Monrovia, like Kurt Scoby here, is all alone as the elite team in the Mid-Valley Division
(Staff photo by Keith Birmingham)

This week’s CIF-Southern Section football rankings are out, with Monrovia being the only area team to receive a top ranking. Poly is No. 2 in the Northeast, with St. Francis, following its 2-0 start, up to No. 6 in the always tough Western Division.

CIF-SS TOP 10 RANKINGS
MID-VALLEY
1. Monrovia (2-0), 2. Paraclete (2-1), 3. Northview (3-0), 4. Windward (3-0), 5. Arroyo (2-1), 6, Viewpoint (3-1), 7. Gabrielino (3-0), 8. Baldwin Park (3-0), 9. San Marino (1-1), 10. Pomona (3-0).
Steve’s take: It’s Monrovia’s Division to win. San Marino could come into play, but needs to find a defense.
NORTHEAST
1. Mission Prep (2-1), 2. Pasadena Poly (2-0), 3. St. Anthony (2-0), 4. Rio Hondo Prep (2-1), 5. Chadwick (3-0), 6. Salesian (1-2), 7. St. Genevieve (1-2), 8. Capistrano Valley (3-0), 9. Silver Valley (3-0), 10. Saddleback Valley Chr. (1-1).
Steve’s take: I still can’t see the logic in Rio Hondo Prep at No. 4. The Kares won the division last year and their only loss this year was by two points to No. 1 Mission Prep. Rio should be a solid No. 2.
NORTHWEST
1. Bishop Diego (3-0), 2. Nordhoff (2-0), 3. Carpinteria (3-0), 4. Oak Park (2-1), 5. El Segundo (2-0), 6. Whittier Christian (3-0), 7. Centennial/Compton (1-2), 8. La Salle (1-2), 9. Bishop Montgomery (2-0), 10. Workman (2-1).
Steve’s take: La Salle got a taste of the elite, losing big to Bishop Diego. The question remains to be seen if they have enough to be a final four team. Jury is still out.
Other: Maranatha (2-1).
SOUTHEAST
1. Norwalk (3-0), 2. Santa Fe (3-0), 3. Downey (1-2), 4. Diamond Ranch (2-1), 5. La Serna (2-1), 6. Los Altos (3-0), 7. Bonita (2-1), 8. La Mirada (0-3), 9. West Covina (2-1), 10. Muir (1-1).
Steve’s take: Muir, at No. 10, seems a bit low. I think the Mustangs, with their talent level, will be able to make a run at a final four.
WESTERN
1. Serra (3-0), 2. Chaminade (2-1), 3. Lompoc (2-1), 4. Harvard-Westlake (3-0), 5. Cathedral (3-0), 6. St. Francis (2-0), 7. Santa Monica (2-0), 8. Camarillo (1-1), 9. Culver City (1-1), 10. Ventura (1-1).
Steve’s take: The Mission League is dominating, with five of the top six spots. It bodes well for St. Francis, which appears to have a shot at the Final Four.