USA TODAY High School Sports Super 25 turns 40 with a history-making champ in 2021.
The 40th USA TODAY Super 25 champion added a historical footnote to the overall results that began in 1982. The Mater Dei Monarchs’ 2021 nod was the program’s fifth Super 25 crown, tying them with football powerhouse De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) for the most all-time.
It’s a remarkable achievement, especially when considering the massive amount of programs and competitive nature of the high school football landscape.
To honor the historical feat—and all the football teams that have made their mark as a past USA TODAY Super 25 champ—we’re looking back at the winners throughout the four decades of gridiron glory.
We begin in Cincinnati, Ohio…
(Editor’s note: Not all images will match the exact season.)
The Braves add a second Super 25 title to its impressive resume.
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.
The final Super 25 football action of 2022 didn’t disappoint.
The final Super 25 action ended on Saturday, with a handful of significant matchups taking place over the past few days — the outcomes creating multiple areas of intrigue ahead of the final rankings.
Bishop Gorman (Nev.) made plenty of noise on the national stage, taking care of No. 6 Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.) in Las Vegas, while Central (Fla.) had its own top-10 win over American Heritage (Fla.).
And though some questions loomed over Duncanville’s place in the hierarchy of top Texas teams in 2023, the Panthers put those guesses to rest with a stout defensive performance and Class 6A Division I championship win over North Shore.
Ahead of Tuesday’s USA TODAY Sports Super 25, here’s how the rest of the action played out…
Super 25 Scoreboard: Dec. 15-17, 2022
1. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
Record: 13-1 | Season complete
2. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Record: 12-1 | Season complete
3. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Record: 14-1 | Last Result: def. Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.) 49-14
4. Central (Miami, Fla.)
Record: 14-0 | Last Result: def. American Heritage (Fla.) 38-31
5. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Record: 8-1 | Season complete | PR: 5
6. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)
Record: 13-1 | Last Result: lost to Bishop Gorman (Nev.) 49-14
7. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Record: 14-0 | Last Result: def. Homestead (Fla.) 38-21
8. North Shore (Houston, Texas)
Record: 15-1 | Last Result: lost to Duncanville (Texas) 28-21
9. Duncanville (Texas)
Record: 15-0 | Last Result: def. North Shore (Texas) 28-21
10. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)
Record: 13-2 | Last Result: lost to Central (Fla.) 38-31
11. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.)
Record: 9-1 (Forfeit Included) | Season complete
12. Westlake (Austin, Texas)
Record: 14-1 | Season complete
13. Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.)
Record: 13-0 | Season complete
14. Lakeland (Fla.)
Record: 14-0 | Last Result: def. Venice (Fla.) 21-14
15. Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Ga.)
Record: 15-0 | Season complete
16. Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)
Record: 12-1 | Season complete
17. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.)
Record: 14-1 | Season complete
18. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)
Record: 15-1 | Season complete
19. St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Record: 12-1 | Season complete
20. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.)
Record: 11-1 | Season complete
21. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)
Record: 11-1 | Season complete
22. Columbus (Miami, Fla.)
Record: 14-1 | Last Result: def. Apopka (Fla.) 16-13 (OT)
23. DeSoto (Texas)
Record: 14-2 | Last Result: def. Vandegrift (Texas) 42-17
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.
There’s no other way to describe it (without making it a novel), as multiple teams in the Super 25 rankings lost, including a trio of Texas teams —Katy, Guyer and Westlake.
Carrollton’s rush toward Georgia football dominance hit a wall, too, with Mill Creek making its case for Peach State supremacy with a 70-35 blowout win.
And out west, it was Basha with a statement win in Arizona over a tough Saguaro team. While St. John Bosco closed any arguments for its place in the 2022 hierarchy, throttling Serra (San Mateo) 45-0.
Super 25 Scores: Dec. 8-10, 2022
1. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
Record: 13-1 | Last Result: def. Serra (Calif.) 45-0
2. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Record: 12-1 | Season complete
3. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Record: 13-1 | Idle
4. Central (Miami, Fla.)
Record: 13-0 | vs. American Heritage (Fla.) on 12/16
5. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Record: 8-1 | Season complete
6. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)
Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. Clearwater Central Catholic (Fla.) 48-14
7. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Record: 13-0 | vs. Homestead (Fla.) on 12/15
8. Westlake (Austin, Texas)
Record: 14-1 | Last Result: lost to North Shore (Texas) 49-34
9. Duncanville (Texas)
Record: 14-0 | Last Result: def. Prosper (Texas) 41-0
10. North Shore (Houston, Texas)
Record: 15-0 | Last Result: def. Westlake (Texas) 49-34
11. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.)
Record: 8-1 | Season complete
12. Guyer (Denton, Texas)
Record: 14-1 | Last Result: lost to DeSoto (Texas) 47-28
13. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)
Record: 13-1 | vs. Central (Fla.) on 12/16
14. Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.)
Record: 13-0 | Season complete
15. Katy (Texas)
Record: 14-1 | Last Result: lost to Vandegrift (Texas) 38-35
16. Lakeland (Fla.)
Record: 13-0 | vs. Venice (Fla.) on 12/17
17. Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Ga.)
Record: 15-0 | Last Result: def. Gainesville (Ga.) 35-28
18. Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)
Record: 12-1 | Last Result: def. Saguaro (Ariz.) 28-21
19. Serra (San Mateo, Calif.)
Record: 12-1 | Last Result: lost to St. John Bosco (Calif.) 45-0
20. Carrollton (Ga.)
Record: 14-1 | Last Result: lost to Mill Creek (Ga.) 70-35
21. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)
Record: 15-1 | Season complete
22. St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Record: 12-1 | Last result: def. Harrisburg (Pa.) 42-7
23. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.)
Record: 11-1 | Season complete
24. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.)
Record: 14-1 | Last Result: def. Carrollton (Ga.) 70-35
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.
Super 25 high school football scores: Dec. 2-3, 2022.
The battle for the top teams in Texas was in high gear on Saturday, with No. 13 Guyer handing No. 20 Southlake Carroll its first loss of 2022. The 45-21 win will be one of a few notable outcomes to rattle the Super 25 rankings this Tuesday.
Joining that big-time matchup was the showdown in Georgia between No. 21 Colquitt County and No. 24 Carrollton. While the on-paper edge went to Colquitt, freshman quarterback Julian Lewis and the newly ranked Trojans were clicking on Friday night and handed the Packers its first loss of 2022 with a solid 35-27 win.
Last but not least, significant Saturday action in Arizona also created a buzz that will be felt in the rankings. No. 17 Liberty’s one-point loss to Arizona power Saguaro ended the Lions’ season at 11-1, while Basha moves ahead to the championship next week after blanking once-top-10 Chandler 13-0.
USA TODAY Sports Super 25 Scores: Dec. 2-3, 2022
1. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
Record: 12-1 | Idle
2. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Record: 12-1 | Season complete
3. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Record: 13-1 | Season complete
4. Central (Miami, Fla.)
Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. Lakewood (Fla.) 39-21
5. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Record: 8-1 | Season complete
6. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)
Record: 12-0 | Last Result: def. True North Classical Academy (Fla.) 56-0
7. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. Jesuit (Fla.) 45-3
8. Duncanville (Texas)
Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. Westfield (Texas) 28-21
9. North Shore (Houston, Texas)
Record: 14-0 | Last Result: def. Atascocita (Texas) 38-7
10. Westlake (Austin, Texas)
Record: 14-0 | Last Result: def. Brennan (Texas) 47-7
11. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.)
Record: 8-1 | Season complete
12. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)
Record: 13-1 | Last Result: def. Bolles (Fla.) 21-14
13. Guyer (Denton, Texas)
Record: 14-0 | Last Result: def. Southlake Carroll (Texas) 45-21
14. Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.)
Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. Christ Presbyterian Academy (Tenn.) 42-0
15. Katy (Texas)
Record: 14-0 | Last Result: def. King (Texas) 56-34
16. Lakeland (Fla.)
Record: 13-0 | Last Result: def. Osceola (Fla.) 14-7
17. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)
Record: 11-1 | Last Result: lost to Saguaro (Ariz.) 43-42
18. Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Ga.)
Record: 14-0 | Last Result: def. Rome (Ga.) 42-3
19. Serra (San Mateo, Calif.)
Record: 12-0 | Idle
20. Southlake Carroll (Texas)
Record: 13-1 | Last Result: lost to Guyer (Texas) 45-21
21. Colquitt County (Norman Park, Ga.)
Record: 13-1 | Last Result: lost to Carrollton (Ga.) 35-27
22. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)
Record: 15-1 | Last Result: def. Springfield (Ohio) 28-14
23. Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)
Record: 11-1 | Last Result: def. Chandler (Ariz.) 13-0
24. Carrollton (Ga.)
Record: 14-0 | Last Result: def. Colquitt County (Ga.) 35-27
25. St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Record: 11-1 | Last result: def. Garnet Valley (Pa.) 48-7
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
Dramatics at the Rose Bowl will certainly create a shift in the next Super 25 football rankings.
The Rose Bowl (Pasadena, Calif.) was the setting for the CIF Southern Section Football Division I Championship between Mater Dei and St. John Bosco, two of the best teams in the state and country — No. 1 vs. No. 4 in the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 rankings.
It had been 78 years since the iconic Southern California stadium hosted the championship game, and in the words of the legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson, the outcome had only one acceptable response: Whoa, Nelly!
The game started off much like the first matchup back on October 7—which Mater Dei won, 17-7—with both teams showing signs of momentum while mistakes kept either from building anything substantial heading into halftime.
Score at the half: 7-7.
It was a different tone in the final 24 minutes, though.
Behind resilient quarterback play from Pierce Clarkson—who missed the second half of the first game and had a scare in this one as well—and an impressive defensive effort, St. John Bosco fed off the Monarchs’ mistakes. The tie quickly shifted to a 24-13 Braves’ lead.
(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Mind you, when you’re within sight of Hollywood, the only fitting way to end such a game would be dramatically. And both teams didn’t miss a beat in the script as the fourth quarter progressed.
Overtime seemed like the destined outcome, but alas, Mater Dei landed just short of a two-point attempt, needing another possession and a miracle to keep the undefeated season intact.
In the end, however, it wasn’t meant to be for the top team in the country.
And scene: St. John Bosco 24, Mater Dei 22.
(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
It’s the first time since 2019 that the Braves have beaten the Monarchs, with that epic comeback now having company with the 2022 championship game storyline.
As for the Super 25 rankings, the victory will weigh heavily on how the best teams in the country rank on Tuesday. And, of course, it raises a few questions…
Until then, here is how the rest of the action unfolded on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
USA TODAY Sports Super 25 Scoreboard
1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Result: lost to St. John Bosco (Calif.) 24-22
2. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Season complete
3. Central (Miami, Fla.)
Result: defeated Norland (Fla.) 34-20
4. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
Result: defeated Mater Dei (Calif.) 24-22
5. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Season complete
6. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)
Result: defeated Cardinal Newman (Fla.) 49-16
7. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Result: defeated Blanche Ely (Fla.) 35-7
8. Duncanville (Texas)
Result: defeated The Woodlands (Texas) 35-3
9. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.)
Season complete
10. North Shore (Houston, Texas)
Result: defeated Cinco Ranch (Texas) 49-21
11. Westlake (Austin, Texas)
Result: defeated San Benito (Texas) 44-7
12. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)
Result: defeated Cardinal Gibbons (Fla.) 31-20
13. Guyer (Denton, Texas)
Result: defeated Byron Nelson (Texas) 59-41
14. Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.)
Idle
15. Katy (Texas)
Result: defeated Summer Creek (Texas) 35-7
16. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)
Result: defeated O’Connor (Ariz.) 56-26
17. Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Ga.)
Result: defeated Woodward Academy (Ga.) 56-28
18. Lakeland (Fla.)
Result: defeated Lake Minneola (Fla.) 41-6
19. Serra (San Mateo, Calif.)
Result: defeated Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) 41-14
20. Southlake Carroll (Texas)
Result: defeated McKinney (Texas) 42-35
21. Colquitt County (Norman Park, Ga.)
Result: defeated North Gwinnett (Ga.) 52-17
22. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)
Result: defeated Gahanna Lincoln (Ohio) 31-7
23. Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)
Result: defeated American Leadership Academy (Ariz.) 31-25
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
