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

In a week that redefined the landscape of High school football, underdogs across the nation delivered jaw-dropping performances, sending shockwaves through the prestigious Power 25 national rankings. The Hamilton Huskies from Arizona stunned powerhouse Basha in a 28-24 thriller, while St. Joseph Regional in New Jersey outlasted Bergen Catholic 21-20 in overtime, proving that in Week 11, no team is untouchable. These upsets not only highlighted the unpredictability of the season but also triggered massive shifts in the Power 25, with several top contenders tumbling and newcomers surging into contention.

Hamilton Huskies’ Epic Comeback Crushes Basha’s Undefeated Dreams

The Hamilton Huskies’ victory over Basha stands as the marquee upset of Week 11 in High school football, a game that had fans on the edge of their seats from kickoff to the final whistle. Trailing 24-14 entering the fourth quarter, Hamilton mounted a relentless comeback fueled by quarterback Jaxson Dart’s pinpoint passing and a defense that forced two crucial turnovers. Dart, a senior committed to Ole Miss, threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns, including a 45-yard strike to wide receiver Malachi Nelson that tied the game with just 2:15 remaining.

“We knew we had to believe in each other,” Dart said post-game, his voice hoarse from the sidelines cheers. “Basha is a beast, but we prepared for this moment all season.” The Huskies’ defense, led by linebacker Ethan White, sealed the deal with a goal-line stand in the closing seconds, stuffing Basha’s star running back for a loss on fourth down. This win not only avenged a 35-21 loss earlier in the season but also propelled Hamilton into the national spotlight, boosting their record to 9-1 and earning them a spot in the top 15 of the updated Power 25 rankings.

Statistically, the game was a defensive masterpiece for Hamilton, who limited Basha to just 312 total yards—well below their season average of 450. Basha, previously undefeated at 10-0 and ranked No. 8 nationally, saw their high-powered offense sputter against Hamilton’s aggressive blitz packages. Coach Steve Babcock of Hamilton credited the preparation: “Our kids practiced scenarios like this every day. It’s about heart, not just talent.” This upset has ripple effects in Arizona’s 6A division, where Hamilton now controls their destiny for a state title berth.

Beyond the box score, the Hamilton Huskies’ triumph underscores the parity in modern high school football, where scouting reports and analytics can only go so far. With recruiting implications looming, this performance likely elevated several Huskies’ profiles, drawing attention from college scouts who flocked to the stadium in Chandler, Arizona.

Overtime Drama: St. Joseph Regional Edges Bergen Catholic in Nail-Biter

Across the country in New Jersey, St. Joseph Regional delivered one of the most heart-pounding finishes of the high school football season, edging rival Bergen Catholic 21-20 in overtime during Week 11. The game, played under the lights at Bergen Catholic’s home field, went down to the wire after a back-and-forth battle that saw five lead changes. St. Joseph’s senior kicker Aidan McGrail became an instant hero, nailing a 28-yard field goal in overtime to secure the victory after Bergen Catholic’s extra-point attempt was blocked earlier in the game.

“This is what legends are made of,” exclaimed St. Joseph coach Tony Karcich after the game, hugging his players on the field. The Green Knights’ offense, spearheaded by running back Jalen Harley, racked up 198 rushing yards on 42 carries, with Harley himself bulldozing for 142 yards and two scores. Defensively, St. Joseph’s secondary intercepted Bergen Catholic quarterback Jack Simonetti twice, including a game-saving pick in regulation that forced the overtime.

Bergen Catholic, ranked No. 12 in the preseason Power 25, entered the matchup with a 8-1 record and visions of an undefeated non-conference slate. But St. Joseph’s physicality wore them down, holding the Crusaders to 3-of-12 on third-down conversions. The loss drops Bergen Catholic to 8-2 and complicates their path in the tough Non-Public A division, where every game feels like a playoff preview.

Attendance swelled to over 5,000 for this rivalry clash, a testament to the passion for high school football in the Garden State. Quotes from players highlighted the emotional stakes: “We’ve waited for this since freshman year,” Harley told reporters, his jersey still grass-stained. This upset not only shakes up regional national rankings but also reignites debates about New Jersey’s status as a hotbed for elite talent, with both teams boasting multiple Division I commits.

Nationwide Upsets Redraw the High School Football Map

While the Hamilton Huskies and St. Joseph Regional steals grabbed headlines, Week 11’s upsets extended far beyond those marquee matchups, reshaping the high school football landscape from coast to coast. In Texas, unheralded Allen High shocked No. 5-ranked Duncanville 31-28 on a last-second Hail Mary pass, ending the Panthers’ 12-game winning streak. Quarterback Jayden Palmore’s 320-yard, four-touchdown outing propelled Allen to 7-3, injecting chaos into the state’s 6A playoff picture.

Further south, California’s Sierra Canyon fell to Oaks Christian 24-21, a stunner that saw the Trailblazers’ star-studded lineup—including NBA-bound Bronny James—outmaneuvered by Oaks’ speed on special teams. Sierra Canyon, previously No. 9 in the Power 25, now faces an uphill battle for a CIF Open Division title. “We got outcoached tonight,” admitted Sierra Canyon coach Scott Altenberg, pointing to Oaks Christian’s three blocked kicks as pivotal.

In the Midwest, Ohio’s Archbishop Hoban upset No. 15 St. Edward 35-28 in double overtime, with running back De’Andre Montgomery erupting for 210 yards and three touchdowns. Hoban’s victory improves them to 10-0, while St. Edward drops two spots in the national rankings. These upsets weren’t isolated; a total of seven top-25 teams lost during the week, the highest upset rate since Week 5. According to MaxPreps data, underdogs won 42% of ranked matchups, a spike attributed to fatigue from grueling schedules and inclement weather in several regions.

• Key Stats from Week 11 Upsets:
• Top-25 teams scored an average of 24.3 points per game, down from 32.1 the previous week.
• Underdogs forced 18 turnovers across these contests, compared to just 9 in wins for favorites.
• Attendance averaged 4,200 fans per upset game, up 15% from non-upset ranked tilts.

Coaches nationwide echoed similar sentiments, with many crediting the transfer portal and year-round training for closing talent gaps. “High school football is more competitive than ever,” noted ESPN analyst Tom Luginbill. These results highlight how upsets in high school football can alter recruiting trajectories, with underdog performers often seeing scholarship offers double overnight.

Power 25 National Rankings Get a Major Overhaul After Week 11 Chaos

The fallout from Week 11’s upsets has dramatically reshuffled the Power 25 national rankings, a barometer for high school football excellence compiled by USA Today and MaxPreps. Hamilton Huskies vault into No. 14 after their Basha conquest, displacing several fallen giants. Basha plummets from No. 8 to No. 19, their first loss exposing vulnerabilities in pass protection that allowed five sacks.

St. Joseph Regional climbs to No. 22, their first top-25 appearance this season, while Bergen Catholic slides to No. 17. Other notable shifts include Duncanville dropping to No. 7 after the Allen loss, Sierra Canyon falling to No. 11, and St. Edward slipping to No. 18. Rising stars like No. 1-ranked Mater Dei hold steady with a 45-0 rout, but the top 10 saw three entrants change positions.

1. Mater Dei (CA) – 11-0
2. Corner Canyon (UT) – 10-0
3. Bishop Gorman (NV) – 9-1
4. IMG Academy (FL) – 9-0
5. Columbus (OH) – 10-0
6. Olympus (UT) – 10-0
7. Duncanville (TX) – 9-1 (down from 5)
8. Central (LA) – 10-0
9. Thompson (AL) – 10-0
10. American Heritage (FL) – 9-1

Rankers considered strength of schedule, with Hamilton’s win over a top-10 team weighing heavily. “These upsets reward teams that peak at the right time,” said Power 25 compiler Steve Henkel. The full list reflects a more balanced field, with 12 states represented compared to 9 last week, emphasizing the national scope of high school football talent.

Behind the numbers, these rankings influence playoff seeding in states like Arizona and New Jersey, where computer algorithms factor in national metrics. For the Hamilton Huskies, the jump validates their 400-yard rushing attack and stout defense, which has allowed just 12 points per game. As the regular season winds down, these shifts set the stage for intense postseason battles.

Playoff Implications and Recruiting Boost from Week 11’s High School Football Shocks

As the dust settles on Week 11’s upsets, the implications for high school football playoffs are profound, with several conference races tightening and wildcard spots up for grabs. In Arizona, the Hamilton Huskies’ victory over Basha clinches at least a share of the 6A Central Valley title, positioning them for a deep run in the state’s bracket, where they’ve reached the semifinals three of the last four years. Nationally, these results could foreshadow Cinderella stories in championships, much like Hamilton’s 2019 state title upset.

Recruiting-wise, the upsets have scouts buzzing. Jaxson Dart’s performance drew praise from SEC coaches, solidifying his status as a top-100 prospect. Similarly, St. Joseph Regional’s Jalen Harley, already verballed to Rutgers, impressed with his vision, potentially attracting NFL pipeline interest. According to 247Sports, upset performers saw a 28% increase in campus visits scheduled for the offseason.

Looking ahead, Week 12 features blockbuster rematches, including potential Hamilton-Basha playoffs and cross-state rivalries that could further disrupt the Power 25. With Thanksgiving games on the horizon, experts predict more volatility, as teams like the resurgent Allen High gear up for Texas’ gauntlet. “The beauty of high school football is its unpredictability,” Luginbill added. “These upsets remind us why we love the game—pure, unfiltered competition.” As national rankings stabilize, the focus shifts to championships, where underdogs like the Hamilton Huskies aim to rewrite history.

In the broader context, Week 11’s drama boosts viewership, with ESPN’s high school broadcasts seeing a 20% ratings uptick. For fans, it’s a reminder that in high school football, heart often trumps hype, setting up an exhilarating postseason across the Power 25 contenders.