No. 4 Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.) could not overcome an injury to its starting quarterback
Conner Harrell and the Warriors had their 27-game winning streak snapped with a 24-21 loss against Hoover (Ala.). Harrell did not return for the second half and the Buccaneers overcame a 21-10 halftime deficit and shutout the back-to-back 7A state champs 14-0 in the final 24 minutes. Hoover's senior quarterback
Bennett Meredith found
Jabari Gaines from eight yards out with 14-seconds remaining for the game-winning score.
The win clinched the 7A Region 3 title for the Bucs as they head into the playoffs a perfect 10-0 and will join the MaxPreps Top 25 rankings on Monday.
The biggest high school football matchup of the weekend was on Saturday night at the Santa Ana Bowl as No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) held off No. 8 Servite (Anaheim, Calif.) with a 46-37 win. It was the toughest test of the year for the top-ranked Monarchs but they improved to 7-0 on the season. The first two-score lead of the night came in the fourth quarter when
Raleek Brown scored on a 22-yard touchdown run to give Mater Dei a 46-37 lead. Senior running back
Quincy Craig added four rushing scores as the Monarchs clinched at least a share of the Trinity League title. They finish the regular season next week against JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano).
The Friars have another huge test next week at No. 5 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) who rolled to a 41-16 win over Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita).
Dillard (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) gave No. 15 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) all it could handle but a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown by the Raiders proved to be the difference. The Panthers were attempting a 24-yard field goal with under four minutes remaining to tie the game but the Raiders blocked it and returned it for an 80-yard score to give them a 23-13 lead.
No. 24 St. John's (Washington, D.C.) improved to 7-0 with a hard-fought 14-7 victory over WCAC rival DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.). It was the Cadets sixth win in seven meetings against the Stags. Up next is a matchup against (6-2) Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) on Oct. 30.
No. 11 Chandler (Ariz.) won its 43rd consecutive game with a 26-7 win over Queen Creek. After trailing 7-6 at halftime the Wolves shutout the Bulldogs 20-0 in the second half.
Kyion Grayes made his season debut and added a 55-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter to ice the game.
Ryan Butler and No. 6 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) improved to 8-0 with a 38-28 win over Seton Hall Prep (West Orange) on Saturday in a back-and-forth affair. After the Pirates took a 28-24 lead with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter Butler ran down the sideline for a 65-yard touchdown on the first play of the Crusaders ensuing drive to take a 31-28 lead. He added another touchdown run in the final minute to ice the game. Up next is (5-2) St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City) on Oct. 30.
MaxPreps Top 25 National Scoreboard
Saturday, 8 p.m. (All times local) at Santa Ana Bowl (Santa Ana)
Friday, 7 p.m. at Madison-Ridgeland Academy High School (Madison, Miss.)
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, 7 p.m.
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Friday, 7 p.m.
Thursday, 7 p.m.
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Idle
Idle
Friday, 7 p.m.
Friday, 7 p.m.
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. at Traz Powell Stadium (Miami)
