MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings

Video: 5-star Donovan Peoples-Jones makes game-winning catch in semifinals
See the Cass Tech star make a huge play for his team.

For the second consecutive week, the playoffs churned out some big-time upsets.

Rancho Cucamonga erased a 13-0 deficit against previously ranked Mission Viejo and snapped the Diablos' 39-game winning streak with a 42-26 win to improve to 12-0 and enter this week's Top 25. Up next for the Cougars is a date with No. 3 Mater Dei in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 semifinals.

Union (Tulsa, Okla.) got some revenge on previously ranked Jenks, which beat Union in September. This time around, Union got the best of Jenks and snapped the Trojans' 11-game winning streak with a 45-21 win to advance to the Class 6A-I championship game against Norman North. Union is hoping it can avenge its only other loss of the season against Norman North, a team that beat Union 30-27 in October.

The other Top 25 team to go down was Wayne (Huber Heights, Ohio), as it fell to Pickerington Central in the quarterfinals of the Ohio Division 1 playoffs. Brandon Vollmer nailed a 19-yard field goal as time expired to advance to the semifinals.

The playoffs were filled with some more instant classics, too.

DeMatha erased a 29-14 fourth-quarter deficit against rival St. John's with 20 unanswered points to escape with a 34-29 victory to claim its fourth-consecutive WCAC championship.

Cass Tech was in a scare for the second consecutive week and this one came down to the final minute against Utica Eisenhower. Good thing the Technicians have the No. 1 wide receiver in the Class of 2017 in Donovan Peoples-Jones, who made an acrobatic touchdown catch with 24 seconds left to give his team the go-ahead score and advance to the Division 1 state championship game for the second-consecutive season.

Three new teams join this week's Top 25 and a few more bubble spots opened up after upsets over the weekend.


1. (1 last week) Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 13-0
For the first time in six weeks, Bishop Gorman gave up more than seven points. But it didn't matter because the Gaels scored 58. And they only gave up 10 to Faith Lutheran (Las Vegas) as they advanced to the 4A state semifinals. It was the 52nd-straight win for the Gaels, which is currently the second-longest active winning streak in high school football. It was also the 84th-consecutive win against Nevada opponents and if the Gaels make it 86 in a row it will end with an eighth-consecutive state championship. Bishop Gorman owns a 118-5 overall record over the last seven-plus seasons,
Next game: Saturday vs. Arbor View (Las Vegas) in the 4A state semifinals

2. (2) IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 11-0
For the first time in a month, IMG Academy gave up a point. Luckily only one touchdown was all the Ascenders allowed against Bishop Sullivan (Virginia Beach, Va.). IMG Academy was trailing 6-0 heading into the fourth quarter but answered back with 16 points to close out the final 12 minutes. Some people will say Bishop Sullivan helped them out by going for it on fourth down from their own 14-yard line, or not kicking a field goal trailing 7-6 with under three minutes left, but that is how they have played all season and IMG Academy proved why it is one of the best teams in the country. The Ascenders are now done playing in 2016 because they can't compete for a state title in Florida and they still remain in the hunt to finish the season as the No. 1 team in the Xcellent 25.

3. (3) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 12-0
Like usual, the No. 1 quarterback in the Class of 2019 JT Daniels put up video game-type of numbers. He finished with 422 yards passing and five scores in a 63-30 win over Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.) in the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 bracket. Four-star junior wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown finished with six receptions for 166 yards and two scores. Just like IMG Academy, Mater Dei remains in the hunt for the No. 1 spot in the Xcellent 25 as it has Rancho Cucamonga, possibly the winner of St. John Bosco vs. Corona Centennial, and potentially the top-ranked team from Northern California in the Open Division state championship left on the schedule.
Next game: Friday vs. No. 19 Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) in the CIFSS Division 1 semifinals

4. (4) DeSoto (Texas), 12-0
Some people thought Carroll (Southlake) would give DeSoto some trouble in the second round of the 6A-D2 UIL Texas state playoffs, and in the first half it looked that way. The Eagles needed a touchdown late in the second quarter to take a 29-23 lead going into halftime, then they scored the first 18 points of the second half and cruised to a 48-30 victory to advance to the regional semifinals. Four-star quarterback Shawn Robinson continued to show why he is in the mix for National Player of the Year, as he finished with 245 yards passing and a game-high 209 yards rushing to go with four total touchdowns. Four-star wide receiver and Colorado commit KD Nixon was big-time also, as he hauled in a game-high 11 receptions for 163 yards and one score.
Next game: Friday vs. Abilene (Texas) in the third round of the 6A-D2 UIL Texas state playoffs

5. (5) DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), 12-0
Finishing a season undefeated for the first time since 2006 wasn't easy for DeMatha. Go back to before the season started when four-star running back Anthony McFarland broke his fibula and was ruled out for the year. Most people thought there was no way this DeMatha team would finish in the top five. Once again the Stags' backs were against the wall in the WCAC championship game, down 29-14 to St. John's (Washington, D.C.) in the fourth quarter, and yet they proved they aren't out until the last second runs out. They scored 20 unanswered points and claimed their fourth-straight WCAC championship, and while a lot of people will debate this, it could be the best DeMatha team ever.

6. (6) Grayson (Loganville, Ga.), 11-1
The Rams continue to roll, as they reeled off their 11th-consecutive win and 10th straight by double digits. Woodstock was no match for them in the second round of the 7A state playoffs, as they cruised to a 59-21 win. Four-star quarterback and Clemson commit Chase Brice completed his first 11 passes of the night and finished with nearly 300 yards and four scores. Four-star South Carolina commit Jamyest Williams balled for nearly 150 total yards and three scores and No. 2 overall player in the Class of 2019 Owen Pappoe showed off his versatility as he took an interception 24 yards for a score. Up next for the Rams is back-to-back defending state champ Colquitt County (Moultrie) in one of the biggest games of the weekend.
Next game: Friday at Colquitt County in the 7A Georgia state quarterfinals

7. (7) Allen (Texas), 12-0
The Eagles are closer to the fifth state championship in school history. After Belton went up 7-0 in the first, Allen answered with the game's final 24 points to advance to the third round of the 6A-D1 UIL Texas state playoffs. Mitchell Jonke continued his efficient 2016 season by finishing the night 10 of 13 for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Brock Sturges and Kirby Bennett both eclipsed the century mark on the ground and the defense was big-time once again as it held the opposition to seven points or less for the fourth time in the last six games.
Next game: Friday vs. San Angelo Central (Texas) in the third round of the 6A-D1 UIL Texas state playoffs

8. (8) Mountain Pointe (Phoenix), 13-0
Mountain Pointe is now one win away from winning its second state championship in school history but it didn't come easy against Red Mountain (Mesa) in the 6A state semifinals. The Pride were tied 14-14 in the fourth quarter and Jaydon Brooks took an end-around and found a wide open Isaiah Pola-Mao for a 59-yard touchdown, which ended up being the decisive score in a 21-14 win to clinch a spot in the 6A state championship. Pola-Mao has proven to be the difference maker for this Mountain Pointe team in 2016, as the 4-star safety had three interceptions last week, including two pick-6's, and this week had the go-ahead score. Up next for Mountain Pointe is Chandler, the No. 2 team in the state, a team the Pride beat 52-7.
Next game: Saturday vs. Chandler in the 6A state championship

9. (9) St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 9-2
St. Thomas Aquinas cruised to its sixth-consecutive win, as it shut out Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens) 37-0 in the second round of the 7A state playoffs. The big question now for Aquinas is will any players get suspended because of a scuffle at the end of the game. It could affect the Raiders' road to a third-consecutive 7A state title but they have proven they can win no matter what as they have gone 6-0 since losing 5-star wide receiver Trevon Grimes to a torn ACL.
Next game: Friday vs. Mater Academy Charter (Hialeah Gardens) in the third round of the 7A state playoffs

10. (10) Roswell (Ga.), 12-0
Roswell continued its perfect season after beating Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee) 29-12 in the second round of the 7A state playoffs. Class of 2017 Virginia State commit Malik Willis finished the night with three touchdowns and 4-star Clemson commit Xavier Mckinney continued to be a special teams king, as he took a punt back 52 yards to the house and for the 12th time this season the Hornets held the opposition to 14 points or less.
Next game: Friday vs. North Cobb (Kennesaw) in the 7A Georgia state quarterfinals

11. (12) St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 10-2
St. John Bosco's only two blemishes this season came against No. 1 Bishop Gorman and No. 3 Mater Dei, and they were leading both of those games at halftime. They get another chance at one of the best teams in the country this week as they play Corona Centennial in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 semifinals after beating Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) for the second time this season. The scary thing for the remaining teams in the field is Bosco's 3-star junior quarterback Re-al Mitchell continues to get better each week. Add that with one of the best defenses in the state, and they are going to be a tough team to knock out in one of the top playoff brackets in the country.
Next game: Friday vs. Centennial (Corona, Calif.) in the CIFSS Division 1 semifinals

12. (13) Centennial (Corona, Calif.), 11-1
For the fourth-consecutive season, the Huskies and St. John Bosco will meet up in the playoffs. It used to be the Pac 5 Division and now it is the Division 1 bracket, but one thing is the same and all the best teams in Southern California are in the field. The past three matchups happened in the championship game and this one will go down in the semifinals. The Huskies rolled to a 66-35 win over Chaminade (West Hills) in the quarterfinals and a name to remember for Centennial is senior running back Miles Reed, who has rushed for 1,967 yards and 31 scores in 2016.
Next game: Friday vs. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) in the CIFSS D-1 semifinals

13. (11) American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.), 11-0
American Heritage needed a fourth-quarter touchdown from 2017 Harvard commit Jason Brown to beat Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) 10-7 and advance to the 5A state quarterfinals. The defense was lights-out once again by not allowing any points, as Cardinal Gibbons' lone touchdown came on a fumble recovery in the end zone. The big key for American Heritage this year has been on the offensive side of the ball because the defense has been one of the best in all of high school football led by 5-star junior cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr. Up next for the Patriots is a matchup against defending 5A state champion Bishop Moore.
Next game: Friday at Bishop Moore (Orlando) in the 5A state semifinals

14. (14) Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.), 13-0
For the fourth-consecutive season, Saguaro will be playing in the state championship game. The Sabercats have now won 24 straight games and they made it 15 in a row in the playoffs with a 24-3 win over Salpointe Catholic (Tucson). Saguaro is one win away four consecutive state championships and it would represent nine since 2006.
Next game: Saturday vs. Catalina Foothills (Tucson)

15. (15) Cass Tech (Detroit), 13-0
Donovan Peoples-Jones showed why he is the No. 1 wide receiver in the Class of 2017 when he made the game-winning touchdown reception with 24 seconds left against Utica Eisenhower (Shelby Township). The win advanced Cass Tech to the state championship game for the second-consecutive season but the Technicians are hoping this time around they can win it all. If they do, it would be the school's third state title in school history, and first since 2012.
Next game: Saturday vs. Catholic Central (Grand Rapids) in the Division 1 state championship

16. (16) McGill-Toolen (Mobile, Ala.), 13-0
Make that 22 straight wins for the Alabama power. The Yellowjackets clinched a spot in the 7A state championship with a 35-21 win against a very good Central (Phenix City) team. Senior quarterback Bubba Thompson had another nice game, throwing for 366 yards and four scores, and 2017 USC commit Marlon Williams continued to show why he is one of the best playmakers in the country with touchdown receptions of 51 and 59 yards. Up next for McGill-Toolen is perennial power Hoover in the 7A state final.
Next game: Nov. 30 vs. Hoover in the 7A state championship

17. (18) Bingham (South Jordan, Utah), 14-0
For the third time in four years the Miners won the 5A state championship. They overcame a 10-0 first-half deficit against Lone Peak (Highland) and scored the game's final 17 points to claim the school's 10th state title and sixth since 2006. It was extra special because Lone Peak was the team that knocked Bingham out of the playoffs last year. Bingham finished 2016 outscoring the opposition 599-163 and won 13 of 14 by double digits.

18. (19) Trinity (Louisville, Ky.), 13-0
For the first time since September, Trinity didn't shut out an opponent. But it didn't matter because they scored 63 points. They advanced to the 6A state semifinals after a 63-20 win against Ballard (Louisville) and will face St. Xavier (Louisville) with a spot in the 6A state final on the line. The two squared off in September and Trinity won the first matchup, 35-13. This is one of the best rivalries in all of high school football and it will be the 23rd matchup since 2004. Trinity has won 15 of the last 22 and four in a row.
Next game: Friday vs. St. Xavier (Louisville) in the 6A state semifinals

19. (NR) Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.), 12-0
Nobody made a bigger jump in the rankings this week than Rancho Cucamonga. The Cougars got their biggest win of the season and snapped Mission Viejo's 39-game winning streak with a 42-26 win to advance to the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 bracket. Four-star recruits Jaylon Redd and Thomas Graham jr. continue to show why they are one of the best 1-2 tandems in the country. Redd rushed for 147 yards and three scores and Graham Jr. hauled in a touchdown reception and sealed the deal with a 72-yard pick-six to send his team to the semifinals.
Next game: Friday vs. No. 3 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) in the CIFSS D-1 semifinals

20. (20) St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia), 11-0
The Philly power rolled to a 44-6 win over Northeast (Philadelphia) to claim the District 12 championship. St. Joseph's Prep has won every game by double digits so far in 2016. Four-star Georgia commit D'Andre Swift continued his impressive senior season as he rushed for two more scores and helped his team advance to the PIAA 6A quarterfinals.
Next game: Friday vs. Parkland (Allentown) in the 6A state quarterfinals

21. (24) Lake Travis (Austin, Texas), 11-1
Make that 11 straight wins for Lake Travis, as it beat Smithson Valley (Spring Branch) 40-21 to advance to the third round of the 6A-D1 UIL Texas state playoffs. Class of 2017 Arkansas commit Maleek Barkley had a monster game, rushing for 179 yards and three touchdowns.
Next game: Friday vs. Los Fresnos in the third round of the 6A-D1 UIL Texas state playoffs

22. (22) East (Salt Lake City), 14-0
East capped off its perfect season with a 48-20 win in the 4A state championship against Springville. It was a record-breaking season for the Leopards, as they became the first team in Utah state history to rush for 6,000 yards and total more than 7,000 yards in a season. Senior running back Jaylen Warren broke the single-season record for most rushing yards (3,099), rushing touchdowns (39) and his 14 100-yard rushing games were also the most in state history. It was a remarkable year for East, with a win over national power De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) on the road and a win over Arkansas power Pulaski Academy (Little Rock).

23. (23) Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.), 12-0
Mill Creek had no problem with Cherokee (Canton) in the second round of the 7A state playoffs, as the Hawks cruised to a 56-21 win. They were up 35-0 early in the second quarter and 49-7 at halftime and rested their starters the entire second half. The offense had nearly 500 total yards in the first half alone. Up next for Mill Creek is a matchup against one of the new teams in this week's Xcellent 25 rankings, McEachern.
Next game: Friday at McEachern (Powder Springs) in the 7A Georgia state quarterfinals

24. (NR) Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.), 12-1
The defending 6A state champ earned a spot in this week's rankings after beating a very good Ben Davis (Indianapolis) team, 42-22, to advance to the state championship game for the second-consecutive season. Class of 2017 Louisville commit Russ Yeast had another big-time game, as he totaled 174 yards of offense to go with four scores. The only thing standing in Center Grove's way from claiming its second-consecutive 6A state championship is Carmel.
Next game: Friday vs. Carmel in the 6A Indiana state championship

25. (NR) McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.), 11-1
McEachern won its 10th-consecutive game after beating Parkview (Lilburn) 47-29 to clinch a spot in the 7A Georgia state quarterfinals. The only blemish for the Indians came against No. 6 Grayson in their second game and it came down to a game-winning field for the Rams as time expired. McEachern has one of the most well-balanced teams in the state with 4-star Florida State commit Bailey Hockman slinging the ball on offense and the defense is only allowing 12 points per game.
Next game: Friday vs. Mill Creek (Hoschton) in the 7A Georgia state quarterfinals

Bubble Teams

South Pointe (Rock Hill, S.C.), 10-1
South Pointe had no trouble with Greenville in the first round of the 4A state playoffs, as the Stallions cruised to a 48-30 win. Four-star athlete Derion Kendrick had another big-time game as he threw for 280 yards and four scores in an effort to lead South Pointe to its third-consecutive state title.
Next game: Friday vs. Airport (West Columbia) in the second round of the 4A state playoffs

The Woodlands (Texas), 12-0
The Woodlands and Sachse both entered last Friday night's game 11-0 and The Woodlands came out still undefeated after a hard-fought 51-40 victory. The last time the Highlanders were 12-0 in a season was in 2003 when they lost in the state championship to North Shore (Houston). This is the first time since 2013 The Woodlands earned a spot in the regional semifinals.
Next game: Saturday vs. Bowie (Austin) in the third round of 6A-D1 UIL Texas state playoffs

Norman North (Okla.), 12-0
Norman North has been playing great football all season as it enters the Class 6A-I state championship a perfect 12-0. The Timberwolves have won 11 of 12 games by double digits this year and the only team to lose by one score was Union (Tulsa) and that is who they will face in the state championship game. Norman North has one of the most explosive offenses in the country, averaging 52.5 points per game. Senior quarterback Brandon Marquardt has thrown for 4,273 yards and 44 touchdowns this year. They have a trio of wide receivers who are all over the 1,000 yard mark in Collin Klein, Charlie Kolar and Drake Stoops, the son of Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops who is emerging as one of the best junior wide receivers in the state.
Next game: Dec. 2 vs. Union in the 6A-I Oklahoma state championship

Cedar Hill (Texas), 10-2
The Longhorns' only two losses this season came to No. 1 Bishop Gorman and No. 4 DeSoto. There is a chance they will get another crack at DeSoto but they both have to win this weekend. Cedar Hill erased a 21-7 halftime deficit against Guyer (Denton) and scored the game's final 16 points to win its eighth-consecutive game. Four-star Oklahoma commit Charleston Rambo continues to show why he is one of the best wide receivers in the country as he hauled in 10 receptions for 162 yards and two scores and 2017 Notre Dame commit Avery Davis threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns. Up next for the Longhorns is 4-star Oklahoma commit Kennedy Brooks and Mansfield (Texas) and the last time they played Cedar Hill needed a fourth-down score in the final seconds to win 42-41 in September.
Next game: Friday vs. Mansfield in the third round of the 6A-D2 UIL Texas state playoffs

St. Louis (Honolulu), 10-1
St. Louis won its fourth state championship in school history, as they won the inaugural Open Division final against Kahuku (Hawaii), 30-14. Five-star Alabama commit Tua Tagovailoa cemented his name in the Hawaii record books, as he surpassed former Saint Louis star Timmy Chang for most career passing yards in state history. Tagovailoa finished the game with 243 yards through the air and 136 on the ground to go with two total touchdowns. It was the school's first state championship since 2010 when Marcus Mariota led them a perfect 12-0 season, and Tagovailoa joins the list of great quarterbacks to ever play at Saint Louis - Mariota, Chang and Jeremiah Masoli.