PrepNation.com - National Prep Football Poll - Preseason <br>By Jamie DeMoney

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Defending Class 5A/I champion Euless Trinity hopes to become the fifth Texas team -- and the third this decade -- to finish the season as National Prep Poll champions.

The Trojans begin the 2008 season atop the national Top 25 for the first time. Big 12 recruits linebacker Earnest Norman (Kansas), safety Prinz Kande (Kansas), cornerback Eryon Barnett (Texas) and running back Tray Robinson (Nebraska) are among 11 starters returning for veteran coach Steve Lineweaver.

Trinity begins its season on Labor Day in Texas Stadium against Southeast No. 20 (No. 66 in the preseason PrepNation 101 rankings) River Ridge (La.) John Curtis.

The rest of the preseason top five has a distinctive southern flair, with spots going to defending state champions from South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida.

Also check out the PrepNation 101 Preseason Football Rankings, a comprehensive preseason list of the Top 101 teams in the country.

Click here for the the National Prep Poll archive.
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The National Prep Football Poll is compiled by high school sports journalist Jamie DeMoney with input from sportswriters, experts, and coaches. The preseason national Top 25 with expanded regional Top 25's follow with 2007 won-loss-tie records:

# School Record Note LW

1. Euless, Texas, Trinity 15-1-0 40-3 with two state titles since '05 Capsule

2. Duncan, S.C., Byrnes 15-0-0 five 4A titles last six seasons Capsule

3. Valdosta, Ga., Lowndes 14-1-0 led by Florida recruit RB/DB Greg Reid Capsule

4. Batesville, Miss., South Panola 15-0-0 has nation's longest active win streak (75) Capsule

5. Fort Lauderdale, Fla., St. Thomas Aquinas 14-1-0 opens Aug. 30 at Ohio power Cincinnati Elder Capsule

6. Concord, Calif., De La Salle 13-0-0 coach Bob Laudouceur is 332-20-3 in 29 years Capsule

7. Monroeville, Pa., Gateway 11-2-0 LB Dorian Bell and DB/WR Corey Brown headed to Ohio St. Capsule

8. Seffner, Fla., Armwood 13-1-0 back-to-back state champ in 2004-05 Capsule

9. Corona, Calif., Centennial 13-2-0 Division I state runner-up in '07 Capsule

10. Houston, Texas, North Shore 14-1-0 70 consecutive regular-season wins Capsule

11. Cleveland, Ohio, St. Ignatius 8-3-0 two-time Prep Poll titlist ('93, '95) Capsule

12. Jenks, Okla. 13-1-0 sixth time in preseason Top 25 since 2000 Capsule

13. Bastrop, La. 15-0-0 owns three straight 4A state titles Capsule

14. Chesapeake, Va., Oscar Smith 13-1-0 14 starters returning from state semifinalist Capsule

15. Louisville, Ky., Trinity 13-2-0 six large-school titles in seven years Capsule

16. Orange, Calif., Lutheran 10-2-0 Division II state champion in '06 Capsule

17. Sammamish, Wash., Skyline 14-0-0 led by standout junior QB Jake Heaps Capsule

18. Cincinnati, Ohio, St. Xavier 15-0-0 defending Prep Poll champ returns only four starters Capsule

19. Prattville, Ala. 15-0-0 back-to-back defending 6A titlist Capsule

20. Ramsey, N.J., Don Bosco Prep 12-0-0 win streak at 24 Capsule

21. Chicago, Ill., Mount Carmel 12-1-0 10 state crowns since 1980 Capsule

22. Kansas City, Mo., Rockhurst 13-0-0 playing teams from four states Capsule

23. Plano, Texas 13-2-0 state's winningest team last 50 years Capsule

24. Apopka, Fla. 12-2-0 led Michigan-bound QB/RB Jeremy Gallon Capsule

25. Phoenix, Ariz., Desert Vista 9-5-0 DE Devon Kennard had 24 sacks last season Capsule

Northeast Region
1. Monroeville, Pa., Gateway (11-2)
2. Ramsey, N.J., Don Bosco Prep (12-0-0)
3. Jersey City, N.J., St. Peter's (11-1-0)
4. Wexford, Pa., North Allegheny (11-1-0)
5. Allentown, Pa., Parkland (15-1-0)
6. Langhorne, Pa., Neshaminy (11-2-0)
7. Philadelphia, Pa., Saint Josephs Prep (10-3-0)
8. Everett, Mass. (13-0-0)
9. Montvale, N.J., St. Joseph Regional (9-2-0)
10. Mastic Beach, N.Y., Floyd (11-0-0)
11. Pittsburgh, Pa., Central Catholic (16-0-0)
12. South Dartmouth, Mass., Dartmouth (11-2-0)
13. McKeesport, Pa. (10-2-0)
14. Pittsburgh, Pa., Penn Hills (6-5-0)
15. Oradell, N.J., Bergen Catholic (8-3-0)
16. Rochester, N.Y., Aquinas (13-0-0)
17. Greenwich, Conn. (11-1-0)
18. State College, Pa. (6-5-0)
19. Wayne, N.J., Wayne Hills (12-0-0)
20. Lansdale, Pa., North Penn (9-3-0)
21. New London, Conn. (11-1-0)
22. Bethlehem, Pa., Liberty (10-2-0)
23. Abescon, N.J., Holy Spirit (12-0-0)
24. Longmeadow, Mass. (13-0-0)
25. Melville, N.Y., St. Anthony's (10-1-0)

East Coast Region
1. Duncan, S.C., Byrnes (15-0)
2. Chesapeake, Va., Oscar Smith (13-1-0)
3. Ashburn, Va., Stone Bridge (14-1-0)
4. Hampton, Va., Phoebus (13-1-0)
5. Gaithersburg, Md., Quince Orchard (14-0-0)
6. Charlotte, N.C., Independence (13-3-0)
7. Rock Hill, S.C., South Pointe (9-4-0)
8. Hyattsville, Md., DeMatha (10-2-0)
9. West Springfield, Va. (10-3-0)
10. Roebuck, S.C., Dorman (10-3-0)
11. Clifton, Va., Centreville (6-5-0)
12. Olney, Md., Good Counsel (10-2-0)
13. Matthews, N.C., Butler (11-2-0)
14. Rock Hill, S.C., Northwestern (12-2-0)
15. Parkersburg, W.Va. (13-1-0)
16. Fayetteville, N.C., Britt (10-3-0)
17. Clarksville, Md., River Hill (14-0-0)
18. Vienna, Va., Oakton (5-5-0)
19. Gaffney, S.C. (11-3-0)
20. Wilmington, N.C., Hoggard (15-0-0)
21. Woodbridge, Va. (9-5-0)
22. Greenwood, S.C. (11-2-0)
23. New Bern, N.C. (14-2-0)
24. Sumter, S.C. (10-3-0)
25. Richmond, Va., Hermitage (11-2-0)

Southeast Region
1. Valdosta, Ga., Lowndes (14-1)
2. Batesville, Miss., South Panola (15-0-0)
3. Fort Lauderdale, Fla., St. Thomas Aquinas (14-1-0)
4. Seffner, Fla., Armwood (13-1-0)
5. Bastrop, La. (15-0-0)
6. Prattville, Ala. (15-0-0)
7. Apopka, Fla. (12-2-0)
8. Naples, Fla. (15-0-0)
9. Pahokee, Fla. (14-0-0)
10. West Monroe, La. (10-1-0)
11. Maryville, Tenn. (15-0-0)
12. Deerfield Beach, Fla. (11-3-0)
13. Foley, Ala. (12-1-0)
14. Tampa, Fla., Plant (11-2-0)
15. Madison, Fla., Madison County (13-1-0)
16. Olive Branch, Miss. (11-3-0)
17. Kingsland, Ga., Camden County (12-2-0)
18. Lakeland, Fla. (10-2-0)
19. Miami, Fla., Booker T. Washington (14-0-0)
20. River Ridge, La., John Curtis (10-3-0)
21. Shreveport, La., Evangel Christian (10-3-0)
22. North Miami Beach, Fla. (12-1-0)
23. Daphne, Ala. (11-2-0)
24. Newnan, Ga. (11-2-0)
25. Belle Glade, Fla., Glades Central (11-2-0)

Midwest Region
1. Cleveland, Ohio, St. Ignatius (8-3)
2. Louisville, Ky., Trinity (13-2-0)
3. Cincinnati, Ohio, St. Xavier (15-0-0)
4. Chicago, Ill., Mount Carmel (12-1-0)
5. Cleveland, Ohio, Glenville (10-3-0)
6. Park Ridge, Ill., Maine South (10-2-0)
7. Greenwood, Ind., Center Grove (9-2-0)
8. Hartland, Wis., Arrowhead (14-0-0)
9. Louisville, Ky., St. Xavier (14-1-0)
10. Carmel, Ind. (13-2-0)
11. Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Brother Rice (8-3-0)
12. Coldwater, Ohio (14-1-0)
13. Chicago, Ill., St. Rita (10-4-0)
14. Cincinnati, Ohio, Elder (7-4-0)
15. Carol Stream, Ill., Glenbard North (9-5-0)
16. Cincinnati, Ohio, Sycamore (9-2-0)
17. Cincinnati, Ohio, Moeller (8-3-0)
18. Indianapolis, Ind., Warren Central (8-4-0)
19. Cincinnati, Ohio, Colerain (12-1-0)
20. Lakewood, Ohio, St. Edward (4-5-0)
21. Palatine, Ill., Fremd (11-1-0)
22. Louisville, Ky., Male (10-3-0)
23. Mentor, Ohio (11-3-0)
24. Orchard Lake, Mich., St. Mary's (10-3-0)
25. Huber Heights, Ohio, Wayne (8-2-0)

Midlands Region
1. Kansas City, Mo., Rockhurst (13-0)
2. Provo, Utah, Timpview (13-0-0)
3. Aurora, Colo., Grandview (12-2-0)
4. Lakewood, Colo., Bear Creek (10-3-0)
5. Omaha, Neb., Creighton Prep (7-4-0)
6. Blue Springs, Mo., South (9-1-0)
7. Denver, Colo., Mullen (12-1-0)
8. Hutchinson, Kan. (13-0-0)
9. Cedar Falls, Iowa (11-1-0)
10. Eden Prairie, Minn. (14-0-0)
11. West Des Moines, Iowa, Valley (11-1-0)
12. St. Paul, Minn., Cretin-Derham Hall (13-1-0)
13. South Jordan, Utah, Bingham (11-2-0)
14. Omaha, Neb., Millard South (7-4-0)
15. Bettendorf, Iowa (13-0-0)
16. Sandy, Utah, Alta (13-1-0)
17. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Washington (8-3-0)
18. Littleton, Colo., Columbine (11-1-0)
19. St. Louis, Mo., SLUH (6-5-0)
20. Olathe, Kan., East (9-2-0)
21. Creve Coeur, Mo., DeSmet (8-3-0)
22. Castle Rock, Colo., Douglas County (11-3-0)
23. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Lake City (8-3-0)
24. Minnetonka, Minn. (5-5-0)
25. Pocatello, Idaho, Highland (7-3-0)

Southwest Region
1. Euless, Texas, Trinity (15-1)
2. Houston, Texas, North Shore (14-1-0)
3. Jenks, Okla. (13-1-0)
4. Plano, Texas (13-2-0)
5. Phoenix, Ariz., Desert Vista (9-5-0)
6. Tulsa, Okla., Union (13-1-0)
7. Allen, Texas (10-1-0)
8. Southlake, Texas, Carroll (11-2-0)
9. Lufkin, Texas (9-2-0)
10. Arlington, Texas, Bowie (12-2-0)
11. Chandler, Ariz., Hamilton (12-1-0)
12. Converse, Texas, Judson (11-5-0)
13. Abilene, Texas (13-2-0)
14. Odessa, Texas, Permian (12-1-0)
15. Phoenix, Ariz., Brophy (12-2-0)
16. Scottsdale, Ariz., Chaparral (10-3-0)
17. Fayetteville, Ark. (9-3-1)
18. Houston, Texas, Westfield (10-3-0)
19. Katy, Texas (16-0-0)
20. Austin, Texas, Lake Travis (15-1-0)
21. Dallas, Texas, Skyline (12-2-0)
22. Las Vegas, Nev., Bishop Gorman (14-0-0)
23. Pearcy, Ark., Lake Hamilton (12-1-0)
24. Pflugerville, Texas (12-4-0)
25. Houston, Texas, Eisenhower (8-4-0)

West Coast Region
1. Concord, Calif., De La Salle (13-0)
2. Corona, Calif., Centennial (13-2-0)
3. Orange, Calif., Lutheran (10-2-0)
4. Sammamish, Wash., Skyline (14-0-0)
5. Encino, Calif., Crespi (11-3-0)
6. Mission Viejo, Calif. (6-4-1)
7. Honolulu, Hawaii, Punahou (7-2-0)
8. Santa Ana, Calif., Mater Dei (9-2-0)
9. Oceanside, Calif. (13-1-0)
10. Long Beach, Calif., Poly (13-1-0)
11. Westlake Village, Calif., Oaks Christian (11-3-0)
12. Ventura, Calif., St. Bonaventure (14-1-0)
13. Los Alamitos, Calif. (7-3-0)
14. Lake Balboa, Calif., Birmingham (13-1-0)
15. Sherman Oaks, Calif., Notre Dame (8-3-0)
16. Newhall, Calif., Hart (12-1-1)
17. Bellevue, Wash. (11-2-0)
18. San Jose, Calif., Bellarmine Prep (10-2-0)
19. Eugene, Ore., Sheldon (13-1-0)
20. Lakewood, Calif. (7-4-0)
21. San Jose, Calif., Valley Christian (7-3-1)
22. Honolulu, Hawaii, St. Louis (11-1-0)
23. Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Tesoro (7-4-0)
24. Riverside, Calif., JW North (13-1-0)
25. Medford, Ore., South (8-3-0)

FEATS OF THE WEEK: A team from Texas has won the National Prep Poll title twice this decade, but defending Class 5A/I champion Euless, Trinity is the first from the Lone Star State to be ranked No. 1 at the start of the season. The Trojans are 89-16 in eight years under coach Steve Lineweaver and are 40-3 since the start of the 2005 season. Trinity has 11 total returning starters and four are committed to Big 12 universities. Kansas-bound seniors Earnest Norman, a linebacker, and Prinz Kande, a safety, have started since their freshman year. Cornerback Eryon Barnett (Texas) is another key performer on a suffocating defense that gave up less than 10 points a game last season. Nebraska-bound tailback Tray Robinson will carry the load in the Trojans' physical, ball-control offense. Four Texas teams have finished the season No. 1 since 1989, including back-to-back Prep Poll titles for Southlake, Carroll in 2004-05.

Past National Prep Poll champs, with records and coaches:
1987--Fontana, Calif. (14-0-0), Dick Bruich
1988--Prichard, Ala., Vigor (13-0-0), Harold Clark
1989--Odessa, Texas, Permian (16-0-0), Gary Gaines
1990--Aldine, Texas (15-0-0), Bill Smith
1991--Indianapolis, Ben Davis (14-0-0), Dick Dullaghan
1992--Valdosta, Ga. (14-0-0), Nick Hyder
1993--Cleveland, St. Ignatius (14-0-0), Chuck Kyle
1994--Concord, Calif., De La Salle (13-0-0), Bob Ladouceur
1995--Cleveland, St. Ignatius (14-0-0), Chuck Kyle
1996--Hampton, Va. (14-0-0), Mike Smith
1997--Hampton, Va. (13-0-0), Mike Smith
1998--Concord, Calif., De La Salle (12-0-0), Bob Ladouceur
1999--Shreveport, La., Evangel (15-0-0), Dennis Dunn
2000--Concord, Calif., De La Salle (13-0-0), Bob Ladouceur
2001--Concord, Calif., De La Salle (12-0-0), Bob Ladouceur
2002--Concord, Calif., De La Salle (13-0-0), Bob Ladouceur
2003--Concord, Calif., De La Salle (13-0-0), Bob Ladouceur
2004--Southlake, Texas, Carroll (16-0-0), Todd Dodge
2005--Southlake, Texas, Carroll (16-0-0), Todd Dodge
2006--Lakeland, Fla. (15-0-0), Bill Castle
2007--Cincinnati, St. Xavier (15-0-0), Steve Specht.
Copyright 2008 World Features Syndicate, Inc...endit

Have something to say about the first official national "human poll" to be released this prep football season? Leave your comments and interact with other readers by clicking here.

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About the National Prep Poll: Compiled weekly weekly since 1987 and distributed by World Features Syndicate and the Associated Press, the National Prep Poll is the nation's second oldest weekly high school sports rankings. Doug Huff of Student Sports compiled the rankings from 1987 until 1999. Jamie DeMoney has compiled the poll since the start of the 1999 basketball season until the present. The National Prep Poll is the only high school poll distributed to newspapers and Web sites around the United States by the Associated Press national wire service. The National Prep Poll is the first high school football and boys basketball poll to released in the preseason and during each week of the regular season. Criteria considered for the National Prep Poll rankings are strength of schedule, the ability to accomplish the ultimate goal on a team's schedule (i.e. winning a championship), impact players and performers, a team's coaching and recent tradition.

Jamie DeMoney has covered high school sports and recruiting for more than 15 years. He has compiled the National Prep Poll for World Features Syndicate and the Associated Press since 1999 and has also compiled high school rankings for Sporting News and RISE. DeMoney was managing editor of American Football Monthly and assistant national editor of All-State Sports/Highwired Sports. DeMoney is a graduate of the University of Iowa School of Journalism, and a member of the Football Writers Association of America and the United States Basketball Writers Association.