Do you believe in Dragons? If not, you may want to start now. Despite coach Todd Dodge leaving to take the head coaching job at North Texas, Carroll (Southlake, Texas) has plenty of talent to contend for a fourth straight Texas 5A title as well as this year's national championship. Still, the Texans better enjoy the top spot while they can. On Sept. 15, the Dragons will host No. 2 Northwestern (Miami) for a national shootout at Southern Methodist University. Here is SI.com's preseason Top 25.
| High School Football Power Rankings |
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Carroll (Southlake, Texas) (16-0) The Dragons have won three consecutive Class 5A state championships and four in the last five years. They have won 79 of its last 80 games, including 48 straight. New coach Hal Wasson inherits eight of 11 starters on offense, including senior quarterback Riley Dodge (6-feet, 183 pounds) and senior running back Tre Newton (6-feet, 194). Only three defensive starters return, led by senior linebacker Derek Tomlin (6-feet, 200) and senior free safety Luke Anderson (5-11, 185). |
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Northwestern (Miami) (15-0) Northwestern's entire varsity coaching staff was dismissed in July following a sex scandal involving former running back Antwain Easterling and a fellow student. That leaves new coach Billy Rolle to lead an experienced team that won last year's Florida Class 6A title. Senior quarterback Jacory Harris (6-4, 171 pounds), senior defensive end Marcus Forston (6-2, 286), senior wide receiver Aldarius Johnson (6-3, 195) and offensive lineman Brandon Washington (6-4, 310) have all given verbal commitments to Miami. Northwestern will play outside Florida for the first time ever when it travels to Texas for its Sept. 15 game against Carroll. |
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St. Xavier (Cincinnati) (10-2) The Bombers lost to eventual national champion Lakeland (Fla.) on a last-second field goal last September, but the return of 16 starters has them dreaming of their own national title. To finish No. 1 they will have to run the table with many consider to be the nation's toughest schedule. Senior running back Darius Ashley (5-9, 190 pounds) rushed for 3,133 yards and 48 TDs the last two seasons. Ashley and the Bombers will face their biggest test on Sept. 2 against DeMatha in the Kirk Herbstreit Ohio versus the USA Challenge. |
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DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) (12-0) The Stags have won four consecutive WCAC titles. Senior wide receiver Kenny Tate (6-4, 220) has offers from Notre Dame, Florida and Maryland; the all-everything star, who totaled 609 receving yards on 34 receptions last year, will be complemented by senior wide receiver Rodney McLeod (5-10, 185), who has committed to Virginia. With its powerful offense, DeMatha will contend for a national title if it can get past St. Xavier in Ohio Sept. 2. |
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South Panola (Batesville, Miss.) (15-0) The Tigers return 17 starters, including their entire offensive and defensive lines, as they look to add to their streaks of 60 consecutive wins and four straight Class 5A state titles. On defense, free safety Darius Barksdale (6-1, 188 pounds), who has committed to Ole Miss, will keep opposing quarterbacks honest. On offense, he will be expected to top the 1,200 yards he rushed for last season. Center Jonathan Wilson (6-2, 275) will be charged with creating holes for Barksdale. The Tigers' toughest test will be against Clarksdale (Miss.) on Sept. 7. |
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Independence (Charlotte, N.C.) (16-0) With a winning streak of 108 games and seven straight state titles, the Patriots will be expected to continue their winning ways. Transfer running back Rod Chrisholm (5-9, 192 pounds) will have to carry the load on offense, especially after losing tight end Mario Carter (6-4, 225) to a dislocated right knee. If the streak is to live on past this season, Independence will have to beat rival Butler, which boasts six Division I prospects, on Nov. 2 at Charlotte's Memorial Stadium. |
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Katy (Texas) (13-1) After losing in the state quarterfinals last year, the Tigers return 22 juniors and seniors. Leading the offense will be senior quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell (6-feet, 175 pounds) and senior running back Aundre Dean (6-1, 210), who rushed for more than 2,000 yards in the I formation last season. Dean, who has committed to UCLA, will benefit from an experienced offensive line which includes seniors Eric Ball (6-3, 265) and Nate Bryan (6-1, 292). Looking to contend for the Class 5A Division II state title, Katy will face its toughest regular-season test against The Woodlands on Sept. 8. |
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Northside (Warner Robins, Ga.) (15-0) The Eagles look to repeat as Class AAAA state champions after winning their first title in school history last season. Senior quarterback Marques Ivory (6-2, 240 pounds) returns after throwing for 1,823 passing yards and 27 TDs, earning Class AAAA all-state QB and offensive player of the year honors. He has some serious weapons in senior receiver Nick Bass (5-11, 195), who has several Division I offers, and senior running back Tijuan Green (5-11, 190), who rushed for nearly 1,000 yards in five playoff games last season. |
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Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) (11-2) The Jackrabbits are traditionally known for their athleticism, but coach Raul Lara has a classic passer in junior quarterback Morgan Fennell. On defense, Poly will be anchored by a secondary that should be second to none in California. Senior safety Vaughn Telemaque (6-2, 190 pounds) had 54 tackles, 11 deflections and two interceptions last season. The Jackrabbits will need all of their speed and skill players firing on all cylinders when they play Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio) in the Kirk Herbstreit Ohio versus the USA Challenge on Sept. 1. |
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Jenks (Okla.) (13-1) The Trojans are the defending Class 6A state champions and will be expected to defend their title despite losing several key defensive players to graduation. Senior running back Chris Adkins (5-9, 185 pounds) and senior quarterback Mark Ginther (6-1, 190) return to lead a powerful offense. Ginther threw for 2,140 yards and 27 touchdowns last season and Adkins rushed for 695 yards in four playoff games. On defense, senior tackle Tony Gillespie (6-feet, 295) will be the key to a unit that lost key linebackers from last season. The road to a repeat will best tested on Sept. 7 when the Trojans take on Union (Tulsa, Okla.) in the annual Backyard Bowl. |
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Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) (11-1) University of Notre Dame recruit Dyane Crist (6-5, 225 pounds) returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,270 yards and 17 TDs in just seven games last season. He will also be joined in South Bend by inside linebacker Anthony McDonald (6-2, 225). McDonald recorded 93 tackles and four sacks in 2006 and will play behind USC-bound defensive lineman Wes Horton (6-6, 240). Notre Dame starts the season against Division I champion Canyon (Calif.). |
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Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) (13-1) The Huskies won the Class 5A-Division I title last year, and will face tough tests against Brophy (Phoenix) and Chandler (Ariz.). Mr. Everything Gerell Robinson (6-4, 215 pounds), who has committed to Arizona, plays wide receiver, quarterback and defensive back. "Maybe we'll see if he can throw to himself this year," says Hamilton coach Steve Belles. Senior running back Covaughn DeBoskie (6-feet, 192) also returns after rushing for more than 1,400 yards last season. |
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