SBLive/Sports Illustrated Top 25 national high school football rankings: It's Duncanville-DeSoto week (10/23/2023)

The 2023 high school football playoffs have arrived in several states

Is another major shakeup of the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national high school football rankings on the horizon?

It could happen next week in the aftermath of one of the most anticipated games of the season: No. 5 Duncanville vs. No. 7 DeSoto in a showdown of Texas powerhouses.

The Power 25 saw little movement this week, with only Miami Norland meriting a bump following a second consecutive victory over a defending state champion — this time, former Power 25 team Columbus in the GMAC Championship game.

Power 25 teams in four states — Michigan, Ohio, Nevada and Hawaii — are in their postseasons, with several other states (including California) finishing their regular seasons this week. 

Here’s the complete breakdown of our Week 11 SBLive/SI Power 25 national high school football rankings. 

SBLIVE/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED POWER 25 RANKINGS – WEEK 11

1. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) (10-0)

Previous rank: 1. Last week: Def. Coronado (Las Vegas) 49-7.

The Gaels closed the regular season with a victory over a potential semifinal opponent in the Nevada 5A Division I playoffs. Micah Alejado threw for 179 yards and three touchdowns as Bishop Gorman received a bye to the semifinals.

Next game: TBD, Nevada 5A Division I playoffs, Nov. 3

2. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) (7-0)

Previous rank: 2. Last week: Def. Gray Collegiate Academy (West Columbia, S.C.) 53-7.

Ascenders quarterback Jayden Bradford is a South Carolina native, and he shined against their Palmetto State foe with 174 yards and four touchdown passes to help build a 38-7 halftime lead. Texas commit Jerrick Gibson rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown on five carries.

Next game: vs. Life Christian Academy (Chester, Va.), Oct. 27

3. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) (8-1)

Previous rank: 3. Last week: Def. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) 42-20.

The Braves clinched a share of their first Trinity League title since 2018 and gave coach Jason Negro his 200th career victory as quarterback Caleb Sanchez threw for three touchdowns, the last coming after a fumble recovery by Notre Dame linebacker commit Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa deep in St. John Bosco territory.

Next game: at Orange Lutheran (Calif.), Oct. 27

4. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.) (8-0)

Previous rank: 4. Last week: Def. Avant Garde Academy (Kissimmee, Fla.) 65-0.

Javarius Robinson threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, and the Lions defense swarmed all game, led by senior linebacker Kaleb Stewart (10 tackles, 3½ for loss).

Next game: at St. John Paul II Academy (Boca Raton, Fla.), Oct. 26

5. Duncanville (Texas) (7-0)

Photo by Michael Horboivetz

Previous rank: 5. Last week: Def. Skyline (Dallas) 49-3.

The Panthers’ final tuneup before their showdown with fellow top-10 team DeSoto was over early as Caden Durham ran for two touchdowns and the defense chipped in with touchdowns from Nehemiah Borner on an interception return and Kevin Ford Jr. with a scoop and score.

Next game: at No. 7 DeSoto (Texas), Oct. 27

6. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) (8-1)

Previous rank: 6. Last week: Def. Orange Lutheran (Calif.) 55-13.

The Monarchs rebounded from their rivalry loss to St. John Bosco by blitzing their Trinity League foes, building a 38-0 halftime lead as quarterback Elijah Brown threw three of his four touchdown passes in the first half.

Next game: vs. Santa Margarita (Calif.), Oct. 27

7. DeSoto (Texas) (7-0)

Previous rank: 7. Last week: Def. Cedar Hill (Texas) 35-13.

The Eagles needed a half to find their bearings before disposing of the Longhorns. Senior Marvin Duffey’s second touchdown of the night, a 13-yarder just before halftime, helped them pull away from a 13-7 lead and set up next week’s showdown with No. 5 Duncanville.

Next game: vs. No. 5 Duncanville (Texas), Oct. 27

8. St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia) (7-1)

Previous rank: 8. Last week: Def. Archbishop Spalding (Severn, Md.) 24-6.

The Eagles made the two-hour trip down I-95 to face the Cavaliers, who were among the teams receiving honorable mention in this week’s Mid-Atlantic regional rankings. Isaiah West ran for touchdowns of 16 and 50 yards to help the visitors build a 24-0 lead.

Next game: at Roman Catholic (Philadelphia), Oct. 28

9. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.) (8-0)

Previous rank: 9. Last week: Def. Collins Hill (Suwanee, Ga.) 24-18.

Maybe the Hawks were still feeling the effects of their win a week earlier against Buford, but they led the Eagles (2-5 entering the game) only 14-12 midway through the third quarter and never could pull away from their stubborn opponent.

Next game: at Dacula (Ga.), Oct. 27

10. North Shore (Galena Park, Texas) (8-0)

Previous rank: 10. Last week: Def. Humble (Texas) 38-24.

Kaleb Bailey threw for two touchdowns, and D’Andre Hardeman Jr. ran for 123 yards and two scores as the Mustangs built a 38-0 lead early in the third quarter and held off a spirited charge by the host Wildcats. Next is a showdown with fellow unbeaten Atascocita, which survived in overtime against King.

Next game: vs. Atascocita (Humble, Texas), Oct. 27

11. Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.) (8-0)

Previous rank: 11. Last week: Def. Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.) 52-34.

The teams combined for more than 1,100 yards of total offense, with Packers quarterback Neko Fann throwing for 347 yards and four touchdowns to add the school record for career passing yards to the all-time touchdown passes mark he set this year. Ramsey Dennis Jr. ran for 123 yards and two touchdowns as Colquitt County amassed 663 yards.

Next game: vs. Valdosta (Ga.), Oct. 27

12. Buford (Ga.) (7-1)

Previous rank: 12. Last week: Def. Dacula (Ga.) 66-0.

University of Georgia coach Kirby Smart was in attendance to watch prized five-star commit Dylan Raiola (12 of 18, 235 yards, two touchdowns) and four-star linebacker pledge Jadon Perlotte, and he watched the Wolves bounce back from last week’s loss to Mill Creek by overwhelming the Falcons.

Next game: vs. Mountain View (Lawrenceville, Ga.), Oct. 27

13. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) (9-1)

Previous rank: 13. Last week: Def. Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio) 14-7.

The Eagles defense held Hoban to just 123 yards of total offense, with the Knights’ only score coming on an interception return early in the first quarter. Sophomore Brandon White’s 12-yard touchdown run with 3:39 left gave St. Edward the victory over Hoban, No. 5 in our Midwest regional rankings.

Next game: vs. Elyria (Ohio), Oct. 27

14. Saraland (Ala.) (8-0)

Previous rank: 14. Last week: Idle.

The Spartans got the week off before their final two regular-season games ahead of the Alabama 6A state playoffs.

Next game: vs. Theodore (Ala.), Oct. 27

15. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) (7-1)

Previous rank: 15. Last week: Def. St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) 37-7.

The Crusaders decompressed from their rivalry win against St. Joseph Regional by cruising past one-win St. Peter’s Prep. Quincy Porter and Kaj Sanders each scored two touchdowns for Bergen Catholic.

Next game: at Paramus (N.J.) Catholic, Oct. 27

16. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) (6-1)

Previous rank: 16. Last week: Def. Naples (Fla.) 38-17.

The Patriots dominated in all three phases, taking advantage of two blocked punts, an interception and a fumble recovery to build a 31-3 halftime lead. Byron Louis ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns for American Heritage.

Next game: at Hallandale (Fla.), Oct. 27

17. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (8-1)

Previous rank: 17. Last week: Def. Monarch (Coconut Creek, Fla.) 35-19.

Ohio State commit Jordan Lyle rushed for a career-high 230 yards and five touchdowns on 16 carries to lead the Raiders. A year ago, Lyle ran for 212 yards against the Knights.

Next game: at Dillard (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Oct. 27

18. Belleville (Mich.) (9-0)

Previous rank: 18. Last week: Def. Northville (Mich.) 48-0.

Bryce Underwood led the Tigers to a dominant victory in the KLAA championship game, with the five-star junior quarterback accounting for six touchdowns (four passing, two rushing). Belleville posted its third consecutive shutout and fifth this season.

Next game: vs. Huron (Ann Arbor, Mich.), Oct. 27

19. Westlake (Austin, Texas) (8-0)

Previous rank: 19. Last week: Def. Austin (Texas) 65-14.

The Chaparrals got interception returns for touchdowns from Payton Luther and Stephen Fuqua, and junior Grady Bartlett ran for 138 yards and three touchdowns.

Next game: vs. Bowie (Austin, Texas), Oct. 27

20. Washington Massillon (Ohio) (10-0)

Previous rank: 20. Last week: Def. McKinley (Canton, Ohio) 35-0.

The 134th edition of this Ohio high school football staple that dates to 1894 was all Tigers, who won their eighth in a row in the series to extend their lead to 76-53-5. Dorian Pringle’s second touchdown of the game with 4:45 left in the third quarter triggered a running clock after Washington Massillon led 28-0 at halftime.

Next game: vs. Central Crossing (Grove City, Ohio), Oct. 27

21. Walton (Marietta, Ga.) (8-0)

Previous rank: 21. Last week: Def. Cherokee (Canton, Ga.) 48-7.

The Raiders scored on their first play from scrimmage and never backed off en route to the 7A-Region 5 victory.

Next game: vs. Osborne (Marietta, Ga.), Oct. 27

22. Norland (Miami, Fla.) (8-0)

Previous rank: 23. Last week: Def. Columbus (Miami, Fla.) 16-3.

The Greater Miami Athletic Conference championship belongs to the Vikings after they defeated a defending state champion for the second consecutive week, earning them a slight move up the Power 25 rankings. Juan Rodriguez and Ennio Yapoor each scored on short runs, and the defense held an Explorers offense missing James Madison quarterback commit Albert Mendoza in check.

Next game: at North Miami Beach (Fla.), Oct. 27

23. Kahuku (Hawaii) (9-1)

Previous rank: 22. Last week: Idle.

The Red Raiders learned their opponent in the semifinals of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Open Division playoffs as Kapolei defeated Moanalua 68-33 to earn a rematch from last year’s playoffs, which Kahuku won 44-7.

Next game: vs. Kapolei (Honolulu), Oct. 28

24. Serra (San Mateo, Calif.) (8-0)

Previous rank: 24. Last week: Def. Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco) 53-7.

The Padres never let the rising Crusaders in the game, scoring on each of their first three possessions and building a 43-0 lead late in the third quarter.

Next game: at Valley Christian (San Jose, Calif.), Oct. 27

25. Miami Central (Fla.) (4-3)

Previous rank: 25. Last week: Def. Southridge (Miami, Fla.) 41-0.

The biggest news on the Miami Central campus last week came when five-star defensive lineman Armondo Blount announced he is flipping his commitment to Florida State and reclassifying to the class of 2024. In the GMAC Series game, Anjuan Coleman threw for two touchdowns filling in for injured quarterback JC Evans.

Next game: at Monsignor Pace (Miami, Fla.), Oct. 27 

Dropped out

None

Honorable mention

Aledo (Texas)

Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)

Bixby (Okla.)

Carrollton (Ga.)

Centennial (Corona, Calif.)

Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.)

Cocoa (Fla.)

Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah)

Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia)

McCallie (Chattanooga, Tenn.)

Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.)

Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)

-- René Ferrán | rferran.scorebooklive@gmail.com | @sblivesports