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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Repeat 5A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) gave the football-rich state of Florida its second National Prep Poll champion in three seasons.

The Raiders, who took over the No. 1 spot in the National Prep Poll rankings in September, capped a perfect 15-0 season with a resounding 56-7 defeat of then-unbeaten and 16th-ranked Lakeland. It was a fitting end to a dominant season that saw Aquinas hold opponents to an average of 7 points per game while scoring 47.

Elsewhere, the state of California had three teams in the final national Top 10 including No. 2 Corona Centennial, which avenged last year's state championship loss to regionally ranked Concord De La Salle. The Huskies defeated the Spartans, 21-16, in the Division I final.

Sacramento Grant moved from the regional rankings to No. 6 in the final national poll after beating No. 10 Long Beach Poly, 25-20, in the Open Division championship game.

Rounding out the final top five were Georgia 5A champion Camden County (Kingsland), Texas 5A/I titlist Allen, and 10-time Ohio state champion St. Ignatius (Cleveland).

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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 national Top 25 and PrepNation 101 rankings with expanded regional Top 25's follow with final won-loss-tie records:

= I saw this team on film during the season

# School Record Note LW

1. Fort Lauderdale, Fla., St. Thomas Aquinas 15-0 (Preseason rank: 5) repeat 5A state champ 1

2. Corona, Calif., Centennial 15-0 (9) captured Division I state title 5

3. Kingsland, Ga., Camden County 15-0 (54) won second 5A crown since '03 4

4. Allen, Texas 15-1 (36) avenged only loss and won 5A/I championship 10

5. Cleveland, Ohio, St. Ignatius 14-1 (11) avenged only loss and won 10th Division I title 8

6. Sacramento, Calif., Grant 14-0 (NR) beat No. 10 Poly for Open Division state crown NR

7. Chesapeake, Va., Oscar Smith 15-0 (14) Division 6 state titlist 6

8. Hampton, Va., Phoebus 15-0 (30) Division 5 champ, outscored foes 720-53 7

9. Duncan, S.C., Byrnes 14-1 (2) avenged only loss and earned sixth state title in seven years 9

10. Long Beach, Calif., Poly 14-1 (57) CIF-SS Pac-5 champion 2

11. Sammamish, Wash., Skyline 14-0 (17) second straight state title 11

12. Park Ridge, Ill., Maine South 14-0 (32) 8A state champion 12

13. Austin, Texas, Lake Travis 16-0 (NR) captured 4A/I state crown NR

14. Peoria, Ariz., Centennial 14-0 (NR) third straight 5A/II championship 13

15. Louisville, Ky., Trinity 14-1 (15) avenged only loss and won fourth consecutive state title 14

16. Destrehan, La. 14-0 (NR) back-to-back 5A champion 15

17. Tampa, Fla., Plant 14-1 (42) avenged only loss and won second 4A title in three years NR

18. Rock Hill, S.C., South Pointe 15-0 (50) won 4A/II title in only its third year 17

19. Tulsa, Okla., Union 13-1 (31) won fourth 6A title in seven years 18

20. Greenwood, Ind., Center Grove 14-1 (48) avenged only loss and won 5A title 19

21. Bethlehem, Pa., Liberty 15-1 (NR) avenged only loss and won 4A championship 20

22. Louisville, Ky., St. Xavier 12-1 (70) only loss to No. 15 Trinity 21

23. Cleveland, Ohio, Glenville 11-1 (28) went 1-1 against No. 5 St. Ignatius 22

24. Provo, Utah, Timpview 13-0 (45) three consecutive 4A titles 23

25. Euless, Texas, Trinity 13-1 (1) went 1-1 against No. 4 Allen NR

26. Ramsey, N.J., Don Bosco Prep 11-1 (20) won third straight state poll title 24

27. River Ridge, La., John Curtis 14-1 (66) 23-time state champ, only loss to No. 25 Trinity NR

28. Memphis, Tenn., Memphis University 13-0 (NR) Division 2-AA state titlist 25

29. Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Tesoro 13-1 (NR) lost in CIF-SS Pac-5 final to No. 10 Poly NR

30. Bellevue, Wash. 14-0 (NR) won sixth 3A title since 2001 NR

31. Ventura, Calif., St. Bonaventure 13-1 (61) repeat Division III state champ NR

32. Katy, Texas 13-3 (NR) won sixth state title since 1997 NR

33. Muskegon, Mich. 14-0 (NR) one of four state champs from Muskegon County, Mich. NR

34. Cincinnati, Ohio, Elder 13-2 (NR) Division I state runner-up, both losses to Top 5 teams NR

35. Prattville, Ala. 13-1 (19) won third straight 6A title NR

36. Greensboro, N.C., Dudley 16-0 (NR) 3AA champ, also beat 4AA champ Richmond this season NR

37. Missouri City, Texas, Hightower 13-1 (NR) lost in 5A/I state final to No. 4 Allen 3

38. Meridian, Miss. 14-1 (NR) won 5A state championship NR

39. Sanford, Fla., Seminole 13-2 (NR) beat No. 68 Northwestern for 6A title NR

40. Reno, Nev., McQueen 14-0 (NR) 4A state titlist NR

41. Jacksonville, Fla., Bolles 14-0 (NR) won record ninth state title NR

42. Batesville, Miss., South Panola 14-1 (4) 89-game win streak ended with OT loss in 5A state final NR

43. Seffner, Fla., Armwood 12-1 (8) went 1-1 against No. 17 Plant NR

44. Concord, Calif., De La Salle 12-2 (6) both losses to Top 30 teams NR

45. Westlake Village, Calif., Oaks Christian 14-0 (NR) won sixth consecutive CIF title NR

46. Mequon, Wis., Homestead 14-0 (NR) won second Division I state crown in three years NR

47. East St. Louis, Ill. 13-1 (NR) 7A state champion NR

48. Longview, Texas 13-3 (NR) both on-field losses to Top 25 teams NR

49. Honolulu, Hawaii, Punahou 12-1 (49) won Division I state title NR

50. Cincinnati, Ohio, Colerain 11-2 (NR) lost in double-OT to No. 34 Elder in Division I playoffs NR

51. Plymouth, Minn., Wayzata 13-0 (NR) captured 5A state title NR

52. Springdale, Ark., Shiloh Christian 13-1 (NR) 4A state champ, unbeaten vs. in-state foes NR

53. Round Rock, Texas, Stony Point 13-2 (NR) 2-point loser to No. 4 Allen in 5A/I state semis NR

54. San Jose, Calif., Bellarmine Prep 12-1 (NR) avenged only loss and won CIF-CCS title NR

55. Bethel Park, Pa. 15-1 (NR) only loss in OT for 4A state championship NR

56. Sandy Spring, Md., Sherwood 14-0 (NR) captured 4A state championship NR

57. Roebuck, S.C., Dorman 13-1 (97) went 1-1 against No. 9 Byrnes NR

58. Sandy, Utah, Alta 13-1 (NR) 5A state champ, only loss to No. 6 Grant NR

59. Carmel, Ind. 13-2 (71) went 1-1 against No. 20 Center Grove NR

60. Lansdale, Pa., North Penn 14-1 (NR) went 1-1 against No. 21 Liberty NR

61. Bentonville, Ark. 12-1 (NR) won 7A state crown NR

62. Suwanee, Ga., Peachtree Ridge 12-3 (NR) 5A state runner-up NR

63. West Lawn, Pa., Wilson 14-1 (NR) only loss in OT in 4A state semis NR

64. Houston, Texas, North Shore 9-1 (10) state-record 78 straight regular-season wins NR

65. Loganville, Ga., Grayson 13-1 (NR) held 10 opponents to seven points or less NR

66. West Des Moines, Iowa, Valley 14-0 (NR) won fourth Class 4A crown since '02 NR

67. Valdosta, Ga., Lowndes 12-1 (3) upset by No. 65 Grayson in 5A quarterfinals NR

68. Miami, Fla., Northwestern 12-3 (NR) made third straight trip to 6A state final NR

69. Beaverton, Ore., Southridge 12-2 (NR) won 6A state crown NR

70. Montvale, N.J., St. Joseph Regional 11-1 (NR) only loss to No. 26 Don Bosco NR

71. Clarksville, Md., River Hill 14-0 (NR) 28-game win streak, only 81 points allowed during streak NR

72. Medford, N.J., Shawnee 12-0 (NR) South Jersey Group 3 titlist NR

73. Orange, Calif., Lutheran 10-3 (16) CIF-SS Pac-5 semifinalist NR

74. Indianapolis, Ind., Cathedral 12-2 (NR) 4A state titlist NR

75. West Monroe, La. 13-1 (34) lost to No. 16 Destrehan in 5A final NR

76. Nashville, Tenn., Hillsboro 13-2 (NR) captured 4A state championship NR

77. Macon, Miss., Noxubee County 14-0 (NR) 4A state champ NR

78. Sherman Oaks, Calif., Notre Dame 11-1 (86) only loss to No. 73 Orange Lutheran NR

79. Jefferson Hills, Pa., Jefferson 15-1 (NR) 3A state champion NR

80. Denver, Colo., Mullen 12-2 (99) captured 5A state title NR

81. Wylie, Texas 13-3 (NR) Class 5A/II runner-up NR

82. San Diego, Calif., Cathedral Catholic 14-0 (NR) won state Division II crown NR

83. Omaha, Neb., Millard West 13-0 (NR) won Class A crown NR

84. Hoover, Ala. 13-2 (NR) both losses to Top 40 teams NR

85. Cedar Hill, Texas 12-2 (NR) both losses to Top 101 teams NR

86. Oceanside, Calif. 12-0-1 (55) won 9th CIF-SD section title NR

87. Jenks, Okla. 12-2 (12) both losses to No. 19 Union NR

88. Youngstown, Ohio, Ursuline 15-0 (NR) Division 5 state titlist NR

89. Glen Ellyn, Ill., Glenbard West 12-1 (NR) 7A state semifinalist NR

90. Chandler, Ariz., Hamilton 13-1 (63) won fourth state title in six years NR

91. Rockingham, N.C., Richmond 12-3-1 (NR) won seventh 4A state crown NR

92. Temecula, Calif., Chaparral 12-2 (NR) both losses by 16 combined points to No. 2 Centennial NR

93. Charleston, W.Va., South Charleston 14-0 (NR) Class AAA champion NR

94. Vienna, Va., Oakton 13-1 (NR) only loss in state semis to No. 7 Oscar Smith NR

95. Orchard Park, N.Y. 13-0 (NR) Class AA titlist NR

96. Wayne, N.J., Wayne Hills 12-0 (NR) closed season with 52-game win streak NR

97. Monroeville, Pa., Gateway 12-1 (7) WPIAL 4A finalist NR

98. Linwood, N.J., Mainland Regional 12-0 (NR) South Jersey Group 4 champ NR

99. Hyattsville, Md., DeMatha 10-2 (80) won sixth straight WCAC title NR

100. Las Cruces, N.M. 13-0 (NR) 5A state champ NR

101. Olney, Md., Good Counsel 11-1 (NR) went 1-1 against No. 99 DeMatha NR

Northeast Region
1. Bethlehem, Pa., Liberty (15-1) (1)
2. Ramsey, N.J., Don Bosco Prep (11-1) (2)
3. Bethel Park, Pa. (15-1) (3)
4. Lansdale, Pa., North Penn (14-1) (4)
5. West Lawn, Pa., Wilson (14-1) (5)
6. Montvale, N.J., St. Joseph Regional (11-1) (6)
7. Medford, N.J., Shawnee (12-0) (7)
8. Jefferson Hills, Pa., Jefferson (15-1) (8)
9. Orchard Park, N.Y. (13-0) (9)
10. Wayne, N.J., Wayne Hills (12-0) (10)
11. Monroeville, Pa., Gateway (12-1) --
12. Linwood, N.J., Mainland Regional (12-0) --
13. Boston, Mass., Boston College High (11-1) --
14. New Rochelle, N.Y., Iona Prep (12-0) --
15. New Canaan, Conn. (13-0) --
16. Amherst, N.Y., Sweet Home (13-0) --
17. State College, Pa. (12-1) --
18. Duxbury, Mass. (13-0) --
19. McKeesport, Pa. (9-3) --
20. Philadelphia, Pa., Malvern (10-0) --
21. Oradell, N.J., Bergen Catholic (9-3) --
22. New Wilmington, Pa., Wilmington (15-1) --
23. Walpole, Mass. (13-0) --
24. Piscataway, N.J. (11-1) --
25. Somerville, N.J., Immaculata (10-2) --

East Coast Region
1. Chesapeake, Va., Oscar Smith (15-0) (1)
2. Hampton, Va., Phoebus (15-0) (2)
3. Duncan, S.C., Byrnes (14-1) (3)
4. Rock Hill, S.C., South Pointe (15-0) (4)
5. Greensboro, N.C., Dudley (16-0) (5)
6. Sandy Spring, Md., Sherwood (14-0) (6)
7. Roebuck, S.C., Dorman (13-1) (7)
8. Clarksville, Md., River Hill (14-0) (8)
9. Rockingham, N.C., Richmond (12-3-1) (9)
10. Charleston, W.Va., South Charleston (14-0) (10)
11. Vienna, Va., Oakton (13-1) --
12. Hyattsville, Md., DeMatha (10-2) --
13. Olney, Md., Good Counsel (11-1) --
14. Norfolk, Va., Lake Taylor (12-1) --
15. Ashburn, Va., Stone Bridge (13-1) --
16. Charlotte, N.C., Independence (13-1) --
17. Towson, Md., Loyola Blakefield (11-0) --
18. Gaithersburg, Md., Quince Orchard (10-2) --
19. Ashburn, Va., Broad Run (14-0) --
20. Fayetteville, N.C., Britt (14-2) --
21. Fayetteville, N.C., Seventy-First (14-2) --
22. Rock Hill, S.C., Northwestern (13-2) --
23. Dinwiddie, Va. (12-2) --
24. Ijamsville, Md., Linganore (13-1) --
25. Camden, Del., Rodney (11-1) --

Southeast Region
1. Fort Lauderdale, Fla., St. Thomas Aquinas (15-0) (1)
2. Kingsland, Ga., Camden County (15-0) (2)
3. Destrehan, La. (14-0) (3)
4. Tampa, Fla., Plant (14-1) (6)
5. River Ridge, La., John Curtis (14-1) (7)
6. Memphis, Tenn., Memphis University (13-0) (5)
7. Prattville, Ala. (13-1) (8)
8. Meridian, Miss. (14-1) (9)
9. Sanford, Fla., Seminole (13-2) --
10. Jacksonville, Fla., Bolles (14-0) --
11. Batesville, Miss., South Panola (14-1) --
12. Seffner, Fla., Armwood (12-1) --
13. Suwanee, Ga., Peachtree Ridge (12-3) --
14. Loganville, Ga., Grayson (13-1) --
15. Valdosta, Ga., Lowndes (12-1) --
16. Miami, Fla., Northwestern (12-3) (10)
17. West Monroe, La. (13-1) --
18. Nashville, Tenn., Hillsboro (13-2) --
19. Macon, Miss., Noxubee County (14-0) --
20. Hoover, Ala. (13-2) --
21. Lakeland, Fla. (14-1) (4)
22. Pensacola, Fla., Pine Forest (12-1) --
23. Prichard, Ala., Vigor (15-0) --
23. Murfreesboro, Tenn., Oakland (14-1) --
25. Warner Robins, Ga., Northside (10-2) --

Midwest Region
1. Cleveland, Ohio, St. Ignatius (14-1) (1)
2. Park Ridge, Ill., Maine South (14-0) (2)
3. Louisville, Ky., Trinity (14-1) (3)
4. Greenwood, Ind., Center Grove (14-1) (4)
5. Louisville, Ky., St. Xavier (12-1) (5)
6. Cleveland, Ohio, Glenville (11-1) (6)
7. Muskegon, Mich. (14-0) (7)
8. Cincinnati, Ohio, Elder (13-2) (8)
9. Mequon, Wis., Homestead (14-0) (9)
10. East St. Louis, Ill. (13-1) (10)
11. Cincinnati, Ohio, Colerain (11-2) --
12. Carmel, Ind. (13-2) --
13. Indianapolis, Ind., Cathedral (12-2) --
14. Youngstown, Ohio, Ursuline (15-0) --
15. Glen Ellyn, Ill., Glenbard West (12-1) --
16. Cincinnati, Ohio, Moeller (6-5) --
17. Cincinnati, Ohio, St. Xavier (4-6) --
18. Strongsville, Ohio (11-2) --
19. Hartland, Wis., Arrowhead (13-1) --
20. Rockford, Mich. (13-1) --
21. Hinsdale, Ill., Central (11-3) --
22. Indianapolis, Ind., Ben Davis (10-4) --
23. Mentor, Ohio (9-3) --
24. Fort Thomas, Ky., Highlands (14-1) --
25. Lowell, Mich. (11-1) --

Midlands Region
1. Provo, Utah, Timpview (13-0) (1)
2. Plymouth, Minn., Wayzata (13-0) (2)
3. Sandy, Utah, Alta (13-1) (4)
4. West Des Moines, Iowa, Valley (14-0) (3)
5. Denver, Colo., Mullen (12-2) (5)
6. Omaha, Neb., Millard West (13-0) (6)
7. Junction City, Kan. (13-0) (7)
8. Murray, Utah, Cottonwood (13-1) (8)
9. Florissant, Mo., Hazelwood Central (12-2) (9)
10. Pocatello, Idaho, Highland (10-2) (10)
11. Blue Springs, Mo., South (11-3) --
12. Kansas City, Mo., Rockhurst (10-2) --
13. Greenwood Village, Colo., Cherry Creek (11-3) --
14. Aurora, Colo., Grandview (11-1) --
15. Blaine, Minn. (11-2) --
16. Hutchinson, Kan. (11-2) --
17. South Jordan, Utah, Bingham (11-3) --
18. Omaha, Neb., Millard South (9-4) --
19. Littleton, Colo., Columbine (11-2) --
20. Sioux City, Iowa, Heelan (14-0) --
21. St. Paul, Minn., Cretin-Derham Hall (12-1) --
22. Cedar Falls, Iowa (12-2) --
23. Webb City, Mo. (15-0) --
24. Jefferson City, Mo. (9-3) --
25. Eden Prairie, Minn. (11-1) --

Southwest Region
1. Allen, Texas (15-1) (2)
2. Austin, Texas, Lake Travis (16-0) (6)
3. Peoria, Ariz., Centennial (14-0) (3)
4. Tulsa, Okla., Union (13-1) (4)
5. Euless, Texas, Trinity (13-1) (5)
6. Katy, Texas (13-3) (7)
7. Missouri City, Texas, Hightower (13-1) (1)
8. Reno, Nev., McQueen (14-0) (8)
9. Longview, Texas (13-3) --
10. Springdale, Ark., Shiloh Christian (13-1) --
11. Round Rock, Texas, Stony Point (13-2) --
12. Bentonville, Ark. (12-1) (9)
13. Houston, Texas, North Shore (9-1) --
14. Wylie, Texas (13-3) --
15. Cedar Hill, Texas (12-2) --
16. Jenks, Okla. (12-2) --
17. Chandler, Ariz., Hamilton (13-1) --
18. Las Cruces, N.M. (13-0) (10)
19. Plano, Texas (10-2) --
20. Southlake, Texas, Carroll (8-3) --
21. Tulsa, Okla., Booker T. Washington (13-1) --
22. Scottsdale, Ariz., Saguaro (14-0) --
23. Katy, Texas, Cinco Ranch (11-2) --
24. Las Vegas, Nev., Palo Verde (14-1) --
25. Little Rock, Ark., Pulaski (13-1) --

West Coast Region
1. Corona, Calif., Centennial (15-0) (2)
2. Sacramento, Calif., Grant (14-0) (9)
3. Long Beach, Calif., Poly (14-1) (1)
4. Sammamish, Wash., Skyline (14-0) (3)
5. Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Tesoro (13-1) (4)
6. Bellevue, Wash. (14-0) (5)
7. Ventura, Calif., St. Bonaventure (13-1) (6)
8. Concord, Calif., De La Salle (12-2) (7)
9. Westlake Village, Calif., Oaks Christian (14-0) (8)
10. Honolulu, Hawaii, Punahou (12-1) (10)
11. San Jose, Calif., Bellarmine Prep (12-1) --
12. Beaverton, Ore., Southridge (12-2) --
13. Orange, Calif., Lutheran (10-3) --
14. Sherman Oaks, Calif., Notre Dame (11-1) --
15. San Diego, Calif., Cathedral Catholic (14-0) --
16. Oceanside, Calif. (12-0-1) --
17. Temecula, Calif., Chaparral (12-2) --
18. Santa Ana, Calif., Mater Dei (8-4) --
19. Pittsburg, Calif. (11-2) --
20. Lakewood, Calif. (6-7) --
21. Mission Viejo, Calif. (10-2) --
22. Anaheim, Calif., Servite (7-4) --
23. San Jose, Calif., Valley Christian (10-3) --
24. Harbor City, Calif., Narbonne (12-1-1) --
25. Lake Oswego, Ore. (12-1) --

Dropped out: None

FEATS OF THE WEEK: For the second time in three years, Florida is home to the top-ranked team in the final National Prep Poll of the season. Repeat 5A state champion Fort Lauderdale, Aquinas clobbered previously unbeaten and No. 16-ranked Lakeland, 56-7, before more than 9,000 fans at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando. It was the 12th state finals appearance in 18 seasons for the Raiders, who lost the game to Lakeland -- Florida's last Prep Poll champion (2006) -- three consecutive times in 2004-06. Aquinas' resounding victory capped one of the most dominant seasons ever by a Prep Poll champion. It began Labor Day weekend at the Kirk Herbstreit Classic in Cincinnati, where the Raiders beat eventual Ohio Division I runner-up Cincinnati, Elder, 35-24. Aquinas then won its next 14 games against Florida opponents by an average margin of 48-7. No fewer than six Aquinas seniors are expected to sign with Division I colleges, including receiver Duron Carter (Ohio St.) and linebacker Conor O'Neill (Wisconsin). It was Aquinas' fifth state championship and 19th season with 10 or more wins under coach George Smith, who is now 333-65-0 in 33 years.

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
2008--Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Aquinas (15-0-0), George Smith.

Have something to say about the final National Prep Poll of the football season? Leave your comments and interact with poll editor Jamie DeMoney and other readers by clicking here.

*****

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 ESPN RISE compiled the rankings from 1987 until 1999. Jamie DeMoney has compiled the poll since the start of the 1999 basketball season. 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 football and basketball rankings for Sporting News and RISE. DeMoney was managing editor of American Football Monthly and assistant national editor of All-Stater 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.