MaxPreps Top 25 national high school football rankings

De La Salle and Serra have shared similar trajectories this year in the Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

Both entered the season ranked high, struggled early on, and are steadily showing that September challenges were more of an aberration than a true indicator of how good both teams are.

This week, De La Salle climbs to the No. 6 spot, right on the heels of SoCal power St. John Bosco for the state's top spot. Serra, meanwhile, moves inside the Top 10.

Also on the rise is Northwestern. The South Carolina squad hammered previously unbeaten York 45-15. Its victory over Byrnes is proving more significant as Byrnes continues to demonstrate it is clearly among the nation's elite.




1. (1) Washington (Miami), 9-0
In Thursday night action, Washington pounded Norland 41-14.

2. (2) DeSoto (Texas), 8-0
DeSoto posted 55 points in a victory over Duncanville, but its defense nearly gave up thirty or more points for the second-straight week (29).

3. (3) Allen (Texas), 8-0
Allen led 28-20 midway through the third quarter before pulling away and beating McKinney, 49-26.

4. (4) St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.), 6-0
Adding another big win to its resume, St. Joseph Regional defeated Paramus Catholic 27-14.

5. (5) St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 8-0
In Trinity League action, St. John Bosco downed JSerra Catholic 48-7.
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6. (8) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 8-0
Quietly, De La Salle continues its march up the rankings as other teams fall. It defeated Amador Valley 63-14.

7. (7) Central (Miami), 7-1
Since its loss to Washington, Central has won six in a row, defeating Carol City 48-18 on Friday.



8. (10) Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.), 9-0
Kyle Richardson's squad made short work of previously unbeaten York, 45-15. The team's offense continues to dominate, but the defense seems to have improved greatly since the team's victory over Byrnes.

9. (9) Katy (Texas), 8-0
The Tigers rolled to an easy 49-7 win over Strake Jesuit.

10. (15) Serra (Gardena, Calif.), 8-0
There was no letdown for Serra after a convincing win over Chaminade. The team downed Cathedral 45-14 and its consistency suggests this team is for real.
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11. (11) Bellevue (Wash.), 8-0
A sensational punt return by Budda Baker highlighted Bellevue's 38-7 win over Liberty.

12. (12) Mountain Pointe (Phoenix), 9-0
Idle.

13. (14) Hoover (Ala.), 9-0
Idle.

14. (16) Folsom (Calif.), 8-0
Against Sheldon, Folsom set a season-high point total, winning 80-27.



15. (18) Miramar (Fla.), 9-0
Miramar's defense is superb, as it defeated Cypress Bay 38-2.
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16. (17) Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.), 9-0
After falling behind 21-0, Manatee battled back to defeat University 28-24. Story

17. (19) Colerain (Cincinnati), 9-0
Colerain moved to 9-0 with a 49-10 win over Middletown.

18. (22) Pearland (Texas), 8-0
It was another dominant defensive effort for Pearland in a 52-6 win over Pasadena Memorial.

19. (23) Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.), 8-1
Byrnes mauled Mauldin 76-49. Its continued success also helps Northwestern, the only team to defeat it.

20. (25) St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 7-1
Aquinas overwhelmed Hollywood Hills, 47-7.
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21. (NR) St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio), 7-1
After a disappointing loss to rival St. Ignatius, St. Edward bounced back in a big way with a 45-42 win over Moeller.

22. (21) Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.), 8-0
It was a struggle, but Ensworth came away with a 16-9 victory over Baylor.



23. (NR) Mallard Creek (Charlotte, N.C.), 9-0
The Mavericks have scored 424 points while allowing a mere 72. They beat A.L. Brown 49-7.

24. (NR) Jenks (Okla.), 8-0
Jenks is living up to expectations as the state's top team this season. The Trojans went to Muskogee and won 56-14.

25. (NR) Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 7-2
Bishop Gorman continues to hover around the No. 25 spot. It re-enters the rankings this week. Its only two losses are to Washington (Miami) and Mountain Pointe (Phoenix).