Flag football is finally in full swing.
The opening days and weeks of the season have already been a whirlwind — and we're just getting started.
The list has five new entrants this week, including a surging St. Charles North team in Illinois and strong Smith's Station (AL) and Dos Pueblos (CA) teams elevating themselves off of the preseason watch list. Centraland JSerra are still solidly at the top of our list, setting the standard as they dominate Arizona and California in their opening stretch.
A number of states — namely Arizona, Georgia Kansas, Maryland, North Carolina — have yet to kick off, so we're looking forward to having everyone on the field here soon.
Without further ado, here are the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 national flag football rankings after Week 1.
1. Central (Phenix City, Ala.)
There is no doubt that the Red Devils are the most dominant flag football team in the country right now. Central, who hasn't lost a game since 2022,started its season undefeated once again and have yet to allow a point through its first three games. Sophomore Deeana Amos is at the helm this year, taking over for her sister Mariah Harrison, and she looks as confident as ever, completing 30-of-45 passes for 516 yards and eight touchdowns in the first two games. There is no shortage of playmakers on this roster, but USA TODAY First-team All-America receiver Savannah Sevier leads the offense with 219 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.
Record: 3-0
Previous ranking: 1
2. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
The Lions are looking just as dominant as expected. Jumping out to a 9-0 start in California’s fast-paced flag football season, JSerra has already logged three shutouts and come away with dominating wins over other top Golden State teams like No. 8 Orange Lutheran and No. 6 Newport Harbor. They’re looking pretty untouchable, headlined by QB Kate Meier throwing at a 75% completion rate for 2,329 yards on the season and USA TODAY First-team All-America receiver Tessa Russell hauling in 10 TDs and logging 826 receiving yards across their nine games.
Record: 9-0
Previous ranking: 3
3. Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
There were some questions as to whether Mountain Vista would continue its dominance without quarterback and MaxPreps National Flag Football Player of the Year Ariana Akey; however, Peyton Marr has quickly filled that gap. The junior has completed 71-of-102 passes for 733 yards and 10 touchdowns, while adding 88 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. On defense, sophomore Devyn Dole has had a hot start to her varsity debut, racking up 23 flag pulls, five sacks and an interception through three games. While there are still plenty of games to be played, the Golden Eagles' undefeated record is a good starting point for their quest at a three-peat.
Record: 3-0
Previous ranking: 6
4. Greenbrier (Evans, Ga.)
Begin on Sept. 19.
Record: 0-0
Previous ranking: 4
5. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
Begin on Sept. 15.
Record: 0-0
Previous ranking: 2
6. Newport Harbor (Newport Beach, Calif.)
Convincing wins over No. 15 Huntington Beach and SoCal power Edison bump Newport Harbor up the list this week. A constant force in the Sunset League – and its three-time defending champions – the Sailors look primed for another incredibly strong season.
Record: 9-1
Previous ranking: 20
7. North Oconee (Bogart, Ga.)
Begin on Sept. 21
Record: 0-0
Previous ranking: 12
8. Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)
There were questions about how Orange Lutheran would fare this season when USA TODAY First-Team All-American Makena Cook, their national star of a quarterback, transferred to Sierra Canyon – but the answer seems to be just fine. Their only loss through the season’s opening nine games has come at the hands of a borderline untouchable JSerra squad, and the eight tallies in their win column have been dominant, with five of them coming in the form of shutouts. Senior Alyssa McClure has been the one tapped to take up the quarterback job in Cook’s absence, and has already tallied 1,306 passing yards and 21 touchdown passes.
Record: 7-1
Previous ranking: 13
9. Moody (Ala.)
After earning its first-ever state title last season, Moody has carried that momentum into the start of this year — and much of the credit belongs to quarterback Serenity Rutledge. The junior has had quite the start to the season, completing 90% of her passes for 462 yards and seven touchdowns through the first two games. She's also shown off her speed, adding 136 rushing yards and four touchdowns. And when she isn't throwing or running the ball, she's making plays on defense, as she's already recorded three interceptions. Moody has a challenging schedule ahead, but if Rutledge continues to play at this level, the wins should keep coming.
Record: 2-0
Previous ranking: 17
10. Willowbrook (Villa Park, Ill.)
Willowbrook has wasted no time taking over the top spot in Illinois from a struggling Maine South team, and has been looking pretty dominant in their unbeaten opening run. Two of their five victories thus far have come in the form of commanding shutouts, highlighting a strong defense headlined by senior Janell Adams, who has 12 sacks on the season and an average of five flag pulls per game.
Record: 5-0
Previous ranking: 14
11. Legend (Parker, Colo.)
What makes the Titans so special is their depth. There isn't just one standout player — they can rely on a different playmaker on any given day. Through four games, four receivers have topped 100 receiving yards, led by junior Ella Smith with 193 yards and five touchdowns. Quarterback Addyson Law is averaging 268.7 yards per game, while the defense has been just as dominant, with two of their four games being shutouts. Senior Torie Curdie has been a force on both sides of the ball, totaling 12 sacks for 75 yards lost while also serving as one of the Titans top offensive targets. Legend's matchup against Mountain Vista on Sept. 10 will be a game to keep an eye on.
Record: 4-0
Previous ranking: 10
12. Red Mountain (Mesa, Ariz.)
Begin on Sept. 17.
Record: 0-0
Previous ranking: 8
13. Vestavia Hills (Ala.)
After a disappointing loss to Central in last year's AHSAA Class 6A-7A State Championship, Vestavia Hills has started off its season on the right track with five wins. While the Rebels have used multiple players at quarterback, junior Eden Logan has seen the most action, throwing for 751 yards and 10 touchdowns while running in another two touchdowns. While they have yet to face any of the other Alabama teams in this week's Super 25, they are on the right track to establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the state.
Record: 5-0
Previous ranking: 11
14. South Anchorage (Alaska)
South Anchorage has been off to an unbelievable start, holding their opponents to zero scores through six games. Meadow Morris leads the defense with 43 flag pulls while the Wolverines altogether have totaled 19 sacks and 12 interceptions. Senior quarterback Avery Steadham has thrown for 522 yards and 10 touchdowns — six of which have gone to senior Darby D'Amico, who also has four of the team's 12 interceptions. However, much of the Wolverines success can also be attributed to their ground game. Senior Brooklyn Shankar has totaled 237 rushing yards and two touchdowns to help put South Anchorage in a great spot after Week 1.
Record: 6-0
Previous ranking: 16
15. Huntington Beach (Huntington Beach, Calif.)
The Oilers haven't been looking bad by any stretch, but a shutout loss to Newport Harbor and a tight one to Corona del Mar bumps Huntington Beach down just a few pegs this week. In the win column, however, they've doled out a few shutouts of their own in strong showings against Fountain Valley, Redondo Union and the Classical Academy and have a league matchup with Edison on Wednesday that should be a good one to keep an eye on. Star QB Roxie Shaia is keeping it pushing, throwing for 1,290 yards and 14 touchdowns so far.
Record: 6-2
Previous ranking: 7
16. Pope (Marietta, Ga.)
Begin on Sept. 26
Record: 0-0
Previous ranking: 15
17. Marana (Tucson, Ariz.)
Begin on Sept. 15
Record: 0-0
Previous ranking: 18
18. McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)
Begin on Sept. 19.
Record: 0-0
Previous ranking: 22
19. Dos Pueblos (Goleta, Calif.)
Dos Pueblos’ early games, complete with wins over Redondo Union and Classical Academy, have pointed to an expectedly strong season for the perennial power Chargers. They’ve faltered at points – a 28-0 shutout loss to No. 2 JSerra, for example, leaving some room for improvement – but it is still early. They’ve been rotating in a few players at QB, with senior Ruby Streatfeild slotting in most often so far with 651 passing yards and 215 rushing yards across their eight games.
Record: 9-2
Previous ranking: Watch List
20. St. Charles North (St. Charles, Ill.)
They may be a newcomer to this list, but the North Stars have come roaring in. A 27-12 win over defending state champs Maine South caught them some eyes, despite the fact that the Hawks seem to be struggling a bit this season, and wins over other strong Illinois programs like Romeoville and Jacobs solidified them as a team to keep an eye on.
Record: 4-0
Previous ranking: N/A
21. The Classical Academy (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
The Classical Academy is off to an incredible start this season and have earned three-straight shutouts to move up in the Week 1 rankings. The Titans, who are led by quarterback Kelsey Peterson, have an extremely deep roster. Five receivers have already racked up over 100 yards and six have hauled in a touchdown. It's hard to watch the Titans without taking note of sisters Reagan and Kennedy Harter who dominate on both sides of the ball. Reagan, a junior, has eight touchdowns, 21 flag pulls and 13 sacks through five games while Kennedy, a freshman, has 320 all-purpose yards, six touchdowns, two interceptions and has also completed 13-of-24 passes at quarterback.
Record: 5-0
Previous ranking: 24
22. Gilbert Highland (Gilbert, Ariz.)
Begin on Sept. 15.
Record: 0-0
Previous ranking: N/A
23. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
The Trailblazers were an unknown factor heading into their inaugural season this year, but they already had the star power in transfers Makena Cook (QB), Ava Irwin (WR/DB) and Happy DuBois (WR/DB). They’ve had a few kinks to work out as they field a team that, aside from those big names, is largely learning to play the sport for the first time, but they’re starting to settle in.
Record: 6-2
Previous ranking: 25
24. Smith's Station (Smiths, Ala.)
Smith's Station is off to an undefeated start, earning its way into the Week 1 rankings. Quarterback Brooke Norred has been phenomenal at the helm, completing 64-of-88 passes for 892 yards and 15 touchdowns — with five of those going to sophomore Reagan Thomas. While there is still a lot of season left, we'll want to keep an eye on the Panthers' next two games against Moody and Boaz, two other Alabama powerhouses.
Record: 3-0
Previous ranking: Watch list
25. Wakefield (Raleigh, N.C.)
Begins on Sept. 9.
Record:
Previous ranking: Watch list
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: National high school flag football rankings: USA TODAY Sports Super 25, Week 2
