Allen and Lake Travis (Austin), No. 1 and No. 5 respectively in the ESPNHS Texas High School Rankings, proved worthy of high standing with convincing road wins on Friday against ranked foes.
Allen went to 3-0 with a 42-23 win in Longview, where Lobos losses are rarer than rain these days.
Lake Travis unveiled a passing attack featuring junior Baker Mayfield that had Aledo on its heels all evening. The Cavaliers proved a fifth straight state title is doable after a 62-35 blowout.
Running back Johnathan Gray did give the Aledo fans reason to cheer when he broke the state’s all-time career touchdown record. He now has 148 after scoring four times against Lake Travis.
Defending Class 5A Division I state champion Pearland was the first casualty among top five ranked teams, losing to 2-1 Memorial, 17-14. The Oilers slipped 16 slots to No. 20.
Nationally, Steele moved into the final slot of the POWERADE FAB 50, leaving the number of Texas teams on the list at eight with Pearland dropping out.
Here's this week's top 25 (Last week's ranking in parentheses):
1. Allen 3-0 (1)
Senior quarterback Alec Morris threw for 368 yards and five touchdowns and Andrew Rodriguez made 11 catches for 212 yards and two scores in a 42-23 rout of 2-1 Longview. The Eagles, after an open week, begin District 8-5A play at 3-0 Plano on Sept. 23.
2. Katy 2-0 (2)
The Tigers enjoyed an open date and return to face 3-0 West Brook (Beaumont) on Saturday.
3. Euless Trinity 3-0 (3)
The Trojans out-gained Richland (North Richland Hills) 523 yards to 57 and rang up a 25-4 first down edge in a 64-0 landslide in a District 6-5A opener. Up next is a road trip to 0-3 Irving.