Top 25 Missouri high school football rankings (9/14/2023)

Lutheran North makes big leap in Power 25 after big win at Howell

There were no changes among the top five teams in this week's SBLive Missouri Power 25 high school football rankings as each team notched victories in Week 3. 

Liberty North dominated Rockhurst in a Top 10 matchup, while Lutheran North skyrocketed into the Top 10 after a Hail Mary touchdown pass was answered in a last-second win over Francis Howell. 

Cardinal Ritter will host Helias Catholic in a Top 25 matchup after the Lions blew out University Academy in a last-minute matchup. 

• PREVIOUS RANKINGS: PRESEASON | AUG. 30 | SEPT. 7 

SBLive Missouri Power 25 high school football rankings

September 14, 2023

1. Lee's Summit North (3-0)

Previous rank: 1 Last week: Def. Staley 21-14

A blocked punt in the first half led to a touchdown pass from Elijah Leonard to Isaiah Mozee that proved to be the difference as Lee's Summit North held off Staley for a 21-14 victory. Leonard tossed two touchdowns in the game while running back Tanner Howes finished with 200 yards rushing, including the game-opening touchdown. The offense was able to bleed the final six minutes of the game to seal the win after an interception by Isaac McIntosh.

Next game: vs. Lee's Summit (2-1), Sept. 15

2. Liberty North (2-1)

Previous rank: 2 Last week: Def. No. 8 Rockhurst 35-7

Liberty North's defense has been hard as nails for the second consecutive week, shutting down then-No. 8 Rockhurst, 35-7. Quarterback Tillman Martin finished with 364 yards through the air with three scores while Keelan Smith finished with 205 receiving yards.

Next game: at Park Hill South (1-2), Sept. 15

3. Christian Brothers (2-1)

Previous rank: 3 Last week: Def. No. 15 St. Louis University High 49-14

CBC demolished Metro Catholic Conference rival SLUH in its first game in the state of Missouri. The Cadets got 377 yards on the ground on 34 carries with sophomore Courtney Rivers breaking out for 139 yards on 10 carries. Ohio State commit Jeremiah McClellan scored three times while Corey Simms led the way through the air with 85 yards and one score and also snagged one of CBC's three interceptions.

Next game: at Chaminade (0-3), Sept. 15

4. Cardinal Ritter (3-0)

Previous rank: 4 Last week: Def. University Academy 76-0

Cardinal Ritter managed to replace a consecutive forfeit victory over Duchesne with a matchup with then-undefeated University Academy out of Kansas City. Jamarion Parker scored on the game's opening play while Western Illinois commit Antwon McKay tossed three touchdowns in the blowout victory.

Next game: vs. No. 17 Helias (3-0), Sept. 15

5. Nixa (3-0)

Previous rank: 5 Last week: Def. Carthage 34-28

Nixa's Malachi Rider scored three times in a 34-28 win over Carthage. Rider's final touchdown of the night was a 31-yard scamper that snapped a 28-28 tie with less than three minutes to go in the game. Spencer Ward took the snap on the first offensive play of the game and sprinted 65 yards for the game's opening touchdown.

Next game: at Branson (1-2), Sept. 15

6. De Smet (3-0)

Previous rank: 9 Last week: Def. Chaminade 63-14

De Smet started 3-0 for the first time since 2020 after blowing out Chaminade 63-14. Dillon Duff tossed three touchdown passes and accounted for 194 yards through the air. The Spartans rolled up 271 yards of rushing yards with Sakye Moore leading the way with 80 yards on four carries.

Next game: at Vianney (2-1), Sept. 15

7. Lamar (3-0)

Previous rank: 7 Last week: Def. Monett 40-7

Lamar pounded winless Monett into submission, easily cruising to a 40-7 victory on Friday. Running back Logan Kish picked up touchdowns in the victory.

Next game: vs. Seneca (3-0), Sept. 15

8. Lutheran North (3-0)

Previous rank: 20 Last week: Def. No. 6 Francis Howell 45-42

Dakari Hollis connected with Berry Benson with time expiring as Lutheran North earned a thrilling 45-42 victory over then-No. 6 Francis Howell. With three minutes left in the game, the Crusaders erased an 11-point deficit after a long touchdown drive and a fumble recovery gave Hollis and Benson their opportunity. Hollis threw for 386 yards and ran for 137 yards and totaled four touchdowns.

Next game: at Westminster (0-3), Sept. 16

9. St. Dominic (3-0)

Previous rank: 10 Last week: Def. Mascoutah (Ill.) 42-14

Thomas Pulliam led the way for St. Dominic, which crunched Mascoutah (Ill.), 42-14, in a bi-state matchup. Pulliam led the way with 149 yards on 22 carries and four scores. Quarterback Brennan Czeschin went 8-for-15 for 170 yards and two touchdowns. Next up is a road trip to undefeated Althoff (Ill.), led by junior running back and Division I prospect Dierre Hill Jr. 

Next game: at Althoff (Ill.) (3-0), Sept. 15

10. Hillsboro (3-0)

Previous rank: 13 Last week: Def. Fort Zumwalt West 35-28

The Hillsboro rushing attack piled up over 300 yards in a seven-point win over Fort Zumwalt West. Running back Payton Brown carried the rock 19 times for 186 yards. Quarterback Preston Brown accounted for 95 yards on the ground and passed for 153 yards.

Next game: at North County (1-2), Sept. 15

11. Howell (1-2)

Previous rank: 6 Last week: Lost 45-42 to No. 20 Lutheran North

Francis Howell lost on a last-second Hail Mary touchdown pass from Lutheran North despite holding an 11-point lead in the final three minutes of the game. Senior quarterback Adam Shipley went 8-for-11 for 172 yards and a touchdown while compiling 104 yards and scoring three times on the ground.

Next game: at Francis Howell North (2-1), Sept. 15

12. Rockhurst (2-1)

Previous rank: 8 Last week: Lost 35-7 to No. 2 Liberty North

Rockhurst's offense ran into a brick wall on Friday, losing 35-7 to Liberty North. In the last two contests against Liberty North, Rockhurst was limited to just 14 points in eight quarters.

Next game: at Bentonville (Ark.) (1-1), Sept. 15

13. East Buchanan (3-0)

Previous rank: 12 Last week: Def. North Platte 23-14

East Buchanan pushed its winning streak to 16 games with a 23-14 victory over previously-undefeated North Platte. Gage Busby connected with Ben Rhoad for a 99-yard touchdown pass while running back Trevor Klein scored twice for the Bulldogs.

Next game: vs. Lathrop (2-1), Sept. 15

14. Blair Oaks (2-1)

Previous rank: 11 Last week: Def. Osage 56-14

Eli Luckett tallied 106 yards on the ground and two scores as Blair Oaks rebounded from its first loss of the season with a 56-14 victory over Osage. Hayden Lackmen rolled up 72 yards on 10 carries while catching five passes for 111 yards.

Next game: vs. California (2-1), Sept. 15

15. Joplin (3-0)

Previous rank: 14 Last week: Def. Ozark, 28-0

Joplin's defense shut out Ozark in a potential trap game, 28-0. The Eagles defense only allowed 132 yards of total offense and forced one turnover. Daniel Rose filled in for injured Hobbs Gooch and threw for 145 yards while running for 43 yards. Toryn Jones rolled up 117 yards on the ground while Davin Thomas caught seven passes for 117 yards.

Next game: at Webb City (2-1), Sept. 15

16. Monroe City (3-0)

Previous rank: 17 Last week: Def. Highland 30-14

Sophomore running back Abram Smyser rushed for a team-high 94 yards as Monroe City defeated Highland 30-14. Trey Smyser returned an interception 67 yards to ice the victory.

Next game: at South Shelby (3-0), Sept. 15

17. Helias (3-0)

Previous rank: 21 Last Week: Def. Battle, 41-0

The Helias defense picked off Battle four times, including two going to Alex Marberry, while Austin Weaver and CJ Howell each recorded an interception in a 41-0 shutout win. Mason French led Helias with 100 yards rushing.

Next game: at No. 4 Cardinal Ritter (3-0), Sept. 15

18. Grain Valley (2-1)

Previous rank: 16 Last week: Lost 32-31 to Oak Park

Grain Valley came up short with a 32-31 loss to Oak Park on Friday. Ty Williams rushed for 135 yards on 19 carries and scored twice. Sal Caldarella threw for 170 yards and a touchdown while Gabe Storment tallied 19 tackles.

Next game: at Platte County (3-0), Sept. 15

19. St. Louis University High (2-1)

Previous rank: 15 Last week: Lost 49-14 to No. 3 CBC

SLUH couldn't keep up with the high-flying CBC attack and dropped its first game of the season, 49-14. Quarterback Marco Sansone threw for 337 yards but tossed three interceptions in the loss. Joseph Harris led the way with 155 yards on five receptions.

Next game: vs. Vashon (0-1) at Gateway STEM, Sept. 15

20. Jackson (2-1)

Previous rank: 23 Last week: Def. Farmington 63-38

Jackson's high-flying offense was on full display on the road, running away from previously-unbeaten Farmington, 63-38. Jackson rolled up over 600 yards of offense as Adrian Fox threw for 311 yards on just 16 completions, while Jaylon Hampton scored three times on the ground and totaled 145 yards on 14 carries.

Next game: at Poplar Bluff (1-2), Sept. 15

21. Fort Osage (1-2)

Previous rank: 19 Last week: Def. Belton 50-14

Fort Osage notched its first win of the 2023 campaign, blowing out previously-undefeated Belton at home. Ryver Peppers scored from 80 yards out on the team's opening possession. Peppers scored on a 70-yard touchdown run later in the first half. Peppers finished with four touchdowns on the night.

Next game: at Blue Springs (1-2), Sept. 15

22. Lebanon (3-0)

Previous rank: 24 Last week: Def. Kickapoo 35-0

The suffocating Lebanon defense was alive and well on Friday, blanking previously-unbeaten Kickapoo for its second shutout on the season. In the first three games, the Yellowjackets have outscored the opponents, 147-7. Junior Jax Glendenning led the offense with 154 yards of offense and two scores. Another matchup against an undefeated squad awaits this week.

Next game: vs. Bolivar (3-0), Sept. 15

23. Nevada (3-0)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. East Newton 47-19

A slow start to the game was overshadowed by a monstrous second half for Nevada as it notched its third win of the season with a big win at East Newton. Running back Jack Cheaney tallied 174 yards on the ground and five scores to lead the way.

Next game: vs. McDonald County (2-1), Sept. 15

24. Reeds Spring (2-1)

Previous rank: 18 Last week: Def. Springfield Catholic 47-0

Reeds Spring righted the ship with a 47-0 blasting of Springfield Catholic. It's the first shutout for the Wolves since a 20-0 shutout of Monett in 2022.

Next game: vs. Hollister (0-3), Sept. 15

25. Moberly (3-0)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. Winfield 44-19

Moberly blazed out to a 37-0 first-half lead before cruising past Winfield for its third consecutive win to start the season. It's the first time since 2020 that the Spartans have started the year 3-0. Moberly quarterback Jackson Engel accounted for over 160 yards of offense in the blowout victory.

Next game: at Kirksville (1-2), Sept. 15

Read More 

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