SBLive/SI Top 25 national high school football rankings: Belleville (Michigan) makes 2023 debut

Bryce Underwood and Belleville have their sights set on a third straight state championship

René Ferrán | Sep 4, 2023

Three new teams move into the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national high school football rankings this week, led by Belleville (Michigan).

The Tigers (2-0), who have won back-to-back Michigan Division 1 state championships, routed Livonia Stevenson 56-7 behind five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood and two interceptions from junior linebacker Andre Thomas Jr. They make their 2023 season debut in the SBLive/SI national rankings at No. 22.

No. 24 Orange Lutheran (California) and No. 25 Austin Westlake (Texas) also debut in this week's rankings.

There are several Power 25 showdowns on the schedule this Friday (September 8), headlined by No. 17 Corona Centennial (California) at No. 4 Bishop Gorman (Nevada) and No. 14 Bergen Catholic (New Jersey) at No. 7 Chaminade-Madonna (Florida).

Here is the complete breakdown of our Week 4 SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national high school football rankings.

SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25

1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) (3-0)

Previous rank: 1. Last week: Def. Creekside (Fairburn, Ga.) 62-0.

The Monarchs tuned up for their upcoming Top 25 matchup with Hawaii power Kahuku by crushing the visiting Seminoles. Senior quarterback Elijah Brown, a Stanford commit, threw for career highs of 372 yards and seven touchdowns as Mater Dei won its 14th consecutive game against out-of-state opponents since 2017.

Next game: vs. No. 23 Kahuku (Hawaii), Sept. 9

2. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) (3-0)

Previous rank: 2. Last week: Def. Friendship Collegiate Academy (Washington, D.C.) 48-12.

Quarterback Caleb Sanchez was an efficient 14-of-19 passing for 210 yards and two touchdowns, Tay Lockett had two interceptions, and four-star linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa had this impressive 38-yard interception return for a score as the Braves romped to victory.

Next game: vs. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.), Sept. 8

3. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) (2-0)

Previous rank: 3. Last week: Idle

The Ascenders’ highly anticipated matchup against Alabama 7A champion Thompson was called off in the wake of Hurricane Idalia.

Next game: at Ben Davis (Indianapolis), Sept. 8

4. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) (3-0)

Previous rank: 4. Last week: Def. No. 9 Miami (Fla.) Central 39-35.

An early candidate for Game of the Year. After an electric lightning show delayed the start, it was the Gaels’ Elija Lofton and Micah Alejado who provided the juice at Fertitta Field. Lofton ran for three touchdowns, including the winning score with 24 seconds left, and caught a touchdown pass, and Alejado threw for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns.

Next game: vs. No. 17 Centennial (Corona, Calif.), Sept. 8

5. Buford (Ga.) (3-0)

Previous rank: 5. Last week: Def. North Cobb (Kennesaw, Ga.) 45-28.

Five-star Georgia commit Dylan Raiola continued his hot start for the Wolves, finishing 12-of-16 passing for 279 yards and three touchdowns as Buford got past the stubborn Warriors, who trailed just 24-21 at halftime.

Next game: vs. Carver (Atlanta), Sept. 15

6. Duncanville (Texas) (2-0)

Previous rank: 6. Last week: Def. Rockledge (Fla.) 44-0.

Quarterback Keelon Russell threw three first-half touchdowns, and the Panthers eased past the Raiders in an interstate matchup.

Next game: at Lake Ridge (Mansfield, Texas), Sept. 15

7. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.) (2-0)

Previous rank: 8. Last week: Def. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 41-4.

Cedrick Bailey threw for three touchdowns, Miami commit Zaquan Patterson returned an interception for another score with a Play of the Week candidate, and the Lions overcame two first-quarter safeties to roll to victory.

Next game: vs. No. 14 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.), Sept. 8

8. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) (3-0)

Previous rank: 9. Last week: Def. Rock Creek Christian Academy (Upper Marlboro, Md.) 42-14.

Three out-of-state opponents. Three convincing victories for the Eagles. This time, they dispatched another set of Eagles behind a big game from linebacker Jon Slaper, who returned a fumble for one touchdown and an interception for another. St. Edward’s special teams also chipped in as Eddie Andrews returned a kickoff 80 yards for a score after Rock Creek finally got on the board early in the second half.

Next game: at Elder (Cincinnati), Sept. 8

9. Miami (Fla.) Central (0-1)

Previous rank: 7. Last week: Lost 39-35 to No. 4 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas).

The Rockets finally took the field and lost a thriller at Bishop Gorman, conceding the go-ahead touchdown with 24 seconds remaining to see their 26-game win streak snapped at the hands of the same team that handed them their last defeat in 2021. Jayden Ford had a long kickoff return for a score, and Antonio Smith connected with Khaleal Sterling for an 80-yard touchdown pass.

Next game: at Booker T. Washington (Miami), Sept. 8

10. St. Joseph’s Prep (Pa.) (1-1)

Previous rank: 10. Last week: Def. St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) 42-0.

Erik Sanchez and Khyan Billups each ran for touchdowns, and Jack O’Connor ran for one score and threw for another as the Hawks bounced back from an opening loss to IMG Academy by routing the Marauders in a regional rivalry.

Next game: at Lakeland (Fla.), Sept. 8

11. DeSoto (Texas) (1-0)

Previous rank: 11. Last week: Idle.

The Eagles got the week off to prepare for their matchup against South Oak Cliff, last year’s 5A DII champion and ranked No. 16 in the SBLive Texas Power 25.

Next game: at South Oak Cliff (Dallas), Sept. 9

12. North Shore (Houston) (2-0)

Previous rank: 12. Last week: Def. Spring (Texas) 53-0.

Junior quarterback Kaleb Bailey continues his return from a torn ACL that derailed his sophomore season, throwing for two touchdowns and running for another, and Jonathan Soto kicked two field goals as the Mustangs built a 34-0 halftime lead in their home opener. North Shore held Spring to 92 yards of total offense.

Next game: at Westfield (Houston), Sept. 8

13. Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.) (3-0)

Previous rank: 13. Last week: Def. Tift County (Ga.) 40-2.

Senior Neko Fann became the Packers’ all-time touchdown pass leader, with his 72nd career scoring pass coming less than two minutes into the third quarter and giving Colquitt County a 34-0 lead. His 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Landon Thomas with 34 seconds left in the first half was the record-setter. Senior wideout Ny Carr caught two of Fann’s five touchdown passes, giving the four-star Georgia commit 31 for his career — three off the school record.

Next game: vs. Lees County (Leesburg, Ga.), Sept. 8

14. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) (2-0)

Previous rank: 14. Last week: Def. Iona Prep (N.Y.) 38-7.

The Crusaders won their 10th consecutive game against a New York State program, with the junior tandem of quarterback Dominic Campanile and receiver Quincy Porter connecting on four touchdown passes, including scores of 78, 28 and 58 yards within a seven-minute span of the second quarter that gave the hosts a 31-0 halftime lead.

Next game: at No. 7 Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.), Sept. 8

15. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) (2-0)

Previous rank: 17. Last week: Def. Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.) 28-6.

Sophomore Dian Bell threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns, and junior Byron Louis ran for 96 yards and two scores as the Patriots took control in the second half after leading just 7-0 at intermission. Senior linebacker Omar Thornton dominated with 10 tackles (three for loss) and two sacks.

Next game: at Glades Central (Belle Glade, Fla.), Sept. 8

16. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.) (3-0)

Previous rank: 18. Last week: Def. Archer (Ga.) 42-7.

Shane Throgmartin threw for three touchdowns, and Cam Robinson had two short touchdown runs as the Hawks built a 35-7 lead en route to the home win.

Next game: vs. Cedar Grove (Ellenwood, Ga.), Sept. 15

17. Centennial (Corona, Calif.) (2-1)

Previous rank: 19. Last week: Def. Punahou (Hawaii) 50-43.

Another early Game of the Year candidate closed the annual SoCal Honor Bowl in San Diego. Huskies quarterback Husan Longstreet willed his team to victory, leading a last-minute scoring drive after the Buff n’ Blue grabbed a 43-42 lead with 54 seconds left on Maulama Kimata’s 12-yard pass to Astin Hange, followed by a two-point conversion pass to Noah Macapulay. Longstreet found Jason Harris Jr. in the back of the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown with seven seconds left, capping a night that saw the junior also run for 121 yards and five touchdowns.

Next game: at No. 4 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), Sept. 8

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

Previous rank: 21. Last week: Def. Fort Myers (Fla.) 49-0.

The Raiders bounced back from last week’s 20-7 loss to No. 2 St. John Bosco by defeating the Green Wave. Jordan Lyle got the party started with a 10-yard touchdown run. A 34-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Indorf to Chance Robinson gave them a 14-0 lead just 86 seconds into the game. St. Thomas Aquinas improved to 9-0 against the Green Wave.

Next game: vs. Cocoa (Fla.), Sept. 8

19. Saraland (Ala). (2-0)

Previous rank: 22. Last week: Def. Murphy (Mobile, Ala.) 54-6.

The Spartans decompressed after their nationally televised overtime win a week earlier against Lipscomb Academy, rolling to victory behind a defense that recorded 14 tackles for loss (four by senior Camron Laffitte) and forced three turnovers. Junior KJ Lacey had two touchdown passes, and junior Santae McWilliams Jr. ran for 97 yards and three touchdowns as Saraland led 47-0 at halftime.

Next game: vs. St. Paul’s Episcopal (Mobile, Ala.), Sept. 8

20. Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Ga.) (2-1)

Previous rank: 15. Last week: Lost 30-27 to Butler (N.C.).

The Panthers fell into an early 17-0 hole against the Bulldogs — the No. 23-ranked team in North Carolina — and trailed 30-14 at halftime. Langston Hughes tried to rally, with Air Noland (16 of 28, 196 yards) hitting Jabari Jones for an 8-yard touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter to draw the Panthers close. Butler intercepted Noland for the third time on the Panthers’ next drive and ran out the clock.

Next game: at New Manchester (Douglasville, Ga.), Sept. 8

21. Columbus (Miami, Fla.) (2-0)

Previous rank: 24. Last week: Def. Killian (Miami, Fla.) 38-0.

Senior Alberto Mendoza was 14-of-21 passing for 133 yards and three touchdowns, and junior Agyeman Addae ran for 104 yards and a score as the Explorers won their fifth consecutive game in the series and 13th in their past 14 meetings.

Next game: at Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.), Sept. 8

22. Belleville (Mich.) (2-0)

Previous rank: NR. Last week: Def. Stevenson (Livonia, Mich.) 56-7.

The two-time defending Michigan Division 1 state champions bounced back from a narrow Week 1 victory over River Rouge to rout Stevenson, getting two interceptions from junior Andre Thomas Jr. and building a 48-0 halftime lead.

Next game: at Churchill (Livonia, Mich.), Sept. 8

23. Kahuku (Hawaii) (4-0)

Previous rank: 25. Last week: Def. Farrington (Honolulu) 48-20.

Va’aimalae Fonoti scored on three long plays, and Kaimana Carvalho added two touchdowns as the Red Raiders tuned up for their trip to top-ranked Mater Dei by overwhelming their OIA Open League rivals.

Next game: at No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), Sept. 9

24. Orange Lutheran (Calif.) (3-0)

Previous rank: NR. Last week: Def. Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.) 20-0.

Junior TJ Lateef threw for 185 yards and two touchdowns, and the Lancers shut out SBLive Washington’s No. 1 preseason team, registering 23 tackles for loss — five by sophomore Talanoa Ili and four each for senior Brady Chaix and sophomore Auma Jennings, who had a game-high 11 tackles.

Next game: at Chandler (Ariz.), Sept. 8

25. Westlake (Austin, Texas) (2-0)

Previous rank: NR. Last week: Def. Judson (Converse, Texas) 47-0.

The Chapparals have not lost at home since 2018, and the Rockets hardly threatened to end that streak. Westlake held Judson to 146 yards of total offense and forced three turnovers, and senior Paxton Land and sophomore Rees Wise each threw two touchdown passes.

Next game: vs. Akins (Austin, Texas), Sept. 8