MaxPreps.com Staff Report
Despite its virtual lock on the No. 1 spot in the MaxPreps National Rankings presented by the Army National Guard this season, we're not engraving "St. Xavier" on any trophies just yet.
The Bombers have ripped through the country's toughest schedule with seeming ease en route to a 7-0 record, but there are rugged obstacles ahead - even before reaching the gauntlet that is Ohio's Division I playoffs.
This week's opponent, St. Edward (4-2), has won four in a row after starting the season 0-2. Wins over Elder and Benedictine are included in that streak.
St. Ignatius (6-1) looms Oct. 20. The Wildcats have pitched four shutouts this fall and have outscored their last three opponents 130-7.
Finally, St. Xavier will tackle Cincinnati rival Archbishop Moeller (4-2) Oct. 26. The Fighting Crusaders' only losses have come to Mission Viejo (Calif.) and Elder.
Should the Bombers stumble, there are plenty of hungry suitors for the No. 1 national ranking. Here is a state-by-state look at this week's MaxPreps/Army National Guard Top 50;
State-by-State Breakdown
Alabama
(10) Prattville (7-0), Up Next: Montgomery Lee, Oct. 11
Arizona
(22) Chandler Hamilton (7-0), Up Next: Highland, Oct. 12
California
(2) Mater Dei (5-0), Up Next: JSerra Catholic, Oct. 12
(3) De La Salle (4-0), Up Next: Brentwood Heritage, Oct. 12
(7) Corona Centennial (5-1), Up Next: Valley View, Oct. 12
(26) Birmingham (4-1), Up Next: Chatsworth, Oct. 12
(33) Redlands East Valley (5-0), Up Next: Fontana, Oct. 12
(43) Long Beach Poly (4-1), Up Next: Long Beach Millikan, Oct. 12
Connecticut
(34) Ansonia (4-0), Up Next: Holy Cross, Oct. 12
Florida
(4) Northwestern (5-0), Up Next: Hialeah-Miami Lakes, Oct. 13
Georgia
(11) Warner Robins Northside (6-0), Up Next: Baldwin, Oct. 12
Illinois
(12) Mount Carmel (7-0), Up Next: St. Francis de Sales, Oct. 12
(29) Naperville North (7-0), Up Next: Wheaton North, Oct. 12
(46) Montini (7-0), Up Next: St. Edward, Oct. 13
Indiana
(30) Center Grove (8-0), Up Next: Warren Central, Oct. 12
Kansas
(23) Hutchinson (6-0), Up Next: Goddard, Oct. 12
Kentucky
(5) St. Xavier (7-0), Up Next: Pleasure Ridge Park, Oct. 19
(47) Trinity (4-2), Up Next: Pleasure Ridge Park, Oct. 12
Louisiana
(32) Archbishop Shaw (6-0), Up Next: Belle Chasse, Oct. 13
(38) West Monroe (5-0), Up Next: Shreveport Southwood, Oct. 12
(44) Acadiana (6-0), Up Next: Barbe, Oct. 12
Maine
(36) Lawrence (6-0), Up Next: Skowhegan, Oct. 12
Maryland
(45) Friendly (5-0), Up Next: Potomac, Oct. 12
(48) Baltimore Dunbar (5-0), Up Next: Lake Clifton-Eastern, Oct. 12
Massachusetts
(25) Everett (5-0), Up Next: Xaverian Brothers, Oct. 13
Michigan
(15) Muskegon (7-0), Up Next: East Kentwood, Oct. 12
Minnesota
(20) Eden Prairie (6-0), Up Next: Bloomington Kennedy, Oct. 12
(49) Cretin-Derham Hall (6-0), Up Next: Cottage Grove Park, Oct. 12
Mississippi
(40) South Panola (6-0), Up Next: Columbus, Oct. 12
Missouri
(8) Blue Springs South (6-0), Up Next: Oak Park, Oct. 12
(28) Rockhurst (6-0), Up Next: Minnetonka, Minn., Oct. 12
New Jersey
(19) Don Bosco Prep (4-0), Up Next: Hackensack, Oct. 12
Ohio
(1) St. Xavier (7-0), Up Next: St. Edward, Oct. 13
(6) Cardinal Mooney (7-0), Up Next: St. Vincent-St. Mary, Oct. 12
(24) Colerain (7-0), Up Next: Lakota East, Oct. 12
(41) Hilliard Darby (7-0), Up Next: Lincoln, Oct. 12
Oregon
(9) Lake Oswego (6-0), Up Next: West Linn, Oct. 11
(50) Jesuit (4-1), Up Next: Sunset, Oct. 12
Pennsylvania
(31) Pittsburgh Central Catholic (6-0), Up Next: Greater Latrobe, Oct. 12
Tennessee
(17) Maryville (6-0), Up Next: Knoxville West, Oct. 12
(39) Brentwood Academy (7-0), Up Next: Montgomery Bell Academy, Oct. 12
Texas
(13) Southlake Carroll (4-1), Up Next: Haltom, Oct. 12
(14) Katy (5-0), Up Next: Alief Hastings, Oct. 12
(16) San Antonio Madison (6-0), Up Next: Converse Judson, Oct. 12
(35) Odessa Permian (5-0), Up Next: Midland Lee, Oct. 12
Utah
(37) Bingham (7-1), Up Next: Hunter, Oct. 12
Virginia
(21) Westfield (6-0), Up Next: Fairfax, Oct. 13
(42) Amherst County (6-0), Up Next: Jefferson Forest, Oct. 12
Washington
(27) Skyline (6-0), Up Next: Issaquah, Oct. 12
Wisconsin
(18) Arrowhead (7-0), Up Next: Catholic Memorial, Oct. 12
