High school football: Best team from all 50 states entering the 2021 season

The Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 was released last month highlighting the nation's top high school football teams. Now we are drilling down to the local level and identifying best team in all 50 states. Find out who earned the nod in your state below.

Included in the list is preseason national No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.). The Monarchs are 58-4 over the past five seasons but will have their hands full with a schedule that includes three nationally-ranked opponents.

Our preview of the 2021 season continues Monday with a look at the 10 biggest games, including aforementioned Mater Dei's trip to Texas in August to face Duncanville.

In addition to spotlighting the top team in all 50 states, we will identify the top player in all 50 states Aug. 3. Alabama — Thompson (Alabaster)

Back-to-back 7A state champs begin the year ranked No. 5 in the country.

Went 7-0 last fall and return a lot of talent led by the top-recruit in the state, Deuce Zimmerman.

Have won five consecutive state titles and are the only team from the Grand Canyon State ranked in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Winners of three straight 7A state titles and 30 consecutive games heading into 2021.

Monarchs begin the season ranked No. 1 nationally in the MaxPreps Top 25.

The runner-up in 5A brings back a lot of key pieces headlined by 2022 Oklahoma commit Gavin Sawchuk, the second-rated running back by 247Sports.

Beat St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) in an exhibition game during the spring and three-star edge rusher Brian Allen, 2022 Boston College commit Noah Clifford and four-star defensive tackle Will Norman are all back. 

Went 7-1 last season and added four-star quarterback Cameron Edge, who transferred back home after spending two years at DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.).

Had notable wins against WCAC rivals Dematha (Hyattsville, Md.), Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) and St. John's (Washington, D.C.) during a 5-0 spring season.

The defending MaxPreps National Champions have 20 players rated as a four-star recruits or higher, according to 247Sports.

Won the AAAAAAA state title in 2020 and begin the year ranked at No. 8 in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Have not lost a game against an in-state opponent since 2016 and have won four consecutive state titles.

Class 5A runner-up returns three-star quarterback Tiger Adolpho, three-star wide receiver Taylor Freeman, Logan Fredericksen, Deion Tawzer and Talin Togiai.

Have won 19 of their last 20 games and will have one of the most talented squads in the Midwest headlined by five-star wide receiver Luther Burden.

The defending 6A state champs are the only team from the Hoosier State ranked in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Five-star safety Xavier Nwankpa, five-star offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor and quarterback Jaxon Dailey helped the Rams go 10-1 and reach the Class 4A state championship game in 2020.

After starting last season 3-2, the Panthers reeled off six consecutive wins outscoring the opposition 316-116 en route to a third straight 6A state championship.

New head coach Jay Cobb takes over as head coach after being promoted from defensive coordinator. The Shamrocks begin the season riding an 18-game win streak and have one of the most explosive running backs in the country in three-star Armon Tucker.

The LHSAA recently revoked the Bears two state titles from 2017 and 2020 but announced they will not face any sanctions or postseason ban heading into this season. Dave Simoneaux begins his first year as head coach with plenty of talent, including five-star wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr., four-star offensive lineman Emery Jones, senior wide receiver Tre' Benson and sophomore quarterback Daniel Beale.

Maine did not play high school football in 2020 so the Hornets enter the season as defending Class C state champions after going 12-0 in 2019.

The Panthers were limited to a couple of exhibition games in the spring but will be right back in the national picture this season, beginning the season ranked No. 10 in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Won the Division III state title in 2019 but were limited to three games in 2020, going 3-0 and outscoring the opposition 143-31.

Head coach Jermain Crowell has led the Tigers to a 33-3 record over the last three years.

Starting quarterback Camden Dean, 2022 Nebraska commit Chase Androff, senior linebacker Zach Juckel and all-state running back Carson Hansen are all back after going 8-0 in 2020.

Won the school's first state title since 2013 last season, going 13-0 and beating Oxford in the 6A championship.

Carl Reed takes over as head coach after Robert Steeples took a job with the Minnesota Vikings.

Finished last season as the runner-up in AA led by twins Caden and Taco Dowler, the top-two rated players in the state according to 247Sports.

Seeking their second state title in three years, the Thunderbirds are 19-1 over the past two seasons.

The Gaels begin the year ranked at No. 13 in the MaxPreps Top 25 and have 15 players rated as a three-star recruit or higher on 247Sports.

Unbeaten since 2017, the Big Red have won 22 consecutive games.

Perennial power enters the season ranked No. 12 nationally in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Won the 6A state championship in 2019 and went 4-0 last spring, outscoring opponents 179-42.

Went 5-0 during the spring with notable wins over Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains), Canisius (Buffalo) and St. Anthony's (Melville).

Glenwood Ferebee has led the Cougars to a 23-2 record as head coach and back-to-back 4AA state championships.

Have won back-to-back AAA state titles and 22 consecutive games heading into 2021.

Loaded with key contributors from last year's Division 1 state championship team.

Winners of 36 consecutive games and three straight 6A-II state titles.

The 2019 6A state champs went 5-1 last spring and return Zachery Grisham, Jordan King, Riley Williams and 2022 Oregon commit Emar'rion Winston.

Have finished ranked in the MaxPreps Top 25 in each of the last three years and are going for a fourth consecutive 6A state title in 2021.

Have won a state championship in 10 of the past 11 years and have not lost a game since their season opener in 2018 against Iona Prep (New Rochelle, N.Y.).

Became the first school in South Carolina to win five consecutive state championships last season.

After losing their season opener in 2020 the Lynx won nine consecutive games and their second 11AAA state title in a three-year span.

Georgia-bound running back Jordan James, four-star wide receiver Isaiah Horton and three-star running back Antonio Patterson are all back after leading the Patriots to their first ever 15-0 season.

Riding a 24-game win streak, the Chaparrals seek their third consecutive state championship and begin the season ranked No. 4 in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Eric Kjar has led the Chargers to 40 straight wins and a 51-1 record during his tenure as head coach.

Missed out on the 2020 season but won state titles in 2018 and 2019.

Head coach Chris Scott led the Tigers to a 9-0 record and their first state championship since 2011 last spring.

The Eagles have won 16 of their last 17 games after coming off a 5-0 spring season.

The Bulldogs are 134-7 since 2010 with eight state titles during that span.

Have not lost a game since 2017, entering this fall with a 37-game win streak.

The defending 3A state champs return four all-state selections in Daniel Gorman, Matt Nelson, Luke Talich and Jonny Williams.