Across the PrepNation: Weekend Warmup 9-25-08

Quick. Guess which two high schools have the most current players in the NFL?

If you guessed Dillard (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and Tustin (Calif.) you guessed correctly -- and very impressively.

Dillard and Tustin each have six players on NFL rosters to start the season, according to a feature piece published by the website USAFootball.com, an affiliate partner of the NFL.

Among the former Dillard Panthers who play on Sundays is multiple-time Pro Bowl receiver Isaac Bruce, now with the 49ers.

The most notable former Tustin Tiller is probably running back DeShaun Foster, also with the 49ers. Foster was named USA Today's player of the year in high school but his pro career never flourished quite as expected due to repeated ankle injuries at both UCLA and with the Carolina Panthers.

Four prep programs are have produced five current NFL players. They are: Catholic (Baton Rouge, La.), six-time Prep Poll champion De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 1999 Prep Poll champion Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.), and current No. 15 Glenville (Cleveland).

The article also lists the top NFL-producing states (California is tops, followed by Florida and Texas) and top cities (Miami is tops, followed by Houston and Detroit).

Speaking of De La Salle ... Folks sure do come out of the woodwork to sling arrows at the Spartans when they lose -- and even when they almost lose.

Yes, the Spartans have needed fourth-quarter touchdowns to win each of their first two games. Because of those closer-than-expected margins of victory, De La Salle has dropped to No. 8 in the National Prep Poll after starting the season ranked No. 6.

But both wins -- 29-28 over San Mateo Serra and 27-21 over Loyola -- are pretty darn good wins over pretty darn good teams.

Not to mention the fact that when opposing teams see De La Salle on their schedule, it's often their Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup and World Cup rolled up into one.

Even though it's been more than four years since De La Salle's national-record 151-game winning streak ended, the Spartans still carry an unbelievable aura about them.

No, the Spartans are not the most physical imposing team to ever step off a bus, but the green and silver still represents a lot of dominance and a lot of excellence.

No. 8 De La Salle hosting regionally ranked Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) is probably the highlight of the TV slate for prep football fans scanning their program guides this weekend.

De La Salle is 2-0 (as described above) while Don Bosco is 1-1 after losing in week 1 to defending Prep Poll champion Cincinnati St. Xavier, 17-10, then wiping out Valley Forge (Pa.), 51-0, last Friday.

ESPNU has the game Saturday night at 10:30 PM EDT.

ESPNU also will be in Alabama to televise an interstate battle between two-time defending 6A champ Prattville and Tennessee private power Brentwood Academy.

Prattville's only loss this season also was to those feisty St. Xavier Bombers, 15-10, to start the season at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. The Lions have won their next three games by a combined score of 89-0.

Brentwood Academy, which started the year ranked in some national polls (not ours), is 4-1 including a 22-21 loss in week 2 to Ravenwood (2-2).

Kickoff is 8:00 PM EDT.

As its game of the week, CBS College Sports' program schedule lists a re-run of last week's thrilling Miami Northwestern 31-29 defeat of Miami Booker T. Washington.

Those of us with expanded sports service on our cable and/or satellite packages have a chance to see a few more interesting games, including regionally ranked Plano (Texas) against rival Plano East (Thursday 7:00 PM CDT, FSN-SW) and an Orange County showdown with Edison at Servite (tape-delayed Friday at 11:00 PM PDT, FSN-PT).

Unfortunately, No. 11 Houston North Shore must wait yet another week before attempting to break a Texas record with its 73rd consecutive regular season win.

The Mustangs had hoped to return to the field Saturday at regionally ranked Southlake Carroll, with whom they currently share the record. But, according to the Houston Chronicle, numerous North Shore players still don't have electricity in their homes and the team has not been able to practice since Hurricane Ike ravaged the area.

North Shore is scheduled to finally return to action a week from Friday at preseason state-ranked Lufkin.

This weekend's UPSET ALERT:

No. 3 Byrnes: No doubt, the Rebels are happy to see their name on this list for the second week in a row after absolutely hammering a very talented Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln squad, 38-0, last Friday. But Byrnes needs to be careful to not be swallowed up in a Florida sandwich here, one week before hosting Pahokee on ESPNU. This week, Byrnes plays at rival Gaffney, a place where they have lost three consecutive times.

No. 8 De La Salle: After escaping with two close wins to start the year, the Spartans probably need to take it up a notch against regionally ranked Don Bosco Prep on Saturday. DLS started the season knowing it would probably experience some growing pains in the trenches. Meanwhile, DBP prides itself with strong interior play and returns great experience at most line positions. Anyone expecting another nationally televised DLS blowout of a fellow nationally ranked team will be in for a shock.

No. 9 Centennial: Possible letdown here for the Huskies who invested so much emotion and energy in last week's 47-35 win over regionally ranked Mater Dei. It's never an easy proposition to get a win at Central Section power Clovis West.

No. 12 Poly: I would be stunned if Poly were to lose to City Section stalwart Carson (mostly because the Jackrabbits can match or exceed Carson's speed and athleticism at about every position). But that's what most people thought before Mater Dei played the Colts -- a game Mater Dei needed three overtimes to win, 46-43.

No. 13 Bastrop: Their 46-game winning streak is on the line when the Rams travel south across the entire state of Louisiana on Friday to face quality 5A foe East St. John and Tulsa-bound RB Alex Singleton

No. 20 St. Ignatius: Well over 20,000 fans will be on hand at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium Friday night when the Wildcats face perennial state power Massillon. The teams have won a combined 31 state championships in football, although only St. Ignatius' titles were won since the start of the state playoff era. Massillon has won only 1 of 10 matchups in this series, but you can bet veteran St. Ignatius Chuck Kyle knows he had better have his kids ready to to play.

Across the PrepNation: Weekend Rewind 9-22-08

Some regional news, notes and rankings that just missed the cut when compiling this week's National Prep Football Poll.

Week 5 National Prep Football Poll Reax

1. Euless Trinity 24, No. 21 Allen 14: Trojans vanquish third consecutive state-ranked foe
2. St. Thomas Aquinas was idle: Raiders back in action Friday after two-week layoff
3. Byrnes 38, Lincoln (Fla.) 0: Single most impressive outing of any Top 25 team so far this season
4. Lowndes 51, Colquitt County 0: Rough Region 1 debut for Rush Propst
5. South Panola 28, No. 18 Apopka 18: No end in sight to Tigers' 79-game win streak
6. Gateway 44, Penn-Trafford 8: Average win margin is 39
7. Armwood 41, Brandon 0: Only one TD allowed this season
8. De La Salle 27, Loyola 21: Second straight nailbiter vs. quality foe
9. Centennial 47, WC No. 7 Mater Dei 35: Over 40 total points were scored in 1st quarter alone
10. North Shore vs. LaMarque (canceled): Mustangs should get back on the field Saturday vs. SLC
11. Oscar Smith 50, Great Bridge 14: Second straight blowout win over area-ranked foe
12. Poly 26, Newport Harbor 2: Jackrabbits 'D' looks as good as advertised
13. Bastrop 40, Richwood 12: Tough test this week at East St. John
14. Louisville Trinity 17, MW No. 6 Cincinnati St. Xavier 6: 'Rocks show why we've had them in the Top 25 all season
15. Glenville 40, Lincoln West 0: Another Senate League stroll for the Tarblooders
16. Skyline 55, Lake Washington 0: Last two wins by combined 111-6
17. Lakeland 36, Winter Haven 13: Winning again with running game and tough defense
18. Apopka 18, No. 5 South Panola 28: Blue Darters show well but fall short
19. Camden County was idle: Georgia 5A playoffs could be epic this year
20. Colerain 35, Sycamore 14: 60 straight league wins
21. Allen 14, No. 1 Euless Trinity 24: Eagles fail to get enough big plays to beat Trinity
22. Carmel 27, Lawrence North 6: Two weeks before key trip to Warren Central
23. St. Ignatius 49, St. Francis (N.Y.) 14: Trip to Massillon awaits
24. Stone Bridge 64, Loudoun Valley 13: Back-to-back games with 60+ points
25. Maryville 45, Powell 6: 65 wins and counting for the Rebs

REGIONAL RUNDOWNS

NORTHEAST
The perfomance of the week was turned in by Schuylkill Haven (Pa.) running back Zach Barket. The 5-10, 200-pound senior had 413 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 25 carries in a 54-19 blowout of North Schuykill . . . Wayne Hills (N.J.) extended the region's longest winning streak to 42 games with a 49-8 blowout win against Bergenfield . . . The top win streak in New York still belongs to Long Island power Floyd, which erased an early 10-point deficit and defeated Longwood, 24-15 . . . A streak that did come to an end over the weekend was previously regionally ranked Philadelphia's St. Joseph's Prep's 55-game Catholic League unbeaten mark. The Hawks were upset by LaSalle, 31-17.

Five teams knocking on regional rankings door: McKeesport (Pa.), Wayne Hills (N.J.), Bonny Eagle (Maine), Floyd (N.Y.), Dartmouth (Mass.)


EAST COAST
Good Counsel (Md.) moved up a few spots in the regional Top 10 this week after an easier-than-expected 27-14 defeat of New Jersey power St. Peter's Prep. PrepNation's Eastern Correspondent Norm Gross reports a bevy of college coaches were on the sidelines with him to watch Good Counsel's star recruit Jelani Jenkins, who scored the Falcons' final two touchdowns of the game . . . Don't be surprised if Independence (N.C.) finds its way back in the national Top 25 at some point this season. The Patriots, who were ranked in every weekly Top 25 from the start of the 2001 season until their 109-game winning streak ended last September, are now 3-0 after blanking Vance, 42-0.

Five knocking on the regional rankings door: Oakton (Va), Northwestern (S.C.), Woodbridge (Va.), River Hill (Md.), Loyola (Md.)

SOUTHEAST
Defending Florida 4A champ Miami Booker T. Washington lost its first game to a fellow Dade County opponent since 2003 while defending 6A champ Miami Northwestern extended its in-state winning streak to 33. The Bulls scored a late touchdown to elude the Tornadoes, 31-29, in a game televised nationally by CBS College Sports . . . It was a weekend for debuts in Georgia's toughest 5A region, Region 1. Defending 4A champ Warner Robins got its feet wet with a 28-14 win against perennial power Valdosta, 28-14. That extended the Eagles' winning streak to 34 games. Things didn't go nearly as well for former Hoover (Ala.) coach Rush Propst in his Region 1 debut at Colquitt County. The Packers were taken to the woodshed, 51-0, by national No. 4 Lowndes . . . Defending Louisiana 2A champ John Curtis, whose only loss was to national No. 1 Euless Trinity, improved to 2-1 after defeating Salmen, 28-7. The Patriots have a couple more out-of-state challenges upcoming with Blount (Ala.) coming to town this week followed by Florida 6A power North Miami Beach on Oct. 4.

Five teams knocking on the regional rankings door: Montgomery Bell (Tenn.), Deerfield Beach (Fla.), John Curtis (La.), Memphis University (Tenn.), McGill-Toolen (Ala.)


MIDWEST
Regionally ranked St. Rita beat Mount Carmel, 35-21, in one of the top rivalry games in the Midwest. More than 12,000 fans watched as the two southside Chicago Catholic league rivals met on the gridiron for the 85th time . . . In another great rivalry game -- this one among Detroit area Catholic powers -- Brother Rice defeated Catholic Central, 27-24. It took a 50-yard field goal from all-state kicker Ryan Kelley as time expired . . . Cincinnati Elder, whose only loss is to national No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas, entered the regional Top 10 after outgunning previously unbeaten St. Edward, 52-31. Junior quarterback Mark Miller set a school record with 449 passing yards and coach Doug Ramsey got his 100th win with the Panthers, who host rival St. Xavier on Friday.

Five teams knocking on the regional rankings door: Rochester Adams (Mich.), Pickerington Central (Ohio), Warren Central (Ind.), East Grand Rapids (Mich.), St. Xavier (Ky.)


MIDLANDS
Two of Colorado's top 5 teams were beaten last week, causing both to fall out of this week's regional Top 10. Denver Mullen could not keep up with regionally ranked Rockhurst (Mo.) and its Illinois-bound QB Nathan Scheelhaase, losing at home 31-21. Meanwhile, Bear Creek was upset by Pomona, 41-31, despite getting 271 combined rushing and receiving yards from senior RB Tommy Flanagan . . . Logan, which is ranked No. 2 in Utah's Class 3A, defeated the top-ranked 5A team in Idaho, Highland, 38-33. It was the second straight out-of-state loss for the Rams, who were beaten last week by Sacramento, Calif., power Grant . . . Smith Center (Kan.) extended its winning streak to 57 games, but just barely. The Redmen, who made national headlines for recording 11 straight shutouts last season, narrowly escaped with a 22-20 win against Norton.

Five teams knocking on the regional rankings door: Olathe East (Kan.), Cretin-Derham Hall (Minn.), Bettendorf (Iowa), Lee's Summit West (Mo.), Cherry Creek (Colo.)


SOUTHWEST
It was a busy night for scoreboard operators across the state of Arkansas last Friday night. According to Robert Yates of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, a couple of state records might have been set. Nashville senior RB Derrick Graham scored nine touchdowns -- all on runs of 3 yards or less -- in a 58-35 defeat of Liberty-Eylau (Texas). Meanwhile, Fountain Lake scored 66 points but it wasn't enough to avert a loss to Hot Springs Lakeside, which scored 88 in an amazing 22-point victory . . . Broken Arrow (Okla.) entered the regional rankings after starting the season at 3-0 for the first time in more than a decade. The Tigers, who opened the season by breaking a 22-game losing streak to then-regionally ranked Tulsa Union, defeated 5A power Tulsa Booker T. Washington, 24-14 . . . Palo Verde clearly separated itself as the top-ranked team in Las Vegas -- at least for the time being -- by shutting out Cheyenne, 25-0. The teams went in to the game sharing the city's No. 1 ranking in a coach's poll published by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Five teams knocking on the regional rankings door: Tulsa Union (Okla.), Jenks (Okla.), Spring Westfield (Texas), Odessa Permian (Okla.), Palo Verde (Nev.)


WEST COAST
Sacramento Grant recorded its second straight victory over a large-school power from another state. A week ago, Grant went to Idaho and defeated that state's No. 1-ranked team, Highland, 34-21. On Friday, the Pacers outdueled defending Utah 5A champ Alta, 52-33 . . . Folks who attended the game -- and those of us who watched it on FOX Sports West -- between No. 9 Corona Centennial and regionally ranked Mater Dei expected another shootout, and nobody came away disappointed. Although there weren't 1,300 yards of total offense like in Mater Dei's 51-37 win last season, scoring was not in short supply as Centennial got revenge, 47-35. The first half alone was more than enough entertainment for even the causal football fan as both teams scored on 95-plus yard kickoff returns and the Huskies clung to a 33-28 advantage at the break . . . Regionally ranked Bellevue (Wash.) got its second out-of-state victory of the young season, barley edging California High of San Ramon (Calif.), 34-27, at Qwest Field in Seattle. California made it to the North Coast Section 4A championship game last season, where it lost to eventual state champion De La Salle, 37-0.

Five teams knocking on the regional rankings door: Los Alamitos (Calif.), Valley Christian (Calif.), St. Bonaventure (Calif.), Oaks Christian (Calif.), Lake Oswego (Ore.), Leilehua (Hawaii)

Week 6 National Prep Football Poll released

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The top-ranked squads in the states of Maryland of Illinois joined the national Top 25 of the Week 6 National Prep Poll.

Maryland defending 4A champion Quince Orchard (Gaithersburg) is No. 22 after starting the season with a 3-0 record. Last week, the Cougars thrashed defending 3A titlist Damascus, 35-3.

Maine South (Park Ridge), which has three Illinois large-school runner-up finishes the last five seasons, is No. 25. The Hawks (4-0) are averaging 49 points per game.