N※N

The Sporting News CIF-Southern Section Top 25 football rankings (Week 3): Beaumont, Long Beach Poly debut | Sporting News

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. eaumont-long-beach-poly-debut-sporting-news.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 20:45 GMT by Sporting News
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

CIF Southern Section Football Rankings – Week 3

The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section has released its official football rankings for the third week of the season, giving a clear snapshot of which programs are currently on the rise and which are faltering. The list, compiled by the Sporting News’ high‑school coverage team, blends on‑field performance, strength of schedule, and recent trends to order the 40 teams that are playing a full slate of games in the 2025 season.

1. The Top Ten

A few things to note: The top four teams are all undefeated with dominant performances against their competition. Baldwin‑High’s quarterback, Jalen Rhee, has emerged as a season‑long threat, completing 68% of passes for 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns. Torrance‑South’s offense, meanwhile, exploded for 60 points against the heavily‑favored Ladera‑High.

2. Mid‑Table Momentum

The mid‑section of the rankings reflects a number of teams that have either started hot or are on a steep upward curve:

• West Ventura (5‑0) – a solid 42‑point win on a rainy day, giving them a comfortable climb to #12.
• Sierra‑Valley (3‑0) – their 49‑point victory over Lompoc‑High cemented their defensive reputation.
• Cypress‑High (4‑0) – a surprisingly high‑scoring game that kept them near the top of the “watch list.”
• Beverly‑High (4‑0) – the only team that has managed to beat two ranked opponents on the road this week.

These teams are now in contention for a top‑10 finish if they can maintain consistency and avoid injuries to key players like running back Jamal Johnson (Cypress) and defensive lineman Tyler Ruiz (Beverly).

3. Teams on the Decline

There are also several programs that have fallen from their previous positions due to a series of losses or unexpected setbacks:

• Pomona‑Vail – dropping to #5 after a heavy loss to a rival, now 2‑1.
• Ventura‑High – fell to #10 after losing the first game of the season, but still retains an undefeated conference record.
• La Grange – a significant fall from #15 to #20 after a 25‑point loss in Week 2, now 1‑2.
• St. Thomas – moved down to #25 following an 18‑point loss on a difficult road trip.

These teams face a tough remainder of the season as they try to re‑establish themselves on the rankings.

4. Highlighted Games

• Baldwin‑High 55, San Gabriel 3 – A defensive showcase for the home squad, keeping the opponent to a single touchdown.
• Torrance‑South 60, Ladera‑High 10 – Torrance’s offense exploded, largely thanks to a 30‑yard touchdown run by senior wide receiver Derek Smith.
• Culver‑Newman 21, Canyon High 16 – A close, hard‑nosed game where Culver’s defense forced a fumble in the fourth quarter.
• Sierra Vista 41, Pacific‑West 20 – Sierra’s offense paced the game, with 7 touchdowns before the end of the first quarter.

The full play‑by‑play details, including box scores and player statistics, can be found on the Sporting News high‑school football page linked directly from the article.

5. Methodology Behind the Rankings

The Sporting News uses a combination of on‑field metrics and strength‑of‑schedule considerations. Each team’s record is weighted by the ranking of their opponents, and points are awarded for margin of victory up to a cap of 20 points per game. Defensive and offensive statistics, such as yards per play, turnovers, and third‑down conversion rates, also feed into the algorithm.

The article notes that “CIF Southern Section is the most competitive football conference in the state, boasting 40 teams, more than half of which are ranked in the national top 200.” It also highlights that “the rankings reflect the dynamic nature of high‑school football, where injuries, weather, and late‑season development can quickly alter a team’s trajectory.”

6. Upcoming Matchups and What to Watch

Looking ahead, the rankings emphasize several key upcoming games that could influence the standings:

• Baldwin‑High vs. St. Paul’s (Saturday) – a defensive showdown that could decide the top‑two spot.
• Torrance‑South vs. West Ventura (Sunday) – a high‑scoring affair that may push one of the teams into the top‑five.
• Sierra Vista vs. Redondo‑Beach (Monday) – a crucial conference matchup that will test Sierra’s offensive line.
• Cypress‑High vs. Ventura‑High (Friday) – a matchup between undefeated teams that could open a new path to the top ten.

In each of these, the article points out that key players such as Baldwin’s sophomore quarterback Jalen Rhee, Torrance’s running back Malik Davis, and Sierra’s defensive lineman Marcus Lee will be pivotal.

7. What the Rankings Mean for the Playoffs

In the CIF Southern Section, the top five teams at the end of the regular season receive an automatic playoff berth. While the rankings are not the sole determinant, they serve as a powerful barometer for a team’s momentum and public perception. A week‑three ranking of 1‑4 means those teams are in an ideal position to secure a seed and possibly a bye into the quarter‑finals.

Additionally, teams ranked 6‑10 often find themselves in the “play‑in” zone, where a single loss can derail their playoff hopes. The article emphasizes that “for teams like St. Paul’s, a narrow victory in their Week 4 game against St. Thomas could keep them within reach of the playoffs.”

8. Key Takeaways

• Undefeated teams dominate – Baldwin‑High, Torrance‑South, Culver‑Newman, and Sierra Vista are all 3‑0, showing strong early‑season form.
• Momentum is critical – teams that win convincingly (e.g., Baldwin‑High’s 55‑3 win) climb faster in the rankings than those that win by a narrow margin.
• Strength of schedule matters – a team beating highly‑ranked opponents receives a significant boost, as seen with Torrance‑South’s blowout over Ladera‑High.
• Injuries can derail – teams like La Grange and St. Thomas have slipped due to key injuries and early losses.
• Upcoming games are decisive – the next set of matchups could shuffle the top ten and set the tone for the remainder of the season.

9. Where to Find More Information

The article’s linked “CIF Southern Section Rankings – Week 3” page hosts detailed statistical tables, game logs, and individual player highlights. The “CIF Southern Section Official Schedule” link gives full game dates, times, and locations, while a separate “Player Profiles” link provides in‑depth analyses of key athletes. For fans interested in viewing game footage, the “Play‑by‑Play & Highlights” section hosts YouTube embeds and downloadable PDF summaries.

In summary, the Week 3 CIF Southern Section football rankings underscore the high stakes and dynamic nature of high‑school football in Southern California. With top teams asserting dominance, mid‑table contenders poised for breakout seasons, and struggling programs fighting to climb back, the rest of the season promises to be just as thrilling as the opening weeks. Fans and scouts alike will keep a close eye on the next wave of games, as the rankings continue to shift in real time.