As hard as it is to believe, the fifth week of the high school football season has arrived.
By this point in the season, we have a good idea which programs have separated themselves as the best of the best in the country, as represented by the latest USA TODAY Sports Super 25 rankings.
Where are the top teams in the country playing this week?
Only one member of the Super 25 won't be on the field this week as No. 23 Thomas County Central (GA) is off. Here's a look at what Super 25 teams play this week and who they'll be playing.
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Friday, Sept. 18, at Archbishop McCarthy (FL), 7 p.m. ET
The Raiders are on a roll and now take on an in-state program that may have started its season with a loss but has since won back-to-back games in blowout fashion. Dual-threat
quarterback Nate Merrell Jr. has accounted for 653 total yards of offense and eight touchdowns.
2. IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)
Friday, Sept. 18, at The First Academy (FL), 7 p.m. ET
After having the week off, the Ascenders will take on another Florida program that's unbeaten and winning either close defensive games, or in blowout fashion. Last week, the Royals cruised to a 42-0 win but the week prior they won 23-20 in overtime and only won 21-14 the week before that.
3. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, MD)
Friday, Sept. 18, vs. Hewlett Sports Academy (MD), 7 p.m. ET
After routing Bryant (AR) 40-7, the Panthers turn their attention to an in-state foe this week. That's bad news for a Hewlett squad that just got routed by The Hun School (NJ) and future Indiana quarterback Lukas Prock 69-0.
4. Buford (GA)
Friday, Sept. 18, at Grayson (GA), 7:30 p.m. ET
The Wolves passed their first massive test of the season beating Central (FL) 18-7 in a defensive slugfest. Their game against Grayson was circled by most as must-see entering the year and the Rams have bounced back nicely, winning back-to-back games after losing two straight to open the year.
5. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA)
Friday, Sept. 18, vs. Norco (CA), 7 p.m. PST
Inderkum (CA) posed no threat to the Eagles as Santa Margarita rolled to a 41-0 win last week. This week they'll play a stiffer challenge against a Norco side that's 4-0 and has outscored its opponents 216-47.
6. Allen (TX)
Thursday, Sept. 17, at Prosper, 7 p.m. CT
Ty Snell continued to show why he's one of the best quarterbacks not only in Texas, but in the country following a blowout win over Southlake Carroll (TX). Prosper has been equally impressive on offense but the Eagles have struggled on defense, giving up an average of 40 points per game.
7. Columbus (Miami, FL)
Friday, Sept. 18, at South Dade (FL), 7:30 p.m. ET
Five-star Miami commit A'Mir Sears and the Explorers were tied with Palmetto (FL) at the half but scored 27 points in the third to secure the 34-7 win. They'll be heavily favored against South Dade, but the Buccaneers did pick up their first win of the season, blowing out Homestead 48-0.
8. Thompson (Alabaster, AL)
Friday, Sept. 18, vs. Tuscaloosa County (AL), 7 p.m. CT
Throwing for 361 yards and five touchdowns in a 48-14 win over Spain Fork (AL), Alabama quarterback commit Trent Seaborn and the Warriors improved to 4-0. After playing the state's toughest schedule to start the season, they'll go against a winless Tuscaloosa County side that's been outscored 217-7 through four four games.
9. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)
Friday, Sept. 18, vs. Bishop Gorman, 7 p.m. PST
The Monarchs remained unbeaten with a 10-9 slugfest of a win over Centennial (CA). They'll look to maintain their perfect 5-0 record against Bishop Gorman at home Friday night.
10. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV)
Friday, Sept. 18, at Mater Dei, 7 p.m. PST
The Gaels will come into this week's massive matchup against Mater Dei rested after having last week off. They've never beaten the Monarchs but have come close, including last year's 27-24 classic.
11. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA)
Saturday, Sept. 19, at Saint Louis (HI), 7 p.m. HST
In the first of back-to-back games against Hawaii teams, the Braves were dominant, beating Kahuku (HI) 49-13. This week they'll head to Hawaii for a showdown with winless Saint Louis (HI).
12. Carrollton (GA)
Friday, Sept. 18, vs. West Charlotte (NC), 7:30 p.m. ET
Following a 63-7 win over Hapeville Charter (GA), the Trojans have now scored 60 or more points in three of their first four games. West Charlotte should prove to be their biggest test up to this point in the season as the Mighty Lions are 3-1 with their lone loss coming to Grimsley (NC) to open the year.
13. Baylor (Chattanooga, TN)
Friday, Sept. 18, vs. CPA (TN), 7 p.m. ET
Region play begins for Tennessee five-star running back commit David Gabriel Georges and the Red Raiders after going 4-0 against three out-of-state teams and a season-opening win over Brentwood Academy (TN). Coming off of his first 300-yard performance of the season, Gabriel Georges will look to build upon that against a winless CPA team that has been outscored 165-41.
14. Waxahachie (TX)
Friday, Sept. 18, vs. Lake Ridge (TX), 7 p.m. CT
Down early, Waxahachie took over late and sealed the deal on a 44-30 road win over Guyer (TX) with a late fumble return for a touchdown. Lake Ridge also had a shootout last week beating Lake Highlands (TX) 44-38 and the Eagles have now won back-to-back games after a season-opening loss.
15. Hamilton (Chandler, AZ)
Friday, Sept. 18, vs. Casteel (AZ), 7 p.m. MT
Hamilton was tested by Perry (AZ) and passed that test, holding on for a 30-22 victory. This week presents an opportunity for the Huskies to get back on track as Casteel is 0-3 but has suffered all three losses by a touchdown or less.
16. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, CA)
Friday, Sept. 18, vs. Orange Lutheran, 7 p.m. PST
Sierra Canyon's game against Saint Louis (HI) was called early due to a major injury suffered to a Saint Louis player. This week they turn their attention to an Orange Lutheran squad that's one point away from being unbeaten and has won three straight games.
17. North Shore (TX)
Friday, Sept. 18, at Crosby (TX), 7 p.m. CT
The Mustangs passed their first big test of the season, holding off South Oak Cliff (TX) 23-21. A road trip to Crosby won't get any easier this week as the Cougars cruised past Fort Bend Marshall (TX) 34-14 last week.
18. Brownsburg (IN)
Friday, Sept. 18, at Fishers (IN), 7 p.m. ET
Brownsburg's defense has gotten better week-to-week, and the Bulldogs have outscored their last two opponents 97-7. That trend should continue this week as they travel to a Fishers team that has not won and is losing by an average of 27.8 points.
19. North Crowley (TX)
Friday, Sept. 18, at Duncanville (TX), 7 p.m. CT
Duncanville and North Crowley was a game circled on most calendars in Texas entering the season. However, Duncanville's have had their struggles this season, dropping two of their first three games and having struggled on offense, that doesn't bode well against a stout North Crowley defense.
20. West Boca Raton (FL)
Friday, Sept. 18, vs. St. John's (DC), 6:30 p.m. ET
West Boca continues to stake its claim as the top defensive unit in the Sunshine State following a dominant 24-7 win over Cardinal Newman (FL). This week's challenge will be more of a unique one as the Bulls host one of the top teams out of the East region. St. John's had an impressive 21-18 win over Archbishop Spalding (MD) two weeks ago.
21. Hough (Cornelius, NC)
Saturday, Sept. 19, vs. Green Run (VA), 3 p.m. ET
The Huskies have been on a tear so far through four games, winning by an average of 24 points and have only allowed 33 total points. They'll get a shot this week against a Virginia side in Green Run that has only allowed six points during its first two games.
22. Washington (Massillon, OH)
Friday, Sept. 18, at St. Edward (OH), 7 p.m. ET
After rolling with relative ease through the first four games of their schedule, the Tigers face their biggest in-state challenge of the season Friday night, traveling to Lakewood with a showdown against unbeaten St. Edward. The Eagles have a pair of close wins over Olentangy Liberty (OH) and Archbishop Hoban (OH) but continue to find ways to win.
24. Centennial (Corona, CA)
Friday, Sept. 18, vs. Rancho Cucamonga (CA), 7 p.m. PST
The Huskies opened the season with a blowout win, but their offense has struggled in back-to-back weeks, resulting in a pair of one-point losses against nationally ranked foes. There's no nationally ranked team on the slate this week as they'll host a Rancho Cucamonga team that opened the season with back-to-back wins but has lost two straight games.
25. Trinity (Louisville, KY)
Friday, Sept. 18, vs. Male (KY), 7 p.m. ET
After losing their first game of the season to Baylor (TN), the Shamrocks finally turn their attention to an in-state opponent. Male is one of the winningest programs in the country all-time, but the Bulldogs were bullied in their game against St. Xavier (KY) last week, losing 37-7.
Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: High school football schedule: This week's slate for each Super 25 team
