There's a new No. 1 team in the country following Manatee's stunning loss, and it's DeSoto.
DeSoto has emerged as the nation's new No. 1 team. But can other hard-charging teams take that away from them?
Photo by Robbie Rakestraw
Who's No. 1?
With previous poll leader Manatee stumbling hard in a loss to St. Thomas Aquinas, the road appeared to be paved for John Curtis to ascend to the top spot.
That was before DeSoto pulled out a thrilling and impressive 49-45 victory over an outstanding Southlake Carroll team in what many consider the game of the year.
As such, DeSoto ascends to the No. 1 spot in a wide-open race to finish on top.
John Curtis made its case, dominating Evangel Christian Academy 35-14 to complete a dream season. The Patriots don't have the litany of impressive victories that other top teams have, but they have almost no weaknesses.
Katy, which received serious consideration for the top spot, also has no ostensible vulnerability. It has outscored opponents 749-149 so far this season. If it dominates Steele in usual fashion, it could move higher.
Bellevue, ranked No. 4, enjoyed a season for the ages, but No. 5 De La Salle could be the real sleeper to watch for the No. 1 spot.
The Spartans pounded previously unbeaten Folsom 45-14, quietly putting together a very strong resume. Like in previous seasons, De La Salle is peaking at the right time, and a convincing victory over Centennial (Corona) in the CIF Open Division Bowl Game would really bolster the team's shot at the top spot.
Another team to keep an eye on is Norcross. With a decisive victory over Colquitt County, it now has victories over two preseason Top 25 teams.
Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard
1. (3) DeSoto (Texas), 14-0In what was arguably the game of the year, DeSoto defeated Southlake Carroll 49-45, stopping the Dragons on the goal line to secure the victory.
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Photos2. (2) Curtis (River Ridge, La.), 14-0Curtis completed a perfect season with a 35-13 victory over Evangel Christian Academy.
3. (4) Katy (Texas), 14-0It was another simply dominant effort for Katy, which pounded Cypress Ranch 70-21.
Box score4. (5) Bellevue (Wash.), 14-0Season complete. Class 3A state champion.
5. (10) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 14-0The Spartans are once again peaking at the right time. They hammered Folsom 49-15 for the right to represent NorCal in the CIF Open Division Bowl Game.
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University celebrated a hard-fought victory over Madison County in the Class 3A title game.
Photo by Gary McCullough
Season complete. Class 4A state champion.
7. (7) University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 13-0In a come-from-behind thriller, University topped Madison County 24-17 to capture a Class 3A state title.
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8. (17) Norcross (Ga.), 14-0Each week, Norcross looks even more impressive. This week, it dominated Colquitt County 41-27.
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9. (8) Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.), 13-0Season complete. Division II-AA state champion.
10. (11) Hoover (Ala.), 16-0Hoover completed a perfect season by shutting down Opelika 31-0.
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Matt Logan and Centennial have enjoyed winning two huge games in consecutive weeks.
Photo by David Hood
Season complete.
12. (13) Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 13-1Season complete. Division I state champion.
13. (14) Steele (Cibolo, Texas), 14-0Steele held off Brandeis 28-12 to set up a showdown with Katy.
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Photos14. (18) Washington (Miami), 13-1Washington dominated Bolles 35-7 in the Class 4A state final.
15. (24) Centennial (Corona, Calif.), 14-1Centennial is clearly peaking at the right time, with a 41-34 victory over previously unbeaten Narbonne in the Open Division Southern California Regional.
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Winners of another Class 6A state title, the Trinity Shamrocks are a dynasty in the state of Kentucky.
Photo by Megan Stearman
Season complete. Class 6A state champion.
17. (16) Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.), 11-1Season complete. WCAC champion.
18. (19) North Allegheny (Wexford, Pa.), 15-0In the AAAA semifinal, North Allegheny dominated Wilson 45-10.
Box score19. (21) Allen (Texas), 13-1Allen looked strong in a 37-17 victory over Skyline, setting up a showdown with DeSoto.
20. (NR) St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 12-2On Friday, Aquinas looked like the Aquinas of old, not the team that dropped two regular season games, as it dominated Manatee 28-18.
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Austin Kafentzis led Jordan to a state title. Amazingly, he still has two years left in his high school career.
Photo by Jeremy Allen
Season complete. Class 5A state champion.
22. (23) Whitehaven (Memphis, Tenn.), 15-0Season complete. Class 6A state champion.
23. (1) Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.), 13-1After looking nearly invincible the entire season, Manatee fell to St. Thomas Aquinas 28-18.
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24. (9) Narbonne (Harbor City, Calif.), 14-1Dreams of a perfect season for Narbonne were shattered with a 41-34 loss to Centennial.
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25. (22) Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati), 12-3Season complete. Division 1 state champion.
