Sierra Canyon football has established itself as the favorite to win the CIF State’s top division, but overall parity has been the norm this season across the CIF LA City Section and CIF Southern Section.
Here’s a look at the 16 best programs in the LA Daily News area going into the Week 6 games:
TOP 16 FOOTBALL TEAMS
1. Sierra Canyon (5-0)
Sierra Canyon is playing complementary football that’s being fueled by an offensive and defensive line that’s consistently moved the opposition in the direction they choose. The Trailblazers also have a secondary that’s ranked as one of the best in the country and strong quarterback play, making them one of the most complete programs in the country. There are a large amount of weapons on a defense that has allowed more than 10 points in a game just once this season. Senior pass rushers Marcus Fakatou (Ohio State, 25 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks), Kasi Currie (25 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks), and senior Brayden Tautolo (Wyoming, 55 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks) lead the mix up front. The secondary is headed by captains Myles Baker (34 tackles, one forced fumble, two pass breakups), Farouq Muhammad (38 tackles, one interception). There’s also Cal commit Duvay Williams (17 tackles, one interception, three pass breakups), sophomore linebacker Eli Zamorano (29 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions including one for a touchdown) and sophomore defensive back Donald Garrison (26 tackles, one interception). Sierra Canyon’s offense averaged 6.5 yards per carry as it took down traditional powerhouse Orange Lutheran, led by senior blockers Braydenn Mercer, Tyson Seidman, Justin Follingstad, and sophomores Lance Ciechanowski and Hunter Bryant. Cal commit Jaxsen Stokes (509 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns, two receiving touchdowns) has turned gaping holes made by his line into massive gains and has averaged 7.4 yards per carry. Senior Demarco Hernandez and Ian Patterson have erased any questions Sierra Canyon had by completing a combined 28 of 29 passes for 311 yards in a 42-10 win over Pacifica of Oxnard, a program heavily favored to win the Marmonte League. Hernandez threw three touchdown passes in the victory. Sierra Canyon has six receivers who have exceeded 100 yards in a game and they have each caught at least one touchdown pass. Did we mention complementary football?
2. Westlake (4-1)
Westlake sophomore quarterback Ford Green didn’t play in the team’s Sept. 18 game against Tustin, which beat the Warriors 28-21. The Warriors showed they could contend with Tustin, a team that will likely receive a high seed in the CIF-SS Division 1 or 2 playoffs. Freshman Hendrix Tucker completed 13 of 27 passes for 191 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Charles Davis III accounted for three receptions for 97 yards, and senior Erik Green played both sides of the football and finished with four tackles, including three tackles for loss. Westlake carries plenty of depth on both sides of the football.
3. Notre Dame (5-0)
Calling and executing plays at a fast tempo has allowed Notre Dame to outmaneuver and catch defenses off guard during its 5-0 start. Senior quarterback Tahj Skinner (UC Davis) has been efficient, completing 45 of 72 passes for 703 yards, 12 touchdowns and one interception. He also plays safety and leads the team with 25 tackles, two interceptions, two pass deflections and one forced fumble. Senior defensive lineman Ebubechukwu Okobi leads the team with five tackles for loss. Notre Dame has the speed and physicality, and its program has the cultural makeup, to pressure Sierra Canyon.
4. Chaminade (5-0)
Chaminade has proven it can do more than survive since senior Jackson Hill went down with a knee injury in late August. Sophomore quarterback Jeremy Mellalieu has taken hold of the offense and thrown for 1,061 yards with limited mistakes. He has thrown for 12 touchdowns this season, along with four interceptions, after leading Chaminade to a win over St. Bonaventure 27-24 last week. The Eagles have adapted and haven’t lost any of their potency while remaining one of the best defenses in the state. The defense had been by uncommitted senior defensive lineman Hudson Manning (29 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles), UNLV commit Kingston Williams (25 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 10 sacks) and junior cornerback Jaxon Dillard (two interceptions). Chaminade’s defensive line is nasty, and with Mellalieu’s accuracy improving, the Eagles are looking to shape the destiny of the Mission League.
5. Crespi (4-1)
Quarterbacks don’t get much better than junior Chase Curren. Crespi made its nonleague schedule more challenging in 2026, and Curren hasn’t faded from the pressure while accumulating wins against Oak Park and St. Francis. Curren has completed 85 of 116 passes for 1,395 yards, 16 touchdowns and one interception. Junior linebacker Noah Sanchez (44 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks) has emerged as part of an improved defense for the Celts.
6. Hart (4-1)
Senior Matix Frithsmith has found help this year in junior quarterback Camren Ketner (46 of 71 passes for 655 yards, four touchdowns, one interception) and senior Josh Rogozik, who has rushed for five touchdowns after battling through injuries in 2025. Senior defensive backs Chase Madrid and Bailey Hill each have two interceptions. Hart is battle tested and stood tall in wins against Newbury Park and Birmingham.
7. Calabasas (4-1)
Calabasas senior quarterback Dominick Hardy is on pace to throw for over 2,000 yards and rush for over 600 yards. His elite arm and speed have been valuable while the Coyotes are averaging 7.8 yards per carry, led by Hardy and junior Jessie Belvin. Senior UCLA commit Kingston Celifie has been a weapon at wide receiver and as a kick and punt returner.
8. St. Francis (2-3)
St. Francis is playing quality football, led by senior Mason Maddox (415 all-purpose yards, four touchdowns, one interception on defense) and sophomore Teranus Synccere Pitts II (201 rushing yards four touchdowns). Senior linebacker Matthew Chase (14 tackles, three tackles for loss, one fumble recovery) guides the team’s defense. St. Francis’ offense is putting together games with a consistent run game.
9. Valencia (4-2)
Senior Nico Funez (703 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns) has ignited the offense for Valencia. An Oct. 30 matchup against Hart will likely decide who wins the Foothill League title. Sophomore Evan McAlister continues to be an accurate passer (70 of 104 passes for 1,375 yards, 13 touchdowns and two interceptions). Linebacker Rocco Testa (three sacks) has been the enforcer for Valencia’s defense.
10. Newbury Park (3-2)
Newbury Park has found its groove with three straight wins, including a 21-18 victory over Muir. Junior running back Tyler Stromsoe has stabilized the offense. Defensive end Josh Shepp made seven tackles, including three for loss, against Muir. This is a battle-tested squad looking to assert itself atop the Marmonte League.
11. Agoura (4-1)
Agoura shook off a 28-point loss to Westlake in August with blowout wins over Rio Mesa, Thousand Oaks and Heritage Christian. Agoura won its last three games by an average of 28 points. Junior quarterback Kris Carranza has shown his growth this season by throwing for 1,001 yards and 14 touchdowns with three interceptions. Senior George Hastings (482 rushing yards, four touchdowns) is receiving help from Radeen Vahidi (282 rushing yards, 8.1 yards per carry). Senior defensive lineman Will Gelt (28 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks) was a menace for opponents during Agoura’s impressive three-game run.
12. Alemany (2-3)
Alemany is rising under first-year coach Dennis Keyes. Senior Tabary McKnight is a college football Division I-caliber running back and linebacker. The Warriors finished nonleague play with impressive wins over Shadow Hills and Bishop Diego.
13. Harvard-Westlake (5-0)
The team has made an impressive turnaround under second-year coach Dameon Porter. The Wolverines played their most complete game this season as they beat Birmingham on the road last week. Watch out for 6-foot-2 defensive lineman AJ Spain, who can control the edge.
14. Moorpark (4-1)
Senior quarterback Dawson Armstrong (72 of 117 passing for 1,330 yards, 16 touchdowns, four interceptions) and junior Brody Tweedy (493 rushing yards, six touchdowns) have led Moorpark’s aggressive attack. Senior Daniel Das has been formidable with 32 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. An Oct. 30 game against Westlake will be a must-see matchup.
15. Birmingham (1-4)
Birmingham is a young football team that is prone to making mistakes. Through it all, the Patriots are still among the area’s elite programs given their intense nonleague schedule. Watch the development of freshman quarterback Exavier Johnson Jr. in the second half of this season.
16. Kennedy (5-0)
Kennedy opened Valley Mission League play last week with a 49-0 win over Van Nuys. Junior quarterback Chaz Rodriguez has become a trusted arm, as he has notched 668 yards, 11 touchdowns and one interception. Max Zepeda (18 receptions, 240 yards, five touchdowns, two interceptions) has become one of the top two-way players in the City Section.
On the cusp: Oaks Christian (0-5), Cleveland (5-0), Taft (3-2), Paraclete (1-4), Quartz Hill (4-1), Royal (5-0).