High school football rankings: St. Frances Academy moves up to No. 8 in MaxPreps Top 25 after dominating win over No. 17 IMG Academy

By Zack Poff Nov 4, 2024, 8:45am

California's Southern Section Division 1 bracket released featuring five ranked teams, including No. 1 Mater Dei.

St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) was the biggest mover in this week's MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings jumping up nine spots to No. 8 after a 30-3 win over IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). It was the Ascenders worst loss since Blake Corum and the Panthers handed them a 35-7 loss in 2019.

Junior quarterback Jae’oyn Williams led St. Frances Academy to a 17-3 halftime lead, accounting for both touchdowns. He rushed for one and threw another to three-star tight end Damon Hall Jr. The defense dominated in the second half, forcing five turnovers and taking two back for scores. Bryce Deas forced a fumble on a sack that was scooped up by Darrion Smith and returned for a 71-yard touchdown. Junior safety Wayne Henry added a 66-yard pick-six on IMG Academy's next drive.

It was the fifth straight win for the Panthers and first over the Ascenders since 2021. The loss dropped IMG Academy 12 spots to No. 17.

The CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoff bracket was released Sunday and features four teams in the MaxPreps Top 25 — No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), No. 7 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), No. 9 Mission Viejo (Calif.) and No. 23 Centennial (Corona, Calif.). They're all idle next week with first round byes.



The Monarchs play the winner of Servite (Anaheim, Calif.) vs. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.). The Braves face either Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) or Inglewood (Calif.). Mission Viejo hosts Centennial in the quarterfinals. The quarterfinal matchups take place Nov. 15.

No. 11 Archbishop Spalding (Severn, Md.), No. 13 Boyle County (Danville, Ky.) and No. 20 Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah) all have playoff matchups this week. 

Malik Washington and the Cavaliers open up with Mount St. Joseph (Baltimore, Md.) in the opening round of the MIAA-A playoffs as they go for a third straight title. Montavin Quisenberry and the Rebels look to win their fifth straight 4A state title and face Perry County Central (Hazard, Ky.) in the first round. The Chargers cruised to a 56-0 win over Westlake (Saratoga Springs, Utah) in the second round of the 6A playoffs. Up next is Weber (Pleasant View, Utah) with a spot in the semifinals up for grabs.
Montavin Quisenberry leads No. 13 Boyle County into the Kentucky Class 4A playoffs in search of their fourth straight title with a clash against Perry County Central this week. (Photo: Jarod Mills)
Montavin Quisenberry leads No. 13 Boyle County into the Kentucky Class 4A playoffs in search of their fourth straight title with a clash against Perry County Central this week. (Photo: Jarod Mills)
MaxPreps Top 25 football rankings

Record: 9-0 | Last week: 1
Last week: Beat Orange Lutheran (Orange) 38-14
This week: Idle

Record: 10-0 | Last week: 2
Last week: Beat Roswell 35-20
This week: Idle

Record: 8-0 | Last week: 3
Last week: Beat Mesquite 50-6
This week: Thursday at Cedar Hill

Record: 9-1 | Last week: 4
Last week: Beat Coronado (Henderson) 51-0
This week: Idle



Record: 10-0 | Last week: 6
Last week: Beat Douglas County (Douglasville) 49-28
This week: Idle

Record: 9-0 | Last week: 7
Last week: Beat King (Houston) 42-14
This week: Friday at Summer Creek (Houston)

Record: 9-1 | Last week: 8
Last week: Beat JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capsitrano) 44-24
This week: Idle

Record: 7-3 | Last week: 17
Last week: Beat IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 30-3
This week: Idle

Record: 10-0 | Last week: 9
Last week: Beat Los Alamitos 40-14
This week: Idle

Record: 9-0 | Last week: 10
Last week: Beat Mansfield 59-11
This week: Thursday at Crowley

Record: 10-0 | Last week: 11
Last week: Beat Mount St. Joseph (Baltimore) 31-0
This week: Friday vs. Mount St. Joseph (Baltimore)

Record: 9-1 | Last week: 12
Last week: Beat Mill Creek (Hoschton) 32-7
This week: Idle



Record: 10-0 | Last week: 13
Last week: Beat Frederick Douglass (Lexington) 38-17
This week: Friday vs. Perry County Central (Hazard)

Record: 8-0 | Last week: 14
Last week: Idle
This week: Wednesday at Sebring

Record: 8-2 | Last week: 16
Last week: Idle
This week: Idle

Record: 7-3 | Last week: 15
Last week: Lost 38-14 to Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
This week: Idle

Record: 6-2 | Last week: 5
Last week: Lost 30-3 to St. Frances Academy (Baltimore)
This week: Friday vs. St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Ct.)

Record: 9-1 | Last week: 18
Last week: Beat Riverview Sarasota (Sarasota) 42-8
This week: Idle

Record: 8-1 | Last week: 19
Last week: Beat Channelview 55-0
This week: Thursday vs. Goose Creek Memorial (Baytown)

Record: 10-1 | Last week: 20
Last week: Beat Westlake (Saratoga Springs) 56-0
This week: Friday vs. Weber (Pleasant View)

Record: 8-1 | Last week: 21
Last week: Beat Seton Hall Prep (West Orange) 31-0
This week: Idle



Record: 9-0 | Last week: 22
Last week: Beat California (San Ramon) 48-10
This week: Friday at Clayton Valley

Record: 8-2 | Last week: 23
Last week: Beat Chaparral (Temecula) 54-12
This week: Idle

Record: 8-1 | Last week: 24
Last week: Beat Bishop McNamara (Forestville) 37-0
This week: Idle

Record: 7-2 | Last week: 25
Last week: Beat Skyline (Dallas) 69-38
This week: Thursday at Lancaster