by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America
After a couple of tough close battles had some thinking that Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) may not have been worthy of its #1 ranking. That all changed Saturday when the top-ranked Ironmen dismantled St. Edward 38-7 in a battle of unbeatens at Fordham University in the Bronx in New York City.
As a result of the solid win over the defending Ohio Division I champs, DBP sits solidly atop the latest MaxPreps' Xcellent 25 this week. St. Ed fell-out of the Top 25 as a result of the loss that snapped its 21-game win streak. Bosco's win streak is now at 40.
For the first time in a long time, there are changes in the Top 5. Miramar's 27-20 overtime win over former #5 St. Thomas Aquinas shuffles the Florida powers. Miramar moves into the #5 slot, while the Raiders fall to #11 this week.
Former #4 Allen (Texas) falls five spots to #9 after a hard fought 42-38 win over Plano East.
Entering the poll this week at #24 and #25 respectively: #24 Daphne (Alabama) and #25 Hamilton (Chandler, AZ).
Hamilton owns the nation's second longest active win streak at 47 straight. Not bad for a team that many felt was rebuilding in 2011.
Earlier this year on the NHSCA Sports Hour, I spoke to Husky head coach Steve Belles. You can listen to that interview by clicking here.
MaxPreps Xcellent 25
1. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 5-0, LW: #1
2. Armwood (FL) 6-0, LW: #2
3. Trinity (KY) 7-0, LW: #3
4. DeSoto (TX) 6-0, LW: #6
5. Miramar (FL) 5-0, LW: #24
6. Katy (TX) 6-0, LW: #7
7. Gaffney (SC) 7-0, LW: #8
8. Good Counsel (MD) 6-0, LW: #10
9. Allen (TX) 6-0, LW: #4
10. Bishop Gorman (NV) 7-1, LW: #11
11. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 4-1, LW: #5
12. Mallard Creek (NC) 7-0, LW: #12
13. Buford (GA) 8-0, LW: #13
14. Grayson (GA) 6-0, LW: #14
15. Archbishop Moeller (OH) 7-0, LW: #15
16. Trinity (TX) 7-0, LW: #16
17. Warren Central (IN), LW: #19
18. Bellevue (WA) 6-0, LW: 17
19. Harrison Hills Harrison (MI) 7-0, LW: #18
20. Central Miami (FL) 5-0, LW: #20
21. Lake Travis (TX) 6-0, LW: #21
22. Camden County (GA) 6-0, LW: #23
23. Pittsburgh Central Catholic (PA) 6-0, LW: #25
24. Daphne (AL) 7-0, LW: NR
25. Hamilton (AZ) 7-0, LW: NR