The 2023 high school football season has arrived, with teams kicking off across the country in August.
That means the first USA TODAY Sports Super 25 is upon us, marking another beginning for an iconic franchise that began in 1982.
Last year's Super 25 was one of the tightest matches ever as St. John Bosco narrowly beat Mater Dei and Bishop Gorman, as well as Texas power Duncanville and Miami Central (Fla.).
How will things turn out this season? Ahead of the start of the Super 25, USA TODAY HSS is taking a look across the country at the five regions we use to create the national rankings:
First, is the Midwest region, which includes schools in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, west virginia, and Wisconsin.
Archbishop Mohler (Ohio)
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Moeller's 2023 team is led by one of the most exciting players in the nation: senior running back Jordan Marshall, who is ranked the No. 1 player overall in the State. Last season Marshall averaged 10.9 yards per carry and scored nine rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Crusaders went 13-2 against some heavy hitters, both in-state and out-of-state. This year they open the season at home against Ben Davies on Friday 18th August.
St. Edward (Lakeland, Ohio)
Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Always among the top teams in the Midwest, the Eagles went 15-1 last season en route to their sixth state championship since 2010. That streak included a shutout (6-0) victory over Archbishop Moeller. Their only loss of the year was by a field goal on the road against Washington. St. Edward will begin defending his title at Center Grove on Saturday the 19th.
East St. Louis (Ill.)
(Photo: Allen Trieu/247Sports)
The Flyers have lost just two games in 2022, both of which came early in the year by one score against national teams from the Academy of St. Frances (Md.) and Creekside (Ga.). They outscored everyone else, finishing the season 14-2 and culminating in a 50-point victory in the state championship game against Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge. It was their 10th state title and second in three years. East St. Louis plays its first home game of the season on Saturday, August 26, against Mt. Carmel of Chicago.
Center Grove (Ind.)
Syndicate: The Indianapolis Star
The Trojans went 12-2 last season, with one of their losses coming in a one-point double overtime against Trinity, Kentucky. This year they will continue to be led by four-star quarterback and Duke commit Tyler Cherry, who posted 2,269 passing yards and 26 total touchdowns as a junior. They will face a tough test to open the season as they begin their 2023 schedule on the road against St. Edward (Ohio) on the 19th.
Mill Valley (Kan.)
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Only one team topped the Jaguars last year, as Olathe North won 20-16 in mid-October. Mill Valley dusted the rest of their organization, culminating in a 28-14 victory over Maize in the Kansas state championship game – their fourth straight state title. Their new season begins at home on Friday, September 1 against Olathe Northwest.
St. Xavier (Ky.)
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The Tigers are coming off a strong 10-2 campaign that ended with a thrilling 22-21 overtime loss to Male at home. Three-star senior linebacker Ashton Jones (2 sacks, 4 tackles for a loss last year) will be among those to host Floyd Central on Friday, Aug. 18, for St. Louis' first game. Xavier for the 2023 season.
Belleville (Mich.)
Mick Walker, 247Sports
Belleville boasts one of the top prospects in the nation in five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, who is ranked No. 1 overall in the class of 2025. As a sophomore Underwood led the Tigers to a 14-0 record and second straight state title, throwing for 2,762 yards and 37 touchdowns. The Tigers open the 2023 season at River Rouge on Friday the 25th.
Southeast Polk (Iowa)
Reese Strickland-for the record
The Rams stumbled just once last season, losing to Ankeny 31-14 at home in September. It was smooth sailing from there as Polk finished 14-1 and crushed Valley 49-14 in the state championship game. Abu Sama (who scored six touchdowns in the title game) is now at Iowa State, but Polk still has starting quarterback Connor Moberly. The Rams' first game of 2023 will also be a rematch against Valley on the 25th.
Mankato West (Minn.)
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The Scarlets survived a few calls during the 2022 season, but kept a perfect record intact all the way to the state championship game, where they lost to Elk River by a field goal. Mankato West will take on Northfield at home on Friday, September 1st to open the new season.
Christian Brothers College (Mo.)
Kamryn Babb of Christian Brothers College (Photo: @kamm_o/Twitter)
The Cadets were easily defeated by East St. Louis by a score of 64-19 in their second game last season. After that, they completely dominated everyone they faced until the state championship against Lee's Summit North. It went to overtime, with Christian Brothers coming out on top, 35-28. This year they will begin their title defense on the road against Howell on Friday the 18th.
Others: Omaha Westside (Neb.) and Shanley, (Fargo, ND).
High School Football Live Streaming: NFHS Network
