Now that every state is officially underway with their football season, here’s how the Super 25 ranked football teams fared for games Sept. 13-14.
MORE: Top 15 Games | National rankings | Regional rankings
* All Times ET (Eastern Standard Time)
1. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (2-0)
Result: Won 61-0 vs. South (Florida) Plantation
Takeaway: That week off didn’t hamper St. Thomas Aquinas. The team was rolling, as quarterback Zion Turner went 6-for-10 passing with two touchdowns, and he didn’t touch the field in the second half. St. Thomas roared out to a 48-point first half and the defense shut out South Plantation to get the team’s second win of the season.
2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, California (3-0)
Next: Saturday, Sept. 14 vs. 4 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Maryland) at St. John Bosco, 10:30 p.m. ET
3. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, California (4-0)
Result: Won 31-8 vs. Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Maryland)
Takeaway: Head coach Jason Negro called it a “sloppy” game, but a win is a win in the Trinity League vs. USA Showcase. Lineman Kobe Pepe was a star on defense and the running back trio of Nate Jones, Jabari Bates and Rayshon Luke started to break out as the offense was slow to pick it up. But Bosco came away on top as it usually does. What We Learned >>
4. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore, Maryland (3-0)
Next: Saturday, Sept. 14 vs. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California) at St. John Bosco, 10:30 p.m. ET
5. Marietta, Georgia (3-1)
Result: Lost 28-14 at Grayson (Loganville, Georgia)
Takeaway: No. 5 Marietta didn’t lose the game, Grayson took it. After a defensive struggle of a first half, the Rams put together big plays at key times in the fourth quarter and proved that they’re a force to be reckoned with not only in the state, but in the country. Rams running back Lafayette Gurvin Jr. stepped in and starred in Phil Mafah’s, a Clemson commit, absence, and the Rams came away with four interceptions against elite quarterback Harrison Bailey, a Tennessee commit. If Grayson can stay balanced and consistent they will be a tough out for the rest of the season. Expect the Rams to make a steep climb in next week’s Super 25. What We Learned >>
6. Duncanville, Texas (2-0)
Next: Saturday, Sept. 14 vs. 14 St. John’s (Washington, District of Columbia), 6 p.m. ET
7. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Florida (3-0)
Result: Won 31-25 at 11 St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia)
Takeaway: The ability to win ugly is an underrated skill and No. 7 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) seems to have mastered it after pulling out the 31-25 win over No. 11 St. Joe’s Prep (Philadelphia). In all, the Ascenders committed 22 penalties, nine of which were personal fouls. It didn’t happen tonight, but if that undisciplined play continues, it could cost the Ascenders down the line. That said, pulling out a win on the road against a fellow Super 25 team is no easy feat. Buy stock in the Ascenders working out the kinks and looking even more impressive next week at St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.). What We Learned >>
8. St. Louis, Honolulu, Hawaii (4-0)
Next: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Kahuku (Hawaii), 1:30 a.m. ET
9. Katy, Texas (2-0)
Next: Won 65-0 vs. Aguilas Blancas (Mexico)
10. Gonzaga, Washington, District of Columbia (2-0)
Next: Saturday, Sept. 14 vs. Georgetown Prep (North Bethesda, Maryland), 2 p.m. ET
11. St Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (1-2)
Result: Lost 31-25 vs. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
Takeaway: The ability to win ugly is an underrated skill and No. 7 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) seems to have mastered it after pulling out the 31-25 win over No. 11 St. Joe’s Prep (Philadelphia). In all, the Ascenders committed 22 penalties, nine of which were personal fouls. It didn’t happen tonight, but if that undisciplined play continues, it could cost the Ascenders down the line. That said, pulling out a win on the road against a fellow Super 25 team is no easy feat. Buy stock in the Ascenders working out the kinks and looking even more impressive next week at St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.). What We Learned >>
12. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (2-1)
Result: Lost 42-41 vs. St. Ignatius (Cleveland)
Takeaway: In high school football, even at the elite level, no lead is safe. Just ask No.12 Archbishop Hoban. The Akron program was in command against fellow Northeast Ohio Catholic power, Cleveland St. Ignatius. A 35-10 lead early in the third period made it seem as if the game was out of St. Ignatius’ grasp. But the Wildcats came storming back, thanks in part to two field goals of more than 50 yards from Ignatius kicker Declan Mangan. The final result was the biggest upset of the night in the Midwest after St. Ignatius stuffed a Hoban two-point attempt in the closing minutes. What We Learned >>
13. Lakeland, Florida (4-0)
Result: Won 55-19 at Plant City (Florida)
Takeaway: Fenley Graham intercepted the first play from scrimmage and took it to the house as Lakeland ran to a win with its defense. The Dreadnaughts forced five interceptions and six turnovers total in the decisive victory, and running back Demarkcus Bowman had 172 yards and two touchdowns.
14. St. John’s College, Washington, District of Columbia (2-1)
Next: Saturday, Sept. 14 at Duncanville (Texas), 7 p.m. ET
15. De La Salle, Concord, California (3-1)
Result: Won 42-27 at Folsom (Calif.)
Takeaway: De La Salle scored the first 28 points of the game and quarterback Dorian Hale ran for four touchdowns as the Spartans took down northern California rival Folsom. Elijhah Badger had 14 catches for 159 yards for Folsom, but it wasn’t enough to take the win from De La Salle.
16. John Curtis, River Ridge, Louisiana (1-0)
Next: Saturday, Sept. 14 vs. Westlake (Atlanta), 4 p.m. ET
17. Trinity, Louisville, Kentucky (4-0)
Result: Won 60-6 vs. Waubonsie Valley (Aurora, Illinois)
Takeaway: Ryan Miller had five catches for 100 yards and quarterback Nathan McElroy completed 18 of 23 passes while throwing three touchdowns to lead Trinity to its fourth win of the season. Running back Armon Tucker added two rushing touchdowns.
18. Eastside Catholic, Sammamish, Washington (2-0)
Result: Won 44-21 at Central Catholic (Portland, Oregon)
Takeaway: Gee Scott Jr. turned five catches into three touchdowns and had 146 receiving yards in Eastside Catholic’s second win of the season. Gio Ursino also had a good game, rushing 11 times for 116 yards and a pair of scores.
20. Allen, Texas (3-0)
Result: Won 28-21 vs. Coppell (Texas)
Takeaway: With starting quarterback Raylen Sharpe injured, Allen very nearly fell to Coppell. Instead, the Eagles managed to pull out a late touchdown to take the win. Running back Celdon Manning carried the load in Sharpe’s absence, rushing for 246 yards and three of the team’s four touchdowns to help Allen remain undefeated in this young season.
20. Pickerington (Ohio) Central (3-0)
Result: Won 49-28 vs. Naperville Central (Illinois)
Takeaway: Pickerington is undefeated, but those first wins didn’t necessarily scream “top-tier team.” This week’s was much more impressive. Running back Nick Mosley rushed for 239 yards and three scores, wide receiver Lorenzo Styles Jr. had six catches for 146 yards and a pair of scores and quarterback Deamatric Crenshaw only had three incompletions in 13 passes. It was a statement on just how good this offense can be.
21. Cathedral Catholic, San Diego (3-1)
Result: Lost 45-27 at Helix (La Mesa, California)
Takeaway: Maybe Cathedral Catholic burnt up all its adrenaline against its last two opponents, Saguaro (Scottsdale, Arizona) and Centennial (Corona, California), but they were blank against Helix on Friday. Opposing quarterback Kamryn Brown went 13-for-17 and running back Elelyon Noa had 116 rushing yards. Both had a pair of touchdowns. Helix led 24-7 at halftime, Cathedral Catholic cut that to 24-21, but Helix ended up taking the win.
22. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas, Nevada (2-1)
Next: Saturday, Sept. 14 at Lone Peak (Highland, Utah) at 5 p.m. ET
23. Highland Springs, Virginia (3-0)
Result: Won 47-0 vs. Meadowbrook (Richmond, Virginia)
Takeaway: Highland Springs led 34-0 at halftime, and that’s the story. The Springers ran away with the shut out as Meadowbrook couldn’t touch their defense. Highland Springs looks like it’s the best team in Virginia once again.
24. Highland Park, Dallas, Texas (2-1)
Result: Lost 30-19 vs. Lone Star (Frisco, Texas)
Takeaway: The Scots entered Friday with Texas’ longest winning streak, not to mention a 102-1 mark at home. Better make that 102-2 after Lone Star produced a PhD-level performance in forcing bad turnovers. Highland Park star quarterback Chandler Morris threw four interceptions in the first three quarters as the Scots finally dug themselves a hole they couldn’t climb out of, surely sending them out of the Super 25 immediately after they earned their way in. What We Learned >>
25. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (2-1)
Result: Won 24-21 vs. Westfield (Houston, Texas)
Takeaway: Zach Evans missed his second game in a row and it almost cost North Shore. Westfield led by eight with less than three minutes remaining, but North Shore managed to catch back up and give John Gillalobos the chance to make a game-winning field goal. He hit the 33-yarder as time expired and North Shore narrowly avoided its second loss of the season.
