12 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) made the biggest splash in the Elite 25 after not being ranked in the preseason. South Panola (Batesville, Miss.) captured its fifth consecutive large school (Class 5A) state championship under first-year coach Lance Pogue, while De La Salle advanced to its second straight state final and won a 16-straight sectional title. Centennial advanced to the Division I state title game but fell to No. 19 Birmingham (Lake Balboa) - won sectional titles. California and Florida each contributed four teams. Thirteen schools from the Southland Region were ranked, showing the dominance of that section of the country. The teams combined for 20 state championships, with nine successfully defending their crowns. Northwestern won, 29-21, earning acclaim before a national audience on ESPNU.įourteen teams which appeared in the Elite 25 preseason rankings are in the final rankings, including the current top 11 teams. In September, the Bulls traveled to Texas for a highly-anticipated game against then-No. The Bulls punctuated their second straight undefeated season cruising to the Class 6A state title. 1 in the ESPN HIGH Elite 25 high school football rankings, for going coast to coast this season.
