High School Notes
Final Top 15 Rankings
by: Jamie DeMoney©
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Not even a trip to powerhouse Long Beach Poly could end De La Salle’s national-record winning streak and run to an unprecedented fourth national title.
When the top-ranked “Spartan Express” – engineered by coach Bob Ladouceur – chugged south down the Pacific coast to meet No. 3 Poly at Long Beach’s Veterans Stadium on Oct. 6, there were many who believed that De La Salle would be derailed into the end of its winning streak. The game was first-ever meeting between two teams ranked in the National Prep Poll’s Top 3 and pitted the team with the most consecutive wins versus the team that has put the most players into the NFL.
But De La Salle’s 29-15 win over the Jackrabbits proved two points with resounding evidence: No. 1 De La Salle’s streak was built on conditioning and execution and could stand up to the superior size and speed of Poly; and, No. 2 Over the past 10 years, Ladouceur, AD/DC Terry Eidson and staff have performed one of the more masterful coaching jobs ever seen at any level.
Consider these numbers from “the Streak,” which now sits at 125 straight wins (stats courtesy of DeLaSalleSports.com):
• average margin of victory is 48-9
• DLS has scored over 60 points seven times
• DLS has recorded 30 shutouts during the span of the streak, including shutting out seven of 12 opponents in 1996
De La Salle has also scored in a national-record 269 straight games and have been ranked No. 1 in the National Prep Poll for 26 consecutive weeks.
1. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) 12-0 Coach Bob Ladouceur
All-Americans Derek Landri (OL-DL, Notre Dame) and Matt Gutierrez (QB, Michigan) graduate this spring, but impact underclassmen Maurice Drew and Damon Jenkins (RB-DB) will return to extend the streak.
2. Jenks (Okla.) 13-0 Coach Allan Trimble
The Trojans won their sixth consecutive state title and their ninth since 1979 thanks to in part to a surprisingly potent offense that averaged nearly 47 points per game.
3. Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) 12-1 Coach Raul Lara
The disappointment of not being able to end De La Salle’s streak eventually wore off, and the Jackrabbits won their third consecutive CIF-Southern Section Division I title.
4. Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.) 15-0 Coach Cecil Flowe
The Panthers became the first big-school to win back-to-back state titles since Valdosta pulled it off in 1979-80. But even that team didn’t go undefeated both seasons.
5. Ben Davis (Indianapolis) 15-0 Coach Dick Dullaghan
The 1991 National Prep Poll champion captured its sixth state championship since 1987. Behind dual-threat QB James Banks, the Giants outscored their six playoff opponents by a combined 319-83.
6. Harrison (Farmington Hills, Mich.) 14-0 Coach John Herrington
The 2001 season produced a state-record fifth consecutive Division 3 state championship for the Hawks. It was the 12th overall title for Herrington.
7. Independence (Charlotte, N.C.) 16-0 Coach Tommy Knotts
Record-setting junior QB Chris Leak led the Patriots to their 31st straight win and second 4A title in a row.
8. Lincoln (Tallahassee, Fla.) 14-1 Coach David Wilson
The Trojans shook off an early road loss to Valdosta (Ga.) and beat then-No. 4 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) in the 4A state championship.
9. Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.) Coach John Booty
The Eagles dropped their regular season matchup with No. 17 West Monroe, but got revenge in the 5A state title game. Sophomore John David Booty figures to be next great ECA quarterback.
10. Lufkin (Texas) 15-1 Coach John Outlaw
The Wolfpack won 14 straight after a September home loss to No. 9 Evangel. QB Reggie McNeal, a Texas A&M recruit, scored four TDs and accumulated 382 total yards in the 5A/II state championship win over Austin Westlake.
11. Neshaminy (Langhorne, Pa.) 14-0 Coach Mark Schmidt
The Redskins were surprise winners of the PIAA Class AAAA state championship by defeating then-No. 9 Woodland Hills (Pittsburgh). RB Jamar Brittingham rushed for over 2,000 yards.
12. Kahuku (Hawaii) 14-0 Coach Siuaki Livaie
With their second straight state title, the Red Raiders and Livaie have taken over St. Louis and outgoing coach Cal Lee’s place of dominance and regular spot in the national rankings.
13. Providence (New Lenox, Ill.) Coach Matt Senffner
The Celtics won their first state championship since 1997 and seventh overall by allowing Richards (Oak Lawn) a title-game-low 76 total yards and routing the Bulldogs, 41-0.
14. Blue Springs (Mo.) 14-0 Coach Kelly Donohoe
The Wildcats captured their first state championship since 1992 with an absolutely dominant defensive performance against Hazelwood East (St. Louis) in the 5A championship game that included a game-record 16 sacks and negative-27 rushing yards allowed.
15. Daphne (Ala.) 15-0 Coach Steve Savarese
The Trojans shocked then-No. 11 Hoover in the 6A title game, 48-21, to claim the school’s first state championship.
The next 10:
16. Mission Viejo (Calif.) 14-0 Coach Bob Johnson
17. West Monroe (La.) 14-1 Coach Don Shows
18. Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) 15-0 Coach Gary Rankin
19. Chatfield (Littleton, Colo.) 14-0 Coach Dave Logan
20. Northside (Warner Robins, Ga.) 13-1 Coach Conrad Nix
21. Northridge (Layton, Utah) 12-0 Coach Fred Fernandes
22. St. Ignatius (Cleveland) 11-4 Coach Chuck Kyle
23. Rockledge (Fla.) 14-1 Coach Chuck Wood
24. Mesquite (Texas) 15-0 Coach Steve Halpin
25. North (Olathe, Kan.) 12-0 Coach Gene Wier Former AFM managing editor Jamie DeMoney of Prepnation.com compiles the National Prep Poll for the Associated Press/World Features Syndicate. He can be reached by email at jdemoney94@aol.com
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