High school football Super 25 takeaways: Biggest winners, surprising results - USA Today
Now that we're a few weeks into the high school football season, it's safe to say that we know a good amount regarding many of the nation's top programs.
However, that doesn't mean surprises can't happen. This week's slate of action is a prime example of what we may likely see going forward as many interstate showdowns are coming to an end and most programs are turning their attention to in-state foes.
Here are the top storylines revolving around Super 25 teams from the fourth week of the season.
Note: As of this writing, No. 5 Santa Margarita (CA), No. 10 St. John Bosco (CA) and No. 18 North Shore (TX) had not played.
The lone games pitting Super 25 teams against one another featured No. 13 Baylor (TN) traveling to No. 19 Trinity (KY) and No. 7 Centennial (CA) traveling to No. 14 Mater Dei (CA).
In the Midwest vs. the Southeast battle, Baylor emerged victorious behind a monster performance from Tennessee 5-star running back commit David Gabriel Georges. The future Tennessee Volunteer ran for 316 yards and five touchdowns as the Red Raiders held off a late Shamrocks comeback for the 35-27 win.
The California showdown proved to be much more of a defensive slugfest. Centennial jumped out to an early lead, but the Monarchs would score 10 straight points to secure the 10-9 win behind a 2-yard touchdown run from Russell Sekona. Mater Dei won the game despite being outgained 280-154.
Texas' top programs made statements this week but no two made a bigger statement than No. 11 Allen and No. 15 Waxahachie.
After being tied at 14 with Southlake Carroll in the first quarter, Allen took control in the second quarter and never looked back as they rolled to a 56-35 win. Sophomore quarterback Ty Snell completed 72% of his passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns in the win, while running back Jrue Simmons rushed for 151 yards and two more touchdowns.
Waxahachie was also in a dogfight in a 44-30 win over Guyer that came down to the game's final few possessions. Guyer led in the first half but the Waxahachie offense got going in the second half, led by a 192-yard and three touchdown night from running back Taylen Strange. Guyer had an opportunity to tie the game in the closing minute, but the Waxahachie defense forced a fumble and Javon Moore scooped it up for the game-clinching touchdown.
As expected during this time of the year as many of the nation's best turn their focus to in-state showdowns, it shouldn't come as a shock that many rolled to blowout wins this week.
Of the 17 games that were played between Thursday and Friday featuring Super 25 teams, 14 of those games resulted with those teams winning by two or more touchdowns. A deeper look into the numbers show reveals that Super 25 that won by two or more touchdowns won by an average of 33.1 points.
No. 12 Carrollton (GA) claimed the week's biggest win beating Hapeville Charter (GA) 63-7. Top-ranked St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) and No. 24 Massillon Washington (OH) each posted the week's lone shutouts.
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