. John Bosco continuing to be a formidable rival.
According to preseason rankings, both Mater Dei and St. John Bosco hold the top spots in California as well as in the Power 25 national rankings. Mater Dei has not only excelled in state competitions but also achieved national championships in consecutive years, highlighting their strength within high school football.
This season, Mater Dei will introduce their third different starting quarterback in as many years, bringing in Ryan Hopkins, a transfer from JSerra who is committed to the University of Wisconsin. The team boasts several key players, including Chris Henry Jr., a wide receiver committed to Ohio State, and senior talents like Shaun Scott (defensive end), Mark Bowman (tight end), and Tomu Topui (defensive lineman), all of whom are committed to USC. Other senior stars include Kodi Greene, an offensive tackle committed to Washington, and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, a wide receiver also committed to Ohio State.
St. John Bosco has a reputation as the only school to defeat Mater Dei in the last eight seasons, with all five of Mater Dei’s losses since 2016 occurring against Bosco. St. John Bosco continues to cultivate young talent, including sophomore quarterback Koa Malau’ulu, while their roster features senior players such as Madden Williams and Daniel Odom, both wide receivers, alongside Josh Holland, a cornerback, and defensive end Dutch Horisk.
The California high school football landscape is shaped by the structure established by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), which reintroduced a state football championship format two decades ago. Before this reintroduction in 2006, the last champion was crowned in 1927 when Bakersfield won its sixth title, marking their status as a historic power in California high school football.
The 2025 football season will see games played across various sections, starting with San Diego, Southern, LA City, Central, and Sac-Joaquin on August 22. Five additional sections, including Central Coast, North Coast, San Francisco, Oakland, and Northern, will kick off the following week on August 29. Each week, CIF will update the rankings, keeping fans and teams informed on standings and performance throughout the season.
Other notable teams include Folsom High School, which has established itself as a powerhouse with four consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section D1 championships and a total of 11 titles in that section. Their leading player for 2025 is quarterback Ryder Lyons, who is committed to BYU. Central High School, formerly known as the Grizzlies, also shined in the 2024 season with a record of 12-3, reaching the CIF State 1-A title game and winning their third overall state title in 2024.
Brady Smigiel, a standout 5-star quarterback, will return for his senior year with the Pacers. He played a significant role in leading the team to a Division 2 championship in 2024, further underscoring the competitive nature of California high school football.
As teams gear up for the new season, focus on player development, teamwork, and strategic planning will be crucial for success. With Mater Dei and St. John Bosco poised to capture headlines once again, fans can look forward to an exciting year of high school football in California.
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Additional Resources
- Sports Illustrated: California High School Football Preseason Top 25 Rankings
- Wikipedia: High School Football in the United States
- MaxPreps: 2025 California Preseason Top 25 Rankings
- Google Search: California high school football
- High School Football America: CIF Southern Section Playoff Brackets
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
- Sacramento Bee: California High School Football News
- Google News: California high school football playoffs
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