MaxPreps Top 25 national high school football rankings

St. Joseph Regional moves closer toward the top spot of the Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

The No. 4 Green Knights thrashed previously unbeaten St. Peter's Prep 56-28 in a game that featured a running clock in the third quarter. St. Joseph has enjoyed a running clock in each of its victories, including dominant wins over Bergen Catholic and DeMatha, which has won six straight games since its loss to St. Joseph.

With Paramus Catholic and DePaul coming up, St. Joseph Regional will have two more tests before playoffs get underway.

Also ascending up the rankings is De La Salle. The NorCal power debuted in the preseason Xcellent 25 at No. 1, but struggled mightily in a game against Serra (San Mateo), nearly losing to its first local opponent in two decades.



However, Justin Alumbough's squad has won easily in its last five games and appears primed for another run at an Open Division Bowl Game title.

Joining the rankings this week are Byrnes, Archbishop Moeller and St. Thomas Aquinas.


1. (1) Washington (Miami), 8-0
In a Thursday night affair, Washington downed Gulliver Prep 41-7. Qwixcore

2. (2) DeSoto (Texas), 7-0
DeSoto's offense continues to look unstoppable. It defeated Midlothian 62-42. Qwixcore

3. (3) Allen (Texas), 7-0
Like DeSoto, Allen continues to post points at a ridiculous clip. The Eagles downed Plano West 77-37. Qwixcore

4. (5) St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.), 5-0
The running clock once again came into effect for St. Joseph Regional over the weekend, as the Green Knights defeated St. Peter's Prep 56-28. Story



5. (4) St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 7-0
After trailing at the half, St. John Bosco rallied to hand Orange Lutheran its first loss, 42-24. Qwixcore
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6. (6) North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.), 7-0
After a come-from-behind win last week, North Gwinnett cruised to a 41-0 victory over Habersham Central.

7. (8) Central (Miami), 6-1
The Rockets downed rival Northwestern, 44-13.

8. (13) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 7-0
De La Salle's early struggles seem so long ago and it is playing much like the squad we expected when it entered the preseason at the No. 1-ranked team. The Spartans defeated Logan (Union City) 49-7. Qwixcore

9. (7) Katy (Texas), 7-0
Katy handed city rival Seven Lakes its first loss in a close win, 17-12, after a power outage moved the game to Saturday.

10. (9) Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.), 8-0
A win over Fort Mill sets up a showdown next weekend against unbeaten York.
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11. (11) Bellevue (Wash.), 7-0
For the second-straight year, Bellevue handed Mount Si its first loss of the season, this time a 52-13 setback. Qwixcore

12. (12) Mountain Pointe (Phoenix), 9-0
Following a 69-0 win over Corona del Sol, Mountain Pointe has now outscored opponents 444-82 this season. Box score



13. (14) University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 7-0
A 48-13 victory over Glades Central sets up a showdown against Manatee this week. Box score

14. (15) Hoover (Ala.), 8-0
Hoover continues to look dominant. This week, it knocked off Minor 41-9. Qwixcore

15. (22) Serra (Gardena, Calif.), 7-0
Avenging a loss from 2012, Serra trounced Chaminade 36-0. Qwixcore, Photos
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16. (17) Folsom (Calif.), 7-0
Folsom defeated Jesuit 56-14. Qwixcore

17. (18) Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.), 8-0
Joe Kinnan's squad won again, defeating St. Petersburg 51-13. Qwixcore

18. (19) Miramar (Fla.), 8-0
Miramar eventually prevailed against Flanagan, winning 22-13.

19. (20) Colerain (Cincinnati), 8-0
Colerain is one step closer to finishing the regular season unbeaten. It downed Mason 63-14.



20. (21) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 7-0
As Trinity League play continues, Mater Dei remains unbeaten. It defeated JSerra Catholic 38-14. Qwixcore
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21. (24) Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.), 7-0
Idle.

22. (25) Pearland (Texas), 7-0
Pearland dominated once again, beating South Houston 56-12.

23. (NR) Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.), 7-1
Since an early loss to Northwestern, Byrnes has rolled. It blasted rival Gaffney 61-20. Box score

24. (NR) Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati), 8-0
Moeller makes its debut in the rankings, but will need to prove itself immediately as it faces St. Edward this weekend. The Fighting Crusaders won 35-14 over Indianapolis Cathedral. Qwixcore

25. (NR) St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 6-1
Since a two-point loss to Miramar, St. Thomas Aquinas is 4-0 and has allowed just 12 points. The Raiders won 35-0 over Cypress Bay.