USA Today Releases Preseason Super 25

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

USA Today was the first media outlet to put out national high school football rankings way back in 1982.

Since then, many other media outlets have jumped into the who's #1 game.  However, many coaches, fans, players and teams consider USA Today the authority when it comes to crowning the "mythical" national champ.

Today, USA Today writer Jim Halley released his 2011 Preseason Super 25.

At the top of USA Today's list is Don Bosco Prep from Ramsey, New Jersey.  The Ironmen were also tapped as the #1 team in MaxPreps.com's preseason poll.

Right behind DBP is St. Thomas Aquinas from Florida.  The Raiders are no strangers to national championships, having won the USA Today national title in 2008.  This year, STA begins the Rocco Casullo-era.  Casullo, the Raiders' former defensive coordinator, takes over the reigns of the program from the legendary George Smith, who resigned earlier this year.

2010 USA Today national champ South Panola could be back in the hunt this year.  The Tigers begin the season ranked #12 in the Super 25.

BTW...the only time a team has repeated as USA Today national champs was in 2001, 2002 and 2003 when De La Salle (Concord, CA) was on its national record 151-game win streak.  The Spartans begin 2011 ranked #6 by U

Below is the rest of the poll:

USA Super 25 Preseason High School Football Rankings

1. Don Bosco Prep (NJ)
2. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL)
3. Prattville (AL)
4. St. Edward (OH)
5. Allen (TX)
6. De La Salle (CA)
7. Mullen (CO)
8. Servite (CA)
9. Byrnes (SC)
10. Armwood (FL)
11. Mission Viejo (CA)
12. South Panola (MS)
13. Bishop Gorman (NV)
14. Grayson (GA)
15. Oaks Christian (CA)
16. Camden County (GA)
17. Good Counsel (MD)
18. Katy (TX)
19. Miami Central (FL)
20. Warren Central (IN)
21. Miramar (FL)
22. Maine South (IL)
23. Bellevue (WA)
24. Desert Ridge (AZ)
25. Daphne (AL)

Final USA Today Super 25 Rankings

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Euless Trinity's (Texas) loss was South Panola's  (Batesville, MS) gain in the final USA Super 25 high school football rankings.

Trinity spent the entire season at the top of the Top 25, but Saturday's 28-24 loss to #18 Pearland in the Texas Class 5A Division I championship game dropped the Trojans to #11 in the final poll and allowed the Mississippi champs to claim the mythical national title.

South Panola claimed the #1 spot thanks to its state record ninth state championship on December 4th when the Tigers beat previously unbeaten Meridian 28-7.  It was the Tigers 27th straight win.

Euless Trinity's saw its 28-game win streak end on the next to last play of the game when Brandon Carter couldn't bring down the ball in the end zone.  Pearland finished ninth in the final poll.

USA Today Super 25

1. South Panola (MS) 15-0
2. De La Salle (CA) 14-0
3. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 15-0
4. Bingham (UT) 13-0
5. Hamilton (AZ) 15-0
6. Phoebus (VA) 15-0
7. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 12-0
8. Miami Central (FL) 14-1
9. Pearland (TX) 15-0
10. Wheaton Warrenville South (IL) 14-0
11. Euless Trinity (TX) 14-1
12. St. Edward (OH) 15-0
13. Daphne (AL) 15-0
14. Mullen (CO) 14-0
15. Byrnes (SC) 12-3
16. Butler (NC) 16-0
17. Fishers (IN) 14-1
18. Cocoa (FL) 13-0
19. North Allegheny (PA) 15-1
20. Folsom (CA) 14-1
21. Palo Alto (CA) 15-0
22. Everett (MA) 12-0
23. Brookville (GA) 14-1
24. Centennial (CA) 14-1
25. Lake Travis (TX) 14-2

Latest USA Today High School Football Rankings Released

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Only one new team enters this week's USA Today Super 25.

Jenks High School in Oklahoma enters the poll at #25 after improving to 4-0 this season with a win over Shawnee last Friday.

Bishop Gorman from Nevada leaves the rankings after losing to #9 De La Salle (Concord, CA).  The Gaels entered the game ranked #18.  It was their second loss of the season after losing to #8 Hamilton (Chandler, AZ) in its season-opener.

Otherwise, the top twelve teams remain unchanged....

1. Euless Trinity (TX) 5-0, LW: #1
2. South Panola (MS) 5-0, LW: #2
3. Bingham (UT) 5-0, LW: #3
4. Phoebus (VA) 4-0, LW: #4
5. Manatee (FL) 3-0, LW: #5
6. Camden County (GA) 4-0, LW: #6
7. Hoover (AL) 5-0, LW: #7
8. Hamilton (AZ) 6-0, LW: #8
9. De La Salle (CA) 3-0, LW: #9
10. Har-Ber (AK) 4-0, LW: #10
11. Glenville (OH) 5-0, LW: #11
12. Cocoa (FL) 4-0, LW: #12
13. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 3-0, LW: #14
14. North Gwinett (GA) 5-0, LW: #15
15. Don Bosco Prep (CA), 3-0, LW: #16
16. West Monroe (LA) 4-0, LW: #13
17. Dorman (SC) 5-0, LW: #17
18. Katy (TX) 4-0, LW: #19
19. Grant (CA) 4-0, LW: #21
20. Miami Central (FL) 3-1, LW: #22
21. Glades Central (FL) 4-0, LW: #20
22. Warren Central (IN) 5-1, LW: #23
23. Mullen (CO) 4-0, LW: #24
24. Wheaton Warrenville South (IL) 5-0, LW: #25
25. Jenks (OK) 4-0, LW: NR

New USA Today Super 25 Rankings

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

There are three new teams in this week's USA Today Super 25 thanks to post-season losses by former #8 St. Ignatius (OH) and #21 Rock Hill (SC), and #18 Booker T. Washington's loss on the last weekend of the regular season in Florida.

The biggest shock was the loss by St. Ignatius to Cleveland-area rival Glenville. The Tarblooders moved into the national rankings at #18 with a surprisingly easy 30-13 victory that snapped the Wildcats 25-game win streak and hopes of defending their 2008 Division I championship.

If you missed the highlights over the weekend at the Ohio High School Football Huddle, you can check a great video piece by the Cleveland Plain Dealer below.

The two other new Super 25 teams are Union (OK) at #24 and Grant (CA) at #25.

High school football: Glenville defeats St. Ignatius

USA Today Super 25

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 10-0, LW: #1
2. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 9-0, LW: #2
3. Byrnes (SC) 11-1, LW: #3
4. Centennial (AZ) 12-0, LW: #4
5. Oaks Christian (CA) 10-0, LW: #5
6. Oscar Smith (VA) 11-0, LW: #6
7. Cedar Hill (TX) 11-0, LW: #7
8. Highlands (KY) 12-0, LW: #9
9. Maine South (IL) 12-0, LW: #11
10. The Woodlands (TX) 11-0, LW: #10
11. Madison Central (MS) 12-0, LW: #12
12. Katy (TX) 10-1, LW: #13
13. Grayson (GA) 11-0, LW: #14
14. DeMatha (MD) 11-0, LW: #16
15. West Monroe (LA) 11-0, LW: #15
16. Jenks (OK) 11-0, LW: #17
17. North Penn (PA) 11-0, LW: #19
18. Glenville (OH) 11-1, LW: NR
19. Lowndes (GA) 10-1, LW: #20
20. Northwestern (FL) 9-1, LW: #22
21. Skyline (TX) 11-0, LW: #23
22. Crenshaw (CA) 10-0, LW: #24
23. Stevenson (MI) 12-0, LW; #25
24. Union (OK) 10-1, LW: NR
25. Grant (CA) 10-0, LW; NR

Latest USA Today Super 25 High School Football Rankings

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

The faces remain the same, but not all in the same position is the latest USA Today Super 25 high school football rankings. As you look at the rankings below you'll notice mostly flip-flopping of one position between teams.

The only change in the Top 10 at #6 and #7 where Oscar Smith (VA) and Stony Point (TX) changed places.

The biggest test to the rankings will come this Saturday when #12 St. Xavier (OH) squares-off with defending Ohio Division I champ St. Ignatius, which climbed three spots this week to #22.

USA Today Super 25
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 6-0, LW: #1
2. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 5-0, LW: #2
3. Byrnes (SC) 7-1, LW: #3
4. Centennial (AZ) 8-0, LW: #4
5. Oaks Christian (CA) 6-0, LW: #5
6. Oscar Smith (VA) 7-0, LW: #7
7. Stony Point (TX) 7-0, LW: #6
8. Cedar Hill (TX) 7-0, LW: #8
9. Highlands (KY) 8-0, LW: #9
10. The Woodlands (TX) 7-0, LW: #11
11. Maine South (IL) 8-0, LW: #12
12. St. Xavier (OH) 7-1, LW: #10
13. Katy (TX) 6-1, LW: #13
14. Madison Central (MS) 8-0, LW: #14
15. Grayson (GA) 8-0, LW: #16
16. Skyline (WA) 6-1, LW; #17
17. Booker T. Washington (FL) 7-0, LW: #15
18. DeMatha (MD) 7-0, LW: #18
19. West Monroe (LA) 7-0, LW: #19
20. Jenks (OK) 7-0, LW: 20
21. North Penn (PA) 7-0, LW: #21
22. St. Ignatius (OH) 8-0, LW: #25
23. Rock Hill (SC) 8-0, LW: #22
24. Lowndes (GA) 6-1, LW: #24
25. Northwestern (FL) 5-1, LW: #23

Latest USA Today and National Prep Football Poll Rankings

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle










Both USA Today and PrepNation.com added two new teams to the latest rankings this week. North Penn (Lansdale, PA) and Rock Hill (SC) enter USA Today Super 25 at #23 and #25 respectively. Phoebus (Hampton, VA) and Mullen (Denver, CO) are the newcomers to the National Prep Football Poll.

There are some changes in both that make you say huh?? For example, despite a road victory against #17 Skyline (Sammamish, WA), Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, CA) falls two spots to #8. By the way, Skyline only fell two spots to #19.


In the National Prep Football Poll, Elder (Cincinnati, OH) falls ten spots from #5 to #15. They actually flipped spots with defending Ohio Division 1 champ St. Ignatius (Cleveland, OH). Both teams won last week?

Here are the rankings...

USA Today Super 25

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 2-0, LW: #1
2. Byrnes (SC) 4-0, LW: #2
3. Elder (OH) 4-0, LW: #3
4. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 1-0, LW: #4
5. Northwestern (FL) 2-0, LW: #5
6. Oscar Smith (VA) 3-0, LW: #7
7. Centennial (AZ) 4-0, LW: #8
8. Oaks Christian (CA) 3-0, LW: #6
9. Stony Point (TX) 3-0, LW: #9
10. Lowndes (GA) 4-0, LW: #10
11. Cedar Hill (TX) 4-0, LW: #11
12. The Woodlands (TX) 4-0, LW: #12
13. Maine South (IL) 4-0, LW: #14
14. Katy (TX) 3-1, LW: #13
15. Madison Central (MS) 4-0, LW: #15
16. St. Bonaventure (CA) 3-0, LW: #16
17. St. Xavier (OH) 4-0, LW: #19
18. Grayson (GA) 4-0, LW: #18
19. Skyline (WA) 2-1, LW: #17
20. DeMatha (MD) 3-0, LW: #20
21. West Monroe (LA) 3-0, LW: #22
22. Jenks (OK) 3-0, LW: #24
23. North Penn (PA) 3-0, LW: NR
24. De La Salle (CA) 1-1, LW: #25
25. Rock Hill (SC) 4-0, LW: NR

Dropped out: #21 Mt. Carmel (IL) and #23 Longview (TX)

National Prep Football Poll

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 2-0, LW: #1
2. Byrnes (SC) 4-0, LW: #2
3. Northwestern (FL) 2-0, LW: #3
4. Lowndes (GA) 4-0, LW: #4
5. St. Ignatius (OH) 4-0, LW: #15
6. Servite (CA) 3-0, LW: #10
7. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 1-0, LW: #7
8. Cedar Hill (TX) 4-0, LW: #6
9. Oscar Smith (VA) 3-0, LW: #8
10. St. Bonaventure (CA) 3-0, LW: #12
11. Oaks Christian (CA) 3-0, LW: #13
12. Miami Central (FL) 3-0, LW: #11
13. St. Xavier (OH) 4-0, LW: #19
14. Lakeland (FL) 2-0, LW: #14
15. Elder (OH) 4-0, LW: #5
16. Centennial (AZ) 4-0, LW: #16
17. Grayson (GA) 4-0, LW: #17
18. Skyline (TX) 3-0, LW: #18
19. DeMatha (MD) 3-0, LW: #19
20. Jenks (OK) 3-0, LW: #21
21. Stony Point (TX) 3-0, LW: #22
22. John Curtis (LA) 2-0, LW: #23
23. Independence (NC) 5-0, LW: #24
24. Phoebus (VA) 3-0, LW: NR
25. Mullen (CO) 4-0, LW: NR

Dropped out: #9 Skyline and #25 Good Council

One New Team in USA Today Super 25

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

One Oklahoma team in one Oklahoma team out. That's the only change big change in the latest USA Today Super 25 high school football rankings. Jenks (OK), which beat previous #15 Union 27-25 on Friday, moves in the Top 25 at #24 this week. There's no change in the first thirteen spots. De La Salle (Concord, CA) drops from #14 to #25 after losing to #4 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) 30-6 on Saturday.

USA Today Super 25
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 2-0, LW: #1
2. Byrnes (SC) 3-0, LW: #2
3. Elder (OH) 3-0, LW: #3
4. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 1-0, LW: #4
5. Northwestern (FL) 1-0, LW: #5
6. Oaks Christian (CA) 2-0, LW: #6
7. Oscar Smith (VA) 2-0, LW: #7
8. Centennial (AZ) 3-0, LW: #8
9. Stony Point (TX) 3-0, LW: #9
10. Lowndes (GA) 3-0, LW: #10
11. Cedar Hill (TX) 3-0, LW: #11
12. The Woodlands (TX) 3-0, LW: #12
13. Katy (TX) 2-1, LW: #13
14. Maine South (IL) 3-0, LW: #16
15. Madison Central (MS) 4-0, LW: #17
16. St. Bonaventure (CA) 2-0, LW: #18
17. Skyline (WA) 2-0, LW: #19
18. Grayson (GA) 3-0, LW; #20
19. St. Xavier (OH) 3-0, LW: #21
20. DeMatha (MD) 2-0, LW: #23
21. Mount Carmel (IL) 3-0, LW: #24
22. West Monroe (LA) 2-0, LW: #22
23. Longview (TX) 3-0, LW: #25
24. Jenks (OK) 2-0, LW: NR
25. De La Salle (CA) 1-1, LW: #14

USA Today Super 25

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Two Top 25 teams saw their 2008 seasons come to a close on a down note over the weekend. Former #3 Gateway (Monroeville, PA) lost 10-6 to Bethel Park in the WPIAL AAAA championship game, which moves BP into the poll at #23. Also new to the poll is Utah's Timpview, which won its third straight 4A title last weekend. The Thunderbirds take over the #24 spot vacated by Northside (Warner Robins, GA), which lost to unbeaten Camden County in the second round of the Georgia high school football playoffs.

Here's the new Top 25...

1. Trinity (Euless, TX) 12-0, LW: #1
2. St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 11-0, LW: #2
3. Armwood (Seffner, FL) 11-0, LW: #4
4. Lowndes (Valdosta, GA) 11-0, LW: #6
5. Centennial (Corona, CA) 11-0, LW: #7
6. Long Beach Poly (CA) 11-0, LW: #5
7. Skyline (Issaquah, WA) 12-0, LW: #8
8. Madison County (Madison, FL) 10-0, LW: #9
9. Lakeland (FL) 11-0, LW: #11
10. South Panola (Batesville, MS) 13-0, LW: #10
11. Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA) 13-0, LW: #12
12. Dorman (Roebuck, SC) 13-0, LW: #13
13. Lake Travis (Austin, TX) 12-0, LW: #14
14. Allen (TX) 11-1, LW: #15
15. Stone Bridge (Ashburn, VA) 13-0, LW: #16
16. St. Ignatius (Cleveland, OH) 13-1, LW: #17
17. St. Xavier (Louisville, KY) 11-0, LW: #18
18. Elder (Cincinnati, OH) 13-1, LW: #19
19. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) 9-1, LW: #20
20. River Hill (Clarksville, MD) 12-0, LW: #21
21. De La Salle (Concord, CA) 9-1, LW: #22
22. Byrnes (Duncan, SC) 12-1, LW: #23
23. Bethel Park (PA) 13-0, LW: NR
24. Timpview (Provo, UT) 13-0, LW: NR
25. Oceanside (CA) 9-0-1, LW: #25

#3 Gateway (PA) Proves It's Worthy of Pre-Season National Hype

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle


The national high school football polls claimed that Gateway, not Penn Hills was worthy of a national ranking. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette felt differently, ranking Penn Hills #1 and Gateway #2 in it's pre-season poll.

Friday night, Gateway behind tiny 5-foot-7 Brian Williams' 210 yards rushing beat Penn Hills 45-17 in the opener for both teams.

Click here for a game wrap from the Post-Gazette.

For more from the Keystone State, click here to go to the Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle.

Another USA Today Super 25 Team Falls....This Time It's #25 Parkland (PA)

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle


Why should pre-season high school football rankings be eliminated until about a month into the season? Just witness that tonight Parkland (Orefield, PA), #25 in the USA Today Super 25 pre-season poll, became the third team in the first two weeks to lose its season opener.

Parkland lost to another eastern Pennsylvania power St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia, PA) 20-13 on its home field, which was the Trojans first regular season loss in three years. SJP is no stranger to national rankings, having finished in the USA Today Super 25 several times since 2000.

Last week, Ohio powers St. Ignatius (#16) and St. Xavier (#18) suffered season opening defeats.



Click here to read about St. Joseph's Prep's two fourth quarter touchdowns that fueled the come-from-behind win from The Morning Call in Allentown.

Cincinnati Powerhouses Collide in Season Opener

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

No one could ever say Cincinnati high school football powers St. Xavier (#18 in USA Today Super 25) and Colerain are starting the season with a "cupcake" game.

The two top-ranked teams in the Cincinnati area will begin the 2008 high school football season with a head-to-head showdown tonight in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown at Nippert Stadium. These two have won three of the last four Ohio Division I state championships. Colerain won the title in 2004, while defending state champ St. Xavier also won the title in 2005.

To read a game preview, click here.

USA Today Super 25 High School Football Rankings

With 17 returning starters from last year's 4A South Carolina championship team, it's no surprise that Byrnes High (Duncan, SC) finds itself #1 in the USA Today Super 25 Pre-Season high school football rankings.

The Rebels are led by juniors Chas Dodd (quarterback) and Marcus Lattimore (running back) finished #13 in the final USA Today Super 25 in 2007. Dodd threw for over 3,200 yards last year and 32 TDs, while Lattimore rushed for nearly 1,900 yards and 28 touchdowns.

If Byrnes runs the table again, it will deserve a mythical national championship, because it has scheduled out-of-state games with Georgia Class AAAAA runner-up North Gwinnett (Aug. 29) and Florida 2B champ Pahokee (Oct. 3), plus a September 19th match-up with Lincoln from Tallahassee, Florida. The Rebels have won five state titles in six years.

Click here for a full story on the Rebels from USA Today.

Here's the rest of the USA Today Super 25..


1. Byrnes (Duncan, SC) 15-0
2. Trinity (Euless, TX) 15-1
3. Gateway (Monroeville, PA) 11-2
4. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) 12-0
5. Long Beach Poly (CA) 13-1
6. St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 14-1
7. De La Salle (Concord, CA) 13-0
8. Armwood (Seffner, FL) 13-1
9. Carmel (IN) 13-2
10. Brentwood Academy (Brentwood, TN) 11-2
11. Rockhurst (Kansas City, MO) 13-0
12. River Hill (Clarksville, MD) 14-0
13. Lowndes (Valdosta, GA) 14-1
14. Madison County (Madison, FL) 13-1
15. Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA) 13-1
16. St. Ignatius (Cleveland, OH) 8-3
17. Skyline (Issaquah, WA) 14-0
18. St. Xavier (Cincinnati, OH) 15-0
19. Centennial (Corona, CA) 13-2
20. Stone Bridge (Ashburn, VA) 14-1
21. South Panola (Batesville, MS) 15-0
22. Northside (Warner Robins, GA) 15-0
23. Highlands (Ft. Thomas, KY) 15-0
24. Lake Travis (Austin, TX) 15-1
25. Parkland (Allentown, PA) 15-1

ESPNRISE.com Pre-Season High School Football Regional Rankings

Yes, it's hard to rank high school football teams, but don't tell that to all of the pollsters out there that are scurrying to post their pre-season prognostications!

While most consider USA Today to be the messiah of national rankings, ESPN has just come out with a set of regional rankings with a Top 20 for five regions. The rankings will come out every week during the regular season at part of ESPNRISE.com.

Here are the pre-season rankings...

East Region Top 20

(Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia)


1. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) 12-0
2. Gateway (Monroeville, Pa.) 11-2
3. Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) 13-1
4. St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.) 10-3
5. Quince Orchard (Gaithersburg, Md.) 14-0
6. Phoebus (Hampton, Va.) 13-1
7. DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) 10-2
8. St. Joseph (Montvale, N.J.) 9-2
9. West Springfield (Springfield, Va.) 10-3
10. Penn Hills (Pittsburgh, Pa.) 6-5
11. Parkland (Allentown, Pa.) 15-1
12. William Floyd (Mastic Beach, N.Y.) 11-0
13. Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) 10-2
14. Central Catholic (Pittsburgh, Pa.) 16-0
15. Dartmouth (North Dartmouth, Mass.) 11-2
16. St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) 11-1
17. Neshaminy (Langhorne, Pa.) 11-2
18. Stone Bridge (Ashburn, Va.) 14-1
19. Everett (Everett, Mass.) 13-0
20. St. Anthony's (South Huntington, N.Y.) 10-1

Southeast Region Top 20

(Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee)

1. Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.) 14-1
2. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 14-1
3. Deerfield Beach (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) 11-3
4. Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) 15-0
5. Armwood (Seffner, Fla.) 13-1
6. Plant (Tampa, Fla.) 11-2
7. Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.) 12-2
8. John Curtis (River Ridge, La.) 12-2
9. South Panola (Batesville, Miss.) 15-0
10. Prattville (Prattville, Ala.) 15-0
11. Lakeland (Lakeland, Fla.) 10-2
12. Maryville (Maryville, Tenn.) 15-0
13. Bastrop (Bastrop, La.) 15-0
14. Miami Northwestern (Miami, Fla.) 15-0
15. Pahokee (Pahokee, Fla.) 14-0
16. Northside (Warner Robins, Ga.) 15-0
17. North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.) 13-2
18. Brentwood Academy (Brentwood, Tenn.) 11-2
19. Madison County (Madison, Fla.) 13-1
20. Hoggard (Wilmington, N.C.) 15-0

Midwest Region Top 20

(Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin)


1. St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio) 15-0
2. St. Ignatius (Cleveland, Ohio) 8-3
3. St. Xavier (Louisville, Ky,) 13-1
4. Carmel (Carmel, Ind.) 13-2
5. Joliet Catholic (Joliet, Ill.) 13-1
6. Arrowhead (Hartland, Wis.) 14-0
7. East St. Louis (East St. Louis, Ill.) 11-2
8. Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio) 10-3
9. Colerain (Cincinnati, Ohio) 12-1
10. Cretin-Derham Hall (St. Paul, Minn.) 13-1
11. St. Mary's (Orchard Lake, Mich.) 10-3
12. Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.) 9-2
13. Naperville North (Naperville, Ill.) 13-1
14. Valley (West Des Moines, Iowa) 11-1
15. Trinity (Louisville, Ky.) 12-2
16. Eisenhower (Shelby Township, Mich.) 6-4
17. Male (Louisville, Ky.) 10-3
18. Warren Central (Indianapolis, Ind.) 8-4
19. Highlands (Fort Thomas, Ky.) 15-0
20. Eden Prairie (Eden Prairie, Minn.) 14-0

Southwest Region Top 20

(Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas)

1. Trinity (Euless, Texas) 15-1
2. Jenks (Jenks, Okla.) 13-1
3. Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) 15-1
4. Rockhurst (Kansas City, Mo.) 13-0
5. Plano (Plano, Texas) 13-2
6. Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas) 11-2
7. Union (Tulsa, Okla.) 13-1
8. Katy (Katy, Texas) 16-0
9. Permian (Odessa, Texas) 12-1
10. Blue Springs South (Blue Springs, Mo.) 9-1
11. Hutchinson (Hutchinson, Kan.) 13-0
12. Rider (Wichita Heights, Texas) 12-2
13. Lake Hamilton (Pearcy, Ark.) 12-1
14. North Shore (Galena, Texas) 14-1
15. Guthrie (Guthrie, Okla.) 14-0
16. Eisenhower (Houston, Texas) 8-4
17. Abilene (Abilene, Texas) 12-2
18. Mehlville (St. Louis, Mo.) 10-3
19. Lee's Summit West (Lee's Summit, Mo.) 14-0
20. Allen (Allen, Texas) 10-1

West Region Top 20

(Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming)

1. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) 13-0
2. Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) 13-1
3. Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) 10-2
4. Skyline (Sammamish, Wash.) 14-0
5. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 10-2
6. Bellarmine Prep (San Jose, Calif.) 11-1
7. Bear Creek (Lakewood, Colo.) 10-3
8. Desert Vista (Phoenix, Ariz.) 9-5
9. Sheldon (Eugene, Ore.) 12-1
10. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) 14-0
11. Centennial (Corona, Calif.) 13-2
12. Bothell (Bothell, Wash.) 13-1
13. Bingham (Salt Lake City, Utah) 11-2
14. Brophy Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.) 12-2
15. Oceanside (Oceanside, Calif.) 12-1
16. Crespi (Encino, Calif.) 11-3
17. St. Bonaventure (Ventura, Calif.) 14-1
18. Timpview (Provo, Utah) 13-0
19. Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 14-0
20. Los Alamitos (Los Alamitos, Calif.) 7-3

ESPN RISE editors Mark Tennis, Doug Huff, Sheldon Shealer, Jon Mahoney and Ronnie Flores contributed to these rankings.

Jeannette's (PA) Terrelle Pryor Named USA Today's Offensive Player of the Year

USA Today has named Jeannette (PA) quarterback Terrelle Pryor as its Offensive Player of the Year.

Pryor, who is still undecided about where he'll play his college ball, was Pennsylvania's first quarterback to throw and run for 4,000 yards in his career. Pryor, who is also a basketball standout, is reportedly considering Ohio State, Florida, Michigan, Penn State and Oregon.

Pryor led Jeannette to Pennsylvania Class AA title.

The newspaper's Defensive Player of the Year is defensive back Patrick Johnson of Blanche Ely of Pompano Beach, Florida.

Coach of the Year honors went to Booker T. Washington's Tim Harris, who led his team to Florida's 4A championship and a #8 ranking in the final USA Today Super 25.

Final USA Today High School Football Rankings

Happy Holidays everyone!! After taking a little time off, it's time to take a last look at 2007. Before looking back, let's take a look at the final USA Today Super 25. The final poll was released on Wednesday giving Northwestern (Miami, FL) a belated Christmas gift...a mythical national championship!!

Here are the final rankings...

#1 Northwestern (Miami, FL) 15-0
Previous: #1

#2 Prattville (AL) 15-0
Previous: #2

#3 De La Salle (Concord, CA) 13-0
Previous: #3

#4 Katy (TX) 16-0
Previous: #4

#5 St. Xavier (Cincinnati, OH) 15-0
Previous: #5

#6 Pahokee (FL) 14-0
Previous: #6

#7 Northside (Warner Robins, GA) 15-0
Previous: #7

#8 Booker T. Washington (Miami, FL) 14-0
Previous: #8

#9 South Panola (Batesville, MS) 15-0
Previous: #9

#10 Maryville (TN) 15-0
Previous: #10

#11 Pittsburgh Central Catholic (PA) 16-0
Previous: #11

#12 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) 12-0
Previous: #12

#13 Byrnes (Duncan, SC) 15-0
Previous; #13

#14 Colerain (Cincinnati, OH) 13-1
Previous: #16

#15 Birmingham (Lake Balboa, CA) 12-1
Previous: #17

#16 Eden Prairie (MN) 14-0
Previous: #19

#17 Hutchinson (KS) 13-0
Previous: #20

#18 Jenks (Tulsa, OK) 13-1
Previous: #21

#19 Joliet Catholic (Chicago, IL) 13-1
Previous: #22

#20 Poly (Long Beach, CA) 13-1
Previous: #23

#21 Skyline (Sammamish, WA) 14-0
Previous: #24

#22 Westfield (Chantilly, VA) 15-0
Previous: #25

#23 Trinity (Louisville, KY) 13-2
Previous: Not Ranked

#24 Centennial (Corona, CA) 13-2
Previous: #14

#25 Jeannette (PA) 16-0
Previous: Not Ranked

#11 Pittsburgh Central Catholic Caps Perfect Season With Championship

For the second time since 2004, Pittsburgh Central Catholic is on top of Pennsylvania's biggest high school football class. The Vikings, ranked #11 by USA Today, shutout Parkland Saturday to win the PIAA 4A high school football title game.

PCC is the fourth straight WPIAL team to win the 4A championship. It was also the first time that the 4A title game ended in a shutout.

To read a complete game wrap, click here.

Five Changes in Lastest USA Today Super 25

Five teams in last week's USA Today Super 25 lost over the weekend which has shuffled the lastest rankings. All five...#6 Southlake Carroll (TX), #8 Cardinal Mooney (0H), #12 Hamilton (AZ), #14 Union (OK) and #25 Permian...drop out of the Super 25.

Entering the poll this week are Jenks (OK) at #21, Joliet Catholic (IL) at #22, Long Beach Poly (CA) at #23, Skyline (WA) at#24 and Westfield (VA) at #25. Jenks and Poly began the season in the Top 25.

Look for changes next week at #8 Booker T. Washington (Miami) plays #18 Armwood (Seffner) in the Florida 4A semifinals.

Here's a look at the lastest poll....

#1 Northwestern (Miami, FL) 13-0
Previous: #1

#2 Prattville (AL) 15-0
Previous: #2

#3 De La Salle (Concord, CA) 12-0
Previous: #3

#4 Katy (TX) 13-0
Previous: #4

#5 St. Xavier (Cincinnati, OH) 15-0
Previous: #5

#6 Pahokee (FL) 13-0
Previous: #7

#7 Northside (Warner Robins, GA) 13-0
Previous: #9

#8 Booker T. Washington (Miami, FL) 12-0
Previous: #10

#9 South Panola (Batesville, MS) 14-0
Previous: #11

#10 Maryville (TN) 14-0
Previous: #13

#11 Pittsburgh Central Catholic (PA) 14-0
Previous: #15

#12 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) 12-0
Previous: #17

#13 Byrnes (Duncan, SC) 15-0
Previous; #18

#14 Centennial (Corona, CA) 10-1
Previous: #19

#15 St. Xavier (Louisville, KY) 14-0
Previous: #20

#16 Colerain (Cincinnati, OH) 12-1
Previous: #16

#17 Birmingham (Lake Balboa, CA) 12-1
Previous: #21

#18 Armwood (Seffner, FL) 13-0
Previous: #22

#19 Eden Prairie (MN) 14-0
Previous: #23

#20 Hutchinson (KS) 13-0
Previous: #24

#21 Jenks (Tulsa, OK) 13-1
Previous: Not Ranked

#22 Joliet Catholic (Chicago, IL) 13-1
Previous: Not Ranked

#23 Poly (Long Beach, CA) 12-1
Previous: Not Ranked

#24 Skyline (Sammamish, WA) 14-0
Previous: Not Ranked

#25 Westfield (Chantilly, VA) 14-0
Previous: Not Ranked

Coldwater "Blocks" #8 Cardinal Mooney's Ohio Championship Hopes

With its extra point team coming on the field with :21 to go in the game, #8 Cardinal Mooney (Youngstown, OH) knew it was going to take overtime for the Cardinals to defend their 2006 Division IV Ohio football championship against Coldwater.

Coldwater defensive lineman Kurt Schlarman had other ideas and tossed "cold water" on Mooney hopes. Schlarman became the star of the game when he blocked Ed Reese's kick to give Coldwater its second title in three year with a 28-27 victory.

To read a complete recap of the exciting comeback win, click here.

#12 Hamilton Upset in Arizona Semis

Defending Arizona 5A Division I state champ Hamilton (Chandler, AZ) won't be back in Phoenix next week to defend its title.

Brophy Prep (11-2) beat Hamilton 24-14 in the rain Friday night in the state semis. Brophy will play Desert Vista in next week's championship game.

To read a game wrap, click here.

Lastest USA Today Super 25 Poll

Friday Night Lights is back in the national spotlight. Permian High (Odessa, TX), the team that the award-winning book and then movie, has moved into the USA Today Super 25. Permian is the third ranked team in Texas behind Katy and Southlake Carroll.

Permian is the only team to enter the poll. That was thanks to Mater Dei's (Santa Ana, CA) loss to Crespi on Friday. Mater Dei was ranked #19 last week.

Here's the latest poll....

#1 Northwestern (Miami, FL) 12-0
Previous: #1

#2 Prattville (AL) 14-0
Previous: #2

#3 De La Salle (Concord, CA) 11-0
Previous: #3

#4 Katy (TX) 12-0
Previous: #4

#5 St. Xavier (Cincinnati, OH) 14-0
Previous: #5

#6 Southlake Carroll (TX) 11-1
Previous: #6

#7 Pahokee (FL) 12-0
Previous: #7

#8 Cardinal Mooney (Youngstown, OH) 14-0
Previous: #8

#9 Northside (Warner Robins, GA) 12-0
Previous: #10

#10 Booker T. Washington (Miami, FL) 11-0
Previous: #11

#11 South Panola (Batesville, MS) 13-0
Previous: #12

#12 Hamilton (Chandler, AZ) 12-0
Previous: #13

#13 Maryville (TN) 13-0
Previous: #14

#14 Union (Tulsa, OK) 13-0
Previous: #15

#15 Pittsburgh Central Catholic (PA) 13-0
Previous: #16

#16 Colerain (Cincinnati, OH) 12-1
Previous: #9

#17 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) 10-0
Previous: #18

#18 Byrnes (Duncan, SC) 14-0
Previous; #19

#19 Centennial (Corona, CA) 10-1
Previous: #20

#20 St. Xavier (Louisville, KY) 13-0
Previous: #21

#21 Birmingham (Lake Balboa, CA) 11-1
Previous: #22

#22 Armwood (Seffner, FL) 12-0
Previous: #23

#23 Eden Prairie (MN) 14-0
Previous: #24

#24 Hutchinson (KS) 13-0
Previous: #25

#25 Permian (Odessa, TX) 12-0
Previous: Not Ranked