Bosco Stays #1 as High School Football Rankings Shuffle

Anwar Stetson

Anwar Stetson

Don’t miss the next big story. Sign up now for our FREE weekly newsletter.

A New Number One

Multiple outlets still have St. John Bosco (Calif.) as the number one football team in America after a 49-20 home victory over Saint Louis (Hawaii) in what’s been a thrilling opening month of high school football nationwide. The previous number one, Bosco’s archrival Mater Dei (Calif.), lost in a 43-36 thriller against Centennial on September 12. 

St. John Bosco wide receivers Madden Williams (7) and Daniel Odom (3) are committed to Texas A&M and Oklahoma. Credit: Anwar Stetson

A Saintly Battle

As the number one team from the state of Hawaii, Saint Louis is a powerhouse from the islands that has produced several NFL players like Tua Tagovailoa, Marcus Mariota, and Tyson Alualu. 

The host Bosco Braves were ready for the challenge, intercepting Saint Louis quarterback Nainoa Lopes on the first play from scrimmage.

Players and a coach from Saint Louis perform a Haka pregame–a common Polynesian ceremonial dance. Credit: Anwar Stetson
Saint Louis quarterback Nainoa Lopes. Credit: Anwar Stetson
St. John Bosco quarterback Koa Malau’ulu drops back for a pass. Credit: Anwar Stetson

After taking a 14-0 lead, Bosco quarterback Brodie Scheinberg threw an interception to T.J. Alualu which led to a Saint Louis touchdown.

Bosco’s offense kept rolling, however, as Koa Malau’ulu threw a 35-yard passing touchdown to D.J. Tubbs in the second quarter to take a 21-7 lead. And on the last play of the half, St. Louis’ Lopes was strip-sacked in the red zone by Bosco senior Matthew Muasau. Bosco linebacker Ethan Coach picked up the fumble and returned it for a 92-yard touchdown.

Saint Louis head coach Tupu Alualu. Credit: Anwar Stetson
Saint Louis fans stand for the playing of the Hawaii State Anthem. A group of fans hold the Hawaii State Flag. Credit: Anwar Stetson

After taking a 28-7 lead into halftime, Bosco kept their foot on the gas and closed out the win. The Braves improved to 5-0 with the 49-20 victory and are idle this week. The Crusaders fall to 3-1 and return to Hawaii to face Punahou in league play on Friday. 

Daniel Odom rises up for a one-handed catch in the second half. Credit: Anwar Stetson

After Friday’s matchup, USA Today, MaxPreps, High School Football America, and NFL Play Football all rank St. John Bosco number one in the country.  

Odom avoids defenders after the catch. Credit: Anwar Stetson

Around the Nation

Bishop Gorman defensive back Jett Washington (5) in Friday’s 27-24 loss to Mater Dei. Credit: Instagram Bishop Gorman

Mater Dei bounced back after the loss to Centennial with a late 27-24 victory over Bishop Gorman (Nev.). The two top-ten programs squared off in a hotly contested battle dubbed the game of the week on the West Coast. 

Around the nation, Grayson (Ga.), IMG Academy (Fla.), Buford (Ga.), St. Frances Academy (Md.), and Bergen Catholic (N.J.), all made the top ten in multiple rankings. Edna Karr (La.), Santa Margarita (Calif.), Centennial (Calif.), St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.), and Sierra Canyon (Calif.) have also received national top ten consideration in various publications. 

IMG Academy football team © Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

There are three interstate matchups this weekend involving top ten teams. IMG heads from Florida to Alabama to take on Central (Ala.) in Phenix City. Also down south, Prep Sports Academy (Ala.) heads to Maryland to take on St. Frances. After the loss to Mater Dei, Bishop Gorman hits the road to California to take on undefeated Santa Margarita on Saturday.

You can stream those matchups, along with hundreds more across the nation, on the NFHS Network.