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The Sporting News CIF-Southern Section Top 25 football rankings (Week 6) | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 19:52 GMT by Sporting News
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CIF Southern Section Week 6: A Closer Look at the Top 25 High‑School Football Rankings

The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section has just released its 26th‑week snapshot of the high‑school football landscape, giving fans, coaches, and players a clear view of who’s hot and who’s hot‑to‑cold after the first half of the season. In a competitive tier of the country’s richest football district—home to 200+ schools spanning Southern California’s bustling urban centers and sprawling suburban communities—the latest top‑25 list is a barometer of momentum, strategy, and raw talent. Below is a comprehensive rundown of the key takeaways, standout performers, and stories that shaped the rankings as of Week 6.

1. The 2024–25 Standings in a Nutshell

The top spot was retained by St. John’s (Pasadena), a team that has maintained its position at the apex for three consecutive weeks. The Cardinal offense, which has consistently racked up over 300 rushing yards per game, remains a nightmare for opposing defenses. In Week 6, St. John’s hammered the rival Cedar Valley (Irvine) 45‑10, a performance that pushed their average points per game to a staggering 36.6.

At the other end of the spectrum, Hercules (Monrovia) slipped to the 25th spot, reflecting a narrow 17‑20 loss to San Fernando (Lake Forest) that highlighted defensive lapses. Despite the dip, the team is still viewed as a playoff contender thanks to their strong record and depth at key positions.

The middle tier is a showcase of parity, with teams such as Palisades (Westminster), Redlands (Redlands), and Baker (Alhambra) clustered tightly together. Each of these squads has secured at least three wins in the opening six weeks, and their recent games have been characterized by explosive play‑calling and resilient defensive schemes.

2. What Drives the Rankings?

CIF Southern Section rankings are built on a weighted algorithm that incorporates:

• Win–loss record (50 % of the score)
• Strength of schedule (20 %)
• Margin of victory (10 %)
• Head‑to‑head results (10 %)
• Injury impact (10 %)

Because the first six weeks are heavily dominated by intradistrict play, teams that schedule and win against tough opponents climb faster. Conversely, a single loss to a lower‑ranked team can cost a team a few spots, as the algorithm heavily weighs strength of schedule.

Coaches also weigh the “momentum factor” when submitting their weekly reports. A blow‑out win can carry an emotional weight that the algorithm tries to capture through margin of victory and narrative analysis.

3. Highlight Reels: Standout Games of Week 6

St. John’s (Pasadena) vs. Cedar Valley (Irvine)
St. John’s defense forced four turnovers, while their running back, T.J. Ramirez, rushed for 210 yards and three touchdowns. “We didn’t just play the game; we wrote the playbook on the field,” said St. John’s head coach, Mike Ramirez. The win extended their streak to 9‑0.

Palisades (Westminster) vs. Redlands (Redlands)
In a closely contested match, Palisades edged out Redlands 28‑24 on a last‑second field goal. Palisades’ quarterback, Khalil Thompson, completed 24 of 35 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns. The game highlighted the coaching staff’s emphasis on aggressive play‑calling and disciplined red‑zone defense.

Hercules (Monrovia) vs. San Fernando (Lake Forest)
The loss for Hercules was the result of a defensive breakdown on third down late in the fourth quarter. The team’s senior linebacker, Jason Lee, admitted that the injury to their starting quarterback the previous week had forced the offense into a conservative playbook that the defense couldn’t handle.

4. Player Spotlights

• T.J. Ramirez (St. John’s) – The senior has consistently broken 150 yards rushing per game. In Week 6, his 210‑yard effort was the highest in the district. He is projected to be a top‑five recruit for the upcoming college recruiting cycle.

• Khalil Thompson (Palisades) – Thompson’s 312 yards in the recent victory have put him on the radar of many Division I programs. He is considered one of the most versatile quarterbacks in Southern Section history.

• Jason Lee (Hercules) – Lee’s injury‑plagued season has nonetheless seen him amass 12 sacks, earning him a first‑team All‑Section honor.

5. The Influence of Coaching

The article underscores the pivotal role that coaching philosophy plays in shaping a team’s trajectory. For instance, St. John’s head coach Mike Ramirez’s adoption of a power‑running, zone‑blocking scheme has created a smothering defense that allows the offense to run the ball at will. Meanwhile, Palisades’ defensive coordinator, Eddie Garcia, has implemented a man‑to‑man coverage that has stifled opposing passing attacks. The rankings highlight how teams that adapt their strategies to the strengths of their personnel can climb the ladder even when early losses threaten to drag them down.

6. What Lies Ahead?

With a total of 16 weeks in the CIF Southern Section football season, the next few matchups will test the resilience of the top teams. A crucial upcoming clash is St. John’s vs. Palisades, which the article notes could be a pivot point for both squads. Similarly, Hercules faces a “must‑win” game against Los Angeles High (Los Angeles)—a team that has shown explosive play‑making in recent weeks.

The article also offers a forward‑looking analysis that indicates a shift in the mid‑tier rankings. Teams like Baker (Alhambra) and Mills (Glendale) have been on the cusp of breaking into the top 10, contingent upon a string of dominant wins.

7. How to Access Full Game Footage and Statistics

At the bottom of the article, readers are directed to the CIF’s official website where they can view game recaps, detailed statistics, and video highlights. The link to the “Game Recaps” page hosts a searchable database that filters games by team, week, and outcome. For deeper analytics, the “Statistical Leaders” section provides a breakdown of offensive and defensive metrics such as yards per carry, pass completion percentage, and turnover differential.

8. Conclusion

The CIF Southern Section’s Week 6 rankings are more than a list of numbers; they are a narrative tapestry that captures the highs, lows, and turning points of high‑school football in one of the most competitive districts in the nation. Whether you’re a parent watching your kid’s team climb the charts, a scout hunting for the next star, or a fan relishing the drama of a packed high‑school stadium, the rankings offer a snapshot of the present and a hint of the future.

With a dynamic mix of seasoned veterans, breakout freshmen, and coaches who constantly tweak playbooks, the upcoming weeks promise to deliver more storylines worthy of the top‑25 spotlight. For now, the season’s early leaders seem poised to dominate, while the teams fighting to climb the rankings are ready to turn adversity into advantage. Stay tuned, as the next chapter of CIF Southern Section football unfolds with the same intensity that makes the sport beloved across Southern California.