For the first time in the decade-long existence of the MaxPreps Cup, we are providing a monthly look at the nation's top high school athletic programs leading up to crowning a champion in August 2023.
The MaxPreps Cup uses a formula to identify the top programs.
Westminster (Atlanta, Ga.) was the
MaxPreps Cup champion during the 2021-22 year.
The formula is based on point totals compiled by winning state championships or finishing as a runner-up. National rankings are also part of the scoring algorithm. The formula also awards more points for certain sports based on athlete participation in those sports. Point totals also vary based on the size of the state, the size of the school and the size of the playoff enrollment division.
For September, the MaxPreps Cup points are based solely on national rankings for
football (expert rankings),
girls volleyball (expert rankings),
boys and
girls soccer (MaxPreps computer rankings),
field hockey (MaxPreps computer rankings) and
boys and
girls cross country (DyeStat national rankings).
A familiar school tops the September rankings with 402 points.
Carmel (Ind.), which won the MaxPreps Cup in 2019-20 and was fourth last year, tops the list with high rankings in boys soccer, girls soccer and boys cross country.
Zionsville (Ind.), located just 10 miles away from Carmel, comes in at No. 2 with 396 points with high rankings in boys and girls soccer and boys cross country.
Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas) is No. 3 while
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) is No. 4.
Schools are listed based on their point totals. Teams are assigned point totals based on where they rank in the top 25 rankings for each sport. Sports are weighted different based on popularity according to the National Federation of High Schools participation survey.
Indiana's Carmel is No. 1 in the initial MaxPreps Cup monthly rankings. The Greyhound football team went 4-0 during the month of September.
Photo: Shawn Barney
1.
Carmel (Ind.) — 402
2.
Zionsville (Ind.) — 396
3.
Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas) —
374
4.
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) —
310
5.
Buford (Ga.) — 294
5.
Niwot (Colo.) — 294
7.
Jesuit (Portland, Ore.) —
282
7.
Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.) — 282
9.
Newbury Park (Calif.) — 274
10.
Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) —
246
11.
Columbus North (Columbus, Ind.) —
228
12.
American Fork (Utah) — 212
13.
Myers Park (Charlotte, N.C.) —
206
14.
St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) —
200
15.
St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) — 192
16.
Central (Miami) — 188
17.
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) —
184
18.
Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.) —
180
19.
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) — 172
20.
Chandler (Ariz.) — 168
21.
North Shore (Houston) — 164
22.
Westlake (Austin, Texas) —
160
23.
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) —
156
24.
American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) —
152
25.
Saratoga Springs (N.Y.) — 150
25.
Evansville Memorial (Evansville, Ind.) —
150
25.
St. Ignatius (Cleveland) — 150
25.
Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) — 150
