Sierra Canyon dominated, Westlake survived triple overtime and got a victory, and there were plenty of shakeups and twists in an action-packed first week of the high school football season.
Here are this week’s football power rankings:
DAILY NEWS FOOTBALL POWER RANKINGS
1. Sierra Canyon (1-0)
Sierra Canyon defensive linemen Marcus Fakatou and Kasi Currie aren’t to be trifled with. The clear No. 1 team in the Valley and loaded with elite talent. Next comes a test in Florida.
Next: at Chaminade-Madonna, Thursday
2. Chaminade (2-0)
Chaminade proved it’ll be fine after 6-foot-6, 330-pound offensive lineman Jackson Hill (Notre Dame commit) went down with a knee injury. Defensive linemen Kingston Williams and Hudson Williams had outstanding nights to silence Oaks Christian.
Next: at No. 10 Valencia, Friday
3. Westlake (1-0)
Westlake used a balanced effort and kept its cool to beat Newbury Park in overtime last week. Next comes a stout run game for Agoura.
Next: vs. Agoura (1-0), Friday
4. Notre Dame (1-0)
San Diego State commit Tahj Skinner came through in a big way in Week 0 against Crespi. Another big test this week against Alemany.
Next: vs. Alemany (0-1), Thursday
5. Calabasas (1-0)
Calabasas came through in the clutch, led by senior Damian Hardy. Hardy finished 14-of-18 passing for 235 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner, with help from UCLA commit Kingston Celifie, who had 130 receiving yards.
Next: at Rio Mesa (1-0), Friday
6. Hart (1-0)
It’ll be sad once the senior season of Matix Frithsmith ends. One of the great all-time players in Hart’s history, Frithsmith put his team on his back once again against Birmingham. Frith scored all three touchdowns while Gabriel Degl’innocenti had 2.5 of seven sacks for Hart last Friday.
Next: vs. No. 7 Newbury Park (0-1), Friday
7. Newbury Park (0-1)
Tough overtime loss to Westlake but plenty of positive takeaways for Newbury Park. Senior quarterback Aiden Tasci threw the ball at a high level and completed 27-of-39 passes for 266 yards in overtime. A quality road battle against Hart awaits.
Next: at No. 6 Hart (1-0)
No. 8 Oaks Christian (0-1)
USC commit Alifeleti Tuihalamaka can’t do it by himself. Zero offensive points allowed by Oaks Christian, but they had zero protection for sophomore Niko Bladow, who was held to 7-of-32 for 66 yards.
Next: at Rancho Cucamonga (1-0), Friday
No. 9 Crespi (0-1)
Crespi sophomore quarterback Chase Curren is better than advertised. Strong arm, quick decisions, passes that are targeted into the hands of his receivers through the route. Curren overcame a slow start to pass for 26 of 42, 362 yards and one interception.
Next: at Golden Valley (0-0), Friday
10. Valencia (1-0)
Valencia sophomore quarterback Evan McCalister has earned that captain’s match. Division I programs are about to come calling after a dominant performance, throwing 20 for 25 and 321 yards and four touchdowns. Now can McCalister lead his Vikings against this ferocious Chaminade defense?
Next: vs. No. 2 Chaminade (2-0), Friday
11. Oak Park (1-0)
Expected opening win against Maya Angelou. Now the real football begins with 4-star quarterback Bryson Kennedy cleared to play.
Next: at Fillmore (0-1), Friday
12. Paraclete (0-1)
Kyle Fulton ran the ball well, and Paraclete found its rhythm offensively after a slow start to the first half. Never easy battling St. Bonaventure, especially on the road. Good football was played in spurts.
Next: vs. Bakersfield (1-0), Friday
13. Quartz Hill (1-0)
Junior quarterback Maddox Olson proved he was a leader, helping Quartz Hill overcome a 14-0 deficit in the fourth quarter. Senior wide receiver Tyler Hudson had a solid debut with three catches for 42 yards.
Next: at Mission Hills (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
14. Golden Valley (1-0)
Big first week from sophomore Aaron McCormick, who scored three touchdowns, including two rushing and one receiving, for 163 all-purpose yards. Over 200 yards rushing and 200 yards receiving for the well-balanced offense. Big test against Crespi.
Next: vs. No. 9 Crespi (0-1), Friday
15. Alemany (0-1)
Strong effort from Alemany despite falling in the final seconds to Calabasas last Friday. Tabary McKnight scored a rushing touchdown, caught a touchdown pass, returned an interception for a score, and made six tackles. Quarterback Steven Krase completed 14-of-16 passes for 153 yards and one touchdown.
Next: vs. No. 4 Notre Dame (0-1), Friday
16. Harvard-Westlake (1-0)
Big first win by coach Dameon Porter and his staff getting his team prepared and dominating West Ranch on the road.
Next: vs. Palisades (0-1), Friday
17. Moorpark (0-1)
Offense played well despite the loss at home. Junior Blake Davidson and senior Davis Benson combined for all four touchdowns and 300 yards in a tight loss to Alemany.
Next: vs. Camarillo (0-1, Friday
18. Lancaster (1-0)
Senior quarterback Aidan Howell threw for 348 yards and completed 26-of-37 passes, but penalties and lack of execution in the red zone, plus five fumbles, are going to make a coach’s head spin. Still, plenty of upside for Lancaster.
Next: vs. Newport Harbor (2-0), Friday
19. Burbank (1-0)
Lost transfers but retained talent like junior ATH Daniel Plancarte. Plancarte caught six passes for 96 yards and returned an interception 47 yards. The Bulldogs are where they need to be.
Next: at Centennial (NV) (1-1), Friday
20. Village Christian (1-0)
The Gerhardt brothers Hudson and Bailen each had stellar weeks for Village Christian in a 34-0 blowout of Huntington Park. Hudson completed 11-of-13 passes for 190 yards and threw two touchdowns to Bailen while rushing for two more touchdowns.
Next: at North Hollywood, Friday
21. Simi Valley (0-1)
Monster day from junior running back Salvador E. Villa. Villa rushed for 270 yards and four touchdowns, but giving up over 300 yards against Valencia raises red flags. Pioneers look for a bounce-back week in Las Vegas.
Next: at Shadow Ridge (Nevada)
22. St. Francis (0-0)
Two early bye weeks, and now we get to see what St. Francis is made of in 2026, with expected improvements under coach Lance Mitchell after a 2-8 record in 2025.
Next: vs. Alta Loma
23. La Canada (1-0)
Senior Joe Bell is an athlete with both the arm and legs. Bell completed 16-of-20 passes for 261 yards, rushed for 119 yards, and scored touchdowns (two passing, two rushing). Defensive back Ross Piken is a standout who had two pass deflections and an interception.
Next: vs. Santa Monica
24. Taft (1-0)
Junior Jacob Southall has arrived. A shifty running back with improved speed and strength, and a player who has matured into one of the best running backs in CIF LA City Section. Southall rushed for 255 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns and led his team as well with four catches, 64 yards, and another TD. Taft has established an identity in the run game. Are they good enough to take down Birmingham in the West Valley League?
Next: at Nordhoff
25. Canyon (0-1)
Canyon played well for a half against a quality opponent in Knight. Now can the Cowboys put it all together? Senior Julian Carlin threw the ball accurately. The energy just needs to carry from the first half to the second half.
Next: at Glendale