SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25: Basha (Arizona) debuts in national high school football rankings
There was significant movement in this week's SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national high school football rankings.
The biggest move came in Arizona, where previously unranked Basha upset then-No. 9 Chandler 14-7. The win vaults Basha into this week's rankings at No. 21, while Chandler drops to No. 22.
Elsewhere, impressive wins from Texas powers Westlake and Guyer bump those two teams to No. 10 and 11, respectively.
St. Joseph's Prep (Pennsylvania) drops out of this week's rankings due to lacking 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. 31, 2022
1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) (10-0)
Last week: 1
Last game: 48-17 win over Servite (Anaheim, Calif.)
Next game: TBD (Division 1 CIF Southern Section playoffs)
Ranking rationale: Mater Dei wrapped up another undefeated regular season — the Monarchs haven't lost since 2019. Junior quarterback Elijah Brown is 27-0 as a starter. With wins over No. 3 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) and No. 4 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), Mater Dei has the best Power 25 resume in the country.
2. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.) (8-0)
Last week: 2
Last game: 63-0 win over St. John Paul II Academy (Boca Raton, Fla.)
Next game: Nov. 3 vs. Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie, 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 one game left in the regular season, but they won't be challenged again until the playoffs.
3. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) (10-1)
Last week: 3
Last game: 72-0 win over Faith Lutheran (Las Vegas) (5A playoffs)
Next game: Nov. 4 vs. Desert Pines (Las Vegas) (5A playoffs)
Ranking rationale: Bishop Gorman's lone defeat on the season came against No. 1 Mater Dei 24-21.
Against Nevada opponents this season, Bishop Gorman has outscored teams 417-0. 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.) (9-1)
Last week: 4
Last game: 56-14 win over Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)
Next game: TBD (Division 1 Southern Section playoffs)
Ranking rationale: The Braves have rebounded from their 17-7 defeat against No. 1 Mater Dei with blowout wins over JSerra (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.), Orange Lutheran (Calif.) and Santa Margarita. Earlier this month, St. John Bosco struggled against Mater Dei's rushing attack, but overall the Braves' defense played well to only allow 17 points. 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 hasn't missed 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.) (9-0)
Last week: 5
Last game: 50-14 win over Monsignor Pace (Miami)
Next game: TBD playoffs
Ranking rationale: Two weeks ago, 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; Central won 20-14. Last week, the Rockets blew out Monsignor Pace 50-14.
6. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) (9-1)
Last week: 6
Last game: 63-0 win over Hallandale (Fla.)
Next game: TBD playoffs
Ranking rationale: Two weeks ago, American Heritage won in impressive fashion against a good Naples team. Class of 2023 Ohio State running back commit Mark Fletcher rushed for 184 yards and a touchdown on a career-high 30 carries in the Patriots' 35-17 win. American Heritage 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. Last week, American Heritage blew out Hallandale 63-0.
7. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) (6-0)
Last week: 7
Last game: 50-0 win over Arundel (Gambrills, Md.)
Next game: Nov. 4 at St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Conn.)
Ranking rationale: St. Frances Academy finally returned to action last week after a month off to beat Arundel 50-0. In the Panthers previous game, St. Frances Academy got Kahuku's (Hawaii) best shot before coming back to win 22-15. 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.
8. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) (6-1)
Last week: 8
Last game: 58-0 win over Middletown (Del.)
Next game: Nov. 4 vs. West Toronto Prep (Canada)
Ranking rationale: Since losing to No. 5 Miami Central (Fla.) 20-14 to open the season, IMG has outscored its next five opponents 312-45. 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.) (9-0)
Last week: 9
Last game: 56-7 win over Mountain View (Lawrenceville, Ga.)
Next game: Nov. 4 at Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville, Ga.)
Ranking rationale: In one of the games of the year in Georgia earlier this month, Buford took down No. 20 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. Since beating Mill Creek, Buford has won two blowouts over Dacula (Ga.) and Mountain View.
10. Westlake (Austin, Texas) (9-0)
Last week: 11
Last game: 45-0 win over Bowie (Austin, Texas)
Next game: Nov. 4 vs. Johnson (Buda, Texas)
Ranking rationale: Westlake has won 49 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.
The Chaparrals recorded a very impressive 45-0 win over Bowie last week. Greathouse and Kubecka each snagged two touchdowns apiece. Junior quarterback Paxton Land completed 22 of 30 passes for 322 yards and four scores. Defensively, Westlake had eight tackles for loss.
11. Guyer (Denton, Texas) (9-0)
Last week: 12
Last game: 42-21 win over McKinney (Texas)
Next game: Nov. 3 vs. Rock Hill (Frisco, Texas)
Ranking rationale: Another week, another marquee win for Guyer. On October 20th, the Wildcats beat up Allen 49-7 to secure a postseason berth. Last week, 2023 Oklahoma commit Jackson Arnold was surgical completing 18 of 26 passes for 324 yards and four TDs in a 42-21 win over McKinney.
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.
12. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (9-0)
Last week: 14
Last game: 44-0 win over Boyd Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.)
Next game: TBD playoffs
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 Boyd Anderson 44-0. Aquinas won't be challenged again until the postseason.
13. Corona Centennial (Corona, Calif.) (9-1)
Last week: 16
Last game: 42-0 win over Norco (Calif.)
Next game: Nov. 11 vs. Mission Viejo (Calif.) (Division 1 CIF Southern Section playoffs)
Ranking rationale: Since falling to No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 43-20 in September, the Huskies have won seven blowouts over JSerra (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.), Temecula Valley (Calif.), Chaparral (Temecula, Calif.), Roosevelt (Eastvale, Calif.), Vista Murrieta (Calif.), Murrieta Valley (Calif.) and Norco. 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).
14. Duncanville (Texas) (8-0)
Last week: 18
Last game: 41-17 win over DeSoto (Texas)
Next game: Nov. 3 at Mansfield Legacy (Mansfield, Texas)
Ranking rationale: Duncanville won its 39th 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.
In Duncanville's victory over DeSoto, Durham had a huge night rushing for 309 yards and five touchdowns.
15. Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.) (10-0)
Last week: 19
Last game: 70-0 win over Battle Ground Academy (Franklin, Tenn.)
Next game: TBD playoffs
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 eight opponents by a combined score of 383-52. Lipscomb is loaded 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.
16. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.) (8-0)
Last week: 21
Last game: 53-0 win over O'Connor (Phoenix)
Next game: Nov. 4 vs. Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.)
Ranking rationale: The Lions showed that they're the No. 1 team in Arizona high school football in their 35-7 win over No. 21 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 have beat up Brophy Prep 48-10, Mountain Ridge 42-0 and O'Connor 53-0. Liberty' win over Basha looks even better this week after Basha beat No. 22 Chandler 14-7 on Friday.
17. Lakeland (Fla.) (8-0)
Last week: 22
Last game: 35-0 win over Kathleen (Lakeland, Fla.))
Next game: Nov. 4 vs. Lakewood (St. Petersburg, 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 two weeks ago against Clearwater Academy International 44-6. Last week, Lakeland took down Kathleen 35-0.
18. Colquitt County (Norman Park, Ga.) (9-0)
Last week: 15
Last game: 24-6 win over Valdosta (Ga.)
Next game: Nov. 4 at Richmond Hill (Ga.)
Ranking rationale: Colquitt County had a tough time with rival Valdosta, but the Packers rallied to win 24-6 thanks to two fourth quarter touchdowns from backup running back Day’Shawn Brown. Starter Charlie Pace, a Georgia Southern commit, left the game with an injury and did not return.
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. Colquitt County's other top players are safety Jack Luttrell (Tennessee commit), linebacker Kamal Bonner (Georgia Tech), tight end Landen Thomas (Georgia) and wide receiver Ny Carr (Georgia).
19. North Shore (Houston, Texas) (9-0)
Last week: 13
Last game: 16-13 win over Atascocita (Humble, Texas)
Next game: Nov. 4 vs. Kingwood (Texas)
Ranking rationale: North Shore survived an upset scare to beat Atascocita 16-13. The Mustangs trailed 13-3 in the third quarter, but came back to win thanks to two touchdowns from 2023 UTSA commit David Amador. Amador rushed for a 36-yard touchdown and threw a 63-yard TD to Terrence Guillory to clinch the victory.
North Shore has 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.
20. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.) (8-1)
Last week: 17
Last game: 45-0 win over Dacula (Ga.)
Next game: Nov. 4 at Mountain View (Lawrenceville, Ga.)
Ranking rationale: Mill Creek came close to upsetting No. 9 Buford three 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.
In the last two weeks, Mill Creek's won big over Collins Hill (Ga.) and Dacula.
21. Basha (Chandler, Ariz.) (7-1)
Last week: NR
Last game: 14-7 win over No. 22 Chandler (Ariz.)
Next game: Nov. 4 at Casteel (Queen Creek, Ariz.)
Ranking rationale: Basha running back Deshaun Buchanan (Idaho commit) supplied both of his team's touchdowns to lead the Bears to a 14-7 upset of previously undefeated Chandler. With 1:30 to play, Wyatt Milkovic, a 3-star Boise State commit, deflected a pass that DJ Jaiman intercepted to clinch the Bears' win.
In addition to Buchanan and Milkovic, Basha's led by seniors Cole Martin (Oregon commit), a cornerback, and offensive linemen James Durand (Wisconsin), Ryan Blum (Central Michigan) and Tyson Simmons (Navy). Basha also has two national recruits from the 2024 class in athlete Miles Lockhart and quarterback Demond Williams Jr.
22. Chandler (Ariz.) (7-1)
Last week: 10
Last game: 14-7 loss to No. 21 Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)
Next game: Nov. 4 vs. Perry (Gilbert, Ariz.)
Ranking rationale: Dylan Raiola, the unanimous No. 1 quarterback in the 2024 class, and his Chandler teammates were upset 14-7 against Basha. Raiola threw a fourth quarter interception that allowed the Bears to run out the clock.
Heading into the season, Chandler was the favorite to win the Open Division championship in Arizona. While that's still a possibility, the Wolves won't go into the Open Division as the No. 1 seed following Friday's loss.
23. Columbus (Miami, Fla.) (9-1)
Last week: 23
Last game: 42-0 win over Goleman (Miami)
Next game: TBD playoffs
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 two weeks ago against No. 5 Miami Central before eventually falling 42-35. That effort and Columbus' overall resume earned the Explorers their first ever Power 25 berth. Following last week's 42-0 blowout win over Goleman, Columbus stays at No. 23 this week.
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) (11-0)
Last week: 24
Last game: 40-6 win over Park City (Utah) (5A playoffs)
Next game: Nov. 4 vs. Box Elder (Brigham City, Utah) (5A playoffs)
Ranking rationale: Lehi is currently 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) this season. Class of 2023 QB Jackson Brousseau, a Colorado State commit, has thrown 29 touchdowns so far this year. The other top recruits on Lehi's roster are 2023 defensive lineman Isaac Terrell (Washington State) and 2024 offensive tackle Jensen Somerville.
Expect Lehi to play Timpview again for the 5A championship in Utah in a few weeks.
25. Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Ga.) (9-0)
Last week: 25
Last game: 68-14 win over South Paulding (Douglasville, Ga.)
Next game: Nov. 4 vs. Paulding County (Dallas, Ga.)
Ranking rationale: Led by 2023 Ohio State tight end commit Jelani Thurman and 2023 Georgia offensive lineman commit Bo Hughley, Hughes has outscored its nine opponents 478-73. Junior quarterback Air Noland has completed 71% of his passes and thrown 32 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. 20 St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia)
MOVED IN
No. 21 Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)
ON THE BUBBLE
Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati)
Atascocita (Humble, Texas)
Belleville (Mich.)
Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
Catholic-B.R (Baton Rouge, La.)
Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah)
DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.)
Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.)
Edgewater (Orlando, Fla.)
Edna Karr (New Orleans, La.)
Hamilton Southeastern (Ind.)
Katy (Texas)
Kahuku (Hawaii)
Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio)
Los Alamitos (Calif.)
Mount Carmel (Chicago, Ill.)
Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.)
Prosper (Texas)
Skyridge (Lehi, Utah)
St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)
St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia)
Washington (Massillon, Ohio)
