Category: Football Super 25

USA TODAY High School Sports Super 25 football rankings as of Nov. 6, 2023

St. Edward (Ohio) jumps back in while Serra (Calif.) makes its first appearance.

Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.) was the big mover heading into this week after a big win over Northeast Valley foe Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.), while Kahuku’s (Hawaii) loss opened the door for two new teams to make an appearance in the latest Super 25.

The methodology: the HSS staff creates the Super 25 rankings while considering various data points, including strength of schedule, prospects, the more traditional stats—did the team win or lose?—as well as overall point differentials.

USA TODAY HSS Super 25

1. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Coronado (Nev.) 63-12 | PR: 1

2. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Lakewood (Fla.) 57-0 | PR: 2

3. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)

Record: 9-1 | DNP | PR: 3

4. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

Record: 9-0 (inc. forfeit on 10/26) | Last Result: def. St. Thomas More (Conn.) 47-0 | PR: 4

5. DeSoto (Texas)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. Mansfield (Texas) 63-24 | PR: 5

6. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Record: 9-1 | DNP | PR: 6

7. St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Record: 8-1 | DNP | PR: 7

8. North Shore (Houston, Texas)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Kingwood (Texas) 55-7 | PR: 8

9. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Mountain View (Ga.) 33-7 | PR: 11

10. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

Record: 9-1 | DNP | PR: 10

11. Washington (Massillon, Ohio)

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. Westerville South (Ohio) 50-7 | PR: 13

12. Duncanville (Texas)

Record: 8-1 | Last Result: def. Mansfield Legacy (Texas) 35-3 | PR: 12

13. Colquitt County (Ga.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Richmond Hill (Ga.) 35-3 | PR: 15

14. Norland (Miami, Fla.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Killian (Fla.) 54-0 | PR: 16

15. Westlake (Austin, Texas)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Johnson (Texas) 34-0 | PR: 14

16. Buford (Ga.)

Record: 9-1 | Last Result: def. Central Gwinnett (Ga.) 67-0 | PR: 17

17. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)

Record: 9-1 | Last Result: def. No. 24 Centennial (Ariz.) 36-17 | PR: 20

18. Centennial (Corona, Calif.)

Record: 8-2 | DNP | PR: 18

19. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)

Record: 7-1 | DNP | PR: 19

20. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)

Record: 11-1 | Last Result: def. GlenOak (Ohio) 35-0 PR: NR

21. Walton (Marietta, Ga.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Wheeler (Ga.) 42-16 PR: 21

22. Belleville (Mich.)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Saline (Mich.) 65-14 | PR: 22

23. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)

Record: 10-0 | DNP | PR: 23

24. Serra (San Mateo, Calif.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. St. Ignatius College Prep (Calif.) 43-10 | PR: NR

25. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.)

Record: 8-1 | DNP | PR: 25

On the rise…

Corner Canyon (Utah)

Carrollton (Ga.)

Basha (Ariz.)

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USA TODAY High School Sports Super 25 football score recap: Kahuku upset, Liberty headlines with big win over Centennial

Liberty has a statement win in Arizona.

The Super 25 schedule had a significant focus on Peoria, Arizona, on Friday night as No. 20 Liberty took on No. 24 Centennial, while playoff football kicked off for several of the top teams across the country.

Saturday’s action did not disappoint either, with another top 10 team suffering a defeat — one that will certainly shake up the Super 25 next week.

[lawrence-related id=101516569]

With the weekend slate wrapped up, here’s the final update from around the Super 25 schedule …

USA TODAY HSS Super 25 Scoreboard

1. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Coronado (Nev.) 63-12

2. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Lakewood (Fla.) 57-0

3. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)

Record: 9-1 | DNP

4. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. St. Thomas More (Conn.) 47-0

5. DeSoto (Texas)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. Mansfield (Texas) 63-24

6. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Record: 9-1 | DNP

7. St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Record: 8-1 | DNP

8. North Shore (Houston, Texas)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Kingwood (Texas) 55-7

9. Kahuku (Honolulu, Hawaii)

Record: 10-2 | Last Result: lost to Mililani (Hawaii) 28-21

10. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

Record: 9-1 | DNP

11. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Mountain View (Ga.) 33-7

12. Duncanville (Texas)

Record: 8-1 | Last Result: def. Mansfield Legacy (Texas) 35-3

13. Washington (Massillon, Ohio)

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. Westerville South (Ohio) 50-7

14. Westlake (Austin, Texas)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Johnson (Texas) 34-0

15. Colquitt County (Ga.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Richmond Hill (Ga.) 35-3

16. Norland (Miami, Fla.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Killian (Fla.) 54-0

17. Buford (Ga.)

Record: 9-1 | Last Result: def. Central Gwinnett (Ga.) 67-0

18. Centennial (Corona, Calif.)

Record: 8-2 | DNP

19. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)

Record: 7-1 | DNP

20. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)

Record: 9-1 | Last Result: def. No. 24 Centennial (Ariz.) 36-17

21. Walton (Marietta, Ga.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Wheeler (Ga.) 42-16

22. Belleville (Mich.)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Saline (Mich.) 65-14

23. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)

Record: 10-0 | DNP

24. Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.)

Record: 9-1 | Last Result: lost to No. 20 Liberty (Ariz.) 37-16

25. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.)

Record: 8-1 | DNP

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USA TODAY High School Sports Super 25 football schedule: Week of Oct. 30, 2023

A Super 25 Arizona battle headlines this week’s action.

More playoff football sets the tone in the latest USA TODAY High School Sports Super 25, while a few teams are idle as they gear up for the postseason push in the weeks ahead.

Headlined by a showdown in Peoria, Arizona, where No. 20 Liberty takes on No. 24 Centennial, the focus now shifts to the matchups this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

Here’s the complete Super 25 schedule.

USA TODAY High School Sports Super 25 football rankings as of Oct. 31, 2023

DeSoto makes a big jump after upsetting Duncanville.

The Halloween edition of the USA TODAY High School Sports Super 25 comes on the tail of a thrilling weekend, mainly down in Texas, where DeSoto handled Duncanville and Byron Nelson shocked Southlake Carroll.

Both outcomes shifted the rankings while opening the door for a familiar team at No. 25.

The methodology: the HSS staff creates the Super 25 rankings while considering various data points, including strength of schedule, prospects, the more traditional stats—did the team win or lose?—as well as overall point differentials.

USA TODAY HSS Super 25

1. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: DNP

2. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. St. John Paul II Academy (Fla.) 70-0

3. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)

Record: 9-1 | Last Result: def. Orange Lutheran (Calif.) 44-22

4. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

Record: 7-0 | Last Result: DNP | PR: 5

5. DeSoto (Texas)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. No. 3 Duncanville (Texas) 49-35 PR | 12

6. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Record: 9-1 | Last Result: def. Santa Margarita (Calif.) 35-19 | PR: 6

7. St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Record: 8-1 | Last Result: def. Roman Catholic (Pa.) 45-7 | PR: 7

8. North Shore (Houston, Texas)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. Atascocita (Texas) 61-35 | PR: 8

9. Kahuku (Honolulu, Hawaii)

Record: 10-1 | Last Result: def. Kapolei (Hawaii) 49-7 | PR: 9

10. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

Record: 9-1 | Last Result: def. Dillard (Fla.) 58-0 | PR: 10

11. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. Dacula (Ga.) 41-0 | PR: 11

12. Duncanville (Texas)

Record: 7-1 | Last Result: lost to No. 12 DeSoto (Texas) 49-35 | PR: 3

13. Washington (Massillon, Ohio)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Central Crossing (Ohio) 41-6 | PR: 13

14. Westlake (Austin, Texas)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. Bowie (Texas) 62-0 | PR: 14

15. Colquitt County (Ga.)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. Valdosta (Ga.) 44-28 | PR: 15

16. Norland (Miami, Fla.)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. North Miami Beach (Fla.) 54-7 | PR: 16

17. Buford (Ga.)

Record: 8-1 | Last Result: def. Mountain View (Ga.) 51-0 | PR: 17

18. Centennial (Corona, Calif.)

Record: 8-2 | Last Result: def. Norco (Calif.) 55-0 | PR: 18

19. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)

Record: 7-1 | Last Result: def. Hallandale (Fla.) 55-0 | PR: 19

20. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)

Record: 8-1 | Last Result: def. Chaparral (Ariz.) 60-0 | PR: 20

21. Walton (Marietta, Ga.)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. Osborne (Ga.) 35-0 | PR: 22

22. Belleville (Mich.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Huron (Mich.) 48-6 | PR: 21

23. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Chaminade (Calif.) 44-6 | PR: 24

24. Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. Pinnacle (Ariz.) 31-6 | PR: 25

25. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.)

Record: 8-1 | Last Result: def. Paramus Catholic (N.J.) 42-13 | PR: NR

On the rise…

Carrollton (Ga.)

St. Edward (Ohio)

Byron Nelson (Texas)

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No. 12 DeSoto pulls off huge upset of No. 3 Duncanville

No. 12 DeSoto makes waves with an upset of No. 3 Duncanville.

In a battle of two nationally ranked teams, DeSoto played like they had something to prove on Saturday afternoon, upending Duncanville in a game that has ramifications not just in Texas but nationally as well.

There will be a shakeup this week in the USA TODAY High School Super 25 following Saturday’s win by No. 12 DeSoto (DeSoto, Texas) over No. 3 Duncanville (Duncanville, Texas). The game, originally scheduled for Friday, was moved to Saturday afternoon due to inclement weather.

It ended up being a 49-35 win that was in many ways for DeSoto was an emphatic one. Coming into this game, Duncanville had allowed just 26 points all season. They had four shutouts.

The buzz was about Duncanville possibly being a national champion-caliber team. DeSoto responded to the bell with a very strong performance for four quarters.

So what DeSoto pulled off will certainly resonate, and likely see the Eagles make a significant move in the upcoming USA TODAY High School Super 25.

DeSoto took a 35-21 lead into halftime. On the last play of the second quarter, DeSoto quarterback D.J. Bailey threw a 22-yard touchdown to Antonio Pride to stake the home team to a two-touchdown lead.

 

DeSoto would add to that lead early in the third quarter, this time with Bailey zipping an 11-yard touchdown pass to Kristoff Fantroy for a 42-21 lead for the Eagles.

 

With the win, DeSoto is now 8-0. Duncanville drops to 7-1.

USA TODAY High School Sports Super 25 football score recap: Southlake Carroll falls, DeSoto shocks Duncanville

A massive Texas upset headlines the latest Super 25 scores.

Bryson Nelson had other ideas about Southlake Carroll continuing its Texas powerhouse dominance on Friday night, stunning the Dragons 34-17—the program’s first win ever against Southlake—to grab the District 4-6A, Region IV title.

Without question, that outcome will shake up next week’s Super 25.

And not to be outdone in the state of Texas—and in the Super 25—No. 12 DeSoto handed No. 3 Duncanville its first loss of the year, taking the Saturday matchup 49-35.

USA TODAY HSS Super 25 Scoreboard

1. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: DNP

2. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. St. John Paul II Academy (Fla.) 70-0

3. Duncanville (Texas)

Record: 7-1 | Last Result: lost to No. 12 DeSoto (Texas) 49-35

4. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)

Record: 9-1 | Last Result: def. Orange Lutheran (Calif.) 44-22

5. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

Record: 7-0 | Last Result: DNP

6. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Record: 9-1 | Last Result: def. Santa Margarita (Calif.) 35-19

7. St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Record: 8-1 | Last Result: def. Roman Catholic (Pa.) 45-7

8. North Shore (Houston, Texas)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. Atascocita (Texas) 61-35

9. Kahuku (Honolulu, Hawaii)

Record: 10-1 | Last Result: def. Kapolei (Hawaii) 49-7

10. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

Record: 9-1 | Last Result: def. Dillard (Fla.) 58-0

11. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. Dacula (Ga.) 41-0

12. DeSoto (Texas)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. No. 3 Duncanville (Texas) 49-35

13. Washington (Massillon, Ohio)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Central Crossing (Ohio) 41-6

14. Westlake (Austin, Texas)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. Bowie (Texas) 62-0

15. Colquitt County (Ga.)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. Valdosta (Ga.) 44-28

16. Norland (Miami, Fla.)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. North Miami Beach (Fla.) 54-7

17. Buford (Ga.)

Record: 8-1 | Last Result: def. Mountain View (Ga.) 51-0

18. Centennial (Corona, Calif.)

Record: 8-2 | Last Result: def. Norco (Calif.) 55-0

19. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)

Record: 7-1 | Last Result: def. Hallandale (Fla.) 55-0

20. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)

Record: 8-1 | Last Result: def. Chaparral (Ariz.) 60-0

21. Belleville (Mich.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Huron (Mich.) 48-6

22. Southlake Carroll (Texas)

Record: 8-1 | Last Result: lost to Byron Nelson (Texas) 34-17

23. Walton (Marietta, Ga.)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. Osborne (Ga.) 35-0

24. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Chaminade (Calif.) 44-6

25. Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. Pinnacle (Ariz.) 31-6

SCORES: Live in-game results around the nation as they happen

USA TODAY High School Sports Super 25 football schedule: Week of Oct. 23, 2023

A classic Georgia battle and a Texas showdown, plus postseason football, headline this week’s action.

Postseason play opens up in a few states for teams in the latest USA TODAY High School Sports Super 25, while others gear up for the late-October portion of the regular season schedule. Headlined by a No. 3 vs. No. 12 Texas battle, the focus now shifts to the matchups this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

Here’s the complete Super 25 schedule.

 

USA TODAY High School Sports Super 25 football rankings as of Oct. 24, 2023

The top teams hold firm as postseason play looms.

The high school football action following one of the wildest weeks in 2023 was more stable, with many of the top teams holding ground in the latest Super 25 rankings. But a new team enters the picture as playoff football and championship aspirations loom, reshaping the bottom half of the rankings this week.

The methodology: the HSS staff creates the Super 25 rankings while considering various data points, including strength of schedule, prospects, the more traditional stats—did the team win or lose?—as well as overall point differentials.

USA TODAY HSS Super 25

1. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Coronado (Nev.) 49-7 | PR: 1

2. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. Avant Garde Academy (Fla.) 64-0 | PR: 2

3. Duncanville (Texas)

Record: 7-0 | Last Result: def. Skyline (Texas) 49-3 | PR: 3

4. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)

Record: 8-1 | Last Result: def. JSerra Catholic (Calif.) 42-20 | PR: 4

5. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

Record: 7-0 | Last Result: def. Gray Collegiate Academy (S.C.) 53-7 | PR: 5

6. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Record: 8-1 | Last Result: def. Orange Lutheran (Calif.) 55-13 | PR: 6

7. St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Record: 7-1 | Last Result: def. Archbishop Spalding (Md.)  24-6 | PR: 8

8. North Shore (Houston, Texas)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. Humble (Texas) 38-24 | PR: 7

9. Kahuku (Honolulu, Hawaii)

Record: 9-1 | End of regular season | PR: 9

10. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

Record: 8-1 | Last Result: def. Monarch (Fla.) 35-19 | PR: 10

11. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. Collins Hill (Ga.) 24-18 | PR: 11

12. DeSoto (Texas)

Record: 7-0 | Last Result: def. Cedar Hill (Texas) 35-13 | PR: 12

13. Washington (Massillon, Ohio)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Canton McKinley (Ohio) 35-0 | PR: 13

14. Westlake (Austin, Texas)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. Austin (Texas) 65-14 | PR: 14

15. Colquitt County (Ga.)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. Lowndes (Ga.) 52-34 | PR: 15

16. Norland (Miami, Fla.)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. Miami Columbus (Fla.) 16-3 | PR: 21

17. Buford (Ga.)

Record: 7-1 | Last Result: def. Dacula (Ga.) 66-0 | PR: 16

18. Centennial (Corona, Calif.)

Record: 7-2 | Last Result: def. Murrieta Valley (Calif.) 63-27 : PR: 17

19. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)

Record: 6-1 | Last Result: def. Naples (Fla.) 38-17 | PR: 18

20. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)

Record: 7-1 | Last Result: def. Saguaro (Ariz.) 31-3 | PR: 19

21. Belleville (Mich.)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. Northville (Mich.) 42-0 | PR: 22

22. Southlake Carroll (Texas)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. V.R. Eaton (Texas) 70-28 | PR: 23

23. Walton (Marietta, Ga.)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. Cherokee (Ga.) 48-7 | PR: 24

24. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. Serra (Calif.) 35-28 | PR: 20

25. Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. Chaparral (Ariz.) 56-14 | PR: NR

On the rise…

Bergen Catholic (N.J.)

Basha (Ariz.)

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USA TODAY High School Sports Super 25 football score recap: Close calls and blowouts headline the action

Bishop Gorman rolls as the new No. 1, while others battle in close wins.

After a wild week that ended with a new No. 1 team and a massive shift in the Super 25 football rankings, the setup for this week’s matchups was primed for more shocking finals.

While none of the Super 25 teams suffered a loss, more than a few certainly felt the pressure of a close call as the seconds ticked down in the fourth quarter.

With Saturday’s game now in the books, here’s how the full Super 25 slate played out…

USA TODAY HSS Super 25 Scoreboard

1. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Coronado (Nev.) 49-7

2. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. Avant Garde Academy (Fla.) 64-0

3. Duncanville (Texas)

Record: 7-0 | Last Result: def. Skyline (Texas) 49-3

4. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)

Record: 8-1 | Last Result: def. JSerra Catholic (Calif.) 42-20

5. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

Record: 7-0 | Last Result: def. Gray Collegiate Academy (S.C.)  53-7

6. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Record: 8-1 | Last Result: def. Orange Lutheran (Calif.) 55-13

7. North Shore (Houston, Texas)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. Humble (Texas) 38-24

8. St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Record: 7-1 | Last Result: def. Archbishop Spalding )Md.)  24-6

9. Kahuku (Honolulu, Hawaii)

Record: 9-1 | End of regular season

10. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

Record: 8-1 | Last Result: def. Monarch (Fla.) 35-19

11. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. Collins Hill (Ga.) 24-18

12. DeSoto (Texas)

Record: 7-0 | Last Result: def. Cedar Hill (Texas) 35-13

13. Washington (Massillon, Ohio)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Canton McKinley (Ohio) 35-0

14. Westlake (Austin, Texas)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. Austin (Texas) 65-14

15. Colquitt County (Ga.)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. Lowndes (Ga.) 52-34

16. Buford (Ga.)

Record: 7-1 | Last Result: def. Dacula (Ga.) 66-0

17. Centennial (Corona, Calif.)

Record: 7-2 | Last Result: def. Murrieta Valley (Calif.) 63-27

18. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)

Record: 6-1 | Last Result: def. Naples (Fla.) 38-17

19. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)

Record: 7-1 | Last Result: def. Saguaro (Ariz.) 31-3

20. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. Serra (Calif.) 35-28

21. Norland (Miami, Fla.)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. Miami Columbus (Fla.) 16-3

22. Belleville (Mich.)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: def. Northville (Mich.) 42-0

23. Southlake Carroll (Texas)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. V.R. Eaton (Texas) 70-28

24. Walton (Marietta, Ga.)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. Cherokee (Ga.) 48-7

25. Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah)

Record: 9-1 | End of regular season

SCORES: Live in-game results around the nation as they happen

Bishop Gorman is back at the top of the Super 25 — but not complacent

Bishop Gorman took the No. 1 spot on the national high school football rankings. To maintain it, they’ll have to win the state championship.

Midway through Bishop Gorman’s (Las Vegas, Nev.) second game of the season, coach Brent Browner realized one of his sophomores had not adjusted to the personnel switch. He ran the plays backward, reading them for a different personnel group. The Gaels got it fixed. But even if they hadn’t, it likely wouldn’t have mattered, at least in that individual game.

Bishop Gorman blew out Long Beach Poly (Calif.) 60-15 at the Nike Kickoff Classic at the Nike headquarters in Portland, Ore., that day. And that wasn’t some scrub opponent, either — Long Beach Poly is now 7-1 and ranked as a top 50 team in the nation on MaxPrep’s expanded rankings.

Much of that outcome showed how dominant Bishop Gorman could be, with the expectations matching that distinction from the sidelines and in the locker room.

“We put a ton on these kids,” Browner said after the game. “These kids are doing college-level stuff — we’re switching personnel, we’re doing zone — the amount of stuff that we do, even to me, is very impressive.” 

It’s a demanding program, but the players understand the concepts.

The Gaels have beaten a handful of Super 25 teams since then, including Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah) by a score of 63-42, former top 10 Miami Central (Fla.) 39-35, and Centennial (Corona, Calif.) 56-28. Through nine games, they are outscoring opponents by an average margin of about 47-19.

The regular season success has thus far culminated with some help from another powerhouse, as then-No. 9 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) beat former No. 1 team Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) last weekend to give the final push for Bishop Gorman to ascend to the top of the Super 25.

It marked the end of an impressive run.

(USA TODAY Network)

Since Bishop Gorman won three straight national championships from 2014-16, those two California teams have dominated the Super 25 rankings. USA TODAY High School Sports has named Mater Dei the national champion four times and St. John Bosco twice in the seven seasons since 2017. The only outlier was in 2020 when the eight-win IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) earned the recognition. (Due to COVID restrictions at the time, not all states allowed competition in high school sports such as football.)

After that IMG championship, Mater Dei or St. John Bosco have been ranked No. 1 on the Super 25 weekly.

Until now, with the Gaels opening up at No. 1 this week. 

Mission accomplished? 

No. 

Bishop Gorman isn’t resting its laurels by any means at pole position. The team watched St. John Bosco shut out Mater Dei together on a bus ride, and Browner reminded the group not to put stock into the No. 1 ranking. That it couldn’t change their primary focus of winning the Nevada state championship, as he conveyed to the Las Vegas Sun.

Much of the national championship is out of an individual team’s control. Last year, the Gaels were in consideration at the end of the season as they outscored opponents 857-92 and ran to the state championship in blowout fashion. A three-point early-season loss to Mater Dei spoiled their chances for national recognition, though, and they finished No. 2 behind one-loss St. John Bosco.

This year, they’re in the driver’s seat, aiming to end the regular season with a 10-0 record this Friday before the playoffs start and the real test begins.

“There’s a belief in themselves that they’ve culminated not just because of what happened last year but because of all the work they put in on the offseason,” Browner said. “You don’t expect to win, but you expect to do what you’ve been practicing. If you do what you’ve been practicing, you should be successful.”

Near the beginning of the season, Browner said that experience from last year helped younger players adjust. This has been true for the receiving core, for instance, which lost leaders like Trech Kekahuna and Zachariah Branch. Senior Audric Harris, who last year appeared in just two games and had four receptions, according to MaxPreps, has become the favorite of quarterback Micah Alejado, and has a team-high 834 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns. Fellow receiver Elijah Lofton, who was a top-three receiver last year and rushed for seven touchdowns, is up to 15 total touchdowns this year.

Alejado is as electric as last year, eclipsing 2,000 passing yards with a 77.5% completion rate while throwing 26 touchdowns to zero interceptions through nine games.

The defense relies on extremely young players for key roles, with sophomore Prince Williams leading the team with 70 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks and freshman Tamatoa Gaoteote’s 64 tackles.

This isn’t a crowning of Bishop Gorman. Their success must continue if they are to hold off other undefeated foes like No. 2 Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.), No. 3 Duncanville (Texas) or No. 5 IMG Academy. Browning, for his part, recognizes that.

“We don’t stop coaching. It doesn’t matter what the score is, we’re not worried about any of that stuff, every play is the play,” Browning said. “We do want to play good football. We want to make sure everybody that’s worked since January gets a chance to show for their families and their fans what they can do on this football field. We just keep that simple goal.”

That was the answer to a question about keeping composure and focus during blowout victories. It’s also applicable to this goal of winning the state championship. They cannot get complacent. Since that August game and interview, that simple goal has not changed.