High school football rankings: Miami Central moves up to No. 4 in MaxPreps Top 25 after 20-14 win over IMG Academy

Last week featured one of the biggest slates of high school football action we've ever seen and it did not disappoint. There was no bigger win than Central's (Miami) 20-14 upset over IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). It was the first time the Ascenders lost to a Florida opponent since 2015 when American Heritage (Plantation) beat them 19-7 in a Kickoff Classic.

The win shot the Rockets up 10 spots to No. 4 in the MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings, while the loss dropped the Ascenders to No. 13.

Miami Central erased a 14-6 halftime deficit and shutout IMG Academy in the second half. The biggest play came early in the fourth quarter when LaWayne McCoy intercepted a Ryan Downes pass, returning it for the go-ahead score. Sophomore defensive back Amari Wallace iced the game with an interception in the final minute. Four-star defensive lineman Rueben Bain had a monster night, finishing with three sacks. Keyone Jenkins threw for two touchdowns and made some big throws in tight windows against one of the best secondaries in the country.

Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) extended its win streak to 19 as the Monarchs erased a 21-7 third quarter deficit to beat Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) 24-21 on the road. Elijah Brown made some clutch throws late and finished with three touchdown passes. Sophomore edge rusher Nasir Wyatt had a huge game and made a big-time impact on defense for the Monarchs. Up next for Mater Dei is No. 7 Centennial (Corona) on Sept. 2.

No. 1 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) got its season underway in Texas beating Allen 52-14 in its $60 million dollar stadium. Pierce Clarkson finished with four total touchdowns while the defense was lights out all night.

It was a huge week for the state of Florida as they dominated in the Broward County vs. USA Showcase going 6-1. Teams ranked in the MaxPreps Top 25 featured in that event went 3-0.

No. 5 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) beat St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia) 48-37. Jordan Lyle and Gemari Sands each had two touchdowns while Champ Harris threw for three scores in his first start for the Raiders.

American Heritage (Plantation) owned the trenches against Los Alamitos (Calif.) and cruised to a 56-27 win. Ohio State-bound running back Mark Fletcher Jr. had 19 carries for 224 yards and two scores. The Patriots rushed for 400-plus yards and five-star Ohio State commit Brandon Inniss caught his third touchdown reception of the season. Heritage moved up four spots to No. 15 in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) moved up to No. 12 after beating St. John's (Washington, D.C.) 35-28. The Lions dominated through two-and-a-half quarters leading 35-7 and held off a late rally from the Cadets. The loss dropped the defending WCAC champs seven spots to No. 24.

The only new team in this week's MaxPreps Top 25 is Lipscomb Academy (Nashville). Trent Dilfer has done a tremendous job since taking over as head coach and they have had two quality road wins to start the season. They beat Milton, last year's AAAAAAA state runner-up, 17-7 in Georgia and followed that with a 24-14 victory against three-time defending 7A state champs, Thompson (Alabaster), in Alabama. Dilfer is now 33-10 in his fourth season as head coach and led the Mustangs to their first state title since 2007 last season.

MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings

Record: 1-0 | Last week: 1

Last week: Beat Allen (Texas) 52-14

Next week: Sept. 2 at Bishop Amat (La Puente)

Record: 2-0 | Last week: 2

Last week: Beat Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) 24-21

Next week: Sept. 2 at No. 7 Centennial (Corona)

Record: 1-0 | Last week: 3

Last week: Beat East St. Louis (Ill.) 20-13

Next week: Sept. 3 at DeSoto (Texas)

Record: 1-0 | Last week: 14

Last week: Beat IMG Academy (Brandenton) 20-14

Next week: Idle

Record: 1-0 | Last week: 5

Last week: Beat St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia) 48-37

Next week: Sept. 2 at Fort Myers

Record: 2-0 | Last week: 10

Last week: Beat Mallard Creek (Charlotte) 56-7

Next week: Sept. 2 vs. North Cobb (Kennesaw)

Record: 2-0 | Last week: 9

Last week: Beat Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 42-7

Next week: Sept. 2 vs. No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana)

Record: 1-1 | Last week: 6

Last week: Lost to Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 24-21

Next week: Sept. 2 at St. Louis (Honolulu)

Record: 1-0 | Last week: 7

Last week: Beat Ridge Point (Missouri City) 44-14

Next week: Sept. 2 at Judson (Converse)

Record: 0-0 | Last week: 8

Next week: Sept. 2 at Cathedral Catholic (San Diego)

Record: 1-0 | Last week: 11

Last week: Beat The Woodlands 49-21

Next week: Sept. 3 at Spring

Record: 1-0 | Last week: 13

Last week: Beat St. John's (Washington, D.C.) 35-28

Next week: Sept. 2 vs. Dillard (Fort Lauderdale)

Record: 0-1 | Last week: 4

Last week: Lost to Central (Miami) 20-14

Next week: Sept. 3 at De Smet Jesuit (St. Louis)

Record: 0-0 | Last week: 12

Next week: Sept. 2 vs. No. 19 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.)

Record: 2-0 | Last week: 19

Last week: Beat Los Alamitos (Calif.) 56-27

Next week: Sept. 2 vs. Lake Gibson (Lakeland)

Record: 1-0 | Last week: 15

Last week: Beat South Oak Cliff (Dallas) 23-10

Next week: Sept. 3 vs. Jones (Orlando)

Record: 1-0 | Last week: 16

Last week: Beat Wharton (Tampa) 24-13

Next week: Sept. 2 vs. Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie)

Record: 1-0 | Last week: 18

Last week: Beat Rockwall-Heath (Rockwall) 47-14

Next week: Sept. 2 at Aledo

Record: 1-0 | Last week: 20

Last week: Beat Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, N.C.) 49-14

Next week: Sept. 2 at No. 14 Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.)

Record: 2-0 | Last week: 21

Last week: Beat Eagle's Landing (McDonough) 44-14

Next week: Sept. 3 vs. Fort Dorchester (North Charleston, S.C.)

Record: 1-0 | Last week: 22

Last week: Beat Clearwater 42-6

Next week: Sept. 2 vs. Largo

Record: 2-0 | Last week: 23

Last week: Beat Central Catholic (Pittsburgh) 42-10

Next week: Sept. 3 vs. Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.)

Record: 1-0 | Last week: 24

Last week: Beat Clear Springs (League City) 49-16

Next week: Sept. 2 vs. Atascocita (Humble)

Record: 0-1 | Last week: 17

Last week: Lost to Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.) 35-28

Next week: Sept. 3 vs. Middletown (Del.)

Record: 2-0 | Last week: NR

Last week: Beat Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.) 24-14

Next week: Sept. 2 vs. Goodpasture Christian (Madison)