A Cut Above The Rest

1 Hoover ( Ala.) 2005 RECORD: 14-1

TOP PLAYERS DL Kerry Murphy (6'5", 318, Sr.); OL Ryan Pugh (6'3", 270, Sr.); QB Ross Wilson (5'11", 185, Sr.); DL Josh Chapman (6'1", 280, Sr.); OL Patrick Crump (6'4", 285, Sr.)

KEY GAME Sept. 29 vs. No. 12 John Curtis (River Ridge, La.)

OUTLOOK The Buccaneers have won four straight Class 6A state titles and five in six years; with standouts at nearly every position they are heavy favorites to win it all again. Wilson (2,950 passing yards and 31 touchdowns in 2005) leads the offense and will be well-protected by a dominant line featuring Pugh, Crump, senior Gary Cramer and senior Tommy Sikora. Senior RB Dennis King and senior WR Brandon Clear are game-breakers. The key to a defense led by heralded recruits Chapman and Murphy is the line, which is the best in Alabama. Senior LB Michael DeJohn is a tackling machine, and senior DB Camyren Stokes (six interceptions) anchors the secondary.

2 Lakeland ( Fla.) 2005 RECORD: 15-0

TOP PLAYERS DL John Brown (6'2", 295, Sr.); RB Chris Rainey (5'11", 170, Sr.); RB Jamar Taylor (5'11", 210, Sr.); OL James Pouncey (6'4", 285, Sr.); OL Lashawn Pouncey (6'4", 280, Sr.); WR Paul Wilson (6'1", 175, Sr.)

KEY GAME Sept. 16 vs. No. 14 St. Xavier ( Cincinnati) at Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA Challenge, Cincinnati

OUTLOOK The two-time defending state Class 5A champion Dreadnaughts are loaded again: They have at least nine Division I recruits, including six who have orally committed to Florida-Rainey, who ran for 1,571 yards in '05; the Pouncey twins, who clear the way for Rainey and Taylor; Wilson, who caught 36 passes for 489 yards and four touchdowns; and senior defensive backs Ahmad Black and Steve Wilks. Taylor, who committed to Alabama, is coming off a 27-touchdown season, and Brown (undecided) is one of the nation's top defensive linemen.

3 Oaks Christian ( Westlake Village, Calif.) 2005 RECORD: 13-0

TOP PLAYERS QB Jimmy Clausen (6'3", 208, Sr.); RB Marc Tyler (6'1", 220, Sr.); WR-DB Marshall Jones (6'1", 188, Sr.); OL-DL Duke Lemmens (6'5", 251, Sr.); LB Casey Matthews (6'2", 222, Sr.); DB Anthony Gildon (6'2", 186, Sr.)

KEY GAME Sept. 22 at No. 10 St. Bonaventure ( Ventura, Calif.)