Above: La Habra lines up against a top foe again this week.

WHITTIER DAILY NEWS RANKINGS
FOOTBALL
1. La Habra (2-1) – If you didn’t think the Highlanders were the best in the area before last week, there’s not argument now after La Habra went toe-to-toe with Servite, arguably the top team in the state, losing 24-16. It doesn’t get any easier for the Highlanders, who face Pac-5 ranked teams Orange Lutheran and St. John Bosco in the coming weeks.
2. St. Paul (2-0) – The Swordsmen have taken care of business, beating La Mirada (24-7) and Norwalk (48-6). We get a nice barometer this week when they travel to Garfield, which made things difficult for Bishop Amat before losing, 14-0.
3. La Serna (3-0) – Sure, the Lancers three opponents are a combined 2-6-1, but last week’s 21-20 revenge game over Bonita should open some eyes – this is a very good football team.
4. Montebello (2-1) – We’re buying the Oilers, who very easily could be 3-0, sans a 29-22 loss to Arroyo in the final seconds.
5. Santa Fe (1-2) – It’s hard to get a read on the Chiefs, whose two losses are against the top team in Arizona (Hamilton, of Chandler) and one the top teams in the Pac-5 (St. John Bosco). I still think they can challenge La Serna in the Del Rio League, but they might enter the league slate 2-3 with games against Esperanza and Charter Oak next on the docket.
Others: 6. Cantwell Sacred Heart (1-1), 7. Whittier Christian (1-2), 8. California (1-1), 9. La Mirada (0-3), 10. El Rancho (2-1), 11. Whittier (2-0), 12. Pioneer (0-2), 13. Schurr (0-2).