SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25: Two Florida teams - Lakeland and Columbus - debut in national high school football rankings
With the additions of Lakeland (Florida) and Columbus (Florida), the Sunshine State now has a state-leading seven teams in this week's SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national high school football rankings.
Chaminade-Madonna, Miami Central, American Heritage, IMG Academy and St. Thomas Aquinas are the other ranked teams from Florida. Georgia and Texas both have four teams represented.
Lakeland (7-0) debuts this week following a 44-6 win over Clearwater Academy International (Florida). The Dreadnaughts are loaded with Division 1 talent. Columbus (8-1) breaks into the Power 25 following a 42-35 loss against No. 5 Miami Central. The Explorers competed with one of the top teams in the country in defeat.
Archbishop Hoban (Ohio) and Kahuku (Hawaii) drop out of the rankings this week. Hoban lost to St. Edward (Ohio) 41-20. Kahuku lacks a signature national win.
SBLive/SI's national football rankings are compiled by SBLive reporter Connor Morrissette and Sports Illustrated's Director of Football Recruiting John Garcia based on observations and conversations with an extensive network of coaching and media sources across the country. The rankings will be released every Monday throughout the 2022 season.
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SBLIVE/SI POWER 25 NATIONAL FOOTBALL RANKINGS
Oct. 24, 2022
1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) (9-0)
Last week: 1
Last game: 52-7 win over Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)
Next game: Oct. 28 at Servite (Anaheim, Calif.)
Ranking rationale: Three weeks ago, Mater Dei won the regular season game of the year in high school football. Going up against a St. John Bosco defense with more national recruits (12) than starters (11), the Monarchs ran the ball well with sophomore Jordon Davison and QB Elijah Brown to eat the clock and beat the Braves 17-7. Mater Dei finished the game with 176 yards on the ground. Both Davison and Brown rushed for TDs. On defense, Zabien Brown and Daryus Dixson snagged interceptions and the Monarchs' ends, tackles and linebackers consistently won at the line of scrimmage. Last week, Mater Dei jumped out to a 21-7 lead over Santa Margarita thanks to 99, 63 and 70-yard touchdowns before going on to win 52-7.
2. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.) (7-0)
Last week: 2
Last game: 63-0 win over Avant Garde Academy (Hollywood, Fla.)
Next game: Oct. 27 vs. St. John Paul II Academy (Boca Raton, Fla.)
Ranking rationale: Earlier this season in one of the games of the year in Florida high school football, Chaminade-Madonna beat No. 6 American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) 42-34. Davion Gause rushed for three touchdowns and Cedric Bailey connected on an 85-yard touchdown pass play with Jeremiah Smith to lift the Lions to a thrilling win.
“They’re going to win it all, too,” American Heritage head coach Mike Smith said of Chaminade-Madonna postgame. “That’s one of the best football teams, and I’ve been here 10 years, and that’s one of the best football teams we’ve seen in my 10 years here. They’re well coached. They have a lot of talent. They’re going to go get it.”
The Lions have two games left in the regular season, but they won't be challenged again until the playoffs.
3. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) (9-1)
Last week: 3
Last game: 75-0 win over Foothill (Henderson, Nev.)
Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Faith Lutheran (Las Vegas)
Ranking rationale: Bishop Gorman's three-point loss to No. 1 Mater Dei back in August looks even better following Mater Dei's 17-7 win over No. 4 St. John Bosco. Bishop Gorman performed much better on offense against the Monarchs' vaunted defense than St. John Bosco did.
Against league opponents this season, Bishop Gorman has outscored teams 345-0. The Gaels have 15 of the top 25 2023 recruits in the state of Nevada on its roster, according to 247Sports.com. USC wide receiver commit Zachariah Branch and Georgia cornerback commit Justyn Rhett are the headlining recruits.
4. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) (8-1)
Last week: 4
Last game: 48-7 win over Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)
Ranking rationale: The Braves have rebounded from their defeat against No. 1 Mater Dei with blowout wins over JSerra (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) and Orange Lutheran. Three weeks ago, St. John Bosco struggled against Mater Dei's rushing attack, but the Braves' defense only gave up 17 points in the rivalry loss. What killed St. John Bosco was poor offensive execution. Quarterbacks Pierce Clarkson and Caleb Sanchez completed only 14 passes for 106 yards. Clarkson, the Braves' starter, missed the second half after suffering a concussion in the first half (he didn't miss any additional time following the Mater Dei game). Clarkson was sacked three times and never really looked comfortable. Sanchez didn't look comfortable either facing constant pressure over the final two quarters.
The Braves have one of the most talented rosters in the country and they will most likely get another crack at the Monarchs in the Division 1 Southern Section championship game in November. That game will most likely decide the national No. 1 ranking.
5. Miami Central (Fla.) (8-0)
Last week: 5
Last game: 42-35 win over No. 23 Columbus (Miami)
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Monsignor Pace (Miami)
Ranking rationale: Central survived a second half comeback from No. 23 Columbus to win 42-35. The Rockets led 35-7 at halftime.
Class of 2023 Florida International commit Keyone Jenkins threw for three touchdown passes, including two long plays to Lamar Seymore (Pittsburgh commit), and Rueben Bain showed why he’s one of the top defensive players in the nation, coming up with two sacks and a pressure that forced a crucial intentional grounding penalty in the closing minutes.
“This felt like a rivalry game,” Jenkins said. “They brought their fans. A lot of them came. It felt like a rivalry game.”
In their first game of the season, the Rockets handed No. 8 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) its first loss to an in-state opponent since 2013.
6. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) (8-1)
Last week: 6
Last game: 35-17 win over Naples (Fla.)
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Hallandale (Fla.)
Ranking rationale: Class of 2023 Ohio State running back commit Mark Fletcher rushed for 184 yards and a touchdown on a career-high 30 carries in American Heritage's 35-17 win over a very talented Naples team. The Patriots never punted.
Fletcher's big night came against a Naples defense known for shutting down the run. The Golden Eagles (6-2) had only allowed 64 points in seven games this season before Friday.
In addition to Fletcher, American Heritage has a few other big time recruits on its roster. Class of 2023 Ohio State wide out commit Brandon Inniss, 2023 4-star cornerback Damari Brown, 2023 4-star safety Daemon Fagan and 2023 Missouri cornerback commit Shamar McNeil are other names to know.
The Patriots lone loss on the season came against No. 2 Chaminade Madonna 42-34 back in September.
7. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) (5-0)
Last week: 7
Last game: 22-15 win over No. 25 Kahuku (Hawaii)
Next game: Oct. 28 at Arundel (Gambrills, Md.)
Ranking rationale: St. Frances Academy got Kahuku's best shot before coming back to win 22-15 on Sept. 30. Quarterback Michael Van Buren completed the Panthers' turnaround with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Kyree Benton with just 39 seconds to play in the fourth quarter. St. Frances also got two defensive scores in the game.
Van Buren has received scholarship offers from Alabama, Miami and Oklahoma, among others. Class of 2023 4-star defensive lineman Dashawn Womack (LSU commit) is the top player for the Panthers on defense. He scored a 75-yard touchdown on a fumble recovery against Kahuku.
After nearly a month off, St. Frances will play again this week on the road against Arundel.
8. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) (5-1)
Last week: 8
Last game: 55-0 win over American Collegiate Academy (Clearwater, Fla.)
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Middletown (Del.)
Ranking rationale: Since losing to No. 5 Miami Central (Fla.) 20-14 to open the season, IMG has outscored its next five opponents 254-45. In the class of 2023, three of the top 35 recruits in the country are on IMG's roster, per 247Sports.com, and in the 2024 class, five players are ranked in the top 20 nationally. The Ascenders are stacked with blue chip prospects.
9. Buford (Ga.) (8-0)
Last week: 9
Last game: 50-7 win over Dacula (Ga.)
Next game: Oct. 28 at Mountain View (Lawrenceville, Ga.)
Ranking rationale: In one of the games of the year in Georgia two weeks ago, Buford took down No. 17 Mill Creek 39-27. Class of 2023 Alabama running back commit Justice Haynes powered the Wolves to victory with 214 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns. He also threw a touchdown pass.
“This is 7A playoff football,” Buford head coach Bryant Appling said. “That’s what it was. I’m glad my kids got a taste of it. To be able to play a rivalry game like that and step up at the end of the game, I couldn’t ask for much more. I’m happy we got out of here with a win.”
Buford solidified its spot as the top team in Georgia with the win. Last week, the Wolves took down Dacula 50-7.
10. Chandler (Ariz.) (7-0)
Last week: 10
Last game: 49-6 win over Mountain View (Mesa, Ariz.)
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Basha (Ariz.)
Ranking rationale: Another week, another blowout in state win for 2024 Ohio State QB commit Dylan Raiola and the Chandler Wolves. Raiola completed 13 of 20 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns in Chandler's 49-6 victory over Mountain View.
Before the high school football season began, one Arizona high school football insider said this about the Wolves: "Chandler is easily No. 1 in Arizona, the runaway favorite." Expect the Wolves to go undefeated.
11. Westlake (Austin, Texas) (8-0)
Last week: 11
Last game: 70-0 win over Austin (Texas)
Next game: Oct. 27 at Bowie (Austin, Texas)
Ranking rationale: Westlake has won 48 games in a row dating back to 2019. The Chaparrals are led by senior receivers Jaden Greathouse, a Notre Dame commit, and Keaton Kubecka, a Kansas commit. Class of 2023 interior lineman TJ Shanahan is committed to Texas A&M and class of 2023 edge rusher Colton Vasek is committed to Oklahoma. Shanahan suffered a knee injury two weeks ago in Westlake's 29-10 win over Dripping Springs. He hopes to be back for the playoffs.
Guyer is nipping at Westlake's heels, but the Chaparrals are still the top team in Texas high school football after eight weeks.
12. Guyer (Denton, Texas) (8-0)
Last week: 13
Last game: 49-7 win over Allen (Texas)
Next game: Oct. 27 at McKinney (Texas)
Ranking rationale: Guyer made a major statement last week.
Behind the performance of senior quarterback Jackson Arnold, an Oklahoma Sooners commit, the Wildcats rumbled past Allen with ease in a dominant 49-7 win.
Arnold finished the night with 334 yards and four touchdowns through the air on 25-of-28 passing, and added 84 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries on the ground.
The Wildcats secured both a postseason berth in a crowded 6-6A district playoff race and at least a share of the District 6-6A championship.
In addition to Arnold, two other Guyer seniors have verbally committed to big-time college programs: safety Peyton Bowen is a Notre Dame pledge and safety Ryan Yaites is committed to LSU.
13. North Shore (Houston, Texas) (8-0)
Last week: 12
Last game: 56-14 win over Humble (Texas)
Next game: Oct. 27 at Atascocita (Humble, Texas)
Ranking rationale: North Shore blew out Humble to improve to 8-0 on the season. The Mustangs have won three Class 6A Division I state championships in the last four years in Texas. Once again, they're firmly in the mix to win that crown in December. North Shore's top players are 2023 UTSA WR commit David Amador, who has played quarterback for the Mustangs since starter Kaleb Bailey went down with an injury, 2023 corner Jacoby Davis and 2023 linebacker Jayven Anderson.
14. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (8-0)
Last week: 14
Last game: 37-6 win over Monarch (Coconut Creek, Fla.)
Next game: Oct. 28 at Boyd Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.)
Ranking rationale: St. Thomas Aquinas won a 7A state title in Florida a season ago and the team is in a great position to repeat with wide receivers James Madison II and Chance Robinson, two top 100 2024 recruits, in the fold. In terms of committed players, 2023 safety Conrad Hussey is a Penn State pledge, 2023 receiver Isaiah Hardge is committed to the University of Colorado and 2023 defensive lineman Jason Hammond is an Iowa State commit.
Last week, the Raiders blew out Monarch 37-6. Aquinas won't be challenged again until the postseason.
15. Colquitt County (Norman Park, Ga.) (8-0)
Last week: 15
Last game: 42-14 win over Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.)
Next game: Oct. 28 at Valdosta (Ga.)
Ranking rationale: Junior quarterback Neko Fann had a great night against Lowndes completing 16 of 23 passes for 269 yards and four touchdowns. Colquitt County has beaten every team they've faced this season by at least three scores. The Packers are firmly in the mix for the AAAAAAA state title in Georgia this season. In addition to Fann, Colquitt County's other top players are safety Jack Luttrell (Tennessee commit), linebacker Kamal Bonner (Georgia Tech), running back Charlie Pace (Georgia Southern), tight end Landen Thomas (Georgia) and wide receiver Ny Carr (Georgia).
16. Corona Centennial (Corona, Calif.) (8-1)
Last week: 16
Last game: 50-7 win over Murrieta Valley (Murrieta, Calif.)
Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Norco (Calif.)
Ranking rationale: Since falling to No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 43-20, the Huskies have responded with six blowout wins over JSerra (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.), Temecula Valley (Calif.), Chaparral (Temecula, Calif.), Roosevelt (Eastvale, Calif.), Vista Murrieta (Calif.) and Murrieta Valley. Corona Centennial is the clear No. 3 team in California and should once again make a deep postseason run in November before running into either Mater Dei or St. John Bosco. The Huskies' top players are linebacker Owen Chambliss (Utah), receiver Malachi Riley, defensive lineman Lucas Conti (Arizona) and QB Izzy Carter (Arizona State).
17. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.) (7-1)
Last week: 16
Last game: 54-0 win over Collins Hill (Suwanee, Ga.)
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Dacula (Ga.)
Ranking rationale: Mill Creek came close to upsetting No. 9 Buford two weeks ago, but the Hawks ultimately couldn't stop 2023 Alabama running back commit Justice Haynes. Mill Creek is still ranked following the defeat thanks to keeping that game close. The Hawks top players are 2023 Alabama safety commit Caleb Downs, 2023 Clemson linebacker commit Jamal Anderson and 2023 wide out Makhail Wood. Last week, Mill Creek blew out Collins Hill 54-0.
18. Duncanville (Texas) (7-0)
Last week: 18
Last game: 63-0 win over Skyline (Dallas, Texas)
Next game: Oct. 28 at DeSoto (Texas)
Ranking rationale: Duncanville won its 38th consecutive District game last week. The Panthers have arguably the best defense in Texas high school football and the program has a laundry list of top recruits including junior edge rusher Collin Simmons, senior receiver Lontrell Turner, senior safety Deldrick Madison, senior corner Lamodrick Spencer, senior tackle Benjamin Whitfield (TCU), junior tailback Caden Durham, junior safety Ka'Davion Dotson, junior defensive lineman Alex January, sophomore receiver Dakorien “Rook” Moore and freshman receiver Zach Turner.
19. Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.) (9-0)
Last week: 19
Last game: 43-21 win over Christ Presbyterian Academy (Nashville, Tenn.)
Next game: Oct. 28 at Battle Ground Academy (Franklin, Tenn.)
Ranking rationale: After two challenging out-of-state wins against Milton (Ga.) and Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.) to start the year, Lipscomb Academy has crushed its last seven opponents by a combined score of 313-52. Lipscomb is loaded this season led by 2023 QB Hank Brown, a Liberty commit. He's protected by mammoth 2023 offensive tackle Brandon Solis. Class of 2023 wide receivers Junior Sherrill (Vanderbilt commit) and Nate Spillman (Tennessee) are two other top players on offense. Defensively, 2024 linebacker Edwin Spillman and 2024 cornerback Kaleb Beasley are both top recruits in their class.
20. St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia) (6-1)
Last week: 20
Last game: 48-14 win over Father Judge (Philadelphia)
Next game: Oct. 28 at Roman Catholic (Philadelphia)
Ranking rationale: St. Joseph's Prep led Father Judge 48-0 at halftime two weeks ago. In its season opener, St. Joseph's Prep hung around with No. 14 St. Thomas Aquinas for four quarters, which pushed the Hawks into the Power 25. St. Joseph's Prep fell in that game 48-37, but the Hawks have won six straight since then and they most likely won't lose again this year. Their top players are 2023 West Virginia linebacker commit Josiah Trotter, 2024 corner Omillio Agard, 2024 QB Samaj Jones and 2024 wide receiver Brandon Rehmann.
21. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.) (7-0)
Last week: 23
Last game: 42-0 win over Mountain Ridge (Glendale, Ariz.)
Next game: Oct. 28 at O'Connor (Phoenix)
Ranking rationale: The Lions proved that they're the No. 2 team in Arizona high school football in their 35-7 win over previously undefeated Basha three weeks ago. Junior quarterback Navi Bruzon played a near-perfect game completing 17 of 20 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 46 yards and a TD. On defense, junior linebacker Keaton Stam made 10 tackles and recovered a fumble.
Since the Basha win, the Lions beat up Brophy Prep 48-10 and Mountain Ridge 42-0.
22. Lakeland (Fla.) (7-0)
Last week: NR
Last game: 44-6 win over Clearwater Academy International (Clearwater, Fla.)
Next game: Oct. 28 at Kathleen (Lakeland, Fla.)
Ranking rationale: Outside some of the teams in the top ten, there's a chance Lakeland has the most Division 1 talent of any squad in the Power 25. Here's the list of Dreadnaughts with Division 1 offers: 5-star senior cornerback Cormani McClain, 4-star senior receiver Tyler Williams (Georgia commit), 3-star senior defensive lineman Guerlens Milfort, 3-star senior cornerback Shadarian Harrison (Pittsburgh), 3-star senior offensive lineman Gernorris Wilson (Auburn), 3-star senior offensive lineman Devin Vass, 3-star senior safety Kamaurri McKinley (Toledo), 3-star senior receiver Daidren Zipperer, 3-star senior edge rusher Larry Jones (Coastal Carolina), 3-star senior safety Dontay Joyner (Marshall), 3-star senior linebacker RJ Kelly (Arkansas State), 3-star junior safety Brayshon Williams, 3-star junior running back D'Marius Rucker and 3-star junior receiver Jamar Taylor Jr.
The Dreadnaughts recorded their most impressive win of the season last week against Clearwater Academy International.
“They were (circled) on my calendar from the first time I saw them on film,” Lakeland coach Bill Castle said. “You have to give our offensive line credit. I thought they did a tremendous job. They didn’t have an easy assignment because they were stunting and blitzing in a lot of different places. It is kind of like their style of defense.”
Lakeland picked up six touchdowns from five different players in the onslaught. But even more impressive was the defense, which would have pitched a shutout if not for just one play.
23. Columbus (Miami, Fla.) (8-1)
Last week: NR
Last game: 42-35 loss against No. 5 Central (Miami)
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Goleman (Miami)
Ranking rationale: When a team takes a Power 25 squad down to the wire, especially one in the top five, we notice. Columbus came all the way back from a 35-7 deficit last week against No. 5 Miami Central before eventually falling 42-35. That effort and Columbus' previous resume earned the Explorers their first ever Power 25 berth.
Against Central, Columbus quarterback Alberto Mendoza had a huge night, throwing four touchdown passes, and running for another score.
On the recruiting front, Columbus senior running back Sedrick Irvin Jr. is committed to Stanford and senior safety Ahmere Foster is committed to Marshall. Class of 2024 edge rushers TJ Capers and Dylan Stephenson are both national recruits.
24. Lehi (Utah) (10-0)
Last week: 25
Last game: 28-24 win over Timpview (Provo, Utah)
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Park City (Utah) (5A playoffs)
Ranking rationale: At the end of the regular season, Lehi is the top team in Utah high school football thanks to coming out on top in games against Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah) and Timpview (Provo, Utah). Class of 2023 QB Jackson Brousseau, a Colorado State commit, has thrown 25 touchdowns this season. The other top recruits on Lehi's roster are 2023 defensive lineman Isaac Terrell (Washington State) and 2024 offensive tackle Jensen Somerville.
After a bye, Lehi will play Park City in the second round of the 5A playoffs on Friday night.
25. Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Ga.) (8-0)
Last week: 21
Last game: 41-0 win over Newnan (Ga.)
Next game: Oct. 28 at South Paulding (Douglasville, Ga.)
Ranking rationale: Hughes doesn't have a marquee win on its schedule, so despite having a ton of talent, the Panthers fall to No. 25 this week. Led by 2023 Ohio State tight end commit Jelani Thurman and 2023 Georgia offensive lineman commit Bo Hughley, Hughes has outscored its first eight opponents 409-59. Junior quarterback Air Noland has completed 72% of his passes and thrown 28 touchdowns with only three picks. Expect the Panthers to go undefeated and win the AAAAAA state championship in Georgia this season.
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DROPPED OUT
No. 22 Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio)
No. 25 Kahuku (Hawaii)
MOVED IN
No. 22 Lakeland (Fla.)
No. 23. Columbus (Miami, Fla.)
ON THE BUBBLE
Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati)
Atascocita (Humble, Texas)
Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)
Belleville (Mich.)
Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
Catholic-B.R (Baton Rouge, La.)
Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah)
DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.)
Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)
Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.)
Edgewater (Orlando, Fla.)
Edna Karr (New Orleans, La.)
Hamilton Southeastern (Ind.)
Iona Prep (New Rochelle, N.Y.)
Katy (Texas)
Kahuku (Hawaii)
Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio)
Mount Carmel (Chicago, Ill.)
Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.)
Skyridge (Lehi, Utah)
St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)
Washington (Massillon, Ohio)
