MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings

The top team remains the same this week in the Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

However, there is a new No. 2 team.

Miami Central, which looked impressive for the second straight week, jumps one spot to No. 2 after defeating a talented American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) squad 45-20.

That sets up a showdown between No. 1 and No. 2 on Friday night.



Last week's previous No. 2-ranked team De La Salle struggled at times in a victory over Clayton Valley Charter. The Spartans could very well prove to be the nation's top team by season's end, as slow starts have not been uncommon for the California powerhouse in recent years.

De La Salle checks in this week at No. 4.

On the strength of an extremely solid road victory against Southlake Carroll, Allen rises to No. 3. The Eagles, led by Kyler Murray, solidified their status as Class 5A-I state title favorites.

St. Thomas Aquinas, which won with ease against Northwestern, rounds out the Top 5. The Raiders' defense looked outstanding and their offense, with quarterback Wade Freebeck and running back Madre London, was clicking.

North Gwinnett, now Georgia's top-ranked team, enters the rankings as fellow Peach State team Sandy Creek drops out. Sandy Creek struggled at home against Plant in a game that ended prematurely in a 27-27 tie.

Tennessee power Ensworth also checks into this week's rankings.




MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard

1. (1 last week) Washington (Miami), 1-0
Idle. Faces No. 2 Central on Friday.

2. (3) Central (Miami), 2-0
Central followed up a kickoff classic victory over Dwyer with another impressive win, this one against American Heritage by a 45-20 score. Stats

3. (4) Allen, 1-0
Allen went on the road and posted a surprisingly easy win over Southlake Carroll, 49-27. Story / Photos

4. (2) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 1-0
After a slow start, De La Salle eventually pulled away from Clayton Valley Charter, winning 34-14. Story / Photos

5. (15) St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 1-0
Against what was supposed to be a reloaded Northwestern team, Aquinas dominated to the tune of a 38-3 win.
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6. (6) St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 1-0
SoCal's top team won its debut, 40-7, over Dominguez (Compton). Qwixcore



7. (7) Karr (New Orleans)
Karr looked impressive in a preseason jamboree game, coming away with a 29-0 victory over Bonnabel.

8. (8) Curtis (River Ridge, La.)
Curtis picked up where it left off last season, dominating Salmen 40-6 in a preseason jamboree game.

9. (9) Centennial (Corona, Calif.), 1-0
Centennial allowed Liberty (Henderson, Nev.) to hang around, but eventually just overpowered the Nevada squad, winning 60-42. Qwixcore and stats

10. (NR) North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.), 2-0
The landscape of Georgia football has changed quickly, as North Gwinnett now looks like the state's top team. It pounded Grayson 35-0 on Friday. Qwixcore and stats
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11. (10) Serra (Gardena, Calif.), 1-0
Adoree' Jackson scored two touchdowns helped Serra prevail against Desert Ridge (Mesa, Ariz.), 28-22, in the Brothers in Arms Classic. Story / Photos

12. (11) Katy (Texas), 1-0
The defending Class 5A-II state champion opened up its 2013 campaign on Thursday with a 41-3 win over Klein. Box score and stats

13. (12) Coppell (Texas), 1-0
In a slugfest of Texas powers, Coppell emerged with a 32-24 win at the Tom Landry Classic over Longview. Photos and Qwixcore



14. (13) Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.), 1-0
The Huskies started off their season with a 28-17 victory over Eastlake (Chula Vista, Calif.) in the Brothers in Arms Classic. Story / Photos

15. (14) DeSoto (Texas), 1-0
DeSoto's offense was its usual dominant self in a 46-7 season-opening win over Martin. Stats
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16. (16) Bellevue (Wash.)
Bellevue opens Sept. 6 vs. Skyline.

17. (17) Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.), 2-0
Northwestern shows no signs of slowing down. It rolled Charlotte Catholic 38-17. Qwixcore and photos

18. (18) Folsom (Calif.), 1-0
In its opener, Folsom pounded Woodcreek (Roseville, Calif.), 56-21. Story / Stats

19. (19) DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), 1-0
The Stags play Monday vs. Immokalee (Fla.) in a special Labor Day contest.

20. (20) Paramus Catholic (N.J.)
Paramus Catholic opens Sept. 6 vs. Gilman (Baltimore).
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21. (21) Long Beach Poly (Calif.), 1-0
Poly started slow but finished strong in a 28-15 victory over Crenshaw (Los Angeles).



22. (22) University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 1-0
University continues to look impressive. It downed Taravella 61-14.

23. (24) Hoover (Ala.), 1-0
In one of the country's biggest games of the weekend, Hoover came from behind to defeat Colquitt County 24-10. Story / Qwixcore

24. (25) Mountain Pointe (Phoenix), 2-0
Against its first in-state opponent, Mountain Pointe was unstoppable, defeating North 69-0.

25. (NR) Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.), 2-0
Ensworth followed up a big road win against Louisville Trinity with a dominant effort over Brainerd, winning 55-13. Qwixcore

Dropped out:
Sandy Creek (Tyrone, Ga.)
Carroll (Southlake, Texas)