MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings

Three new teams enter the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard after a holiday weekend that was busy with high school football action.

Gilman had arguably the most impressive win of the weekend. The Baltimore powerhouse stunned one of Virginia's top programs, Oscar Smith, 51-27 thanks to four touchdowns from Cyrus Jones.

The first team from South Carolina to enter the rankings this season, Gaffney checks in as the nation's No. 14 team after a string of dominant efforts, punctuated by a 47-21 blowout over Greenwood.

McEachern, a Georgia AAAAA school, earned the No. 25 spot with a 20-13 upset over Lowndes.

With a 31-0 victory over Alief Taylor, Katy vaults into the Top 10 and is currently ranked No. 6.

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



1. (Last week: 1) Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.), 0-0
Idle. First game: Sept. 10 vs. Mission Viejo (Calif.).

2. (2) Armwood (Seffner, Fla.), 2-0
Armwood showed no letdown following its win against Bishop Gorman. The Hawks returned to Florida and hammered Brandon 54-6. Talvin Bailey, filling in for the injured Darryl Richardson, threw for two touchdown passes.

3. (5) Allen (Texas), 2-0
Alabama commit Alec Morris tossed five touchdown passes in a 59-0 rout of Northwest.

4. (4) St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 1-0
Bye. Next game: Sept. 9 vs. Cypress Bay (Weston, Fla.).

5. (7) Trinity (Louisville, Ky.), 2-0
Bye. Next game: Sept. 9 vs. Elder (Cincinnati).
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6. (11) Katy (Texas), 2-0
Even without running back Adam Taylor, Katy looked dominant, pounding Alief Taylor 31-0. Freshman phenom Rodney Anderson rushed for two scores for the Tigers.

7. (3) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 1-0
The Spartans struggled against a very solid Bellarmine (San Jose, Calif.) team, narrowly escaping with a 26-23 victory in overtime. (Story)

8. (6) Trinity (Euless, Texas), 2-0
Abilene hung tough, but ultimately, Trinity prevailed 34-17 in a battle of 2009 state champions. Joel Kimpela rushed for 197 yards and two scores for Trinity.

9. (9) St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio), 2-0
After struggling on offense in its opener, St. Edward came alive against Penn Hills, exploding for 47 points in a 47-6 victory. Dwayne Aaron rushed for three touchdowns in the win.

10. (10) Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 2-1
Following a loss to No. 2 Armwood, Bishop Gorman bounced back with a 52-0 triumph over Desert Oasis. Shaquille Powell had 100 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
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11. (12) Prattville (Ala.), 1-1
Electric quarterback Justin Thomas threw for two scores to power Prattville past Stanhope-Elmore 34-7.

12. (13) Harrison (Farmington Hills, Mich.), 2-0
Playing on Thursday night, Jake Vento threw for one touchdown and rushed for another as Harrison scored a hard-fought victory against Southfield.

13. (NR) Gilman (Baltimore), 1-0
In one of the more impressive victories of the weekend, Gilman routed Oscar Smith 51-27. Running back Cyrus Jones rushed for four touchdowns for the Greyhounds.

14. (NR) Gaffney (S.C.), 3-0
After an impressive 47-21 victory over Greenwood, Gaffney has clearly emerged as the top team in the Palmetto State.

15. (15) Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.), 1-0
Two impressive touchdowns from top recruit Stefon Diggs propelled Good Counsel over Manatee 24-17 in overtime.
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16. (18) Mallard Creek (Charlotte, N.C.), 2-0
Game vs. Phillip O. Berry Academy postponed until Tuesday due to weather.

17. (16) St. Xavier (Cincinnati), 2-0
St. Xavier overcame a sloppy first half to down Pickerington Central 38-20. Conor Hundley rushed for 156 yards and four touchdowns for the Bombers. (Story)

18. (17) Buford (Ga.), 3-0
Buford continued to look unstoppable over the weekend, hammering Carver 35-7. Andre Johnson rushed for three touchdowns.

19. (19) Warren Central (Indianapolis), 2-0
Warren Central blasted Lawrence North 55-7 in a tune-up for its big match up on the road against Ben Davis.

20. (14) Centennial (Corona, Calif.), 0-0
Idle. First game: Sept. 9 vs. St. Bonaventure (Ventura, Calif.).
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21. (20) Grayson (Loganville, Ga.), 2-0
Bye. Next game: Sept. 9 vs. Archer.

22. (22) Bellevue (Wash.), 1-0
Bellevue opened up with an impressive 31-21 victory over Oaks Christian. Tyler Hasty, who doubles as the team's quarterback, made two interceptions and forced a fumble for Bellevue. (Story)

23. (23) Columbus (Miami), 0-0
Game vs. Palmetto postponed.

24. (25) DeSoto (Texas), 2-0
DeSoto routed Douglass 63-0 in the Herbstreit National Kickoff Classic.

25. (NR) McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.), 2-0
With a 20-13 victory over Lowndes, McEachern opened eyes around the state — and the country. Quarterback Trent Thompson is a difference maker for the Indians.

Dropped out:
Pleasant Grove
Oaks Christian
Glades Central