Valley Christian football coach Mike Machado couldn't have been more pleased with the first month of the season. His Warriors, after outscoring three formidable foes 131-7, moved all the way to No. 8 in the state rankings.

But he knows his work is just beginning. The state's best football league starts this week.

"Trying to manipulate and maneuver through the West Catholic Athletic League is the most difficult challenge I've ever had to face," he said. "It comes at you from every side and every angle."

Seven of the eight squads are ranked among the Chronicle's Top 25, including No. 2 Bellarmine and No. 3 Valley Christian. All other polls have the teams reversed, but as Serra coach Patrick Walsh said: "Until someone knocks off Bellarmine, they still have to be the favorites."

Indeed, the Bells (3-0) have won or shared the last three league crowns while taking the last two Central Coast Section Open Division titles.

Valley Christian's only downers were season-ending knee injuries to starters Tyler Eaton, a linebacker, and Jerrick Morales, a running back, in an impressive 48-7 win over previously unbeaten Vacaville on Friday.

The surprise of the league is No. 21 Sacred Heart Cathedral (3-0), which hasn't played a rugged schedule but has racked up 125 points behind explosive play from quarterback Sean Murphy (592 yards passing, 12 total TDs) and impressive junior running back Valentino Miles (408 yards, seven TDs).

Sacred Heart has a tough opener 7 p.m. Friday against No. 14 Mitty (1-2) at Foothill College-Los Altos Hills. Riordan (0-3) plays at No. 8 St. Francis (2-0-1), also Friday. On Saturday, No. 18 St. Ignatius (1-1-1) hosts Bellarmine at 1 p.m. and No. 10 Serra (2-1) plays at Valley Christian at 7 p.m.