High School: Top 25 football rankings -- Week 5

Only one major upset affected Top 25 high school teams last weekend. Cleveland's St. Ignatius, in the midst of a very difficult stretch of their schedule, fell to Elder of Cincinnati 23-7, one week after knocking Washington High (Massillon, OH) out of the Top 25.

Sixth-ranked Woodland Hills and Pittsburgh Central Catholic played a three-overtime game that may only be eclipsed by last year's Pennsylvania Class 4A State Championship, which was won in overtime. The Wolverines came out on top 31-28 on an 18-yard field goal by Austin Novak. Central Catholic had been ranked as high as eighth in Pennsylvania and may not lose any ground in their state rankings after this one.

There were a couple games that did not involve ranked teams, but provided some unbelievable results. In Colorado, Fairview High of Boulder, CO, was stunned as Dustin Griffiths nailed a state-record 64-yard field goal (one yard longer than the current NFL record) as time expired in a 10-9 Eaglecrest victory. Fairview had been ranked third in the state and was in consideration for a regional ranking before their loss.

In northern Virginia, Annandale defeated Westfield as Corey Edwards blocked an extra point attempt that would have sent the game into a sixth overtime. The final in five overtimes was 68-67, a score more befitting of a high school basketball game, rather than a high school football game. The 135 combined points set a Virginia state record. The game was tied at 33-33 at the end of regulation.

This week's Game of the Week will likely be the Top 5 matchup between West Monroe's suffocating defense and Evangel Christian's powerful offense. The winner of this game will likely have an inside track to finishing the season as the top team in the state of Louisiana.

There are a couple of new wrinkles to this week's poll. These include a larger amount of "Teams to Watch" as well as expanded regional rankings. These changes will remain through the rest of the season.

And now here is this week's Top 25:

T1. De La Salle, Concord, CA (2-0) Last Week: T1 Result: Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) was supposed to give the Spartans a stern test. It never happened. De La Salle jumped out to a 34-0 lead before pulling all of their starters early in the second half in a 34-7 final. Alijah Bradley rushed for 204 yards and two scores on just 14 carries. With the highly anticipated matchup with co-leader Poly on the horizon (Oct. 6 at Long Beach Veterans Stadium), St. Francis (Mountain View, CA) will be the last chance for De La Salle to be tripped up before the big matchup.

T1. Poly, Long Beach, CA (2-0) Last Week: T1 Result: Harbor City Narbonne proved to be no match for the Jackrabbits, as Poly jumped out to a 28-0 lead, including a 64-yard reception from tight end Marcedes Lewis (who had two scores in the game) and a 68-yard run from Hershel Dennis. After the fourth touchdown on the first possession of the second half, the starters were rested. Fontana is this week's opponent and should not stand in the way of the big Poly-De La Salle matchup.

3. Jenks, Jenks, OK (3-0) Last Week: 3 Result: Star defensive end Brian Pickryl was back after missing three weeks with mononucleosis. Pickryl then partially separated his shoulder but only missed a couple of plays. His defensive stat line makes it easy to see why a lot of schools are going after Pickryl: 10 tackles, four sacks, two passes defensed, and also forced a fumble for good measure. Jason Carter found the end zone twice, including a 78-yard fumble return as Jenks defeated Broken Arrow 30-14.

4. West Monroe, West Monroe, LA (4-0) Last Week: 4 Result: Undefeated Carver (New Orleans, LA) stood in the way of a big Top 5 matchup between the Rebels and No. 5 Evangel Christian. However, West Monroe's defense came through yet again in a 36-0 whitewashing. West Monroe's defense has held opponents to a total of nine points in four games. They will likely give up a few more than that this week against pass-happy Evangel.

5. Evangel Christian, Shreveport, LA (4-0) Last Week: 5 Result: John David Booty continues his stellar season, as the sophomore threw for 283 yards on 21-for-33 passing and four touchdowns in a 49-21 win over Byrd. Evangel led 35-0 after one quarter. They host No. 4 West Monroe and their stingy defense in what will likely be the game of the week.

6. Woodland Hills, Pittsburgh, PA (4-0) Last Week: 6 Result: Central Catholic quarterback Bob Tudi fumbled in the third overtime, giving Woodland Hills the ball, only needing a field goal to seal the win. Novak provided that with his 18-yard boot in a 31-28 triple overtime thriller. A much easier matchup with Baldwin awaits the Wolverines this week.

7. Glades Central, Belle Glades, FL (4-0) Last Week: 7 Result: Marrio Fraser scored the go-ahead touchdown, forced a key fumble late in the game, and rushed for 114 yards in a 28-21 victory over Clewiston. Clewiston entered the game as the top-rated Class 2A team in Florida, while Glades Central sits atop the 3A polls.

.8. Independence, Charlotte, NC (4-0) Last Week: 9 Result: Chris Leak, a junior, became the all-time leading passer in Mecklenburg County with 285 yards passing and six touchdowns in a 60-0 shellacking of Myers Park (Charlotte, NC). Leak, who was 17-for-24 in the game, now has 80 career touchdowns and just under 7,000 career yards. Mario Raley hauled in four of Leak's six touchdown tosses.

9. Harrison, Farmington Hills, MI (5-0) Last Week: 10 Result: Livonia Churchill became the latest victim of Harrison, falling 33-0 to extend the Hawks winning streak to 27 consecutive wins. Terrill Mayberry caught four passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns while Marcus Woods ran for 171 yards on 17 carries, with two scores.

10. Colerain, Cincinnati, OH (4-0) Last Week: 11 Result: Colerain was tested this week by Oak Hills (Cincinnati) before forcing two fourth quarter turnovers and converting them into scores in a 42-21 victory. Kevin Martin ran for 139 yards and two scores.

11. Dorman, Spartanburg, SC (5-0) Last Week: 12 Result: Boiling Springs was no challenge for Dorman, as they coasted to a 48-0 win. Andrew Hewitt was 14-for-20 for 245 yards and Dorman found the end zone five times via the ground.

12. Westlake, Austin, TX (3-0) Last Week: 13 Result: Westlake had the week off. They play Westwood (Round Rock, TX) this weekend.

13. Mt. Carmel, Chicago, IL (5-0) Last Week: 14 Result: Tom Brown and Greg Owens eclipsed the century mark in ground yardage for the second consecutive week in a 28-6 win over previously unbeaten Fenwick. Owens led the Caravan with 160 yards and one touchdown while Brown added 104 yards and a score.

14. Parkview, Lilburn, GA (3-0) Last Week: 15 Result: Parkview cruised in a 45-0 victory over cross-town rival Berkmar. The score at the half was 35-0 before the starters were pulled for most of the second half. Brad Lester had two scores for the victors.

15. Ben Davis, Indianapolis, IN (6-0) Last Week: 16 Result: This game was over early -- very early. Mike Richardson returned a fumble 18 yards for a touchdown 10 seconds into the game and Ben Davis never looked back in a 41-6 win over Indianapolis North Central.

16. Hoover, Hoover, AL (4-0) Last Week: 17 Result: Blake Davidson surpassed 100 yards both through the air (6-for-8, 120 yards) and on the ground (14 carries, 167 yards) as Hoover rolled to a 38-6 win over Birmingham John Carroll Catholic.

17. Lakeland, Lakeland, FL (4-0) Last Week: 18 Result: A closer than expected 30-21 verdict over Miami Lakes (Hialeah, FL) was the latest win for the Dreadnaughts. Gavin Smart scored twice and the Dreadnaughts put together two touchdowns in a 22-second span.

18. Chatfield, Littleton, CO (4-0) Last Week: 19 Result: Lendale White scored from one yard out with just over seven minutes left in the game as Chatfield defeated two-time Colorado 5A state champion Columbine for the first time since 1991.

19. St. Thomas Aquinas, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (3-0) Last Week: 22 Result: Arch-rival Dillard proved to be no match for the Raiders, as Aquinas stormed out to a 23-0 halftime lead and went on to win 30-0. Aquinas may be playing the best football of any high school in Florida right now, which is why they leapfrogged from 22 to 19.

20. Northridge, Layton, UT (5-0) Last Week: 20 Result: Viewmont (Bountiful, UT) came into their game with Northridge ranked as high as fourth in the state of Utah, and gave the Vikings all they could handle before finally succumbing 14-7. Jase McCormick threw for 208 yards on 15-for-29 passing to lead Northridge.

21. Elizabeth, Elizabeth, NJ (3-0) Last Week: 21 Result: Ibrahim Halsey continues to do everything for Elizabeth. Halsey scored the game's first touchdown on a 63-yard punt return, then forced a fumble inside the Elizabeth five-yard-line as Plainfield attempted to go in for the go-ahead score. Elizabeth was able to hold on for a 13-12 victory.

22. Hazelwood East, St. Louis, MO (4-0) Last Week: 22 Result: Hazelwood East gained some revenge in a 42-0 win over Christian Brothers College. Hazelwood was upset by Christian Brothers in last year's 5A playoffs. David Richard ran for 118 yards and Tony Moss ran for 124 yards in the romp.

23. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, NJ (3-0) Last Week: 23 Result: SJR added a 42-8 win over Kennedy (Paterson, NJ) to their resume, scoring five times via the ground.

24. DeMatha Catholic, Hyattsville, MD (3-0) Last Week: 24 Result: Elijah Brooks paced DeMatha with 123 yards on the ground and the defense caused five turnovers in a 40-7 win over Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, VA). Ryan Mitch threw for three scores as well.

25. Poly Prep, Brooklyn, NY (2-0) Last Week: Team to Watch Result: Poly Prep enters this week's rankings after spending most of the season as a "Team to Watch." In an interesting matchup given the national tragedy from September 11, Poly Prep knocked off H.D. Woodson of Washington, D.C. 44-12 in the first high school games in New York City since the terrorist attacks.

Dropped Out: No. 8 St. Ignatius, Cleveland, OH lost to Elder (Cincinnati, OH) 23-7.

Teams to Watch: Valdosta, Valdosta, GA; Blue Springs, Blue Springs, MO; Southeast, Lincoln, NE; Strath Haven, Wallingford, PA; Kahuku, Laiae, HI; John Tyler, Tyler, TX; Blaine, Blaine, MN; Neshaminy, Langhorne, PA; Harding, Warren, OH; Elder, Cincinnati, OH; Hampton, Hampton, VA; Newark, Newark, DE; St. Louis, Honolulu, HI; Morgantown, Morgantown, WV; Jesuit, Portland, OR

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

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

South 1. Jenks, Jenks, OK (3-0) 2. West Monroe, West Monroe, LA (4-0) 3. Evangel Christian, Shreveport, LA (4-0) 4. Glades Central, Belle Glades, FL (4-0) 5. Independence, Charlotte, NC (4-0) 6. Dorman, Spartanburg, SC (5-0) 7. Westlake, Austin, TX (3-0) 8. Parkview, Lilburn, GA (3-0) 9. Hoover, Hoover, AL (4-0) 10. Lakeland, Lakeland, FL (4-0) 11. St. Thomas Aquinas, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (3-0) 12. Valdosta, Valdosta, GA (3-0) 13. John Tyler, Tyler, TX (4-0) 14. Hampton, Hampton, VA (3-0) 15. The Woodlands, The Woodlands, TX (3-0) 16. Riverdale, Murfreesboro, TN (5-0) 17. John Curtis, River Ridge, LA (4-0) 18. Robinson, Fairfax, VA (2-0) 19. Northside, Warner Robins, GA (3-0) 20. Centreville, Clifton, VA (2-0)

West T1. De La Salle, Concord, CA (1-0) T1. Poly, Long Beach, CA (1-0) 3. Chatfield, Littleton, CO (3-0) 4. Northridge, Layton, UT (4-0) 5. Kahuku, Laiae, HI (4-0) 6. St. Louis, Honolulu, HI (4-0) 7. Jesuit, Portland, OR (3-0) 8. McQueen, Reno, NV (3-0) 9. Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo, CA (2-0) 10. Pasco, Pasco, WA (3-0) 11. Juneau-Douglas, Juneau, AK (7-0) 12. Loyola, Los Angeles, CA (2-0) 13. Eagle, Eagle, ID (5-0) 14. Rock Springs, Rock Springs, WY (5-0) 15. Las Cruces, Las Cruces, NM (5-0) 16. Kamehameha, Honolulu, HI (4-0) 17. Hamilton, Chandler, AZ (3-0) 18. Hart, Newhall, CA (2-0) 19. Bethel, Spanaway Lake, WA (3-0) 20. Horizon, Scottsdale, AZ (3-0)