Top 25 Football Rankings -- Week 16

The Top 10 this week was rattled by upsets as four teams lost, including two teams in the Top 5.

Five teams overall saw their seasons end with losses.

In Pennsylvania, the favored teams in both AAAA and AAA lost. In last Friday's championship game, West Allegheny quarterback Tyler Palko, a Pittsburgh recruit, was 14-for-20 for 202 yards as the Indians proved the third time was the charm in ending Strath Haven's 44-game winning streak. West Allegheny had lost in the state championship game to Strath Haven the past two years before coming out on top this year 28-13.

Woodland Hills, formerly ranked fourth, saw their star quarterback Steve Breaston go down with an ankle injury late in the first half of the AAAA title game. Although Breaston did try and return, he was unable to give a boost to the offense. That, combined with a day-long rain that turned Hershey Park Stadium into a muddy quagmire, and the splendid running of Neshaminy's Jamar Brittingham, gave Neshaminy the title 21-7. Neshaminy jumps into this week's Top 10.

West Monroe, which had been ranked third, was knocked off in the Louisiana Class 5A in a game likely topped only by the De La Salle -- Long Beach Poly tilt earlier this season. The back-and-forth affair was won on a 12-yard pass from sophomore quarterback John David Booty to Kenneth Brantley with 2:16 left in the game for a 34-27 victory. The win in front of over 30,000 fans in the Louisiana Superdome vaults Evangel into this week's rankings.

Daphne avenged their only loss of last season in Alabama Class 6A, knocking off Hoover 48-21 for the title. In Florida, St. Thomas Aquinas fell behind early, tried to come back, but ended up just short as Tallahassee Lincoln won the 4A championship 28-20. Both Daphne and Lincoln also enter the rankings this week. Lincoln had been ranked third for most of September before falling at Valdosta in late September.

The final team to enter the rankings this week is Joliet Catholic of Illinois, which enters at No. 25. JCA lost a game early in the season to Mt. Carmel, but rebounded to win the Class 5A title in Illinois a couple of weeks ago.

The only state championships that will be contested this weekend are in North Carolina 4A, 2A, and 1A and Texas's Division I, classes 1A through 5A, as well as the six-man championship. Texas Division II (also classes 1A through 5A), North Carolina 3A and Georgia will decide state titles the weekend before Christmas.

And now here is this week's Top 25.

1. De La Salle, Concord, CA (12-0) Last Week: 1 Result: Season complete. North Coast Section Class 4A champions. The Spartans' winning streak is now at a national-record 125 games after knocking off San Leandro 48-13 for the section title.

2. Jenks, Jenks, OK (13-0) Last Week: 2 Result: Season complete. Oklahoma Class 6A Champions. The Trojans knocked off Putnam City North 38-28 to win their sixth straight state title.

3. Harrison, Farmington Hills, MI (14-0) Last Week: 5 Result: Season complete. Michigan Division III champions. Knocked off a previously unbeaten Fruitport team 28-6 for the title and enter 2002 with a 36-game winning streak.

4. Independence, Charlotte, NC (15-0) Last Week: 6 Result: Junior quarterback Chris Leak set a new state record for touchdown passes in a season last weekend, when he threw his 52nd and 53rd touchdowns of the 2001 season in a 42-14 romp over East Mecklenburg in the Class 4A semifinals. He also held the previous record, throwing for 51 touchdowns last season. In the game against East Mecklenburg, Leak was 20-for-35 for 213 yards and Mario Crowe ran for 130 yards and two scores on 18 carries. Speedy wideout Mario Raley caught 10 passes for 122 yards and two scores and added an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown for good measure. Independence will face Wilmington Laney for the state title. Laney, whose defense is the toughest Independence will have seen this year, knocked off Richmond County 7-3 to advance, and has shutout eight opponents this season.

5. Ben Davis, Indianapolis, IN (15-0) Last Week: 9 Result: Season complete. Indiana Class 5A State Champions. Won the championship 35-16 over Valparaiso. The Giants' top player is quarterback James Davis, whose skills are very similar to that of Indiana University quarterback Antwaan Randle-El. The title was the sixth for Ben Davis, all since 1987.

6. Parkview, Lilburn, GA (13-0) Last Week: 12 Result: The Panthers ran their winning streak to 28 games and advanced to the state semifinals in the Georgia Dome with a methodical 35-6 domination of Westside Macon. Dustin Wade threw for four touchdowns, two to wideout Jeff Francoeur. Parkview will take on formerly-ranked Valdosta in one semifinal, with Warner Robins Northside a possible championship game opponent for whomever wins the Parkview-Valdosta showdown.

7. Neshaminy, Langhorne, PA (15-0) Last Week: 18 Result: Jamar Brittingham proved he was one of the top running backs in the state of Pennsylvania, rolling up 157 yards and two touchdowns on 30 mud-trodden carries as Neshaminy won their first state title, 21-7 over Woodland Hills. Brittingham also caught four passes for 96 yards. Neshaminy came back from a 7-6 halftime deficit on second-half scores of four and 45 yards, the latter run sealing the game with just under six minutes left.

8. Blue Springs, Blue Springs, MO (14-0) Last Week: 10 Result: Season complete. Missouri Class 5A State Champions. Won championship 28-12 over Hazelwood East out of St. Louis. Darius Witherspoon is the ringleader of an awesome defense that set a state record with 16 sacks in the championship game.

9. Chatfield, Littleton, CO (14-0) Last Week: 11 Result: Season complete. Colorado Class 5A State Champions. Chatfield was able to win the first state title in the school's history with a 9-3 verdict over Fairview for the Class 5A championship.

10. Northside, Warner Robins, GA (12-0) Last Week: 20 Result: The Eagles also advanced to the Georgia Dome with a 21-3 victory over Dacula. QB Chansi Stuckey ran for two scores and 138 yards. Northside will take on Collins Hill, the weakest of the four teams left in Georgia's 5A class. Should they win, they will face either Parkview or Valdosta for the state title.

11. Northridge, Layton, UT (12-0) Last Week: 13 Result: Season complete. Utah Class 5A State Champions. Northridge knocked off Skyline for the second consecutive year, this time by the score of 37-26. Northridge set a Utah playoff record by scoring 212 points in four playoff games.

12. Kahuku, Kahuku, HI (14-0) Last Week: 14 Result: Season complete. Hawaii State Champions. Knocked off Honolulu St. Louis 21-14 for their second straight title. The Red Raiders currently have a 23-game winning streak.

13. Marlboro County, Bennettsville, SC (15-0) Last Week: 23 Result: Season complete. South Carolina Class 4A-Division II State Champions. The Bulldogs knocked off local rival Conway 17-10 to win the state title.

14. Providence, New Lenox, IL (14-0) Last Week: 17 Result: Season complete. Won Illinois Class 6A championship with a 41-0 blowout of previously unbeaten Oak Lawn Richards. Mike Mentz led Providence with over 1,800 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns. Linebacker Rory Steinbach led the Celtics' defense.

15. Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo, CA (14-0) Last Week: 17 Result: Ronnie Dubois ran for 199 yards on 31 carries, including a 94-yard touchdown run to give the Diablos the Southern Section Division II title 18-9 over Chino. Chino had entered the game unbeaten and ranked 17th in the West Region.

16. Lincoln, Tallahassee, FL (14-1) Last Week: Not Ranked Nationally, 14th in South Region Result: Ryan Gilliam broke a 13-13 tie with an 81-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second half and Gavin Dickey ran for a touchdown later in the game as Lincoln knocked off St. Thomas Aquinas 28-20 for the Class 4A state championship. Dickey also threw for two scores for the Trojans.

17. Poly, Long Beach, CA (12-1) Last Week: 25 Result: Poly won the CIF Southern Section Division I title 42-28 over Huntington Beach Edison. Hershel Dennis ran for 159 yards and three fourth-quarter touchdowns on 26 carries, while catching two passes for 59 yards. The key run for Dennis came with just under three minutes left in the game and Poly nursing a one-touchdown lead. Dennis raced 34 yards for the insurance score that sealed the victory for the Jackrabbits.

18. Evangel Christian, Shreveport, LA (14-1) Last Week: Not Ranked Nationally, 17th in South Region Result: Despite throwing four interceptions, sophomore quarterback John David Booty proved why he is one of the top quarterbacks in the nation as he was 25-for-40 for 339 yards and four touchdowns as Evangel won the Class 5A title 34-27. Evangel trailed in the fourth quarter by a touchdown before Booty connected with Quentin Bell and Brantley for fourth-quarter touchdowns. The win avenged a 37-13 loss to West Monroe earlier this year.

19. DeMatha Catholic, Hyattsville, MD (11-0) Last Week: 19 Result: Season complete. WCAC Champions. DeMatha defeated Gonzaga 20-14 to win the WCAC title.

20. Riverdale, Murfreesboro, TN (15-0) Last Week: 21 Result: Season complete. Tennessee Class 5A Champions. Riverdale knocked off Hendersonville 35-7 for the title.

21. Jackson, Monmouth, NJ (12-0) Last Week: 22 Result: Season complete. South Jersey Group 4 Champions. Jackson ended the season as the consensus top team in New Jersey and takes a 25-game winning streak into next season.

22. Daphne, Daphne, AL (15-0) Last Week: Team To Watch Result: James Reiter threw for two long touchdowns (53 and 78 yards) and ran for three touchdowns, all in the first half, as Daphne crushed Hoover 48-21 for the Class 6A title. Daphne led the game 41-14 at the half. Daphne was the beneficiary of eight Hoover turnovers.

23. Dowling, West Des Moines, IA (12-0) Last Week: 24 Result: Season complete. Iowa Class 4-A State Champions. The Maroons were led by quarterback Ben Carpenter, who had 1,922 yards passing. Dowling defeated Iowa City 35-15 in the state championship and have won 26 consecutive games.

24. West Monroe, West Monroe, LA (14-1) Last Week: 3 Result: Edward Dade ran for 162 yards on 15 carries, including two touchdowns, but it wasn't enough as West Monroe fell to Evangel Christian 34-27 in the Class 5A title game. The win saw the end of the Rebels' 29-game winning streak. West Monroe becomes the first team this season to lose a game and remain in the Top 25 the following week.

25. Joliet Catholic, Joliet, IL (13-1) Last Week: Team To Watch Result: Season complete. Illinois Class 5A Champions. Illinois Player of the Year J.R. Zwierzynski ran for 2,340 yards and 39 touchdowns to lead the Hilltoppers, including 1,067 yards and 20 touchdowns in the playoffs. In the 27-20 title game win over Morris, Zwierzynski ran for 168 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries. Joliet Catholic has won a state-record 10 Illinois titles.

Dropped Out: No. 4 Woodland Hills, Pittsburgh, PA lost to former No. 18 Neshaminy 21-7. No. 7 Hoover, Hoover, AL lost to Daphne 48-21. No. 8 St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, FL lost to Lincoln 28-20. No. 15 Strath Haven, Wallingford, PA lost to West Allegheny 28-13.

Teams to Watch: Mesquite, Mesquite, TX; Boyle County, Danville, KY; Poly Prep, Brooklyn, NY; Newark, Newark, DE; Lumen Christi, Jackson, MI; LaSalle, Providence, RI; Olathe North, Olathe, KS; Bellevue, Bellevue, WA; Clovis, Clovis, NM; Georgetown Prep, Rockville, MD; Ennis, Ennis, TX; McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN; Ramapo, Franklin Lakes, NJ; Madison, Houston, TX; Robinson, Fairfax, VA.

Regional Rankings
East
1. Neshaminy, Langhorne, PA (15-0)
2. DeMatha, Hyattsville, MD (11-0)
3. Jackson, Monmouth, NJ (12-0)
4. Poly Prep, Brooklyn, NY (8-0)
5. Newark, Newark, DE (12-0)
6. La Salle, Providence, RI (12-0)
7. Georgetown Prep, Rockville, MD (11-0)
8. Ramapo, Franklin Lakes, NJ (11-0)
9. Woodland Hills, Pittsburgh, PA (14-1)
10. Urbana, Ijamsville, MD (12-0)
11. Bellport, Brookhaven, NY (11-0)
12. West Allegheny, Imperial, PA (13-2)
13. Strath Haven, Wallingford, PA (14-1)
14. Manheim Central, Manheim, PA (13-1)
15. Cumberland Valley, Mechanicsburg, PA (13-1)
16. Webster, Webster, NY (12-1)
17. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, NJ (11-1)
18. Acton-Boxboro, Acton, MA (11-1)
19. J.P. Stevens, Edison, NJ (11-0)
20. Camden Wilson, Camden, NJ (11-0)

Midwest
1. Harrison, Farmington Hills, MI (14-0)
2. Ben Davis, Indianapolis, IN (15-0)
3. Blue Springs, Blue Springs, MO (14-0)
4. Providence, New Lenox, IL (14-0)
5. Dowling, West Des Moines, IA (12-0)
6. Joliet Catholic, Joliet, IL (13-1)
7. Boyle County, Danville, KY (14-0)
8. Lumen Christi, Jackson, MI (13-0)
9. Olathe North, Olathe, KS (12-0)
10. Webb City, Webb City, MO (14-0)
11. Salina Central, Salina, KS (11-0)
12. Prospect, Mt. Prospect, IL (12-0)
13. Trinity, Louisville, KY (13-1)
14. St. Ignatius, Cleveland, OH (11-4)
15. Millard West, Omaha, NE (11-1)
16. Morris, Morris, IL (13-1)
17. St. Xavier, Cincinnati, OH (13-1)
18. Colerain, Cincinnati, OH (11-1)
19. Bismarck, Bismarck, ND (12-0)
20. Bishop Luers, Ft. Wayne, IN (14-0)

South
1. Jenks, Jenks, OK (13-0)
2. Independence, Charlotte, NC (15-0)
3. Parkview, Lilburn, GA (13-0)
4. Northside, Warner Robins, GA (12-0)
5. Marlboro County, Bennettsville, SC (15-0)
6. Lincoln, Tallahassee, FL (14-1)
7. Evangel Christian, Shreveport, LA (14-1)
8. Riverdale, Murfreesboro, TN (15-0)
9. Daphne, Daphne, AL (15-0)
10. West Monroe, West Monroe, LA (14-1)
11. Mesquite, Mesquite, TX (14-0)
12. Ennis, Ennis, TX (14-0)
13. McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN (13-0)
14. Madison, Houston, TX (14-0)
15. Robinson, Fairfax, VA (12-1)
16. St. Thomas Aquinas, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (14-1)
17. Laney, Wilmington, NC (15-0)
18. Lufkin, Lufkin, TX (13-1)
19. Statesboro, Statesboro, GA (14-0)
20. Crest, Boiling Springs, NC (13-0)

West
1. De La Salle, Concord, CA (12-0)
2. Chatfield, Littleton, CO (14-0)
3. Northridge, Layton, UT (12-0)
4. Kahuku, Kahuku, HI (14-0)
5. Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo, CA (14-0)
6. Poly, Long Beach, CA (12-1)
7. Bellevue, Bellevue, WA (13-0)
8. Clovis, Clovis, NM (13-0)
9. McNary, Keizer, OR (13-1)
10. Eagle, Eagle, ID (12-0)
11. Hart, Newhall, CA (13-0)
12. Bakersfield, Bakersfield, CA (13-0)
13. Rock Springs, Rock Springs, WY (11-0)
14. C.M. Russell, Great Falls, MT (12-0)
15. St. Bonaventure, Ventura, CA (14-0)
16. Elk Grove, Elk Grove, CA (14-0)
17. Red Mountain, Mesa, AZ (13-1)
18. Edison, Huntington Beach, CA (11-1-1)
19. Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV (13-1)
20. Kentwood, Kentwood, WA (13-1)