Top two teams in the Xcellent 25 deliver signature wins.
Grayson's defense imposed its will on Miami Central in an impressive 35-3 victory.
Photo by Dennis Carter
Arguably the two most impressive wins in the country this weekend came from the nation's No. 1 and No. 2-ranked teams in the Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.
On Friday night, No. 2 Grayson completely shutdown Florida power Miami Central. Its vaunted defense was as advertised, while its offense showed big-play potential.
No. 1 Manatee needed a dominant performance to hold a firm grip on the No. 1 spot, and it delivered. The Hurricanes trounced Miramar, which has played for a title in the state's largest classification in two of the past three years, 41-6.
Manatee started off slowly and the score was tied 6-6 at halftime. However, several big plays from Blake Keller and a balanced offensive attack allowed Manatee to turn a nailbiter into a blow out.
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.) both enter the rankings this week.
Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard1. (1) Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.), 1-0Manatee had an explosive second half to drill Miramar 41-6.
2. (2) Grayson (Loganville, Ga.), 2-0After a season-opening victory against McEachern, Grayson looked even more impressive in a 35-3 romp over Central.
Story3. (3) Skyline (Dallas, Texas), 1-0Skyline overcame a stiff test from The Woodlands to claim a 42-28 win in its opener.
4. (4) Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), 2-0In its first in-state game this season, Santa Margarita dominated Jordan (Long Beach) 35-6.
Qwixcore5. (5) Bellevue (Wash.), 1-0In one of the most highly-anticipated games of the season, Bellevue held off Texas power Euless Trinity 31-24 in overtime.
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Byrnes quarterback Shuler Bentley had a big game against Woodruff. He'll lead Byrnes against Northwestern in what could be a high-scoring affair.
Photo by Randy Sartin
The Byrnes offense looked very strong against Woodruff, claiming a 40-28 win.
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7. (9) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 1-0De La Salle was in midseason form in its opener, hammering Bellarmine 41-7.
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8. (6) Curtis (River Ridge, La.), 1-0Curtis scored 26 unanswered points to down St. Paul's 26-7 in its season opener.
9. (11) Washington (Miami, Fla.), 1-0Washington easily beat Carol City 42-13 to open its season.
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Video10. (12) Plant (Tampa, Fla.), 1-0In a big rivalry game, Plant emerged victorious, downing Jesuit 18-0.
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Lake Travis opened its quarter for another state title with an impressive week one victory.
Photo by Jim Redman
Lake Travis looked excellent in a 47-13 blowout over Judson.
Qwixcore12. (10) Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.), 2-0After hosting Good Counsel last week, Bishop Gorman traveled to Hawaii to down St. Louis 52-40.
13. (13) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.), 1-0After struggling early on, Vista Murrieta used a strong fourth quarter to knock off Thunder Ridge 37-26.
Qwixcore14. (15) Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.), 0-0Bergen Catholic opens on Friday against St. Anthony.
15. (16) Trinity (Louisville, Ky.), 2-0Idle. {PAGEBREAK}
St. Ignatius continues to look impressive so far this season.
Photo by Scott Seighman
St. Ignatius went untested again as it easily dismantled De La Salle Collegiate 49-13.
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17. (17) Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio), 2-0Moeller rallied from an early deficit to beat Grand Rapids Christian 42-34.
Qwixcore18. (18) Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.), 0-0Don Bosco Prep will open against Gilman on Friday night.
19. (19) Butler (Matthews, N.C.), 2-0Idle.
20. (21) Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.), 3-0Ensworth moved to 3-0 with a 47-10 victory over McCallie. {PAGEBREAK}
John O'Korn led Aquinas to a season-opening victory against a tough Columbus squad.
Photo by Lou Novick
For the second year in a row, Hoover downed Mississippi power South Panola to open its season.
Qwixcore22. (23) Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.), 2-0After a triumphant win over Peachtree Ridge in its opener, Camden County continued its fine play with a big win over Vanguard.
Qwixcore23. (24) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.), 2-0For the second week in a row, Oaks Christian looked outstanding against a NorCal opponent. This week, it downed Granite Bay 48-13.
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24. (NR) St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 1-0After struggling in the first half, Aquinas looked very impressive in the second half in a 38-28 victory.
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25. (NR) Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.), 3-0In a solid year for South Carolina football, Northwestern could prove to have the state's best offense. A victory against Byrnes this weekend would catapult it up the rankings.
Dropped out: Southlake Carroll, Our Lady of Good Counsel
