MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings

Thanks to one of the more impressive victories of the season, DeSoto jumps to No. 3 in the Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

DeSoto completely dominated a very good Coppell team 42-14 to move to No. 3. It is now in hot pursuit of No. 2 Curtis and No. 1 Manatee, with a legitimate shot to surpass both.

Also making a major move is Whitmer (Toledo, Ohio), debuting at No. 6. Whitmer flew under the radar all season and has emerged as a title contender in Ohio's Division 1 bracket, with a shot to complete an undefeated season.

Maryville (Tenn.), which goes for a Class 6A title this weekend, also makes its debut this week.



Rejoining the rankings are Allen (Texas) and Washington (Miami).

See all the state champions and playoff brackets from around the nation

Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard

1. (1) Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.), 12-0
An easy victory over Venice sets up a showdown with unbeaten Fort Pierce Central in the Class 7A playoffs. Qwixcore / Game recap

2. (2) Curtis (River Ridge, La.), 12-0
Curtis turned on the jets midway through the second quarter to pull away from Riverside and win 62-10.

3. (4) DeSoto (Texas), 12-0
In one of the more impressive wins of the season, DeSoto throttled Coppell 42-14. Qwixcore / Story / Photos

4. (3) Katy (Texas), 12-0
It was another dominating effort for Katy, which blanked Langham Creek 49-0. Box score

5. (5) Bellevue (Wash.), 13-0
After a close first quarter, Bellevue pulled away from Mount Si and came away with a 37-7 victory. Qwixcore / Game recap





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Jordan Scarlett had a huge game for University.

Photo by Wayne Litmer

6. (NR) Whitmer (Toledo, Ohio), 14-0
Suddenly, Whitmer has one of the more impressive resumes in the country. It meets Moeller for the state title on Saturday. Qwixcore / Game recap

7. (6) Butler (Matthews, N.C.), 14-0
A second victory over Mallard Creek this season sets up a playoff matchup against Jack Britt for Butler. Qwixcore / Photos

8. (7) Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.), 12-0
Idle.

9. (9) University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 10-0
In one of the biggest games in the state this season, University easily defeated American Heritage 34-17. Story

10. (8) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.), 13-0
Vista Murrieta blanketed Rancho Cucamonga 34-0. Qwixcore



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Michael Hutchings and De La Salle continue to roll.

Photo by Dennis Lee

11. (10) Narbonne (Harbor City, Calif.), 14-0
Narbonne continued its march toward a Los Angeles City Section title with a 39-12 win over Carson. Qwixcore

12. (13) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 12-0
A 28-0 first half lead turned into a 49-0 victory for Notre Dame over Amador Valley. Qwixcore / Game recap



13. (14) Goose Creek (S.C.), 12-1
Goose Creek's season ended in the courtroom. It was undefeated on the field, but was ruled to have used an ineligible player.

14. (15) Bentonville (Ark.), 13-0
It received a major test, but Bentonville survived against Southside, winning 28-21. Qwixcore

15. (16) Hoover (Ala.), 14-0
A 21-7 win over Vestavia Hills sets up a huge showdown next week when Hoover takes on Clay-Chalkville in the 6A playoffs.



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Booker T. Washington storms back into the rankings.

Photo by Lou Novick

16. (18) Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 12-1
Bishop Gorman defeated a solid Reed team 49-24. Qwixcore / Game recap

17. (19) Steele (Cibolo, Texas), 12-0
Steele coasted to a 45-0 victory over Roosevelt. Qwixcore / Game recap



18. (20) Trinity (Louisville, Ky.), 12-1
In a surprisingly difficult contest, Trinity survived against Scott County, winning 21-14 thanks to 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Qwixcore

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

20. (NR) Washington (Miami), 11-1
Since an early loss to Miami Central, Washington has looked unstoppable and looks like it's in good shape to take home a state title. Qwixcore



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North Allegheny is one step closer to a Class AAAA state title.

Photo by Dennis Marpuri

21. (24) North Allegheny (Wexford, Pa.), 13-0
In a nailbiter, North Allegheny survived Woodland Hills 21-14. Qwixcore / Game recap

22. (25) Jordan (Sandy, Utah), 12-1-1
Season complete. Class 5A champion.

23. (NR) Allen (Texas), 11-1
Allen handed Mesquite its first and only loss this season, 42-28. Story / Photos



24. (NR) Norcross (Ga.), 12-0
The lone unbeaten team in Georgia's AAAAAA bracket, Norcross also has the only victory over North Gwinnett this season - a victory that looks even more impressive after this weekend.

25. (NR) Maryville (Tenn.), 14-0
Against a very good Siegel team, Maryville won its 43rd-consecutive game, 47-43.

Dropped out:
Coppell (Texas)
Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
Mentor (Ohio)
St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)