The first week of the high school football season delivered a cascade of surprises, as several teams ranked among the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 found themselves on the losing side.
In California, No. 23 Santa Margarita edged No. 4 Centennial 21‑20 in a thriller, with Ca'ron Williams intercepting a pass and returning it for a touchdown that sealed the victory.
Texas power Allen, ranked No. 16, rolled past Duncanville 26‑7, driven by sophomore quarterback Ty Snell’s poise under center and a fourth‑quarter touchdown run by Lyndon Spriggs that capped the shutout.
Georgia’s Lee County overcame a halftime deficit to beat No. 17 Carol City 23‑20, leveraging a stout defense that turned the tide in the second half.
In Florida, American Heritage survived a late rally from East St. Louis, winning 35‑28 in overtime after Neimann Lawrence connected on his fourth touchdown pass to put the game out of reach.
What the Upsets Mean for the Road Ahead
The early losses have already reshaped conversations about which programs can sustain momentum and which will need to adjust their strategies before conference play begins.
Coaches are emphasizing discipline and depth, while analysts point to the emergence of unexpected playmakers as a key story line for the remainder of the season.