Final MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings

By Stephen Spiewak Dec 18, 2011, 11:31pm

Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) finishes the season ranked No. 1 though Trinity and Armwood also make good cases.

For the second time in three seasons, the Ironmen of Don Bosco Prep are national champions.

The New Jersey powerhouse finishes the season ranked No. 1 in the Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

With victories over Mission Viejo, St. Edward and Florida Class 7A state champion Manatee, Don Bosco Prep handled a national schedule with relative ease in addition to dominating competition in the Garden State.

Trinity finished a close second after romping through its challenging schedule and putting forth what many consider the greatest team in state history.

Armwood, which has victories over No. 9 Plant, No. 12 Bishop Gorman and No. 17 Central, ends the season at No. 3.



See four teams' reasons why they should be No. 1 and State football champions

Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard

1. (1) Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.), 11-0
Non-Public Group IV champions.
Jared Goldenberg and Don Bosco Prep celebrate a 42-14 over Bergen Catholic to close out an undefeated season.
Jared Goldenberg and Don Bosco Prep celebrate a 42-14 over Bergen Catholic to close out an undefeated season.
Photo by Dan Coppola
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2. (2) Trinity (Louisville, Ky.), 14-0
Class 6A state champions.
The 2011 Trinity Shamrocks were probably the best team ever assembled in Kentucky.
The 2011 Trinity Shamrocks were probably the best team ever assembled in Kentucky.
Photo by Wayne Litmer
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3. (9) Armwood (Seffner, Fla.), 15-0
Class 6A state champions.
Armwood head coach Sean Callahan gets a Gatorade bath following Armwood's 40-31 victory over Central. The Hawks beat three Top 25 teams on the year.
Armwood head coach Sean Callahan gets a Gatorade bath following Armwood's 40-31 victory over Central. The Hawks beat three Top 25 teams on the year.
Photo by Mike Janes
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4. (3) Grayson (Loganville, Ga.), 15-0
Class AAAAA state champions.
Grayson survived one of the toughest playoff brackets in the country: Georgia's Class AAAAA tournament. It returns nine defensive starters next season.
Grayson survived one of the toughest playoff brackets in the country: Georgia's Class AAAAA tournament. It returns nine defensive starters next season.
Photo by Cecil Copeland
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5. (4) Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.), 12-0
WCAC champions.
Our Lady of Good Counsel won games against Manatee and Gilman in addition to going undefeated against WCAC competition.
Our Lady of Good Counsel won games against Manatee and Gilman in addition to going undefeated against WCAC competition.
Photo by John Middlebrook
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6. (8) Carroll (Southlake, Texas), 15-0
Class 5A-I state champions.
It may not have begun the season with much acclaim, but the 2011 Southlake Carroll squad restored pride to a program that was dominant last decade. Its 15-0, Class 5A title-winning season is about as impressive as it gets in the Lone Star State.
It may not have begun the season with much acclaim, but the 2011 Southlake Carroll squad restored pride to a program that was dominant last decade. Its 15-0, Class 5A title-winning season is about as impressive as it gets in the Lone Star State.
Photo by Keith Owens
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7. (15) Lake Travis (Austin, Texas), 16-0
Class 4A-I state champions.
Winning five straight Class 4A state titles puts Lake Travis in uncharted territory. The team was explosive on offense, stingy on defense and always rose to the occasion in big games.
Winning five straight Class 4A state titles puts Lake Travis in uncharted territory. The team was explosive on offense, stingy on defense and always rose to the occasion in big games.
Photo by Keith Owens
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8. (7) Maryville (Tenn.), 15-0
Class 6A state champions.
Only a sophomore, Shawn Prevo provided a major spark to Maryville's offense this season. Around Tennessee, some believe this year's Maryville team was the best of George Quarles' legendary tenure.
Only a sophomore, Shawn Prevo provided a major spark to Maryville's offense this season. Around Tennessee, some believe this year's Maryville team was the best of George Quarles' legendary tenure.
Photo by Randy Sartin
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9. (NR) Plant (Tampa, Fla.), 14-1
Class 8A state champions.
Plant is one of Florida's most consistent programs, as it seems to always find a way to make a deep playoff run. Head coach Robert Weiner guided the team to the Class 8A final, where it stunned heavily favored Miramar.
Plant is one of Florida's most consistent programs, as it seems to always find a way to make a deep playoff run. Head coach Robert Weiner guided the team to the Class 8A final, where it stunned heavily favored Miramar.
File photo by Gray Quetti
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10. (19) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 13-1
CIF Open Division Bowl Game champions.
For the second year in a row, De La Salle dominated in the CIF Open Division Bowl Game. This year, it hammered Westlake 35-0. DLS looked like it could beat anyone down the stretch, and if not for a September road loss to St. Thomas Aquinas, would be ranked even higher.
For the second year in a row, De La Salle dominated in the CIF Open Division Bowl Game. This year, it hammered Westlake 35-0. DLS looked like it could beat anyone down the stretch, and if not for a September road loss to St. Thomas Aquinas, would be ranked even higher.
Photo by Louis Lopez
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11. (18) Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.), 13-2
Class 7A state champions.
Manatee was the best two-loss team in the country in 2011. It won a Class 7A state title in convincing fashion, and its only two losses came against teams ranked in the Top 10.
Manatee was the best two-loss team in the country in 2011. It won a Class 7A state title in convincing fashion, and its only two losses came against teams ranked in the Top 10.
Photo by Mike Janes
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12. (10) Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 15-1
Class 4A state champions.
It was a special season for Bishop Gorman, which beat Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Servite (Anaheim, Calif.). Its only loss came against Armwood (Tampa, Fla.).
It was a special season for Bishop Gorman, which beat Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Servite (Anaheim, Calif.). Its only loss came against Armwood (Tampa, Fla.).
Photo by Todd Shurtleff
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13. (NR) Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.), 14-1
Class AAA state champions.
If not for an early loss to Pittsburgh Central Catholic, this Archbishop Wood squad might have gone down as one of the best in state history. It demolished Bishop McDevitt 52-0 in the AAA final.
If not for an early loss to Pittsburgh Central Catholic, this Archbishop Wood squad might have gone down as one of the best in state history. It demolished Bishop McDevitt 52-0 in the AAA final.
Photo by Dave Conard
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14. (12) Bellevue (Wash.), 14-0
Class 3A state champions.
Head coach Butch Goncharoff and his squad lived up to a lofty preseason billing with victories over Oaks Christian, Skyline and Lakes en route to an undefeated, Class 3A title-winning season.
Head coach Butch Goncharoff and his squad lived up to a lofty preseason billing with victories over Oaks Christian, Skyline and Lakes en route to an undefeated, Class 3A title-winning season.
Photo by Jeff Napier
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15. (13) Carmel (Ind.), 14-1
Class 5A state champions.
Carmel captured a state title in a very competitive Indiana Class 5A. Its only loss was to Warren Central, which it later beat in the section final.
Carmel captured a state title in a very competitive Indiana Class 5A. Its only loss was to Warren Central, which it later beat in the section final.
Photo by Warren Robison
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16. (16) Norland (Miami), 15-0
Class 5A state champions.
Duke Johnson and Norland soared to new heights in 2011. After losing in the state finals a year ago, it completed a perfect season with a 38-0 rout of Wakulla.
Duke Johnson and Norland soared to new heights in 2011. After losing in the state finals a year ago, it completed a perfect season with a 38-0 rout of Wakulla.
Photo by Stuart Browning
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17. (14) Central (Miami), 13-1
Class 6A runner up.
Despite losing in the Class 6A final to Armwood, it was still a very successful season for Central. It dominated Dade County foes and also claimed a victory over Cincinnati's Elder.
Despite losing in the Class 6A final to Armwood, it was still a very successful season for Central. It dominated Dade County foes and also claimed a victory over Cincinnati's Elder.
Photo by Lou Novick
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18. (17) Page (Greensboro, N.C.), 15-0
Class 4AA state champions.
With victories over Butler and Mallard Creek, Page made an improbable run to a 4AA state title.
With victories over Butler and Mallard Creek, Page made an improbable run to a 4AA state title.
Photo by Randy Rimland
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19. (21) St. Ignatius (Cleveland), 13-2
Division 1 state champions.
St. Ignatius captured its 11th state title with a victory over Pickerington Central. Under the guidance of legendary head coach Chuck Kyle, it will have a good shot at a 12th title in 2012.
St. Ignatius captured its 11th state title with a victory over Pickerington Central. Under the guidance of legendary head coach Chuck Kyle, it will have a good shot at a 12th title in 2012.
Photo by Scott Seighman
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20. (NR) Dekaney (Houston), 14-2
Class 5A-II state champions.
Led by running back Trey Williams, Dekaney peaked at the right time, downing Steele 34-14 to complete an impressive run through the Texas Class 5A-II playoffs.
Led by running back Trey Williams, Dekaney peaked at the right time, downing Steele 34-14 to complete an impressive run through the Texas Class 5A-II playoffs.
Photo by Robbie Rakestraw
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21. (22) Olive Branch (Miss.), 15-0
Class 6A state champions.
Olive Branch captured Mississippi's Class 6A title in thrilling fashion, outlasting Petal 35-34.
Olive Branch captured Mississippi's Class 6A title in thrilling fashion, outlasting Petal 35-34.
Photo by Chris Evans
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22. (23) Prattville (Ala.), 12-2
Class 6A state champions.
Prattville hoisted the hardware for the first time since 2008. It boasted one of the most talented teams in the nation and fought back from early-season setbacks.
Prattville hoisted the hardware for the first time since 2008. It boasted one of the most talented teams in the nation and fought back from early-season setbacks.
Photo by Joe Boyd
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23. (NR) Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), 13-2
CIF Division I Bowl Game champions.
Santa Margarita won a thriller over Bellarmine in the CIF Division I Bowl Game to cap a very strong season. Head coach Harry Welch's squad is loaded with juniors and could be even better in 2012.
Santa Margarita won a thriller over Bellarmine in the CIF Division I Bowl Game to cap a very strong season. Head coach Harry Welch's squad is loaded with juniors and could be even better in 2012.
Photo by Louis Lopez
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24. (25) Lake Oswego (Ore.), 14-0
Class 6A state champions.
Quarterback Alex Matthews was the leader for Lake Oswego, which completed an undefeated season by beating previously unbeaten Sheldon in the Class 6A state final.
Quarterback Alex Matthews was the leader for Lake Oswego, which completed an undefeated season by beating previously unbeaten Sheldon in the Class 6A state final.
Photo by Larry Lawson
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25. (12) Skyline (Dallas), 14-1
Class 5A-I semifinalist.
Skyline was stunned by a late comeback from Southlake Carroll in the 5A-I semifinals but otherwise looked dominant all season long.
Skyline was stunned by a late comeback from Southlake Carroll in the 5A-I semifinals but otherwise looked dominant all season long.
File photo by Lonnie Erickson

Dropped out:
Miramar (Fla.)
Westlake (Calif.)
Steele (Cibolo, Texas)
Del Oro (Loomis, Calif.)

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