By Kevin Askeland and Stephen Spiewak
MaxPreps.com
The first games of the 2008 season are a little over 10 weeks away, so we’ve decided to take an early stab at identifying the contenders for the mythical high school football national championship.
It will be interesting to watch the preseason polls released in August. Unlike Lakeland (Fla.) two years ago and the trio of Miami Northwestern, Southlake Carroll (Texas) and St. Xavier (Ohio) last year, there are no overwhelming favorites at this point. Our own Kevin Askeland and Stephen Spiewak have teamed to run down the parties that could be involved.
The following is a preliminary effort as plenty could transpire between now and Aug. 15, including player transfers, coaching changes or schedule changes. MaxPreps official preseason rankings will debut in early August.
1. Euless Trinity (Texas)
The defending Texas 5A Division I state champions, the Euless Trinity Trojans will be loaded again this year, returning 11 starters from last year’s 15-1 squad. Running back Tray Robinson, who has committed to Nebraska, and quarterback Denarius McGhee, who threw for over 1,700 yards last season, are key skill position athletes who should make Trinity’s offense potent once again. Line play is never a problem for Trinity; the Trojans should be strong up front on both sides of the ball.
2. De La Salle (Calif.)
The Spartans have spent the better part of the 21st century at or near the top of the national rankings and figure to be there again in 2008. Coming off a 13-0 season in which they defeated Centennial 37-31 in the California Division I Bowl Game, De La Salle returns a number of its skill players, including speedy Kylan Butler, who led the team in scoring last year with 17 touchdowns and rushing for 761 yards. The Spartans will need to rebuild the line. Quarterback Blake Wayne, who saw plenty of playing time last year as a backup, will run the offense.
3. Byrnes (S.C.)
Byrnes has been a dominant force in South Carolina over the years, and the 2008 season will be no different. The Rebels play a daunting schedule against the likes of North Gwinnett (Ga.), Lincoln (Fla.), and Pahokee (Fla.), but are well equipped to handle it. Quarterback Chas Dodd (227-409, 3,202 yards) and electric junior running back Marcus Lattimore are among a myriad of returning starters who should have Byrnes in contention for a No. 1 national ranking.
4. Pahokee (Fla.)
Another year, another undefeated, state championship season for the Blue Devils in 2007. The Class 2B power will once again feature an extremely fast, athletic defense. The offense may have a new wrinkle as star wide receiver Nu’Keese Richardson – a Florida Gator pledge – may shift to quarterback. If that happens, expect to see some spread option mixed in with Pahokee’s normal spread offense. Pahokee will be tested with games against Byrnes (S.C.) and Olive Branch (Miss.)
5. Don Bosco Prep (N.J.)
The Ironmen have won two straight New Jersey Non-Public IV state titles, and return most of their weapons on offense. Quarterback Brett Knief and running backs Dillon Romaine and junior Tony Jones will lead the Don Bosco attack against an extremely ambitious schedule that features games at St. Xavier (Ohio) and De La Salle (Calif.). Strong showings against out-of-state competition would make a big statement for New Jersey football, and propel the Ironmen toward the top of national rankings.
6. Madison County (Fla.)
People around Florida love the talent that Madison County returns next season, and it’s hard to disagree. The Cowboys feature two future Florida State Seminoles, defensive tackle Jacobbi McDaniel and running back Chris Thompson, and another explosive athlete, Chris Atkins. They are defending 2A state champs, and some project them as the state’s overall top team next year. Independence (N.C.) will provide a challenge, but look for the Cowboys back in the state finals in 2008.
7. Bastrop (La.)
The Rams have won three straight Louisiana 4A state championships, including a 15-0 campaign last year. Bastrop, which has won 44 straight games, will have to replace state MVP Randall McKay at quarterback, but athletic Rueben Randle could be handed those duties as a converted All-State receiver. The defense should be solid with all-state LB Kentavious Alford returning along with DB Radarious Winston and DE DeQuinta Jones.
8. Gateway (Pa.)
The Gators nearly knocked off eventual Pennsylvania AAAA champion Central Catholic last year, losing 35-34 in the playoffs. Gateway returns several key players from last year’s 11-2 team, most notably All-State linebacker Dorian Bell, who racked up 131 tackles last year and is headed to Ohio State. Additional All-Staters return in lineman Colin Rodkey (6-5, 270) and kicker Ryan Lichtenstein.
9. St. Xavier (Ohio)
The St. Xavier Bombers have been a mainstay in the national rankings in recent years, and rightfully so. While the Bombers graduated a plethora of seniors who helped pioneer two Ohio Division I state titles in the last three seasons, they will reload from a program that features over 300 players. Junior quarterback Luke Massa returns to lead the St. X offense; defensive end Pat Muldoon anchors the defense. Junior offensive lineman Matt James and sophomore linebacker Steven Daniels are among the young talent that will get a chance to shine.
10. Plano (Texas)
Offense won’t be a problem for the Wildcats, who return their leading rusher, passer and receiver from last year’s 13-2 team that lost to Euless Trinity in the Texas 5A semifinals. District MVP Rex Burkhead is back at running back after rushing for 1,768 yards and 29 touchdowns last year while Carson Meger returns at quarterback. Meger threw for 3,342 yards (228-341) and 23 touchdowns last year with returning wide receiver Kris Lott catching 69 passes for 1,127 yards and nine TDs. The defense has fewer returning players and is led by safety Laron Kelly.
11. South Panola (Miss.)
Owners of the nation’s longest winning streak at 75-0, which also includes five straight Mississippi 6A titles, South Panola could stretch that streak to 90 this year. A solid defense returns with all-state linebackers David Conner (97 tackles, 14 sacks) and Marvin Burdette (84 tackles) returning along with defensive back Dominique Carothers (50 tackles) and lineman Kendrick Strong (60 tackles). The offense will miss state MVP Darius Barksdale, but senior quarterback David Renfroe, who also does the punting and kicking, will likely take on more of the offensive responsibility after throwing for 991 yards last year. The offensive line could be a concern with only Don Blevins, a second team All-State player, returning.
12. Lowndes (Ga.)
The Vikings have a bit of bad news for the rest of Georgia’s AAAAA classification: they’re well prepared to defend their title. Lowndes returns Florida-bound Greg Reid, a wide receiver and defensive back, and Florida State bound safety/running back Gerald Demps, to form what is perhaps the nation’s best secondary. Starting quarterback Khary Franklin also returns. Although its classification became a lot more challenging with the return of Northside Warner Robbins to AAAAA, Lowndes is a strong favorite to repeat as state champions.
13. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.)
Florida’s defending 5A state champion, the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders have high hopes for another dominant season. They will head to Cincinnati to take on Elder in the Herbstreit Classic, and will also be tested against 6A favorite Deerfield Beach, as the Raiders will try to avenge their only loss from 2007. Wide receiver Duron Carter, son of Cris Carter, will lead the way for the Raiders, who averaged nearly 40 points per game last year.
14. Long Beach Poly (Calif.)
There’s plenty of talent returning on offense for the Jackrabbits, who were 13-1 last year and won the extremely competitive Pac-5 Division in California’s Southern Section. In the backfield, Melvin Richardson (128 carries, 1,316 yards) headlines a group of backs that includes junior Cory Westbrook (68-558) and Daveon Barner (71-442) as well as QB Morgan Fennell (84-143-1013). The defense must replace All-Americans Jurrell Casey and Vaughn Telemaque, but four of the team’s top six tacklers return, including linemen Iuta Tepa, (92 tackles) and Juwuan Brown (85) and linebackers George Daily-Lyles (85) and Matthew Jones (68). The Jackrabbits get a big out-of-state test this year with a game against Miami powerhouse Northwestern.
15. St. Ignatius (Ohio)
No team gave St. Xavier a bigger scare last season than Jesuit rival St. Ignatius. The Wildcats took St. Xavier to the brink last year, losing by a field goal in triple overtime. The scary part is that St. Ignatius returns quarterback Andrew Holland on offense and safety Dan Fox, committed to Notre Dame on defense, and a host of other starters. They will be a senior-laden team, but their most impressive player may be a junior. Linebacker Aaron McVey started as a sophomore last year, and had a breakout game against St. Xavier, where he helped limit the Bombers to just over 200 yards in 60 plays from scrimmage.
16. Oscar Smith (Va.)
Virginia teams are limited in the scheduling process, making it impossible for Oscar Smith head coach Richard Morgan to schedule an out-of-state opponent. But that should not stop fans nationally from appreciating just how special the 2008 version of the Tigers could be. Coming off a three-point loss to eventual champion Westfield in the state semifinals, the Tigers return 14 starters, including junior Phillip Sims, who could go down as one of the state’s best quarterbacks ever. Junior defensive tackle Evan Hailes, an All-State selection last year, is another blue chip recruit.
17. Rockhurst (Mo.)
The defending Missouri Class 6 champions (13-0) have one of the nation’s best dual-threat quarterbacks returning in Nathan Scheelhaase. Beside throwing for 1,861 yards and 20 touchdowns last year, Scheelhaase also ran for 917 yards. He was an All-State selection along with returning teammates Keith Langtry at wide receiver and Sal Belfonte at running back and defensive back. Belfonte led the team last year in tackles with 119. The Hawklets will play a key border battle with Kansas state champion Hutchinson.
18. Maryville (Tenn.)
It is likely a rebuilding year at Maryville, but that was the expectation last year and all the Rebels did was go 15-0 and win a fourth-straight Tennessee Class 4A state title. Maryville will have to replace All-State quarterback Brent Burnette, but the defense returns All-State defensive end Justin Smith. Coach George Quarles is 123-9 in his nine years as coach of the Rebels with 60 straight wins – the nation’s second-longest winning streak, heading into the 2008 season.
19. Desert Vista (Ariz.)
Desert Vista opponents will feel the Thunder of preseason All-American Devon Kennard, ranked as the best defensive end in the country by Tom Lemming. Last year Kennard finished with 24.5 sacks and 111 tackles in leading the Thunder to the Arizona Class 5A Division I finals. He’s joined on defense by linebacker Danny Mullarkey (89 tackles). Kennard should also see time in the offensive backfield along with returning QB Cole Pembroke (94-172-1,239-10) and running backs Chris Jones (92-562) and Marcus Washington (53-415).
20. Skyline (Wash.)
The class of the Northwest, defending Washington 3A state champ Skyline will once again compete for an undefeated state title, this time in 4A. First year head coach Mat Taylor will inherit potentially the state’s best pitch and catch duo, with junior quarterback Jake Heaps and sophomore wide receiver Kasen Williams, who received an offer from UCLA as a freshman. The Spartans will definitely be a national caliber team this year, but could be even better in 2009.
21. Prattville (Ala.)
The two-time 6A defending champion Prattville Lions will once again be in the thick of things in Alabama. This year, however, the Lions will be taking their show on the road, heading to Ohio to play defending St. Xavier. Additionally, they will host Tennessee power Brentwood Academy. The Lions’ defense will be stout once again, led by Zach Brownell, who will roam the secondary. The offense will have to reload after losing quarterback Casey Weston and running back Justin Albert. But the Lions are loaded at all levels, and new head coach Jamie Dubose should find replacements eager to step up.
22. Eden Prairie (Minn.)
The Eagles lose a lot, including quarterback/defensive back Ryan Grant, rusher Matt Swanson, and defensive end Willie Mobley. Still, Eden Prairie is an extremely deep program. The Eagles haven’t lost in two seasons and have never lost a Prep Bowl, blasting a talented Cretin-Derham Hall squad last year 50-21. 6-foot-4 junior Taylor Grant, younger brother of Ryan and son of head coach Mike Grant, is expected to take over the reigns at quarterback. One of his top targets could be 6-5 junior Brett Ervin, a basketball star who brings height and athleticism to the wide receiver position.
23. St. Joseph’s Prep (Pa.)
Next season, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association will learn what the Philadelphia Catholic League has known for years: St. Joe’s Prep is a real power regardless of classification. The Hawks return one of the best offensive lines in the country, led by senior Mark Arcidiacono and junior Seth Betancourt. If sophomore Spencer Reid, son of Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid, can step in and help sure up the secondary, the Hawks could be set for a very special season.
24. Southlake Carroll (Texas)
The Dragons astonishingly lost two games last year (11-2) and failed to win a state title for the first time in four years. All-American QB Riley Dodge is gone, but second-year coach Hal Wasson returns two standouts on defense in DE Brayden Burnett and DB Josh Rake. Will McWhirter will anchor the offensive line while Cade Foster gives the Dragons one of the state’s top kickers.
25. Orange Lutheran (Calif.)
The Lancers (10-2) are the early pick to win the Trinity League, which ranks as one of the toughest football leagues in the country. The offense returns two of its top rushers in Exavier Edwards and Kyle Dravis while the defense boasts the talents of Jeremiah Pemasa, (11 interceptions), Garrett Gilliland (9 sacks) and DL Kapono Asuega.