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Wednesday, July 16
National Football Top 25
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1. De La Salle HS (Concord, Calif.) - (13-0) *1
Last week: Beat San Leandro High, 49-13, in North Coast Section Class 4A finals on Dec. 2.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: Meet your 2000 national champions. Although there are still playoff games to be played in some states, De La Salle wrapped up its season with a 49-13 win over San Leandro in the North Coast Section Class 4A championship game on Dec. 2. The win assures De La Salle of its ninth consecutive undefeated season. The Spartans went wire to wire as the No. 1 team and have now won 113 straight games. In the victory over San Leandro, De La Salle led 42-0 at the half and pulled its starters midway through the third quarter. Running back Kevin Simon led the way with 144 yards rushing, including an 83-yard TD run on the Spartans' first offensive play.
Charles Rush
Cathedral Prep (Pa.) defensive terror Charles Rush still has a long list of college choices.

2. Cathedral Prep (Erie, Pa.) - (14-0) *2
Last week: Beat Central Bucks West High, 41-35 (OT), in Class AAAA state finals.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: In the game of the year in high school football, Cathedral Prep outlasted then-No. 7 Central Bucks West, 41-35, in overtime on Saturday to win the Class AAAA state title. The game was a rematch of last year's championship game, which C.B. West won, 14-13. And in a contest that lived up to all the pre-game hype, Cathedral Prep ended the Bucks' state-record 59-game win streak and exacted revenge from a team that had beaten the Ramblers twice in the state finals in the 1990s. Cathedral Prep running back Jawan Walker finished with 163 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries and scored the game-winning TD on a 4-yard run in OT. Prep had blocked a C.B. West field-goal attempt earlier in overtime.

3. Jenks HS (Jenks, Okla.) - (14-0) *3
Last week: Beat Tulsa Union High, 31-12, in Class 6A state finals on Dec. 1.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: There is simply no question which is the best football team in Oklahoma. Jenks' impressive 31-12 win over former No. 16 Tulsa Union on Dec. 1 in the Class 6A state title game helped answer that question loud and clear. The Trojans have now won five straight state titles, the second-longest streak in Oklahoma history. Jenks beat Union twice this season and has defeated Union in each of the past three state finals.

4. Poly HS (Long Beach, Calif.) - (14-0) *4
Last week: Beat Loyola High, 16-13 (OT), in Southern Section Division I finals.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: Much like No. 2 Cathedral Prep, Long Beach Poly survived its final game of the season in overtime, coming from behind to beat a strong Loyola team, 16-13, on Saturday to win the Southern Section Division I title and finish the year at 14-0. Star running back Hershel Dennis scored on an 11-yard TD reception in overtime to give the Jackrabbits the victory. Earlier in overtime, Loyola had taken a 13-10 lead on a 21-yard field goal. But Poly needed just two plays to go 30 yards -- after a five-yard penalty to start the drive -- for the title-winning score.

5. West Monroe HS (West Monroe, La.) - (15-0) *5
Last week: Beat Shaw High, 35-7, in Class 5A state finals.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: West Monroe completed a perfect season on Saturday with a convincing 35-7 win over Shaw in the Class 5A state championship game. West Monroe ripped through the postseason, beating its five playoff opponents by a combined score of 187-14. The win helps make up for last year's loss to Evangel Christian Academy in the title game.

6. Westlake HS (Austin, Texas) - (14-0) *6
Last week: Beat Eisenhower High, 45-0.
Next game: Dec. 16 vs. Midland Lee High (Class 5A, Division I state finals)
Outlook: While the Cathedral Prep-Central Bucks West showdown lived up to the hype, Saturday's matchup between No. 6 Westlake and then-No. 14 Eisenhower most certainly did not. Westlake whipped Eisenhower, 45-0, in the Class 5A, Division I state semifinals, further proving its dominance this season. The Chaparrals have now won their last two games by a combined score of 87-0 to set up an intriguing matchup against former nationally ranked Midland Lee and star running back Cedric Benson in the state finals. Midland Lee began the season in the national Top 10 before a couple of losses derailed the Rebels in midseason. But with Benson leading the way, Midland Lee should provide the toughest test of the season for Westlake. Of course, that's what we thought about Eisenhower, too.

7. Katy HS (Katy, Texas) - (14-0) *8
Last week: Beat Alief Elsik High, 54-14.
Next game: Dec. 16 vs. Marshall High (Class 5A, Division II state semifinals)
Outlook: Katy kept rolling along with a decisive 54-14 shellacking of Alief Elsik in the Class 5A, Division II quarterfinals on Saturday. It's too bad that Katy and No. 6 Westlake can't face off against each other in the Texas state playoffs. Considering nobody else seems able to test either of these teams, a game between the Tigers and Chaparrals might actually have some drama. Katy's closest victory all season was a 24-9 win over Aldine High in the regional finals. Perhaps Marshall will be able to make a game out of the state semifinals on Saturday.

8. Hackensack HS (Hackensack, N.J.) - (12-0) *9
Last week: Beat Teaneck High, 21-12, in Group IV state finals on Dec. 3.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: Hackensack wrapped up an unbeaten season and a spot in the Top 10 with a 21-12 win over Teaneck in the Group IV state championship game on Dec. 3. Running back Bryan Wilson rushed for 126 yards and two scores in the victory.

9. Joliet Catholic Academy (Joliet, Ill.) - (14-0) *11
Last week: Beat Metamora High, 27-14, in Class 4A state finals on Nov. 25.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: Joliet Catholic won its second consecutive and ninth overall Class 4A state title with a 27-14 victory over previously undefeated Metamora on Nov. 25. Running back J.R. Zwierzynski led the way with 172 yards rushing and two TDs. Thanks to some losses by Top 10 teams over the past few weeks, Joliet Catholic managed to sneak into the Top 10 despite its season ending two weeks ago.

10. Central Bucks West HS (Doylestown, Pa.) - (14-1) *7
Last week: Lost to No. 2 Cathedral Prep, 41-35 (OT), in Class AAAA state finals.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: Despite a 41-35 overtime loss to No. 2 Cathedral Prep in the state finals on Saturday, C.B. West only drops three spots this week. It might be a little controversial to have a team with one loss in the Top 10, but what would rankings be without some controversy? Besides, how can you punish the Bucks for losing to the second-best team in the nation in overtime in the state finals? Our answer: You can't. That's why C.B. West stays in the Top 10.

11. St. Thomas Aquinas HS (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) - (14-0) *12
Last week: Beat Southeast High, 28-21.
Next game: Dec. 14 vs. Pine Forest High (Class 4A state finals)
Outlook: It wasn't easy, but St. Thomas held on for a 28-21 victory over Bradenton Southeast on Friday night to advance to the Class 4A state finals. The Raiders jumped out to a 21-0 lead, but Southeast, behind quarterback Adrian McPherson, rallied to make things interesting. St. Thomas recovered a Southeast fumble with less than a minute left to secure the win. The Raiders will face undefeated Pine Forest (14-0) in the state finals on Thursday night.

12. Upper Arlington HS (Columbus, Ohio) - (15-0) *13
Last week: Beat Solon High, 15-9, in Division I state finals on Dec. 2.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: Upper Arlington won the Division I state championship on Dec. 2 with a grind-it-out 15-9 victory over then-No. 18 Solon. Running back Jeff Backes was the clear MVP of the game, rushing for 183 yards and two touchdowns and intercepting a pass at his own goal line with 46 seconds remaining to secure the win. Upper Arlington may have had the toughest road of anyone in the nation to its state title. The Golden Bears defeated a pair of nationally ranked teams -- Colerain High in the semifinals and Solon in the finals -- to win the championship.

13. Harrison HS (Farmington Hills, Mich.) - (14-0) *15
Last week: Beat East Lansing High, 42-0, in Division III state finals on Nov. 25.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: Harrison won its second straight state title and 11th overall with a 42-0 rout of East Lansing in the Division III finals on Nov. 25. Harrison did all of its damage in the first half, invoking the mercy rule for only the second time in state finals history and setting a state record with 42 first-half points. Of course, that shouldn't come as a surprise since Harrison mercied 11 of the 14 teams it played this season. Even more impressive is that 12 of Harrison's opponents made the postseason.

14. Red Bank HS (Chattanooga, Tenn.) - (15-0) *16
Last week: Beat Riverdale High, 27-7, in Class 5A state finals on Dec. 2.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: One week after playing in a downpour in the state semifinals, Red Bank won the Class 5A state title by beating Riverdale, 27-7, on Dec. 2 in blizzard-like conditions. The snow didn't bother junior running back Gerald Riggs, who rushed for 209 yards and three touchdowns in the win. In the past three weeks, Red Bank has jumped all the way from No. 24 to No. 14.

15. Eden Prairie HS (Eden Prairie, Minn.) - (13-0) *17
Last week: Beat Cretin-Derham Hall, 24-14, in Class 5A state finals on Nov. 24.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: Eden Prairie capped an undefeated season with an impressive 24-14 win over former nationally ranked Cretin-Derham Hall in the Class 5A state title game on Nov. 24. Eden Prairie fell behind, 14-0, but rallied behind quarterback Mike Erickson, who finished with 247 passing yards and two touchdowns.

16. Southeast HS (Lincoln, Neb.) - (13-0) *18
Last week: Beat Omaha Creighton Prep, 14-7 (2OT), in Class A state finals on Nov. 17.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: Southeast finished its season more than three weeks ago, but the team climbed another two spots this week. A 14-7 double overtime win over Omaha Creighton Prep on Nov. 17 gave Southeast an undefeated season and the Class A state title.

17. Venice HS (Venice, Fla.) - (14-0) *19
Last week: Beat Ely High, 24-20.
Next game: Dec. 15 vs. Dwyer High (Class 5A state finals)
Outlook: Venice literally ran over Ely on Friday night, 24-20, in the Class 5A state semifinals. Venice finished the game with 315 yards rushing to control the clock and grind out another close victory. The team has won its last three postseason games by a total margin of 11 points. Next up for Venice is Dwyer in the state finals on Friday.

18. Rockhurst HS (Kansas City, Mo.) - (14-0) *20
Last week: Beat Pattonville High, 23-7, in Class 5A state finals on Nov. 24.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: Rockhurst handled Pattonville, 23-7, on Nov. 24 to win the Class 5A state championship, its first since 1987. Geoff Brown racked up 115 yards and two TDs on the ground, while Noah Strozier returned an interception 43 yards for a score.

19. Mt. Carmel HS (Chicago, Ill.) - (13-1) *21
Last week: Beat Providence Catholic High, 38-12, in Class 5A state finals on Nov. 25.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: One loss on its record doesn't overshadow the kind of dominating season Mt. Carmel put together this year in winning its third consecutive Class 5A state title. Mt. Carmel capped a 13-1 season by routing Providence Catholic, 38-12, on Nov. 25 in the Class 5A finals. Don Dorham rushed for 190 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

20. Independence HS (Charlotte, N.C.) - (15-1) *22
Last week: Beat South View High, 24-19, in Class 4-A state finals.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: It turns out the glass slipper does fit Independence. The team's Cinderella season finished with a happy ending on Saturday, when Independence beat South View, 24-19, to win the Class 4-A state championship. Quarterback Chris Leak, a finalist for the High School Heisman in the Mid-Atlantic region, finished with 359 yards and three TDs in the title game, bringing his season totals to more than 4,000 yards passing and 50 touchdowns.

21. Glades Central HS (Belle Glade, Fla.) - (14-0) *23
Last week: Beat Armwood High, 41-15.
Next game: Dec. 15 vs. Astronaut High (Class 3A state finals)
Outlook: Glades Central didn't disappoint in its first game since joining the Top 25, routing Armwood, 41-15, on Friday in the Class 3A state semifinals. Glades Central will blast off against Astronaut (12-2) this Friday in the state championship game.

22. Moss Point HS (Moss Point, Miss.) - (13-1) *24
Last week: Beat Clinton High, 45-14, in Class 5A state finals on Dec. 1.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: Much like No. 19 Mt. Carmel, Moss Point bounced back from an early-season loss to win a state title and earn a spot in our Top 25. Moss Point won its championship in dominating fashion on Dec. 1, routing highly touted Clinton, 45-14, in the Class 5A state finals.

23. Strath Haven HS (Wallingford, Pa.) - (15-0) *NR
Last week: Beat West Allegheny High, 31-28, in Class AAA state finals.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: After winning the Class AAA state title on Friday with a 31-28 victory over West Allegheny, Strath Haven becomes the third Pennsylvania team in the Top 25, joining Class AAAA powers Cathedral Prep and Central Bucks West. Carl Schoenman's 24-yard field with one second left gave Strath Haven its second straight AAA crown and a perfect 15-0 season.

24. Solon HS (Solon, Ohio) - (14-1) *25
Last week: Lost to Upper Arlington High, 15-9, in Division I state finals on Dec. 2.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: Despite a 15-9 loss to No. 12 Upper Arlington in the Division I state title game, Solon still ranks as one of the nation's Top 25 teams. Wins over St. Ignatius High and Massillon Perry High on the way to the state finals prove that fact.

25. Maine South HS (Park Ridge, Ill.) - (13-1) *NR
Last week: Beat Glenbard North High, 27-8, in Class 6A state finals on Nov. 25.
Next game: Season complete.
Outlook: This is a team we've had our eye on for a few weeks, but it took some losses by Top 25 teams to get Maine South into the rankings. Maine South let everyone know it was for real by beating then nationally ranked Lincoln-Way High, 35-34 (OT) in the Class 6A state semifinals back on Nov. 18. The team followed that upset victory by crushing Glenbard North, 27-8, in the championship game on Nov. 25.

Dropped out:
No. 10 Lincoln High (Fla.) -- lost to Palm Bay High, 21-20 (OT).
No. 14 Eisenhower High (Texas) -- lost to No. 6 Westlake High, 45-0.

*: last week's ranking



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