Week 16 National Prep Football Poll released

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Another weekend filled with postseason upsets ushered the arrival of five teams into the Week 16 National Prep Football Poll.

The highest riser was Eastern Pennsylvania power North Penn (Lansdale) at No. 11. The Knights took another step closer to winning their first PIAA Class 4A state title since 2003 by blanking rival Neshaminy, 28-0, in the District One championship game.

Also making its season debut in the national poll was No. 16 Phoebus (Hampton, Va.). The Phantoms appear likely headed to their fourth Division 5 championship after destroying then-No. 24 and defending champion Stone Bridge (Ashburn), 38-8, in the state semifinals.

The third debut team in this week's poll is perennial Louisiana power West Monroe at No. 18. The Rebels appear to be closing in on their seventh state championship in 20 seasons after their 37-16 blowout of Ouachita in the 5A quarterfinals.

Rounding out the new entrants in this week's Top 25 are a pair of squads that were nationally ranked earlier this season. No. 22 Center Grove (Greenwood) avenged its only loss of the season by defeating Carmel, 36-33, for the Indiana 5A championship.

No. 23 Glenville (Cleveland) will end the 2008 season without winning a state title, but the Tarblooders were the only team to defeat Ohio Division I champ St. Ignatius, which is ranked No. 8 this week. The Wildcats won the rematch between the teams during the playoffs in a squeaker, 8-7.

Week 2 National Prep Basketball Poll released

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Without even playing a game, Southern California powerhouse Mater Dei (Santa Ana) ascended to the No. 1 ranking in the Week 2 National Prep Basketball Poll.

The Monarchs switched places with preseason No. 1 Duncanville (Texas), which was upset by regionally ranked Madison (San Antonio) November 22 at the McDonald's Texas Invitational.

More changes at the top of the rankings are possible -- if not likely -- later this month when the City of Palms Classic is played in Fort Myers, Fla. The tournament's amazing field includes seven Top 25 teams, including Mater Dei and Duncanville.