High School Football: Winners and Losers from Nov. 20-22

Now that the high school football playoffs around the country are heating up, coaches and players have fully turn their attention to the trying and reach their respective state championships. The week of Nov. 20-22 provided more surprises and upsets around the country as games become that much more important around this time of the year. We’re looking at the players who impressed, the coaches who stood out and the fans who are either celebrating or scratching their heads. This week, we’re highlighting the biggest winners and losers – the people and moments that made the past weekend memorable.

WINNERS

Corner Canyon Chargers (UT) chance at a national title: Though not many of the national high school football rankings have Corner Canyon ranked among their Top 25 teams, the Massey Ratings do have the Chargers listed as the No. 6 team in the country. That paired with winning a third consecutive UHSAA Class 6A state championship has landed Corner Canyon in the first-ever Overtime Nationals high school football championship game against St. Frances Academy (Md.) on Dec. 10 in Baltimore at Under Armour Stadium. The Chargers defeated Lone Peak, 35-20, avenging the team’s only loss of the 2025 campaign, leaving them at 12-1 currently. Whether folks believe they have or have not deserve the chance against St. Frances Academy, it’s a huge opportunity for Corner Canyon no matter how you slice and dice it.

Don Bosco Prep Ironmen (N.J.) halts Bergen Catholic’s reign of dominance in New Jersey: For all the pain of losing last year’s NJSIAA Non-Public A state championship to Bergen Catholic might’ve been, it had to been that much sweeter for Don Bosco Prep to knock the Crusaders out of the postseason this fall. The Ironmen were able to do so in convincing fashion, knocking the Crusaders out 31-17, booking their ticket to MetLife Stadium on Friday night to face St. Joseph Regional for the championship. What Don Bosco Prep was able to do was halt Bergen Catholic’s run of four straight state titles and now the Ironmen are exerting their dominance in the Garden State.

Centennial Huskies & Santa Margarita Catholic Eagles (Calif.) reach CIF Southern Section D-I championship: Yes, parity is alive and well over in the state of California when it comes to the high school football elites. All the talk surrounding St. John Bosco and Mater Dei was an admiration for the two teams that will now face off over in the Rose Bowl later this week. What makes this such a feel good story for the two programs is not many people before the 2025 season kicked off, would’ve ever picked these two teams to face off for the CIF Southern Section Division I championship. The kind of jobs that Centennial’s Matt Logan and Santa Margarita Catholic’s Carson Palmer have done could land them co-coach of the year over in California. Heck, maybe even national COTY honors.

LOSERS

Mater Dei Monarchs (Calif.) playoff run ends well short of expectations: We’ve mentioned Centennial just above and now we talk about the team they beat twice during the 2025 season. We feel like it would be a miss by not mentioning these two teams because of the kind of generational talent that’s on the team and how they did not reach the CIF Southern Section Division I championship just seems off. Starting off the season with an impressive win over Florida’s St. Thomas Aquinas was one of a few feel-good moments for the Monarchs. They ended up missing an opportunity to rub off the bad feelings that came from losses to Centennial and Santa Margarita Catholic during the season. Now, Mater Dei gets to watch the pair play in each in a game many thought they’d for sure see the Monarchs in.

Gainesville–Brunswick playoff game fight (Ga.): If you haven’t heard about the fight that went on over in South Georgia between the Gainesville Red Elephants and Brunswick Pirates, well, buckle up. Gainesville had a GHSA AAAAA playoff game well in hand, up 42-0 late in the third quarter. One play has now turned both teams on their head and could end up expelling one from the postseason altogether. Regardless of who actually started the altercation between the two teams, this kind of action is starting to set the alarm on this kind of behavior more and more during and after games. Now the GHSA is investigating the incident via the game report from officials and game footage to determine the level of punishment that needs to be handed out. The GHSA may be out to set an example and it may cost the Red Elephants their place in the playoffs because of it.

Bishop Gorman Gaels (Nev.) future national scheduling: Last but not least is the situation that took place out in Sin City last week when the NIAA passed a new rule that would severely impact Bishop Gorman‘s ability to schedule national opponents moving forward. The new realignment/playoff structure for 5A/4A Southern football teams brings into the equation the beginning of a new 10-team Open Division comprised of south teams in the state, leaving each team having nine mandatory games against Nevada teams. Bishop Gorman’s days of scheduling 4-5 out-of-state opponents look to be numbered and if that’s the case, do the Gaels remain a national power with this new rule in place? Bishop Gorman athletic director Grant Rice sounded like he was okay with the ruling, but may not exactly know what kind of ramifications this will have on the Gaels’ football program until next year or season. Time will only tell where this takes one of the country’s most well known high school football programs to.

How to Follow National High School Football

For high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement across the country.