For the first time all season, we've got a new top squad in the East.
The St. James Academy made quite a statement this week, knocking out previous East region (and national) No. 1 St. Frances Academy (MD) in a 17-point comeback to catapult themselves to the top of this week's Super 15. Elsewhere this week, there weren't too many shockers, aside from a Bergen Catholic loss to Paramus Catholic that'll bump the Crusaders all the way to edge.
Here are USA TODAY Sports' Week 9 East Region Super 15 rankings.
1. The St. James Academy (Springfield, VA)
Record: 5-1
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, vs. MU Sports Academy, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Strivers just might be this weekend’s biggest storyline. In a battle with St. Frances
Academy, previously the national No. 1, The St. James Academy erased a 17-point deficit to hand the Panthers their first loss of the season, 28-20. Just one week after the Strivers’ near takedown of IMG, they’re proving themselves among the top teams in the nation – they’ve leapt up to take the top spot on this list and catapulted to No. 6 in the National Super 25 rankings.
2. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, MD)
Record: 5-1
Next game: Saturday, Oct. 17, at The Hun School (NJ), 2 p.m. ET
On the other end of that statement win is, of course, St. Frances. The Panthers just couldn’t hang on to their lead Saturday, ending their run of dominance so far this year and knocking them off the East Region’s top spot for the first time this season.
3. Hough (Cornelius, NC)
Record: 7-0
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, at South Mecklenburg (NC), 7 p.m. ET
This week was business as usual for Hough. With a 72-0 blowout of Garinger (NC) Friday night, the Huskies extended their shutout streak to three and their record to 7-0. QB Ethan Royal threw for 201 yards and two touchdowns in the victory, while Jamarion Morrison led rushing TDs with two Mason Pearsall-Brown led receivers with two.
4. Grimsley (Greensboro, NC)
Record: 7-0
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, vs. Page (NC), 7 p.m. ET
Grimsley made quick work of Ragsdale (NC) Friday, blanking them 38-0 to keep its season record pristine. Next up for the Whirlies will be Page (NC).
5. Central Catholic (Pittsburgh, PA)
Record: 7-0
Next game: Friday, Oct. 23, at Canon-McMillan (PA), 7 p.m. ET
Central Catholic is still cruising. They tallied their third shutout in a row Friday against North Allegheny, dominating them 42-0 on the back of Owen Herrick’s 238 passing yards for two touchdowns on 10 of 11 attempts. Roman Thompson and Chrys Black Jr. each contributed two touchdowns on the ground.
6. St. John’s (DC)
Record: 5-1
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, at Our Lady of Good Counsel (MD), 7 p.m. ET
St. John’s did not play this past week.
7. Providence Day (Charlotte, NC)
Record: 6-1
Next game: Thursday, Oct. 15, at Charlotte Latin (NC), 7 p.m. ET
The Chargers continued to roll this week, knocking out Ambassador Christian (NC) 51-14. Their early-season loss to in-state power Hough remains the only ding against Providence Day’s record as the calendar inches closer to the postseason.
8. Iona Prep (New Rochelle, NY)
Record: 6-0
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, vs. Fordham Prep (NY), 6 p.m. ET
New York’s top squad didn’t slow down this week, maintaining its perfect 6-0 record with a convincing 28-0 shutout over Cardinal Hayes (NY).
9. Roman Catholic (Philadelphia, PA)
Record: 4-2
Next game: Saturday, Oct. 17, at La Salle College (PA), 1 p.m. ET
Roman Catholic continues to build up a strong season after its tough, 0-2 start to the year. A 27-7 win over Cardinal O’Hara is their latest win tally as they look to La Salle College next week.
10. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ)
Record: 5-1
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, vs. DePaul Catholic (NJ), 7 p.m. ET
Don Bosco did not play this week.
11. DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, MD)
Record: 6-1
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, vs. Bishop McNamara (MD), 7 p.m. ET
Another week without much sweat off DeMatha’s back. The Stags took down Our Lady of Good Counsel (MD) 35-0 Friday, improving to 6-1 on the season.
12. Weddington (Matthews, NC)
Record: 8-0
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, at Porter Ridge (NC), 7 p.m. ET
The Warriors continued to earn their spot on this list this week as they improved to 8-0, shutting out a struggling Cuthbertson (NC) team 56-0.
13. Varina (Richmond, VA)
Record: 4-1-1
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, at Hanover (VA), 7 p.m. ET
Varina did not play this past week.
14. Catholic Memorial (West Roxbury, MA)
Record: 5-0
Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, vs. Xaverian Brothers (MA), 6 p.m. ET
It was more of the same for the Knights this week, who shut out Malden Catholic (MA) 41-0 to stay undefeated on the season.
15. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, NJ)
Record: 3-2
Next game: Saturday, Oct. 17, at Delbarton (NJ), 1 p.m. ET
The Crusaders took a bit of a tumble this week, going down in a tough 31-17 loss to Paramus Catholic. They’re now at 3-3 on the season after picking up a few losses early on, and will have the chance to hopefully steady themselves against Delbarton (NJ) next week.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA TODAY Sports Super 15 East region football rankings, Week 9
