SBLive/SI Top 25 national high school football rankings (10/2/2023): Dylan Raiola, Buford continue to impress

Big-time high school football showdowns are on the horizon

René Ferrán | Oct 2, 2023

It is almost Friday the 13th.

As the calendar flips to October, several national high school football showdowns are looming on the 13th, including No. 1 Mater Dei vs. No. 7 St. John Bosco in Southern California.

On the other side of the country, Dylan Raiola and No. 4 Buford are gearing up for a Georgia clash with No. 12 Mill Creek on the same day. Raiola warmed up for that game with another impressive showing in Buford's 43-0 win over Collins Hill.

Several big matchups are on the schedule this weekend as well. Check our Top 25 schedule for all the big games, and get the complete breakdown of our Week 7 SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national high school football rankings below:

SBLIVE/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED POWER 25 - WEEK 8

1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) (6-0)

Previous rank: 1. Last week: Def. Servite (Anaheim, Calif.) 49-0.

The Monarchs kept rolling as Elijah Brown tossed five touchdown passes in a Trinity League opener against the Friars. Now, they can’t get caught looking ahead to their showdown with No. 7 St. John Bosco in two weeks. Their next opponent, JSerra Catholic, entered last week’s action No. 16 in the SBLive California Power 25.

Next game: vs. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.), Oct. 6

2. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) (7-0)

Previous rank: 2. Last week: Def. Arbor View (Las Vegas) by forfeit.

The Gaels got an unexpected week off after the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association forced the Aggies to forfeit the game because of a bench-clearing fight in their previous game against Desert Pines.

Next game: at Shadow Ridge (Las Vegas), Oct. 6

3. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) (4-0)

Previous rank: 3. Last week: Idle.

The Ascenders had the past two weeks off. Will it be rest or rust as they resume their national schedule against the first of three in-state opponents?

Next game: at Bartram Trail (St. Johns, Fla.), Oct. 6

4. Buford (Ga.) (6-0)

Previous rank: 4. Last week: Def. Collins Hill (Suwanee, Ga.) 43-0.

Five-star Georgia commit Dylan Raiola finished 11 of 16 for 276 yards and four touchdowns, including this impressive on-the-run scoring pass to four-star junior Devin Williams. K.J. Bolden, who enjoyed his visit to Auburn over the weekend, caught two touchdowns, and the Wolves now get a week off before traveling to No. 12 Mill Creek.

Next game: at No. 12 Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.), Oct. 13

5. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.) (6-0)

Previous rank: 5. Last week: Def. Coconut Creek (Fla.) 35-27.

The Lions had just completed a run of three consecutive Power 25 games, but they almost suffered a loss against a Cougars team that was just outside last week’s SBLive Florida Power 25. Coconut Creek rallied from a 35-14 deficit after three quarters and were driving for a potential tying score when Curtis Janvier’s interception deep in Lions territory with 36 seconds left secured the victory. Jaquari Lewis ran for 152 of his 166 yards in the first half, and Cedrick Bailey tossed three touchdown passes for Chaminade-Madonna.

Next game: at Dillard (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Oct. 7

6. Duncanville (Texas) (4-0)

Previous rank: 6. Last week: Idle.

The Panthers got the week off before taking on Waxahachie, which pushed DeSoto in a 56-35 defeat two weeks ago and will also be coming off an open week.

Next game: at Waxahachie (Texas), Oct. 6

7. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) (5-1)

Previous rank: 7. Last week: Def. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) 42-7.

The Braves opened Trinity League play by dispatching the Eagles, who were ranked No. 10 in the SBLive California Power 25. Chauncey “Boogie” Sylvester led the way with three touchdowns, and Cameron Jones ran for 136 yards and two touchdowns. They play host to Servite next week before their monster showdown with No. 1 Mater Dei.

Next game: vs. Servite (Anaheim, Calif.), Oct. 6

8. DeSoto (Texas) (4-0)

Previous rank: 8. Last week: Idle.

The Eagles had a week off before returning to 6A District 11 play against Mansfield Legacy this week.

Next game: at Mansfield Legacy (Texas), Oct. 6

9. St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia) (4-1)

Previous rank: 9. Last week: Def. Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.) 61-0.

The Eagles got two touchdown passes from Samaj Jones and scored three times on special teams — punt returns of 38 yards by David Washington and 51 yards by Masiia Acrey and a 4-yard blocked punt return by Alex Repko — to overwhelm the Vikings, who managed just 30 yards of total offense.

Next game: vs. La Salle College (Wyndmoor, Pa.), Oct. 6

10. North Shore (Galena Park, Texas) (5-0)

Previous rank: 10. Last week: Def. C.E. King (Houston) 42-6.

The Mustangs put away their matchup with previously undefeated King early, with Kaleb Bailey’s 58-yard touchdown pass to Chris Barnes propelling them to a 28-6 halftime lead. They’ll take on another unbeaten team in Summer Creek this week.

Next game: vs. Summer Creek (Houston), Oct. 6

11. Miami (Fla.) Central (2-2)

Previous rank: 11. Last week: Def. North Miami Beach (Fla.) 54-0.

The Rockets led 20-0 after one quarter and 48-0 at halftime en route to an easy victory.

Next game: vs. Northwestern (Miami), Oct. 6

12. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.) (6-0)

Previous rank: 12. Last week: Def. Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville, Ga.) 47-7.

The Hawks led 40-0 at halftime and coasted to victory in their Region 8-7A opener. They’ll get a week off to prepare for their highly anticipated showdown with No. 4 Buford.

Next game: vs. No. 4 Buford (Ga.), Oct. 13

13. Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.) (6-0)

Previous rank: 13. Last week: Def. Lincoln (Tallahassee, Fla.) 56-16.

Four-star receiver Ny Carr became the Packers’ all-time receiving touchdowns leader with an acrobatic 19-yard scoring catch in the third quarter that helped them romp over their interstate rival. The Packers racked up more than 400 yards of total offense and scored four touchdowns in a six-minute span of the second quarter to blow the game open.

Next game: at Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.), Oct. 13

14. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) (6-1)

Previous rank: 14. Last week: Def. St. Ignatius (Cleveland) 42-7.

The annual rivalry game started in St. Ignatius’s favor, as Max Ritt returned the opening kickoff 74 yards to put the Wildcats in scoring position. One play later, junior safety Bradley Eaton’s interception snuffed the chance, and the Eagles went on to their seventh consecutive win in the series. Senior quarterback Casey Bullock returned from a knee injury that sidelined him for two games to finish 12 of 16 for 257 yards and three touchdowns behind an offensive line that features three Big 10 recruits.

Next game: vs. Clarkson North (Mississauga, Ark.), Oct. 7

15. Saraland (Ala.) (6-0)

Previous rank: 15. Last week: Def. Foley (Ala.) 70-20.

Five-star Alabama commit Ryan Williams had a big night for the Spartans, scoring three touchdowns before joining the starters on the sideline for the fourth quarter. Saraland has outscored its four in-state opponents 216-16.

Next game: at Blount (Eight Mile, Ala.) Oct. 6

16. Columbus (Miami, Fla.) (6-0)

Previous rank: 16. Last week: Def. Miami (Fla.) 44-0.

The Explorers got another solid performance from senior quarterback Alberto Mendoza (14 of 20, 199 yards, one touchdown), and junior Agyeman Addae ran for 64 yards and two touchdowns.

Next game: vs. Homestead (Fla.), Oct. 6

17. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (5-1)

Previous rank: 17. Last week: Def. Miramar (Fla.) 38-6.

The Raiders shrugged off a slow start that saw them trailing 6-0 after one quarter to steadily pull away from the Patriots. Jordan Lyle’s 80-yard touchdown run got them going, and Andrew Indorf had three touchdown passes to Chance J. Robinson to push the lead to 28-6 after three quarters.

Next game: vs. Boyd Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.), Oct. 6

18. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) (3-1)

Previous rank: 18. Last week: Def. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 48-7.

It was expected to be a 2M District 12 showdown (Cardinal Gibbons was ranked No. 16 in last week’s SBLive Florida Power 25), but the Patriots turned it into a rout early, leading 41-7 by halftime. Junior running backs Byron Louis and Deandre Desinor each went over 100 yards in the first quarter, and Chance Washington scored on two short runs.

Next game: at Western (Davie, Fla.), Oct. 6

19. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) (5-1)

Previous rank: 19. Last week: Def. DePaul Catholic (Wayne, N.J.) 31-13.

The matchup featured brothers coaching against each other, with Vito Campanile’s Crusaders defeating Nick’s DePaul team for the second time. Vito missed time this week after being hospitalized with an illness, but his staff kept things on track and his team racked up 255 rushing yards — including 125 by Kaj Sanders, whose 72-yard touchdown run helped the Crusaders put the game away.

Next game: vs. St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.), Oct. 14

20. Chandler (Ariz.) (6-0)

Previous rank: 20. Last week: Def. Casteel (Queen Creek, Ariz.) 49-28.

The Wolves led just 29-21 at halftime, but four-star Illinois commit Ca’Lil Valentine helped them stave off the upset-minded Colts. Valentine finished with 213 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries, and Blake Heffron was 14 of 19 for 272 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.

Next game: vs. Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.), Oct. 6

21. Belleville (Mich.) (6-0)

Previous rank: 21. Last week: Def. Glenn (Westland, Mich.) 35-8.

The Tigers won for the 31st consecutive game, pulling away in the second half from a 14-0 lead at intermission. Junior quarterback Bryce Underwood threw for three touchdowns and ran for another.

Next game: at Wayne (Mich.) Memorial, Oct. 6

22. Westlake (Austin, Texas) (5-0)

Previous rank: 22. Last week: Def. Del Valle (Texas) 58-0.

The Chaparrals enjoyed Homecoming by posting their fourth shutout of the season, holding the Cardinals to 41 yards of total offense and four first downs. Senior Jack Keyser scored on two short runs, leading a balanced rushing attack that saw five backs reach the end zone.

Next game: at Anderson (Austin, Texas), Oct. 5

23. Walton (Marietta, Ga.) (5-0)

Previous rank: 23. Last week: Def. North Paulding (Dallas, Ga.) 44-24.

The Raiders passed their biggest test since their opening game, with Wake Forest commit Jeremy Hecklinkski passing for 341 yards and four touchdowns and adding a rushing score to help them shake off the previously undefeated Wolfpack.

Next game: at North Cobb (Kennesaw, Ga.), Oct. 6

24. Serra (San Mateo, Calif.) (5-0)

Previous rank: 24. Last week: Def. Saint Francis (Mountain View, Calif.) 45-17.

Maealiuaki Smith threw for 321 yards and two touchdowns, and he scored on two quarterback sneaks as the Padres won in one of the West Catholic Athletic League’s top rivalry games against the Lancers, who were ranked No. 12 in SBLive California’s Northern California Coast rankings.

Next game: at Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), Oct. 6

25. Kahuku (Hawaii) (7-1)

Previous rank: 25. Last week: Def. Moanalua (Honolulu) 59-0.

The Red Raiders built a 31-0 lead through 12 minutes and cruised to victory. Aiden Manutai returned an interception 16 yards for Kahuku’s first touchdown, and Vaaimalae Fonoti ran for three touchdowns in the first quarter and finished with 136 yards on 12 carries.

Next game: vs. Campbell (Ewa Beach, Hawaii), Oct. 7