MaxPreps Top 25 national high school football rankings

Video: Xcellent 25 Football Rankings presented by Army National Guard - September 6
This week's Xcellent 25 football rankings are presented by the Army National Guard.

It is going to be hard to top the action we saw over Labor Day weekend.

No. 2 IMG Academy and No. 22 Corona Centennial went back and forth all four quarters but IMG's gutsy call to go for a 2-point converstion with 12 seconds left turned out to be the difference, as a perfectly executed shovel pass from Kellen Mond to Asa Martin allowed the Ascenders to leave California with a 50-49 win in arguably the best high school football game of the season.

The Lone Star State provided us with a boatload of big-time games.

No. 11 Cedar Hill overcame a 20-point fourth quarter deficit against Mansfield, as Marquise Forman scored the game-winning touchdown with four seconds left on fourth down to give the Longhorns a 42-41 win.

Previously ranked Steele (Cibolo, Texas) and Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) gave us one of the best games of the weekend. Lake Travis pulled out a 59-56 double overtime victory.

No. 16 Katy had to overcome a 14-point second half deficit against Klein Collins (Spring), but thanks to sophomore running back Deondrick Glass the Tigers pulled it out. Glass rushed for 250 yards and five scores, including one in each overtime. Trailing 49-48 in the second overtime, Katy went for two, and just like IMG Academy the gutsy call paid off, as the Tigers walked away with a 50-49 victory.

This past weekend saw three Top 25 teams go down in defeat and it would have been five if not for two big fourth -uarter comebacks for Cedar Hill and Katy.

1. (1 last week) Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 2-0
Bishop Gorman was nursing a 12-10 lead with one play left in the first half, then magic happened. 2017 Ohio State commit Tate Martell found Brevin Jordan for a 42-yard touchdown to end the first half and that started a string of 34 unanswered points to give the Gaels a 46-10 win against Cocoa (Fla.). Even without star running back Biaggio Walsh, it didn't slow them down one bit on offense, as Martell finished with five total touchdowns and the Gaels outgained Cocoa 219-9 in the second half to cruise to their second-consecutive dominant victory against another big-time opponent. They have already knocked off a Texas and Florida power, and things don't get any easier for Bishop Gorman as it plays California power, St. John Bosco, the No. 3 team in the country, on Friday.
Next game: Friday @ No. 3 St. John Bosco (Calif.)

2. (2) IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 2-0
IMG Academy and Corona Centennial gave us the best game of 2016 so far. IMG pulled it out 50-49 after a 2-point conversion with 12 seconds left but perhaps the most important play of the game for the Ascenders was letting Centennial score with just over a minute left. That allowed them to get the ball back with one last chance. Former SoCal-area player Brian Hightower dropped a would-be touchdown with the game tied at 42 late in the fourth quarter, then he got another chance and made up for it big-time with his team's final score. But, the real star of the game was 2017 Texas A&M commit Kellen Mond, as he had over 500 yards of total offense and accounted for five touchdowns.
Next game: Sept. 10 vs. Washington (Tulsa, Okla.) at Independence Stadium (LA)

3. (3) St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 2-0
Another week, another shutout for Jason Negro's team. St. John Bosco won 34-0 for the second-consecutive week, this time against La Mirada. Re-al Mitchell had another big game, finishing the night with four total touchdowns, but the star was Terrance Beasley. He finished with 254 yards on the ground on only 16 carries. Get your popcorn ready for next week because the Braves play the No. 1 team in the country, Las Vegas power Bishop Gorman.
Next game: Sept. 9 vs. No. 1 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)

4. (4) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 2-0
For the second-consecutive week, Mater Dei put 63 points on the scoreboard, shutting out Mayfair (Lakewood). There is no question the Monarchs have one of the best offenses in the country, led by the No. 1 quarterback in the 2019 class JT Daniels. Through two games the five-star recruit has thrown for 726 yards and 12 touchdowns. Also, a name to remember is Amon-Ra St. Brown. The four-star wide receiver is the No. 6 wideout in the 2018 class on the 247Sports player composite rankings and he already has six touchdown receptions this season.
Next game: Sept. 9 vs. La Mirada (Calif.)

5. (5) DeSoto (Texas), 2-0
The Shawn Robinson era is in full effect for DeSoto. Through two games the Eagles have scored 98 points and the 2017 TCU commit is leading the team in passing and rushing this year. Last weekend he beat his former team, Guyer (Denton) 51-17, and DeSoto has now outscored its opposition 98-30.
Next game: Sept. 9 @ Midland (Texas)

6. (6) Roswell (Ga.), 2-0
Roswell cruised to a 31-6 win against Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville) to improve to 2-0 this season. Sheldon Evans and Malik Willis both eclipsed the century mark on the ground and their four-star safety Xavier Mckinney led the way on defense. Up next for the Hornets is Colquitt County, the team that beat them in the 6A Georgia state championship last year.
Next game: Sept. 9 vs. Colquitt County (Ga.)

7. (7) Booker T. Washington (Miami), 2-0
The top-ranked team from Florida had no problem with Monsignor Pace (Miami). Daniel Richardson had two more passing touchdowns in a 28-6 victory, and the star sophomore has now thrown for six touchdowns in two games.
Next game: Sept. 10 vs. Jackson (Miami)

8. (8) St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 1-1
St. Thomas Aquinas bounced back strong after a season-opening loss to Booker T. Washington. The Raiders beat Miramar 42-6 and 2017 Florida commit Jake Allen threw for three scores, and after allowing a first-quarter touchdown, the defense dominated the final three quarters.
Next game: Sept. 9 vs. Plantation (Fla.)

9. (9) Grayson (Loganville, Ga.), 1-1
Grayson escaped with a 16-13 win against a very good McEachern (Powder Springs) team, as Will Van Pamelen hit a 33-yard field goal to tie the game with just over two minutes left, then nailed the game-winning 20-yard field goal as time expired. Defense was the story for Grayson, as it held McEachern to under 100 total yards of offense and its four-star safety Deangelo Gibbs made the biggest play of the game on the other side of the ball, hauling in a 35-yard reception in the final minute to put the Rams inside the red zone to set up the game-winning field goal.
Next game: Sept. 16 vs. Deerfield Beach (Fla.)

10. (10) Mallard Creek (Charlotte, N.C.), 3-0
Mallard Creek won its third-consecutive game to start the 2016 season with a 21-14 win against South Carolina power Byrnes. It was sweet revenge for the Mavericks, as Byrnes knocked Mallard Creek out of the Xcellent 25 rankings last year with a 31-29 upset win, and Mallard Creek made sure it wasn't going to happen again. The Mavs get a week off before they play a very good South Pointe squad that is 1-0 against top 25 teams this year after snapping Northwestern's 14-game winning streak in it' season opener.
Next game: Sept. 16 @ South Pointe (Rock Hill, S.C.)

11. (12) Cedar Hill (Texas), 1-1
Cedar Hill was 12 minutes away from starting the season 0-2, but thanks to a 21-point fourth quarter rally the Longhorns escaped with a 42-41 win against Mansfield. Marquise Forman tied the game on a big-time fourth down touchdown run and Maverick Montiel sealed the deal with a crucial extra point with four seconds left to give them their first lead of the game. Cedar Hill was without its four-star quarterback and 2017 Notre Dame commit Avery Davis but backup quarterback Garret McGuire, the coach's son, stepped up and helped lead a furious fourth-quarter rally.
Next game: Sept. 9 @ Horn (Mesquite, Texas)

12. (13) Colerain (Cincinnati), 2-0
For the second-straight week, Colerain was in a battle, and for the second straight week the Cardinals overcame adversity. This time it was against rival St. Xavier, and they needed overtime this time around. They escaped with a 20-14 win after St. X missed a field goal on its first possession of overtime, then Gunnar Leyendecker scampered in from 13 yards for the game-winning score. Despite losing 2017 Ohio State commit Amir Riep in the first quarter with a groin injury, Colerain still came up with big-time plays on defense to help improve to 2-0 this season.
Next game: Sept. 9 vs. La Salle (Cincinnati)

13. (15) DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), 2-0
After Avalon (Gaithersburg) cut the DeMatha lead to 28-20 in the third quarter, the Stags turned it on and scored 27 unanswered points to cruise to a 55-20 win. Five-star 2017 Ohio State commit Chase Young led the way on defense, and he showed off his athleticism with a big-time pick six. Young checks in as the second-rated weak side defensive end in the 2017 class in the 247Sports player composite rankings and is the No. 1 player overall in the state.
Next game: Sept. 9 @ Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg, Pa.)

14. (16) Central (Miami), 2-0
Miami Central eclipsed the 50-point mark for the second-consecutive week. The Rockets shut out Killian (Miami) 55-0 and are firing on all cylinders right now. The defense was lights-out, as Killian had minus-2 total yards at halftime, and finished the night with 5 total yards and no first downs. Central is trying to do something no team from Florida has ever done, and that is win five consecutive state titles. No. 7 Booker T. Washington is trying to do the same thing this year as well.
Next game: Sept. 10 @ First Coast (Jacksonville, Fla.)

15. (18) Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.), 3-0
Saguaro had no problem with its first in-state opponent, as the Sabercats cruised to a 35-0 win against Catalina Foothills (Tucson). The Sabercats are one of the most complete teams in all of high school football. Stone Matthews rushed for 113 yards and a score and Max Massingale had the other four scores, three passing and one on the ground. Saguaro entered this season winners of three consecutive state championships, and will have a good chance to make it four in a row in 2016.
Next game: Sept. 9 @ Higley (Gilbert, Ariz.)

16. (17) Katy (Texas), 1-1
Katy trailed 35-21 in the fourth quarter to Klein Collins but erased a 14-point deficit and pulled out a 50-49 win in double overtime thanks to a gutsy 2-point conversion that worked out for coach Gary Joseph. A name to remember is top Class of 2019 prospect Deondrick Glass. The four-star running back is a top 10 recruit among all sophomore running backs and he rushed for 250 yards and five scores on Saturday night, including touchdowns in each overtime. Through two games Glass has 428 yards rushing and seven touchdowns.
Next game: Sept. 9 @ The Woodlands (Texas)

17. (20) Cass Tech (Detroit), 2-0
Cass Tech had no problem with Communication Media Arts (Detroit) as it breezed to a 60-0 win. The No. 1 wide receiver in the 2017 class, Donovan Peoples-Jones, had a 22-yard touchdown reception but the player of the game was Desean Boyd. He returned a kickoff for a score and also took a fumble back for a touchdown and through two games Cass Tech has outscored its opposition 105-27.
Next game: Sept. 9 vs. Pershing (Detroit)

18. (22) Allen (Texas), 2-0
For the second-consecutive week, the Texas power knocked off an out-of-state opponent, as this time it was Evangel Christian Academy from Louisiana. The Eagles soared to a 45-10 win and the defense was big-time once again for coach Terry Gambill. They held ECA to 25 yards on the ground and forced five turnovers.
Next game: Sept. 9 @ Coppell (Texas)

19. (23) American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.), 2-0
Patrick Surtain has his guys playing at a high level after they came out flat against a very good Booker T. Washington team in the preseason. They have posted back-to-back wins against two solid out-of-state opponents, Colquitt County and Don Bosco Prep. The 21-0 win against Bosco on Friday night was very impressive, as the Patriots dominated on defense, which is usually what the Ironmen do. American Heritage limited one of the best quarterbacks in the country, four-star Tommy Devito, to 66 yards passing on 7-for-23 passing, and 2017 Florida commit Marco Wilson had one of two interceptions for the team.
Next game: Sept. 9 @ Northwestern (Miami)

20. (21) Mountain Pointe (Phoenix), 2-0
Idle.
Next game: Sept. 8 vs. Chandler (Ariz.)

21. (24) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 2-0
Like usual, the De La Salle Spartans didn't have a problem against a Northern California foe. They scored on their first five possessions and cruised to a 47-13 win against Serra (San Mateo). Kairee Robinson led the way on offense, rushing for 123 yards and two scores.
Next game: Sept. 9 @ Servite (Anaheim, Calif.)

22. (19) Centennial (Corona, Calif.), 1-1
Corona Centennial was 12 seconds away from knocking off No. 2 IMG Academy but a 39-yard touchdown pass from Kellen Mond to Brian Hightower and a 2-point conversion from Asa Martin was the difference for Centennial starting the season 2-0. The Huskies showed they haven't dropped a beat on offense despite losing Anthony Catalano, J.J. Taylor and Javon McKinley. The trio of Tanner Mckee, Miles Reed and Xavier Marshall are poised to lead Centennial to another big-time year in 2016.
Next game: Sept. 9 vs. Orange Lutheran (Calif.)

23. (25) McGill-Toolen (Mobile, Ala.), 3-0
McGill-Toolen won its 12th-straight game with an impressive 43-0 shutout win against rival Murphy in the Midtown Showdown. The first play of the game saw 2017 USC commit Marlon Williams throw an 80-yard touchdown to Turner Mclaughlin and 2017 Auburn baseball commit Bubba Thompson finished the night with three touchdown passes.
Next game: Sept. 16 @ Foley (Ala.)

24. (NR) St. John's (Washington, D.C.), 2-0
St. John's enters this week's rankings after its second impressive win in a row. This time it was a 42-9 win against American Heritage (Delray Beach, Fla.). Joe Casemento's team showed it is the real deal with a dominant 35-14 season-opening win against previously ranked Central Catholic (Pittsburgh) and now has a huge four-game stretch coming up against St. Joseph's Regional, No. 2 IMG Academy, Good Counsel and No. 13 DeMatha.
Next game: Sept. 10 @. St. Joseph's Regional (Montvale, NJ)

25. (NR) Bingham (South Jordan, Utah), 3-0
Bingham proved it is the best team in all of Utah with a dominant 42-21 win against Lone Peak, which came in as the second-rated team in the state. The Miners racked up 405 total yards of offense led by Jahvontay Smith, who finished with 147 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and Brayden Cosper hauled in four receptions for 166 yards and two scores. Bingham has outscored its opponents 129-30 through three games to start the 2016 season.
Next game: Sept. 9 vs. West Jordan (Utah)

Bubble teams

St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.), 1-0
The longest road trip in St. Joseph Regional history turned out to be a good one, as the Green Knights beat Serra (Gardena, Calif.) 17-7 in the Honor Bowl at Mission Viejo (Calif.). Defense was the story for Augie Hoffman's team, as it limited a very good offense to only seven points and was in the backfield the entire game racking up six sacks. Things don't get any easier for the Green Knights, as they host No. 24 St. John's on Saturday.
Next game: Sept. 10 vs. No. 24 St. John's (Washington, D.C.)

Kahuku (Hawaii), 4-0
For the fourth-consecutive week, Kahuku got another dominant victory. They shut out Campbell (Ewa Beach) 44-0 and the Red Raiders have now outscored the opposition 171-22 through the first four games in 2016. Sept. 17 could be a huge statement game for the Hawaii power because it has a date with the No. 1 team in the country, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Next game: Sept. 9 @. Radford (Honolulu)

Mission Viejo (Calif.), 2-0
Mission Viejo scored on its first six offensive possessions and Bob Johnson's bunch walked away with a 42-28 win against Oak Hills (Hesperia, Calif.) to improve to 2-0. Matthew Mcdonald had another nice showing, throwing for 219 yards and accounted for four touchdowns, three passing and one rushing.
Next game: Sept. 9 vs. La Habra (Calif.)

Trinity (Louisville, Ky.), 3-0
Trinity, the No. 1 team in all of Kentucky, routed a very good Lafayette (Lexington, Ky.) team, 45-7. They racked up 335 total yards of offense in the first half and were up 35-0 after 24 minutes. Spencer Blackburn and Jovel Smith connected on three touchdowns alone in the first half.
Next game: Sept. 9 vs. Male (Louisville, Ky.)

Armwood (Seffner, Fla.), 1-0
Even though it was idle last week, Armwood enters this week's bubble list thanks to some teams ranked ahead of it losing. Armwood is one of the most talented teams in the country, led by three-star athlete Darrian McNeal and 2018 Ohio State commit Brian Snead. In their season opening 36-16 victory against Plant City (Fla.), they combined for 238 yards rushing and five scores.
Next game: Sept. 9 vs. Bloomingdale (Valrico, Fla.)