MaxPreps Top 25 national high school football rankings

Video: Xcellent 25 Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard
Zach Poff takes a look at this week's Xcellent 25 high school football rankings, presented by the Army National Guard.

The first big weekend of high school football was non-stop action.

No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas went down 27-23 to Booker T. Washington in controversial fashion, as it appeared Trevon Grimes reached the ball over for a touchdown but was ruled down and then on the next play Jake Allen threw an interception.

And the two top-five matchups saw the road teams cruise to easy wins. IMG Academy dominated on defense and 2017 Texas A&M commit Kellen Mond led the show on offense in route to a 26-7 win over Grayson. Bishop Gorman made a statement in Texas as it routed arguably the state’s top team, Cedar Hill, 44-14. Biaggio Walsh was big-time, rushing for 198 yards and three scores.
 
This past weekend saw eight of the Xcellent 25 teams go down in defeat.



1. (3 last week) Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 1-0
Bishop Gorman dominated Texas power Cedar Hill in its own back yard with a 44-14 victory. Biaggio Ali Walsh led the way with nearly 200 yards rushing and three scores but the big difference was in the trenches on Saturday night. Up next for the Gaels is Florida power Cocoa, a team riding a lot of momentum after upsetting Trinity Christian Academy in overtime.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Cocoa (Fla.)

2. (4) IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 1-0
IMG Academy gave up an early touchdown to Grayson but bounced back with 26 unanswered points. Defense was huge for the Ascenders and the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the 2017 class, Kellen Mond, beat the Rams with his arm and feet, accounting for nearly 300 yards of total offense and three scores. IMG goes from Georgia to California for its second-straight tough road test next week.
Next game: Sept. 3 vs. Centennial (Corona, Calif.)

3. (9) St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 1-0
St. John Bosco traveled more than 2,000 miles to face Cincinnati power St. Xavier and outside of Bishop Gorman might have been the most impressive team over the weekend. Re-al Mitchell showed why he is next in line to be one of the great Bosco quarterbacks, on his second touch of the season he took it 98 yards to the house. The Braves shut out St. X and walked away with a 34-0 victory.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. La Mirada (Calif.)

4. (6) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 1-0
Mater Dei showed why it has one of the best offenses in the country with a 63-14 win against Bishop Amat in its season opener. The Monarchs have always been known for having big-time quarterbacks, and JT Daniels could end up being the best of all of them. He completed 19 of 23 passes for 360 yards and six scores.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Mayfair (Lakewood, Calif.)

5. (8) DeSoto (Texas), 1-0
The Shawn Robinson era at DeSoto was on full display in its season-opening 47-13 win against Dallas Jesuit. The 2017 TCU commit had over 300 total yards and four scores. Robinson's next game will come against his old team, Denton Guyer.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Guyer (Denton, Texas)

6. (7) Roswell (Ga.) 1-0
Idle.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville, Ga.)



7. (19) Booker T. Washington (Miami), 1-0
Tim "Ice" Harris had his team ready against the then-No. 1 team in the country, St. Thomas Aquinas, as it pulled off a 27-23 upset. Daniel Richardson is a name to remember, as the 2019 recruit threw for nearly 300 yards and four scores.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Monsignor Pace (Miami)

8. (1) St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 0-1
St. Thomas Aquinas lost a heartbreaker, as the Raiders thought they scored a game-winning touchdown with under a minute left. But the referee ruled Trevon Grimes was just short of the end zone. When it comes to talent one could make a case that Aquinas has more than any other team in the country. Circle Sept. 30 on your calendar because that is when the Raiders have a date in Las Vegas with the new No. 1 team in the country, Bishop Gorman.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Miramar (Fla.)

9. (2) Grayson (Loganville, Ga.), 0-1
Grayson didn't start the season off the way it hoped, but there is no shame in losing to IMG Academy. Chase Brice hit Jamyest Williams for a 58-yard score in the first quarter, but IMG's defense didn't allow another point after that.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)

10. (10) Mallard Creek (Charlotte, N.C.), 2-0
Mallard Creek got its second win of the season after beating archrival Butler, 35-20. The three-time defending 4AA state champs have one of the best defenses in the country, led by four-star athlete Ryan Jones.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.)

11. (11) Steele (Cibolo, Texas), 1-0
Steele is right up there among the top teams from Texas and started 2016 off with a bang, dominating Madison with a 37-7 win. The defense led the way, including a 62-yard pick six from four-star defensive back Caden Sterns.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Lake Travis (Austin, Texas)

12. (5) Cedar Hill (Texas), 0-1
Cedar Hill will look to bounce back next week against Mansfield after losing to the new No. 1 team in the country, Bishop Gorman. The Longhorns still have one of the best teams in all of high school football, led by 2017 Notre Dame commit Avery Davis.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Mansfield (Texas)



13. (13) Colerain (Cincinnati), 1-0
Colerain was trailing 28-24 against Warren Central with less than two minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Then its top player Amir Riep put the team on his back. The 2017 Ohio State commit returned a punt 45 yards inside Warren Central territory and Monalo Caldwell put the Cardinals up for good with the game-winning 10 yard touchdown run.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. St. Xavier (Cincinnati)

14. (25) Westlake (Austin, Texas), 1-0
There might not be a better high school football player in the country than Sam Ehlinger. The 2017 Texas commit had over 300 total yards to go with two scores to pull off a 32-29 upset over Katy. The 32 points Katy allowed were the most since 2012. The thing that might be the most impressive is how tough Ehlinger is. He hurt his knee in the second quarter but still made big-time play after big-time play against one of the best defenses in the country. The four-star quarterback told reporters he tore his meniscus but don't rule him out, he said he still might be on the field this Friday night against Liberty.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Liberty (Henderson, Nev.)

15. (17) DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), 1-0
DeMatha looked great in its season opener against Virginia power Oscar Smith, walking away with a 42-7 win. The Stags were dealt a huge blow before the season even began, as their four-star running back Anthony McFarland suffered a broken fibula, but 2017 Air Force commit Beau English led the way offensively, finishing the game 11-for-11 passing to go with nearly 250 total yards and two scores.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Avalon (Gaithersburg, Md.)

16. (16) Central (Miami), 1-0
Miami Central started 2016 just like it ended 2015: firing on all cylinders. Class of 2018 Florida State commit James Cook rushed for 153 yards and two scores on only six carries, and the younger brother of FSU star Dalvin Cook is emerging as one of the best running backs in all of high school football.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Killian (Miami)

17. (12) Katy (Texas), 0-1
Katy dropped its first season opener since 2008 but it was against one of the best teams in all of Texas - Austin Westlake. Top 2019 running back Deondrick Glass had a monster game rushing for 178 yards and two scores on only 16 carries.
Next game: Sept. 3 vs. Klein Collins (Spring, Texas)

18. (24) Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.), 2-0
Saguaro has come out firing in the early part of the season, knocking off Colorado power Valor Christian 49-28 on national TV, and SoCal power Serra 35-20 in its opener. Jason Mohns' bunch is one of the most complete teams in the country.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Catalina Foothills (Tucson, Ariz.)



19. (20) Centennial (Corona, Calif.), 1-0
The Tanner McKee era has officially begun for Centennial. The four-star junior quarterback threw for nearly 400 yards and had six total touchdowns. He showed his poise as he led the Huskies on a game-winning 98-yard drive to knock off Arizona power Chandler, 56-49. Miles Reed was big-time too, as he rushed for nearly 300 yards and two touchdowns. Up next for the SoCal power is a date with Florida power IMG Academy in the night cap of the Honor Bowl this Saturday night.
Next game: Sept. 3 vs. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

20. (21) Cass Tech (Detroit), 1-0
After trailing 14-7 entering the second quarter, Cass Tech outscored Oak Park 38-13, walking away with a 45-27 win at Wayne State University in the Prep Kickoff Classic. The No. 1 wide receiver in the 2017 class, Donovan Peoples-Jones, finished the game with 100 yards receiving and two scores.
Next game: Sept. 2 Edison Academy (Detroit)

21. (22) Mountain Pointe (Phoenix), 2-0
Mountain Pointe has been one of the most explosive offenses to start the season, they it has scored 92 points through two games. The Pride knocked off Upland (Calif.) 41-22 in the Brothers in Arms showcase to improve to 2-0 and the No. 2 player in all of Arizona, Isaiah Pola-Mao, finished with 215 yards receiving, two touchdowns and one interception.
Next game: Sept. 8 vs. Chandler (Ariz.)

22. (NR) Allen (Texas), 1-0
The Allen Eagles join the Xcellent 25 after an impressive showing against Alabama power Hoover. The Terry Gambill era is officially underway and the Texas power beat Hoover 25-7 in the Tom Landry Classic.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Evangel Christian Academy (Shreveport, La.)

23. (NR) American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.), 1-0
After a disappointing preseason loss to Booker T. Washington, the Patriots bounced back with a nice road win against Georgia power Colquitt County, 17-14. Coach Patrick Surtain and his bunch are one of the best defenses in the country, led by his son, Patrick Surtain II, a five-star recruit who is the No. 1 cornerback in the 2018 class.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)

24. (NR) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 1-0
One of the most prestigious high school football programs makes its first appearance in the Xcellent 25. The Spartans had no trouble with Amador Valley, leaving with a 42-7 victory. Like usual, De La Salle's rushing attack was huge, finishing the game with over 300 yards on the ground.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Serra (San Mateo, Calif.)



25. (NR) McGill-Toolen (Mobile, Ala.), 2-0
The final team in the Xcellent 25 was arguably in the most exciting game over the weekend. The Alabama power held off rival Davidson, 39-36, in an exciting triple-overtime thriller. McGill-Toolen is the first team from Alabama to crack the Xcellent 25 this year.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Murphy (Mobile, Ala.)

Bubble Teams

St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.), 0-0
St. Joseph Regional's season gets underway this weekend against Serra (Gardena).
Next game: Sept. 3 vs. Serra (Gardena, Calif.)

Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.), 0-0
Greg Toal and his Ironmen get a big-time test to start the 2016 season, with a huge matchup against Florida power American Heritage, the No. 23 team in the Xcellent 25.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)

Kahuku (Hawaii), 3-0
The Red Raiders have now reeled off 17 wins in a row and they got their best win of the season against Wai'anae with a 28-0 win. Kahuku has one of the top defenses in the country and has now outscored the opposition 127-22 this year. Circle Sept. 17 on your calendar because that is when the boys from the Aloha State make a Vegas trip to lock horns with the No. 1 team in the country, Bishop Gorman.
Next game: 9/3 vs. Campbell (Ewa Beach, Hawaii)

Mission Viejo (Calif.), 1-0
Legendary head coach Bob Johnson just keeps on winning. He has over 300 wins in his career, and Mission Viejo has now won 29 consecutive games after beating Santa Margarita 48-21 in the season opener. Mater Dei transfer Matthew McDonald had a big-time debut for the Diablos, throwing for nearly 400 yards and five scores. Top 2018 recruit Olaijah Griffin was great too, as he had two scores. The son of rapper Warren G is one of the best players on the west coast.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Oak Hills (Hesperia, Calif.)

Cocoa (Fla.), 1-0
The final game in the ESPN showcase ended in dramatic fashion when Cocoa pulled out a 26-23 overtime victory against previously ranked Trinity Christian Academy. Cocoa's four-star quarterback Bruce Judson sealed the deal with a game-winning touchdown run in overtime and Javian Hawkins is a name to remember, as the shifty athlete made big play after big play to help beat one of the best teams in all of Florida.
Next game: Sept. 2 vs. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)