There’s a new No. 1 team in the country.
While Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California) asserted itself as the best team in the nation with its win over then-No. 4 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) on Saturday, other teams are vying for position.
Which Super 25 teams should be ranked higher? Which teams outside the national rankings deserve a spot as one of the best?
Take a look at some of the top games this week.
MATCHUP
Central (Phenix City, Ala.) vs. Opelika (Ala.)
When: 9/20, 8 p.m. ET
Analysis: Since Central Phenix’s last-minute loss to open the season, the Red Devils have yet to lose. Senior linebacker Jadon Richardson has a whopping 12.3 tackles per game and three-star running back Joseph McKay averages about 85 rushing yards per game — though he’s yet to score a rushing touchdown. Meanwhile, Opelika running back Eric Watts is coming off a 237-yard game with two touchdowns. Can one of those RBs be the difference-maker?
MATCHUP
No. 14 Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.) vs. Pinnacle (Phoenix)
When: 9/20, 10:45 p.m. ET
Analysis: For the third week in a row, Eastside Catholic is facing a team from outside its state. It’s hosting Pinnacle in a battle against Arizona.
Last year, Pinnacle had No. 1 quarterback Spencer Rattler at the helm. With Rattler now at Oklahoma, 3-star Michigan commit JD Johnson has done a good job in his place, completing 63.8% of his passes with eight touchdowns to just one interception in three games. Johnson will face a tough test against defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau, regarded by 247Sports as the No. 1 player in the 2021 class.
MATCHUP
JSerra (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) vs. Calabasas (Calif.)
When: 9/20, 10:30 p.m. ET
Analysis: Both these teams started on the bubble of the West Region rankings but have somewhat dropped to the periphery. One thing to note with JSerra: Who will start at quarterback? Last week, General Booty was benched for Garrett Phillips as head coach Pat Harlow looked for a spark — and found it. Harlow said after the game he’d need to watch film to see which QB would get the call vs. Calabasas.
Meanwhile, Calabasas rebounded nicely from a loss two weeks ago with a 46-point outburst last week. The offense is certainly booming, but the defense has allowed more than 25 points in the last three games.
MATCHUP
Longview (Texas) vs. West Monroe (La.)
When: 9/20, 8:30 p.m. ET
Analysis: Is Longview a top-five team in Texas? After outscoring opponents 90-0 over the last two games, fans could make the argument. But West Monroe should serve as a better adversary than the last two schools Longview faced. Last year, West Monroe shut out its opponents (four times) more often than it allowed more than 20 points (three times). It’s looking like one of the best teams in Louisiana.
MATCHUP
Narbonne (Harbor City, Calif.) vs. Serra (Gardena, Calif.)
When: 9/20, 10 p.m. ET
Analysis: Narbonne started in the Super 25 but dropped out after a loss against Lone Peak (Highland, Utah). A win against Serra, who beat Calabasas on Sept. 6, would be a good boost.
But if Serra could beat Narbonne, that would likely make them a top 10 California team. Plus, this game could simply be an exciting one. In 2017, Narbonne won 17-14; last year, Narbonne won 27-26 in double-overtime. Could Serra get the edge this time?
MATCHUP
Northwestern (Fla.) at Lowndes (Ga.)
When: 9/20, 8 p.m. ET
Analysis: A Week 3 loss to IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) is the only blemish on an otherwise pristine Northwestern season. In the other three games, the Bulls have outscored opponents 90-13.
But Lowndes has been just as good, yet to allow more than 14 points in a game. And sophomore quarterback Jacurri Brown already looks like a star, averaging more than 110 yards per game with seven touchdown through four games. He’ll be key if Lowndes is to get the win.
MATCHUP
De Smet Jesuit (Mo.) at Christian Brothers (Mo.)
When: 9/20, 8 p.m. ET
Analysis: These may be the best two teams in Missouri going at it on Friday night. In the playoffs last year, De Smet was no match for Christian Brothers, falling 63-28 in the district championship. But this year’s 2020 class is stacked, led by Notre Dame 5-star WR commit Jordan Johnson and 3-star linebacker Lanell Carr.
So far this season, De Smet is 3-0 and outscoring opponents 134-14. Christian Brothers, also undefeated through three games, has outscored De Smet with 165 points but allowed 81. Is that a symptom of a less-talented defense, or just tougher opponents?
MATCHUP
Judson (Converse, Texas) vs. Steele (Cibolo, Texas)
When: 9/20, 8:30 p.m. ET
Analysis: Judson is 15-1 since the beginning of last season, but dual-threat quarterback Mike Chandler II will face a stiff challenge in five-star Texas A&M safety commit Jaylon Jones. His legs could play a pivotal role if Judson hopes to win another one.
Last year, Judson used the ground game to take down Steele, rushing for 403 yards in the 56-21 win. But leading rusher Sincere McCormick, who had rushed for three touchdowns and 168 yards, graduated. Can junior De’Anthony Lewis break 100 yards again? He might need to.
MATCHUP
No. 13 Trinity (Ky.) at Male (Louisville, Ky.)
When: 9/20, 7:30 p.m. ET
Analysis: This game has become one of the best rivalries in Kentucky and has been pretty evenly split over the last decade. In their last 10 meetings, Trinity has the edge (6-4), but Male got the best of the Shamrocks last season. The last two seasons, this matchup has resulted in blowouts. In 2017 Trinity shut out Male 22-0, but last year, Male took the 17-3 win. Both of the road teams won. Will we see a change this time about?
Trinity looks like a different team than last year, when it went 7-7. Male, ranked by MaxPreps as the next-best Kentucky team, is coming off a 14-1 season. Neither team has allowed more than 14 points this season. Seems like one of these streaks has to end.
MATCHUP
No. 5 IMG Academy at St. John’s College
When: 9/21, 2 p.m. ET
Analysis: St. John’s College dropped out of the Super 25 this week after its second loss of the season.
Do the Cadets have the talent to be ranked? Absolutely. But after losing back-to-back games against nationally ranked teams, it looks like they might have bitten off a little more than they can chew with the scheduling. They face IMG Academy for its third-straight game against a ranked opponent. It really feels like this one is a must-win for St. John’s.
MATCHUP
DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) vs. St. Ignatius (Cleveland)
When: 9/21, 2 p.m. ET
Analysis: St. Ignatius came back from a 35-10 third quarter deficit to then-No. 12 Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio) for the win last week. The Wildcats hope to carry the momentum into their fourth game against a DeMatha team whose only loss was to St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California). If St. Ignatius’ offense can’t get going against 4-star defenders Coziah Izzard and Greg Penn III … well, maybe kicker Declan Mangan has a couple more 50-yard field goals in him.
MATCHUP
No. 25 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) vs. St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City, N.J.)
When: 9/21, 7 p.m. ET
Analysis: St. Peter’s Prep leads the rivalry over the last three years, taking two of three, but not since 2016 has a game finished close. That year, St. Peter’s won 48-42. The others were both decided by 27 points.
It could be a defensive battle this year, though. Bergen Catholic has highly-recruited prospects including 4-star Michigan safety commit Jordan Morant and four-star defensive lineman Tywone Malone. St. Peter’s has 4-star Ohio State linebacker commit Cody Simon and 3-star defensive lineman George Rooks. Who will have the upper hand?
MATCHUP
Warren Easton (New Orleans, La.) vs. Edna Karr (New Orleans, La.)
When: 9/21, 8 p.m. ET
Analysis: Edna Karr rebounded last week from a tight loss against nationally ranked John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, Louisiana). The team would like to tack on another win — and doing so against Warren Easton, one of two Louisiana teams in the Southwest Regional Rankings, would be a big one.
One potential battle to watch: Will 3-star Warren wide receiver Casey Cain face off against 3-star Edna cornerback and Arkansas commit Jamie Vance? Could be a fun one to watch.
MATCHUP
St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) vs. Elder (Cincinnati)
When: 9/21, 4 p.m. ET
Analysis: Both these teams have had close games, with St. Edward’s losing by one to Mentor (Ohio) and winning last week by seven points, and Elder going into overtime two weeks ago and winning in a 60-54 shootout last week. With two of the three meetings over the last three years decided by one possession, this could be a big game for whichever team takes home the win.
MATCHUP
No. 3 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) at Mililani (Hawaii)
When: 9/22, 12:30 a.m. ET
Analysis: St. John Bosco won in the Trinity League vs. USA game over the weekend, but head coach Jason Negro wasn’t thrilled with the end, calling it “sloppy.” Can the offense look better against Mililani? They’ll have to fight off the time difference and any jet lag in addition to the 6-0 Hawaii team, which has posted shutouts in three games and only allowed six points in a fourth matchup.
