MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings

By Stephen Spiewak Dec 17, 2012, 12:00am

There's a new No. 1 for the second consecutive week, and it's Curtis.

Legendary head coach J.T. Curtis guides John Curtis, the nation's new No. 1 team.
Legendary head coach J.T. Curtis guides John Curtis, the nation's new No. 1 team.
Photo by Roddy Johnson
Three weeks, three different No. 1 teams.

So the rankings go when upset losses shock the No. 1 team in the Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

Last week, St. Thomas Aquinas stunned Manatee in Florida; this week, Allen manhandled No. 1 DeSoto in the Texas Class 5A-I semifinals 51-36.

That opened the door for the nation's new No. 1 team: Curtis.



The Louisiana Class 2A state champion feasted on competition this season, outscoring opponents 667-60. The Patriots didn't face the gauntlet of teams that other teams in the Top 10 faced, but they dominated every step of the way.

Led by legendary head coach J.T. Curtis, this year's Patriots squad is likely the best that has ever walked through the halls of the River Ridge, La., school.

Katy, which notched a big victory over Steele in the Texas Class 5A-II semifinals, rises to the No. 2 spot with one game to play.

The nation's new No. 3 team is Norcross (Ga.), which completed a perfect season by defeating a powerful Lovejoy squad 21-14. The Gwinnett County squad has an impressive list of victories that includes North Gwinnett, Camden County and Colquitt County.

On the strength of a decisive victory over Corona Centennial, De La Salle moves to No. 4. The Spartans overcame early-season struggles to notch a CIF Bowl Game victory for the fourth-straight year.

Allen and North Allegheny also enjoyed significant jumps in the rankings.

Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard




1. (2) Curtis (River Ridge, La.), 14-0
Season complete. Class 2A champion.

2. (3) Katy (Texas), 15-0
In a battle of Class 5A heavyweights, Katy outlasted Steele 45-33. Story

3. (8) Norcross (Ga.), 15-0
Norcross polished off a truly remarkable season by beating a very good Lovejoy squad in the Class AAAAAA final 21-14. Story

4. (5) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 15-0
For the third year in a row, De La Salle closed out its season with a victory in the CIF Open Division Bowl Game. Story

5. (4) Bellevue (Wash.), 14-0
Season complete. Class 3A champion.

{PAGEBREAK}
Allen is a heavy favorite to capture the Class 5A-I state title next weekend.
Allen is a heavy favorite to capture the Class 5A-I state title next weekend.
Photo by Neil Fonville
6. (19) Allen (Texas), 14-1
Allen's ground game dominated DeSoto in a 51-36 victory. Story



7. (18) North Allegheny (Wexford, Pa.), 16-0
North Allegheny completed a perfect season with a convincing 63-21 win over Coatesville. Story

8. (1) DeSoto (Texas), 14-1
DeSoto was stunned by Allen 51-36 in the Class 5A-I semifinals.

9. (6) Butler (Matthews, N.C.), 15-0
Season complete. Class 4A champion.

10. (7) University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 13-0
Season complete. Class 3A champion.

{PAGEBREAK}
Ensworth is the top-ranked team in Tennessee this season.
Ensworth is the top-ranked team in Tennessee this season.
Photo by John Pratt
11. (9) Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.), 13-0
Season complete. Division II-AA champion.

12. (10) Hoover (Ala.), 16-0
Season complete. Class 6A champion.



13. (14) Washington (Miami), 13-1
Season complete. Class 4A champion.

14. (11) Goose Creek (S.C.), 13-0
Season complete.

15. (12) Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 13-1
Season complete. Division I champion.

{PAGEBREAK}
St. Thomas Aquinas celebrates its seventh state title.
St. Thomas Aquinas celebrates its seventh state title.
Photo by Gray Quetti
16. (13) Steele (Cibolo, Texas), 14-1
Steele lost to Katy 45-33.

17. (15) Centennial (Corona, Calif.), 14-2
Centennial lost in the CIF Open Division Bowl Game to De La Salle.

18. (16) Trinity (Louisville, Ky.), 13-1
Season complete. Class 6A Champion.



19. (17) Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.), 11-1
Season complete. WCAC champion.

20. (20) St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 13-2
The Raiders pulled away from Lincoln to capture the Class 7A title. Story

{PAGEBREAK}
Central storms into the rankings following a convincing victory in the Class 6A finals.
Central storms into the rankings following a convincing victory in the Class 6A finals.
Photo by Lou Novick
21. (21) Jordan (Sandy, Utah), 12-1-1
Season complete. Class 5A champion.

22. (22) Whitehaven (Memphis, Tenn.), 15-0
Season complete. Class 6A champion.

23. (NR) Central (Miami), 12-2
Central looked dominant in a stunningly easy 37-14 victory over previously-ranked Gainesville. Story

24. (24) Narbonne (Harbor City, Calif.), 14-1
Season complete.



25. (25) Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati), 12-3
Season complete. Division 1 champion.

Dropped out:
Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.)