Week 11 High school football Upsets Shake Power 25 Rankings: Hamilton Topples Basha, St. Joseph Regional Edges Bergen Catholic

In a week that redefined the landscape of High school football, Week 11 delivered jaw-dropping upsets that sent shockwaves through the national Power 25 rankings. Hamilton High School from Arizona stunned powerhouse Basha in a 35-28 thriller, while St. Joseph Regional in New Jersey pulled off a heart-stopping 24-21 overtime victory against Bergen Catholic. These high-stakes battles not only highlighted the unpredictability of the season but also forced a massive reshuffling in the coveted Power 25, leaving fans and scouts buzzing about the playoffs.

The drama unfolded across the country as underdogs rose and favorites faltered, proving once again why High school football captures the nation’s imagination. With playoff implications hanging in the balance, these upsets underscore the raw talent and grit defining this year’s campaigns. As teams jockey for position, the Power 25 rankings—compiled by experts at outlets like MaxPreps and USA Today—saw several blue-chip programs drop, opening doors for rising stars.

Hamilton’s triumph over Basha, a perennial contender in Arizona’s 6A division, was more than just a win; it was a statement. The Huskies, sitting at No. 18 in the preseason Power 25, overcame a halftime deficit to clinch a victory that propelled them into the top 15. Meanwhile, St. Joseph Regional’s edge over Bergen Catholic in overtime solidified their grip on New Jersey’s Non-Public Group 4 title chase, boosting them from No. 22 to a projected No. 12 spot. These results are a stark reminder that in high school football, no lead is safe and no ranking is set in stone.

Hamilton’s Comeback Masterclass Against Basha Ignites Arizona Rivalry

The Arizona showdown between Hamilton and Basha was billed as a clash of titans, with Basha entering as the No. 8-ranked team in the Power 25 and Hamilton looking to prove their mettle. Played under the bright lights of Chandler’s Veterans Oasis Park, the game drew over 5,000 fans, many of whom witnessed one of the most electric rivalries in high school football history. Basha, boasting a high-powered offense led by quarterback Jaxson Dart—now committed to Ole Miss—jumped out to a 21-7 lead by halftime, thanks to Dart’s three touchdown passes, including a 65-yard bomb to wide receiver Isaiah Sategna.

But Hamilton refused to fade. Entering the second half, Huskies coach Steve Bardo rallied his squad with a simple mantra: “We grind.” The turning point came on a 4th-and-goal stand where Hamilton’s defense, anchored by linebacker Jake Fraley, stuffed Basha for a loss. From there, Hamilton’s offense exploded. Running back Jaden Hamlin, a 2023 recruit with offers from USC and Oregon, bulldozed for 142 yards and two scores, including a 22-yard scamper that tied the game at 28-28 with 4:12 left.

The final drive was pure pandemonium. With Basha punting after a stalled possession, Hamilton’s quarterback Aiden Perez connected with receiver Marcus Harris for a 38-yard touchdown on a slant route, sealing the 35-28 upset. Perez finished with 285 passing yards and three touchdowns, earning MVP honors from local media. “This win is for our community,” Perez said post-game. “Basha’s always the big dog, but we showed we can bite back.”

Statistically, the game was a defensive battle disguised as an offensive shootout. Hamilton forced two turnovers, including an interception by safety Devin Marquez that halted Basha’s momentum. Basha’s Dart threw for 312 yards but was sacked four times, a testament to Hamilton’s revamped front seven. This victory not only avenged last year’s 31-24 loss but also positioned Hamilton (9-1) as the favorites for the Arizona 6A state semifinals. In the broader context of high school football, this upset has scouts rethinking Hamilton’s talent pool, with Hamlin now projected as a top-100 national recruit.

The rivalry dates back to 2005, with Basha holding a 12-8 edge before this game. Hamilton’s upset flips the script, injecting fresh energy into Arizona’s high school football scene, where talent often funnels directly to college programs. As one analyst noted, “Games like this are why the Power 25 matters—they expose vulnerabilities in even the mightiest teams.”

St. Joseph Regional’s Overtime Heroics Topple Bergen Catholic in Jersey Showdown

Across the country in New Jersey, St. Joseph Regional scripted their own miracle against Bergen Catholic, a fixture in the Power 25 at No. 5. The Non-Public Group 4 matchup at MetLife Stadium—home of the NFL’s Giants—felt like a pro game, complete with a capacity crowd of 8,000 and marching bands blaring anthems. Bergen Catholic, undefeated at 9-0, controlled the early action with a punishing ground game, led by running back Justin Castleton, who racked up 168 yards on 24 carries.

St. Joseph Regional, the No. 22 team in the rankings, trailed 14-7 at the break but mounted a relentless comeback. Quarterback AJ Surace, son of Rutgers offensive coordinator Kirk Ferentz—no relation to the Iowa coach—engineered a 75-yard scoring drive to tie it at 14-14. The defenses then took over, with neither team scoring in the fourth quarter until Bergen Catholic’s field goal attempt sailed wide with 1:20 left, keeping it knotted at 21-21.

Overtime brought the house down. St. Joseph Regional won the coin toss and deferred, forcing Bergen Catholic to go first. Castleton powered in from the 2-yard line for a 24-21 lead, but St. Joseph’s defense held firm on the two-point try, stuffing quarterback Declan Walsh. Then, it was the Green Knights’ turn: Surace faked a handoff and rolled right, finding tight end Matt Cannizzaro for the game-winning touchdown reception. The extra point sealed the 24-21 upset, sending St. Joseph Regional to 8-2 and Bergen Catholic to their first loss.

Surace’s performance was legendary: 19-of-28 for 212 yards and two scores, plus 45 rushing yards. “We dreamed of this moment,” Surace told reporters amid the celebration. “Bergen Catholic is elite, but heart wins games.” Cannizzaro, a Boston College commit, had six catches for 92 yards, including the OT dagger. Defensively, edge rusher Nasir Adderley—nephew of NFL star Chris Adderley—sacked Walsh twice, disrupting Bergen Catholic’s rhythm.

This game highlighted New Jersey’s status as a hotbed for high school football talent, with both teams producing Division I prospects annually. Bergen Catholic’s fall from the unbeaten ranks drops them to No. 9 in preliminary Power 25 projections, while St. Joseph Regional surges into the top 15. Historically, these two have met 15 times since 2000, with Bergen leading 9-6; this win evens the recent tide and sets up a potential rematch in the state finals.

Power 25 Rankings Reel from Upsets: Winners and Losers Emerge

The fallout from Week 11’s upsets has dramatically altered the national Power 25 rankings, a barometer for high school football excellence tracked by national outlets. Hamilton’s victory catapults them from No. 18 to No. 13, leapfrogging teams like Florida’s IMG Academy (now No. 14 after a close win). Basha plummets to No. 11, their first loss exposing defensive lapses that could haunt them in the playoffs.

St. Joseph Regional’s overtime magic boosts them to No. 12, edging out Texas powerhouse Duncanville (No. 13). Bergen Catholic slides to No. 7, still a contender but now vulnerable to challengers like Don Bosco Prep. Other ripples include California’s De La Salle dropping to No. 4 after a narrow escape, while Ohio’s Archbishop Hoban climbs to No. 20 on a dominant performance.

Here’s a snapshot of the top 10 post-Week 11 Power 25 shifts:

• No. 1: Mater Dei (CA) – Unscathed, 10-0 after 42-10 rout.
• No. 2: Liberty (NV) – Solid win keeps them elite.
• No. 3: Grayson (GA) – Upset-proof in blowout.
• No. 4: De La Salle (CA) – Down from 3 after tight game.
• No. 5: Central (AL) – Maintains after defensive masterclass.
• No. 6: Bishop Gorman (NV) – Steady rise.
• No. 7: Bergen Catholic (NJ) – Drops two spots post-loss.
• No. 8: Thompson (AL) – Edges up.
• No. 9: American Heritage (FL) – Climbs on momentum.
• No. 10: Weddington (NC) – New entrant after upset win.

Experts like MaxPreps analyst Tom Fazio emphasized the volatility: “These upsets remind us that the Power 25 isn’t just about records—it’s about who performs when it counts.” With only weeks left in the regular season, these shifts could influence national championship discussions at events like the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series.

Standout Players Fueling the Upset Fire in High School Football

Behind every great upset are players who rise to the occasion, and Week 11 was no exception. In the Hamilton-Basha clash, Jaden Hamlin’s 142 yards weren’t just numbers; they were a showcase of power and vision that drew comparisons to NFL great Marshawn Lynch. Hamlin, a 6’1″, 210-pound senior, has 1,248 rushing yards this season, averaging 7.2 yards per carry. His coaches praise his work ethic: “Jaden practices like every snap is his last,” said Bardo.

Aiden Perez, Hamilton’s signal-caller, has thrown for 2,100 yards and 25 touchdowns, with just five interceptions. Recruited by Arizona State and UCLA, Perez’s poise in the fourth quarter turned skeptics into believers. On the Basha side, Jaxson Dart’s 3,500+ passing yards keep him as the nation’s top QB prospect, but the loss tempers his Heisman-like hype.

For St. Joseph Regional, AJ Surace’s dual-threat ability—1,800 passing yards, 650 rushing—mirrors his father’s coaching pedigree. Matt Cannizzaro’s OT grab was the stuff of highlights, adding to his 45 receptions and 680 yards. Nasir Adderley’s sacks highlight a defense allowing just 12 points per game. Bergen Catholic’s Justin Castleton, with 1,400 rushing yards, remains a beast, but the loss spotlights the need for balanced scoring.

These athletes aren’t just stats; they’re the future of college football. Recruiting services like 247Sports note that upsets like these boost visibility—Hamilton and St. Joseph Regional saw offer spikes post-win, with Hamlin fielding calls from Alabama and Cannizzaro from Penn State.

In the wider high school football ecosystem, these performances underscore the depth of talent. From Arizona’s desert heat to New Jersey’s urban grit, players like these embody the passion that makes the sport a cultural phenomenon, drawing millions of viewers weekly via streams and broadcasts.

Playoff Paths Reshaped: What Lies Ahead for Upset Victors

As the dust settles from Week 11’s chaos, the playoff implications are profound. Hamilton now eyes a home semifinal against Desert Edge, with a state title berth on the line. A deep run could secure a No. 10 Power 25 finish, enhancing their national profile and aiding recruiting. Coach Bardo is already plotting: “We’re not satisfied; the playoffs are where legends are made.”

St. Joseph Regional advances to the Non-Public Group 4 semifinals against Red Bank Catholic, a rematch fraught with revenge. A championship would cap a redemption season after last year’s early exit. National scouts predict both teams could crash the top 10 by season’s end if they navigate the brackets unscathed.

Broader trends in high school football suggest more upsets ahead. With advanced analytics showing closer score margins league-wide (average 14.2 points this year vs. 18.5 in 2022), parity is rising. Conferences like Arizona’s 6A and New Jersey’s Non-Public are adopting overtime rules that favor aggressive play, potentially leading to more overtime thrillers.

Looking forward, these upsets signal a shifting Power 25 landscape entering Week 12. Teams like Hamilton and St. Joseph Regional must sustain momentum against lesser foes to avoid complacency. For fans, the message is clear: tune in, because in high school football, the underdog’s bark can become a bite that echoes through the playoffs and beyond. As the national championship race heats up, expect these victors to play pivotal roles in crowning this year’s kings.