2005 Top 25 Prep Football Rankings

Public and Private Schools
by: Jamie DeMoney
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Public Schools National Top 25
l. Mission Viejo (Calif.)
2004: 14-0, CIF Southern Section Division II champion
Coach: Bob Johnson (69-10, 6 years, 198-69 overall)
The Diablos return six all-CIF players and have won 55 of their last 56 games. The offense will miss national player of the year quarterback Mark Sanchez (USC), but welcomes back bruising tailback Chane “The Train” Moline (6-2, 235).

2. Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.)
2004: 15-0, Class 5A champion
Coach: Randy McPherson (32-6, 3 years, 103-15 overall)
Seven starters return on each side of the ball including the entire offensive backfield from last year.

3. Lakeland (Fla.)
2004: 15-0, Class 5A champion
Coach: Bill Castle (269-72, 34 years overall)
The Dreadnaughts have the pieces in place to repeat last year’s success and add a fifth state title to Castle’s impressive record.

4. Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
2004: 16-0, Class 5A Division II champion
Coach: Todd Dodge (66-11, 5 years, 91-45 overall)
The defending national champs have five starters on offense and six starters on defensive returning. Dodge is confident in quarterback Greg McElroy’s (6-2, 210) ability to replace two-time state player of the year Chase Daniel (Missouri).

5. Warren Central (Indianapolis)
2004: 14-1, Class 5A champion
Coach: Kevin Wright (57-10, 6 years, 112-47 overall)
Wright welcomes 17 starters back as the Warriors shoot for their third straight state crown.

6. Colerain (Cincinnati)
2004: 15-0, Division I champion
Coach: Kerry Coombs (135-30, 14 years, 141-44 overall)
The Cardinals return 12 starters but must replace four all-state performers. Conner Smith (6-5, 297) is a national recruit at offensive tackle, and linebacker Cobrani Mixon (6-2, 220) is an athletic playmaker.

7. Union (Tulsa, Okla.)
2004: 13-1, Class 6A champion
Coach: Bill Blankenship (141-25, 14 years, 192-67 overall)
The Redskins have 15 returning starters, including nine on offense, as they seek their third state title in four years.

8. Poly (Long Beach, Calif.)
2004: 13-1, CIF Southern Section Division I champion
Coach: Raul Lara (47-7, 4 years)
The Jackrabbits return 13 starters and their usual assortment of Division I prospects. Receiver Terrance Austin (6-0, 170) has scholarship offers from colleges up and down the West Coast.

9. Neshaminy (Langhorne, Pa.)
2004: 13-2, Class 4A runner-up
Coach: Mark Schmidt (73-36, 9 years)
The Redskins return 15 starters and should be in great position to win their first Class 4A state title since 2001.

10. Longview (Texas)
2004: 12-1, Class 5A Division II regional finalist
Coach: John King (12-1, 1 year)
The Lobos have 12 returning starters on hand for a run at the school’s first state title since 1937. University of Texas verbal commitment Vondrell McGee (5-10, 185) rushed for 2,039 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.

11. Independence (Charlotte, N.C.)
2004: 15-0, Class 4-AA champio
Coach: Tom Knotts (228-55, 21 years overall)
After a one-year stint coaching quarterbacks at Duke, Knotts is back to Independence to nurture the 77-game winning streak he helped build. Junior Darryl McFadden (6-2, 210) takes over at quarterback after alums Chris Leak (Florida) and Joe Cox (Georgia).

12. Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.)
2004: 13-1, Class 4A champion
Coach: Bobby Bentley (80-49, 10 years)
Only 13 starters graduated from a team that outscored the opposition a combined 606-106 and won the school’s third consecutive state championship. Defensive back/tailback Prince Miller scored touchdowns last season by rushing, receiving, and receiving kicks, punts and INTs.

13. Springdale (Ark.)
2004: 12-1, Class 5A semifinalist
Coach: Gus Malzahn (39-11, 4 years, 130-36-1 overall)
“We have the speed, depth, talent and schedule to prove we are one of the top programs in the nation,” Malzahn says. A group of 16 returning starters include five Division I prospects return.

14. Landstown (Virginia Beach, Va.)
2004: 14-0, Class AAA Division 6 champion
Coach: Chris Beatty (27-1, 2 years, 65-17 overall)
The Eagles return six starters on each side of the ball, including standout receiver/defensive back Percy Harvin (6-1, 195).

15. Hoover (Ala.)
2004: 15-0, Class 6A champion
Coach: Rush Propst (77-7, 6 years, 145-51 overall)
The Bucs are 70-4 with four state titles the last five seasons and are showing no signs of slowing down. Propst will look to junior quarterback Ross Wilson (6-2, 180) to run the offense. Wilson’s brother, John Parker, led Hoover in 2003 and was named Alabama Mr. Football.

16. Armwood (Seffner, Fla.)
2004: 13-1 (only loss by forfeit), Class 4A champion
Coach: Sean Callahan (108-64, 15 years/overall)
The Hawks own Florida’s best current on-field winning streak (29), and Callahan expects the success to continue despite the loss of 11 starters.

17. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
2004: 13-1, Class 5A champion
The Huskies are seeking a third straight state championship, and Wrenn gives reason to believe this team could be the best of the bunch.

18. Bellevue (Wash.)
2004: 13-0, Class 3A champion
Coach: Butch Goncharoff (57-5, 5 years/overall)
Goncharoff returns only four starters on offense but seven on defense as his Wolverines seek a fifth consecutive state championship. Bellevue will face a nationally ranked team from California, hosting Long Beach Poly in September.

19. Glenville (Cleveland)
2004: 12-2, Division I semifinalist
Coach: Ted Ginn Sr. (71-20, 8 years/overall)
The Tarblooders have at least eight Division I prospects among 13 returning starters. Receivers Daven Jones (6-1, 180) and Ray Small (5-11, 180) are two of several speedsters in the lineup.

20. La Marque (Texas)
2004: 11-3, Class 4A Division II quarterfinalist
Coach: Bryan Erwin (38-6, 3 years, 95-33 overall)
The Cougars have the best winning percentage in Texas prep football since 1990 (184-29, .863) and will be favored to win their fifth state title in 11 years this fall.

21. Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
2004: 15-0, Class 5A champion
Coach: Gary Rankin (181-23, 15 years, 228-51 overall) The Warriors held opponents without a touchdown for 43 quarters at one point during the ‘04 season. Although not expected to be as dominant, Riverdale will be an odds-on favorite to give Rankin his fifth state title.

22. Lufkin (Texas)
2004: 14-1, Class 5A Division II semifinalist
Coach: John Outlaw (97-29, 10 years, 236-73-4 overall)
The Panthers return only three starters on offense but have nine back on defense and should be among the favorites for a Texas Bowl title again this year.

23. North Penn (Lansdale, Pa.)
2004: 10-3, Class 4A district finalist
Coach: Dick Beck (36-3, 3 years/overall)
The Knights have six starters back on each side of the ball and should make a strong run at their second state title in three seasons.

24. Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.)
2004: 13-2, Class 5A runner-up
Coach: Cecil Flowe (142-22, 15 years/overall)
The Panthers have six starters back on each side of the ball for their run at a fifth state title since 1997. Junior running backs Caleb King (5-11, 185) and Antonio Mohn (6-0, 190) will allow Parkview to rush the ball with authority.

25. Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.)
2004: 12-2, CIF Central Section Division I champion
Coach: Jim Hartigan (24-3-1, 2 years, 148-48-5 overall)
The Golden Eagles welcome six regulars back on both sides of the ball, including three offensive linemen from a team that rushed for more than 3,000 yards. While at Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), Hartigan coached a future Heisman Trophy winner (Carson Palmer), Outland Trophy winner (Chris Farris) and Walter Payton Award winner (Brian Finneran).

Private Schools Top 25

1. St. Ignatius (Cleveland)
2004: 10-3, Division I regional finalist
Coach: Chuck Kyle (229-44-1, 22 years/overall)
Kyle has coached the Wildcats to nine state titles and three national championships, so he knows a potentially great team when he sees it. With his 2005 team, he might see it. “When we’ve had our skill kids back, we’ve had our best teams,” he says.

2. Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.)
2004: 11-3, Class 5A champion
Coach: Dennis Dunn (150-21, 13 years, 188-39 overall)
When you think Evangel Christian, you usually get a mental picture of its wide-open passing attack. But this year Dunn believes his defense will carry the day.

3. Rockhurst (Kansas City, Mo.)
2004: 9-2, Class 6 semifinalist
Coach: Tony Severino (207-50-1, 22 years, 250-71-1 overall)
The Hawklets have several experienced playmakers on hand for a run at a third state championship in six years. Linebacker Sal Capra (6-3, 241) has verbally committed to Kansas.

4. Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg, Pa.)
2004: 10-3, Class 4A semifinalist
Coach: Jeff Weachter (46-27, 7 years)
The Crusaders return eight starters on each side of the ball, led by talented running back LeSean McCoy (5-10, 195). He had 1,097 yards and 15 touchdowns in three playoff games alone last season.

5. Joliet (Ill.) Catholic
2004: 14-0, Class 5A champion
Coach: Dan Sharp (92-14, 8 years, 116-32 overall)
Only nine starters return but among them are two running backs who eclipsed 1,000 yards last season in Bill McKeon (5-11, 195) and Joe Benson (6-1, 210). The Hilltoppers have won a state-best 12 state championships since Illinois introduced a playoff system in 1974.

6. Bolles (Jacksonville, Fla.)
2004: 14-0, Class 3A champion
Coach: Charles “Corky” Rogers (326-65-1, 33 years overall)
The Bulldogs have won a record seven state titles in 17 years under Rogers. Opponents will struggle mightily to stop the Bolles rushing attack, which features the return of all five offensive linemen and Division I prospect Shaun Chapas (6-2, 225) at running back.

7. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
2004: 8-3-2, CIF North Coast Section Class 4A champion
Coach: Bob Ladouceur (295-17-3, 26 years/overall)
De La Salle is expecting to get back to doing things “the Spartan way” after seeing their national-record 151-game winning streak expire last season.

8. St. Joseph Prep (Philadelphia)
2004: 10-3, Catholic League Red runner-up
Coach: Gil Brooks (115-42-2, 13 years/overall)
The Hawks return 17 starters and will face perhaps the most demanding non-league schedule on the East Coast with nationally ranked Neshaminy (Langhorne), St. Ignatius (Cleveland) and Gilman (Baltimore) on the slate.

9. Gilman (Baltimore)
2004: 9-1, MIAA Division A champion
Coach: Biff Poggi (62-16, 8 years/overall)
The Greyhounds return 15 starters including nine on defense. The group is led by standout running back/safety Sean Price (6-2, 210).

10. St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.)
2004: 11-1, Non-Public Group 3 champion
Coach: Tony Karcich (256-53, 29 years/overall)
The Green Knights should have the horses to make a serious run at their seventh straight group title and a No. 1 state ranking.

11. John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.)
2004: 14-0, Class 4A champion
Coach: J.T. Curtis (417-47-6, 35 years/overall)
This season the Patriots could win their 20th state title in 36 years under Curtis, who is now the second winningest coach in prep football history. Running back Joseph McKnight (6-1, 190) leads a talented junior class that could develop into the best the school has ever produced.

12. Moeller (Cincinnati)
2004: 10-3, Division I region finalist
Coach: Bob Crable (30-16, 3 years/overall)
Moeller won nearly 95 percent of its games with multiple national titles during the 1970s and ‘80s, but are now mired in a 20-year state championship drought.

13. Mullen (Denver)
2004: 13-1, Class 5A champion
Coach: Dave Logan (25-2, 2 years, 116-33 overall)
Eleven starters return for Logan, who has won three state titles at three schools since 1997 while balancing a work schedule that also includes play-by-play duties for the Denver Broncos and an afternoon drive radio talk show.

14. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)
2004: 14-0, CIF Southern Section Division III champion
Coach: Kevin Rooney (206-83-5, 25 years/overall)
Only four starters return for the Knights, but includes two-time all-CIF quarterback Garrett Green (6-1, 180) and leading rusher Rodney Glass (5-10, 170). Notre Dame has won three straight section titles.

15. Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.)
2004: 10-1, Division 2 district finalist
Coach: Al Fracassa (298-70-2, 36 years, 342-89-7 overall)
The return of 12 starters and a pair of Big Ten caliber prospects - tailback John Goebel (6-1, 210) and tight end Charlie Gantt (6-4, 245) – have the Brother Rice coaching staff feeling optimistic.

16. St. Bonaventure (Ventura, Calif.)
2004: 13-1, CIF Division IV champion
Coach: Jon Mack (139-45-1, 15 years/overall)
The Seraphs return 17 starters and will be a big favorite to win their seventh section title under Mack. Linebacker Dwight Roberson (6-2, 200) recorded a team-high 174 tackles last year.

17. DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.)
2004: 10-1, WCAC champion
Coach: Bill McGregor (215-31-3, 23 years/overall)
The Stags must replace 17 players who signed with Division I-A or I-AA colleges but should still be in very good shape in 2005.

18. St. Xavier (Cincinnati)
2004: 11-1 (includes one forfeit win), Division I region semifinalist
Coach: Steve Specht (11-1, 1 year/overall)
The Bombers have 10 starters back including six on offense. Running back Chris Cionni (5-8, 165) rushed for 1,204 yards last fall.

19. Good Counsel (Wheaton, Md.)
2004: 11-1, WCAC runner-up
Coach: Bob Milloy (30-11, 4 years, 293-93-1 overall)
The Falcons return five starters on each side of the ball including playmaking linebacker Akeem Hebron (6-2, 195) and rangy receiver/defensive end Drew Gloster (6-4, 220).

20. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
2004: 12-2, Class 5A runner-up
Coach: George Smith (279-61, 33 years/overall)
The Raiders welcome back 13 starters and three possible Division I-A offensive linemen who each weigh over 270 pounds. Smith has led the school to three state championships and five runner-up finishes.

21. Valley Christian (San Jose, Calif.)
2004: 12-1, CIF Central Coast Section Open Division champion
Coach: Mike Machado (77-18-1, 8 years, 166-42-3 overall)
Machado welcomes the return of 10 starters including his top two offensive playmakers in tailback Domonique Hunsucker (5-10, 190) and quarterback Dante Perez (5-11, 180).

22. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)
2004: 11-1, Class 2A semifinalist
Coach: Mark Guandolo (60-8, 5 years, 166-51 overall)
The Lions return six starters on each side of the ball and will feature one of the top backfields in South Florida in junior fullback Xavier Stinson (5-10, 220), senior tailback Willie Floyd (5-10, 165) and senior quarterback Mark Guandolo (5-10, 170).

23. Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)
2004: 13-1, CIF Southern Section Division VI champion
Coach: Jim Kunau (122-30-3, 12 years overall)
The Lancers won their first section title last fall after falling short in five previous finals appearances. Junior quarterback Aaron Corp (6-3, 180) completed 64 percent of his passes and scored 20 touchdowns.

24. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)
2004: 10-2, Non-Public Group 4 runner-up
Coach: Greg Toal (60-8, 6 years, 178-33-2 overall)
The Ironmen return 11 starters but must replace all of last year’s regulars on the offensive line.

25. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)
2004: 6-6 (includes four forfeit losses), Division I regional semifinalist
Coach: John Gibbons (52-19, 6 years, 175-71 overall)
Only six starters return, but St. Edward will feature a tough defense and infusion of talent from last year’s undefeated sophomore team.

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