Weekend Warm-Up: Week 3

The good folks at ESPN got even more than they bargained for with Mater Dei's highly entertaining three-overtime 46-43 win over Carson last night.

Let's face it, the network's primary reason for showing the game on ESPN2 to a national audience was that it featured the ESPNU 150's top-ranked player: Monarchs quarterback Matt Barkley.

I don't think anyone expected Mater Dei to need three overtimes -- and a little luck -- to beat Carson, a team not included in the Los Angeles Times' preseason Top 25.

I know that nobody expected Barkley to throw four interceptions in the game.

The USC recruit struggled with his accuracy, completing just 15 of 31 passes for 301 yards.

However, he did throw six touchdown passes, including the game-winning toss to Derek Campbell in the corner of the end zone.

Even the reigning Gatorade National Player of the Year deserves an off night. Right?

I'll say this: Mater Dei's offense showed some of the continuity issues that led me to put the Monarchs lower in our preseason rankings than most other polls.

On the other hand, a gut-check kind of win like this can help build a mountain of confidence and help carry a team during the rest of the season.

Speaking of ESPN, the next stop on the Family of Networks' prep football cross-country tour is Tampa, Fla., on Friday night. No. 8 Armwood begins the regular season at regionally ranked Plant, which is led by Georgia recruit Aaron Murray at quarterback.

Plant's season ended at the hands of Armwood in last year's playoffs, so you know the Panthers have had this one circled for awhile.

Plant looked good in its spring and preseason scrimmages -- not to mention winning the Nike 7-on-7 title over the summer -- so watch out for what would be a minor upset here.

More teams on upset alert this weekend include No. 10 North Shore, No. 18 Skyline, No. 19 Rockhurst, and No. 25 Center Grove.

Just one week after a draining 10-6 win over defending state champ Katy, No. 10 North Shore must prepare for an extremely talented and explosive Eisenhower squad with five 3-star or better recruits, according to rivals.com.

No. 18 Skyline can stake its claim as not only the top team in Washington but the entire Pacific Northwest by beating defending Oregon 6A champion Sheldon at PGE Park in Portland. Two highly touted junior quarterbacks will battle in this one. Skyline's Jake Heap threw for over 3,100 yards and 31 touchdowns as a sophomore. Jordan Johnson of Sheldon had over 2,900 total yards and was named MVP of the state championship game.

Coaches never like a short turnaround to prepare for their next opponent, but this week it was particularly inopportune for No. 19 Rockhurst. Not long after the Hawklets played and won a rare Sunday game against Blue Springs South on ESPN, Coach Tony Severino and staff went to work breaking down film of three-time defending state champion Hutchinson (Kan.). The Salt Hawks own 36 consecutive wins and have a history of brilliantly executing the triple-option offense.

I guess nobody else would consider it an upset if regionally ranked Carmel beats No. 25 Center Grove. Since the National Prep Poll is the only place where the Trojans are ranked higher, I suppose a Center Grove win would actually be the upset. Either way, this should be a dandy early season game in the Indianapolis metro. Remember, Carmel won the 5A championship last season but lost a home game to Center Grove. Sixteen starters are back for the Trojans compared to 12 for Carmel.

Good high school football teams that play in Northern Kentucky often feel overlooked and underestimated by the general Ohio prep football fan populous. Some of those feelings could change this weekend if Kentucky 5A power Fort Thomas Highlands, which is ranked nationally by USA Today, can upset regionally ranked Cincinnati Colerain (which is No. 1 in the nation according to the Massey Ratings computer poll).

Highlands has won two state championships the last four seasons in Kentucky's second-largest classification, but the Blue Birds are zero for their last five in games against Cincinnati, Ohio, teams.

There's already a bit of fall in the air here in mid-America. Now, go out and enjoy some high school football this weekend!

Weekend Rewind: 9-2-08

I think it is safe to say that the 2008 high school football season is now officially out of the starting blocks.

Well over half of the teams in the preseason PrepNation 101 rankings now have at least one regular season game in the scorebook.

If you count the preseason kickoff games in Florida -- which apparently don't count when two Florida teams are playing but do count when it's a Florida team against a team from another state -- the 101 teams have won a collective 81 percent of their games so far. Six of the 15 losses suffered by the group came to fellow PrepNation 101 teams.

With that bit of housekeeping out of the way, it's time to break down some of the top team and individual performances from this past weekend.

The "rebuilding project" at Lakeland (Fla.) might already be over. The Dreadnaughts, Prep Poll champion in 2006 and No. 56 in the Preseason PrepNation 101, still are young with only six veteran starters entering this season. But Monday's emphatic 35-0 rout of defending Pennsylvania 4A champion Pittsburgh Central Catholic was a statement game. A major one.

Lakeland outgained PCC 398-64 and had 322 rushing yards in the game, which was played in Wheeling, W.Va.

In the preseason, I wrote: "Lakeland could seriously challenge for its fourth state title since 2004 if a reliable running back emerges to complement Haggins in the veer option attack."

On Monday, not one but four Lakeland running backs emerged to score touchdowns.

Another classic showdown between Lakeland and St. Thomas Aquinas for the Class 5A champioinship is looking more and more likely.

No. 1 Euless (Texas) Trinity started slow against preseason No. 66 River Ridge (La.) John Curtis, but finished strong. The weight of starting the season ranked No. 1 in the National Prep Poll might have been apparent when the Trojans trailed 6-0 after allowing a 20-play, 87-yard scoring drive to the Patriots in the second quarter.

But Trinity's defense allowed barely more than 100 yards total the rest of the way and outscored Curtis, 28-6, in the final 25-plus minutes of the game.

On a side note, Curtis players, staff and fans were expected to travel back to the New Orleans area today. Let's hope their trip is safe and the cleanup project awaiting them at home is minimal.

Week 2 National Prep Poll Top 25 Reax:

1. Euless, Texas, Trinity 28, John Curtis (La.) 12: Quality win over quality foe to start the season.
2. Duncan, S.C., Byrnes 36, North Gwinnett (Ga.) 21: Rebels start slow but explode late.
3. Valdosta, Ga., Lowndes 63, Woodland 0: Most dominant performance of any Top 25 team so far.
4. Batesville, Miss., South Panola 27, Vicksburg 6: Running game slowed by loss of Barksdale.
5. Fort Lauderdale, Fla., St. Thomas Aquinas 35, Cincinnati Elder 24: Raiders dominate after falling behind 10-0
6. Concord, Calif., De La Salle was idle: Two tough tuneups on deck before Don Bosco comes to town.
7. Monroeville, Pa., Gateway 45, Penn Hills 17: Huge statement by Gators to start season.
8. Seffner, Fla., Armwood 31, Lake Gibson 14: Does not count in standings but still an impressive showing against quality foe.
9. Corona, Calif., Centennial was idle: Already looking forward to that Sept. 19 rematch with Mater Dei.
10. Houston, Texas, North Shore 10, Katy 6: Huge, huge statement win for Mustangs against defending 5A/II champ.
11. Jenks, Okla. was idle: 5A power Bixby awaits this week.
12. Cleveland, Ohio, Glenville 34, Pittsburgh Jefferson 13: Tarblooders looking to bring Division I title back to NEO.
13. Bastrop, La. was idle: This week's opener cancelled due to Hurricane; West Monroe coach offering to fill in.
14. Chesapeake, Va., Oscar Smith 43, Booker T. Washington 0: Tigers play inspired for fallen ex-teammate.
15. Louisville, Ky., Trinity was idle: Kentucky's most dominant program conspicuously absent from most other national polls.
16. Orange, Calif., Lutheran was idle: Orange County's most blue collar squad opens Saturday.
17. Sammamish, Wash., Skyline was idle. Opens Saturday against defending Oregon 6A champ Sheldon in its own back yard.
18. Prattville, Ala. 10, Cincinnati St. Xavier 15: Lions, predictably, struggled on offense against the Bombers.
19. Ramsey, N.J., Don Bosco Prep was idle. Ironmen still have two weeks to prepare for St. Xavier.
20. Chicago, Ill., Mount Carmel 49, Curie 7: Caravan dominates at Solider Field; might be only Chicago team to do so this year.
21. Kansas City, Mo., Rockhurst 42, ML No. 6 Blue Springs South 14: After big ESPN win, Rock now on upset alert with Kansas power Hutchinson coming to town Friday.
22. Plano, Texas 33, Irving MacArthur 7: Wildcats roll after trailing 7-5 early on.
23. Apopka, Fla. 39, Seabreeze 0: Michigan recruit Jeremy Gallon runs for over 300 yards with 3 TDs.
24. Phoenix, Ariz., Desert Vista was idle: DE Devon Kennard was most impressive player I saw on tape last year.
25. Greenwood, Ind., Center Grove 55, Perry Meridian 14: Win against Carmel on Friday could shake up other national polls.

PrepNation Player of the Week (Aug. 28-Sept. 1):
Toney Williams, RB, Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton. The University of Tennessee recruit ran 40 times for 350 yards and six touchdowns to lift his team to a thrilling 51-49 defeat of Chattahoochee. The 6-3, 230-pound bruiser also had a 27-yard touchdown reception.

PrepNation Team of the Week (Aug. 28-Sept. 1):
Long Beach (Calif.) Poly. The Jackrabbits, who started the season regionally ranked but outside the National Prep Poll preseason Top 25 for only the third time this decade, ended Miami Northwestern's 30-game win streak at the Miami Sports Kickoff Classic. Poly entered the national rankings at No. 12 in the Week 3 poll released on Monday.

Scary stuff: Oddsmakers, fans taking bets on HS games

File this one in the ever-expanding manila folder labeled "Is putting high school football games on national television bad for the game?"

Izzy Gould of the St. Petersburg Times reports today that at least one offshore online gambling website is planning to post a betting line for Friday's game between No. 8 Seffner (Fla.) Armwood and regionally ranked Tampa Plant.

The game will be televised by ESPNU.

Personally, I think it's very much a positive thing for ESPN, CBS College Sports, FOX Sports Net and other outlets to bring the nation's top prep teams and players into the collective living room of the American sports fan.

But, apparently, a significant enough portion of folks who have an offshore betting account are willing to play a side on any sporting event that pops up on their television.

Even a high school football game.

Is nothing sacred?

According to the story, online bettors who patronize the website 5dimes.com also had a crack at playing last year's Miami Northwestern vs. Southlake (Texas) Carroll game before the site pulled the game off its board due to "backlash from the community."

Week 3 National Prep Football Poll released

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- After knocking off Florida's reigning Class 6A state champion in Miami to start the season, Long Beach (Calif.) Poly moved into the National Prep Poll Top 25 this week.

The Jackrabbits, who started the year outside of the national poll for just the third time this decade, are now No. 12 in the country after defeating Miami Northwestern, 29-7, in the inaugural Miami Sports Kickoff Classic. Northwestern graduated 10 Division IA signees off last year's team that finished ranked No. 2 in the National Prep Poll.

Fourteen of last week's Top 25 teams were in action last week. That does not include top-ranked Euless (Texas) Trinity and No. 13 Cleveland Glenville. Both teams were scheduled to play on Monday, after this week's rankings were released.

Herbstreit Football Series TV schedule finalized

The three-day, three-city mega high school football event known as Herbstreit Football Series kicks off Saturday morning in Canton, Ohio, Cincinnati and Irving, Texas.

We previously heard that Monday's game between No. 1 Euless Trinity vs. John Curtis Christian (La.) would be among the games to be televised, but no TV coverage was indicated in a press release issued by event organizers on Tuesday.

Eighteen games comprise the event, and and seven will be shown on cable. All games with the exception of Saturday's game between No. 5 Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas and Cincinnati Elder (which will be shown tape-delayed Monday on ESPN) will be available for free via live streaming.

Here is the full release:

CINCINNATI and DALLAS (August 26, 2008) – Are you ready for some football? Well, come Labor Day weekend you might not have much of a choice as 36 of the best high school football teams across the nation are set to clash in the Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series Presented by BURGER KING®.

This series will showcase 18 elite matchups during a three day period at three renowned stadiums across Ohio and Texas. The Kirk Herbstreit Challenge, which has been held in Ohio for the past three years, expanded this year to include a series of competitions in Texas and, most recently, added an additional three games on Labor Day, including a must-see matchup between #1-ranked Euless Trinity (TX) and traditional national power River Ridge John Curtis (LA).

Eleven games will take place in Ohio over two days, Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31. The teams will play at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium in Canton and at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. Additionally, and in partnership with The National Football Foundation, seven games will take place at Texas Stadium in the City of Irving, Texas on Saturday, August 30 and Monday, September 1.

Chicago-based Intersport has once again partnered with Burger King Corp. and Herbstreit to stage this premiere high school series. Tickets are available now for only $14 for adults ($16 day of event) and $10 for student/youth fans ($12 day of event) for a three or four game session. Tickets can be purchased at local participating high schools, as well as online at Ticketmaster.com or Ticketweb.com.

ESPN is slated to tape and rebroadcast the premiere match up of Cincinnati Elder (OH) vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) on Monday, September 1. Additionally, Versus Network will broadcast the duel between Cedar Hill (TX) vs. LaSalle Catholic (OH) live on August 30, as well as carry, on tape delay, the Justin Northwest (TX) vs. Woodland Hills (PA) and Arlington Bowie (TX) vs. Trotwood-Madison (OH) games. CBS College Sports will broadcast all games taking place in Cincinnati on August 31.

In addition, fans can log onto www.wazoosports.com to see live streaming video of all games played in Cincinnati except for St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Elder. These broadcasts will be available free of charge.

All ticket and event information can be found at www.herbstreitfootballseries.com:

Game Times	Date and Locations	TV Schedule
11:00 a.m. EST 2:00 p.m. EST 5:00 p.m. EST 8:00 p.m. EST	August 30: Pro Football Hall of Fame Field, Canton, OH Warren Howland (OH) vs. Klein Forest (TX) Canton McKinley (OH) vs. Indianapolis Cathedral (IN) Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (OH) vs. Covington Catholic (KY) Massillon (OH) vs. Jordan (UT)
11:00 a.m. EST 2:00 p.m. EST 5:00 p.m. EST 8:00 p.m. EST	August 30: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati Elder (OH) vs. (#5) St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) Middletown (OH) vs. Warren Central (IN) Cincinnati Colerain (OH) vs. McKeesport (PA) Cincinnati St. Xavier (OH) vs. (#18) Prattville (AL)	ESPN; Sept. 1 @ 12:00 p.m.
11:00 a.m. CST 2:00 p.m. CST 5:00 p.m. CST 8:00 p.m. CST	August 30: Texas Stadium, City of Irving, TX Mansfield Timberview (TX) vs. Buford (GA) Cedar Hill (TX) vs. LaSalle Catholic High School (OH) Justin Northwest (TX) vs. Woodland Hills (PA) Arlington Bowie (TX) vs. Trotwood-Madison (OH)	Versus Network; Live Versus Network; Sept. 3 @ 5:30 p.m. Versus Network; Sept. 4 @ 5:30 p.m.
12:00 p.m. EST 3:00 p.m. EST 6:00 p.m. EST	August 31: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati Moeller (OH) vs. Montgomery Bell (TN) Huber Heights Wayne (OH) vs. East St. Louis (IL) Lakota West (OH) vs. St. Rita (IL)	CBS College Sports; Aug. 31 @ 9:00 p.m. CBS College Sports; Aug. 31 @ 11:00 p.m. CBS College Sports; Aug. 31 @ 6:00 p.m.
11:00 a.m. CST 2:30 p.m. CST 6:00 p.m. CST	September 1: Texas Stadium, City of Irving, TX (#1) Euless Trinity (TX) vs. River Ridge John Curtis (LA) Klein Oak (TX) vs. Mandeville (LA) Colleyville Heritage (TX) vs. Clovis East (CA)

In addition, MaxPreps.com has compiled an Insiders page with team previews, ticket/stadium information, and all manner of things related to the Herbstreit event. Check it out here.

Countdown to an ESPN showdown

This weekend, ESPN and its family of networks will televise the second and third games from their 2008 high school football schedule.

Sunday's TV slate features a live broadcast of No. 21 Kansas City Rockhurst at Midlands No. 6 Blue Springs South. It's an attractive matchup between the last two Missouri Class 6 state champions, who both have future Division I quarterbacks providing the star power.

Of course, unlike with college football or the NFL, ESPN nor any other national cable or broadcast network owns the rights to show any high school game it wishes.

Instead, the network must gain permission to show the game and work directly through the high school coaches and administrators to make arrangements for getting the game on the air.

Kansas City Star preps writer Cole Young wrote about all the steps that went into getting Rockhurst vs. Blue Springs South on the air this weekend.

My long-awaited TV debut (almost)

I have a journalism degree with an emphasis on broadcast journalism.

That might be hard to believe after you watch the following segment.

I came out of school as a "radio guy" -- not a TV guy.

Face made for radio; that kind of thing.

Regardless, I will be making some rare TV-related appearances this fall in the Kansas City market.

Along with veteran Kansas City local preps guru Chad Harberts (KansasCityPreps.com), I have been invited to participate in a weekly high school football discussion segment for the local FOX affiliate's website (myfoxkc.com).

The Preps Extra program is hosted and produced by FOX 4's veteran sportscaster Al Wallace. It is shot on FOX 4's news set using FOX 4's cameras and microphones.

Lucky for me and my "radio face" (and "radio gut"), it will only appear on FOX 4's website and not on the actual TV station's airwaves.

After all, FOX 4 has a very large and loyal viewership, and I don't want to be responsible for scaring anyone away.

We taped our first weekly segments Tuesday afternoon. They are ready to view at the FOX Hilites page at the MyFoxKC.com website. Check it out here.

Thanks for watching!

Week 2 National Prep Football Poll released

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- It was a tough opening weekend for nationally ranked teams as both National Prep Poll Top 25 teams that were in action suffered defeat.

Defending Prep Poll champion Cincinnati St. Xavier, which was No. 18 to start this season, was beaten 13-8 by Colerain. The Bombers returned only four starters from last year, two of whom did not play against Colerain because of injury.

Elsewhere in Ohio, preseason No. 11 Cleveland St. Ignatius lost 20-17 to city rival Glenville. The Tarblooders, who began the season ranked No. 28 in the PrepNation 101 preseason rankings, moved up to No. 12 in this week's poll.

Greenwood Center Grove, one of three Indiana teams in the Midwest Top 10 rankings, is the second new entrant in the new Top 25. The Trojans opened the season by blasting Ohio Division II power Dayton Carroll, 41-0.

Defending Prep Poll champ St. X falls

Cincinnati St. Xavier will not become the third different team this decade to repeat as National Prep Poll champion.

The No. 18 Bombers, who started the season with only four returning starters -- two of whom were not available to play Friday due to injury -- were beaten in a 13-8 slugfest by Midwest No. 19 Colerain before nearly 15,000 fans at the University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium.

Last season, the Bombers were a team of destiny.

Last season, the Bombers navigated through a minefield of a schedule that included nine teams that spent time in the national or regional rankings.

Of course, last season, the Bombers started the year with 16 returning starters and only one key injury.

But do not write St. Xavier off yet. Coach Steve Specht and Co. still have plenty of time and opportunity to make noise this season. But the Bombers had better strap it on tight -- three of their next four games are against current national Top 25 teams.

In addition to an excellent gamer written by preps pendragon Tom Groeschen, the Cincinnati Enquirer's website, Cincinnati.com, has this video feature on Colerain's upset of St. X.

No. 21 Mount Carmel coach down plays ranking

Mount Carmel, the Chicago prep football powerhouse with 10 state championships since 1980, not only begins the year ranked No. 21 in the National Prep Poll. The Caravan, naturally, is also No. 1 in the Chicago Sun-Times Top 25 preseason rankings.

'Absurd' is one word veteran Mount Carmel coach Frank Lenti used to describe his team's lofty preseason rankings in this terrific preview story by Sun-Times preps writer Tina Akouris.

Also be sure to check out the Sun-Times' video feature on Mount Carmel.

WC No. 8 Mater Dei opens up practice

Fall practice opened earlier this week across Southern California, including at Santa Ana Mater Dei.

The Monarchs, who begin the season ranked No. 8 in the West Coast region and No. 53 in the PrepNation 101 rankings, return 10 total starters.

The most notable veteran at Mater Dei is, of course, four-year starting quarterback Matt Barkley.

Preps writer extraordinaire Steve Fryer of the Orange County Register was there for the Monarchs' first practice. He reports that Barkley and the rest of the team looked fit and ready to go.

The Register's prep sports website OCVarsity.com also has this video feature from Mater Dei's first drills.

Setting up the showdown: No. 11 St. Ignatius vs. MW No. 5 Glenville

The Cleveland Plain Dealer's website, Cleveland.com, is featuring a fantastic series of previews this week leading up to Saturday's St. Ignatius vs. Glenville matchup.

During the week, St. Ignatius linebacker Dan Fox and Glenville defensive end Jonathan Newsome have provide their insights on the on-field -- and off-field -- preparations leading up the game.

Today is Day 4 in the series, which includes video clips from each team's practices.

St. Ignatius is ranked No. 11 in the preseason National Prep Poll. Glenville is ranked No. 5 in the Midwest region and was No. 28 in the PrepNation 101 preseason rankings.

You can watch the St. Ignatius-Glenville game via live streaming video beginning at 7:15 PM EDT Saturday at ohioHSsports.com.

No. 7 Gateway doesn't plan to settle for second

Monroeville (Pa.) Gateway was a little bit of a wildcard team when putting together this year's preseason rankings.

On paper, the Gators have everything that a pollster looks for: a lot of Division I talent on its roster, double-digit returning starters, and strong coaching with a good run of recent success.

On the flip side, Gateway is battling its past a little bit. This team got better as the season went on last year, but was beaten badly in the opener, 27-6, by then-nationally ranked Youngstown (Ohio) Mooney.

Eighteen former Gators have signed with Division I or IAA colleges and the team has won 75 percent of its games since 2002, but winning a WPIAL championship has eluded Gateway ever since the mid-80s.

Coach Terry Smith was playing at Gateway when it won or tied for back-to-back WPIAL crowns in 1985 and 1986. He told Jim Rodenbush of Tri-State Sports & News Service (in a story published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) that this could be the year for the Gators to get the monkey of their backs.

Related:

• PrepNation 101 preseason rankings: No. 7 Gateway
  

PrepNation Film Room: QB Tajh Boyd

The 2008 season could be special in the state of Virginia. There are five teams from the Old Dominion State in the PrepNation 101 preseason rankings, including three in the Top 30.

Hampton Phoebus begins the season ranked No. 30, just one spot behind No. 29 Ashburn Stone Bridge, the team that beat the Phantoms, 38-24, in last year's Division 5 state semifinals.

Phoebus has 18 total returning starters including its field general, all-state quarterback Tajh Boyd. The West Virginia recruit is one of the top-rated "dual-threat" quarterbacks in the country and was selected to participate in the prestigious Elite 11 quarterback camp this summer. As a junior, Boyd had over 2,000 yards passing and 500 yards rushing for 32 total touchdowns.

Here is a look at some of Boyd's junior film, courtesy of The Forbes Report.

New book spotlights 12 of America's top programs

Take it from me, it's a tough enough task narrowing down the top 25 (or top 101) teams in the country each year for the National Prep Poll.

I can only imagine how hard the final cuts were for author Gavin Kralik when he began writing his new book "Gridiron Dynasties."

The book, which goes on sale later this month, takes a closer look at a dozen of the top high school football programs from the last decade.

The list includes four teams that have won National Prep Poll titles since 1999: Shreveport (La.) Evangel Christian, Concord (Calif.) De La Salle, Southlake (Texas) Carroll, and Lakeland (Fla.). USA Today's 2007 champion Miami Northwestern is also profiled.

"The process of narrowing down the 12 programs was difficult," said Kralik in an email. "I began with counting the number of times each school has finished the season ranked in the top 25 in the nation, according to USA Today.

"I wanted to also represent a variety of states. I researched the last five or six years in each state to see how many state championships were won by schools from the individual states. For example Valdosta (Ga.) Lowndes and Pittsburgh Central Catholic each finished in the top 25 only twice the last 10 years (according to USA Today), which was the fewest of any of the 12 schools in the book. However, Central Catholic has won two of the last four large classification state titles in Pennsylvania, and Lowndes has won three of the last four large classification titles in Georgia."

The final 12 that made the cut for the book were (alphabetically by state): De La Salle, Lakeland, Miami Northwestern, Lowndes, Evangel Christian, Batesville (Miss.) South Panola, Charlotte (N.C.) Independence, Cincinnati Colerain, Jenks (Okla.), Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Carroll and Katy (Texas).

"There were many schools that I would have loved to write about," said Kralik. "But I felt that to do a complete and extensive job the quality of my research and work would be compromised if the number of schools got too big."

Kralik listed 10 more schools that just missed the cut for the book: Long Beach (Calif.) Poly, Tulsa (Okla.) Union, Cincinnati St. Xavier, Warner Robins (Ga.) Northside, Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes, Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha, Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep, Prattville (Ala.), Bellevue (Wash.), and River Ridge (La.) John Curtis.

Other than the obvious -- winning a lot of games -- Kralik said his book presents some common denominators, as well as differences, between the top programs.

"I have a chapter on each of the 12 schools where I show the reader high school football through the lens of each respective school," said Kralik. "I show what the unique formula for building a dynasty is for each of the 12 programs.

"Part two of the book shows common denominators among the 12 and also things aren't (in common) that one would think are. Also, I compare the programs on a variety of levels such as the amount of Division I players in the past seven years, booster clubs, coaches work days, head coaches roles, etc."

The book contains nearly 100 color photos of stadiums, weight rooms, facilities, and game shots.

"I wanted to show people how high school football compares around the nation," Kralik said.

I think one of the other unique things about "Gridiron Dynasties" is the author. Kralik is neither a journalist or writer by trade.

He is a football coach.

In fact, Kralik is entering his fourth year as head coach at Spanaway (Wash.) Bethel, a Class 4A playoff team last season.

"I think the only way I was able to do the job I think I did in the book was because I am a head coach at a large classification school in my own state," he said. "I feel this helped me ask questions that someone who isn't a head coach wouldn't think of asking.

"I also believe it helped me to get more out of the coaches in their limited time in interviews because of the natural connection and understanding coaches have with one another."

"Gridiron Dynasties" goes on sale on August 29. Copies can be ordered online at www.GridironDynasties.com or amazon.com.

It's already game-time in Alaska

Two-a-days aren't even underway yet in many states. But in Alaska, practice time is over.

Defending large-school champion Juneau-Douglas, which went 11-0 last year, is ranked No. 1 in the first statewide high school football poll of the season.

The Bears open the season Saturday with a 724-mile road trip to Fairbanks to battle West Valley High.

The Wolfpack is hoping the 2008 season is much better than 2007, when they finished a dreadful 0-8.

In case you were wondering about the weather in Fairbanks, Alaska, this time of year. Let's just say it feels very much like football weather should. The National Weather service predicts mostly cloudy skies with scattered showers and a game-time temperature around 55 degrees.

Playoff action begins Oct. 3 and Alaska will crown the first state champions of the '08 football season the weekend of Oct. 17-18.

ESPN releases its prep football schedule

ESPN and its amazingly successful family of networks have released their schedule for the upcoming high school football season.

The demand for prep football coverage to a national audience continues to increase, and ESPN with its partner Paragon Marketing Group have certainly delivered the goods in recent years.

This season, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will combine to show 19 high school football contests. Teams from 18 different states will get their moment beneath the glow of ESPN's mighty sun.

Twenty-one teams in the PrepNation 101 preseason rankings are on the slate, and that includes 12 teams in the National Prep Poll Top 25 and seven more in the regional Top 25's.

Expect ESPN's treatment of these games to be once again heavy on recruiting analysis with ESPN Scouts Inc. Recruiting Director Tom Luginbill serving as the primary color guy along side play-by-play man Dave Ryan.

ESPNU also revealed its ESPNU 150 for the Class of 2009 on Wednesday. Topping the list is quarterback Matt Barkley of Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei. The Monarchs are ranked No. 8 in the West Coast region and were No. 53 in the preseason PrepNation 101 rankings.

2008 ESPNU, ESPN and ESPN2 High School Football Schedule

(Schedule subject to change)

Date Game Time (ET) Network

Sat., Aug. 23	Cathedral (Ind.) vs. Carmel (Ind.)	12 p.m.	ESPN
Fri., Aug. 29	Mays (Ga.) vs. Carver (Ga.)	8 p.m.	ESPNU
Sun., Aug. 31	Rockhurst (Mo.) vs. Blue Springs South (Mo.)	12 p.m.	ESPN
Mon., Sept. 1	*St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) vs. Elder (Ohio)	12 p.m.	ESPN
Wed., Sept. 3	Mater Dei (Calif.) vs. Carson (Calif.)	9 p.m.	ESPN2
Fri., Sept. 5	Armwood (Fla.) vs. Plant (Fla.)	8 p.m.	ESPNU
Thu., Sept. 11	Rider (Texas) vs. Sulphur Springs (Texas).	9 p.m.	ESPN2
Fri., Sept. 12	Bastrop (La.) vs. Dollarway (Ark.)	8 p.m.	ESPNU
Fri., Sept. 19	Apopka (Fla.) vs. South Panola (Miss.)	8 p.m.	ESPNU
Fri., Sept 26	Brentwood Academy (Tenn.) vs. Prattville (Ala.)	8 p.m.	ESPNU
Sat., Sept 27	Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) vs. De La Salle (Calif.)	10:30 p.m.	ESPNU
Thu., Oct. 2	DeMatha (Md.) vs. Our Lady of Good Counsel (Md.)</