MaxPreps Top 25 national high school football rankings

No teams ranked in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 presented by the Army National Guard lost this weekend, but one team came extremely close.

North Gwinnett overcame a 20-point, second-half deficit to escape with a wild 50-47 victory against Mill Creek in the weekend's most exciting game. Quarterback Hayden Sphire and receiver Nate Brown, along with Dante Sawyer and the team's defense, sparked the incredible comeback that allowed North Gwinnett to retain its No. 6 ranking.

The team's defense, which struggled mightily in the first half, will likely need to improve in the coming weeks as matchups with Collins Hill and Peachtree Ridge loom.

The only other ranked team to be challenged this week was Mater Dei, which knocked off rival Servite 28-21. It was a late challenge, as Mater Dei led 21-0 in the first half.



Next week could see a much greater shakeup in the rankings, as St Joseph Regional, Serra, and St. Edward all face tough tests.


1. (1) Washington (Miami), 7-0
The nation's No. 1 team remained unbeaten with a 21-9 victory over rival Northwestern. Qwixcore

2. (2) DeSoto (Texas), 6-0
After a slow start, DeSoto once again turned it up a notch to come away with a 55-20 win over previously unbeaten Mansfield Timberview. Qwixcore

3. (3) Allen (Texas), 6-0
Allen could be on a collision course with DeSoto. It downed Plano East 62-17.

4. (4) St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 6-0
In Trinity League action, Bosco downed Santa Margarita 56-12. Qwixcore

5. (5) St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.), 4-0
Idle{PAGEBREAK}

6. (6) North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.), 6-0
A shocking comeback, highlighted by a hook-and-ladder play, helped North Gwinnett come from behind to beat Mill Creek. Story



7. (7) Katy (Texas), 6-0
Katy continues to roll through local foes, trouncing Taylor 44-0. Box score

8. (8) Central (Miami), 5-1
Central improved to 5-1 with a 56-6 win over Norland.

9. (9) Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.), 7-0
It seems as if nothing can slow Northwestern's impressive offense. It dialed up 49 points in a blowout over Clover. Qwixcore

10. (11) Paramus Catholic (N.J.), 5-0
In its third insterstate game of the season, Paramus Catholic overwhelmed St. Mark's of Delaware, 56-6. Box score {PAGEBREAK}

11. (10) Bellevue (Wash.), 6-0
Against Interlake, Bellevue prevailed 52-13.

12. (12) Mountain Pointe (Phoenix), 8-0
Mountain Pointe blanked Brophy Prep 31-0. Box score

13. (13) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 6-0
Idle.



14. (14) University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 6-0
Idle

15. (15) Hoover (Ala.), 6-0
Despite losing two quarterbacks due to injury, Hoover prevailed 28-6 over Hillcrest. Qwixcore{PAGEBREAK}

16. (16) St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio), 6-0
Idle

17. (17) Folsom (Calif.), 6-0
Folsom turned a highly anticipated matchup into a 35-0 victory against Oak Ridge. Photos, Qwixcore

18. (18) Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.), 6-0
Manatee held off Palmetto 35-14 after entering the fourth quarter in a tie game. Qwixcore

19. (21) Miramar (Fla.), 7-0
The Miramar defense continues to dominate. The team shut out Everglades 38-0.

20. (19) Colerain (Cincinnati), 7-0
Cincinnati's top-ranked team came away with a 40-22 win over Sycamore. Photos, Qwixcore {PAGEBREAK}

21. (20) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 6-0
In one of Southern California's top rivalries, Mater Dei defeated Servite 28-21.



22. (22) Serra (Gardena, Calif.), 6-0
After struggling earlier this season, Serra is finally clicking, as evidenced by its 63-7 win over Harvard-Westlake. Box score

23. (23) McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.), 7-0
On a night where one nationally ranked Georgia squad nearly lost, McEachern easily downed South Cobb 40-0. Photos,

24. (24) Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.), 7-0
Ensworth won easily over Giles County, 48-7, for the program's 28th-consecutive victory. Qwixcore

25. (25) Pearland (Texas), 6-0
Pearland notched its fourth shutout of the season in a 43-0 victory over Alvin.