High school football rankings: Saguaro joins MaxPreps Top 25 after beating Liberty 43-42 in Arizona Open Division semifinals

In one of the best high school football games of the 2022 season, Saguaro (Scottsdale) overcame a 42-28 fourth-quarter deficit to pull off a wild 43-42 win over Liberty (Peoria) in the Arizona Open Division semifinals. The Sabercats are back in the MaxPreps Top 25 for the second time this season, checking in at No. 24. They've won seven in a row since a 2-3 start and are playing their best football of the season after a very tough non-league schedule.

Senior quarterback Devon Dampier willed his team to a one-point victory converting three fourth-down conversions trailing 42-35. He led the Sabercats on a 95-yard drive capped off with a 23-yard touchdown on fourth-and-8 to sophomore Mason Whitaker to cut the lead to 42-41 with 1:10 remaining. Saguaro went for the lead and Dampier connected with senior running back Zaccheus Cooper for the game-winning two point conversion. Senior cornerback Carlos Griffin sealed the game with an interception on Liberty's next possession, sending Saguaro to the Open Division state championship.

The defending Open Division state champs face No. 21 Basha (Chandler) on Dec. 10 at Arizona State University. The Bears shutout Chandler 13-0 in the other semifinal matchup. This will be the first state championship game for Basha.

No. 18 Mill Creek (Hoschton) and No. 20 Carrollton both won in the Georgia AAAAAAA semifinals setting up a MaxPreps Top 25 showdown in the state championship on Dec. 10. Five-star safety Caleb Downs led the Hawks to a 48-14 win over Milton and freshman standout Julian Lewis threw for two touchdowns in a 35-27 win over Colquitt County (Moultrie). He has 43 passing touchdowns on the season and has thrown for over 3,500 yards.

No. 1 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) is one win away from winning its fourth CIF Open Division state championship since 2013 and faces Serra (San Mateo) on Dec. 10. Both teams were idle last week.

The biggest game next week takes place in Texas as No. 8 North Shore (Houston) faces No. 9 Westlake (Austin) in the 6A Division 1 semifinals. The Chaparrals have the longest active winning streak in the country at 54 wins while the Mustangs have reeled off 27 in a row. The Mustangs had one of the most impressive wins last week beating Atascocita (Humble) 38-7. Austin Westlake cruised to a 47-7 win over Brennan (San Antonio). The winner will face either No. 12 Duncanville or Prosper on Dec. 17 in the state championship.

Guyer (Denton) moved up a couple spots this week to No. 10 in the MaxPreps Top 25 after a 45-21 win over Southlake Carroll (Southlake) in the Texas 6A Division 2 quarterfinals. Five-star Oklahoma commit Jackson Arnold completed 24 of 31 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns to go with 27 carries for 149 yards and four more scores. Up next for the Wildcats is DeSoto with a spot in the state championship game on the line. The winner faces either No. 16 Katy or Vandegrift (Austin) on Dec. 17.

MaxPreps Top 25 football rankings

Record: 12-1 | Last week: 1

Last week: Idle

Next week: Dec. 10 vs. Serra (San Mateo)

Record: 12-1 | Last week: 2

Record: 13-0 | Last week: 3

Last week: Beat Lakewood (St. Petersburg) 39-21

Next week: Idle

Record: 13-1 | Last week: 4

Record: 12-0 | Last week: 5

Last week: Beat True North Classical Academy (Miami) 56-0

Next week: Dec. 8 vs. Clearwater Central Catholic (Clearwater)

Record: 8-1 | Last week: 6

Record: 13-0 | Last week: 7

Last week: Beat Jesuit (Tampa) 45-3

Next week: Idle

Record: 14-0 | Last week: 8

Last week: Beat Atascocita (Humble) 38-7
Next week: Dec. 10 vs. No. 9 Westlake (Austin)

Record: 14-0 | Last week: 9

Last week: Beat Brennan (San Antonio) 47-7

Next week: Dec. 10 vs. No. 8 North Shore (Houston)

Record: 14-0 | Last week: 12

Last week: Beat Southlake Carroll (Southlake) 45-21

Next week: Dec. 10 vs. DeSoto

Record: 13-1 | Last week: 10

Last week: Beat Bolles (Jacksonville) 21-14

Next week: Idle

Record: 13-0 | Last week: 11

Last week: Beat Westfield (Houston) 28-21

Next week: Dec. 10 vs. Prosper

Record: 9-1 | Last week: 13

Record: 13-0 | Last week: 15

Last week: Beat Christ Presbyterian Academy (Nashville) 42-0

Record: 13-0 | Last week: 16

Last week: Beat Osceola (Kissimmee) 14-7

Next week: Idle

Record: 14-0 | Last week: 17

Last week: Beat King (Houston) 56-34

Next week: Dec. 10 vs. Vandegrift (Austin)

Record: 14-0 | Last week: 18

Last week: Beat Rome 42-3

Next week: Dec. 9 vs. Gainesville

Record: 13-1 | Last week: 19

Last week: Beat Milton 48-14

Next week: Dec. 10 vs. No. 20 Carrollton

Record: 15-1 | Last week: 20

Last week: Beat Springfield 28-14

Record: 14-0 | Last week: 25

Last week: Beat Colquitt County (Moultrie) 35-27

Next week: Dec. 10 vs. No. 18 Mill Creek (Hoschton)

Record: 11-1 | Last week: 22

Last week: Beat Chandler 13-0

Next week: Dec. 10 vs. No. 24 Saguaro (Scottsdale)

Record: 11-1 | Last week: 24

Last week: Beat Garnet Valley (Glen Mills) 48-7

Next week: Dec. 10 vs. Harrisburg

Record: 11-1 | Last week: NR

Record: 9-3 | Last week: NR

Last week: Beat Liberty (Peoria) 43-42

Next week: Dec. 10 vs. No. 21 Basha (Chandler)

Record: 11-1 | Last week: 14