High School Hardware

1. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
The coach: Bob Ladouceur (274-14-1, 24 years)
2002: CIF-NCS Class 4A champion, 13-0
The record: The word “record” is now synonymous with the Spartans. The Bay Area barons have won an all-time best 138 straight games and have been National Prep Poll titlist a best-ever five times (1994, ‘98, 2000, ‘01 and ‘02.)
The resume: With wins over nationally ranked Long Beach Poly the last two seasons in the bank, De La Salle will move on to its next major streak-tester – a nationally televised battle versus No. 2 Evangel Christian (La.) on Oct. 24 in Pleasant Hill, Calif. WR/FS Cameron Colvin (6-2, 190), RB/CB Willie Glasper (5-11, 175) and LB/TE Terrance Kelly (6-1, 210) are the Spartans’ top talents.

2. Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.)
The coach: Dennis Dunn (131-12, 11 years)
2002: Class 5A state champion, 14-1
The record: The Eagles have eight state titles and one national championship since 1993, along with a slew of record-breaking passers.
The resume: Evangel’s 2003 schedule is arguably the most formidable in U.S. prep football history – road games at No. 1 De La Salle, No. 17 Hoover (Ala.) and Live Oak Suwannee (Fla.), plus home battles with No. 9 Longview (Texas) and No. 22 Rockhurst (Mo.). Geoff Nixon (6-1, 180), a transfer from McKinney, Texas, will fill the quarterback spot vacated when John David Booty skipped his senior season to sign early with Southern California. Other top talents on an offense with nine returning starters are WR Connor Campbell (5-10, 180), RB Jacob Hester (5-11, 240) and OL Tim Henderson (6-3, 295).

3. Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.)
The coach: Cecil Flowe (118-18, 10 years)
2002: Class 5A state champion, 15-0
The record: The Panthers have three straight Class 5A state championships and 45 consecutive wins.
The resume: Three major Division I O-linemen are gone from last season but the Panthers return six other offensive starters and seven regulars are back on defense. Leading the way are speedy RB Brad Lester (5-10, 175), LB Demetrice Alexander (6-0, 185) and DB/WR Greg Sudderth (6-3, 190).

4. Union (Tulsa, Okla.)
The coach: Bill Blankenship (116-23, 12 years)
2002: Class 6A state champion, 14-0
The record: The Redskins loosened rival Jenks’ stranglehold on the 6A state crown last year for the school’s first state title since 1963 and its first under Blankenship.
The resume: Holes must be filled along the offensive line but six starters from a tenacious, attacking defense are back, led by blue chip DE Nathan Peterson (6-4, 250), DE Adam Blankenship (6-4, 230) and SS/OLB Zac Snider (6-3, 210).

5. Los Alamitos (Calif.)
The coach: John Barnes (217-60-6, 24 years)
2002: CIF-SS Division I champion, 13-0-1
The record: The Griffins won their first CIF-SS Division I title since 1993, dating back to an era when they won three straight.
The resume: S/RB Randy Estes (6-2, 190) is the top prospect in California – perhaps the entire country – and he is just one of many talented returning players. Antoine Cason (6-1, 175) is a blue chipper at CB while OT Dan Rowland (6-5, 275) and DE Chris Cheri (6-2, 255) are the top studs in the Los Al trenches.

6. Elder (Cincinnati)
The coach: Doug Ramsey (58-14, 7 years)
2002: Division I state champion, 14-1
The record: The Panthers won the first state championship of their proud 80-year football history in 2002.
The resume: Last year’s rush to the state title began and ended with returning RB/FB Bradley Glatthaar (6-0, 220), who set school records with 1,900 rushing yards and 32 TDs. QB Rob Florian (5-11, 165) is also back after earning special mention all-district honors. Elder will get a tough early season test in a meeting with No. 21 Warren Central (Indianapolis) in Week 2.

7. Woodland Hills (Pittsburgh)
The coach: George Novak (139-55, 16 years)
2002: PIAA Class 4A runner-up, 13-1
The record: It’s only a matter of time before the Wolverines – 52-4 over the last four seasons and winners of 39 straight regular-season games – finally capture their first state championship. Back-to-back second-place finishes will have Novak’s talent-laden crew even hungrier in 2003.
The resume: Having the players is never a problem at Woodland Hills, and things aren’t about to change. Eight to 10 players with Division I potential will dot the starting lineups, led by WR/DB Devon Lyons (6-3, 207), QB/LB Dennis Sellman (6-3, 212) and RB/DB Steffan Brinson (6-0, 193).

8. Palm Bay (Melbourne, Fla.)
The coach: Dan Burke (76-16, 7 years)
2002: Class 4A state champion, 12-2
The record: 37-5 with two state championships this decade.
The resume: Depth and experience on both lines and young but talented skill players should mean another deep playoff run for the Pirates. WR Xavier Carter (6-3, 190) has world-class speed on the track and offensive linemen Nick Paris (6-2, 295) and Adam Oswald (6-1, 285) anchor the trenches.

9. Longview (Texas)
The coach: Pat Collins (20-16, 3 years)
2002: Class 5A/II regional finalist, 10-4
The record: It’s been since 1937 since the Lobos last tasted a state championship, but only since 1987 since Collins coached a champion. That took place in 1987 while leading Northeast Louisiana to the NCAA Division I-AA title.
The resume: Nine offensive starters and five defensive regulars are back from a team that handed No. 2 Evangel its only defeat last season and will offer a rematch to the Eagles this season on Sept. 20 in Shreveport. Speed will kill on both sides of the ball for Longview. The top returners are RB Jerrell Williams (5-10, 190) and TE Tate Casey (6-7, 220).
10. Long Beach Poly (Calif.)
The coach: Raul Lara (23-3, 3 years)
2002: CIF-SS Division I semifinalist, 11-2
The record: Poly has won 80 of its last 85 games (with two of the losses coming to De La Salle) and has won or shared four section titles during the same time period.
The resume: As usual, Poly lost a ton of talent to graduation from last season ... but, as usual, there’s also a ton of talent returning for the Jackrabbits. Six starters on each side of the ball are back, highlighted by blue chip WR Derrick Jones (6-2, 175), DB Rodney Van (6-2, 175), SS/OLB Marlin Simmons (6-0, 205) and LB/FB Jeremiah Toloumu (6-0, 230).

11. Trinity (Louisville, Ky.)
The coach: Bob Beatty (41-3, 3 years)
2002: Class 4A state champion, 15-0
The record: The Shamrocks are winners of 24 straight games and back-to-back state titles.
The resume: Senior QB Brian Brohm (6-4, 200) is the headliner of an offense that averaged 43 points per game last season. DEs Blake Nix (6-3, 190) and Alex Temple (6-1, 215) will spearhead the defense. Trinity opens the season Aug. 23 at Private Schools No. 10 Montgomery Bell Academy (Tenn.).

12. St. Ignatius (Cleveland)
The coach: Chuck Kyle (210-39-1, 20 years)
2002: Division I regional quarterfinalist, 7-4
The record: The past two seasons have produced one state championship but also an eye-opening eight combined losses for the two-time National Prep Poll titlist Wildcats. But that’s less an indication of the downfall of Iggy than it is a sign that lately Ohio’s large-school football has been as good as any in the nation.
The resume: The Iggy faithful has expected special things from this season’s senior class for several years. The group is led by TE/DE Mike Massey (6-4, 225), QB Brian Hoyer (6-2, 182) and OL/DT Steve Miller (6-4, 270). Junior TE/LB Jim Ramella (6-3, 215) should also make a major contribution.

13. Warren G. Harding (Warren, Ohio)
The coach: Thom McDaniels (32-6, 3 years)
2002: Division I state runner-up, 14-1
The record: The Raiders have finished in the final state Top 10 computer rankings every year since McDaniels took over the program after leaving Canton McKinley.
The resume: Youngstown Ursuline transfer RB Delbert Ferguson (6-1, 213) should give the Raiders their most potent running threat since the graduation of Maurice Clarett. Phil McNeal (6-0, 304) is a force in the defensive interior. Junior WR Mario Manningham (5-10, 160) is a playmaker with 4.5 speed.

14. Phoebus (Hampton, Va.)
The coach: Bill Dee (159-49-1, 18 years)
2002: Group 3A/D5 state champion, 14-0
The record: Back-to-back state titles and 27 wins in 28 outings during the last two seasons.
The resume: The Phantoms are oozing with talent again despite graduating three major DI recruits. Junior RB Elan Lewis (5-10, 200) rushed for 1,837 yards and 29 TDs as a soph. The defense is big, fast and strong, led by all-region C/NG Anthony Robinson (5-11, 240) The Phoebus LBs and secondary are young but experienced and blazing quick.

15. Independence (Charlotte, N.C.)
The coach: Tommy Knotts (41-1, 3 years)
2002: Class 4AA state champion, 16-0
The record: 46 straight wins and three consecutive big-school state titles
The resume: All-everything QB Chris Leak has graduated, leaving the keys to the Patriots’ high-octane passing game to junior QB Joe Cox (6-1, 180). He’ll have plenty of help from the likes of fellow 11th-grader WR Mohamed Massaquoi (6-2, 180) and versatile RB Abdur-Rahim Malik (6-1, 200). LB Jamar Buckley (6-1, 235) and DE Maurice Mitchell (6-5, 250) are part of a talented and underrated defense.
16. Carmel (Mundelein, Ill.)
The coach: Andy Bitto (41-19, 5 years)
2002: Class 6A state quarterfinalist, 11-1
The record: Returns eight starters from an offense that averaged 35 points and over 440 total yards per game last season.
The resume: The Corsairs return the most juice of any team in Illinois, but have yet to prove they can beat the likes of Mount Carmel in the playoffs. Hoping to change that this year is the pass-catch combo of QB Mark Venegon (6-3, 210) and WR Jack Simmons (6-6, 210). Four of five OLs also return, led by Drew Cairo-Gross (6-3, 290).

17. Hoover (Ala.)
The coach: Rush Propst (48-6, 4 years)
2002: Class 6A state titlist, 13-1
The record: The Buccaneers have become the gold standard of Alabama big-school football with two state titles in the past three seasons.
The resume: Losing stud WR Chad Jackson to graduation and the University of Florida will hurt, but seven starters are back from an already stingy defense. LB Curtis Dawson (6-3, 255) is as good as it gets and DE Jeremie Holifield is a holy terror. The offense returns 2002 state 6A passing leader QB John Parker Wilson (6-2, 188).

18. Central (Miami)
The coach: Anthony Saunders (29-7*, 3 years)
2002: Class 6A regional quarterfinalist, 10-1*
The record: *The Rockets had arguably the top team in Florida last season but were forced to forfeit their first five wins for using an ineligible player, dropping their final record to 5-6.
The resume: The loss of QB Courtney Denson (Auburn) and LB Ali Highsmith (Miami) are huge, but nine other starters are back and the talent cupboard is far from bare. DT Randy Hunter (6-0, 260) is a highly productive player and leads what should be another smothering defensive unit. Saunders will find plenty of ways to get the ball in the hands of WR Marcus Williams (5-8, 175) with his 4.3 speed.

19. Katy (Texas)
The coach: Mike Johnston (185-74, 22 years)
2002: Class 5A/II state semifinalist, 11-4
The record: The Tigers have a 117-19 record over the past 10 seasons and have won 31 of their last 38 playoff games.
The resume: Eight returning starters are back along with a talented group of newcomers from an undefeated J.V. squad. DB Ryan Mouton (5-9, 165) and his 4.38 speed give Katy one of the best returnmen in the state. Bryan Thompson (6-0, 182) is a returning all-district RB.

20. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)
The coach: Greg Toal (39-6, 4 seasons)
2002: Parochial Group IV state champ, 12-0
The record: Last year’s state title gave Toal eight for his coaching career at three different schools (Bosco, Hackensack, River Dell.)
The resume: Twelve starters are back for the Ironmen, led by standouts RB/LB Brian Toal (6-2, 225) and WR/DB Marquise Liverpool (5-10, 180.) QB Mike Teel (6-4, 215) also returns after passing for 2,164 yards and 28 TDs in 2002.

Rounding Out the Top 25

21. Warren Central (Indianapolis)
The coach: Kevin Wright (30-8, 3 years)
2002: Class 5A regional finalist, 12-1
22. Rockhurst (Kansas City, Mo.)
The coach: Tony Severino (190-45-1, 20 years)
2002: Class 6 state champion, 13-0
23. North Hills (Pittsburgh)
The coach: Jack McCurry (210-71, 24 years)
2002: Class 4A state quarterfinalist, 9-4
24. Summerville (S.C.)
The coach: John McKissick (497-119-3, 51 years)
2002: Class 4A/I state semifinalist, 11-3
25. Parkland (Allentown, Pa.)
The coach: Rob Melosky (21-5, 2 years)
2002: Class 4A state champion, 14-1