MaxPreps Releases Week 1 High School Football National Rankings: Shocking Top-10 Shake-Up

MaxPreps has rolled out its first in-season update to the 2025 Top 25 national high school football rankings, and the early shake-up is already fueling debate from coast to coast. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) retains the No. 1 spot after a 42-14 statement win over Centennial, showcasing five-star junior quarterback Julian Lewis and a defense that forced three turnovers. The Monarchs’ grip on the top ranking will be tested this Friday when they travel to Las Vegas to face No. 3 Bishop Gorman in the season’s first marquee interstate showdown. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA) sits at No. 2 following a dominant 49-0 shutout of Liberty (NV), powered by Texas commit Sevyn Wright’s 178 rushing yards. Bosco’s gauntlet continues in Week 2 against Florida powerhouse IMG Academy, a matchup that could vault the Braves into the No. 1 conversation if Mater Dei stumbles. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) climbs one spot to No. 3 after dismantling Corner Canyon (UT) 59-21. Quarterback Micah Alejado tossed five touchdowns, while edge rusher Zion Alford added three sacks, reinforcing the Gaels’ bid for a national title run. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, MD) and Duncanville (TX) round out the top five. St. Frances travels to Georgia’s No. 9 Buford in a clash that pits SEC-bound blue-chip talent on both sidelines, including Georgia commit linebacker CJ Allen. Duncanville stays home to meet in-state rival North Shore, a rematch of last year’s Texas 6A semifinal classic decided by a last-second field goal. Biggest Risers and Fallers • Grayson (Loganville, GA) rockets from No. 12 to No. 7 after upsetting previously unbeaten Buford 31-28 on a walk-off 55-yard field goal. • Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, FL) slips six slots to No. 18 following a 35-34 overtime loss to St. Thomas Aquinas. • Newly ranked: De La Salle (Concord, CA) enters at No. 24 thanks to a 21-17 road win over Folsom, reviving the Spartans’ national relevance. Players to Watch in Week 2 • WR Jeremiah Smith, Chaminade-Madonna – Ohio State pledge seeks a bounce-back game vs. American Heritage. • DL Elijah Griffin, Savannah Christian (GA) – The 6'5", 280-pound disruptor has 6.5 sacks in two games. • QB DJ Lagway, Willis (TX) – Florida commit has 10 total TDs and faces his first Top 25 opponent in No. 15 Katy. What’s at Stake With multiple Top 15 head-to-head battles on tap, next week’s MaxPreps poll could look drastically different. National crown contenders know a single September stumble can derail hopes of finishing No. 1 — a reality Mater Dei experienced in 2022. Expect heightened urgency, sold-out crowds, and streaming numbers to spike on the MaxPreps platform as fans track every snap, stat, and ranking ripple. How to Follow Live scores, game highlights, and the complete Top 25 list update every Sunday night on MaxPreps.com along with weekly podcast breakdowns and interactive fan polls. Bookmark your team’s page, subscribe for push notifications, and join the conversation on X with the hashtag #MPTop25 to keep your finger on the pulse of high school football’s most influential rankings.