AFM Home | Back Issues | August 2004 | 2004 Top 25 Prep Football Rankings

By Jamie DeMoney

1. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
The coach: Bob Ladouceur (287-14-1, 25 years) – school record
2003: CIF-NCS Class 4A champion, 13-0
The record: The Spartans have won a national-record 151 straight games (more than doubling the next best total), and have beaten at least one nationally ranked team each season since 1998. The Bay Area power won its unprecedented fourth consecutive (sixth overall) National Prep Poll title last season to go with its 12th straight CIF North Coast section championship.
The resume: “The Streak” will be put to a major test again this season with a season-opening match-up with No. 17 Bellevue (Wash.) at Seahawks Stadium and a battle with Southern Cal power No. 4 Mission Viejo at home on the schedule. QB Kevin Lopina (6-2, 195) returns from an ACL injury to lead the offense and WR/S Anthony Guiterrez (6-1, 183) can make plays on both sides of the ball.

2. Independence (Charlotte, N.C.)
The coach: Bill Geiler (0-0, first year)
2003: Class 4AA state champion, 16-0
The record: The Patriots own the nation’s second-longest current winning streak (62) and have won four consecutive state championships in North Carolina’s largest classification. They have won those four championships by an average margin of 24 points.
The resume: If not for top-ranked De La Salle’s highly publicized winning streak, you might be more likely to know that Independence’s streak is the ninth longest in prep football history. In fact, if the Patriots win their first 11 games in 2004, they will then own the second-longest winning streak in history. University of Georgia-bound QB Joe Cox (6-1, 195) and standout WR Mohamed Massaquoi (6-1, 185) are among 15 starters and 55 lettermen returning from 2003. The primary question mark in experience may actually be at head coach, where longtime assistant coach Bill Geiler has replaced Tommy Knotts (now at Duke).

3. Jenks (Okla.)
The coach: Allan Trimble (99-10, eight years)
2003: Class 6A state champion, 12-2
The record: The Trojans are coming off their seventh state championship in eight seasons under Trimble.
The resume: Fifteen returning starters and experienced performers on both lines will provide the core for Jenks, a program that is certainly no stranger to the national rankings over the past decade. LB Phillip Dillard (6-1, 240) was state defensive MVP last season and QB Andrew Brewer (6-2, 205) passed for 19 TDs versus only four INTs. Trimble figures up to seven seniors have the potential to play at the Division I-A level in college.

4. Mission Viejo (Calif.)
The coach: Bob Johnson (54-10, five years)
2003: CIF-SS Division II runner-up, 13-1
The record: The Diablos’ only loss during the last three seasons came in the 2003 CIF title game to nationally ranked Hart (Newhall). It ended a 41-game winning streak and a bid for three straight section championships.
The resume: MV will be loaded in 2004 and will face a schedule to go with it. No. 1 De La Salle joins Southern California powers Los Alamitos, Long Beach Poly and Mater Dei on the Diablos’ non-league schedule. QB Mark Sanchez (6-2, 210) and DE Nick Reed (6-2, 230) are among six returning all-CIF players.

5. Edgewater (Orlando, Fla.)
The coach: Bill Gierke (42-12, four years)
2003: Class 6A state runner-up, 11-4
The record: The Eagles have lost the 6A state championship game each of the last two seasons.
The resume: The talent and experience is certainly there for Edgewater in 2004 to break though and end Miami’s stranglehold on the 6A crown. Massive OL Matt Hardrick (6-5, 340) was first team all-state as a junior. LB/DE Arthur Thomas (5-10, 180) is undersized but a four-year starter and tremendous playmaker.

6. North Penn (Lansdale, Pa.)
The coach: Dick Beck (25-3, 2 years)
2003: PIAA Class AAAA champion, 15-0
The record: They’ve being playing high school football in Lansdale, Pa., since the 1920s, but the 2003 North Penn Knights were the first team ever to bring a state championship to the northern Philadelphia suburban community. But it was the fourth title since 1997 for assistant coach Mike Carey, who formerly was on the staff at Central Bucks West (Doylestown).
The resume: North Penn will be short on experience but long on talent with QB Adam Hearns (6-1, 190) back to lead the offense after totaling more than 2,000 all-purpose yards last season. LB Eric Halberstadt (5-10, 200) is a big-time playmaker on defense.

7. Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
The coach: Todd Dodge (51-10, four years)
2003: Class 5A/II state runner-up, 15-1
The record: The Dragons are 31-1 with one state championship and one second place finish the last two seasons.
The resume: Dodge, a former QB at the University of Texas, will look toward returning all-state performers QB Chase Daniel (6-1, 210) and RB Aaron Luna (5-10, 205) to help maintain a dominant offensive attack that averaged 41 points per game last season. The main concern heading into 2004 is lack of experience along both lines.

8. Colerain (Cincinnati)
The coach: Kerry Coombs (120-30, 13 years)
2003: Division I regional finalist, 12-1
The record: A lot of “close but no cigar” finishes for Colerain. The school has yet to win a state championship, but does have five league titles and regional championship appearances in each of the past six seasons to its credit. The city of Cincinnati has produced back-to-back Division I state champions after having gone 14 straight years without a title.
The resume: The Cardinals return seven offensive and eight defensive regulars among a total of 36 letterwinners. RB Mister Simpson (5-11, 205) and LB Andre Revels (6-0, 230) are Colerain’s top college prospects.

9. Katy (Texas)
The coach: Gary Joseph (0-0, first year)
2003: Class 5A/II state champion, 15-1
The record: The Tigers are 132-20 record over the past 11 seasons and have won 37 of their last 44 playoff games.
The resume: Coach Mike Johnston departed following the 2003 season after winning his third state championship and 200th game in 23 seasons at Katy. Johnston, who will now coach at Houston Christian HS, tapped long-time assistant Gary Joseph to be his replacement. RB James Aston (5-11, 205) rushed for 2,179 yards last season and will lead the offense. Playmaking LB Paul Thornton (6-3, 215) is the top returner on defense.

10. Mainland (Daytona Beach, Fla.)
The coach: John Maronto
2003: 5A state champion, 13-1
The record: The Bucs have 24 consecutive district wins and 10 straight playoff appearances to go with last season’s state championship.
The resume: Winning back-to-back state titles has become a rare feat in the Sunshine State, but Mainland has the horses to make a great run for it. The offense will be led RB/WR Avery Atkins (6-2, 190) and QB Jonathan Garner (6-5, 210). The defense features 9 returning starters, led by MLB Matt Lewis (6-2, 246).

11. Lockport (Ill.)
The coach: Bret Kooi (71-35, 10 years)
2003: Class 8A state champion, 13-2
The record: The Porters have won back-to-back 8A state titles.
The resume: Lockport will feature a tremendous quick-strike offense led by Iowa-bound QB Jake Christensen (6-1, 190) and eight other returning starters from a unit that averaged 32 points per game last season. But the Porters are inexperienced on defense. If the unit does not mature rapidly, look for a strong charge from last year’s state runner-up, Maine South (Park Ridge) and Warrensville South (Wheaton).

12. Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.)
The coach: Dennis Dunn (155-17, 12 years)
2003: Class 5A state runner-up, 10-4
The record: The Eagles have won eight state championships and one National Prep Poll title since 1993.
The resume: Evangel is once again playing perhaps the toughest team-for-team national schedule in the country. The Louisiana High School Athletic Association would not allow the Eagles a special “week zero” schedule exemption to play No. 13 Hoover (Ala.) again this year. But Texas powers Longview, Abilene and Texas High (Texarkana), No. 25 Cretin-Derham Hall and Springdale (Ark.) are on the Eagles’ non-conference slate this year. Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio) transfer QB Billy Barefield (5-10, 175) will be counted on to lead the offense. S Wesley Winston (5-11, 198) is among nine returning starters on defense.

13. Hoover (Ala.)
The coach: Rush Propst (62-7, five years)
2003: Class 6A state champion, 14-1
The record: The Bucs have won three state titles and compiled a 55-4 record over the last four seasons.
The resume: Hoover will be young and inexperienced at some key positions, but is extremely athletic and fast at most of the skill spots. Propst welcomes back 10 returning starters and 40 lettermen, led by DBs Jahi Word-Daniels (6-0, 170) and Cory Reamer (6-4, 200). QB Jarod Bryant (5-10, 185) will be asked to fill the shoes left by graduated Parade All-American John Parker Wilson.

14. Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.)
The coach: Jeff Herron (46-5, four years)
2003: Class AAAAA state champion, 15-0
The record: CC fielded one of the most dominant defenses Georgia prep football had ever seen in 2003, allowing a mere 47 points the entire season.
The resume: After last year’s performance, the Wildcats are still the team to beat in Georgia’s largest classification. But it won’t be easy to repeat. Fourteen starters and a couple of assistant coaches must be replaced – if that can’t happen look for 2003 state semifinalist, Newnan, or 2000-2002 champ Parkview (Lilburn) to make a serious challenge. RB Darlron Spead (5-9, 175) will be asked to carry the rushing load in Herron’s Wing-T offense. DE LaShun Booth (6-1, 255) is an experienced force on the defensive side of the ball.

15. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.)
The coach: Fred Stengel (145-30, 16 years)
2003: Parochial Group 4 state runner-up, 10-2
The record: The Crusaders won eight state titles between 1991-2001 before finishing runner-up to Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) the last two seasons.
The resume: BC has only four losses the last two years – all to Don Bosco. But in 2004, the Crusaders might have the edge in returning talent. WR/LB Brian Cushing (6-3, 205) is one of the nation’s most sought-after recruits. WR Isaiah Williams (6-2, 185) was an early verbal commitment to Maryland. T Dan Larkin (6-3, 290) will anchor the offensive line.

16. Loyola (Los Angeles, Calif.)
The coach: Steve Grady (260-74-4, 27 years)
2003: CIF-SS Division I champion, 11-3
The record: The Cubs won their first CIF championship since 1990 last season. Loyola has had only one losing season (1980) under Grady.
The resume: Loyola is a slight favorite to repeat as section champion among a bevy of contenders including traditional powers Long Beach Poly, Los Alamitos, Mater Dei and upstarts Lakewood and Huntington Beach Edison. The Cubs will live and die offensive with its ground attack, led by talented RBs Trason Bragg (6-0, 200) and George Hypolite (6-3, 240). Both players will be counted on to make a major impact on the defensive side of the ball as well.

17. Bellevue (Wash.)
The coach: Butch Goncharoff (45-5, four years)
2003: Class 3A state champion, 13-1
The record: The Wolverines have won three consecutive 3A state titles.
The resume: Bellevue enters the season with two major goals in sight: 1) Become the first Washington team to win four consecutive state titles. 2) Become the first team anywhere in the country since 1991 to defeat No. 1 De La Salle. Goal No. 2 will be decided at the “Battle in Seattle” Sept. 4 at Seahawks Stadium. RB/LB J.R. Hasty (5-11, 200), son of former NFL player James Hasty, and LB/FB E.J. Savannah (6-2, 215) are tops among 13 returning starters.

18. Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
The coach: Gary Rankin (166-22, 15 years)
2003: Class 5A state runner-up, 12-3
The record: The Warriors have played for the 5A state championship eight times since 1993 and have won three titles.
The resume: Sixteen returning starters will make Riverdale the odds-on favorite to capture its first state championship since 2001. Rankin likes the explosiveness of QB/DB/PR Dave Thomas (5-11, 188), and will build his defense around DE Chris Perkins (6-4, 250).

19. Blue Springs (Mo.)
The coach: Kelly Donohoe (45-4, four years)
2003: Class 6 state champion, 13-0
The record: The Wildcats have won two of the last three big-school state championships and have spent 57 consecutive weeks in the national or regional rankings of the National Prep Poll.
The resume: Blue Springs will have some holes to fill from last season – namely at quarterback – but 2003 Schutt Sports National Coach of the Year Donohoe returns a solid nucleus that will feature strong line play on both sides of the ball. OT James Stigall (6-3, 295) and DL Jaron Baston (6-1, 250) are two Big XII-caliber recruits.

20. Joliet Catholic (Joliet, Ill.)
The coach: Dan Sharp (78-14, seven years)
2003: Class 5A state champion, 13-1
The record: The Hilltoppers have four state titles and a 23-2 playoff record under Sharp.
The resume: JCA will have no shortage in the areas of talent or experience in 2004. The core of the defensive will start and finish with four-year starter LB Chris Jeske (6-0, 210). Junior RB Billy McKeon (6-0, 185) returns after rushing for over 1,000 yards as a sophomore.

21. Phoebus (Hampton, Va.)
The coach: Bill Dee (179-53-1, 19 years)
2003: Group AAA/D5 regional finalist, 10-2
The record: The Phantoms won back-to-back state titles in 2001-2002.
The resume: Phoebus’ 2003 season was disappointing by almost all accounts, but 14 starters return with hopes of making the ‘04 campaign one of the best in school history. The group is led by RB Elan Lewis (5-10, 210), who has rushed for 4,309 yards and 69 TDs the last two seasons, and DE Steven Friday (6-5, 220), who recorded an amazing 36 tackles for loss, 18 sacks and three blocked kicks as a junior.

22. Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.)
The coach: Bobby Bentley (67-48, nine years)
2003: Class 4A/II state champion, 15-0
The record: The Rebels have won 29 straight games against in-state opponents as well as two consecutive state titles.
The resume: A three-peat will be a tall order for Byrnes in 2004 because of the large number of offensive regulars that must be replaced. But Bentley does have 56 letterwinners back and a lot of speed. WR Reynaldo Hunter (6-0, 170) and RB Rod Williams (6-0, 170) are top offensive playmakers who return.

23. Mullen Prep (Denver)
The coach: Dave Logan (12-1, one year)
2003: Class 5A state semifinalist, 12-1
The record: The Mustangs have been denied a state championship since 1998. But Logan (2001 AFM Schutt Sports National Coach of the Year) has won two titles at two different schools (Arvada West and Chatfield) since 1997.
The resume: Mullen will field a roster in 2004 with no fewer than seven potential Division I prospects. The group is led by highly touted RB Maurice Greer (5-11, 185) and UCLA-bound C Jesse White (6-3, 285).

24. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
The coach: John Wrenn (65-9, six years)
2003: Class 5A state champion, 13-1
The record: The Huskies won their first state championship last season in the six years since the school has been open.
The resume: Only eight starters return from 2003, but Wrenn likes his offensive line, team speed and the playmaking ability of QB Travis Dixon (6-2, 180). Hamilton will be tested by 2002 champ Mesa Mountain View in the Sept. 3 season-opener.

25. Cretin-Derham Hall (St. Paul, Minn.)
The coach: Rich Kallok (156-25, 15 years)
2003: Class 5A state quarterfinalist, 10-2
The record: CDH is the only 5A school in Minnesota to have earned 14 consecutive playoff appearances. Along the way, they have one state title (1999) and three runner-up finishes.
The resume: Kallok welcomes back 12 returning starters and 36 total lettermen, and he likes the leadership qualities and potential for great chemistry on this team. OC Rafael Eubanks (6-3, 295) and OT/DT Ned Tavale (6-3, 305) form the heart of a deep and talented group of linemen. QB Reggie Rock (5-10, 185) is an effective playmaker and field general. The Raiders will close the regular season with an Oct. 21 trip to No. 12 Evangel Christian.

Jamie DeMoney is the editor and publisher for PrepNation.com and a contributing writer for American Football Monthly.

2004 AFM Public Schools National Top 25 1. Independence (Charlotte, N.C.) 16-0 2. Jenks (Okla.) 12-2 3. Mission Viejo (Calif.) 13-1 4. Edgewater (Orlando, Fl.) 11-4 5. North Penn (Lansdale, Pa.) 15-0 6. Carroll (Southlake, Texas) 15-1 7. Colerain (Cincinnati) 12-1 8. Katy (Texas) 15-1 9. Mainland (Daytona Beach, Fl.) 13-1 10. Lockport (Ill.) 13-2 11. Hoover (Ala.) 14-1 12. Boyle Country (Danville, Ky.) 15-0 13. Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.) 15-0 14. Bellevue (Wash.) 13-1 15. Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) 12-3 16. Blue Springs (Mo.) 13-0 17. Phoebus (Hampton, Va.) 10-2 18. Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) 15-0 19. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) 13-1 20. Hart (Newhall, Calif.) 11-3 21. LaGrange (Ga.) 14-1 22. Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) 11-3 23. Naples (Fl.) 13-2 24. Northwestern (Miami) 12-1 25. Longview (Texas) 7-4

2004 AFM Private Schools National Top 25 1. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) 13-0 2. Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.) 10-4 3. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) 10-2 4. Loyola (Los Angeles) 11-3 5. Joliet Catholic (Joliet, Ill.) 13-1 6. Mullen Prep (Denver) 12-1 7. Cretin-Derham Hall (St. Paul, Minn.) 10-2 8. St. Edwards (Lakewood, Ohio) 11-4 9. St. Ignatius (Cleveland) 9-3 10. St. Joseph Prep (Philadelphia) 12-0 11. St. Xavier (Cincinnati) 6-3 12. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) 12-2 13. Monsignor Pace (Opa Lacka, Fl.) 12-3 14. Central Catholic (Pittsburgh) 13-2 15. Chaminade-Madonna(Hollywood, Fl.) 14-1 16. DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) 12-0 17. Creighton Prep (Omaha, Neb.) 12-1 18. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) 11-0 19. Rockhurst (Kansas City, Mo.) 8-3 20. Good Counsel (Wheaton, Md.) 8-2 21. St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.) 10-2 22. Cathedral Prep (Erie, Pa.) 7-5 23. Bishop Chatard (Indianapolis) 14-1 24. Poly Prep (Brooklyn, N.Y.) 8-1 25. Montgomery Bell (Nashville, Tenn.) 11-1