Top 25 Missouri high school football rankings (11/29/2023)

Seven Missouri football champions will be crowned this week

The final week of the Missouri high school football season is here and will conclude with seven state championship games Thursday to Saturday in Columbia. 

Here is the latest SBLive Missouri Power 25 rankings going into the final weekend of the high school football season. 

SBLive Missouri Power 25 high school football rankings

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See: Updated Missouri high school football playoffs brackets

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Missouri high school football rankings

November 29, 2023

1. Liberty North (12-1)

Previous rank: 1 Last week: Def. No. 3 Rockhurst 28-27 in OT

The Eagles emerged as the top team in the Kansas City area with an overtime win over Rockhurst and will now meet two-time reigning champion CBC with a chance to avenge losses the past two seasons – in the 2021 state title game and 2022 semifinals.

Next game: vs. No. 5 CBC (11-2), Dec. 2 

2. Cardinal Ritter (11-0)

Previous rank: 2 Last week: Def. Cape Central 52-22

The berth in the finals is the fourth in the program's history and will look to win a second straight title after winning in Class 3 a year ago.

Next game: vs. No. 14 Republic (12-2) 

3. Rockhurst (11-2)

Previous rank: 3 Last week: Lost to No. 1 Liberty North 28-27 in OT

The Hawklets’ run of beating top-five teams ended on a missed point-after kick attempt.

4. Lee's Summit North (10-1)

Previous rank: 4

Since going 4-6 in the 2020 season, the Broncos have posted three straight seasons with 10 or more wins. Lee’s Summit North has won 33 games and lost just five during that span.

5. CBC (11-2)

Previous rank: 6 Last week: Def. No. 5 De Smet 31-28

The Cadets are back in the state title for third straight year, following in the footsteps of Hazelwood Central which accomplished it 2008-10.

Next game: vs. No. 1 Liberty North (12-1), Dec. 2 

6. De Smet (10-2)

Previous rank: 5 Last week: Lost to No. 5 CBC 31-28

The Spartans led going into the fourth against the two-time defending state champions but could not hold off the Cadets' dramatic comeback.

7. Nixa (10-1)

Previous rank: 7

The senior class for the Eagles won 38 games over the past four years. 

8. Hillsboro (12-1)

Previous rank: 11 Last week: Def. No. 8 Lutheran North 34-12

Hillsboro will play for its first-ever football championship game this weekend. The school has had only two boys state championship teams.

Next game: vs. No. 19 Kearney (12-2), Dec. 2 

9. Lutheran North (11-2)

Previous rank: 8 Last week: Lost to No. 11 Hillsboro 34-12

The Crusaders lost a second playoff game to Hillsboro in the second meeting in 42 years. 

10. Jackson (10-2)

Previous rank: 10

In five of the past six years, the Indians have won 10 or more games. 

11. Francis Howell (9-3)

Previous rank: 12

The Vikings, last year’s Class 5 champion, have posted a 42-7 record over the past four seasons. 

12. Seneca (13-0)

Previous rank: 13 Last week: Def. St. Pius X (KC) 41-17

After falling behind 3-0, the Indians scored 41 straight to take command and reach the school’s eighth championship game. 

Next game: vs. Park Hills Central (10-3), Dec. 1

13. Lamar (12-1)

Previous rank: 14 Last week: Def. No. 17 Bowling Green 47-16

Alex Wilkerson had a big game last week with three INTs on defense and three TDs on offense.

Next game: vs. Valle Catholic (12-1), Dec. 2

14. Republic (12-2)

Previous rank: 16 Last week: Def. No. 15 Webb City 21-20

After three semifinal losses in program history, the Tigers broke through and avenged a regular season loss against the Cardinals in the process.

Next game: vs. No. 2 Cardinal Ritter (13-0), Dec. 1

15. Blair Oaks (11-2)

Previous rank: 10 Last week: Lost to Park Hills Central 48-43

After winning the Class 2 title in 2022, the Falcons reached the semifinals in Class 3 this year. 

16. Webb City (10-3)

Previous rank: 15 Last week: Lost to No. 16 Republic 21-20

The chance to reach state title game No. 20 came up short because two conversions failed after touchdowns against Republic. 

17. Bowling Green (12-1)

Previous rank: 17 Last week: Lost to No. 14 Lamar 47-16

The Bobcats came up short of a return to the state championship game after 13 years but went 36-3 the past three seasons. 

18. Oak Park (11-1)

Previous rank: 18

The first playoff trip in 10 years ended at the hands of the top-ranked Eagles. The Northmen have won 19 games in the past two years — after winning 19 combined from 2015 to 2021.

19. Kearney (12-2)

Previous rank: 24 Last week: Def. Jefferson City 42-7

The Bulldogs are back in the state championship game for the first time since back-to-back trips in 2015 (Class 4 champs) and 2016 (Class 4 runner-up) and seeking their fourth title in 21 years.

Next game: vs. No. 8 Hillsboro (12-1), Dec. 2 

20. Helias (10-2)

Previous rank: 19

The Crusaders’ two losses this season were by a combined eight points. 

21. Hannibal (11-2)

Previous rank: 20

Notre Dame-bound running back Aneyas Williams capped his career ranked No. 2 all-time in touchdowns (148) and points scored (937) — trailing former Wyoming running back Kellen Overstreet, from Hamilton Penney, in both categories. 

22. Grain Valley (10-2)

Previous rank: 21

Ty Williams finished the season with 33 touchdowns and more than 2,000 yards rushing.

23. East Buchanan (11-1)

Previous rank: 22

The winning streak for the defending two-time Class 1 champions ended in the quarterfinals in the first year in Class 2. 

24. Rock Bridge (9-3)

Previous rank: 23

The Bruins have posted back-to-back 9-3 campaigns after three sub .500 seasons prior. 

25. Central Park Hills (10-3)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. No. 10 Blair Oaks 48-43

The Rebels will play for a state title for the first time ever. The three losses were to a Class 2 finalist and a Class 5 semifinalist.

Next game: vs. No. 12 Seneca (13-0), Dec. 1

Vote: Who should be SBLive's Missouri High School Athlete of the Week (11/27/2023)?

Missouri high school football: Top standouts, best performances in Week 14 (11/26/2023)

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- Cody Thorn | latsch@scorebooklive.com | @SBLiveMiz