Week 11 High school football Upsets: Hamilton’s Shocking Win Over Basha Reshapes National Power 25 Rankings

In a week that redefined the landscape of High school football, Week 11 delivered a series of jaw-dropping upsets that sent shockwaves through the national rankings. Leading the charge was Hamilton High School from Arizona, which pulled off a stunning victory against the previously unbeaten Basha Bears, toppling what many considered an unstoppable force. This triumph, coupled with St. Joseph Regional’s nail-biting overtime win over Bergen Catholic in New Jersey, has forced a complete overhaul of the prestigious Power 25 rankings, highlighting the unpredictable drama that makes high school gridiron action so captivating.

The implications are immediate and far-reaching. Hamilton’s upset not only avenged a previous loss but also propelled the Huskies into the national spotlight, potentially securing a higher seed in Arizona’s playoffs. Meanwhile, St. Joseph’s edge in a rivalry clash has bolstered their case for a deep postseason run in the competitive Non-Public A division. As scouts, coaches, and fans digest these twists, the Power 25—compiled by experts at USA Today and other outlets—saw multiple teams shuffle positions, with several perennial powerhouses dropping amid the chaos.

These upsets underscore the parity in modern High school football, where underdogs armed with strategic play-calling and standout performances can dismantle dynasties. With the regular season winding down, these results set the stage for intense playoff battles across the country.

Hamilton’s Heroic Stand Against Basha: A Desert Dynasty Falls

The marquee matchup in Arizona pitted Hamilton against Basha on a crisp Friday night under the lights of Chandler’s Veterans Memorial Stadium. Basha entered the game with a perfect 9-0 record, boasting a high-powered offense that averaged over 40 points per contest and a defense that had stifled opponents all season. Hamilton, sitting at 7-2, carried the weight of a painful 35-21 defeat to Basha just two years prior, fueling a revenge narrative that electrified the home crowd of over 5,000 fans.

From the opening kickoff, Hamilton’s defense set the tone, forcing three-and-outs on Basha’s first two drives. Quarterback Jaxson Dart, a rising star committed to the University of Missouri, orchestrated a balanced attack, completing 18 of 25 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 112 yards on the ground. His connection with wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan—a five-star prospect headed to Arizona—was pivotal, as McMillan’s 85-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter ignited a 21-7 run that flipped the script.

“We knew we had to match their intensity from the start,” Dart said post-game, his jersey still grass-stained. “Basha’s been dominant, but our preparation paid off. This win is for the seniors who’ve waited for this moment.” Hamilton’s ground game, led by running back Jacob Jordan’s 168 yards and three scores, wore down Basha’s front seven, culminating in a game-sealing 4-yard touchdown run with 2:14 left, securing a 28-24 victory.

Basha’s star quarterback, Ryder Lambert, threw for 320 yards but was hampered by two interceptions, including a pick-six that shifted momentum irrevocably. The loss dropped Basha to 9-1, ending their undefeated streak and thrusting Hamilton into the Power 25 conversation. Pre-upset projections had Basha ranked No. 12 nationally; now, analysts are buzzing about Hamilton’s leap from unranked to a potential top-15 slot.

This clash wasn’t just about stats— it was a tale of resilience. Hamilton’s coaching staff, under head coach Steve Bardo, implemented a zone-blitz scheme that confused Basha’s line, sacking Lambert four times. Attendance figures from the Arizona Interscholastic Association show this game drew the highest crowd for a regular-season matchup in the state since 2018, amplifying its cultural impact in the Phoenix metro area.

St. Joseph Regional’s Overtime Thriller Over Bergen Catholic Ignites New Jersey Rivalries

Across the country in New Jersey, the ancient rivalry between St. Joseph Regional and Bergen Catholic exploded into overtime drama at MetLife Stadium, home of the NFL’s New York Giants. St. Joseph, ranked No. 8 in the preseason Power 25, faced off against No. 5 Bergen Catholic in a game that pitted two of the East Coast’s elite programs against each other. With both teams vying for supremacy in the Big North Conference, the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

The game remained deadlocked at 21-21 through regulation, thanks to Bergen’s balanced offense led by quarterback Jack Simonetti’s 210 passing yards and two scores, matched by St. Joseph’s defensive stands. In overtime, St. Joseph’s running back Nasir Simpson broke free for a 12-yard touchdown scamper on the first possession, putting the Green Knights up 27-21. Bergen Catholic answered with a field goal to narrow the gap, but St. Joseph’s defense sealed the 27-24 win by stuffing a fourth-down run attempt from Bergen’s star back, Elijah Taylor.

“That was pure heart out there,” St. Joseph head coach Tony Karcich remarked in the jubilant locker room. “Bergen Catholic is a powerhouse, but our kids believed in the process. This upset proves we’re ready for March Madness-level intensity in November.” Simpson finished with 142 rushing yards, earning MVP honors in a contest watched by over 10,000 spectators, including college recruiters from Notre Dame and Penn State.

Bergen Catholic’s fall from grace was stark; their loss marked the first defeat since Week 3 of the previous season, dropping them from the top echelon of national rankings. St. Joseph’s victory, however, catapults them toward the No. 1 spot in New Jersey’s non-public rankings, setting up a potential showdown with DePaul Catholic in the playoffs. Historical data from the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association indicates this rivalry has produced eight state champions since 2000, making the outcome a pivotal chapter in that legacy.

Beyond the field, the game highlighted the socioeconomic tapestry of New Jersey high school football, with both schools drawing talent from diverse urban and suburban backgrounds. Social media exploded post-game, with #SJvsBC trending nationwide, garnering over 50,000 mentions on Twitter alone.

Other Shocking Upsets Ripple Through the National Landscape

While Hamilton and St. Joseph stole the headlines, Week 11’s upsets extended far beyond those marquee battles, creating a domino effect in the Power 25. In Texas, undefeated Denton Guyer fell 31-28 to rival Argyle in a District 5-5A thriller, where Argyle’s freshman quarterback threw the game-winning pass with seconds remaining. Guyer, previously No. 9 nationally, tumbled out of the top 10, illustrating the cutthroat nature of Lone Star State football.

California’s Sierra Canyon, led by five-star quarterback Bryce Young (now at Alabama), suffered a 24-20 defeat to Loyola, thanks to a blocked punt returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. This upset ousted Sierra Canyon from No. 15, allowing teams like Mater Dei to solidify their hold on the top spot in the state. In the Midwest, Ohio’s Archbishop Hoban edged No. 18 Massillon Washington 17-14 on a last-second field goal, a result that reshuffled Great Lakes region rankings.

Statistics from MaxPreps paint a broader picture: Week 11 saw 12 ranked teams lose, the highest upset rate since Week 1 of the season. Notable performances included Florida’s American Heritage dropping a 35-28 decision to St. Thomas Aquinas, where Aquinas’s defense recorded five sacks. These outcomes have diluted the separation between top-tier and mid-pack programs, with unranked squads like Hamilton now crashing the party.

• Key Stats from Upsets: National average points in upset games: 28.4; Turnovers forced by underdogs: 2.1 per game.
• Teams affected: 15 in the Power 25 saw ranking changes.
• Playoff implications: 8 states adjusted seeding based on these results.

Experts like Hudl’s analytics team noted that advanced metrics, such as expected points added (EPA), favored the favorites in 70% of simulations, yet real-game chaos prevailed. Quotes from affected coaches, such as Basha’s Troy Hirsch: “We got outschemed tonight—credit to Hamilton. It’s a learning curve for playoffs.”

Revamped Power 25 Rankings: Winners and Losers Emerge

The dust has settled, and the new Power 25 rankings reflect a seismic shift. Mater Dei (California) holds steady at No. 1 with their 10-0 record intact, but the top 10 now features fresh faces. Hamilton vaults into No. 14, their highest ranking ever, surpassing teams like IMG Academy (Florida) which slipped to No. 16 after a narrow win.

1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) – 10-0
2. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL) – 9-1
3. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, NJ) – 8-1 (down from No. 5)
4. Catoctin (Thurmont, MD) – 10-0
5. Central (Manchester, NH) – 10-0
6. De La Salle (Concord, CA) – 9-1
7. Diocese of St. Augustine (Jacksonville, FL) – 10-0
8. St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, NJ) – 9-1 (up three spots)
9. Guyer (Denton, TX) – 9-1 (down to No. 9)
10. Hamilton (Chandler, AZ) – 8-2 (new entry)

Further down, Basha plummets to No. 22, a drop of 10 positions that stings for a program with three straight state titles. Analysts at 247Sports predict these changes could influence recruiting, with Hamilton’s exposure drawing inquiries from over 20 Division I programs for Dart and McMillan.

In-depth breakdowns reveal trends: West Coast teams dominate the top five, while East Coast squads like St. Joseph gain ground. The national rankings now emphasize defensive prowess, with teams allowing under 14 points per game holding seven of the top 10 spots. As per NFHS data, total high school football participation hit 1.006 million this year, making these rankings a cultural touchstone for aspiring athletes.

Media coverage has intensified, with ESPN’s high school segment dedicating a full hour to Week 11 recaps, featuring interviews and highlight reels that amassed 2 million views online.

Playoff Pathways and Season-End Stakes Intensify Nationwide

Looking ahead, these upsets have rewritten playoff brackets in key states. In Arizona, Hamilton’s win positions them for a home quarterfinal against Desert Edge, with a path to the state championship at State Farm Stadium. Basha, despite the setback, remains a playoff lock but faces a tougher road, potentially meeting Hamilton again in the semis.

New Jersey’s Non-Public A playoffs now favor St. Joseph as the top seed, setting up dream matchups against Don Bosco Prep. Nationally, the Power 25 volatility suggests a wide-open championship weekend, with Cinderella stories like Hamilton’s capable of extending into December. College scouts are already circling, as performances in these games often tip the scales for scholarships—last year, 15 Power 25 players earned All-American honors post-upset seasons.

As the final weeks unfold, expect more surprises in high school football. With state finals looming and national myth-making in the air, teams like Hamilton are proving that in this sport, grit trumps glamour every time. Fans, brace for more heart-pounding action that could redefine legacies.