SBLive Power 25: Mater Dei No. 1 in final national football rankings of 2021 regular season
With the football playoffs beginning in Arizona this week, we're releasing our final SBLive Power 25 of the 2021 regular season. And Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) still sits atop our national high school football rankings.
Every Power 25 team is now into the postseason, except for No. 3 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) and No. 15 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.), who aren't eligible to compete in their state's respective playoffs. The two teams meet on Friday though in a championship-esque showdown.
Once the playoffs wrap up in every state, we will release our final postseason SBLive Power 25 rankings on Monday, Dec. 20.
Get the complete breakdown of our final regular season SBLive Power 25 national high school football rankings below.
SBLIVE POWER 25: WEEK 1 | WEEK 2 | WEEK 3 | WEEK 4 | WEEK 5 | WEEK 6 | WEEK 7 | WEEK 8 | WEEK 9 | WEEK 10 | WEEK 11 | WEEK 12 | WEEK 13
The SBLive Power 25 rankings are compiled by SBLive reporter Connor Morrissette 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 fall 2021 season.
SBLIVE POWER 25 NATIONAL FOOTBALL RANKINGS
Nov. 15, 2021
1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) (9-0)
Next game: Nov. 19 @ Corona Centennial (Calif.) (Division 1 Southern Section playoffs)
Last result: 49-14 win over Norco (Calif.) (Division 1 Southern Section playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 1
Ranking rationale:In the first half last Friday, Norco fought hard against Mater Dei, but the No. 1 Monarchs went on to roll thanks to sophomore QB Elijah Brown throwing six touchdowns. Against a national schedule, Mater Dei has won every game they’ve played by at least two scores this season.
2. Westlake (Austin, Texas) (11-0)
Next game: Nov. 19 vs. New Braunfels (Texas) (6A D2 playoffs)
Last result: 54-9 win over Hutto (Texas) (6A D2 playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 2
Ranking rationale: Senior Clemson QB commit Cade Klubnik returned from injury two weeks ago and threw three touchdowns in Westlake’s 63-21 win over rival Lake Travis. This past week, he threw three more TD's in the first round of the playoffs. Westlake, last year's 6A Division 1 state champ in Texas, has won all 11 of their games in blowouts this year.
3. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) (9-0)
Next game: Nov. 19 vs. No. 15 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.)
Last result: 28-0 win over Clarkson North (Mississauga, Ontario)
Last week’s ranking: 3
Ranking rationale: The Ascenders took down Clarkson North 28-0 two weeks ago.
Here’s IMG’s roster breakdown: 2022 Florida State QB commit AJ Duffy leads the team under center. The Ascenders have five of the top ten 2022 football recruits in Florida, per 247Sports.com. They also have four of the top ten in the Class of 2023.
4. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) (10-1)
Next game: Nov. 19 vs. No. 8 Servite (Anaheim, Calif.) (Division 1 Southern Section playoffs)
Last result: 62-38 win over Los Alamitos (Calif.) (Division 1 Southern Section playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 4
Ranking rationale: St. John Bosco used their high powered rushing attack made up of of senior tailbacks Rayshon Luke, Jabari Bates and Michael Hayes as well as junior QB Pierce Clarkson to rush for over 500 yards and seven touchdowns in their first round playoff win over Los Alamitos. The Braves are playing well right now and will feel like they can win a state title in California.
5. Katy (Texas) (11-0)
Next game: Nov. 19 vs. Stratford (Houston, Texas) (6A D2 playoffs)
Last result: 56-7 win over Fort Bend Clements (Sugar Land, Texas) (6A D2 playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 5
Ranking rationale: Katy stayed undefeated with a 56-7 win over Fort Bend Clements last week in the first round of the playoffs. Like they've done all season, the Tigers used a dominant defense and run game to win. Katy, last season's 6A D2 state champ in Texas, looks to be on a collision course with No. 2 Westlake. If those teams meet, it would be in the regional finals.
6. Carroll (Southlake, Texas) (11-0)
Next game: Nov. 20 vs. Midland Legacy (Midland, Texas) (6A D1 playoffs)
Last result: 42-20 win over North Crowley (Fort Worth, Texas) (6A D1 playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 6
Ranking rationale: Carroll won its 11th straight game last week in the first round of the playoffs. Junior QB Kaden Anderson threw three touchdowns and junior running back Owen Allen rushed for three scores in the win. The Dragons lost in last season’s 6A Division 1 state championship to Westlake, but haven’t lost since. Carroll continues its 6A D1 state title quest this week against Midland Legacy.
7. Collins Hill (Suwanee, Ga.) (11-0)
Next game: Nov. 19 vs. Pebblebrook (Mableton, Ga.) (AAAAAAA playoffs)
Last result: 56-13 win over Lambert (Suwanee, Ga.) (AAAAAAA playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 7
Ranking rationale: Even without star WR/CB Travis Hunter (injury), Collins Hill had an easy time in the first round of the playoffs. 2022 Missouri QB commit Sam Horn completed 19 of 23 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns in the win. He also rushed for two scores. The Eagles are the clear No. 1 team in Georgia.
8. Servite (Anaheim, Calif.) (9-2)
Next game: Nov. 19 @ No. 4 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) (Southern Section Division 1 playoffs)
Last result: 34-3 win over Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) (Southern Section Division 1 playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 8
Ranking rationale: Servite lost to No. 4 St. John Bosco 24-10 to end the regular season three weeks ago and now the Friars will play the Braves again in the semifinals of the Division 1 Southern Section playoffs. In Servite's quarterfinal win over Santa Margarita, senior receiver/defensive back Tetairoa McMillan intercepted three passes. He's playing like the California Player of the Year with his contributions on both sides of the ball.
9. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) (10-0)
Next game: Nov. 20 vs. St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) (Non-Public A playoffs)
Last result: 35-7 win over Donovan Catholic (Toms River, N.J.) (Non-Public A playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 9
Ranking rationale: Bergen Catholic has earned four shutouts in their last seven games and last week, the Crusaders held Donovan Catholic to seven points in the first round of the playoffs. This week, Bergen Catholic will play St. Peter's Prep, a team they beat 21-0 earlier this season. Crusaders senior running back Ryan Butler, a Princeton commit, scored two touchdowns in that game. Expect Bergen Catholic to finish the season undefeated. They’re the best team in New Jersey and there isn’t a particularly close No. 2.
10. Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.) (12-0)
Next game: Nov. 19 vs. Ben Davis (Indianapolis, Ind.) (6A playoffs)
Last result: 29-19 win over Lawrence North (Indianapolis, Ind.) (6A playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 10
Ranking rationale: Center Grove came close to losing their first game of the season as Lawrence North gave the Trojans everything they could handle, but some key special teams plays gave Center Grove a 29-19 win. Jackson Griffin returned a punt for a touchdown in the victory and Caden Curry, one of the top defensive lineman prospects in the 2022 class, had three tackles for loss and a rushing touchdown. The Trojans are trying to win their second straight upper division state title in Indiana this season.
11. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) (10-0)
Next game: Nov. 26 vs. American Leadership Academy (Queen Creek, Ariz.) (Open Division playoffs)
Last result: 21-14 win over Chandler (Ariz.)
Last week’s ranking: 11
Ranking rationale: There's a new top team in Arizona, the Hamilton Huskies. Last season, Hamilton lost on a last second missed chip shot field goal against Chandler in the Open Division championship game. The Huskies got revenge last week as they took down Chandler 21-14 to win the 6A Premier Section title and end the Wolves 45-game win streak that dated back to 2018. Hamilton won the game mainly on defense as they logged 11 sacks.
The two teams will most likely meet in the Open Division state championship game next month.
12. Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.) (11-0)
Next game: Nov. 19 vs. Braden River (Bradenton Fla.) (6A playoffs)
Last result: 50-0 win over Boca Ciega (Gulfport, Fla.) (6A playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 13
Ranking rationale: Jesuit scored one of the upsets of the season when they beat No. 13 St. Thomas Aquinas 24-21 in September. The Tigers have one of the top defenses in Florida led by 2023 linebacker Troy Bowles, a national recruit. Bowles blocked a punt in Jesuit's 50-0 first round playoff win over Boca Ciega last week.
13. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (10-1)
Next game: Nov. 19 vs. Miramar (Delray Beach, Fla.) (7A playoffs)
Last result: 43-7 win over Atlantic (Delray Beach, Fla.) (7A playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 14
Ranking rationale: St. Thomas Aquinas earned a No. 1 seed in the 7A playoffs in Florida and rolled to a 43-7 win over Atlantic in the first round. Star St. Thomas Aquinas running back Anthony Hankerson rushed for 108 yards and three touchdowns in last week's playoff win. He’s received scholarship offers from Arizona and Florida. The Raiders lone loss on the season came against No. 13 Jesuit.
14. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) (11-1)
Next game: Nov. 18 vs. McQueen (Reno, Nev.) (5A playoffs)
Last result: 35-14 win over Liberty (Henderson, Nev.) (5A playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 15
Ranking rationale: Bishop Gorman rolled to a 35-14 win over rival Liberty in the semifinals of the 5A playoffs last week. There are 29 two-star or better recruits in Nevada in the Class of 2022, according to 247Sports, and Bishop Gorman has 11 of them on its roster, with four-star edge rusher Cyrus Moss leading the way. Moss made six tackles in last week's win with one coming for loss. The Gales lone loss this season came against No. 11 Hamilton 25-24 in September.
15. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.) (7-1)
Next game: Nov. 19 @ No. 3 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Last result: 24-7 win over St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Conn.)
Last week’s ranking: 16
Ranking rationale: St. Frances Academy has won seven games in a row since falling to No. 13 St. Thomas Aquinas 38-23 to open their season. The Panthers have four of the top five rated 2022 recruits in Maryland on their roster, according to 247Sports.com. Linebacker Jaishawn Barham is the top ranked player. In a game with massive rankings implications, St. Frances Academy plays No. 3 IMG Academy in their final regular season game later this month.
16. Central (Miami, Fla.) (8-2)
Next game: Nov. 19 vs. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) (5A playoffs)
Last result: 49-6 win over North Miami Beach (Fla.) (5A playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 17
Ranking rationale: After starting the year 0-2 but hanging tough against No. 4 St. John Bosco and No. 14 Bishop Gorman, the Rockets have won eight games in a row. Central’s top player is 2022 linebacker Wesley Bissainthe. This week, the Rockets play a star studded American Heritage team in a game they must win to stay in next week's Power 25.
17. Chandler (Ariz.) (9-1)
Next game: Nov. 26 vs. Queen Creek (Ariz.) (Open Division playoffs)
Last result: 21-14 loss to No. 11 Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
Last week’s ranking: 12
Ranking rationale: After three weeks of winning ugly, Chandler finally lost a game. No. 11 Hamilton took down the Wolves 21-14 to end Chandler's 45-game win streak that spanned back to 2018. The Wolves go into the Open Division playoffs in Arizona as the No. 2 seed. The last year Chandler didn't win a state title was in 2015.
18. Hoover (Ala.) (12-0)
Next game: Nov. 19 vs. No. 19 Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.) (7A playoffs)
Last result: 24-23 win over Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, Ala.) (7A playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 18
Ranking rationale: Hoover debuted three weeks ago following their 24-21 victory over No. 19 Thompson that snapped the Warriors’ 27-game win streak. The Buccaneers made a key play late in the fourth quarter to come out on top. Those two teams will now meet again in the semifinals following Hoover’s 24-23 overtime win over Hewitt-Trussville in the quarterfinals. After Hoover scored first in overtime, Hewitt-Trussville matched them with a TD – then went for the win on a two-point conversion. The pass fell incomplete, giving Hoover a one-point win. Hoover's top player is 2022 Northwestern QB commit Bennett Meredith.
19. Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.) (11-1)
Next game: Nov. 19 @ No. 18 Hoover (Ala.) (7A playoffs)
Last result: 45-7 win over Oak Mountain (Ala.) (7A playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 19
Ranking rationale: 2022 North Carolina quarterback commit Conner Harrell is back for Thompson after he left the Warriors' 24-21 loss to No. 18 Hoover three weeks ago with an injury. He split time with sophomore QB Zach Sims and threw one touchdown in last week's 45-7 quarterfinal playoff win over Oak Mountain. Harrell returns at the perfect time as Thompson now has a rematch against Hoover this week in the semifinals. Thompson is trying to win its third straight state title in Alabama.
20. Bixby (Okla.) (11-0)
Next game: Nov. 19 vs. Stillwater (Okla.) (Class 6A-II playoffs)
Last result: 78-7 win over Putnam City North (Oklahoma City, Okla.) (Tulsa, Okla.) (Class 6A-II playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 20
Ranking rationale: Braylin Presley, an Oklahoma State commit, is one of the top running backs in the country and has led the Spartans to an 11-0 record so far this season. Presley scored one of Bixby's eight rushing touchdowns in the Spartans 78-7 win over Putnam City North in the first round of the playoffs last week. Bixby went 11-0 and won the 6A-II state championship in Oklahoma last season.
21. Westfield (Houston, Texas) (11-0)
Next game: Nov. 19 vs. Klein Oak (Spring, Texas) (6A D1 playoffs)
Last result: 55-21 win over Conroe (Texas) (6A D1 playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 21
Ranking rationale: Westfield debuted in the Power 25 last month and since then, the Mustangs have outscored their opponents 309-35. They’re the No. 4 team in Texas with their best wins coming against North Shore and Spring. 2022 Tulsa QB commit Cardell Williams is playing like one of the top QB’s in Texas. If Westfield wins their next two playoff games, they'll most likely face Duncanville in a 'win and you're in' Power 25 game in the 6A D1 quarterfinals in Texas.
22. Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.) (10-0)
Next game: Nov. 19 @ Sumter (S.C.) (Class AAAAA playoffs)
Last result: 56-0 win over Cane Bay (Summerville, S.C.)
Last week’s ranking: 22
Ranking rationale: Dutch Fork lost a lot of talent to graduation coming into the season, but the Silver Foxes have won all ten of their games by at least 29 points so far this year. They've won their last two playoff games by a combined 112-0 score. Dutch Fork’s top player is 2022 receiver Antonio Williams. He’s one of the top players nationally in the 2022 recruiting class.
23. Cathedral (Indianapolis, Ind.) (12-1)
Next game: Nov. 19 vs. New Albany (Ind.) (5A playoffs)
Last result: 23-7 win over New Palestine (Ind.) (5A playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 23
Ranking rationale: Cathedral lost a defensive battle 21-6 to No. 10 Center Grove in their regular season finale, but have bounced back in the first four rounds of the 5A playoffs in Indiana with wins over Terre Haute North Vigo, Plainfield, Decatur Central and New Palestine. Cathedral won the 5A state championship in Indiana last season and they’re now two wins away from repeating as state champions. Cathedral's top player is 2023 defensive lineman Kendrick Gilbert. He's received scholarship offers from several Big 10 schools including Michigan and Penn State.
24. Oakland (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) (12-0)
Next game: Nov. 19 @ Lebanon (Tenn.) (Division I Class 6A playoffs)
Last result: 56-6 win over Shelbyville Central (Shelbyville, Tenn.) (Division I Class 6A playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 24
Ranking rationale: Oakland finished the regular season undefeated to claim their seventh straight district title. In their second round playoff win over Shelbyville Central, 2022 Miami commit Isaiah Horton caught a touchdown and returned an interception for a touchdown. The Patriots won a state title in Tennessee last season and are now trying to repeat.
25. North Cobb (Kennesaw, Ga.) (10-1)
Next game: Nov. 19 vs. Roswell (Ga.) (AAAAAAA playoffs)
Last result: 44-6 win over Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.) (AAAAAAA playoffs)
Last week’s ranking: 25
Ranking rationale: North Cobb has rattled off ten wins in a row which include victories over Milton and Walton, two top ten teams in Georgia. The Warriors got a few key players back from suspension to beat Camden County 44-6 in the first round of the playoffs last week. 2023 QB Malachi Singleton had a huge game rushing for touchdowns of 44 and 50 yards.
North Cobb has four seniors ranked in the Top 50 of 247Sports’ 2022 in state recruiting rankings. University of Georgia commits Marquis Groves-Killebrew (cornerback) and De’Nylon Morrissette (wide receiver) are the two top ranked Warriors.
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MOVED IN
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NEXT 10 BEST TEAMS (Alphabetical order)
Aledo (Texas) (11-0)
Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah) (12-1)
Centennial (Corona, Calif.) (11-0)
Duncanville (Texas) (9-1)
Graham-Kapowsin (Graham, Wash.) (11-0)
Lone Peak (Highland, Utah) (9-2)
Male (Louisville, Ky.) (11-0)
North Shore (Houston, Texas) (10-1)
Rockwall Heath (Texas) (10-1)
St. John’s (Washington D.C.) (10-0)
OTHER TEAMS IN THE MIX
Arizona: Basha
Alabama: Central, Clay-Chalkville
California: Saint Francis
Colorado: Valor Christian
Florida: Cocoa, Chaminade-Madonna, Dillard, Venice, Seminole, Treasure Coast
Georgia: Buford, Cartersville, Mill Creek, Milton, Ware County, Warner Robins, Woodward Academy
Illinois: East, Loyola Academy
Indiana: Westfield
Louisiana: Brother Martin, Catholic, Edna Karr, University Lab, Zachary
North Carolina: Hough
Ohio: Lakota West, St. Edward
Oklahoma: Jenks
Tennessee: Lipscomb Academy, Maryville, McCallie, Summit
Texas: Allen, Guyer, Highland Park, Ryan
