It's been a chaotic week.
After four weeks atop this list, Alabama powerhouse Central snapped its four-year, 62-game win streak with a 20-12 loss to Merced (CA) this week, leaving the top slot up for grabs, shaking up their own season and catapulting Merced into its Super 25 debut. The typical California powers have maintained their perch at the top of this week's rankings, and North Carolina's Wakefield is on the move after officially kicking off its own season.
As more states begin to kick off their seasons this month, here are the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 national flag football rankings for Week 4:
1. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
They’ve finally taken the crown. The Lions land themselves on top
of the Super 25 for the first time this week, following the first loss in four years for previous No. 1 Central (AL). They held on to their undefeated record through a busy, five-game week, led nearly flawlessly again by sophomore QB Kate Meier. In their 41-7 win over Santa Margarita (CA) last week, Meier threw for 288 yards and four touchdowns with zero interceptions.
Record: 15-0
Previous ranking: 2
2. Orange Lutheran (CA)
The Lancers get a boost over Newport Harbor this week, holding the line to add four more victories to their tally – including one over previous No. 1 Central (AL). Senior QB Alyssa McClure threw 24-for-32 for 223 yards and three touchdowns in that victory, while sophomore Annie Hoogeveen led on the other side of the ball with seven flag pulls.
Record: 14-1
Previous ranking: 5
3. Newport Harbor (Newport Beach, Calif.)
The Sailors slip behind Orange Lutheran this week on the back of too-tight victories over Huntington Beach (CA) and Carlsbad (CA) and a loss to JSerra, but they’ve still been in good form. Newport Harbor’s squad has logged wins against Mission Hills, Carlsbad and Corona del Mar since we last spoke, and have a rematch with Huntington Beach coming up Wednesday that we’ll definitely be keeping an eye on.
Record: 15-2
Previous ranking: 3
4. Greenbrier (Evans, Ga.)
Begin on Sept. 19.
Record: 0-0
Previous ranking: 4
5. Central (AL)
The biggest news of the week came when Central lost not once, but twice, ending its 62-game winning streak at the MaxPreps Flag Football Showdown. After establishing themselves as an Alabama powerhouse the past four years, claiming three-straight AHSAA Class 6A-7A state titles, the Red Devils took their talent to California to face some of the toughest teams in the nation. These losses, however, came to two of the most talented teams in the nation – Merced and Orange Lutheran. While being in the losing column is a new feeling for the Red Devils, don’t get used to seeing them there, as they are still one of the most dominant teams in the country.
Record: 5-2
Previous ranking: 1
6. Willowbrook (Villa Park, Ill.)
Willowbrook is still the reigning monarch of Illinois, and it still has yet to drop a game. Senior Kaitlyn Santos has been taking the majority of the snaps, throwing 10-for-15 for 215 yards and three touchdowns vs. Stagg this week, while Madeline Carine also made the most of her time at the helm with two passing touchdowns coming from just six throws. A lot of those balls were headed for Mckenzie Edison, who caught for 247 yards and three TDs in that game.
Record: 9-0
Previous ranking: 7
7. Moody (AL)
Not far behind Central lies another Alabama powerhouse in Moody. The Blue Devils handed Vestavia Hills its first loss of the season in a 28-7 victory to continue its undefeated streak. Junior quarterback Serenity Rutledge continues to show off her accuracy and speed, completing 17-of-21 passes for 204 yards and four touchdowns while also adding 134 yards on the ground. Moody followed that game up with another victory, blanking I3 Academy 49-0.
Record: 6-0
Previous ranking: 6
8. Mountain Vista (CO)
After a disappointing loss to Grandview last week, Mountain Vista bounced back with a crucial statement win over Legend, 33-14, to reclaim the top spot in the Colorado rankings. Junior quarterback Peyton Marr was extremely accurate, completing 28-of-36 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns. The Golden Eagles’ defense, however, might have been the key to this win. The team had four interceptions, two sacks and totaled 28 flag pulls while allowing just two scores in the victory.
Record: 6-1
Previous ranking: 12
9. North Oconee (Bogart, Ga.)
Begin on Sept. 21
Record: 0-0
Previous ranking: 9
10. Marana (Tucson, Ariz.)
Begin on Sept. 15.
Record: 0-0
Previous ranking: 11
11. Legend (CO)
Legend took its first loss of the season to Mountain Vista last week in what might have been the top game in Colorado this season. However, the Titans bounced right back with a 68-0 win over Highlands Ranch. Junior quarterback Addyson Law completed 16-of-20 passes for 186 yards and five touchdowns as 11 different receivers got their hands on the ball. Mountain Vista might have been Legend’s toughest battle of the regular season, so the Titans will look to keep that their only loss.
Record: 6-1
Previous ranking: 8
12. Gilbert Highland (Gilbert, Ariz.)
Begin on Sept. 15.
Record: 0-0
Previous ranking: 14
13. Smith’s Station (AL)
Smith’s Station made a big jump this week after a massive 54-0 win over JAG. Senior quarterback Brooke Norred had a near-perfect game, completing 19-of-20 passes for 266 yards and seven touchdowns — with six different receivers finding the endzone. The Panthers still have a number of challenging matchups on their schedule, but will look to keep Moody as its only loss of the season.
Record: 5-1
Previous ranking: 24
14. St. Charles North (St. Charles, Ill.)
St. Charles North is on the way up. The North Stars picked up three victories to maintain their perfect record this week, with two of those coming in the form of dominant shutouts. Four different players caught touchdowns in their 33-0 victory over Oswego East, with junior star Alexzandria Richardson doubling up with an additional rushing touchdown.
Record: 12-0
Previous ranking: 18
15. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
Begin on Sept. 15.
Record: 0-0
Previous ranking: 16
16. Pope (Marietta, Ga.)
Begin on Sept. 26.
Record: 0-0
Previous ranking: 17
17. Huntington Beach (Huntington Beach, Calif.)
Huntington Beach suffered a tough, 8-7 loss against Huntington Beach (CA) this week, buffered by wins over San Marcos (CA), McClatchy (CA) and Marina (CA). Next up is already a rematch with Newport Harbor, a great opportunity for the Oilers to move up through the California flag ecosystem if they can squeeze out the win this time.
Record: 9-3
Previous ranking: 19
18. Wakefield (Raleigh, N.C.)
Flag football in North Carolina is finally up and running, and Wakefield has hit the ground running. Out to a 4-0 start to their season, with three of those four being shutouts, the Wolverines are looking primed for a strong title defense run in the Tar Heel state’s first officially sanctioned season.
Record: 4-0
Previous ranking: 25
19. Dos Pueblos (Goleta, Calif.)
The Chargers just keep charging. Adding two more dominant wins to their tally this week – 49-0 over Lompoc (CA) and 27-6 over Ventura (CA) – to push up to 12-2, Dos Pueblos is riding a nine-game win streak into next week and primed to keep crawling up the rankings.
Record: 12-2
Previous ranking: 20
20. Merced (Merced, Calif.)
The Bears storm into the Super 25 this week, fresh off a headline-making victory over Central (AL) that ended the previous four-year, 62-game winning streak. Senior Averie Steverson was all over the field against the Bobcats, logging 10 receptions for 127 yards and three touchdowns. They’ve strung together a pretty strong, 12-2 season so far, with the main outlier being a close loss to Los Gatos (CA) this week. We’ll be eager to see if their season keeps heading in the right direction.
Record: 12-2
Previous ranking: Not Ranked
21. Dimond (AK)
Dimond earned a huge 6-0 overtime win over former No. 13 South Anchorage last week, earning it a spot in this week's rankings. Sophomore quarterback Emaani Fleming has yet to throw an interception this season and has averaged 46.1 yards per game on the ground through ten games. The Lynx now remain as the only undefeated team in Alaska with just eight games left in the regular season. Later this month, however will be a crucial rematch between Dimond and South Anchorage.
Record: 10-0
Previous ranking: unranked
22. McEachern (GA)
Begin Sept. 19.
Record: 0-0
Previous ranking: 21
23. The Classical Academy (CO)
The Titans remain perfect at the midpoint in the season after grabbing wins from Coronado and Fountain-Fort Carson in the past week. While they eased past Coronado 52-14, Fountain-Fort Carson caused them some trouble offensively, as they scored their lowest amount of points all season. However, a win is a win, and The Classical Academy continues to do just that.
Record: 8-0
Previous ranking: 22
24. Vestavia Hills (AL)
It was a tough week for Vestavia Hills, as it earned its first two losses of the season to Moody and Oak Mountain. With Vestavia Hills' starting quarterback Eden Logan still out with a leg injury, the Rebels have struggled to find poise and momentum — especially on offense. Freshman Alana Anderegg has taken over at the helm, but the Rebels are still searching for ways to win without their star player.
Record: 7-2
Previous ranking:
25. South Anchorage (AK)
Not only did South Anchorage allow its first points of the season, but it also suffered its first loss to Dimond in a battle of two undefeated teams. While the Wolverines only lost 6-0 in overtime, the offense was limited all game, totaling just 143 yards. The two teams will face off once again at the end of the month, as the Lynx will try to even the matchup.
Record: 8-1
Previous ranking: 13
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: National high school flag football rankings: USA TODAY Sports Super 25, Week 4
