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AFM Magazine

AFM Magazine


The Prep Report

by: Jamie DeMoney
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First and Ten

Ranking the 10 best high school teams of the 2000s

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL), 2008 (15-0), Coach George Smith: The Raiders’ 56-7 blowout of nationally ranked Lakeland for the 5A championship was a fitting conclusion to one of the most dominant seasons in Florida prep history. The team also got a season-opening win at the Kirk Herbstreit Classic over Cincinnati Elder. A remarkable total of 17 seniors and juniors from this team would sign with D-I programs.

2. Carroll (Southlake, TX), 2005 (16-0), Coach Todd Dodge: First-year starter Greg McElroy (now at Alabama) played like a veteran as the Dragons captured their third Class 5A championship in four years and second straight National Prep Poll title. Unlike its 2004 team, which had several close calls, the ’05 Dragons had only one game decided by less than 10 points. Thirteen seniors and juniors would earn Division I scholarships.

3. St. Xavier (Cincinnati), 2007 (15-0), Coach Steve Specht: The Bombers survived one of the toughest schedules ever played, finishing 15-0 against a slate that included nine teams in the national or regional rankings and three teams that won state championships outside of Ohio. Only one opponent scored more than 14 points all season. Eleven seniors and juniors would become Division I or Ivy League recruits.

4. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) 2002 (13-0), Coach Bob Ladouceur: What would eventually be a 151-game winning streak reached 138 this season. The Jones-Drew-led Spartans beat a Southern California power and Hawaii champ St. Louis by double digits during the regular season. Eight seniors and juniors were Division I signees.

5. Northwestern (Miami), 2007 (15-0), Coach Billy Rolle: One of the most talked about teams in Florida prep history finished ranked No. 2 in the nation behind St. Xavier (Cincinnati) in the National Prep Poll. The Bulls beat Texas power Southlake Carroll at SMU on national television before wrapping up their second straight undefeated season. Thirteen seniors and juniors were Division I recruits, including eight who stayed home to play for the University of Miami.

6. Mission Viejo (CA), 2004 (14-0), Coach Bob Johnson: The powerful Diablos finished ranked No. 2 in the National Prep Poll this season with an offense that featured future Jets QB Mark Sanchez and bruising UCLA recruit Chane Moline in the backfield. National powers Mater Dei and De La Salle were the only teams that stayed within four TDs of MV all season. There were nine seniors and juniors who became Division I signees.

7. Colerain (Cincinnati), 2004 (15-0), Coach Kerry Coombs: Some argue this was the best team in the nation despite the Cardinals’ No. 3 finish in the National Prep Poll. A 50-10 drubbing of Canton McKinley in the Division I state championship game capped off perhaps the most dominant season in recent Ohio prep history. Ten seniors and juniors signed with Division I programs.

8. Lakeland (FL), 2006 (15-0), Coach Bill Castle: The Dreadnaughts’ second consecutive 5A championship team had 10 eventual Division I signees, including nine who inked with Southeastern Conference schools. This team did what few other national powers were able to do: beat a top Ohio program (Cincinnati St. Xavier) at the Kirk Herbstreit Classic.

9. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) 2001 (12-0), Coach Bob Ladouceur: The debate will rage over which of De La Salle’s six National Prep Poll championship teams was the best. This was the Spartans’ fourth National Prep Poll championship team featured future NFL All-Pro Maurice Jones-Drew and defeated Southern California powers Mater Dei and nationally ranked Long Beach Poly by double digits during the regular season. Six seniors and juniors ended up signing with Division I colleges.

10. Carroll (Southlake, TX), 2004 (16-0), Coach Todd Dodge: The Chase Daniel-led Dragons became the first Texas team to claim the National Prep Poll title in 14 years. They averaged 45 points per game against one of the most rigorous schedules in the nation. Nine seniors and juniors eventually signed with Division I colleges.






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