Top 25 Missouri high school football rankings (9/20/2023)

CBC-De Smet matchup highlights Week 5 schedule

No changes in the top four, while the four new schools break into the Top 25. Oak Park, Lee's Summit West, Webb City and South Shelby take their turn in the rankings. 

CBC and De Smet headline a top five matchup this weekend in a Metro Catholic Conference rivalry contest. St. Dominic hosts fellow unbeaten Borgia in another clash in the St. Louis area, while Lee's Summit North travels west to match up with Blue Valley Northwest.

• PREVIOUS RANKINGS: PRESEASON | AUG. 30 | SEPT. 7 | SEPT. 14

SBLive Missouri Power 25 high school football rankings

September 20, 2023

1. Lee's Summit North (4-0)

Previous rank: 1 Last week: Def. Lee's Summit 37-16

The familiar faces of senior quarterback Elijah Leonard and junior wide receiver Isaiah Mozee dominated once again in a blowout win over cross-town rival Lee's Summit. Leonard tossed three touchdowns, including one to Mozee, and added a rushing score.

Next game: at Blue Valley Northwest (Kan.) (2-1), Sept. 22

2. Liberty North (3-1)

Previous rank: 2 Last week: Def. Park Hill South 40-0

The defense stole the show once again as the Eagles pitched their first shutout of the 2023 season. It's the first time Liberty North shut out an opponent since last year's regular-season finale against Lee's Summit West. Trey Snyder collected an interception and returned it 40 yards for a score.

Next game: vs. Park Hill (2-2), Sept. 22

3. Christian Brothers (3-1)

Previous rank: 3 Last week: Def. Chaminade 56-0

CBC blew past Metro Catholic Conference rival Chaminade in a 56-0 blowout. CBC rushed for 126 yards on just 12 carries with sophomore Jaylen Marshall scoring on a 72-yard touchdown run. A whole host of quarterbacks combined to go 10-for-13 for 195 yards and four scores with Cole McKey leading the way going 5-for-7 for 96 yards and two TDs.

Next game: vs. No. 5 De Smet (4-0), Sept. 22

4. Cardinal Ritter (4-0)

Previous rank: 4 Last week: Def. No. 17 Helias 30-29

After racing out to a large lead, Cardinal Ritter had to hold on for dear life to notch a 30-29 victory over Helias. The Crusaders outscored the Lions 22-0 over the final 24 minutes. University of Arkansas commit Jamarion Parker carried the rock 20 times for 181 yards in the one-point victory, while Carson Boyd and Antwon McKay Jr. combined to go complete eight of 24 pass attempts for 249 yards and two scores.

Next game: at Lutheran St. Charles (2-2), Sept. 22

5. De Smet (4-0)

Previous rank: 6 Last week: Def. Vianney 53-6

De Smet raced out to a 53-0 lead at halftime behind a potent ground attack and cruised to a 47-point victory over Vianney in a Metro Catholic Conference contest. The Spartans ran for 166 yards on 20 carries with DJ White carrying the rock four times for 38 yards. Dillon Duff went 5-for-6 for 41 yards and one score.

Next game: at No. 3 CBC (3-1), Sept. 22

6. Nixa (4-0)

Previous rank: 5 Last week: Def. Branson, 41-3

Malachi Rider scored two touchdowns and the Nixa defense was as stout as ever. Dylan Rebura, Rylan Michel, Wyatt Vincent and Lane Meltabarger crossed the endzone in the blowout victory.

Next game: at No. 19 Joplin (3-1), Sept. 22

7. St. Dominic (4-0)

Previous rank: 9 Last week: Def. Althoff (Ill.) 34-19

St. Dominic went across the Mississippi river for the second straight week and picked up another win over an Illinois team. Thomas Pulliam led the offense, carrying the rock 28 times for 106 yards. He also hauled in two receptions for 90 yards and a score. Sophomore QB Brennan Czeschin went 8-for-11 for 130 yards and two scores.

Next game: vs. Borgia (4-0), Sept. 22

8. Lutheran North (4-0)

Previous rank: 8 Last week: Def. Westminster 50-7

Junior QB Dakarri Hollis had another field day, going 15-for-20 through the air for 233 yards and three scores. He also rushed for 77 yards on 15 carries. Mikel Harris returned an interception for 42 yards and a score in the blowout victory over Westminster.

Next game: vs. Lutheran South (1-3), Sept. 22

9. Hillsboro (4-0)

Previous rank: 10 Last week: Def. North County, 48-0

Hillsboro ripped apart North County in a shutout victory. The Hawks rumbled for 272 yards on 23 carries with Payton Brown leading the way with 77 yards on five carries. Preston Brown went 10-for-16 for 255 yards and three scores through the air while he picked up 56 yards on the ground.

Next game: at Festus (3-1), Sept. 22

10. Francis Howell (2-2)

Previous rank: 11 Last week: Def. Francis Howell North, 46-0

Francis Howell got back on its winning ways with a shutout victory over rival Francis Howell North. The rushing attack gobbled up 213 yards on 32 carries. Quarterback Adam Shipley went 11-for-17 for 205 yards and four scores.

Next game: vs. Troy Buchanan (2-2), Sept. 15

11. Rockhurst (3-1)

Previous rank: 12 Last week: Def. Bentonville (Ark.) 24-21

Rockhurst needed some late-game heroics but came home from Arkansas with a three-point win. Logan Kuechler nailed a 41-yard field goal to give the Hawklets a road win.

Next game: vs. Bishop Miege (Kan.) (3-0), Sept. 23

12. Lamar (3-1)

Previous rank: 7 Last week: Lost to Seneca 28-14

Lamar saw its 22-game home winning streak come to an end with a 28-14 loss to Seneca. The Tigers were stymied on the ground, only totaling 84 rushing yards while throwing for 73 yards.

Next game: at East Newton (1-3), Sept. 22

13. East Buchanan (4-0)

Previous rank: 13 Last week: Def. Lathrop 63-24

Trevor Klein and East Buchanan blew out Lathrop in a lopsided win on Friday. Klein scored four touchdowns in the first quarter, gouging the Lathrop defense again and again.

Next game: vs. Penney (2-2), Sept. 22

14. Blair Oaks (3-1)

Previous rank: 14 Last week: Def. California 69-0

Coach Ted LaPage notched his 200th victory as Blair Oaks ran all over California at home. The defense limited the Pintos to just 36 yards while the offense crossed the goal line 10 times.

Next game: at Boonville (1-3), Sept. 22

15. Grain Valley (3-1)

Previous rank: 18 Last week: Def. Platte County 45-24

Ty Williams stole the show in a 21-point win over Platte County. The running back ran up and down the field for 335 yards and scored five times on 28 carries.

Next game: at Blue Springs South (0-4), Sept. 22

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

Previous rank: 19 Last week: Def. Vashon 33-0

SLUH shut out Vashon in the Wolverines' season opener. The Jr. Billikens' Marco Sansone went 15-for-29 for 195 yards and three scores. Joseph Harris had 58 yards receiving on four receptions.

Next game: at Vianney (2-2), Sept. 22

17. Jackson (3-1)

Previous rank: 20 Last week: Def. Poplar Bluff, 49-21

Junior Kai Crowe scored four times as Jackson ran past Poplar Bluff on the road. The receiver had 185 yards through the air while carrying the ball for 24 yards on the ground.

Next game: vs. Cape Girardeau Central (2-2), Sept. 22

18. Lebanon (4-0)

Previous rank: 22 Last week: Def. Bolivar, 56-13

Jax Glendenning and Gavin Smith combined for seven touchdowns. Glendenning carried the ball 26 times for 236 yards. Smith scored four times and tossed one touchdown pass.

Next game: at Waynesville (1-3), Sept. 22

19. Joplin (3-1)

Previous rank: 15 Last week: Lost at Webb City 38-21

Joplin suffered its first loss of the season with a 17-point loss to rivals Webb City. It's the first time in four tries that Joplin has lost to its rivals. Whit Hafer recorded five receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown in the setback. Hobbs Gooch went 15-for-22 for 237 yards and two scores.

Next game: vs. No. 6 Nixa (4-0), Sept. 22

20. Lee's Summit West (4-0)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. Staley 28-7

After a three-win campaign last year, Lee's Summit West started the year 4-0 for the first time since 2018. Quarterback Caden Carter went 6-for-8 through the air for 128 yards and three scores. Two of those touchdowns went to Jackson Torry. Devin Wilson recorded 13 tackles in the 21-point win.

Next game: vs. Lee's Summit (2-2), Sept. 22

21. Helias (3-1)

Previous rank: 17 Last week: Lost 30-29 at No. 4 Cardinal Ritter

Helias roared back from a 22-point deficit to nearly pull off a momentous upset on Friday. Helias had three plays of 23, 24 and 21 yards before Sam Wyrick hit Sam Lopez for a 22-yard touchdown strike to cut the lead to 30-29, but a 2-point attempt came up just short.

Next game: at Rock Bridge (3-1), Sept. 22

22. Nevada (4-0)

Previous rank: 23 Last week: Def. McDonald County, 34-7

Nevada raced out to a 13-0 lead before cruising to an easy 34-7 victory over McDonald County.

Next game: vs. Mt. Vernon (4-0), Sept. 22

23. Webb City (3-1)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. No. 15 Joplin 38-21

The Cardinals' ground-and-pound game found traction on Friday in knocking off Joplin for the first time in four tries. Webb City ran the ball for 283 yards on 48 attempts in the 17-point victory. Andrew Elwell led the way with 20 carries for 124 yards for Webb City.

Next game: vs. Ozark (1-3), Sept. 22

24. Oak Park (4-0)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. Truman 70-14

The Northmen stayed undefeated with a blowout victory over Truman. Drew Clemens picked up two touchdowns while the special teams notched a blocked punt and returned a kick for a touchdown.

Next game: at Platte County (3-1), Sept. 22

25. South Shelby (4-0)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. No. 16 Monroe City 59-6

South Shelby passed its first big test of the 2023 season with flying colors. The Cardinals defeated Monroe City for the first time since 2015. Jayden Holland ran wild. The South Shelby senior running back had 11 carries for 251 yards and four scores while sitting on the sidelines for much of the second half.

Next game: at Clark County (4-0), Sept. 22

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