Week 11 High school football Upsets Rock Power 25 National Rankings: Hamilton Huskies Lead the Charge

In a week that redefined the landscape of High school football, Week 11 delivered a series of jaw-dropping upsets that have sent shockwaves through the national Power 25 rankings. Leading the charge was the Hamilton Huskies from Arizona, who pulled off a stunning victory over their perennial rivals, Basha, in a game that not only clinched a crucial playoff spot but also propelled them into the national spotlight. As underdogs across the country flipped the script on top-seeded teams, the Power 25 underwent its most dramatic reshuffle of the season, highlighting the unpredictable thrill that makes High school football so captivating.

These upsets weren’t isolated incidents; they exposed vulnerabilities in powerhouse programs and elevated emerging contenders. From overtime nail-biters in New Jersey to defensive masterclasses in California, Week 11 proved that in high school football, no lead is safe and no ranking is set in stone. With the playoffs looming, these results have major implications for seeding and brackets nationwide.

Hamilton Huskies Shock Basha in High-Stakes Desert Clash

The Hamilton Huskies’ triumph over Basha on Friday night stands as the marquee upset of Week 11, a 28-24 victory that flipped the script on Arizona’s 6A conference race. Hamilton, ranked outside the top 20 entering the week, entered the game as 14-point underdogs against the No. 8 nationally ranked Basha Bears, who boasted a perfect 9-0 record and a defense that had surrendered just 12 points per game all season.

Quarterback Jaden O’Neal was the hero for the Huskies, throwing for 285 yards and three touchdowns while scrambling for 62 yards on the ground. His performance came on the heels of a tough loss the previous week, where Hamilton barely escaped with a win against a lesser opponent. “We knew we had to bring our A-game against Basha,” O’Neal said post-game, his jersey still muddied from the turf at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Chandler, Arizona. “This win isn’t just for us; it’s for every kid who believes in fighting till the end.”

The game was a defensive battle until the fourth quarter, when Hamilton’s special teams unit blocked a crucial punt, setting up a game-winning touchdown drive. Basha’s star running back, Marcus Rodriguez, who had rushed for over 1,200 yards this season, was held to just 89 yards on 22 carries—a testament to Hamilton’s revamped linebacker corps led by senior captain Tyler Jenkins. Jenkins recorded 14 tackles, including a game-sealing sack on fourth down with 1:12 left on the clock.

This upset has immediate ramifications for the Hamilton Huskies in the national rankings. Previously unranked in the Power 25, Hamilton now vaults into the top 15, displacing Basha, who tumbles to No. 18. For Arizona high school football fans, this victory secures Hamilton’s spot in the Open Division playoffs, where they’ll face a gauntlet of state powers. The Huskies’ season record now stands at 8-2, with their only losses coming early against out-of-state competition that helped hone their skills.

Coaches around the nation are taking note. “Hamilton’s upset shows how preparation and heart can topple any giant,” said ESPN high school analyst MaxPreps’ John Garcia. “The Huskies have the talent to make a deep playoff run, potentially challenging for a national championship if they stay healthy.”

St. Joseph Regional Edges Bergen Catholic in Overtime Thriller

Across the country in New Jersey, the high school football world was gripped by an overtime classic as St. Joseph Regional (Montvale) narrowly defeated Bergen Catholic 21-20 in a matchup that lived up to its billing as the state’s premier non-conference showdown. Both teams entered the game ranked in the top 10 nationally—Bergen Catholic at No. 5 and St. Joseph at No. 12—making this upset a seismic event in the Power 25 landscape.

The game, played under the lights at Bergen Catholic’s home field in Oradell, went down to the wire. St. Joseph’s senior quarterback, Liam Doran, engineered a 75-yard drive in the final minute of regulation to tie the score at 14-14, forcing overtime. In the extra period, Doran’s two-point conversion pass to wide receiver Aidan McLaughlin proved decisive after Bergen Catholic scored first on a short run by their All-State tailback, Jamal Grant.

“It’s the kind of game you dream about as a kid,” Doran told reporters after the victory, surrounded by jubilant teammates. “Bergen Catholic is always the team to beat, but we executed when it mattered most.” St. Joseph’s defense, which forced three turnovers including a pick-six in the second quarter, was pivotal. Linebacker Sean Murphy led with 11 tackles and a forced fumble that shifted momentum midway through the third quarter.

For Bergen Catholic, the loss snaps a 12-game winning streak and exposes cracks in their once-impenetrable secondary. Grant rushed for 142 yards and a touchdown, but the Crusaders’ offense managed just 289 total yards against St. Joseph’s aggressive front seven. This defeat drops Bergen Catholic to No. 9 in the updated Power 25, while St. Joseph surges to No. 6, their highest ranking since 2019.

In the context of New Jersey high school football, this result reshapes the Group 5 playoff bracket. St. Joseph, now 9-1, earns a top seed, while Bergen Catholic (8-1) must navigate a tougher path. National scouts are buzzing, with several Division I programs increasing their interest in Doran, who holds offers from Penn State and Rutgers.

Ripple Effects: Power 25 Rankings See Major Shifts

The upsets in Arizona and New Jersey were just the tip of the iceberg for Week 11’s chaos in high school football. The national Power 25 rankings, compiled by a panel of experts from USA Today and MaxPreps, underwent a complete overhaul, with six teams dropping out of the top 25 and four new entrants shaking up the board.

Hamilton Huskies’ rise to No. 14 is the most notable addition, but they’re joined by other surprise performers. In California, No. 22 Sierra Canyon fell to unranked Oaks Christian 31-27, a result that boots the Trailblazers entirely from the Power 25. Sierra Canyon’s loss, attributed to key injuries on the offensive line, highlights the parity in the state’s competitive CIF Southern Section.

Further east, in Texas, the defending state champions from Duncanville (No. 3) held firm with a 42-14 rout of Cedar Hill, maintaining their stranglehold on the top spot. However, No. 7 IMG Academy (Florida) slipped to No. 10 after a narrow 24-21 win over unranked Venice, raising questions about their consistency against lesser foes.

Here’s a snapshot of the key changes in the Power 25:

• No. 1: Mater Dei (California) – Unchanged after 35-7 win over JSerra
• No. 6: St. Joseph Regional (New Jersey) – Up from No. 12
• No. 9: Bergen Catholic (New Jersey) – Down from No. 5
• No. 14: Hamilton Huskies (Arizona) – New entry
• No. 18: Basha (Arizona) – Down from No. 8

These shifts underscore the volatility of the national rankings this late in the season. With only two weeks left before most states’ playoffs begin, every game carries playoff implications. Analysts predict that upsets like these could lead to more Cinderella stories in the postseason, where underdogs often thrive.

“The Power 25 is more fluid than ever,” noted rankings curator Robert Balukas. “Teams like Hamilton are proving that regional dominance isn’t enough; national exposure comes from beating the best.”

Other Week 11 Upsets Fuel National Ranking Drama

Beyond the headliners, Week 11 was rife with underdog victories that amplified the theme of upsets in high school football. In Ohio, No. 15 Archbishop Hoban was upended 28-24 by unranked Massillon Washington, a result that saw the Knights plummet to No. 22. Massillon’s quarterback, Jaren Patterson, threw for 320 yards and four scores, exploiting Hoban’s secondary that had been solid all year.

In Georgia, a SEC pipeline state, No. 20 Colquitt County suffered a 17-14 heartbreaker to unranked Lowndes, dropping them out of the rankings entirely. Colquitt’s defense, which featured two four-star recruits, allowed a game-winning field goal as time expired, a stunning collapse for a team expected to cruise to the playoffs.

Pennsylvania’s high school football scene also saw turbulence, with No. 24 St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia) edging out La Salle College 31-28 in a triple-overtime affair. Though not a full upset, the close margin keeps St. Joe’s at No. 24 but intensifies scrutiny on their path to the PIAA championships.

Statistics from the week paint a broader picture: Underdogs won 28% of ranked vs. unranked matchups, the highest rate since Week 4. Turnovers were the great equalizer, with upset teams forcing an average of 2.8 per game compared to 1.2 for favorites. These numbers suggest that coaching adjustments and player motivation are peaking at the right time.

Interviews with affected coaches reveal the human element. Basha’s head coach, Chris Culley, reflected, “We got complacent. Hamilton deserved that win—they outworked us.” Such admissions highlight the mental toughness required in high school football, where emotions run as high as the stakes.

For the Hamilton Huskies and similar teams, these victories boost recruiting profiles. O’Neal, for instance, has drawn interest from Arizona State and UCLA, crediting the upset as a turning point in his senior season.

Playoff Implications and What’s Next for Shaken Powerhouses

As the dust settles from Week 11’s upsets, the focus shifts to how these results will influence the high school football playoff brackets across the nation. In Arizona, the Hamilton Huskies’ win over Basha creates a wide-open Open Division, where they’ll likely face No. 2 Corona del Sol in the quarterfinals. A deep run could position Hamilton for a state title and a potential spot in national championship discussions.

New Jersey’s Non-Public Group 4 bracket is equally chaotic. St. Joseph Regional’s victory over Bergen Catholic guarantees them home-field advantage through the semifinals, but they’ll need to sustain their defensive intensity against teams like DePaul Catholic. Bergen Catholic, meanwhile, faces a must-win against Paramus Catholic to secure a favorable seed.

Nationally, the Power 25’s volatility means that final rankings will be crucial for at-large bids in events like the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series. Teams like Mater Dei and Duncanville remain locks for top seeds, but upstarts such as Hamilton could crash the party if they string together wins.

Looking ahead to Week 12, marquee games include Hamilton vs. Desert Edge, a chance for the Huskies to build momentum, and a rematch vibe in New Jersey with Bergen Catholic facing Don Bosco Prep. Weather could play a factor in northern states, where rain and cold might level the playing field further.

Experts foresee more upsets as fatigue sets in for frontrunners. “This is the beauty of high school football—it’s raw and unpredictable,” said Garcia. “The Power 25 will evolve, but the stories from Week 11 will inspire underdogs everywhere.” With championships on the horizon, fans are braced for more drama, ensuring that the national rankings remain a hot topic through December.