Top 25 Football Rankings -- Week 8

This week's Top 25 teams remain unchanged. Next week could be a different story, however.
I apologize for the technical difficulties that prevented last week's Top 25 from being posted. Please feel free to view the poll in the eSports archives under my name. It was posted at the same time as this poll due to the technical difficulties and will not include the "Results" portion of the summary, except for Top 5 teams.

This week's entire Top 25 remains unchanged. There was only one game of decent significance, and only a couple of upsets involving the Teams to Watch. The significant game was in the Cincinnati area and pitted St. Xavier and Cincinnati Elder. St. Xavier prevailed as Enye Willingham scampered 97 yards for a touchdown with under nine minutes left in the Bombers' 16-13 win.

Next week's Top 25 could mean a major overhaul as no fewer than five teams face stiff challenges this weekend.

And now here is this week's Top 25:

1. De La Salle, Concord, CA (5-0) Last Week: 1 Result: Maurice Drew had his second consecutive huge game, scoring four touchdowns for the second consecutive week in a 42-14 victory over Pittsburg. De La Salle lost kicker James Bloomsburgh who broke his leg in a non-football related accident, but was still able to easily extend their national-record winning streak to 118 games.

2. Jenks, Jenks, OK (6-0) Last Week: 2 Result: A 56-18 win over Tulsa Rogers gave Jenks their 31st consecutive victory, tying Oklahoma's state record. Jeff Hirschburg was 10-for-12 for 307 yards and four scores via the air. Garrett Mills added 204 yards and two scores receiving, while Eb Trevino ran for 108 and three scores.

3. West Monroe, West Monroe, LA (7-0) Last Week: 3 Result: West Monroe struggled to get by Airline, but fortunately their defense held to form, shutting out another opponent by the score of 7-0. The only points came via a 53-yard punt return by Edward Dade for a touchdown. Airline had been rated highly in Louisiana, and held the Rebels to 159 yards total offense, all on the ground.

4. Woodland Hills, Pittsburgh, PA (7-0) Last Week: 4 Result: Woodland Hills may overtake West Monroe if the Rebels struggle again next week. The Wolverines continue to dominate in Pennsylvania, crushing Hempfield 39-12 in a game that was never in doubt. Woodland Hills led 26-0 at the half before subbing liberally in the second half.

5. Glades Central, Belle Glades, FL (7-0) Last Week: 6 Result: While St. Thomas Aquinas continued to rack up the blowout wins and headlines in Florida, Glades Central quietly continues to go about its business. Jupiter was the Raiders' latest victim by a 33-0 count. This week is the biggest test of the season, as Glades Central makes the trek to Fort Lauderdale to take on Dillard. Dillard's only loss this season was a 30-0 loss to Aquinas earlier in the season, so all of Florida will be watching this one with interest.

6. Independence, Charlotte, NC (7-0) Last Week: 6 Result: It seems that every week, this summary contains something about Independence QB Chris Leak. The junior put together another great game this past weekend, hitting on 18-of-23 for 226 yards, including a string of 13 consecutive completions, in a 49-7 romp over Charlotte Harding.

7. Harrison, Farmington Hills, MI (7-0) Last Week: 7 Result: Drew Stanton threw for 251 yards on 12-for-16 passing, including three scores as Harrison manhandled John Glenn HS 48-7. Agim Shabaj caught two of the scores, and finished with 94 yards receiving.

8. Colerain, Cincinnati, OH (8-0) Last Week: 8 Result: Colerain shutout Middletown 42-0, extending their defensive scoreless streak to 10 consecutive quarters. QB Sean Jones contributed four touchdowns (two rushing, two passing) to the Colerain effort.

9. Hoover, Hoover, AL (7-0) Last Week: 9 Result: Hoover tuned up for their big game this week with a 49-14 win over Birmingham Carver. This week's challenge comes in undefeated and state ranked Mountain Brook.

10. St. Thomas Aquinas, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (7-0) Last Week: 10 Result: Dan Shula threw for two scores as Aquinas blanked Fort Pierce Central 57-0. The Raiders racked up 381 yards of total offense in the easy win.

11. Ben Davis, Indianapolis, IN (9-0) Last Week: 11 Result: Ben Davis concluded their regular season with a 52-7 trouncing of Terre Haute North. They begin the playoffs with a matchup against Pike HS.

12. Chatfield, Littleton, CO (7-0) Last Week: 12 Result: Chatfield continues to make a case to move into the Top 10 with a 56-0 win over Arvada.

13. Parkview, Lilburn, GA (6-0) Last Week: 13 Result: Parkview crushed Shiloh 44-8, with their defense holding Shiloh to just two first downs for the entire game. Brookwood will give Parkview a challenge this week.

14. Elizabeth, Elizabeth, NJ (6-0) Last Week: 14 Result: Ibrahim Halsey ran for 100 yards and three touchdowns while Akeem Jackson added 101 yards and one score as Elizabeth defeated Linden 28-18.

15. Hazelwood East, St. Louis, MO (7-0) Last Week: 15 Result: A two-yard pass from Dwayne Buchanan to Jamal Cooper was all the Spartans needed in a 7-0 win over Hazelwood West.

16. Northridge, Layton, UT (8-0) Last Week: 16 Result: Northridge defeated Davis 35-0 as Jase McCormick threw for 255 yards and two scores on 16-for-24 passing. Northridge is off this week.

17. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, NJ (5-0) Last Week: 17 Result: SJR knocked off Paramus Catholic 22-7 in a game that saw QB Jimmy Malizia return from a knee injury and throw for 160 yards and two scores. Jon McPhee scored twice, had over 200 yards of total offense, and also had two interceptions on defense.

18. DeMatha Catholic, Hyattsville, MD (6-0) Last Week: 18 Result: DeMatha won a hard-fought game with Good Counsel of Wheaton, MD, 21-14. Elijah Brooks accounted for all three touchdowns via the ground, rushing for 213 yards on 23 carries.

19. Blue Springs, Blue Springs, MO (7-0) Last Week: 19 Result: Blue Springs manhandled powerhouse Columbia Hickman 43-14. The Wildcats scored 22 points in the third quarter to break open a 14-14 halftime game. Curtis Cooper scored twice, once on offense and once on defense.

20. Kahuku, Kahuku, HI (7-0) Last Week: 20 Result: Inoke Funaki threw for four scores in a 43-8 win over Leilehua. Ferron Fonoimoana was the recipient of two of the tosses. Funaki threw for 246 yards total through the air.

21. Southeast, Lincoln, NE (7-0) Last Week: 21 Result: Southeast rolled up 329 yards of total offense in the first half and cruised to a 41-7 win over Lincoln Northeast.

22. Strath Haven, Wallingford, PA (7-0) Last Week: 22 Result: Strath Haven defeated Haverford 28-7 to remain the top-ranked team in Pennsylvania's AAA classification. Josh Hannum had five receptions for 117 yards in the win.

23. Poly Prep, Brooklyn, NY (4-0) Last Week: 23 Result: Poly Prep had the weekend off.

24. Valdosta, Valdosta, GA (6-0) Last Week: 24 Result: Valdosta knocked off Colquitt County 35-12, scoring four touchdowns in the first ten minutes of the game, including a 96-yard kickoff return from Eric Williams.

25. Blaine, MN (7-0) Last Week: 25 Result: Blaine knocked off Elk River 26-12 to remain undefeated. Billy Ray Kirch ran back an interception 85 yards for a score to begin the come-from-behind effort, taking the wind out of Elk River's upset hopes.

Dropped Out: None.

Teams to Watch:Neshaminy, Langhorne, PA; Newark, Newark, DE; Harding, Warren, OH; Morgantown, Morgantown, WV; Jesuit, Portland, OR; Central, Naperville, IL: McQueen, Reno, NV; St. Xavier, Cincinnati, OH; Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo, CA; Pasco, Pasco, WA; Providence, New Lenox, IL; Union, Tulsa, OK; Riverdale, Murfreesboro, TN; Copperas Cove, Copperas Cove, TX; Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul, MN

Regional Rankings
East
East
1. Woodland Hills, Pittsburgh, PA (7-0)
2. Elizabeth, Elizabeth, NJ (6-0)
3. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, NJ (5-0)
4. DeMatha, Hyattsville, MD (6-0)
5. Strath Haven, Wallingford, PA (7-0)
6. Poly Prep, Brooklyn, NY (4-0)
7. Neshaminy, Langhorne, PA (7-0)
8. Newark, Newark, DE (5-0)
9. Morgantown, Morgantown, WV (8-0)
10. Bloomfield, Bloomfield, CT (4-0)
11. Wayne Hills, Wayne, NJ (5-0)
12. Lancaster, Lancaster, NY (6-0)
13. La Salle, Providence, RI (5-0)
14. Manheim Central, Manheim, PA (7-0)
15. Jackson, Jackson, NJ (5-0)
16. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, NJ (6-0)
17. Chelmsford, N. Chelmsford, MA (5-0)
18. Easton, Easton, PA (6-0)
19. J.P. McCaskey, Lancaster, PA (7-0)
20. Holy Cross, Delran, NJ (5-0)

Midwest
1. Harrison, Farmington Hills, MI (8-0)
2. Colerain, Cincinnati, OH (8-0)
3. Ben Davis, Indianapolis, IN (9-0)
4. Hazelwood East, St. Louis, MO (7-0)
5. Blue Springs, Blue Springs, MO (7-0)
6. Southeast, Lincoln, NE (7-0)
7. Blaine, Blaine, MN (7-0)
8. Harding, Warren, OH (8-0)
9. Central, Naperville, IL (8-0)
10. St. Xavier, Cincinnati, OH (8-0)
11. Providence, New Lenox, IL (8-0)
12. Cretin Derham Hall, St. Paul, MN (7-0)
13. St. Edward, Lakewood, OH (8-0)
14. Dowling, West Des Moines, IA (7-0)
15. Olathe North, Olathe, KS (7-0)
16. Eden Prairie, Eden Prairie, MN (7-0)
17. Boyle County, Danville, KY (8-0)
18. Saginaw, Saginaw, MI (7-0)
19. Derby, Derby, KS (7-0)
20. Lumen Christi, Jackson, MI (8-0)

South
1. Jenks, Jenks, OK (6-0)
2. West Monroe, West Monroe, LA (7-0)
3. Glades Central, Belle Glades, FL (7-0)
4. Independence, Charlotte, NC (7-0)
5. Hoover, Hoover, AL (7-0)
6. St. Thomas Aquinas, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (7-0)
7. Parkview, Lilburn, GA (5-0)
8. Valdosta, Valdosta, GA (6-0)
9. Union, Tulsa, OK (6-0)
10. Riverdale, Murfreesboro, TN (8-0)
11. Copperas Cove, Copperas Cove, TX (6-0)
12. Robinson, Fairfax, VA (5-0)
13. Northside, Warner Robins, GA (5-0)
14. Brandon, Brandon, MS (7-0)
15. Centreville, Clifton, VA (5-0)
16. Palm Bay, Melbourne, FL (6-0)
17. Ennis, Ennis, TX (6-0)
18. North Shore, Galena Park, TX (6-0)
19. Marlboro County, Bennettsville, SC (8-0)
20. Dobyns-Bennett, Kingsport, TN (8-0)

West
1. De La Salle, Concord, CA (5-0)
2. Chatfield, Littleton, CO (7-0)
3. Northridge, Layton, UT (7-0)
4. Kahuku, Kahuku, HI (7-0)
5. Jesuit, Portland, OR (7-0)
6. McQueen, Reno, NV (7-0)
7. Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo, CA (6-0)
8. Pasco, Pasco, WA (6-0)
9. Poly, Long Beach, CA (4-1)
10. Loyola, Los Angeles, CA (5-0)
11. Mayfield, Las Cruces, NM (7-0)
12. Eagle, Eagle, ID (7-0)
13. Rock Springs, Rock Springs, WY (8-0)
14. Hart, Newhall, CA (5-0)
15. Bethel, Spanaway Lake, WA (6-0)
16. Clovis, Clovis, NM (7-0)
17. Roseburg, Roseburg, OR (6-0)
18. Helix, La Mesa, CA (6-0)
19. Mountain View, Mesa, AZ (6-0)
20. C.M. Russell, Great Falls, MT (8-0)

By Mike Warchol
Published: 10/18/2001
 
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