MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings

Before we get to the first edition of the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard, we want to share the newest addition to the weekly rankings that feature the nation's best teams.

The MaxWire will be embedded in each week's rankings story to give you even more information on which teams are making moves and which players are turning heads. In addition to the video highlights, we will also have live commentary from the experts at MaxPreps, like National Football Editor Stephen Spiewak, Managing Producer Steve Montoya and perhaps others.

This week's rankings are below the video.





Two days after high school football kicked off in the continental states, there's already a new No. 1 team in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

Washington (Miami), which entered the season ranked No. 9, soars to the top spot following a 55-0 drubbing of then No. 3-ranked Norcross in a game that was nationally televised. Washington dominated from start to finish and already appeared to be in midseason form after making the 700-mile trip.

It was perhaps the most impressive performance in a high-profile interstate game ever.

De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), previously ranked No. 1, slides to No. 2. It will need to look impressive in its opener as Miami Central, ranked No. 3, is challenging for that spot and more.

Central (Miami) and Booker T. Washington meet in two weeks in what could be a battle of the nation's top two teams, which happen to hail from the same city.

Carroll (Southlake, Texas), Hoover (Ala.) and Mountain Pointe (Phoenix) all enter the rankings this week.



MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard

1. (9) Washington (Miami), 1-0
Washington went on the road and delivered an absolutely punishing defeat to Norcross, previously ranked No. 3, 55-0. Story / Photos

2. (1) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
The Spartans open Friday against Clayton Valley Charter.

3. (2) Central (Miami)
Central looked almost as impressive as its crosstown rival Washington, beating Dwyer 44-13 in a kickoff classic preseason game that doesn't count on its record.

4. (4) Allen (Texas)
Allen opens Friday against Southlake Carroll.

5. (5) Sandy Creek (Tyrone, Ga.)
Sandy Creek opens against Plant (Tampa, Fla.) on Thursday night.
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6. (6) St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
The Braves open on Friday against Dominguez (Compton, Calif.).

7. (7) Karr (New Orleans)
Karr opens Sept. 6 against St. Paul.



8. (8) Curtis (River Ridge, La.)
Curtis plays Salem Friday in kickoff jamboree.

9. (10) Centennial (Corona, Calif.)
The Huskies open Friday against Liberty (Henderson, Nev.).

10. (11) Serra (Gardena, Calif.)
After looking very good in a scrimmage against Long Beach Poly, Serra could rise in the rankings if it looks good in its Saturday opener against Desert Ridge (Mesa, Ariz.) at the Brothers in Arms Classic in San Diego.
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11. (12) Katy (Texas)
Katy opens Friday against Klein.

12. (13) Coppell (Texas)
Coppell opens Friday against Longview.

13. (14) Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
Hamilton opens Saturday against Eastlake (Chula Vista, Calif.), the game after Serra's at the Brothers in Arms Classic.

14. (15) DeSoto (Texas)
DeSoto opens Friday against Martin (Arlington, Texas).



15. (16) St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Aquinas defeated Dillard Thursday in a kickoff classic and will open against Miami Northwestern on Saturday.
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16. (18) Bellevue (Wash.)
Bellevue opens Sept. 6 against Skyline (Sammamish, Wash.).

17. (22) Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.), 1-0
Northwestern dominated Gaffney for the second year in a row, winning 51-19. Story / Qwixcore / Photos

18. (19) Folsom (Calif.)
The Bulldogs open Friday against Woodcreek (Roseville, Calif.).

19. (20) DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), 1-0
DeMatha struggled at times, but pulled out a season-opening 24-20 victory against Phoebus on the road. It will need to improve with upcoming games against Godby and St. Joseph Regional. Qwixcore

20. (21) Paramus Catholic (N.J.)
Paramus Catholic opens Sept. 8 against Gilman (Baltimore).
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21. (23) Long Beach Poly (Calif.)
The Jackrabbits open Friday against Crenshaw (Los Angeles).

22. (24) University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 1-0
University looked good in a high-profile matchup against Homestead, winning 41-21.



23. (NR) Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
The Dragons open Friday against Allen.

24. (NR) Hoover (Ala.)
Hoover opens Friday against Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.).

25. (NR) Mountain Pointe (Phoenix), 1-0
Mountain Pointe defeated last week's No. 25-ranked team, Bishop Gorman, to open its season. Story / Qwixcore / Photos / Photos

Dropped out:
Apopka (Fla.)
Norcross (Ga.)
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)