Booker T. Washington will prepare for a titanic showdown against Central this week, a matchup of the nation's top two teams.
Photo by Stuart Browning
The top team
remains the same this week in the Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings
presented by the Army National Guard.
However, there is a new No. 2 team.
Miami
Central, which looked impressive for the second straight week, jumps
one spot to No. 2 after defeating a talented American Heritage
(Plantation, Fla.) squad 45-20.
That sets up a showdown between No. 1 and No. 2 on Friday night.
Last
week's previous No. 2-ranked team De La Salle struggled at times in a
victory over Clayton Valley Charter. The Spartans could very well prove
to be the nation's top team by season's end, as slow starts have not
been uncommon for the California powerhouse in recent years.
De La Salle checks in this week at No. 4.
On
the strength of an extremely solid road victory against Southlake
Carroll, Allen rises to No. 3. The Eagles, led by Kyler Murray,
solidified their status as Class 5A-I state title favorites.
St.
Thomas Aquinas, which won with ease against Northwestern, rounds out the
Top 5. The Raiders' defense looked outstanding and their offense, with
quarterback Wade Freebeck and running back Madre London, was clicking.
North
Gwinnett, now Georgia's top-ranked team, enters the rankings as fellow
Peach State team Sandy Creek drops out. Sandy Creek struggled at home
against Plant in a game that
ended prematurely in a 27-27 tie.
Tennessee power Ensworth also checks into this week's rankings.
MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard1. (1 last week) Washington (Miami), 1-0Idle. Faces No. 2 Central on Friday.
2. (3) Central (Miami), 2-0Central followed up a kickoff classic victory over Dwyer with another impressive win, this one against American Heritage by a 45-20 score.
Stats3. (4) Allen, 1-0Allen went on the road and posted a surprisingly easy win over Southlake Carroll, 49-27.
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Photos4. (2) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 1-0After a slow start, De La Salle eventually pulled away from Clayton Valley Charter, winning 34-14.
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Photos5. (15) St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 1-0Against what was supposed to be a reloaded Northwestern team, Aquinas dominated to the tune of a 38-3 win.
