1. De La Salle HS (Concord, Calif.) -- (11-0) *1
Last week: Beat San Ramon Valley High, 68-0.
Next game: Nov. 24 vs. James Logan High (North Coast Section Class 4A semifinals)
Outlook: The opening round of the playoffs provided no test for the nation's top team, as De La Salle
cruised to its biggest win of the season and its first shutout this year on Friday. The game was such a blowout that nobody racked up huge offensive numbers for the Spartans. Running back Maurice Drew led the way with 99 yards rushing and one TD on just six carries. Jonathan Tucker provided the play of the game with a 70-yard punt return for a score. James Logan will have a shot at ending De La Salle's 111-game winning streak this Friday in the Class 4A semifinals.
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| Kevin Simon and De La Salle High (Calif.) remain on top of the national football rankings. |
2. Lakeland HS (Lakeland, Fla.) -- (11-0) *2
Last week: Beat Chamberlain High, 10-0.
Next game: Nov. 24 vs. Venice High (Class 5A regional semifinals)
Outlook: It wasn't easy, but Lakeland kept its perfect season intact with a 10-0 win over Chamberlain in the first round of the playoffs on Friday. Lakeland's defense came up huge in the victory, forcing a pair of turnovers that set up both of the Dreadnaughts' scores. An interception by Kareem Taylor set up a 3-yard touchdown run by Charles Riddle, and a fumble recovery by Danny Williams led to a 46-yard field goal by Steve Furr. Lakeland's defense also registered six sacks on the night. Next up for the Dreadnaughts is Venice this Friday in the regional semifinals.
3. Cathedral Prep (Erie, Pa.) -- (11-0) *3
Last week: Beat Allderdice High, 49-0.
Next game: Nov. 25 vs. Altoona High (Class AAAA western semifinals)
Outlook: Cathedral Prep has barely broken a sweat in the playoffs, outscoring its two opponents 111-21. The latest victim was Allderdice, which fell 49-0 on Saturday in the second round of the Class AAAA playoffs. Much like No. 1 De La Salle, nobody put up gaudy stats for Prep because of the lopsided score. But quarterback Ed Hinkel did throw for 69 yards and two touchdowns and scored on a 50-yard punt return. Don't expect things to get any closer this Saturday, when Prep takes on Altoona in the AAAA western semifinals. Cathedral Prep beat Altoona, 46-10, back on Oct. 6.
4. Jenks HS (Jenks, Okla.) -- (12-0) *4
Last week: Beat Stillwater High, 35-13.
Next game: Nov. 25 vs. Lawton High (Class 6A semifinals)
Outlook: Jenks made sure that Stillwater does not run deep into the playoffs on Friday with a 35-13 win. Tailback Kejuan Jones led the way on offense with 196 yards rushing and three scores, while the defense surrendered just over 100 yards. With the victory, Jenks is now two wins away from the Class 6A state title. But taking home the hardware will be easier said than done. Jenks must first get past a strong Lawton squad in the semifinals this Saturday and then could face No. 20 Tulsa Union High in the state championship game.
5. Poly HS (Long Beach, Calif.) -- (11-0) *5
Last week: Beat Fountain Valley High, 41-17.
Next game: Nov. 24 vs. St. Paul High (Division I quarterfinals)
Outlook: Long Beach Poly's shutout streak was finally snapped at three games on Friday, but the Jackrabbits' winning streak goes on thanks to a 41-17 win over Fountain Valley. We know we're beginning to sound like a broken record with respect to Poly, but running back Hershel Dennis led the way again. The sensational junior rushed for 168 yards and three TDs to pace Poly's offense. The Jackrabbits will face St. Paul in the Division I quarterfinals this Friday.
6. St. Louis HS (Honolulu, Hawaii) -- (13-0) *6
Last week: Beat Castle High, 48-0.
Next game: Nov. 24 vs. Waianae High (state semifinals)
Outlook: St. Louis didn't show any signs of rust after having a bye in the first round of the playoffs, as the Crusaders took care of Castle, 48-0, in the state quarterfinals. St. Louis turned three first-quarter turnovers into 21 points and never looked back. The Crusaders have posted three straight shutouts and haven't allowed an offensive touchdown in 16 quarters. St. Louis will take on Waianae in the state semifinals this Friday.
7. West Monroe HS (West Monroe, La.) -- (12-0) *8
Last week: Beat Ouachita High, 43-7.
Next game: Nov. 24 vs. Barbe High (Class 5A quarterfinals)
Outlook: West Monroe moves up a spot this week thanks to a loss by former No. 7 St. Ignatius High (Ohio). West Monroe took care of its business with a 43-7 victory over Ouachita in the regional finals on Friday. Running back J.J. Johnson racked up 110 yards and two TDs on the ground and also scored on a 15-yard reception. The defense used a bend-but-don't-break philosophy, giving up more than 300 yards but stopping Ouachita four times in the red zone. West Monroe moves on to face Barbe in the Class 5A quarterfinals this Friday.
8. Westlake HS (Austin, Texas) -- (11-0) *9
Last week: Beat Judson High, 35-9.
Next game: Nov. 24 vs. Holmes High (second round of Class 5A, Division I playoffs)
Outlook: Westlake held its eighth straight opponent to less than 10 points in dispatching perennial power Judson on Friday night. Running back Scott Ballew paced the Westlake offense with 153 yards rushing and one touchdown, while the defense shut down a powerful Judson offense. Westlake will take on another San Antonio-area power, Holmes, in the second round of the playoffs this Friday.
9. Richmond County HS (Rockingham, N.C.) -- (12-0) *10
Last week: Beat Olympic High, 58-0.
Next game: Nov. 24 vs. Independence High (Class 4A quarterfinals)
Outlook: Apparently, escaping with a 21-20 overtime win in the final game of the regular season has awoken Richmond County -- and the rest of the teams in Class 4A are paying the price. With a 58-0 shellacking of Olympic on Friday, Richmond County has won its two playoff games by a combined score of 105-6. The defense scored a pair of touchdowns in the win over Olympic, with Wayne Morgan returning an interception 65 yards and Darius Ratliss rumbling 16 yards after a fumble recovery. Richmond County faces Independence in the quarterfinals this Friday.
10. Central Bucks West HS (Doylestown, Pa.) -- (12-0) *11
Last week: Beat Pennridge High, 35-21.
Next game: Nov. 24 vs. Downington High (Class AAAA quarterfinals)
Outlook: CB West makes its inaugural appearance in the Top 10, becoming the first team this year to begin the season unranked and make it all the way to the Top 10. The Bucks extended their state-record winning streak to 57 games with a 35-21 win over Pennridge on Friday. Running back Phil DiGiacomo rushed for 212 yards and four scores, while Dave Camburn scored on a 75-yard punt return. Central Bucks West will take on undefeated Downington this Friday in the AAAA quarterfinals in what could be the game of the year in Pennsylvania prep football.
11. Katy HS (Katy, Texas) -- (11-0) *12
Last week: Beat Hightower High, 45-7.
Next game: Nov. 25 vs. Madison High (second round of Class 5A, Division II playoffs)
Outlook: Katy didn't skip a beat in its playoff opener, topping the 40-point mark for the fourth time in five games in a 45-7 win over Hightower. The trio of Jamel Branch, Gerrold Jones and Jonathan Tarver provided a devastating ground attack for the Tigers, combining for 301 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 30 carries. Next up for Katy is Madison this Saturday in the second round of the playoffs.
12. Hackensack HS (Hackensack, N.J.) -- (10-0) *13
Last week: Beat Bayonne High, 72-20.
Next game: Nov. 23 vs. Teaneck High
Outlook: Once again, Hackensack followed up a close victory with a blowout win. The victim on Saturday in the Group IV semifinals was Bayonne, which suffered a 72-20 defeat to Hackensack. After missing the past two games with a dislocated elbow, running back Kaliym Hazel returned with a vengeance, rushing for 283 yards and six touchdowns. Quarterback Bryson Rosser chipped in with three TDs. Hackensack will face Teaneck in a Thanksgiving Day showdown this Thursday.
13. Lincoln HS (Tallahassee, Fla.) -- (11-0) *14
Last week: Beat Dr. Phillips High, 56-7.
Next game: Nov. 24 vs. Lake Brantley High (Class 6A regional semifinals)
Outlook: Last week, we chided Lincoln for not showing a strong enough defense in the regular season. The team responded on Friday with a dominating defensive performance in a 56-7 win over Dr. Phillips in the first round of the postseason. Blue-chip receiver Craphonso Thorpe hauled in four passes for 138 yards and two TDs and added a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Mike Gilliam ran just five times but racked up 187 yards and three scores. Lincoln will now face Lake Brantley in the regional semifinals this Friday.
14. Warner Robins HS (Warner Robins, Ga.) -- (11-0) *16
Last week: Beat Colquitt County High, 41-0.
Next game: Nov. 24 vs. Starr's Mill High (second round of Class AAAAA playoffs)
Outlook: After a big win over rival Northside High in the final regular-season game, Warner Robins avoided a letdown in the opening round of the playoffs with a resounding 41-0 win over Colquitt County. Last year, Colquitt County knocked Warner Robins out of the playoffs. Brett Israel had about as efficient a night passing as any quarterback could ever hope for, connecting on all three of his passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Derek Tharpe caught two of those passes for 73 yards and a score and also intercepted two passes on defense. Warner Robins takes on Starr's Mill this Friday in the second round of the Class AAAAA playoffs.
15. Joliet Catholic Academy (Joliet, Ill.) -- (13-0) *18
Last week: Beat Pontiac High, 28-20.
Next game: Nov. 25 vs. Metamora High (Class 4A finals)
Outlook: With losses by Naperville Central High and Lincoln-Way High over the past two weekends, Joliet Catholic is now the lone ranked team from Illinois. And that didn't come easy. Joliet Catholic overcame five turnovers to hand Pontiac its first loss of the season in the Class 4A semifinals on Saturday. J.R. Zwierzynski, who amassed 221 yards rushing and three TDs, scored the game-winning touchdown on a 78-yard run with 1:15 remaining. Joliet Catholic will play undefeated Metamora for the Class 4A state championship this Saturday.
16. St. Thomas Aquinas HS (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) -- (11-0) *19
Last week: Beat Cypress Lake High, 37-0.
Next game: Nov. 24 vs. Estero High (Class 4A regional semifinals)
Outlook: St. Thomas Aquinas registered its third straight shutout and had little trouble dismissing Cypress Lake from the first round of the postseason on Friday night. Dominic Anderson and David Marrero combined for five touchdown runs in the victory. St. Thomas Aquinas faces Estero in the Class 4A regional semifinals this Friday.
17. Upper Arlington HS (Columbus, Ohio) -- (13-0) *20
Last week: Beat Logan High, 45-13.
Next game: Nov. 25 vs. Colerain High (Division I semifinals)
Outlook: Upper Arlington has cruised in the playoffs thus far, winning by margins of 48-14, 42-14 and 45-13. In Saturday's win over previously unbeaten Logan, Jeff Backes rushed for 220 yards and one score to bring his season total to 3,002 rushing yards. But things will undoubtedly get tougher for Upper Arlington from here on out. Even with St. Ignatius out of the way, the road to the Division I title will likely go through two nationally ranked teams. UA will face new No. 25 Colerain in the semifinals this Saturday and then could face new No. 23 Solon High in the state title game. Solon knocked off former No. 7 St. Ignatius this past weekend.
18. Woodland Hills HS (Pittsburgh, Pa.) -- (12-0) *21
Last week: Beat North Allegheny High, 41-21.
Next game: Nov. 25 vs. Mount Lebanon High (Class AAAA WPIAL finals)
Outlook: Woodland Hills continued to tear through the WPIAL playoffs by routing North Allegheny on Saturday in the Class AAAA semifinals. Kareem Dutrieuille rushed for 66 yards and three scores to pace the Woodland Hills offense. Next up is a Class AAAA WPIAL finals showdown against Mount Lebanon this Saturday.
19. Eisenhower HS (Aldine, Texas) -- (11-0) *22
Last week: Beat Kingwood High, 27-0.
Next game: Nov. 25 vs. Pearland High (second round of Class 5A, Division I playoffs)
Outlook: With every passing game, it's looking more and more like Eisenhower is the only team with a shot at derailing No. 8 Westlake for the Texas Class 5A, Division I state title. Eisenhower flexed its muscles in the first round of the postseason with a dominating 27-0 win over Kingwood that showed off the team's offensive and defensive prowess. Eisenhower will now take on Pearland in the second round of the playoffs this weekend.
20. Union HS (Tulsa, Okla.) -- (11-1) *23
Last week: Beat Owasso High, 25-12.
Next game: Nov. 25 vs. Moore High (Class 6A semifinals)
Outlook: It wasn't quite as dominating as usual, but Tulsa Union still got a 'W' on Saturday in the Class 6A quarterfinals, beating Owasso, 25-12. Union is now one win away from a possible rematch against No. 4 Jenks in the state finals. Jenks is the only team to beat Union this season. But for that to happen, Union will have to take care of a tough Moore squad this Saturday in the state semifinals.
21. Harrison HS (Farmington Hills, Mich.) -- (13-0) *24
Last week: Beat Lapeer West High, 36-6.
Next game: Nov. 25 vs. East Lansing High (Division III finals)
Outlook: Thanks to a convincing 30-point win over Lapeer West on Saturday, Harrison will play for the state title this weekend. In the victory over West, quarterback Drew Stanton was marvelous, completing 13 of 15 pass attempts for 181 yards and three scores. Harrison will take on East Lansing this Saturday in the Division III state championship game.
22. Northside HS (Warner Robins, Ga.) -- (10-1) *25
Last week: Beat Lowndes County High, 28-3.
Next game: Nov. 24 vs. East Coweta High (second round of Class AAAAA playoffs)
Outlook: Northside bounced back from last week's loss to rival Warner Robins by easily taking care of Lowndes County, 28-3, on Saturday in the opening round of the Class AAAAA playoffs. Running back Rashad Johnson controlled the game on the ground, racking up 217 yards and three touchdowns. Northside hopes to roll on in the postseason this Friday against East Coweta.
23. Solon HS (Solon, Ohio) -- (13-0) *NR
Last week: Beat St. Ignatius High, 31-13.
Next game: Nov. 25 vs. Massillon Perry High (Division I semifinals)
Outlook: Solon earned this spot by knocking off the nation's former No. 7 team, St. Ignatius, on Saturday in the Division I quarterfinals. Combine the margin of victory, the strength of the opponent and a 13-0 record, and that'll earn just about any team a spot in our Top 25. But Solon can't let up yet. Next up is a strong Massillon Perry team in the semifinals this Saturday. And if Solon wins that contest, it will face the winner of Saturday's other semifinal game between No. 17 Upper Arlington and new No. 25 Colerain High.
24. Red Bank HS (Chattanooga, Tenn.) -- (13-0) *NR
Last week: Beat Bradley Central High, 45-14.
Next game: Nov. 24 vs. Dobyns-Bennett High (Class 5A semifinals)
Outlook: Red Bank breaks into the rankings this week following a 45-14 rout of Bradley Central in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Friday. Running back Gerald Riggs busted loose for 248 rushing yards and four TDs. Of course, it helps when you score on touchdown runs of 85 and 69 yards. Red Bank will put its new ranking on the line this Friday in the Class 5A semifinals against Dobyns-Bennett.
25. Colerain HS (Cincinnati, Ohio) -- (13-0) *NR
Last week: Beat Elder High, 44-13.
Next game: Nov. 25 vs. Upper Arlington High (Division I semifinals)
Outlook: Colerain is the second Ohio squad to enter the Top 25 this week, thanks to an impressive 44-13 win over Elder in the regional finals on Saturday. Quarterback Sean Jones tallied 290 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. Colerain's stay in the Top 25 could be very short, though, as the team takes on No. 17 Upper Arlington in the Division I semifinals this Saturday. Is there any doubt what the game of the week will be? We didn't think so.
Dropped out:
No. 7 St. Ignatius High (Ohio) -- lost to Solon High, 31-13.
No. 15 Lincoln-Way High (Ill.) -- lost to Maine South High, 35-34 (2OT).
No. 17 Gadsden High (Ala.) -- lost to Walker High, 21-10.
*: last week's ranking
Material from SchoolSports.com.