The New National Polls

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Very rarely does a high school football team begin the year at the top of the plethora of national polls in America and end-up in the same spot at the end of the season.

The road to the "mythical" national championship usually has plenty of twists-and-turns in it.

After a couple of weeks of action, we already have a new #1 in one poll changes in the others.

We at High School Football America have decided that our first poll on September 17th, thus making sure that we sort of have a handle on how teams are looking on the field, rather than on paper.  However, with that being said, I applaud our media colleagues that climb-out on that branch before the games.

The biggest change this week is at the top of the USA Today Super 25 where Miami Central falls from #1 after its 35-3 loss to defending Georgia AAAAA champ Grayson over the weekend.

Here's a look at the USA Today Super 25, followed by MaxPreps' Xcellent 25:

USA Today Super 25

1. Manatee (FL) 1-0
2. De La Salle (CA) 1-0
3. Grayson (GA) 2-0
4. Byrnes (SC) 2-0
5. Santa Margarita (CA) 2-0
6. John Curtis (LA) 1-0
7. Plant (FL) 1-0
8. Booker T. Washington (FL) 1-0
9. Bellevue (WA) 1-0
10. Cass Tech (MI) 2-0
11. Bishop Gorman (NV) 2-0
12. Archbishop Moeller (OH) 2-0
13. Trinity (KY) 2-0
14. Union (OK) 1-0
15. Katy (TX) 1-0
16. Eden Prairie (MN) 1-0
17. Lake Travis (TX) 1-0
18. Camden County (GA) 2-0
19. Good Counsel (MD) 1-1
20. Vista Murrieta (CA) 1-0
21. Central Dauphin (PA) 1-0
22. Butler (NC) 2-0
23. Goose Creek (SC) 2-0
24. Allen (TX) 1-0
25. Miami Central (FL) 0-1

MaxPreps Xcellent 25

1. Manatee (FL) 1-0, LW: #1
2. Grayson (GA) 2-0, LW: #2
3. Skyline (TX) 1-0, LW: #3
4. Santa Margarita (CA) 2-0, LW: #4
5. Bellevue (WA) 1-0, LW: #5
6. Byrnes (SC) 2-0, LW: #7
7. De La Salle (CA) 1-0, LW: #9
8. John Curtis (LA) 1-0, LW: #6
9. Booker T. Washington (FL) 1-0, LW: #11
10. Plant (FL) 1-0, LW: #12
11. Lake Travis (TX) 1-0, LW: #14
12. Bishop Gorman (NV) 2-0, LW: #10
13. Vista Murrieta (CA) 1-0, LW: #13
14. Bergen Catholic (NJ) 0-0, LW: #15
15. Trinity (KY) 2-0, LW: #16
16. St. Ignatius (OH) 2-0, LW: #20
17. Archbishop Moeller (OH) 2-0, LW: #17
18. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 0-0, LW: #18
19. Butler (NC) 2-0, LW: #19
20. Ensworth (TN) 3-0, LW: #21
21. Hoover (AL) 1-0, LW: #22
22. Camden County (GA) 2-0, LW: #23
23. Oaks Christian (CA) 2-0, LW: #24
24. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 1-0, LW: NR
25. Northwestern (SC) 3-0, LW: NR

Six New Teams Enter MaxPreps Top 25 after Big Weekend

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

The postseason has a way of sorting-out the national rankings, and that was the case this weekend when six former members of the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 tasted defeat, plus saw their seasons come to a close.

Former #4 Katy (Texas), former #8 Euless Trinity (Texas), former #10 Mallard Creek (North Carolina), former #16 Camden County (Georgia), former #20 University (Florida) and former #24 Hamilton (Arizona) all suffered defeats over the weekend.  Hamilton's loss to Desert Vista in the state's Class 5A Division I championship game, snapped the nation's longest active win streak at 53 straight.

On the other side of the coin, the top three teams remain unbeaten and in contention for the "mythical" national championship.  #1 Don Bosco Prep (New Jersey), #2 Trinity (Kentucky) and #3 Gaffney (South Carolina) all play in their respective state championship games this weekend.

Making a huge debut is Maryville (Tennessee) at #10.  Glades Central (Florida) returns to the rankings at #11.

MaxPreps Xcellent 25 
through November 26, 2011

1. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 11-0, LW: #1
2. Trinity (KY) 13-0, LW: #2
3. Gaffney (SC) 14-0, LW: #3
4. Miramar (FL) 11-0, LW: #5
5. Good Counsel (MD) 12-0, LW: #6
6. Skyline (TX) 13-0, LW: #14
7. Grayson (GA) 13-0, LW: #11
8. Armwood (FL) 12-0, LW: #7
9. Bishop Gorman (NV) 14-1, LW: #9
10. Maryville (TN) 14-0, LW: NR
11. Glades Central (FL) 12-0, LW: NR
12. Buford (GA) 13-0, LW: #12
13. Westlake (CA) 12-0, LW: #13
14. Carmel (IN) 14-1, LW: #15
15. Bellevue (WA) 13-0, LW: #17
16. Central (FL) 11-0, LW: #18
17. Lake Travis (TX) 13-0, LW: #19
18. Bentonville (AR) 12-0, LW: #21
19. Page (NC) 14-0, LW: NR
20. Manatee (FL) 10-2, LW: #22
21. Warren Central (IN) 11-1, LW: #23
22. North Allegheny (PA) 13-0, LW: #25
23. Olive Branch (MS) 14-0, LW: NR
24. Steele (TX) 13-0, LW: NR
25. Pleasant Grove (CA) 10-1, LW: NR

Plenty of Movement in Latest MaxPreps Top 25

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

If you tuned into last Thursday's High School Football America radio show, you heard MaxPreps' Steve Spiewak talk about there's plenty of football ahead when it comes to deciding who will grab this year's "mythical" national championship.

Listen to internet radio with HighSchoolFootballAmerica on Blog Talk Radio

This weekend proved MaxPreps' senior writer correct with eight changes in the Top 10.

#1 Don Bosco Prep (New Jersey) and #4 Katy (Texas) were the only two teams to hang-on to their positions from last week.

Trinity (Kentucky) moves-up a notch to #2 after former #2 Armwood struggled in its opening round playoff game against Lakewood Ranch.

Gaffney (South Carolina) is up two spots to #3, while Katy and Miramar (Florida) round-out the new Top 5.

Making the biggest jump was the Euless Trinity, which climbs from #13 to #8 after a 28-21 win over former #21 and previously unbeaten Allen.  Also climbing five spots was Bellevue (Washington) to #17  after an impressive quarterfinal round win over previously undefeated Inter Lakes 35-14.

The only newcomer to this week's poll is North Allegheny (Pennsylvania), which enters at #25.  The defending 4A champs are in the WPIAL finals after beating Pittsburgh Central Catholic over the weekend.  Central, which suffered its first loss of the year, had spent a short time in the national rankings earlier this year.

MaxPreps Xcellent 25

1. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 10-0, LW: #1
2. Trinity (KY) 12-0, LW: #3
3. Gaffney (SC) 13-0, LW: #5
4. Katy (TX) 12-0, LW: #4
5. Miramar (FL) 10-0, LW: #6
6. Good Counsel (MD) 12-0, LW: #7
7. Armwood (FL) 11-0, LW: #2
8. Euless Trinity (TX) 12-0, LW: #13
9. Bishop Gorman (NV) 13-1, LW: #8
10. Mallard Creek (NC) 13-0, LW: #9
11. Grayson (GA) 12-0, LW: #10
12. Buford (GA) 12-0, LW: #11
13. Westlake (CA) 11-0, LW: #12
14. Skyline (TX) 12-0, LW: #16
15. Carmel (IN) 13-1, LW: #14
16. Camden County (GA) 12-0, LW: #15
17. Bellevue (WA) 12-0, LW: #22
18. Central (FL) 10-0, LW: #18
19. Lake Travis (TX) 12-0, LW: #17
20. University (FL) 12-0, LW: #19
21. Bentonville (AR) 11-0, LW: #21
22. Manatee (FL) 9-2, LW: #23
23. Warren Central (IN) 11-1, LW: #24
24. Hamilton (AZ) 13-0, LW: #25
25. North Allegheny (PA) 12-0, LW: NR

Latest MaxPreps Xcellent 25

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Very few changes in the latest MaxPreps Xcellent 25 high school football rankings.  As a matter of fact, it's just shuffling this week as none of last week Top 25 tasted defeat.

The biggest change is a ten-position move by Westlake (California), which moves from #22 to #12 after a 35-14 win over previously once-beaten St. Bonaventure.

There will be some shuffling this week when #13 Trinity faces #21 Allen in the second round of the Texas Class 5A Division I playoffs.

MaxPreps Xcellent 25

1. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 9-0, LW: #1
2. Armwood (FL) 10-0, LW: #2
3. Trinity (KY) 11-0, LW: #3
4. Katy (TX) 11-0, LW: #4
5. Gaffney (SC) 12-0, LW: #5
6. Miramar (FL) 9-0, LW: #6
7. Good Counsel (MD) 11-0, LW: #7
8. Bishop Gorman (NV) 12-1, LW: #8
9. Mallard Creek (NC) 12-0, LW: #9
10. Grayson (GA) 11-0, LW: #10
11. Buford (GA) 11-0, LW #11
12. Westlake (CA) 10-0, LW: #22
13. Trinity (TX) 11-0, LW: #14
14. Carmel (IN) 12-1, LW: #13
15. Camden County (GA) 11-0, LW: #12
16. Skyline (TX) 11-0, LW: #15
17. Lake Travis (TX) 11-0, LW: #15
18. Central (FL) 9-0, LW: #16
19. University (FL) 11-0, LW: #18
20. Bentonville (AR) 10-0, LW: #20
21. Allen (TX) 11-0, LW: #19
22. Bellevue (WA) 11-0, LW: #22
23. Manatee (FL) 8-2, LW: #23
24. Warren Central (IN) 11-1, LW: #24
25. Hamilton (AZ) 12-0, LW: #25

Lots of Points & Few Changes in MaxPreps Top 25

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Only one team in last week's MaxPreps' Xcellent 25 tasted defeat over the weekend.

Former #15 Archbishop Moeller dropped its first game of the season, a 26-24 loss to Indianapolis Cathedral (Indiana).  It's the second week in a row that an Ohio power has dropped out of the Top 25.  St. Edward got as high as #9 before losing two weeks ago to #1 Don Bosco Prep; this past weekend the Eagles dropped their second straight with a 17-10 loss at the hand's of Cincinnati's St. Xavier, another team that has spent some time in the Top 25 this year.

All-in-all, this past weekend could be characterized with exploding scoreboards.

Eleven teams in the Xcellent 25 scored 50 points or more, including Armwood, which crush Strawberry Crest 80-0.  In all, six teams (Bishop Gorman, Camden County, Hamilton, Katy, Lake Travis and Warren Central) topped 50 points; three (Bellevue, DeSoto, Mallard Creek) topped the 60-point mark, one topped 70 (Gaffney).

Pittsburgh Central Catholic (Pennsylvania) falls out of the Top 25 after a 13-7 win over Gateway.

Here's this week's MaxPreps Xcellent 25 from Steve Spiewak:

1. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 5-0, LW: #1
2. Armwood (FL) 7-0, LW: #2
3. Trinity (KY) 8-0, LW: #3
4. Miramar (FL) 6-0, LW: #5
5. DeSoto (TX) 7-0, LW: #4
6. Katy (TX) 7-0, LW: #6
7. Gaffney (SC) 8-0, LW: #7
8. Good Counsel (MD) 7-0, LW: #8
9. Bishop Gorman (NV) 8-1, LW: #10
10. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 5-1, LW: #11
11. Allen (TX) 7-0, LW: #9
12. Mallard Creek (NC) 8-0, LW: #12
13. Buford (GA) 8-0, LW: #13
14. Grayson (GA) 7-0, LW: #14
15. Trinity (TX) 8-0, LW: #16
16. Warren Central (IN) 9-0, LW: #17
17. Bellevue (WA) 8-0, LW: #18
18. Central (FL) 5-0, LW: #20
19. Lake Travis (TX) 7-0, LW: #21
20. Camden County (GA) 7-0, LW: #22
21. Harrison (MI) 8-0, LW: #19
22. Mentor (OH) 8-0, LW: NR
23. Daphne (AL) 8-0, LW: #24
24. Hamilton (AZ) 8-0, LW: #25
25. University (FL) 8-0, LW: NR

Two New Teams Enter MaxPreps' Xcellent 25

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

After  a couple of tough close battles had some thinking that Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) may not have been worthy of its #1 ranking.  That all changed Saturday when the top-ranked Ironmen dismantled St. Edward 38-7 in a battle of unbeatens at Fordham University in the Bronx in New York City.

As a result of the solid win over the defending Ohio Division I champs, DBP sits solidly atop the latest MaxPreps' Xcellent 25 this week.  St. Ed fell-out of the Top 25 as a result of the loss that snapped its 21-game win streak.  Bosco's win streak is now at 40.

For the first time in a long time, there are changes in the Top 5.  Miramar's 27-20 overtime win over former #5 St. Thomas Aquinas shuffles the Florida powers.  Miramar moves into the #5 slot, while the Raiders fall to #11 this week.

Former #4 Allen (Texas) falls five spots to #9 after a hard fought 42-38 win over Plano East.

Entering the poll this week at #24 and #25 respectively: #24 Daphne (Alabama) and #25 Hamilton (Chandler, AZ).

Hamilton owns the nation's second longest active win streak at 47 straight.  Not bad for a team that many felt was rebuilding in 2011.

Earlier this year on the NHSCA Sports Hour, I spoke to Husky head coach Steve Belles.  You can listen to that interview by clicking here.

MaxPreps Xcellent 25
1. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 5-0, LW: #1
2. Armwood (FL) 6-0, LW: #2
3. Trinity (KY) 7-0, LW: #3
4. DeSoto (TX) 6-0, LW: #6
5. Miramar (FL) 5-0, LW: #24
6. Katy (TX) 6-0, LW: #7
7. Gaffney (SC) 7-0, LW: #8
8. Good Counsel (MD) 6-0, LW: #10
9. Allen (TX) 6-0, LW: #4
10. Bishop Gorman (NV) 7-1, LW: #11
11. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 4-1, LW: #5
12. Mallard Creek (NC) 7-0, LW: #12
13. Buford (GA) 8-0, LW: #13
14. Grayson (GA) 6-0, LW: #14
15. Archbishop Moeller (OH) 7-0, LW: #15
16. Trinity (TX) 7-0, LW: #16
17. Warren Central (IN), LW: #19
18. Bellevue (WA) 6-0, LW: 17
19. Harrison Hills Harrison (MI) 7-0, LW: #18
20. Central Miami (FL) 5-0, LW: #20
21. Lake Travis (TX) 6-0, LW: #21
22. Camden County (GA) 6-0, LW: #23
23. Pittsburgh Central Catholic (PA) 6-0, LW: #25
24. Daphne (AL) 7-0, LW: NR
25. Hamilton (AZ) 7-0, LW: NR

No Change at Top of MaxPreps' Xcellent 25; Two New Teams Enter Rankings

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Last week, MaxPreps.com's senior national high school writer Steve Spiewak joined me on High School Football America's radio show to discuss which teams have the best shot at winning the 2011 national championships.

Steve mentioned that all of the Top 10 team's in his Xcellent 25 have a great shot, but he felt that St. Thomas Aquinas (Florida) would be in great position, if it beat #10 De La Salle (California) last Friday.  The Raiders, who have won two national titles, rolled past the Spartans 30-6 before a national television audience on ESPN2, but stay at #5 in the latest rankings released today.

The top eight remain the same from last week's ratings, with Archbishop Moeller (Ohio) and Servite (California) entering the Xcellent 25.  Falling out after losses were De La Salle and #14 Prattville.

Click here listen to Steve's national rankings chat with me on High School Football America from September 22nd.

MaxPreps Xcellent 25

1. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 3-0, LW: #1
2. Armwood (FL) 4-0, LW: #2
3. Trinity (KY) 5-0, LW: #3
4. Allen (TX) 4-0, LW: #4
5. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 3-0, LW: #5
6. DeSoto (TX) 5-0, LW: #6
7. Katy (TX) 4-0, LW: #7
8. Gaffney (SC) 6-0, LW: #8
9. St. Edward (OH) 5-0, LW: #12
10. Good Counsel (MD) 4-0, LW: #9
11. Bishop Gorman (NV) 5-1, LW: #13
12. Farmington Hills Harrison (MI) 5-0, LW: #15
13. Mallard Creek (NC) 5-0, LW: #16
14. Buford (GA) 6-0, LW: #17
15. Trinity (TX) 5-0, LW: #11
16. Bellevue (WA) 4-0, LW: #20
17. Warren Central (IN) 6-0, LW: #18
18. Grayson (GA) 4-0, LW: #19
19. Lake Travis (TX) 5-0, LW: #21
20. Archbishop Moeller (OH) 5-0, LW: NR
21. McEachern (GA) 4-0, LW: #22
22. Camden County (GA) 4-0, LW: #24
23. Servite (CA) 4-0, LW: NR
24. Columbus (FL) 3-0, LW: #25
25. Union (OK) 4-0, LW: #23

Three New Teams Enter MaxPreps Xcellent 25

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

It wasn't a good weekend for the California teams in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25.

Pleasant Grove, #8 last week, and Oaks Christian, #21 a week ago, both lost, while former #3 De La Salle needed overtime to beat Bellarmine 26-23.  The other ranked Golden State team, Centennial opens the season on Friday ranked #19 in the latest poll.

Two of the three newcomers to this week's poll, debut in the Top 15.  Gilman (Maryland) moves into the poll at #13 thanks to a big 51-27 win over Oscar Smith, a top team from Virginia, over the weekend.  Gaffney from South Carolina debuts at #14 after a 3-0 start.

McEachern becomes the third Georgia team in the Top 25, debuting at #25 this week after an impressive win over Lowdnes this past weekend.

Here's the rest of this week's poll:

1. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 0-0, LW: #1
2. Armwood (FL) 2-0, LW: #2
3. Allen (TX) 2-0, LW: #5
4. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 1-0, LW: #4
5. Trinity (KY) 2-0, LW: #7
6. Katy (TX) 2-0, LW: #11
7. De La Salle (CA) 1-0, LW: #3
8. Trinity (TX) 2-0, LW: #6
9. St. Edward (OH) 2-0, LW: #9
10. Bishop Gorman (NV) 2-1, LW: #10
11. Prattville (AL) 1-1, LW: #12
12. Farmington Hills Harrison (MI) 2-0, LW: #13
13. Gilman (MD) 1-0, LW: NR
14. Gaffney (SC) 3-0, LW: NR
15. Good Counsel (MD) 1-0, LW: #15
16. Mallard Creek (NC) 2-0, LW: #18
17. St. Xavier (OH) 2-0, LW: #16
18. Buford (GA) 3-0, W: #17
19. Warren Central (IN) 2-0, LW: #19
20. Centennial (CA) 0-0, LW: #14
21. Grayson (GA) 2-0, LW: #20
22. Bellevue (WA) 1-0, LW: #22
23. Columbus (FL) 0-0, LW: #23
24. DeSoto (TX) 2-0, LW #25
25. McEachern (GA) 2-0, LW: NR