SBLive/Sports Illustrated Top 25 national high school football rankings (9/18/2023)

Bishop Gorman (Nevada) moves up to No. 2 in the country

There’s a shakeup in the top half of this week’s SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national high school football rankings as two top-10 teams — including former No. 2 St. John Bosco (California) — suffered losses on the road.

The biggest winner from the shakeup? Bishop Gorman, which completed a grueling front half of its schedule by routing its closest challenger to Nevada supremacy. The Gaels leapfrogged IMG Academy to move to No. 2, just behind No. 1 Mater Dei, which had the week off.

And welcome back, Kahuku (Hawaii), which bounced back from a 55-8 loss to Mater Dei by stunning St. John Bosco 30-23. The Red Raiders’ re-entry comes at the expense of Centennial of Corona, California. 

Walton (Georgia) and Sierra Canyon (California) are among the teams circling the field, ready to swoop in should anyone in the bottom half of the rankings fall this week. 

Here’s the complete breakdown of our Week 6 SBLive/SI Power 25 national high school football rankings.

SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25

1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) (4-0)

Previous rank: 1. Last week: Idle.

The Monarchs got a much-needed week off before trekking cross country to face St. Frances Academy, which finally earned its first win of the season by beating West (Salt Lake City) 21-6.

Next game: at St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.), Sept. 22 

2. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) (5-0)

Previous rank: 4. Last week: Def. Liberty (Henderson, Nev.) 49-6.

The Gaels successfully navigated a difficult opening half of their schedule, completing their run by dispatching the team considered by many as the second-best team in Nevada. Hawaii commit Devon Rice and Elija Lofton each scored two touchdowns, and Micah Alejado tossed a pair of touchdown passes.

Next game: at Silverado (Las Vegas), Sept. 22 

3. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) (4-0)

Previous rank: 3. Last week: Def. Glenville (Ohio) 28-6.

Jayden Bradford connected with Donoval Olugbode on a 4-yard touchdown to open the scoring, and Texas commit Jerrick Gibson rushed for two first-half touchdowns as the Ascenders took care of business.

Next game: at Lemon Bay (Englewood, Fla.), Sept. 21 

4. Buford (Ga.) (4-0)

Previous rank: 5. Last week: Def. Carver (Atlanta) 31-0.

Five-star Georgia commit Dylan Raiola was up to Dylan Raiola tricks in the Wolves’ victory with this ridiculous pass on a first-quarter drive. He finished 14 of 17 for 151 yards and two touchdowns, and Jeremiah Collier returned the second-half kickoff for a touchdown.

Next game: vs. Marietta (Ga.), Sept. 22 

5. Duncanville (Texas) (3-0)

Previous rank: 6. Last week: Def. Lake Ridge (Mansfield, Texas) 76-0.

The Panthers opened 6A Region II District 11 play with a dominant performance. Keelon Russell threw for 178 yards and two touchdowns, and they held the Eagles to 33 yards of total offense, with five-star Texas commit Colin Simmons registering 4½ tackles for loss, 2½ sacks and three hurries.

Next game: vs. Cedar Hill (Texas), Sept. 22 

6. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.) (4-0)

Previous rank: 7. Last week: Def. No. 19 American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) 28-16.

The Lions are 2 for 2 during their stretch of three consecutive games against Power 25 opponents, defeating American Heritage before a sellout crowd that included University of Miami coach Mario Cristobal and NFL quarterback Cam Newton. The Lions jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to a 52-yard interception return by Curtis Janvier and two touchdown passes from North Carolina State commit Cedrick Bailey to Ohio State commit Jeremiah Smith.

Next game: at No. 8 Miami (Fla.) Central, Sept. 21 

7. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) (4-1)

Previous rank: 2. Last week: Lost 30-23 to No. 25 Kahuku (Hawaii).

The depth of strong teams in the Power 25 means any loss among the top teams leads to a tumble — and that’s what happened to the Braves, who found their visit to paradise anything but a pleasure trip. They rallied from a 22-3 second-quarter deficit to lead 23-22 on Chauncey Sylvester’s second touchdown run with eight minutes left but couldn’t hold off the Red Raiders’ final drive in the closing seconds.

Next game: at Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), Sept. 29 

8. Miami (Fla.) Central (1-1)

Previous rank: 9. Last week: Postponed vs. Carol City (Miami).

For the second year in a row, weather wreaked havoc on the Rockets’ matchup with Carol City. Last year’s game was called at halftime because of a heavy downpour and lightning. This time, the Panthers led 14-0 in the second quarter when the game was postponed. School officials plan to reschedule the game.

Next game: vs. No. 6 Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.), Sept. 21

9. St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia) (3-1)

Previous rank: 10. Last week: Def. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) 28-7.

The Eagles scored 21 unanswered points after Don Bosco Prep tied the score late in the first quarter, with Elijah Jones running for one touchdown and catching a touchdown pass from Cincinnati commit Samaj Jones. Sean McNulty capped the scoring with an interception return for a touchdown with 1:32 left.

Next game: at Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.), Sept. 29 

10. DeSoto (Texas) (3-0)

Previous rank: 11. Last week: Def. Skyline (Dallas) 42-17.

Marvin Duffey ran for 90 yards and three touchdowns, and Darius Bailey was 8 of 13 for 188 yards and two touchdowns, both to Antonio Pride Jr., as the Eagles built a 42-3 lead by midway through the third quarter.

Next game: at Waxahachie (Texas), Sept. 22

11. North Shore (Galena Park) (3-0)

Previous rank: 12. Last week: Idle.

The Mustangs had the week off before their 6A Region III District 21 opener.

Next game: vs. Beaumont United, Sept. 22

12. Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.) (4-0)

Previous rank: 13. Last week: Idle.

The Packers are averaging 43 points per game, with Georgia commit Ny Carr off to a fast start (30 catches for 489 yards and nine touchdowns).

Next game: vs. Cedar Grove (Ellenwood, Ga.), Sept. 22

13. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) (4-1)

Previous rank: 8. Last week: Lost 15-13 to Washington Massillon (Ohio).

The Eagles fell to Massillon for the second consecutive year. They were without injured starting quarterback Casey Bullock, with Thomas Csanyi going 14 of 29 for 153 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in his place. Csanyi’s second scoring pass with 1:10 left drew the Eagles close, but DaOne Owens recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal victory for the Tigers, who entered the game No. 4 in the SBLive Ohio Power 25.

Next game: vs. River Rouge (Mich.), Sept. 23

14. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.) (4-0)

Previous rank: 15. Last week: Def. Cedar Grove (Ellenwood, Ga.) 56-35.

Cam Robinson ran for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Hawks to victory in another high-scoring affair between the schools.

Next game: at Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.), Sept. 22

15. Saraland (Ala). (4-0)

Previous rank: 16. Last week: Def. Spanish Fort (Ala.) 49-7.

The Spartans got a big night from Alabama commit Ryan Williams, who had a season-high six catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns, and they returned two blocked punts for scores.

Next game: vs. Robertsdale (Ala.), Sept. 22

16. Columbus (Miami, Fla.) (4-0)

Previous rank: 17. Last week: Def. Palmetto (Miami, Fla.) 15-0.

The Explorers leaned on their defense to earn their fifth consecutive win over the Panthers in the past four seasons. The game was delayed twice by adverse weather, but Columbus’ defense seemed hardly fazed, holding Palmetto to less than 75 yards of total offense and three first downs (two by penalty).

Next game: vs. Northwestern (Miami, Fla.), Sept. 21

17. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (3-1)

Previous rank: 18. Last week: Def. Western (Davie, Fla.) 48-22.

The Raiders shrugged off the controversial finish to their win last week against Cocoa and — with rapper and producer Rick Ross in attendance to watch his son, William Roberts, play on the offensive line — dispatched the Wildcats. Andrew Indorf threw for 190 yards and a touchdown and ran for another, and Justin Montgomery ran for two scores before the game was called with 1:38 remaining after a Western player required emergency medical treatment.

Next game: vs. Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie, Fla.), Sept. 22

18. Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Ga.) (3-1)

Previous rank: 19. Last week: Def. New Manchester (Douglasville, Ga.) 47-0.

The Panthers rumbled for 312 yards on the ground, with Justus Savage and Terquavious Brown rushing for two touchdowns apiece, and Jakob Guide’s 50-yard interception return for a touchdown highlighted a defensive effort that featured five sacks.

Next game: vs. Douglas County (Douglasville, Ga.), Sept. 22

19. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) (2-1)

Previous rank: 14. Last week: Lost 28-16 to No. 6 Chaminade-Madonna.

The Patriots fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter, but their young roster wouldn’t allow the game to turn into a blowout. Junior Byron Louis ran for 114 yards and a touchdown, and four-star cornerback Xavier Lucas (Wisconsin) nearly had a game-changing interception with Heritage down only 21-10. Chaminade went on to score a clinching touchdown on that drive.

Next game: vs. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Sept. 29

20. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) (3-1)

Previous rank: 20. Last week: Def. Seton Hall Prep (West Orange, N.J.) 38-0.

The Crusaders rebounded from their crushing loss to Chaminade-Madonna last week, forcing seven turnovers and rolling over the winless Pirates. Sophomore Jordan Thomas had two interceptions that set up first-half touchdowns, and junior quarterback Dominic Campanile was 12 of 13 for 181 yards and four touchdowns.

Next game: at Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.), Sept. 22

21. Belleville (Mich.) (4-0)

Previous rank: 21. Last week: Def. Dearborn (Mich.) 53-0.

Tigers five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood accounted for five touchdowns and didn’t throw a single incompletion ahead of his visit to the University of Colorado, where he watched the Buffaloes survive in double overtime against Colorado State in the Rocky Mountain Showdown. 

Next game: vs. Franklin (Livonia, Mich.), Sept. 22

22. Chandler (Ariz.) (4-0)

Previous rank: 22. Last week: Def. Corona del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.) 42-0.

Senior Blake Heffron continued to show why Wolves coach Rick Garretson believed his team could survive after Dylan Raiola transferred away last spring, going 10 of 12 for 186 yards, and three-star Illinois commit Ca’Lil Valentine ran for 138 yards and four touchdowns as they tuned up for a showdown with Highland, which already pulled one Power 25 surprise this year when it beat defending Open state champion Basha.

Next game: vs. Highland (Gilbert, Ariz.), Sept. 22 

23. Westlake (Austin, Texas) (3-0)

Previous rank: 23. Last week: Idle.

The Chapparals got an extra week to prepare for Lake Travis, which is 4-0 after going 7-5 a year ago — the Cavaliers’ fewest wins in a full season since 2003.

Next game: at Lake Travis (Austin, Texas), Sept. 22

24. Serra (San Mateo, Calif.) (3-0)

Previous rank: 24. Last week: Idle.

The Padres have allowed just 21 points in three games entering their matchup with the winless Fightin’ Irish.

Next game: at Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep (San Francisco), Sept. 22 

25. Kahuku (Hawaii) (5-1)

Previous rank: NR. Last week: Def. No. 7 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) 30-23.

A week earlier, the Red Raiders suffered the worst loss in program history at No. 1 Mater Dei. They rebounded with perhaps the biggest win in program history, becoming the first Hawaii team to defeat a top-3 national program and handing St. John Bosco its first loss to a team outside the Trinity League since August 2017. Tuli Tagovailoa-Amosa (the brother of Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa and cousin of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa) scored the winning touchdown on an 18-yard run with 23 seconds remaining.

Next game: at Nanakuli (Waianae, Hawaii), Sept. 23 

Dropped out

25, Centennial (Corona, Calif.) 

Honorable mention

Aledo (Texas)

Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)

Bixby (Okla.)

Carrollton (Ga.)

Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah)

Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)

Long Beach Poly (Calif.)

Norland (Miami, Fla.)

Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.)

Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)

Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.)

Walton (Marietta, Ga.)

(Feature photo by Jann Hendry)

-- René Ferrán | rferran.scorebooklive@gmail.com | @sblivesports