High school football rankings: No. 6 North Shore, No. 22 Austin Westlake set for MaxPreps Top 25 showdown in Texas 6A Division 1 semifinals

By Zack Poff Dec 4, 2023, 8:30am

No. 12 Massillon, No. 16 Liberty, No. 17 St. Edward, No. 24 Bergen Catholic all win state titles.

North Shore (Houston) overcame an early 14-0 deficit against Atascocita (Humble) on Friday night to pull out a 34-28 win, advancing to the Class 6A Division 1 semifinals in Texas for the sixth consecutive year. The Mustangs improved to 14-0 and check in at No. 6 in this week's MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings.

No. 22 Westlake (Austin) is up next on Saturday with a spot in the state championship game on the line. The Chaparrals (14-0) beat Lake Travis (Austin) 21-14, knocking off their rival for the second time this season. Westlake is 68-1 in its last 69 games with the lone loss coming in the 2022 Class 6A Division 1 semifinal against North Shore.

No. 12 Massillon (Ohio) won its first OHSAA state title since the playoff format was established before the 1972 season with a 7-2 victory against Archbishop Hoban (Akron) in the Division II championship. The Tigers finished 16-0 with impressive wins over Valdosta (Ga.), St. Edward (Lakewood) and St. John's (Washington, D.C.).

Navi Bruzon and No. 16 Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.) capped their season with a 33-21 win over Centennial (Peoria) in the AIA Open Division state championship. Bruzon completed 12 of 19 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns to go with 110 yards on the ground and another score. He finished the year throwing for 3,287 yards and 32 touchdowns while adding 972 yards rushing and 21 more scores.



No. 17 St. Edward became the first team in Ohio to win three consecutive Division I state titles since 1995 with a 31-21 victory against Springfield. St. Ignatius (Cleveland) was the last team to do so when it won five in a row from 1991-95. Sophomore running back Brandon White led the way on offense with 32 carries for 235 yards and three touchdowns.

No. 24 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) was one of three new teams to join the MaxPreps Top 25 after winning its third straight NJSIAA Non-Public A state title. The Crusaders beat Delbarton (Morristown) 24-14 as senior running back Kaj Sanders had 22 carries for 117 yards and two touchdowns.

Also joining the MaxPreps Top 25 this week were Milton (Ga.) and Saraland (Ala.)

Milton jumps in at No. 18 after beating Grayson (Loganville) 45-35 to clinch a spot in Georgia's AAAAAAA state championship. They face No. 8 Walton (Marietta, Ga.) on Dec. 13 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

No. 25 Saraland improved to 14-0 with a 46-7 win over Pike Road in Alabama's 6A semifinals. Next up is Clay-Chalkville (Pinson) in the state championship game Friday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
North Shore's Dezmon Christian (24) gets a convoy into the end zone after a blocked punt for a touchdown in the No. 6 Mustangs' 34-28 win over Atascocita. (Photo: Tom Dendy)
North Shore's Dezmon Christian (24) gets a convoy into the end zone after a blocked punt for a touchdown in the No. 6 Mustangs' 34-28 win over Atascocita. (Photo: Tom Dendy)
MaxPreps Top 25 football rankings

Record: 12-0 | Last week: 1
Season complete



Record: 13-0 | Last week: 2
Last week: Beat Archbishop Carroll (Miami) 47-7
This week: Thursday vs. Clearwater Central Catholic (Clearwater)

Record: 12-1 | Last week: 3
Last week: Idle
This week: Saturday vs. No. 19 Serra (San Mateo)

Record: 10-0 | Last week: 4
Season complete

Record: 11-2 | Last week: 5
Season complete

Record: 14-0 | Last week: 6
Last week: Beat Atascocita (Humble) 34-28
This week: Saturday vs. No. 22 Westlake (Austin)

Record: 13-0 | Last week: 7
Last week: Beat Cedar Hill 59-16
This week: Saturday vs. Southlake Carroll (Southlake)

Record: 14-0 | Last week: 8
Last week: Beat Camden County (Kingsland) 41-25
This week: Idle



Record: 12-1 | Last week: 9
Last week: Beat Central Bucks South (Warrington) 49-0
This week: Saturday vs. North Allegheny (Wexford)

Record: 13-1 | Last week: 10
Last week: Beat Gaither (Tampa) 50-14
This week: Saturday vs. Homestead

Record: 14-0 | Last week: 11
Last week: Beat Bolles (Jacksonville) 28-7
This week: Saturday vs. Berkeley Prep (Tampa)

Record: 16-0 | Last week: 12
Last week: Beat Archbishop Hoban (Akron) 7-2
Season complete

Record: 12-1 | Last week: 13
Last week: Beat Westfield (Houston) 70-28
This week: Saturday vs. North Crowley (Fort Worth)

Record: 13-1 | Last week: 14
Season complete

Record: 9-3 | Last week: 16
Season complete



Record: 12-1 | Last week: 18
Last week: Beat Centennial (Peoria) 33-21
Season complete

Record: 15-1 | Last week: 19
Last week: Beat Springfield 31-21
Season complete

Record: 12-2 | Last week: NR
Last week: Beat Grayson (Loganville) 45-35
This week: Idle

Record: 12-0 | Last week: 20
Last week: Idle
This week: Saturday vs. No. 3 Mater Dei (Santa Ana)

Record: 13-1 | Last week: 21
Last week: Beat Booker (Sarasota) 41-3
This week: Friday vs. Bradford (Starke)

Record: 13-1 | Last week: 22
Season complete



Record: 14-0 | Last week: 23
Last week: Beat Lake Travis (Austin) 21-14
This week: Saturday vs. No. 6 North Shore (Houston)

Record: 10-1 | Last week: 24
Season complete

Record: 11-1 | Last week: NR
Last week: Beat Delbarton (Morristown) 24-14
Season complete

Record: 14-0 | Last week: NR
Last week: Beat Pike Road 46-7
This week: Friday vs. Clay-Chalkville (Pinson)