De La Salle Tumbles in Latest USA Today Super 25

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Don Bosco Prep's (Ramsey, NJ) come-from-behind 23-21 win over former #9 De La Salle (Concord, CA) helped to shuffle this week's USA Today Super 25. DBP pops-up three spots to #22, while the Spartans fall to #25.

Otherwise, a couple of close calls by former #4 Long Beach Poly (CA) and #13 Lakeland shuffled the deck a little with #10 Centennial (Corona, CA) and #21 Trinity (Louisville, KY) joining DBP as the biggest movers going up three spots each.

1. Byrnes (Duncan, SC) 5-0, LW: #1
2. Trinity (Euless, TX) 4-0, LW: #2
3. Gateway (Monroeville, PA), LW: #3
4. St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 3-0, LW: #5
5. Armwood (Seffner, FL) 5-0, LW: #6
6. Long Beach Poly (CA) 3-0, LW: #4
7. Carmel (IN) 6-0, LW: #7
8. Colerain (Cincinnati, OH) 6-0, LW: #8
9. River Hill (Clarksville, MD) 4-0, LW: #10
10. Centennial (Corona, CA) 3-0, LW: #13
11. Lowndes (Valdosta, GA) 5-0, LW: #11
12. Madison County (Madison, FL) 2-0, LW: #14
13. Lakeland (FL) 4-0, LW: #12
14. South Panola (Batesville, MS) 5-0, LW: #15
15. Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA) 5-0, LW: #16
16. Skyline (Issaquah, WA) 4-0, LW: #17
17. Lake Travis (Austin, TX) 5-0, LW: #18
18. Stone Bridge (Ashburn, VA) 5-0, LW: #19
19. Northside (Warner Robins, GA) 5-0, LW: #20
20. Plano (TX) 5-0, LW: #21
21. Trinity (Louisville, KY) 4-0, LW: #24
22. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) 2-1, LW: #25
23. Tuscaloosa County (Northport, AL) 5-0, LW: #22
24. Glenville (Cleveland, OH) 5-0, LW: #23
25. De La Salle (Concord, CA) 2-1, LW: #9

#25 Don Bosco Prep (NJ) Nips #9 De La Salle (CA) On Last Second Field Goal

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

The game between two of the top high school football programs in the country lived up to the hype Saturday night as Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) edged De La Salle (Concord, CA) 23-21 before a national television audience on ESPNU.

DBP (2-1) came back from a 21-7 halftime deficit and beat the Spartans on a 19-yards field goal from Patrick Murray with just 10 seconds to go in the game. Don Bosco Prep entered the game ranked #25 in the country by USA Today, while De La Salle (2-1) was #9. The win snapped De La Salle's 15-game win streak.

To read a game recap, click here.

Click here to go to The High School Football Huddle for scores and news from around America.

De La Salle/Don Bosco Prep Preview

Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle


Two of the best high school football teams from each side of the country will square-off in northern California Saturday night.
De La Salle (Concord, CA) will host Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) in a nationally televised game on ESPNU at 7:30.

This one should live-up to the hype that has been building since the game was announced back in February. De La Salle (2-0) enters the game ranked #9 by USA Today, while DBP (1-1) is ranked #25. The Ironmen began the year ranked #4 in the USA Today Super 25, but lost their opener to St. Xavier (Cincinnati, OH), which at the time of the win two weeks ago was also ranked by USA Today.

For a preview of the game, click here.

To go to the New Jersey High School Football Huddle, click here.

To go to the New Jersey High School Football Huddle, click here.

LA Times Top 25 High School Football Rankings

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Except for Centennial, PAC-5 schools continue to dominate the LA Times Top 25 high school football rankings. Seven teams from the the PAC-5 are in the Top 10, and there are 14 PAC-5 schools overall in the Top 25.

The biggest change is Mater Dei's two spot drop to #5 after losing to #2 Centennial last weekend.

Here's the entire Top 25...

1. Long Beach Poly (2-0) , LW: #1
2. Centennial (2-0) , LW: #2
3. Crespi (3-0) , LW: #4
4. Mission Viejo (3-0) , LW: #5
5. Mater Dei (2-1) , LW: #3
6. St. Bonaventure 3-0, LW: #7
7. Servite (2-1) , LW: #6
8. Notre Dame (2-0), LW: #8
9. Oaks Christian (3-0) , LW: #9
10. Redlands Valley East (2-0) , LW: #10
11. Edison (3-0) , LW: #11
12. Los Osos (2-0) , LW: #12
13. Bishop Amat (2-1) , LW: #13
14. Upland (3-0) , LW: #15
15. Loyola (2-1) , LW: #17
16. Orange Lutheran (2-1) , LW: #14
17. Los Alamitos (2-0) , LW: #18
18. Lakewood (3-0) , LW: #19
19. Rancho Verde (3-0) , LW: #20
20. Corona Santiago (1-1) , LW: #21
21. Chaparral (1-1) , LW: #22
22. Tesoro (3-0) , LW: #23
23. St. John Bosco (3-0) , LW: #25
24. Serra (3-0) , LW: NR
25. Palmdale (2-0) , LW: NR

Centennial Wins SoCal Battle Against Mater Dei

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

It wasn't the track meet like last year, but Friday night's game between Southern California powers Centennial (Corona, CA) and Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) didn't disappoint those that like offense.

The two team combined for 966 yards in total offense, and when the dust cleared, Centennial (#16 USA Today Super 25) stood the victor 47-35. The Huskies victory avenged last year's defeat to Mater Dei 51-37 when the two teams combined for 1,300 yards in total offense.

Mater Dei entered the game ranked #2 in California, while Centennial was #4.

To read more about the game from the Orange County Register, click here.

California Showdown Between #16 Centennial and Mater Dei

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle


Two of California's best high school football teams square-off Friday night in Santa Ana. Mater Dei (2-0) and USC-bound quarerback Matt Barkley will host Centennial (1-0), the #16 team in this week's USA Today Super 25. Mater Dei is ranked #2 in California, while Centennial is ranked #4.

For a game preview from the OC Register, click here.

California High School Football Scoreboard - Week 2

California High School Football Scores
Thursday, September 19, 2008

Artesia 20 Cypress 17
Bellarmine Prep 35 St. Mary's (Stockton) 6
Canyon 17 Bonita 3
Fullerton 20 El Dorado 16
Irvine 42 Costa Mesa 7
JSerra 42 Saddleback 16
Loara 27 Los Amigos 24
Santa Ana 41 Century 0
Westminister 35 Marina 28

De La Salle Changes Leagues, But Probably Not Results

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

The name is synonymous with all that is good with high school football. De La Salle in Concord, California is pretty much unmatched in the sport.

Most know the Spartans because of their incredible 151-game win streak that stretched between 1992 and 2003, but it's really the incredible dominance the school has shown under head coach Bob Ladouceur (332-20-3), who has put together winners, usually without a ton of blue chippers.

Last year, De La Salle captured its first-ever California Division 1 State Championship (statewide championships only began in 2006) defeating also nationally-ranked Centennial 37-31.

This year, the Spartans have the usual list of goals and challenges.

First, will be the showdown with New Jersey power Don Bosco Prep on September 27 in Concord. DBP is ranked #4 by USA Today, while De La Salle is #7.

Then there's the move by the Spartans a new league...East Bay Athletic League.

To read more about the Spartans, who open the season next Saturday against Serra, click here.

California High School Football Scoreboard - Week 0

California High School Football Scores
Friday, September 5, 2008

San Francisco Area

Peninsula Nonleague
Serra 56, Westmont 0
South SF 39, Carlmont 14
Sacred Heart Cathedral 50, Santa Cruz 0
Woodside 41, Sacramento 14
Oak Grove 40, St. Francis 7
Pioneer 41, Aragon 19

East Bay Nonleague
Dougherty Valley 42, Richmond 0
Clayton Valley 20, Liberty 0
Freedom 28, Amador Valley 3
Encinal 38, Alameda 10
Newark Memorial 35, Alhambra 13
Campolindo 35, Livermore 22
Mission 13, El Cerrito 9
Kennedy-Fremont 32, Balboa 6
Heritage 21, Mt. Carmel 14
Concord 50, De Anza 0
Miramonte 31, Antioch 28

BFL
Salesian 42, CSD 12

North Bay Nonleague
Analy 30, Terra Linda 22
Justin-Siena 50, Emery 0

Mater Dei Survives in 3 OT Battle With Carson on ESPN 2

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle


It took three overtimes, but 2007 Gatorade National Player of the Year Matt Barkley and his Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) teammates were finally able to shake Carson 46-43 in a game that was nationally televised on ESPN 2 Wednesday night.

Barkley, who looked good-and-bad at times, tossed six touchdown passes to go along with four interceptions, including one in the second scoreless overtime for the Monarchs, who entered the game ranked #29 in the ESPN Rise Fab 50. Barkley, who has verbally committed to USC, ended the game 15-of-31 for 301 yards. His top receiver was senior Ario Winston who caught six balls for 143 yards and three touchdowns.

To read more from the Orange County Register, click here.

Five California Team Ranking in ESPN Rise Fab 50 High School Football Rankings

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

The top seven teams held firm in the first regular season ESPN Rise Fab 50 high school football rankings, while six teams fell-out of the poll.

Trinity (Euless, TX) held on to its #1 pre-season poll ranking with a solid 28-12 win over former #23 John Curtis (River Ridge, LA) Sunday in the Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series. Trinity collected all five first-place votes.

The state of California flexed its muscles in the poll with #3 De La Salle, #9 Long Beach Poly, #13 Lutheran, #29 Mater Dei and #33 Bellarmine Prep.

The biggest mover in Week 1 is Glenville (Cleveland, OH), which jumps 30 spots from #48 to #18 after season opening wins over former #17 St. Ignatius (Cleveland, OH) and 2007 Pennsylvania Class AAA champ Thomas Jefferson. Another Ohio team, Cincinnati Colerain announced its entrance into the Fab 50 in a big way. The formerly unranked Cardinals enter the poll at #26 after wins over former #9 St. Xavier (Cincinnati, OH) and western Pennsylvania power McKeesport.

The highest rank team to fall out of the poll was former #27 Joliet Catholic (Chicago, IL)

Here's the Fab 50... with 2008 records, number of votes and previous rankings.

1 Trinity (Euless, Texas) 1-0 250 pts, 5 First-Place Votes 1
2 Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.) 1-0 245 pts 2
3 De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) 0-0 240 pts 3
4 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 1-0 235 pts 4
5 Jenks (Jenks, Okla.) 0-0 230 pts 5
6 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) 0-0 225 pts 6
7 Gateway (Monroeville, Pa.) 1-0 220 pts 7
8 Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) 1-0 213 pts 10
9 Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) 1-0 210 pts 11
10 Rockhurst (Kansas City, Mo.) 1-0 201 pts 13
11 Armwood (Seffner, Fla.) 1-0 197 pts* 14
12 Deerfield Beach (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) 0-0 197 pts* 9
13 Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) 0-0 186 pts 14
14 Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) 1-0 180 pts 16
15 Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) 1-0 176 pts 12
16 Plano (Plano, Texas) 1-0 171 pts 18
17 St. Xavier (Louisville, Ky.) 1-0 169 pts 17
18 Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio) 2-0 162 pts* 48
19 Plant (Tampa, Fla.) 1-0 162 pts* 20
20 Lakeland (Lakeland, Fla.) 1-0 158 pts 28
21 Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.) 1-0 151 pts* 21
22 Carmel (Carmel, Ind.) 2-0 151 pts* 22
23 South Panola (Batesville, Miss.) 1-0 139 pts 25
24 Skyline (Sammamish, Wash.) 0-0 138 pts 24
25 Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas) 1-0 130 pts 30
26 Colerain (Cincinnati, Ohio) 2-0 126 pts NR
27 Maryville (Maryville, Tenn.) 2-0 112 pts 29
28 St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1-1 108 pts 9
29 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 0-0 105 pts 32
30 Arrowhead (Hartland, Wis.) 1-0 102 pts 31
31 Union (Tulsa, Okla.) 0-0 100 pts 33
32 St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.) 1-0 95 pts 34
33 Bellarmine Prep (San Jose, Calif.) 0-0 89 pts 35
34 Mt. Carmel (Chicago, Ill.) 1-0 85 pts NR
35 St. Ignatius (Cleveland, Ohio) 1-1 81 pts 17
36 Phoebus (Hampton, Va.) 1-0 74 pts 37
37 Quince Orchard (Gaithersburg, Md.) 0-0 69 pts* 36
38 Bastrop (Bastrop, La.) 0-0 69 pts* 38
39 North Shore (Houston, Texas) 1-0 51 pts NR
40 Bear Creek (Lakewood, Colo.) 1-0 50 pts 41
41 Prattville (Prattville, Ala.) 0-1 47 pts* 26
42 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) 0-0 47 pts* 42
43 Permian (Odessa, Texas) 1-0 41 pts 44
44 Desert Vista (Phoenix, Ariz.) 0-0 35 pts 46
45 Northside (Warner Robins, Ga.) 1-0 33 pts 47
46 John Curtis (River Ridge, La.) 0-1 19 pts 23
47 Centennial (Corona, Calif.) 0-0 16 pts* NR
48 Olive Branch (Olive Branch, Miss.) 1-0 16 pts* NR
49 Sheldon (Eugene, Ore.) 1-0 15 pts* 50
50 Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) 1-0 15 pts* NR

*Ties in points are broken according to which team was ranked higher by a majority of panelists.

Also Receiving Votes: Abilene (Abilene, Texas) 1-0, Cretin-Derham Hall (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1-0, Hutchinson (Hutchinson, Kansas) 0-0, Katy (Katy, Texas) 0-1, Madison County (Madison, Fla.) 0-0, Miami Northwestern (Miami, Fla.) 0-1, Stone Bridge (Ashburn, Va.) 1-0.

Dropped Out: Previous No. 27 Joliet Catholic (Joliet, Ill.); No. 39 Miami Northwestern (Miami, Fla.); No. 40 Katy (Katy, Texas); No. 43 Pahokee (Pahokee, Fla.); No. 45 East St. Louis (East St. Louis, Ill.); No. 49 Blue Springs South (Blue Springs, Mo.).

Kirk Herbstreet Varsity Football Series Scoreboard

High School Football Scores
Monday, September 1, 2008

at Texas Stadium
Irving, TX

Colleyville Heritage (TX) 41 Clovis East (CA) 26
Trinity (TX) 28 John Curtis (LA) 12