High School Football Super 25 Regional Football Watchlist: West
The 2023 high school football season is here, with teams starting across the country in August.
That means the first USA TODAY Sports Super 25 is fast approaching, marking another start for a legendary franchise that began way back in 1982.
Last year’s Super 25 was one of the closest races of all time, as St. John Bosco edged out Mater Dei and Bishop Gorman, among others.
How will things continue this season? Ahead of the opening of Super 25, USA TODAY HSS looks around the country for the five regions we use to create the national rankings:
Next is the western region, which includes the following: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, WashingtonAnd Wyoming
St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California)
(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Final Super 25 Ranking 2022: No. 1.
The only question mark for the reigning champion is quarterback position, with former starter Pierce Clarkson now in Louisville, but after three-star QB Caleb Sanchez’s season break with 7v7 and SoCal Elite 11 games, he seems poised to to take the reins. As usual, both sides of the ball are stacked with div. I have prospects
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
(USA TODAY network)
Final Super 25 Ranking 2022: No. 2.
Bishop Gorman will need some work to keep up his defence, which was an absolute tour de force last year. Jayden House, Quincy Davis, Jamih Otis, Palaie Faoa and Jeremiah Hughes were all Las Vegas Review-Journal first-team players and all were seniors. But a team as strong as Gorman tends to line up as the next man rather than take a step back when the Stars graduate, as there are several other Gaels with three or more Stars in the 247 Composite, including Quarterback Micah Alejado.
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California)
(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Final Super 25 Ranking 2022: No. 3.
Bruce Rollinson, who was Mater Dei head coach for so long that it’s possible some freshmen’s parents weren’t even alive when he took the helm, retired at the end of last season, leaving the program to the longtime assistant by Mater Dei coach Frank McManus. It’s as good a transition situation as any – Elijah Brown has lost just one game as a starter and there are 11 players with a four-star rating or higher, including four five-star contenders.
Basha (Chandler, Arizona)
(USA TODAY network)
Final Super 25 Ranking 2022: No. 14.
How Basha compensates for the departures of senior linebackers Wyatt Milkovic, Jackson Browning and Patrick Green will determine whether they can become Open Division champions again in 2023. Promising is that four-star QB Demond Williams can control the passing game on offense four-star CB Miles Lockhart can do it defensively. We’ll see who the key attacking players are without the experienced RB Deshaun Buchanan.
Liberty (Peoria, Arizona)
(Syndication: Arizona Republic)
Final Super 25 Ranking 2022: No. 22.
Like Basha, Liberty’s rise to the Open Division faces the test of replacing strong defenders. The Lions will rely more on tackle leader Keaton Stam on this side of the ball, while quarterback Navi Bruzon will target Braylon Gardner and Jaqua Anderson after throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns as a junior.
Chandler (Arizona)
(Photo: Joe Rondone/Arizona Republic)
Final Super 25 Ranking 2022: NO.
Don’t discount Chandler just because they lost five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola to Georgia. He wasn’t the only aspect of that program, appearing in a league game every year from 2015 until his absence last season. Chandler’s leading receivers and rushers last year were juniors, and in 2024 there are seven three-star contenders.
Saguaro (Scottsdale, Arizona)
(Patrick Breen – Arizona Republic)
Final Super 25 Ranking 2022: NO.
Saguaro saw the departure of quarterback Devon Dampier, but perhaps the team’s biggest loss of the offseason was head coach Jason Mohns, the longtime leader who led the Sabercats to dominance. He will be replaced by Zak Hill, who has experience as an assistant coach at Arizona State University and Boise State University. He will lead the eight players ranked as three-star contenders on 247Sports.
Long Beach Poly (California)
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Final Super 25 Ranking 2022: NO.
After breaking through as a junior with 3,007 passing yards and 38 touchdowns in four interceptions, Darius Curry will be looking to prove himself as one of California’s best QBs, with his four favorite goals from last year all returning for Long Beach Poly. Linebacker Dylan Williams, who had 79 tackles and 25.5 tackles for losses, and Joshua Cason, who had 76 tackles and 15.5 for losses, will lead the defense.
Serra (San Mateo, California)
(Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY contributor)
Final Super 25 Ranking 2022: NO.
Quarterback Maealiuaki Smith is returning, but he’ll be up against a new group of receivers as Serra’s top four receivers from last year are eliminated. The defense, which has conceded more than 21 points in just one game, is back in almost total control with three-star players like Joseph Bey, Danny Niu, Jabari Mann and Marley Alapati taking the lead.
Centennial Anniversary (Corona, California)
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Final Super 25 Ranking 2022: NO.
Centennial may have found its next two-year quarterback in Husan Longstreet, who switched after nearly 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns as a sophomore. With that four-star QB, running back Cornell hatcher, and an offensive line led by four-star Manasse Itete and three-star Wade Helton, there will be plenty of firepower on offense.
Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah)
Corner Canyon QB Isaac Wilson (Photo: 247Sports)
Final Super 25 Ranking 2022: NO.
Corner Canyon are now three years away from their streak of three straight seasons unbeaten and they hope to return to the championship this year. Their advantage over Skyridge, who beat the Chargers in the title game last year, is that Corner Canyon has a slew of returnees, including four-star quarterback Isaac Wilson (4,469 yards overall last year) and three-star receiver Tate Kjar (1,665 yards). , 19 TDs), four-star offensive player Isaiah Garcia, and three-star defensemen including Kash Dillon and Bo Tate.