MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings

No. 1 Don Bosco Prep and No. 2 Trinity both made their case for the top spot in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

In the Non-Public Group IV finals at Metlife Stadium, Don Bosco Prep's defense put forth an overwhelming effort to defeat Bergen Catholic 42-14. Trinity thrived in Kentucky's Class 6A state final. Its explosive offense peppered Scott County's defense in a 62-21 rout.

MaxPreps state football champions / State football playoff brackets

The final rankings will be released Monday, Dec. 19.



Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard

1. (1) Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.), 11-0
The Ironmen capped off a perfect season by hammering rival Bergen Catholic 42-14 at Metlife Stadium for the New Jersey Non-Public Group IV state title.
Video / Photos / Story / QwiXcore

2. (2) Trinity (Louisville, Ky.), 14-0
Trinity completed a magical 2011 campaign by thrashing Scott County 62-21.
Story

3. (4) Miramar (Fla.), 12-0
With an impressive 35-7 victory over Palm Beach Gardens, Miramar continues to march toward a Florida 8A state final.
QwiXcore

4. (5) Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.), 11-0
Season complete. WCAC champion.

5. (6) Skyline (Dallas), 14-0
Skyline scored twice in the fourth quarter to overcome a 31-21 deficit against The Woodlands in the Texas 5A playoff bracket.
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6. (7) Grayson (Loganville, Ga.), 14-0
Thanks to last-second heroics from quarterback Nick Schuessler, Grayson came from behind to knock off Colquitt County in the Georgia AAAAA playoff bracket, 35-31.
Story



7. (13) Westlake (Westlake Village, Calif.), 13-0
Westlake made a statement to anyone wondering if it deserves the CIF Bowl Game Open Division bid by hammering Thousand Oaks, 62-0.

8. (10) Maryville (Tenn.), 15-0
George Quarles' squad closed once of its finest seasons in history with a 23-7 victory over Whitehaven to win the Tennessee 6A bracket.

9. (12) Buford (Ga.), 14-0
After being tested for the first time all season, Buford prevailed in a 28-13 semifinal win over Carver in the Georgia AA bracket.

10. (8) Armwood (Seffner, Fla.), 13-0
Armwood continues to win, but it hasn't been pretty. This time, the Hawks rallied to beat Gainesville 17-14 in the Florida 6A bracket quartefinals.
QwiXcore
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11. (9) Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 15-1
In a truly dominant effort, Bishop Gorman captured its third straight state title by beating Reed 72-28 in the Nevada 4A playoffs.

12. (15) Bellevue (Wash.), 14-0
Bellevue capped off a perfect season with a 35-16 victory against O'Dea in the Washington Class 3A final.
QwiXcore

13. (14) Carmel (Ind.), 14-1
Season complete. 5A state champions.

14. (16) Central (Miami), 12-0
Central pulled away from Palm Bay to win 17-7. Joe Yearby ran for two touchdowns and 163 yards in the Florida 6A playoff game.

15. (NR) Norland (Miami), 13-0
Led by Miami-bound running back Randy "Duke" Johnson, Norland shocked previously ranked Glades Central 29-13 in the Florida 5A bracket quarterfinals.
QwiXcore
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16. (17) Lake Travis (Austin, Texas), 14-0
Despite struggling at times, Lake Travis hung on to defeat Cedar Park 14-9 in the Texas 4A Division 1 bracket quarterfinals. It was the second win over Cedar Park for the Cavaliers this season.



17. (19) Page (Greensboro, N.C.), 15-0
Page capped a remarkable, improbable playoff run by defeating Garner Magnet, 35-21 to win the North Carolina 4AA bracket state title. James Summers threw for two touchdowns in the win.

18. (20) Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.), 11-2
Though its offense was shaky at moments, Manatee's defense was stellar, recording four sacks and a touchdown in its 13-10 win over Central (Fort Pierce, Fla.) in the Florida 7A playoff brackets.
QwiXcore / Story

19. (NR) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 11-1
De La Salle is one win away from likely earning another bid to the CIF's Open Division Bowl Game after whipping Pittsburg in the North Coast Section Division 1 semifinals, 48-0.
QwiXcore / Photos

20. (NR) St. Ignatius (Cleveland), 13-2
St. Ignatius survived a loaded Ohio Division I playoff bracket by beating Pickerington Central convincingly, 34-13.
QwiXcore / Story
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21. (23) Olive Branch (Miss.), 15-0
In one of the greatest Mississippi playoff games ever, Olive Branch converted a 2-point conversion late in the game and came away with a 35-34 victory over Petal to win the Mississippi 6A playoff bracket title.
QwiXcore / Story

22. (22) North Allegheny (Wexford, Pa.), 14-0
North Allegheny enjoyed a blowout 40-14 win over State College to advance to the Pennsylvania AAAA semifinals.

23. (24) Steele (Cibolo, Texas), 14-0
Tommy Armstrong scored four total touchdowns in Steele's easy 35-10 victory over Reagan in the Texas 5A Division 2 playoff quarterfinals.
QwiXcore

24. (NR) Prattville (Ala.), 12-2
Prattville turned its season around and captured an Alabama Class 6A title over Hoover in thrilling fashion.
Story / Photos / Box Score

25. (NR) Del Oro (Loomis, Calif.), 13-1
Del Oro's only loss was in overtime to Westlake. The Golden Eagles beat Oakdale for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III title.
Story / Photos / More photos / QwiXcore

Dropped out:
Gaffney (S.C.)
Glades Central (Belle Glade, Fla.)
Bentonville (Ark.)
Warren Central (Ind.)
Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove, Calif.)