Top 25 Missouri high school football rankings (11/14/2023)

Liberty North takes over top spot in Missouri Power 25 rankings

There are plenty of shakeups in the SBLive Missouri Power 25 high school football rankings this week after several updates in district championship games last week, including top-ranked Lee's Summit North being knocked out by Rockhurst.

SBLive Missouri Power 25 high school football rankings

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Missouri high school football rankings

November 14, 2023

1. Liberty North (10-1)

Previous rank: 2 Last week: Def. Liberty 33-10

The Eagles’ defense allowed a mere 1.3 yards per carry last week against the rival Blue Jays. Next up is Oak Park’s potent rushing attack in the Class 6 quarterfinals.

Next game: vs. Oak Park (11-0), Nov. 17

2. Cardinal Ritter (10-0)

Previous rank: 3 Last week: Def. MICDS 60-24

The Lions handed fellow private-school power MICDS its worst loss since 2019. Quarterbacks Antwon McKay Jr. and Carson Boyd combined for 420 passing yards and five touchdowns. junior WR Dejerrian Miller had a career day with nine catches for 142 yards and three TDs.

Next game: at Fort Zumwalt North (8-4), Nov. 18

3. Nixa (10-0)

Previous rank: 4 Last week: Def. Joplin 56-34

Nixa has had rematches of conference games the last two weeks and has won both games by larger margins than the first meetings.

Next game: at No. 4 Rockhurst (10-1), Nov. 17

4. Rockhurst (10-1)

Previous rank: 7 Last week: Def. No. 1 Lee’s Summit North 24-21

The Hawklets claimed their first district title since 2018 and this was one of the biggest wins in recent years.

Next game: vs. No. 3 Nixa (11-0), Nov. 17

5. Lee's Summit North (10-1)

Previous rank: 1 Last week: Lost to No. 7 Rockhurst 24-21

The Broncos were one of the favorites to win the Missouri Class 6 championship after finishing as the runner-up a year ago, but fell short of the goal with a loss to the Hawklets in the district championship game. 

Next game: Season over

6. De Smet (9-1)

Previous rank: 6 Last week: Def. Hazelwood Central 45-6

The Spartans will be facing an offense very similar to theirs in terms of scoring this week in the Class 6 quarterfinals. De Smet averages 36.3 points per game, while Rock Bridge is a tick higher at 37.3 points per game. The teams have split the past 10 meetings.

Next game: vs. No. 20 Rock Bridge (9-2), Nov. 18

7. CBC (9-2)

Previous rank: 6 Last week: Def. Francis Howell 28-27

The two-time reigning Class 6 champion Cadets survived a wild showdown against last year's Class 5 champ, Howell, and have now won six in a row since a 35-point loss to De Smet. This week's quarterfinal matchup in Jackson will be the second straight game they’ve played the No. 10-ranked team.

Next game: at No. 10 Jackson (10-1) Nov. 17

8. Lutheran North (10-1)

Previous rank: 9 Last week: Def. Clayton 54-14

The high-scoring Crusaders will play Hannibal in a rare matchup – there have been no recorded meetings since 2009 on MSHSAA’s online database – and will have to figure out a way to slow down the Pirates' Notre Dame-bound running back Aneyas Williams. 

Next game: vs. No. 19 Hannibal (11-1), Nov. 17

9. Blair Oaks (10-1)

Previous rank: 12 Last week: Def. Moberly 59-7

The road to the playoffs has featured victories over teams with eight and nine wins – one of the toughest slates in this set of rankings.

Next game: vs. Westminster Christian Academy (7-5) at Parkway West, Nov. 17

10. Jackson (10-1)

Previous rank: 16 Last week: Def. No. 24 Seckman 55-21

With Adrian Fox out, sophomore Drew Parsons made his first start at QB. He completed 11-of-15 passes for 300 yards and four touchdowns. That’ll play.

Next game: vs. No. 8 CBC (11-1), Nov. 17

11. Helias (10-1)

Previous rank: 19 Last week: Def. Capital City 41-6

The Crusaders have won seven in a row since a one-point loss to No. 2 Cardinal Ritter.

Next game: at No. 23 Republic (10-2), Nov. 18

12. Francis Howell (9-3)

Previous rank: 10 Last week: Lost to No. 6 CBC 28-27

Adam Shipley had a 66-yard TD run late in the fourth quarter against CBC in the district championship game but the Vikings were stopped on a 2-point conversion attempt.

Next game: Season over

13. Grain Valley (10-1)

Previous rank: 11 Last week: Def. No. 25 Platte County 27-25

The Eagles built a 24-0 lead in the first half but then had to hold on for a win over No. 25 Platte County. Now they travel to face Webb City.

Next game: at Webb City (9-2), Nov. 17

14. Hillsboro (10-1)

Previous rank: 13 Last week: Def. Festus 29-28

Trailing by 21 points early, the Hawks rallied to keep their season alive. Junior quarterback Preston Brown accounted for four touchdowns in the win.

Next game: at Pacific (7-5), Nov. 17

15. East Buchanan (11-0)

Previous rank: 14 Last week: Def. Mid-Buchanan 21-0

With all-stater Trevor Klein sidelined with an injury, junior Aidan Smith had 25 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown as the Bulldogs’ featured back.

Next game: at No. 22 Bowling Green (12-0), Nov. 18

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16. Seneca (11-0)

Previous rank: 20 Last week: Def. Cassville 48-0

The Indians have scored 40 or more in the past three weeks and have done that in eight of their 11 wins. This is the first meeting vs. Ava since 1994

Next game: at Ava (11-0), Nov. 17

17. Lamar (10-1)

Previous rank: 15 Last week: Def. Adrian 35-18

The Tigers trailed by four points going into the fourth quarter but scored 21 unanswered to knock off a previously-unbeaten Adrian squad.

Next game: vs. Lafayette County (12-0), Nov. 18

18. Oak Park (11-0)

Previous rank: 21 Last week: Def. Park Hill 17-14

In three of the past four weeks, the Northmen found a way to rally and win a one-score game. This last one locked up the school’s first district title since 1999.

Next game: at No. 1 Liberty North (10-1), Nov. 17

19. Hannibal (11-1)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. Warrenton 55-32

The Pirates knocked off previously-unbeaten Warrenton last week – securing another district title with their 11th consecutive win. The only loss came against No. 11 Helias in the season opener.

Next game: at No. 8 Lutheran North (10-1), Nov. 17

20. Rock Bridge (9-2)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. Troy Buchanan 38-7

After posting four nine-win seasons since 2017, the Bruins finally broke through and secured a district championship for the first time since 2013. Next up is a showdown against De Smet, a Class 6 semifinalist a year ago

Next game: at No. 6 De Smet (9-1), Nov. 18

21. St. Dominic (10-1)

Previous rank: 8 Last week: Def. by Fort Zumwalt North 27-17

The Crusaders' first 10-win season since 2012 ended with an upset in the Class 5 District 4 championship game.

Next game: Season over

22. Bowling Green (12-0)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. No. 22 South Shelby 66-50

Wyoming commit Bleyne Bryant had 44 carries for 424 yards and five touchdowns in the shootout win over South Shelby last week.

Next game: vs. No. 15 East Buchanan (12-0), Nov. 18

23. Republic (10-2)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. No. 17 Lebanon 35-32

The Tigers knocked off previously-unbeaten Lebanon and are now in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1998. Republic is 24-11 in three years under Ryan Cornelsen at the helm – one less win than the previous seven years combined.

Next game: vs. No. 11 Helias (10-1), Nov. 18

24. Kearney (10-2)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. Smithville 29-13

The Bulldogs avenged an earlier loss to Smithville – 41-21 – to claim a district title for the first time since 2016. 

Next game: vs. Nevada (9-2), Nov. 18

25. Rockwood Summit (10-1)

Previous rank: 18 Last week: Lost to Eureka 35-17

The Falcons couldn't keep up with visiting Eureka in the district championship game. Summit has had three straight 10-plus win seasons and is 31-4 in that span.

Next game: Season over

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- Cody Thorn | latsch@scorebooklive.com | @SBLiveMiz