Kenton (Ohio) wins National Select 7 on 7 Tournament

by Jeff Fisher
Follow @HSFBamerica

Kenton High School (Ohio) has made plenty of national headlines over the last decade thanks to head coach Mike Mauk's high-powered, wide-open offense that has landed his two sons Maty (currently at Missouri) and Ben at the top of most national passing records.

Today, the Wildcats sit atop the other 31 teams that participated in the National Select 7-on-7 Championships held in Hoover, Alabama this weekend. Kenton won 12 of its 13 games, including a 22-5 win over Byrnes (South Carolina) in the championship game to become the first non-Alabama team in five years to win the prestigious passing tournament.  Kenton had to beat Byrnes in back-to-back games to win the double-elmination tournament.
Kenton was led by senior-to-be Grant Sherman, who was named tournament MVP.  The 6-5 Sherman set an Ohio state single-game record last season with 684 yards in a game against Shawnee.  Sherman completed 44 of 53 passes in that game with nine touchdown throws.

Teams from 15 different states participated in the tournament held at Hoover High School.

Here are the past National Select 7-on-7 Champs:

2013 - Kenton HS, Ohio
2012 - Hoover HS, Alabama
2011 - Daphne HS, Alabama
2010 - Carver HS, Alabama
2009 - Hooever HS, Alabama
2008 - Har-Ber HS, Arkansas
2007 - Hoover HS, Alabama
2006 - Shiloh Christian HS, Arkansas
2005 - Hoover HS, Alabama
2004 - Springdale HS, Arkansas
2003 - Thomas Jefferson, Pennsylvania
2002 - Evangel Christian, Louisiana
2001 - Daphne HS, Alabama

Final 2012 High School Football America Top 25

By Jeff Fisher
Editor-in-Chief
High School Football America
Follow @HSFBamerica

So the 2012 high school football season is officially over - other than for some national and local all-star games for seniors.

What a season it was!

If you've been following our rankings throughout the year, you know that we didn't release our first Top 25 until a month into the season, in order to get an accurate picture of who was good on the field, not just on paper.  We also didn't post rankings from mid-November on, so that the playoffs could unfold.

Now it’s time for High School Football America to name its first national champ.

Let’s also start using the word “mythical” in-front of national champs, because ultimately, there’s really no way to do this scientifically.

There are some years when a team rises head-and-shoulders above the pack, but for the most part, each year there could be anywhere from 5-8 teams that could lay claim to the “mythical” title. That’s the case this year with several teams having outstanding seasons.

We salute all of them! However, we need to name a national champ.

The choice could have gone many ways, but in the end, it came down to the Allen Eagles (Texas) and John Curtis (Louisiana) with Bellevue (Washington), De La Salle (California) and Katy (Texas) getting first-place votes.

My personal vote came-down to strength of schedule for the Eagles, who captured Texas’ Class 5A Division I championship Saturday night defeating previously unbeaten Lamar. The Eagles (15-1) finish the season with one loss, a 27-24 loss to Coppell (11-1) in overtime. Seven of Allen’s 16 opponents won 11 or more games this season.

There is no doubt that a case could be made for John Curtis. However, when you consider that Curtis (14-0) played seven opponents with sub-.500 records, compared with only three for Allen.  On the other side of the equation, Curtis faced and passed everyone of its tests. 

You can't do more than play your schedule and play it well.  The Patriots' outscored opponents 667-60 with seven shutouts. 

When the votes were tallied, we have co-national champs.
How would an Allen vs. John Curtis match-up turn-out next week?  We'll never know...but we do know they are both great teams.

For those of you that would like to check out our first national rankings back in mid-September, click here.

Again, congats the everyone and I can't wait until 2013.

Happy Holidays!

High School Football America Final 2012 Top 25

1 (tie). Allen (Texas) 15-1
Original Ranking: #11

1 (tie). John Curtis (River Ridge, LA) 14-0
Original Ranking: #5
3. Bellevue (Washington) 14-0
Original Ranking: #7

4. De La Salle (Concord, CA) 15-0
Original Ranking: #8

5. Katy (Texas) 16-0
Original Ranking: #21

6. Hoover (Alabama) 16-0
Original Ranking: #13

7. North Allegheny (Wexford, PA) 16-0
Original Ranking: NR

8. Norcross (Georgia) 15-0
Original Ranking: NR

9. DeSoto (Texas) 14-1
Original Ranking: #4

10. Butler (Matthews, NC) 15-0
Original Ranking: #20

11. University (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 12-0
Original Ranking: #25

12. Ensworth (Nashville, TN) 13-0
Original Ranking: #18

13. Trinity (Louisville, KY) 13-1
Original Ranking: #9

14. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nevada) 13-1
Original Ranking: #23

15. Good Counsel (Maryland) 11-1
Original Ranking: #24

16. St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 13-2
Original Ranking: NR

17. Centennial (Corona, CA) 14-2
Original Ranking: NR

18. Manatee (Bradenton, FL) 13-1
Original Ranking: #2

19. Steele (Cibolo, TX) 14-1
Original Ranking: NR

20. Whitehaven (Memphis, TN) 15-0
Original Ranking: NR

21. Miami Central (Florida) 12-2
Original Ranking: NR

22. Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, OH) 12-3
Original Ranking: #17

23. Narbonne (Harbor City, CA) 14-1
Original Ranking: #19

24. St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, NJ) 10-2
Original Ranking: NR

25. Booker T. Washington (Miami) 13-1
Original Ranking: NR

Iowa High School to Get New Stadium Thanks to Powerball

by Jeff Fisher
Editor-in-Chief
High School Football America
Follow @HSFBamerica

What would you do if you won $202 million in the Powerball?

In the case of Brian and Mary Lohse of Iowa - build a high school football stadium.

The Des Moines Register reports that the family will donate $3 million dollars of their winnings to the Bondurant-Farrar school district to build a new high school football stadium in time for their oldest son's senior season in 2014 

One interesting twist is the family has asked that the visitor's locker froom be painted pink.

Last year Bondurant-Farrar finished 10-3, losing in the quarterfinal round of the Class 2A playoffs.

High School Football America Top 25

By Jeff Fisher
Editor-in-Chief
High School Football America
Follow @HSFBamerica

Three of our teams suffered surprising losses over the weekend, which has shuffled the deck in the lastest High School Football America Top 25.

Falling-out are Camden County (Georgia), St. Edward (Ohio) and St. Joseph's Prep (Pennsylvania).  All three suffered their first loses of the season over the weekend.

New this week, Bentonville (Arkansas), St. John Bosco (California) and Allen (Texas). 

Bosco is interesting because they have four losses, but all four are forfeits from using an ineligible player earlier this year.  The Braves are undefeated on the field and won the extremely tough Trinity League title.

Allen is back-in after climbing as high as #11 before losing to current #20 Coppell.

High School Football America Top 25

1. Manatee (Bradenton, FL) 10-0
Manatee closes out an unbeaten regular season with a 49-6 win over Lakewood Ranch. Next up: Northeast in first round of Florida 7A playoffs on Friday. Last Week: #1

2. DeSoto (Texas) 10-0
The Eagles avoided an upset by scoring 15 unanswered points in the 4^th quarter to beat Manfield 37-23 Next up: Harker Heights (5-6) in first round of Texas 5A Division I playoffs on Saturday. Last week #2

3. John Curtis (River Ridge, LA) 10-0
The Patriots’ defense continues to roll with fourth straight shutout and sixth in the last seven games. JC beat Pope John Paul II 64-0 in opening round of Louisiana’s 2A playoffs. Next up: North Webster (7-4) on Friday. Last Week: #3

4. Bellevue (Washington) 11-0
The Wolverines win streak now 37 straight after 28-0 win over Ferndale. Next up: Peninsula (9-2) in 3A quarterfinals on Friday. Next Week: #4

5. De La Salle (Concord, CA) 10-0
Idle. Next up: Pittsburg (9-2) on Friday in CIF North Coast playoffs. Last Week: #6

6. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, CA) 11-0
Broncos’ star Su’a Cravens didn’t play in the first round of the postseason in 34-6 win over South Hills. Next up: Norco (7-4) in quarterfinals of CIF Inland Division playoffs on Friday Last Week: #7

7. Hoover (Alabama) 12-0
Bucs advanced to 2^nd round of Alabama 6A playoffs with a 38-7 victory over Shades Valley. Next up: Pell City (7-5) in 2^nd Round of 6A playoffs on Friday. Last Week: #8

8. Ensworth (Nashville, TN) 11-0
No problems for the Tigers in 37-7 win over McCallie that moves them to within two wins of a Tennessee Division II-AA state championship. Next up: Montgomery Bell Academy in Division II AA semifinals on Friday. Last Week: #9

9. Katy (Texas) 10-0
The finish a perfect regular season with a 41-6 win over Memorial. Katy averaged over 49 points a game during the regular season . Next up: Westbury (3-7) in the Texas 5A Division II first round on Thursday. Last Week: #10

10. Butler (Matthews, NC) 12-0
Bulldogs beat arch-rival Independence for the second time this year. Friday’s 55-26 over the Patriots moves the Bulldogs into the NCHSAA 4-AA quarterfinals. Next up: East Forsyth (13-0) on Friday. Last Week: #12

11. Narbonne (Harbor City, CA) 11-0
Gauchos’ appear primed to win back-to-back Los Angeles City Section Division I titles after 57-14 win over Locke. Next up: Garfield (6-5) on Friday in CIF-City Section quarterfinals. Last Week: #11

12. University (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 7-0
Did not play. Next up: Cardinal Newman (9-1) in Florida Class 3A opening round. Last Week: #13

13. Colerain (Cincinnati, OH) 12-0
Cardinals’ are now in the Ohio Division 1 quarters after a 35-34 overtime win over Elder. Next up: Archbishop Moeller (9-3) on Saturday. Last Week: #14

14. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nevada) 10-1
Gaels top 70 points for third straight game in 71-28 win over Palo Verde. Next up: Nevada 4A Championship vs. Centennial (9-2) on Friday. Last Week: #15

15. North Allegheny (Wexford, PA) 11-0
Tigers beat Bethel Park 42-14 to advance to the WPIAL 4A semis. Next up: Seneca Valley (10-1) on Friday. Last Week: #16

16. Good Counsel (Maryland) 10-1
Good Counsel earned a rematch with arch-rival DeMatha for the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference with a 21-7 win over St. Johns. Next up: DeMatha (9-2) on Sunday. Last Week: #17

17. Steele (Cibolo, TX) 10-0
The Knights finish a perfect 10-0 in the regular season with a 42-14 win over Southwest. Next up: Marshall (5-5) in Texas 5A Division II playoffs. Last Week: #19

18. Grayson (Loganville, GA) 9-1
Defending AAAAA champs beat Brookwood 42-13. Next up: Wheeler (6-4) in 1^st Round of Georgia AAAAAA playoffs. Last Week: #20

19. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NY) 7-1
The Ironmen beat Hackensack 42-8. Next up: St. Augustine Prep (7-1) on Friday in NJSIAA Non-Public Group 4 quarterfinals. Last Week: #20

20. Coppell (Texas) 10-0
The Cowboys move into the postseason with a perfect 10-0 record after a 41-3 win over Lewisville. Next up: MacArthur (7-3) in the opening round of the Texas Class 5A Division I playoffs. Last Week: #22

21. St. Ignatius (Cleveland, OH) 11-1
The defending Division 1 champs are back in the state quarters after shutting-out North Royalton 56-0. Next up: Mentor (11-1) on Saturday Last Week: #24

22. Trinity (Louisville, KY) 10-1
The Shamrocks are seeking their 10^th title in 12^th year. Trinity moved to the state quarters with a 62-8 win over Madison Central. Next up: St. Xavier (8-4) on Friday. Last Week: $25

23. Bentonville (Arkansas) 10-0
New to the poll after being idle last week. Next up: West Memphis (8-3) in Arkansas 7A quarterfinals. Last Week: NR

24. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA) 7-4
The Braves four losses were by forfeit for using an ineligible player otherwise a perfect 11-0 on the field. Next up: Notre Dame-Sherman Oaks (8-3) in CIF Pac-5 quarterfinals. Last Week: NR  

25. Allen (Texas) 9-1
The Eagles return to the Top 25 after beating Plano 35-34. Only loss is to #20 Coppell in overtime. Next up: Richardson (5-5) in Texas 5A Division I first round. Last Week: NR

Dropped-out:
#5 Camden County (GA), #13 St. Edward (OH), #22 St. Joseph’s Prep (PA)

Others receiving consideration in alphabetical order:
Abilene (Texas), American Heritage (Florida), Archbishop Moeller (OH), Byrnes (SC), Camden County (Georgia), Glenbard West (Illinois),  Goose Creek (South Carolina), Lassiter (Georgia), Jordan (Utah), Mission Viejo (California), Norcross (Georgia), Santa Margarita (California) Southlake Carroll (Texas), Whitmer (Ohio)

Where the High School Football America Top 25 Plays

by Jeff Fisher
Editor-in-Chief
High School Football America
Follow @HFSBamerica
Four teams in the High School Football America Top 25 picked-up victories Thursday night.

#8 Hoover closed-out a perfect regular season with a 30-7 win over Opelika. Next stop for the Bucs is the Alabama 6A playoffs with a first round match-up with Shades Valley.

#14 University (Florida) beat Eagle's View 56-0 to improve to 8-0. It was the second straight shutout victory for the Suns.

In Georgia, defending AAAAA champ #20 Grayson shutout Archer 48-0. The AJC reports that the Rams returned two interceptions for touchdowns to improve to 8-1.

#23 Coppell (Texas) clinched the District 5-5A title Thursday night with a 21-3 win over Denton Ryan.  The Dallas News reports that Cowboy QB Colby Mahon passed for 197 yards and two touchdowns, plus he ran for a score.

Here's where the rest of the Top 25 plays this weekend:
*all games Friday unless noted
1. Manatee (FL) vs. Sarasota
2. DeSot (TX) vs. Grand Prairie
3. John Curtis (LA) vs. South Plaquemines
4. Bellevue (WA) vs. Lincoln
5. Camden County (GA) vs. Lownes
6. De La Salle (CA) vs. California
7. Vista Murrieta (CA) vs. Chaparral
9. Enworth (TN) - Idle
10. Katy (TX) vs. Cinco Ranch (Saturday)
11. Narbonne (CA) vs. Gardena
12. Butler (NC) vs. West Forsyth
13. St. Edward (OH) vs. Mayfield (Saturday)
15. Colerain (OH) vs. St. Xavier (Saturday)
16. Bishop Gorman (NV) vs. Shadow Ridge
17. North Allegheny (PA) vs. Altoona
18. Good Counsel (MD) vs. Archbishop Carroll (Saturday)
19. Steele (TX) vs. Carroll
21. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) vs. Hackensack
22. St. Joseph's Prep (PA) vs. Archbishop Ryan
24. St. Ignatius (OH) vs. Austintown-Fitch (Saturday)
25. Trintiy (KY) vs. Clark