Aquinas, Armwood pace contenders

Perhaps most exciting, given the current cluster at the top, there remains potential for a late season shakeup. Next week alone, four games contain national title implications.

• Oct. 6: Miramar (Fla.) at St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.)

• Oct. 7: DuPont Manual (Ky.) at Trinity (Ky.)

• Oct: 7 Our Lady of Good Counsel (Md.) at DeMatha (Md.)

• Oct. 8: St. Edward (Ohio) at Don Bosco Prep (N.J.)

In fact, in the coming weeks, several tantalizing showdowns loom. Seven of the Top 15 face at least one Top 100 opponent this month, led by St. Edward (Ohio), which faces three (Don Bosco, St. Xavier, Archbishop Moeller). November kicks off the playoffs. But October could settle much of the championship debate before the postseason begins.

This week served to heighten anticipation. Each member of the SI.com power rankings won, including Bishop Gorman, which jumped two spots after taking down California powerhouse Servite. For the season, the Top 10 now owns a combined record of 53-1.

Record: 4-0

Previous rank: 1

Last game: 56-13 win at McArthur (Fla.)

Next game: Oct. 6 vs. Miramar (Fla.)

Aquinas' matchup with McArthur was delayed two hours by inclement weather, with kickoff pushed until 9:00 p.m. The game was well worth the wait. The Raiders rolled 56-13, with Fred Coppet collecting 134 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the first half.

Next week shouldn't be so easy. Miramar, Aquinas' Oct. 7 opponent, is also undefeated, coming off a 20-0 blanking of Cypress Bay (Fla.). Max Lescano could have a tough time finding receivers. Tracy Howard, Miramar's lockdown corner, is a five-star recruit considering offers from Miami, Alabama and LSU.

Record: 4-0

Previous rank: 2

Last game: 33-22 win over Bergen Catholic (N.J.)

Next game: Oct. 8 vs. St. Edward (Ohio)

It's time to take heed of safety Kyle Sakowski. Often overlooked on a unit brimming with D-I talent, the senior keyed Bosco's comeback against Bergen Catholic -- its ninth consecutive win over its rival -- with two crucial interceptions in the fourth quarter. The first led to Elijah Shumate's go-ahead score. The second sealed the victory with 2:05 remaining.

The season now hinges on next week's showdown with St. Edward, a matchup of strength against strength. The Ironmen's loaded defense must stop diminutive 5-5 running back Dwayne Aaron, who rushed for 335 yards in his last two games.

Record: 5-0

Previous rank: 3

Last game: 45-13 win over Lewisville (Texas)

Next game: Oct. 7 at Plano East (Texas)

For the first time all season, the Eagles looked surprisingly vulnerable on Friday. They led Lewisville just 14-10 at half, threw for a mere 110 yards and allowed Rodrick Williams, the Farmers' senior tailback, to race for 75 yards in the first half alone. It was an uncharacteristic showing. The Texas 5A favorites seemed completely out of sorts.

In the second half, however, Allen bounced back beautifully. It outscored Lewisville 31-3, triggered by Jonathan Williams' 53-yard scamper to begin the third quarter. He finished with 220 yards on 15 carries, fully resembling the back that eclipsed 2,000 yards in 2010.

He'll need to maintain that level of production. Five of the Eagles' final six games are on the road, and three of their next five opponents are 4-1 or better. If head coach Tom Westerberg and Co. can escape unscathed, they could potentially supplant Aquinas and Bosco atop the rankings.

Record: 5-0

Previous rank: 4

Last game: 20-0 win at Jefferson (Fla.)

Next game: Oct. 7 at Sickles (Fla.)

It's a shame that Armwood and St. Thomas Aquinas don't play each other. Despite Aquinas' top overall ranking, Armwood could make a case as the best team in the state, boasting an undefeated record and an average margin of victory of 34.4. Its defense has been tremendous: Following another shutout, it hasn't surrendered a point in 10 consecutive quarters.

Now that Matt Jones, Alvin Bailey and Darryl Richardson are fully healthy, look for the Hawks to make a charge. Though they struggled early, each scored against Jefferson, including Bailey's dazzling 83-yard option keeper.

Record: 6-0

Previous rank: 5

Last game: 41-6 win at St. Xavier (Ky.)

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. DuPont Manual (Ky.)

If there's a high school equivalent of The Big Three, it consists of Trinity's Travis Wright, Dalyn Dawkins and James Quick. All underclassmen, they've helped the Shamrocks average 43.5 points, scoring at least five touchdowns in each of their six games. Their stats for the season are below.

Despite the 'Rocks stiff early season schedule, challenges loom ahead. If they can take down both DuPont Manual (6-0) and Moeller (6-0), they'll have run the table against a national championship worthy slate.

Record: 6-0

Previous rank: 6

Last game: 73-0 win at Greenville (S.C.)

Next game: Oct. 7 at Clover (S.C.)

Gaffney received a well-deserved bye on Friday, following a stretch of six wins in six weeks. The Indians have rolled decisively, taking each contest by 21 points or more.

Quarterback Joey Copeland and wideout Quinshad Davis are the headliners, but don't dismiss Gaffney's defense. The unsung unit has forced 15 turnovers to date, propelled by defensive backs Cobby McDowell and Marquis Brannon, who've combined for seven interceptions.

Record: 6-1

Previous rank: 9

Last game: 31-28 win over Servite (Calif.)

Next game: Oct. 6 at Pahrump Valley (Nev.)

With a 31-28 victory over Servite, the Gaels continue to prove that they're the best one loss team in the nation. Servite is 32-3 since 2009, and their takedown is potentially the biggest out-of-state win in Gorman history. The result proves they're more than a Nevada power. They have the talent to compete with anyone in the country.

Though Kline Fielden drilled the game-winning 39-yard field goal, Shaquille Powell was the hero. He totaled 123 rushing yards, 55 receiving yards, two touchdowns and a momentum-shifting interception in the third quarter. He's weighing offers to Notre Dame, Arizona State and San Diego State, among others.

Now, expect Gorman to resume its dominance. It should be favored in its final four regular season games -- at Pahrump Valley (Nev.), at Spring Valley (Nev.), Western (Nev.) and Bonanza (Nev.) -- by a minimum of four touchdowns each.

Record: 5-0

Previous rank: 7

Last game: 34-14 win at Red Lion Christian Academy (Del.)

Next game: Oct. 7 at DeMatha (Md.)

The Good Counsel offensive juggernaut claimed another victim on Saturday, dismantling Red Lion 34-14. The Falcons scored 27 unanswered points after falling behind 14-7, spearheaded by Kendall Fuller, Stefon Diggs and junior Dorian O'Daniel. O'Daniel, who rushed for 1,180 yards and 23 touchdowns as Wes Brown's replacement in '10, racked up 133 yards and two scores, cementing his status as a top-tier recruit.

Don't miss next week's date with DeMatha, a battle of Maryland heavyweights. The two programs have combined to win each of the last seven WCAC titles, and both of the Falcons' two losses since 2007 have come at the hands of their rivals. Expect another hard-hitting, emotionally draining classic.

Record: 7-0

Previous rank: 10

Last game: 66-13 win over Decatur (Ga.)

Next game: Oct. 6 at Clarkston (Ga.)

If any doubts linger about Buford's place in the top 10, it's because the Wolves have feasted on a schedule of cupcakes. Of the seven teams they've beaten, four have .500 or sub-.500 records, and two hold claim to just one win.

But the Wolves are manhandling the competition. The offensive line -- anchored by stalwarts Vadal Alexander, Reid Ferguson and tight end Kurt Freitag -- is as imposing as any front in the nation. The defense is stifling: The 13 points allowed Friday were the most of any game this season.

Still, Oct. 21 can't come soon enough. That's when Buford travels to Greater Atlanta Christian for its regular season finale, a likely matchup of Class 2A unbeatens. The outcome should put Buford's 7-0 start in perspective.

Record: 5-0

Previous rank: 11

Last game: 55-3 win at Strake Jesuit (Texas)

Next game: Oct. 6 at Morton Ranch (Texas)

After a three week absence, Katy reenters the Top 10 with a 55-3 thrashing of Strake Jesuit. Questions emerged after Adam Taylor -- who rushed for 1,553 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2010 -- was lost for the season with an ACL tear. Rodney Anderson has answered the call. The freshman exploded for 471 yards over the past four games.

The biggest headlines on Friday, however, belonged to quarterback Brooks Haack, wideout Jordan Thompson and head coach Gary Joseph. Haack passed for six touchdowns to break the school record set by Andy Dalton, while Thompson piled up a record 217 receiving yards. Joseph notched his 100th win since taking over the program in 2004, a span in which Tigers have won two Texas 5A championships (2007, 2008).

Next five: Trinity (Euless, Texas); Harrison (Farmington Hills, Mich.); St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio); DeSoto (DeSoto, Texas); Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.)

• Harrison's 48-35 win over Oak Park (Mich.) wasn't as close as the score suggests. The Hawks led 34-7 at half, and only allowed the Knights into the game after fumbling on consecutive possessions in the third quarter. Running back Lorenzo Collins burst onto the scene. Normally overshadowed by the passing attack, he rushed for 213 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.

• Daphne (Ala.) is flying under the radar. Despite a 15-0 record and a Class 6A title in 2010, the Trojans entered this season ranked behind Prattville (Ala.), Hoover (Ala.). Not anymore. Head coach Glenn Vickery and Co. have regained their spot as Alabama frontrunners following Friday's 42-0 win. Auburn commit T.J. Yeldon has been particularly impressive, rushing for 824 yards in the team's 6-0 start.

• So are Union (Okla.), Archbishop Moeller (Ohio) and Miami Norland. Union captured its 94th consecutive district game with a 44-20 victory over Sand Springs (Okla.), Moeller dusted off LaSalle (Ohio) 35-13 and Norland took down Hialeah (Fla.) 42-6 to each remain undefeated. Of the three, Moeller has the best chance to crack the top five: It plays at Elder (Ohio), against Indianapolis Cathedral, at St. Edward (Ohio) and at Trinity (Ky.) in succession starting next week.

• Aledo (Texas) may be beginning a new streak. After losing two of its first three to snap a 29-game winning streak, the Bearcats have beaten up on Timber Creek (Texas) and Springtown (Texas), 62-17 and 83-21, respectively. Johnathan Gray is posting typically outrageous numbers: Through five games, he's rushed for 1,370 yards and 24 touchdowns.

• Warren's Central (Ind.) roller coaster season continues. True, the Warriors have yet to lose. But their inconsistency remains cause for concern. Case in point: Friday's 22-20 win at Carmel (Ind.). The team allowed a 19-0 to dissipate before being bailed out by a 37-yard Max Hernandez field goal as time expired. They'll have to beat South Vigo (Ind.) and Center Grove (Ind.) more convincingly to retake a spot in the top 15.

• Rushel Shell was relatively held in check. One week after breaking the WPIAL rushing record, Shell was limited to just 106 yards on 29 carries. Hopewell (Pa.) suffered as a result. The Vikings fell to 4-1 after a 37-13 loss to Blackhawk (Pa.).

• Tragedy struck the game between Washington Prep (Calif.) and Fremont (Calif.). A high school cheerleader, Angela Gettis, 16, collapsed on the field in cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Thoughts and prayers go out to her family and community.