Missouri Top 25 high school football rankings (8/30/2023)

No. 2 CBC heads back on road against Arkansas power

Lee's Summit North survived the clash of Kansas City powers to retain its No. 1 ranking, while Christian Brothers College blasted its way to a big road victory in Indiana to move to No. 2. 

Rockhurst's shutout victory over Raymore-Peculiar helped the Hawklets scurry up the rankings, while Grain Valley moved up four spots after defeating Fort Osage in the season-opener. 

Helias Catholic and Park Hill South punched their way into the Top 25 with impressive Week 1 wins. 

Francis Howell heads to Jackson in Week 2 to try and push its winning streak to 16 games, while De Smet travels across the river to face Glenbard South on Saturday at East St. Louis.

• PREVIOUS RANKINGS: PRESEASON

SBLive Missouri Power 25 high school football rankings

August 30, 2023

Lee's Summit North opened the season with an impressive victory.  / David Smith photo

1. Lee's Summit North (1-0)

Previous rank: 1

In a back-and-forth slugfest, Lee's Summit North emerged on top against Liberty North for the first time since 2018. Senior quarterback Elijah Leonard tossed three touchdown passes and added another on the ground in the win. Isaiah Mozee caught a touchdown where he broke multiple tackles and left defenders in the dust for a 59-yarder. Defensive end Cirron Harrison and linebacker Alex Block collected two sacks apiece as the defense harassed the Eagles all night. Junior defensive back Isaac McIntosh picked off an errant pass.

Next game: at No. 25 Park Hill South (1-0), Sept. 1

2. Christian Brothers College (1-0)

Previous rank: 3

The Cadets gave up a long touchdown pass in the game's opening series, but CBC's offense was just too much for Carmel (Ind.). CBC blasted the Greyhounds 55-28 on the road. The Cadets' offense scored its first touchdown in less than 20 seconds with Jared Steward scampering in. Jeremiah McClellan outjumped a defender for the second touchdown before rushing into the end zone as the offense scored four touchdowns in the first four possessions. McClellan, an Ohio State commit, finished with three touchdowns in the win.

Next game: at Bryant (Ark.) (1-0), Sept. 1

3. Liberty North (0-1)

Previous rank: 2

Senior running back Jacorey Love took a kickoff return to the house early in the second quarter but couldn't hold off the Broncos late in the clash between the two Kansas City powers. Jhordan Strawn was able to pick off a pass from Lee's Summit North's Elijah Leonard late in the game. It's the first loss the Eagles have suffered to Lee's Summit North since 2018. The Eagles return home this week to face off against rivals Liberty.

Next game: vs. Liberty (0-1), Sept. 1

4. Cardinal Ritter (1-0)

Previous rank: 4

The defending Class 3 state champions got their title defense off to a blazing start in Week 1. The Lions blitzed McCluer 52-6 on the road while racking up 614 yards of offense. Junior RB Jamarion Parker carried the rock 24 times for 199 yards while Carson Boyd and Antwon McKay Jr. combined to go 17 for 25 through the air for 370 yards and five scores. Dejarrion Miller and De'Shaun Stevenson combined for 11 receptions for 234 yards as the receiving corps averaged an eye-popping 21.76 yards per reception.

Next game: vs. Vashon (0-0) at Gateway STEM, Sept. 1

5. Francis Howell (1-0)

Previous rank: 5

Senior Kendall Gurley gave the defending Class 5 state champions a big spark, returning a kickoff 97 yards for the decisive score in a 21-17 home victory over Fort Zumwalt North. Howell QB Adam Shipley tossed two touchdowns in the home opener, one to University of Missouri recruit Jude James and another to Maddox Duncan. The Panthers bullied Howell on the ground, rolling up 315 yards on 53 rushing attempts with Shane Pruitt bruising his way through the Howell defense for 136 yards.

Next game: at Jackson (0-1), Sept. 1

6. Blair Oaks (1-0)

Previous rank: 6

New quarterback, same results. Sophomore Tyler Bax led Blair Oaks to another season-opening win and stretched their winning streak to 15 games after going 14-0 and winning the Class 2 state championship last fall. The Falcons have not lost a season-opener since 2013. Bax carried the ball 23 times for 153 yards and threw for 88 yards in the 41-14 blowout victory over Maryville in the Kickoff Classic at the University of Central Missouri.

Next game: vs. Lutheran North (1-0), Sept. 1

7. Lamar (1-0)

Previous rank: 9

The Tigers blasted Marshfield 68-14 in the season opener for both teams. Tigers quarterback Alex Wilkerson ran for 108 yards and three scores while throwing for 136 yards. Logan Kish scored three times and piled up 94 yards as Lamar racked up 368 total yards of offense with 232 yards on the ground.

Next game: at Logan-Rogersville (1-0), Sept. 1

8. Fort Osage (0-1)

Previous rank: 7

The defending Class 5 runner-ups lost a showdown with Grain Valley in the season opener, 46-42. Fort Osage got 200 yards through the air from quarterback Kyle Wilson who completed nine of 14 pass attempts with two TDs to go along with two interceptions. Junior RB Ryver Peppers carried the ball 36 times for 171 yards and scored three times. Curtis Holloway snagged one reception for an 84-yard touchdown catch and run. Alex Snodgrass collected three receptions for 38 yards and a score for the Indians.

Next game: at Kearney (0-1), Sept. 1

9. Reeds Spring (1-0)

Previous rank: 10

The Wolves managed to hold off a late charge by Monett to pick up a 33-28 victory. Senior QB Blandy Burall went 11-for-18 for 287 yards and three scores. James Dowdy collected two of those touchdowns while finishing with four receptions for 123 yards. Jace Bolin led the way on the ground, getting 68 yards on 11 carries, while Zack Preston totaled four receptions for 43 yards.

Next game: vs. Nevada (1-0), Sept. 1

10. St. Dominic (1-0)

Previous rank: 11

The runner-ups in Class 4 last year pounded St. Charles West in Week 1, 31-6. The Crusaders rushed 36 times for 168 yards with senior Thomas Pulliam leading the way with 11 carries for 105 yards and two TDs. Brennan Czeschin went 12-for-21 through the air for 171 yards and two scores. The junior quarterback spread the ball around, finding seven different receivers in the win. The biggest play was a 70-yard touchdown strike to junior Brady Burgio late in the third quarter.

Next game: vs. Priory (0-1), Sept. 1

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11. St. Mary's (0-1)

Previous rank: 8

The two-time defending state champions dropped its first game to a Missouri-based school since a 13-0 shutout loss to Kennett in 2020. It held a 21-14 lead late in the third quarter before St. Louis University High scored 24 unanswered points to defeat the Dragons. Senior QB Robert Leonard threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns while also running for 127 yards. Penalties cost the Dragons, getting flagged 17 times for more than 100 yards. 

Next game: vs. Hazelwood East (0-1), Sept. 1

12. East Buchanan (1-0)

Previous rank: 12

The two-time defending Class 1 state champions picked up its fourth successive season-opening win, defeating South Harrison 44-8 on Friday.

Next game: vs. Savannah (1-0), Sept. 1

13. Nixa (1-0)

Previous rank: 13

The Eagles held off Webb City 14-7 for a season-opening win. Nixa scored twice in the first half and held on for the victory. Spencer Ward piled up 92 yards on the ground on 13 carries. Malachi Rider led the team with 131 yards on the ground with just 10 carries.

Next game: at Neosho (0-1), Sept. 1

14. Joplin (1-0)

Previous rank: 14

Joplin knocked off Branson 35-14 in the season opener behind three Davin Thomas touchdowns. Joplin will play at Willard on Thursday night for Week 2.

Next game: vs. Willard (1-0), Aug. 31

15. Hillsboro (1-0)

Previous rank: 17

Hillsboro blew the doors wide open early against Sikeston and the offensive machine didn't stop for 48 minutes. The Hawks blitzed Sikeston 63-14 for the season-opening victory. Senior RB back Payton Brown opened up the game with a kickoff return touchdown. Junior QB Preston Brown looked as comfortable as ever in the pocket, tossing long ball after long ball to receivers as they found space in the Bulldogs' defense.

Next game: at No. 23 Cape Girardeau Central (1-0), Sept. 1 

16. Rockhurst (1-0)

Previous rank: 20

The Hawklets shut out Raymore-Peculiar 31-0 to open the season. It's the second consecutive regular-season shutout after blanking Harmon (Kan.) 41-0 to cap off the 2022 regular season. Senior QB Ethan Hansen scored three times on the ground for the Hawklets, including a highlight run of 72 yards to cap off the victory.

Next game: at No. 22 Blue Springs South (0-1), Sept. 1

17. De Smet (1-0)

Previous rank: 19

The Spartans got the scoring started in a little unorthodox way, with Tripp Bergan hitting a 49-yard field goal and then the defense recorded a safety a few minutes later. After a Kirkwood touchdown, De Smet outscored Kirkwood 39-14 over the final 25 minutes of the game. The Spartans spread the ball around on the ground with five runners carrying the rock 45 times for 229 yards. DJ White led the way with 15 carries for 92 yards. Dillon Duff threw two touchdowns and was 8-for-23 through the air for 135 yards.

Next game: vs. Glenbard West (Ill.) (1-0) at East St. Louis (Ill.), Sept. 2

18. Troy Buchanan (1-0)

Previous rank: 18

Senior QB Hunter Keene pounded his way to 220 yards on the ground as Troy knocked off Holt in the season-opener on Saturday. Keene scored three times among 31 carries. He also went 9-for-12 passing for 90 yards and two scores as the Trojans amassed more than 300 yards of total offense in his debut. The 220 yards were the most by a Troy player since Collin Nichols piled up 313 yards on the ground on Sept. 28, 2018 against Holt.

Next game: vs. O'Fallon (1-0) (Ill.), Sept. 1

19. Grain Valley (1-0)

Previous rank: 23

The Eagles outlasted Fort Osage in the season opener, 46-42. Sal Caldarella completed 11-of-17 passes for 206 yards and three scores. He spread the ball around with five receivers recording catches. Noah Olah led the way with four receptions for 113 yards and two TDs, while Aaron Barr collected three catches for 64 yards and a score. RB Ty Williams totaled 228 yards and four scores on 20 carries. As a team, the Eagles totaled 311 yards on 31 carries.

Next game: at Grandview (1-0), Sept. 1

20. St. Louis University High (1-0)

Previous rank: 25

The Jr. Billikens, who went 3-7 a year ago, knocked off two-time defending state champions St. Mary's on the road on Saturday night behind a four-touchdown performance from senior QB Marco Sansone. Sansone ran for two touchdowns before tossing two more in a 38-21 victory. The senior completed 20-of-25 passes for 291 yards and collected 15 yards on four carries. Five-star recruit Ryan Wingo torched the Dragons' defense for nine receptions and 143 yards. It's the first season-opening win for SLUH since 2019.

Next game: vs. Timberland (0-1), Sept. 1

21. Monroe City (1-0)

Previous rank: 21

The Panthers cruised to a 32-16 victory over Mark Twain to kick off the season. Monroe City racked up 362 yards of total offense with 312 coming on the ground. Sophomore Quincy Mayfield led the way with 110 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Junior Dylan Ross collected 80 yards on six carries, while sophomore Jayden Holland had 75 on 15 carries.

Next game: vs. Montgomery County (1-0), Sept. 1

22. Blue Springs South (0-1)

Previous rank: 15

The Jaguars got tripped up in their season opener, losing to Lee's Summit 30-20 on Friday. QB Ayden Wilhelm completed 16-of-37 passes for 300 yards and three TDs. He also added 53 yards on the ground on five carries. Kendrick Hawkins Jr. totaled 96 yards on 11 rushes. Tyus Jackson led the receiving corps with 102 yards on seven receptions. Caysen Stevenson totaled seven catches for 98 yards.

Next game: vs. No. 16 Rockhurst (1-0), Sept. 1

23. Cape Girardeau Central (1-0)

Previous rank: 24

KeyShawn Boyd exploded in the season opener for 203 yards rushing on just 11 carries. The running back also scored four times as the Tigers beat St. Charles, 35-33. Teammate Zai'Aire Thomas carried the ball 12 times for 158 yards and a score. It was Boyd's fourth touchdown of the game that proved the decisive score, reeling off a 65-yard touchdown burst before holding on for the two-point victory.

Next game: vs. No. 15 Hillsboro (1-0), Sept. 1

24. Helias (1-0)

Previous rank: NR

Helias demolished Hannibal, 49-13, to kick off the season. QB Sam Wyrick tossed four touchdowns and scored one on the ground. The Crusaders scored on their first four offensive possession in the second half and the defense limited Aneyas Williams to just one touchdown.

Next game: vs. Hickman (0-1), Sept. 1

25. Park Hill South (1-0)

Previous rank: NR

The Panthers knocked off Rock Bridge 13-10 on the road to open up the 2023 campaign. South Carolina commit Mason Love kicked a 50-yard field goal with less than two minutes to go to secure the victory.

Next game: vs. No. 1 Lee's Summit North (1-0), Sept. 1

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