Tag: best high school football teams

St. John Bosco (Calif.) is the 2022 USA TODAY Sports Super 25 champion. It’s the Braves’ second Super 25 crown since the rankings began over 40 years ago, and this year’s team is certainly worthy of the honor.

However, the decision was challenging.

It’s cliche to proclaim a specific football season as one of the best years in recent times, but 2022 is worthy of such fodder. From top to bottom, multiple teams made a case for claiming spots in the poll, with each week since August providing outcomes that made creating the subsequent Super 25 a tall task.

In the end, Central (Fla.), Bishop Gorman (Nev.), Mater Dei (Calif.), and Bosco all had strong consideration near or at the top, and while the final rankings most likely won’t receive universal approval, we gave each scenario the respect rightfully earned by the impressive programs.

USA TODAY Sports Super 25: 2022 Final

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

Record: 13-1

2. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Record: 14-1

3. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Record: 12-1

4. Central (Miami, Fla.)

Record: 14-0

5. Duncanville (Texas)

Record: 15-0

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

Record: 14-0

7. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

Record: 8-1

8. North Shore (Houston, Texas)

Record: 15-1

9. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)

Record: 13-1

10. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.)

Record: 9-1

11. Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.)

Record: 13-0

12. Lakeland (Fla.)

Record: 14-0

13. Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Ga.)

Record: 15-0

14. Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)

Record: 12-1

15. Westlake (Austin, Texas)

Record: 14-1

16. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.)

Record: 14-1

17. DeSoto (Texas)

Record: 14-2

18. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)

Record: 15-1

19. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)

Record: 13-2

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

Record: 12-1

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

Record: 11-1

22. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)

Record: 11-1

23. Columbus (Miami, Fla.)

Record: 14-1

24. Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.)

Record: 14-1

25. Guyer (Denton, Texas) 

Record: 14-1

One of the most competitive weekends of the 2022 high school football season kicked off this past Friday, and by Saturday night, four teams in the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 rankings had lost. 

Westlake (Texas) had its 54-game winning streak snapped by North Shore (Texas), while Guyer (Texas) lost to a surging DeSoto (Texas) team. And Katy (Texas) kept the wild Lone Star State playoffs trend on the rise, losing a close one against Vandergrift (Texas) 38-35. 

Down in Georgia, Carrollton allowed 70 points to Mill Creek in its lopsided defeat. While out west, top-ranked St. John Bosco (Calif.) made its final statement of the year, efficiently handling Serra (San Mateo, Calif.) 45-0.

The aftermath created spots for a trio of teams in the latest rankings, with a full slate of championship matchups still ahead this week.

As the final 2022 poll awaits on December 20, here is the latest Super 25.

USA TODAY Sports Super 25: Dec. 13, 2022

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

Record: 13-1 | Last Result: def. Serra (Calif.) 45-0 | PR: 1

2. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Record: 12-1 | Season complete | PR: 2

3. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Record: 13-1 | Last Result: Idle | PR: 3

4. Central (Miami, Fla.)

Record: 13-0 | Last Result: Idle | PR: 4

5. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

Record: 8-1 | Season complete | PR: 5

6. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)

Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. Clearwater Central Cath. (Fla.) 48-14 | PR: 6

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

Record: 13-0 | Last Result: Idle | PR: 7

8. North Shore (Houston, Texas)

Record: 15-0 | Last Result: def. Westlake (Texas) 49-34 | PR: 10

9. Duncanville (Texas)

Record: 14-0 | Last Result: def. Prosper (Texas) 41-0 | PR: 9

10. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)

Record: 13-1 | Last Result: Idle | PR: 13

11. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.)

Record: 9-1 (Forfeit Included) | Season complete | PR: 11

12. Westlake (Austin, Texas)

Record: 14-1 | Last Result: lost to North Shore (Texas) 49-34 | PR: 8

13. Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.)

Record: 13-0 | Season complete | PR: 14

14. Lakeland (Fla.)

Record: 13-0 | Last Result: Idle | PR: 16

15. Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Ga.)

Record: 15-0 | Last Result: def. Gainesville (Ga.) 35-28 | PR: 17

16. Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)

Record: 12-1 | Last Result: def. Saguaro (Ariz.) 28-21 | PR: 18

17. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.)

Record: 14-1 | Last Result: def. Carrollton (Ga.) 70-35 | PR: 24

18. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)

Record: 15-1 | Season complete | PR: 21

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

Record: 12-1 | Last result: def. Harrisburg (Pa.) 42-7 | PR: 22

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

Record: 11-1 | Season complete | PR: 23

21. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)

Record: 11-1 | Season complete | PR: 25

22. Columbus (Miami, Fla.)

Record: 13-1 | Last Result: def. Ocoee (Fla.) 41-36 | PR: NR

23. DeSoto (Texas)

Record: 13-2 | Last Result: def. Guyer (Texas) 47-28 | PR: NR

24. Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.)

Record: 14-1 | Last Result: def. Fort Dorchester (S.C.) 47-10 | PR: NR

25. Guyer (Denton, Texas) 

Record: 14-1 | Last Result: lost to DeSoto (Texas) 47-28 | PR: 12

Westlake (Texas) notched its 54th consecutive win over the weekend, an impressive handling of semifinal foe Brennan (Texas) that sent the Chaparrals up the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 rankings and shifted the top 10.

Outside looking in, three losses created the most significant movement, beginning with another Lone Star State matchup between Guyer and Southlake Carroll — which went to the Wildcats and sent Southlake out of the top 25.

Not to be outdone, Georgia high school football had a primetime battle that ended with Carrollton taking out Colquitt County. And in Arizona, Basha jumped up five spots after shutting out former top-10 team Chandler 13-0, while in-state power Liberty’s one-point loss to Saguaro closed out the wild weekend.

The aftermath created an opening for two teams to reappear in the rankings.

As championship games await this weekend, here is the latest top 25.

USA TODAY Sports Super 25: Dec. 6, 2022

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

Record: 12-1 | Idle | PR: 1

2. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Record: 12-1 | Season complete | PR: 2

3. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Record: 13-1 | Season complete | | PR: 3

4. Central (Miami, Fla.)

Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. Lakewood (Fla.) 39-21 | PR: 4

5. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

Record: 8-1 | Season complete | PR: 5

6. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. TNCA (Fla.) 56-0 | PR: 6

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

Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. Jesuit (Fla.) 45-3 | PR: 7

8. Westlake (Austin, Texas)

Record: 14-0 | Last Result: def. Brennan (Texas) 47-7 | PR: 10

9. Duncanville (Texas)

Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. Westfield (Texas) 28-21 | PR: 8

10. North Shore (Houston, Texas)

Record: 14-0 | Last Result: def. Atascocita (Texas) 38-7 | PR: 9

11. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.)

Record: 8-1 | Season complete | PR: 11

12. Guyer (Denton, Texas) 

Record: 14-0 | Last Result: def. Southlake Carroll (Texas) 45-21 : PR: 13

13. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)

Record: 13-1 | Last Result: def. Bolles (Fla.) 21-14 | PR: 12

14. Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.)

Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. CPA (Tenn.) 42-0 | PR: 14

15. Katy (Texas)

Record: 14-0 | Last Result: def. King (Texas) 56-34 | PR: 15

16. Lakeland (Fla.)

Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. Osceola (Fla.) 14-7 | PR: 16

17. Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Ga.)

Record: 14-0 | Last Result: def. Rome (Ga.) 42-3 | PR: 18

18. Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)

Record: 11-1 | Last Result: def. Chandler (Ariz.) 13-0 | PR: 23

19. Serra (San Mateo, Calif.)

Record: 12-0 | Idle | PR: 19

20. Carrollton (Ga.)

Record: 14-0 | Last Result: def. Colquitt County (Ga.) 35-27 | PR: 24

21. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)

Record: 15-1 | Last Result: def. Springfield (Ohio) 28-14 | PR: 22

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

Record: 11-1 | Last result: def. Garnet Valley (Pa.) 48-7 | PR 25

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

Record: 11-1 | Last result: def. Don Bosco (N.J.) 45-0 (11/25) | PR NR

24. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.)

Record: 13-1 | Last Result: def. Milton (Ga.) 48-14 | PR: NR

25. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)

Record: 11-1 | Last Result: lost to Saguaro (Ariz.) 43-42 : PR: 17

St. John Bosco’s close win over top-ranked Mater Dei at the Rose Bowl last week gives a new look to the top of USA TODAY Sports Super 25 rankings. 

But that big-time California showdown wasn’t the only outcome that created a shift in the hierarchy, as Edgewater’s (Fla.) lopsided defeat opened the door for two new teams to land in the bottom half of the rankings —including an undefeated Georgia power that now must square off against the No. 21 team.

As the high school football season enters December, here’s the latest top 25.

USA TODAY Sports Super 25: Nov. 29, 2022

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

Record: 12-1 | Last Result: def. Mater Dei (Calif.) 24-22 | PR: 4

2. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Record: 12-1 | Last Result: lost to St. John Bosco (Calif.) 24-22 | PR: 1

3. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Record: 13-1 | Last Result: Season complete | PR: 2

4. Central (Miami, Fla.)

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. Norland (Fla.) 34-20 | PR: 3

5. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

Record: 8-1 | Season complete | PR: 5

6. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Cardinal Newman (Fla.) 49-16 | PR: 6

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

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. Blanche Ely (Fla.) 35-7 | PR: 7

8. Duncanville (Texas)

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. The Woodlands (Texas) 35-3 | PR: 8

9. North Shore (Houston, Texas)

Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. Cinco Ranch (Texas) 49-21 | PR: 10

10. Westlake (Austin, Texas)

Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. San Benito (Texas) 44-7 | PR: 11

11. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.)

Record: 8-1 | Season complete | PR: 9

12. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)

Record: 12-1 | Last Result: def. Cardinal Gibbons (Fla.) 31-20 | PR: 12

13. Guyer (Denton, Texas)

Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. Byron Nelson (Texas) 59-41 | PR: 13

14. Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.)

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: Idle | PR: 14

15. Katy (Texas)

Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. Summer Creek (Texas) 35-7 | PR: 15

16. Lakeland (Fla.)

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. Lake Minneola (Fla.) 41-6 | PR: 18

17. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. O’Connor (Ariz.) 56-26 | PR: 16

18. Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Ga.)

Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. Woodward Academy (Ga.) 56-28 | PR: 17

19. Serra (San Mateo, Calif.)

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) 41-14 | PR: 19

20. Southlake Carroll (Texas)

Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. McKinney (Texas) 42-35 | PR: 20

21. Colquitt County (Norman Park, Ga.)

Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. North Gwinnett (Ga.) 52-17 | PR: 21

22. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)

Record: 14-1 | Last Result: def. Gahanna Lincoln (Ohio) 31-7 | PR: 22

23. Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)

Record: 10-1 | Last Result: def. American Leadership Academy (Ariz.) 31-25 | PR: 23

24. Carrollton (Ga.)

Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. Walton (Ga.) 52-27 | PR: NR

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

Record: 10-1 | Last result: def. Parkland (Pa.) 52-21 | PR: NR

Not many weeks during the 2022 high school football schedule can rival what unfolded over the past weekend. A top-10 upset, major wins, comeback heroics, and significant shutouts highlighted the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 scoreboard, creating a dynamic shift in the latest rankings.

As the gridiron action nears the end of November and significant games loom in the East and West this weekend, here is the current top 25…

USA TODAY Sports Super 25: Nov. 22, 2022

1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. Los Alamitos (Calif.) 52-0 | PR: 1

2. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Record: 13-1 | Last Result: def. Bishop Manogue (Nev.) 70-6 | PR: 4

3. Central (Miami, Fla.)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Northwestern (Fla.) 34-30 | PR: 3

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

Record: 11-1 | Last Result: def. Mission Viejo (Calif.) 41-6 | PR: 5

5. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

Record: 8-1 | Last Result: def. St. Frances Academy (Md.) 27-16 | PR: 11

6. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Avante Garde (Fla.) 48-0 | PR: 8

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

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Atlantic (Fla.) 63-14 | PR: 7

8. Duncanville (Texas)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Wylie (Texas) 41-0 | PR: 9

9. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.)

Record: 8-1 | Last Result: lost to IMG Academy (Fla.) 27-16 | PR: 2

10. North Shore (Houston, Texas)

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. Dickinson (Texas) 43-34 | PR: 10

11. Westlake (Austin, Texas)

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. New Braunfels (Texas) 45-14 | PR: 12

12. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)

Record: 11-1 | Last Result: def. Boynton Beach (Fla.) 49-0 | PR: 13

13. Guyer (Denton, Texas)

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. Highland Park (Texas) 63-42 | PR: 14

14. Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.)

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. WSK (Tenn.) 44-7 | PR: 15

15. Katy (Texas)

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. Memorial (Texas) 62-21 | PR: 16

16. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: Idle | PR: 17

17. Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Ga.)

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. North Forsyth (Ga.) 77-16 | PR: 18

18. Lakeland (Fla.)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Mitchell (Fla.) 47-10 | PR: 20

19. Serra (San Mateo, Calif.)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Salinas (Calif.) 57-21 | PR: 19

20. Southlake Carroll (Texas)

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. Frenship (Texas) 69-14 | PR: 22

21. Colquitt County (Norman Park, Ga.)

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. Harrison (Ga.) 49-28 | PR: 21

22. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)

Record: 13-1 | Last Result: def. Mentor (Ohio) 27-0 | PR: 24

23. Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)

Record: 9-1 | Last Result: Idle | PR: 23

24. Buford (Ga.)

Record: 11-1 | Last Result: lost to Walton (Ga.) 42-35 | PR: 6

25. Edgewater (Orlando, Fla.)

Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. Tampa Bay Tech (Fla.) 28-24 | PR: 25

Two of the top teams in California—Long Beach Poly and Centennial—lost over the weekend, creating a substantial slide in the latest USA TODAY Sports Super 25.

The shakeup also opened the door for newcomers at No. 24 and No. 25.

Meanwhile, the top of the rankings remained steady, which sets up three massive games this weekend: IMG Academy vs. St. Frances Academy; Mater Dei vs. Los Alamitos (the team that took down Poly); and St. John Bosco vs. Mission Viejo (the team that took down Centennial).

USA TODAY Sports Super 25: Nov. 15, 2022

1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. JSerra (Calif.) 54-14 | PR: 1

2. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.)

Record: 8-0 | Last Result: def. Clarkson North (Alaska) 34-10 | PR: 2

3. Central (Miami, Fla.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. St. Brendan (Fla.) 60-0 | PR: 3

4. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Record: 12-1 | Last Result: def. Liberty (Nev.) 56-14 | PR: 4

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

Record: 10-1 | Last Result: def. Orange Lutheran (Calif.) 49-14 | PR: 5

6. Buford (Ga.)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Peachtree Ridge (Ga.) 63-6 | PR: 6

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

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Coconut Creek (Fla.) 59-14 | PR: 7

8. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)

Record: 9-0 | Last Result: Idle | PR: 8

9. Duncanville (Texas)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Bryan (Texas) 74-13 | PR: 9

10. North Shore (Houston, Texas)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Dobie (Texas) 49-3 | PR: 10

11. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

Record: 7-1 | Last Result: Idle | PR: 11

12. Westlake (Austin, Texas)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Cedar Ridge (Texas) 58-10 | PR: 12

13. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)

Record: 10-1 | Last Result: def. Inlet Grove (Fla.) 43-7 | PR: 13

14. Guyer (Denton, Texas)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Marcus (Texas) 42-7 | PR: 14

15. Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Silverdale Academy (Tenn.) 77-13 | PR: 16

16. Katy (Texas)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Fort Bend Clements (Texas) 59-0 | PR: 17

17. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Boulder Creek (Ariz.) 37-7 | PR: 18

18. Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Ga.)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. River Ridge (Ga.) 49-6 | PR: 19

19. Serra (San Mateo, Calif.)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Palma (Calif.) 57-7 | PR: 21

20. Lakeland (Fla.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Lake Gibson (Fla.) 49-0 | PR: 22

21. Colquitt County (Norman Park, Ga.)

Record: 10-0 | Last Result: def. Pebblebrook (Ga.) 56-16 | PR: 23

22. Southlake Carroll (Texas)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. Crowley (Texas) 52-13 | PR: 24

23. Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)

Record: 9-1 | Last Result: def. Perry (Ariz.) 52-7 | PR: 25

24. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)

Record: 12-1 | Last Result: def. St. Ignatius (Ohio) 28-7 | PR: NR

25. Edgewater (Orlando, Fla.)

Record: 11-0 | Last Result: def. First Coast (Fla.) 57-6 | PR: NR