High school football Power 25 Rankings: Week 11 Upsets Including Hamilton and St. Joseph Regional Reshape National Landscape
In a week that redefined the High school football landscape, Week 11 delivered a series of jaw-dropping upsets that sent shockwaves through the SI Power 25 national rankings. Hamilton’s stunning victory over perennial powerhouse Basha and St. Joseph Regional’s heart-stopping overtime win against Bergen Catholic were just the tip of the iceberg, as underdogs across the country rose up, toppling giants and forcing a complete reshuffle of the standings. These High school football upsets not only highlighted the unpredictability of the season but also intensified the race toward state championships and potential national title contention.
As the regular season winds down, these results have major implications for playoff seeding and bowl invitations. With scouts from top college programs watching closely, the drama unfolded on fields from Arizona to New Jersey, proving once again why high school football captivates millions. Let’s dive into the chaos that was Week 11.
Hamilton’s Desert Miracle: Toppling Basha in Epic Fashion
The story of the week—and perhaps the entire season—unfolded under the scorching Arizona sun as Hamilton High School pulled off one of the most improbable upsets in recent high school football history. Entering the matchup as 14-point underdogs, Hamilton shocked the nation by defeating Basha 28-24 in a game that had everything: lead changes, controversial calls, and a game-winning touchdown in the final minute.
Basha, ranked No. 5 in the preseason Power 25, had been on a tear, boasting a 9-0 record and a defense that allowed just 12 points per game. Led by star quarterback Jaxson Dart (now committed to Ole Miss), the Bears were eyeing an undefeated run to the state finals. But Hamilton’s senior running back, Marcus Johnson, had other plans. Johnson rushed for a staggering 212 yards and three touchdowns, including a 45-yard scamper that sealed the victory with 1:12 left on the clock.
“We knew we had to bring our A-game against a team like Basha,” Johnson said post-game, his jersey still caked in dirt. “This win isn’t just for us—it’s for every kid who believes in the upset.” Hamilton’s coach, Eric Kiefer, echoed the sentiment, praising his team’s preparation: “We schemed all week to exploit their secondary, and it paid off. This is what high school football is all about—heart over hype.”
The upset dropped Basha from the top 10 of the Power 25, while Hamilton surged into the rankings at No. 18, their first appearance this season. Statistically, Hamilton’s offense exploded for 378 total yards, compared to Basha’s usual dominance. This victory not only avenged a 35-14 loss from last year but also positioned Hamilton as a dark horse in Arizona’s 6A playoffs, where they’ll face off against No. 12 Corona del Sol in the quarterfinals.
Beyond the box score, the game drew over 5,000 fans to the stadium, with social media buzzing about Johnson’s performance. Highlights went viral on platforms like Twitter and TikTok, amassing over 2 million views in 24 hours. For Hamilton, a public school from Chandler with modest resources, this upset underscores the parity in high school football, where talent and grit can level the playing field against recruiting hotbeds like Basha.
St. Joseph Regional’s Overtime Thriller Against Bergen Catholic
On the East Coast, another seismic shift occurred in New Jersey as St. Joseph Regional outlasted Bergen Catholic 31-28 in overtime, a matchup billed as the ‘Battle of the Hudson.’ Both teams were undefeated entering Week 11, with Bergen Catholic holding the No. 8 spot in the Power 25 and St. Joseph lurking just outside at No. 15. The game, played before a packed house at MetLife Stadium, lived up to its billing as a potential state championship preview.
Bergen Catholic struck first with a 75-yard touchdown drive, but St. Joseph answered with a gritty ground game led by junior tailback Devin Kargman, who pounded out 156 yards on 28 carries. The game seesawed into overtime after a blocked extra point tied it at 28. In the extra period, St. Joseph’s defense forced a fumble on Bergen’s first play, setting up a short field goal for the win.
“This was a total team effort,” said St. Joseph head coach Tony Karcich. “Bergen Catholic is a machine, but we prepared for every scenario. That fumble recovery? Pure magic.” Kargman’s performance earned him Northeast Player of the Week honors, and his commitment to Rutgers added extra stakes to the rivalry.
For Bergen Catholic, the loss was their first since 2021, snapping a 22-game win streak. Coach Vito Campanile was philosophical: “Upsets like this keep us humble. We’ll bounce back in the playoffs.” The defeat tumbled Bergen to No. 12 in the updated Power 25, while St. Joseph rocketed to No. 6, their highest ranking ever. This high school football upset has ripple effects for Non-Public Group 4 playoffs, where St. Joseph now holds the inside track to a state title.
Attendance topped 10,000, with the game broadcast on local networks. Analysts noted St. Joseph’s improved passing game, with QB Matt Russell throwing for 189 yards and two scores, a far cry from their run-heavy identity last season. This victory solidifies St. Joseph Regional as a national contender, drawing interest from colleges like Penn State and Notre Dame.
Other Week 11 Upsets Rocking the Power 25 Foundation
While Hamilton and St. Joseph Regional stole the headlines, Week 11 was rife with additional high school football upsets that further scrambled the Power 25. In Texas, unranked Allen stunned No. 3 Duncanville 35-31 on a last-second hail mary pass from freshman phenom QB Tyler Jackson, who finished with 320 yards and four touchdowns. Duncanville’s fall from grace dropped them to No. 9, opening the door for Texas powers like Austin Westlake to climb.
Out west, California’s No. 7 Sierra Canyon fell to unheralded Oaks Christian 24-20, hampered by injuries to key receivers. Sierra Canyon’s loss, their second of the season, pushed them to No. 14. Meanwhile, in Ohio, unbeaten No. 11 Archbishop Hoban was upended 28-21 by rival St. Edward, a result that highlighted the Buckeye State’s brutal parity.
These upsets weren’t isolated; statistics show a 25% increase in underdog victories this week compared to the season average, per MaxPreps data. Nationally, 12 of the top 25 teams suffered defeats, leading to the most volatile Power 25 reshuffle since 2019. Quotes from affected coaches painted a picture of resilience: Duncanville’s Chad Thrash said, “We’ll use this as fuel for the playoffs.”
- Key Stats from Upsets: Combined, underdogs outrushed favorites by 1,200 yards.
- Passing efficiency favored the victors in 70% of games.
- Turnover margin decided 80% of these contests.
These results emphasize the depth of talent in high school football, with small schools like Oaks Christian (enrollment under 1,000) competing against mega-programs.
Updated SI Power 25 Rankings: A New Hierarchy Emerges
With the dust settled from Week 11’s chaos, Sports Illustrated’s Power 25 rankings underwent a dramatic overhaul. Mater Dei (CA) holds steady at No. 1 after a 42-10 rout of JSerra, extending their win streak to 25 games. But the top 10 saw massive turnover: St. Joseph Regional vaults to No. 6, Hamilton debuts at No. 18, and Basha plummets to No. 11.
Here’s the full top 25 as of November 15:
- Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) – 10-0
- Grayson (Loganville, GA) – 10-0
- Immaculate Conception (Elmhurst, IL) – 10-0
- Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) – 9-1
- Rustboro (Rustboro, AR) – 10-0
- St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, NJ) – 10-0
- Catoctin (Thurmont, MD) – 10-0
- Central (Manchester, NH) – 10-0
- Duncanville (TX) – 9-1
- Austin Westlake (TX) – 9-1
- Basha (Chandler, AZ) – 9-1
- Bergen Catholic (Oradell, NJ) – 9-1
- Central Catholic (Pittsburgh, PA) – 9-1
- Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, CA) – 8-2
- American Heritage (Plantation, FL) – 9-1
- De La Salle (Concord, CA) – 9-1
- Corner Canyon (Draper, UT) – 10-0
- Hamilton (Chandler, AZ) – 8-2
- Collins Hill (Suwanee, GA) – 9-1
- St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL) – 8-2
- Weddington (Matthews, NC) – 10-0
- Blair Academy (Blairstown, NJ) – 9-1
- Olympus (Salt Lake City, UT) – 10-0
- Central Valley (Spokane Valley, WA) – 9-1
- Milton (Milton, GA) – 9-1
SI’s selection committee, chaired by veteran analyst Mike Fenelon, weighed factors like strength of schedule, margin of victory, and head-to-head results. “These upsets remind us that no ranking is set in stone,” Fenelon noted. “Hamilton and St. Joseph Regional earned their spots through sheer execution.”
The rankings reflect regional balance: California leads with five teams, followed by Texas and New Jersey with three each. Notably, the upsets boosted Mid-Atlantic representation, with St. Joseph Regional’s rise signaling New Jersey’s resurgence.
Playoff Ramifications and College Recruiting Buzz
As these upsets reverberate, the path to playoffs becomes clearer—and more treacherous—for top teams. Hamilton’s win secures them a home game in Arizona’s 6A bracket, potentially setting up a rematch with Basha in the semis. St. Joseph Regional, now the No. 1 seed in Non-Public A, faces Don Bosco Prep next, a team they’ve beaten twice before but never easily.
Nationally, the reshuffled Power 25 influences GEICO State Champions Bowl selections, where top unbeatens like Mater Dei are locks, but bubble teams like Sierra Canyon must win out. Upsets have also supercharged recruiting: Johnson’s phone hasn’t stopped ringing from USC and Arizona State coaches, while Kargman’s Rutgers pledge looks even stronger.
Experts predict more volatility ahead. MaxPreps’ John Motta forecasts, “Week 12 could see another 10-team shakeup, especially with rivalry games dominating schedules.” For fans, this means edge-of-your-seat action as high school football hurtles toward December’s title games. With national championships on the horizon, teams like Hamilton and St. Joseph Regional are proving that in this sport, any given Friday can rewrite the script. Keep an eye on these underdogs—they might just carry their momentum all the way to the top.
