High School Football: Winners and Losers from Sep. 25-27

If you think college football has been whacky, the high school football scene hasn’t been that far behind whatsoever. The week of Sep. 25-27 provided more surprises and upsets around the country and we’re all here for it. 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

Don Bosco Prep (N.J.): The last Ironmen win in the rivalry with Bergen Catholic came back on Sep. 24, 2022 in a 31-7 victory. That victory for Don Bosco Prep honestly felt like it happened two decades ago because of how long the Ironmen faithful has been awaiting to celebrate a a win over their rivals. On Friday night at Granatell Stadium, the Ironmen of Ramsey and their fans were able to celebrate a groundbreaking win in the series. Stopping Bergen Catholic time after time defensively was extremely impressive and holding the No. 9 ranked team in the country to nine points proved Don Bosco Prep is back in the national Top 25 conversation. The win was so impactful, don’t think fans storming the field was limited to just the college ranks. Hundreds of Don Bosco Prep fans took to the field once the final horn sounded to celebrate with the Ironmen football players, giving you an idea of how important the win was.

IMG Academy QB Jayden Wade: There was probably better national high school football performances around the country for quarterbacks when it came to the statistics of yards, number of touchdowns but was there a more efficient night from a passer than Wade’s versus Phenix City Central on Friday? Also factor in the level of difficulty, traveling on the road in a hostile environment against one of Alabama’s best high school football programs into your thinking here because we know the first thought is it’s easy for Wade with some of the best talents in the game. Wade was literally perfect, based on the NFL QBR formula, completing all 11 passes for 350 yards and four touchdowns. If there was any doubt to his No. 1 ranking out of the 2028 class, here’s your sign that he’s as good as they come.

Bishop Gorman (Nev.): No team out of the national Top 25 needed a bounce back win like the Bishop Gorman Gaels (5-1) did when taking to the field Saturday night in Southern California. What they were up against was one of the country’s top teams in Carson Palmer’s Santa Margarita Catholic Eagles. The Gaels stepped up to the occasion, needing a victory after last week’s loss to Mater Dei at home. Bishop Gorman’s defense was key, forcing multiple turnovers en route to the much-needed win. It’s safe to say the Gaels will go unbeaten the rest of the way as they face Nevada-based teams in their final four games and into the NIAA postseason.

LOSERS

Murphy (Ala.) head coach Sherman Williams: We have to start off this part of the listings with one that made little to no sense. First-year Murphy head coach Sherman Williams and his Panthers went into halftime of their contest against Williamson trailing 73-0. When Williamson head coach Antonio Coleman went to game officials and requested a running clock, he was turned away by none other than Williams himself. “I wanted to run the clock,” Coleman said to AL.com . “I asked the ref. He said OK. He asked me if I had a problem going to eight minutes. I said no. He went to ask (Murphy coach) Sherman (Williams), and he said he didn’t want to run the clock.” Coleman and his Lions went on to the win the game by the dubious score of 100-0, but to be rebuffed by Williams when it came to a running clock just seems like crazy work.

Waxahachie (TX): Just a week after pulling off one of the biggest wins in program history, Waxahachie had a letdown the following week. View that as atypical or whatever you may have it, but it’s not the way you want to come off such a high and then to a loss. Not just a close scoring loss, but one that turned into a 40-17 rout by DeSoto, who re-enters the national high school football conversation after the drubbing of Waxahachie. It’s not so much of who the Indians lost to but in how they fell to the Eagles. It takes away a little bit from what was a really nice moment a week ago for the Waxahachie program.

Bergen Catholic (N.J.): For everything Bergen Catholic has done up until this point, it was really hard seeing the Crusaders lose to anyone. Having already beaten the likes of East St. Louis (Ill.), West Boca Raton (Fla.) and Winslow Township (N.J.), it just seemed like the Crusaders had this season all figured out. Well, that was until their rivals from Ramsey decided to step in and ruin the proverbial party that is. Don Bosco Prep was perennially the team from New Jersey always in the conversation for top team out of New Jersey until Bergen Catholic began its rise to the top in North Jersey. For now, the Ironmen have the upper hand in the rivalry, but we have a strong feeling these two teams will meet again at MetLife Stadium in late November for the NJSIAA Non-Public A state championship.

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.