SBLive/Sports Illustrated Top 25 national high school football rankings: Bishop Gorman tops final 2023 regular season rankings

The football playoffs are now in progress in every state

The unofficial title of the best high school football team in the country is still very much up in the air. 

With the playoffs in progress in every state, Bishop Gorman (Nevada) sits atop the final SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 rankings of the 2023 regular season. When the dust has settled in early December, we will post our final rankings of the season - and unveil our national champion.

• HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFF BRACKETS

SBLIVE/SI POWER 25 - FINAL REGULAR SEASON RANKINGS

1. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) (11-0)

Previous rank: 1. Last week: Def. Coronado (Henderson, Nev.) 63-12.

The Gaels showed little rust after getting a bye to the semifinals of the Nevada 5A Division I playoffs, rolling up 555 yards of total offense in beating Coronado for the second time in the past three weeks. Michigan commit Micah Kaapana ran for 189 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries, and Micah Alejado threw for three touchdowns. They’ll get a 17-day break until they face Liberty in the state final.

Next game: vs. Liberty (Henderson, Nev.), Nov. 20

2. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) (9-1)

Previous rank: 2. Last week: Idle.

St. John Bosco got the week off to prepare for the start of the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs.

Next game: vs. San Clemente (Calif.), Nov. 10 

3. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) (9-0)

Previous rank: 3. Last week: Def. St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Conn.) 47-0.

Jayden Bradford was 7 of 11 for 215 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, and Anthony Rogers ran for 105 yards and a touchdown as the Ascenders cruised to the victory.

Next game: vs. St. Frances (Baltimore, Md.), Nov. 17

4. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.) (10-0)

Previous rank: 4. Last week: Def. Lakewood (St. Petersburg, Fla.) 57-0.

The two-time defending Class 1M state champions tuned up for the playoffs by romping past Lakewood, with Cedrick Bailey leading the way by completing 16 of 19 passes for 350 yards and four touchdowns. Davion Gause ran for 118 yards and two scores, and Bryant Junius led the defensive effort with 13 tackles.

Next game: vs. Avant Garde Academy (Kissimmee, Fla.), Nov. 17

5. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) (8-1)

Previous rank: 5. Last week: Idle.

The Monarchs earned a week off before the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs kick off this week.

Next game: vs. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.), Nov. 10 

6. DeSoto (Texas) (9-0)

Previous rank: 6. Last week: Def. Mansfield (Texas) 63-24.

The Eagles showed no signs of a letdown from their big win over Duncanville, with Darius Bailey going 13 of 20 for 332 yards and five touchdowns — including two to Daylon Singleton — and Marvin Duffey running for 100 yards and two scores. DeSoto kicks off the 6A Division 2 bi-district playoffs at home next week.

Next game: vs. Harker Heights (Texas), Nov. 9

7. St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia) (8-1)

Previous rank: 7. Last week: Idle.

The Hawks learned their semifinal opponent in the PIAA District 12 playoffs as La Salle College defeated Father Judge 49-14. St. Joseph’s Prep beat the Explorers 42-6 in their regular-season matchup Oct. 6.

Next game: vs. La Salle College, PIAA District 12 semifinals, Nov. 10

8. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.) (10-0)

Previous rank: 8. Last week: Def. Mountain View (Lawrenceville, Ga.) 33-7.

The Hawks finished the regular season 10-0 for the third time in program history, getting two long first-quarter touchdowns from Justin Content. They’ll play host to a first-round Class 7A playoff game this week.

Next game: vs. Osborne (Marietta, Ga.), Nov. 10

9. North Shore (Galena Park, Texas) (10-0)

Previous rank: 9. Last week: Def. Kingwood Park (Texas) 55-7.

The Mustangs completed a third undefeated regular season in the past four years with a convincing District 21-6A victory, with D’Andre Hardeman running for three touchdowns and quarterback Kaleb Bailey throwing for two touchdowns and running for another. They’ll play host to a first-round Texas 6A Division 1 bi-district game.

Next game: vs. Deer Park (Texas), Nov. 9

10. Duncanville (Texas) (8-1)

Previous rank: 10. Last week: Def. Mansfield Legacy (Texas) 35-3.

The Panthers bounced back from having their 47-game District 11-6A win streak snapped last week by DeSoto, holding the Broncos to 133 yards of total offense. The Panthers will play host to a first-round Texas 6A Division 1 bi-district game.

Next game: vs. Hutton (Texas), Nov. 9

11. Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.) (10-0)

Previous rank: 11. Last week: Def. Richmond Hill (Ga.) 35-3.

The Packers tuned up for the Class 7A state playoffs by building a 21-0 halftime lead and expanding it to 35-0 through three quarters, rolling up 369 yards of total offense.

Next game: vs. Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.), Nov. 10

12. Buford (Ga.) (9-1)

Previous rank: 12. Last week: Def. Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville, Ga.) 67-0.

Dylan Raiola threw for 251 yards and four touchdowns in the first half as the Wolves led 53-0 at halftime. Buford rolled up 490 total yards in its final tuneup before the start of the Class 7A state playoffs.

Next game: vs. Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.), Nov. 10

13. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) (11-1)

Previous rank: 13. Last week: Def. GlenOak (Canton, Ohio) 35-0.

The Eagles advanced to the Division I, Region I semifinals with a dominant performance as Brandon White ran for 116 yards and four touchdowns on 24 carries and caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Thomas Csayni to push the lead to 28-0 in the third quarter.

Next game: vs. McKinley (Canton, Ohio), Nov. 10

14. Saraland (Ala.) (10-0)

Previous rank: 14. Last week: Def. McGill-Toolen (Mobile, Ala.) 70-27.

The Spartans were without starting receivers Ryan Williams and CD Gill, but they had plenty of firepower in reserve as they blasted the Yellow Jackets. Texas commit KJ Lacey finished 11 of 20 for 259 yards in one half, and Jordan Dees caught six passes for 108 yards and three touchdowns. They also scored on an interception return and a blocked punt return as they prepared for a first-round Class 6A playoff home game.

Next game: vs. McAdory (McCalla, Ala.), Nov. 10

15. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) (8-1)

Previous rank: 15. Last week: Idle.

Paul VI knocked off undefeated Notre Dame 51-41 in the first round of the Non-Public Group A playoffs to earn a shot at upending the Crusaders’ bid for a third consecutive title.

Next game: vs. Paul VI (Haddonfield, N.J.), NJSIAA Non-Public Group A playoffs, Nov. 10

16. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) (7-1)

Previous rank: 16. Last week: Idle.

The Patriots had the week off to prepare for their Class 2M playoff opener.

Next game: vs. North Broward (Coconut Creek, Fla.), FHSAA 2M state playoffs, Nov. 10

17. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (9-1)

Previous rank: 17. Last week: Idle.

The Raiders’ bid for a fifth consecutive Class 3M state title opens this week against Plantation.

Next game: vs. Plantation (Fla.), FHSAA 3M state playoffs, Nov. 10

18. Belleville (Mich.) (11-0)

Previous rank: 18. Last week: Def. Saline (Mich.) 65-14.

The Tigers won their sixth consecutive district championship as their defense intercepted Notre Dame commit CJ Carr three times and scored on Andre Thomas Jr.’s scoop-and-score on the first play of the game. Junior Bryce Underwood threw two touchdown passes in each half.

Next game: at Northville (Mich.), MHSAA Division 1 playoffs, Nov. 10

19. Westlake (Austin, Texas) (10-0)

Previous rank: 19. Last week: Def. Johnson (Buda, Texas) 34-0.

The Chaparrals wrapped up an undefeated regular season and District 26-6A Region IV championship by shutting out the Jaguars, holding them to 62 total yards and forcing three turnovers. Rees Wise threw for three touchdowns. Westlake ended up on the same side of the bracket as No. 9 North Shore in the Texas 6A Division 1 state championships.

Next game: vs. Round Rock (Texas), Nov. 9

20. Washington Massillon (Ohio) (12-0)

Previous rank: 20. Last week: Def. Westerville South (Ohio) 50-7.

The Tigers made quick work of their opponent in their final home game of the season, with DaOne Owens running for two touchdowns and throwing for another. Michael Wright Jr. returned a fumble 27 yards for the team’s first defensive score of the season. Next week’s Division II, Region 7 semifinal against Lake is a rematch of last year’s regional final won by the Tigers.

Next game: vs. Lake (Uniontown, Ohio), Nov. 10

21. Walton (Marietta, Ga.) (10-0)

Previous rank: 21. Last week: Def. Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.) 42-16.

The Raiders clinched the Region 5-7A outright title and completed their first undefeated regular season since 2017.

Next game: vs. Mountain View (Lawrenceville, Ga.), Nov. 10

22. Norland (Miami, Fla.) (10-0)

Previous rank: 22. Last week: Def. Killian (Miami, Fla.), 54-0.

Unlike many Florida powers, the Vikings didn’t have a bye to prepare for the state playoffs, instead tuning up with a convincing victory as Ennio Yappor threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another score. Germaine Carter, Mandrell Desir and Adrian Farrow had two sacks each as Norland recorded 16 sacks and 18 tackles for loss.

Next game: vs. St. Brendan (Miami, Fla.), FHSAA Class 2M playoffs, Nov. 10

23. Serra (San Mateo, Calif.) (10-0)

Previous rank: 24. Last week: Def. St. Ignatius (San Francisco) 43-10.

The Padres secured the outright West Catholic Athletic League title and the top seed in the CIF Central Coast Section Open/Division 1 championships with the victory. Serra earned its 20th consecutive regular-season win as seniors Maealiuaki Smith and Brooks Trimmber combined to throw five touchdown passes.

Next game: vs. Salinas (Calif.), CIF Central Coast Section Open playoffs, Nov. 11

24. Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah) (11-1)

Previous rank: NR. Last week: Def. Lone Peak (Highland, Utah) 35-21.

The Chargers enter the rankings after their 10th consecutive victory following their loss to No. 1 Bishop Gorman in Week 2. They secured a seventh consecutive semifinal appearance by pulling away from a 14-14 halftime score against the Knights. Quarterback Isaac Wilson put them ahead to stay with an 11-yard keeper. After an interception, lineman Zion Finau scored from 1 yard. Bryton Brady’s 9-yard touchdown with 2:01 remaining sealed the win.

Next game: vs. Lehi (Utah), UHSAA Class 6A playoffs, Nov. 10

25. Miami Central (Fla.) (6-3)

Previous rank: 25. Last week: Idle

The four-time reigning Class 2M state champions will open their drive for a fifth consecutive title against Edison.

Next game: vs. Edison (Miami, Fla.), FHSAA 2M playoffs, Nov. 10 

Dropped out

23. Kahuku (Hawaii)

Honorable mention

Aledo (Texas)

Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)

Bixby (Okla.)

Carrollton (Ga.)

Centennial (Corona, Calif.)

Cocoa (Fla.)

Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia)

Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)

Lincoln-Way East (Frankfort, Ill.)

Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.)

Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)

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