The Times’ Top 25

The Times’ high school football rankings by Ben Bolch:

Rk.

Team (Rec., Sec.-Div.)

Comment (Last week’s ranking)

1

CRENSHAW

(5-0, City-Division I)

Cougars spent week off auditioning for “American Idle.” (1)

2

OAKS CHRISTIAN

(5-0, SS-Northwest)

Just imperfect: Lions’ first two Tri-Valley League opponents a combined 0-10. (2)

3

EDISON

(5-0, SS-Pac 5)

To paraphrase Rodney Dangerfield, Chargers’ rivalry with Esperanza was something before -- and after -- electricity. (3)

4

LAKEWOOD

(5-1, SS-Pac-5)

Ding-dong, the King Kong of all league winning streaks is dead! (4)

5

SERVITE

(4-1, SS-Pac-5)

Coach Troy Thomas calls off practice this week after learning St. John Bosco lost to Loyola. (5)

6

GARDENA SERRA

(5-0, SS-Northwest)

Cavaliers might need victory over Bishop Montgomery to keep pace with unbeaten JSerra. (7)

7

RANCHO CUCAMONGA

(5-0, SS-Central)

Call it a shakeup near the Epicenter: Cougars drop one spot after another unconvincing win. (6)

8

MOORPARK

(5-0, SS-Northern)

Simi Valley stands could be empty with Musketeers fans busy watching alums Jeff and Jered Weaver in playoffs. (8)

9

LOS ALAMITOS

(4-0, SS-Pac 5)

Griffins have finally reached part of schedule where scrubs don’t play until fourth quarter, if at all. (9)

10

MISSION VIEJO

(5-0, SS-Pac 5)

Coach Bob Johnson exudes the warmth of Tony La Russa after losses. (10)

11

REDLANDS EAST VALLEY (5-0, SS-Inland)

Wildcats don’t need to steel themselves for matchup with struggling Fontana. (11)

12

BISHOP AMAT

(5-0, SS-Pac 5)

Receive “Good luck” call from Bob Ladouceur since he’s tied with St. Paul’s Marijon Ancich for most coaching wins. (12)

13

ST. BONAVENTURE

(4-1, SS-Northern)

Season will be over for Seraphs if they need overtime to get past San Marcos. (13)

14

S.O. NOTRE DAME

(4-1, SS-Pac 5)

Freshman cutups try convincing Coach Kevin Rooney they will turn out like Brendan Ryan. (14)

15

MATER DEI

(3-2, SS-Pac 5)

Losses are like a clockwork Orange (Lutheran) last four times Monarchs have played Lancers. (15)

16

CORONA CENTENNIAL

(4-1, SS-Inland)

Just when the Huskies needed a breather after a close call, along came Riverside Poly. (16)

17

CRESPI

(3-2, SS-Pac 5)

Saugus’ offense proved about as potent as St. Louis Cardinals’ lineup against Dodgers. (17)

18

VALENCIA

(5-0, SS-Northern)

Victory over Loyola comes with a Barry Bonds-sized asterisk because Cubs missing coach, top running back. (18)

19

FOUNTAIN VALLEY

(5-0, SS-Pac-5)

It will be sailor hats off to Barons if they beat Marina big as expected. (19)

20

NORCO

(4-1, SS-Inland)

Gerhart family could help produce Big VIII, Pac-10 titles this season. (20)

21

CARSON

(3-2, City-Division I)

Given choice to play Washington of Marine League or Washington State of Pac-10, Colts opt for Cougars. (21)

22

CHAPARRAL

(3-2, SS-Inland)

Coach Tommy Leach consulted running-it-up playbook when Pumas eked out 70-0 victory over Cathedral City. (22)

23

VISTA MURRIETA

(5-0, SS-Inland)

Broncos collar Jessie Callier, holding highly touted running back without a touchdown. (24)

24

WESTLAKE

(5-0, SS-Northern)

Warriors complain that Oaks Christian-for-Calabasas is not a fair exchange. (25)

25

CHARTER OAK

(5-1, SS-Southeast)

Starting to have rankings regret about Chargers after their one-point victory over Etiwanda. (23)