MaxPreps identifies 10 programs that are new to the national scene.
Even casual football fans have heard the names of the country's most prominent high school programs: De La Salle, St. Thomas Aquinas, Katy, Don Bosco Prep.
While every state has well-established programs with reputations for excellence, there are a number of teams that are taking the next step into national prominence.
MaxPreps looks at the Top 10 programs on the rise around the country.
10. Jordan (Sandy, Utah) 2010 finish: 9-42011 record: 3-0Head coach: Eric KjarAs Bingham got hammered by Orange Lutheran on Saturday, the landscape of Utah high school football felt the shockwaves. Jordan, which lost to Bingham in the 5A semifinals last season, could be the team to supplant the Miners as the state's top team. Led by freshman quarterback
Austin Kafentzis and a strong offensive line, Jordan is 3-0 so far this season and improving each week.
Taylor Loomis and B.J. Cavendar provide senior leadership for Jordan.
Photo by David Argyle
{PAGEBREAK}
9. Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.)2010 finish: 12-1, Class AAA runner-up2011 record: 0-1Head coach: Steve DevlinDespite starting the season 0-1, it's clear that Archbishop Wood is one of the top programs in Pennsylvania. Steve Devlin's squad dropped a 20-17 decision to perennial AAAA power Pittsburgh Central Catholic, but proved that it should be the favorite in AAA this year. With
Desmon Peoples and
Colin Thompson, Archbishop Wood is likely the top team in Eastern Pennsylvania this season, a designation that usually belongs to the likes of La Salle, St. Joseph's Prep or North Penn.
Desmon Peoples sparks a potent Archbishop Wood offense.
Photo by Ron Siliani
{PAGEBREAK}
8. Aquinas Institute (Rochester, N.Y.)2010 finish: 13-0, Class A state champions2011 record: 1-0Head coach: Chris BattagliaWhile the Empire State has traditionally been dominated by schools on Long Island, Aquinas Institute has quietly become arguably the state's best team and will look to repeat as Class A champions. Though the team's roster is teeming with underclassmen, senior
Jarron Jones, a massive 6-foot-6 defensive tackle, is the leader on this year's Aquinas squad, which could find itself nationally ranked by season's end.
Aquinas has had plenty to celebrate the last two seasons.
Photo by Terry Wherry
Not steeped in football tradition, Delaware may be an unlikely home for rising football power Red Lion Christian Academy. Led by freshman wunderkind
David Sills, Red Lion drilled one of Ohio's top small-school programs, Ursuline, to kick off its ambitious schedule on a high note. The school is attracting high-caliber talent to its halls, so it may not be long before it emerges as a superpower in the Mid-Atlantic.
David Sills is a savvy and experienced freshman quarterback.
Photo by Bill Berg
{PAGEBREAK}
6. DeSoto (Texas)2010 finish: 11-32011 record: 2-0Head coach: Claude MathisWell-known for its explosive offense, DeSoto has also exhibited an impressive defense thus far in 2011, holding Leadner and Douglass (Oklahoma City) to a combined three points.
Michael Richardson,
Bryson Echols and
Jalen Mills lead the the unit, which will be tested in upcoming games with Cedar Hill, Stony Point and Tyler Lee. Junior running back
Dontre Wilson has the potential to be a special player on offense. If it finishes the regular season without a loss, DeSoto could soar inside the Top 10 in the Xcellent 25.
Electric junior Dontre Wilson stands out on DeSoto's offense.
Photo by Jim Redman
Despite graduating star recruit Antonio Richardson and losing a number of other key players from a team that captured the program's first Division II state title, Ensworth has not missed a beat this season, and is quickly becoming the top Division II program in the state. Led by quarterback
Andrew Bowers and running back
Cornelius Elder, Ensworth certainly has the firepower to repeat.
Quarterback Andrew Bowers has Ensworth back on top.
Photo by Chris Evans
Following a perfect 12-0 season, Holy Spirit projects to be even stronger in 2011, a sign that the program is on the cusp of breaking into the national spotlight. Even with linebacker Anthony Sarao now at USC, there is still a glut of talent at the South Jersey school, with seniors
Dan Mastromatteo and
Nico D'Angelo leading the way. The program will be solid for years to come, with freshmen
Cinjun Erskine and
Sam Madden already prepared to contribute.
Holy Spirit celebrated a Non-Public Group III title last season.
Photo courtesy of Holy Spirit
It's almost natural to expect a drop-off for a program that lost one of the top passers in state history, Everett Golson, who won two state titles during his high school career. However, Myrtle Beach is demonstrating that it was far from a one-man show, as it traveled to Byrnes and came away with a huge early-season victory last weekend. The team will once again vie for a AAA state title as well as a national ranking.
{PAGEBREAK}
2. University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)2010 finish: 14-1, Class 2B runner-up2011 record: 1-0Head coach: Rogert HarriottIt
appears that St. Aquinas Aquinas is far from the only non-public
powerhouse in Fort Lauderdale, thanks to the rapid ascent of the
University program. University lost the Class 2B final by one point to
Trinity Catholic last season. So far in 2011, the team looks even
stronger, as it traveled to South Carolina and downed 4A power Goose
Creek. University is one of the top small schools in the country right
now and is making a solid argument for a spot in the Xcellent
25.{PAGEBREAK}
1. Mallard Creek (Charlotte, N.C.)2010 finish: 13-12011 record: 3-0Head coach: Mike PalmieriMallard
Creek is only in its fifth varsity season, but it has already
established itself as a force to reckon with in the Charlotte area.
Coming off a 13-1 season, high expectations for 2011 were met when the
team opened up with an impressive victory over two-time defending state
champion Butler. Mallard Creek is now nationally ranked and figures to
be a prominent team on the national scene for years to come.
Mallard Creek has quickly become a national power.
Photo by Randy Rimland
