The High School Football Huddle

The Maxwell Football Club Names Pennsylvania Player as its National Player of the Year

2012-01-25T14:22:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Ohio State recruit Noah Spence of Bishop McDevitt High School (Pennsylvania) has been named the fifth winner of The Maxwell Football Club's National High School Player of the Year Award.

Spence had a great senior season that saw him lead his school to Pennsylvania Class AAA championship game. The 6-4, 240-pound defensive end recorded 108 tackles with 12-and-a-half sacks, plus 27 tackles for losses.

Spence joins past winners DeVier Posey (Cincinnati LaSalle, OH), Jamarkus McFarland (Lufkin, TX), Sharrif Floyd (George Washington, Philadelphia, PA) and Jeff Driskel (Hagerty HS, Orlando, FL)

Former NFL Quarterback Jon Kitna Reportedly In-line for High School Job

2012-01-24T09:16:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

According to KING-5 TV, 15-year NFL veteran quarterback Jon Kitna will be named the new head football coach at Lincoln High School in Tacaoma, Washington later this week.

Kitna was a three-sport athlete at Lincoln, playing football, basketball and baseball.

In the NFL, Kitna played with Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit and Seattle. In 141 games, he passed for nearly 30,000 yards and 169 touchdowns.

Kitna is the second former QB to take a high school head coaching job in the past week. Shane Matthews accepted the job at Tim Tebow's alma mater, Nease High School in Florida last week.

Last season, Lincoln was 4-6 under Michael Merrill.

Tim Tebow's High School Hires Former NFL Quarterback

2012-01-16T11:46:00.001-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Two days after Tim Tebow's NFL season came to an end, a new chapter opened at his high school.

Former NFL quarterback Shane Matthews has been named the new head coach at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida.

Matthews, who played with several teams including the Chicago Bears during a 14-year NFL career, takes over for Danny Cowgill after he wasn't brought back after a 4-6 season in 2011.

This will be the former University of Florida star's first head coaching position in high school.

Last year, another former NFL QB, Gus Frerotte took-over the reigns of John Burroughs in Missouri. Frerotte led his school to a runner-up finish in Class 3.

Don Beebe, the former Buffalo Bill and Green Bay Packer, led Aurora Christian to an Illinois Class 3A state title in 2011.

Click here to listen to my interview with both Beebe and Fererotte on the December 1st High School Football America radio show.

Brother Rice's Al Fracassa 2011 High School Football America Coach of the Year

2012-01-16T11:03:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

With over 50 years coaching experience and 400+ victories, it's hard to say if Brother Rice's (Michigan) Al Fracassa could say one season is better than the other. But, there's no doubt that 2011 has to rank high on his list.

After a 4-4 start, the state's all-time winningest head coach went on a six-game win streak to capture Michigan's Division 2 state championship. That championship, his seventh overall, coupled with winning his 400th game led to Coach Fracassa being chosen as High School Football America's 2011 Coach of the Year.

Fracassa is the tenth coach in America to win 400 games.

Fracassa was selected over finalists Bob Beatty of Trinity (Kentucky) and Hank Carter of Lake Travis (Texas)

Before the start of the 2011 season, I spoke with Coach Fracassa on the High School Football America radio show. Click here to listen to that interview.

Johnathan Gray Named High School Football America's Player of the Year

2012-01-16T10:38:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

All three of our finalists were deserving of being called the first-ever High School Football America Player of the Year, but in the end Aledo High School's (Texas) Johnathan Gray's three consecutive state titles paved the way to him being named our top player in 2011.

Gray, who set the national record for touchdowns in a career with 205, beat-out Kenton (Ohio) quarterback Maty Mauk and wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham of Hillcrest (Missouri) for the national honor.

The University of Texas recruit finished his career with 10,908 yards, which was just 330 yards shy of the all-time national rushing record.

Click here to listen to my interview with Gray back in October on the High School Football America radio show.

Mullen High School (Colorado) Fires former NFLer Dave Logan as Head Coach

2012-01-12T17:29:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Dave Logan will be in his usual position as the radio play-by-play voice of Denver Broncos on Saturday when Tim Tebow and Company try to dispatch of the New England Patriots in the NFL playoffs. However, his position as head coach of the Mullen High School (Colorado) football team is another story.

Logan, who is considered one of Colorado's all-time greatest athletes, has been dismissed as the school's head coach after winning four Class 5A titles since 2003. Published reports indicate that the former NFL wide receiver with the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos, was let go because school officials would like to have a coach who was in the school on a full-time basis.

Logan, who has amassed a record of 201-43 at three (Mullen, Chatfield and Aravada West) different high schools in 19 years as a high school head coach, has many business interests outside of Mullen, including a daily afternoon talk show on KOA-850 AM.

As a senior at Wheat Ridge High School, Logan was named the Denver Post's Golden Helmet winner, an award that is given to Colorado's top senior football player, scholar and citizen. He was a two-sport letter winner at the University of Colorado before being drafted by three professional sports league...the NBA, MLB and NFL.

Logan led Mullen to three straight 5A titles from 2008 through 2010. This past season, Mullen had a 34-game win streak snapped.

Mullen's top player, quarterback Cyler Miles, was just named co-player of the game at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Miles will play at the University of Washington in the fall.

No replacement has been named for Logan.

West Tops East, but Recruiting Announcement Still Take Center Stage

2012-01-08T12:48:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

The granddaddy of national all-star high school football games was won by the West All-Stars 24-12, but ahead of the final score at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl is - which college team won the recruiting game.

Fourteen players announced their verbal commitments Saturday during the nationally-televised game in the Alamodome in San Antonio.

If you were keeping score, the University of California won with three recruits; Louisville and Miami finished second with two players each.

On the field, Mullen High's (Colorado) Cyler Miles and Dorial Green-Beckham of Hillcrest High School in Missouri, who Rivals.com ranks as the nation's top recruit, hooked-up on the longest touchdown pass in the history of the all-star contest. The 79-yard catch-and-run by Green-Beckham in the second quarter was the key play that led to the players share the game's MVP honors.

Miles, who last year gave his verbal to Washington, finished 7-of-8 for 155 yards and that one touchdown. He also ran for a touchdown in the first quarter. Green-Beckham caught two passes in the game for 88 yards.

The game was played before a crowd of 39,011 fans, which set a record.

Below is the players who gave their verbals on Saturday:

QB Anthony Alford (Petal HS, MS): Southern Miss
LB Keith Brown (Norland HS, FL): Louisville
DE Jonathan Bullard (Shelby, N.C.): Florida
S Deon Bush (Columbus HS, FL): Miami
LB Nick Dawson (Phillip O. Berry, NC): Louisville
S Jordan Diggs (Briar Wood HS, VA): South Carolina
DT Ellis McCarthy (Monrovia HS, CA): California
DE Tyriq McCord (Jefferson HS, FL): Miami
LB Brian Nance (Euless Trinity, TX): Baylor
WR Jordan Payton (Oak Christian, CA): California
RB Barry J. Sanders (Heritage Hall, OK): Stanford
CB Kevon Seymour (Muir HS, CA): Southern Cal
S Elijah Shumate (Don Bosco Prep, NJ): Notre Dame
DB Shaq Thompson (Grant HS, CA): California

Just remember, none of this is official until National Letter of Intent Signing Day on February 1st.

Listen to U.S. Army All-American Bowl West Head Coach Tony Severino on High School Football America

2012-01-07T10:10:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is the granddaddy of all national high school all-star football games.

90 of America's best are facing-off in the Alamodome in San Antonio in front of 30,000-plus fans and a national television audience on NBC.

I spoke with Rockhurst High School (Missouri) head coach Tony Severino, who is the head coach of the West All-Stars, on Thursday's High School Football America radio show.

Click here to listen to that interview.

Team Blur Beats Team Highlight in Under Armour All-America Game

2012-01-06T08:23:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Team Blur lived-up to its name in dispatching of Team Highlight in Thursday night's Under Armour All-America Game in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Team Blur, behind quarterback Jameis Winston (Hueytown HS, Alabama) and wide receiver Amari Cooper (Northwestern HS, Florida), used its talent and speed on offense, defense and special teams to win the game 49-16.

Winston, who was named the game's MVP, was 8-of-9 in the passing department for 178 yards and two touchdowns. Winston has given his verbal commitment to Florida State.

Cooper scored two touchdowns - one on a 75-yard pass from from Winston; the other on a 93-yard punt return.

On defense Team Blur was led by Cyrus Jones and Brian Poole. Jones, who gave his verbal commitment to Alabama during the game, had a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown. Poole scored on a 93-yard interception return.

West Wins Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl on 4th Quarter FG

2012-01-04T11:24:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

It’s a busy week for many of the nation’s top high school football recruits with three national all-star football games being played across America.

The first, and the newest, the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl was played Tuesday night at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.

The West All-Stars beat the East All-Stars 17-14 in the inaugural game that was televised by the CBS Sports Network.

The game, which was played with a running clock in the second half because of television time constraints, came down to a 46-yard field goal by Marshall Morgan of Archbishop McCarthy High School (Florida) with 5:30 left in the game.

It was a back-and-forth contest in the first half with all of the game’s touchdowns being scored before the break.

The East took a 7-0 lead on a 47-yard touchdown pass from Phillip Nelson of Mankato West High School (Minnesota) to JaQuay Williams of Sandy Creek High School (Georgia).

The West tied the game at seven when Washington recruit Jeff Lindquist of Mercer Island (Washington) tossed a 14-yard touchdown pass to Jaydon Mickens of Dorsey High (California). Lindquist then gave the West a 14-7 lead on a touchdown toss to Corey Batey of Ensworth High (Tennessee).

The teams entered the halftime locker rooms tied at 14, thanks to a 9-yard TD pass from Nick Patti of Dr. Phillips High School (Florida) to Maxx Williams of Waconia High (Minnesota). The score was set-up by a 53-yard kickoff return by Donaldven Manning of Miami Central (Florida).

Dorsey’s Mickens was named the game’s MVP.

Still to come this week is the Under Armour All-America game Thursday night in St. Petersburg, Florida. The game will be televised on ESPN with former NFL head coaches Herm Edwards and Steve Mariucci coaching the high school stars.

On Saturday, the granddaddy of national all-star football games will be played in San Antonio. The 12th annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl will be played in the Alamodome and will be broadcast on NBC.

Gray, Green-Beckham and Mauk Finalists for High School Football America Player of the Year Award

2012-01-02T13:08:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

It would be an understatement to say 2011 was a record-breaking year for high school football.

Thanks to the arms and legs of quarterback Maty Mauk of Kenton High School (Ohio), Aledo High School (Texas) running back Jonathan Gray and Hillcrest High School (Missouri) wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, several major national offensive records fell by the wayside.

As a result of their incredible senior seasons, those three are finalists for the first annual High School Football America National Player of the Year Award.

Mauk, who’s given his verbal commitment to play at Missouri next year, set four national passing records 2011, plus he also became the nation’s all-time total offense leader with 22,681 yards during his four-year career as a starter for the Wildcats.

The 6-2, 195-pound Mauk holds the national career record for passing yards (18,932), touchdowns (219), passing attempts (2,110) and completions (1,353). Interestingly, his brother Ben, who served as his younger brother’s quarterback coach the past two seasons, previously held three of Maty’s new records.

In 2011, Mauk passed for 5,413 yards and 68 touchdowns, plus ran for 1,768 and 24 scores.

So where do the Mauks rank against the famous Manning family?

Ben and Maty combined to throw for 36,296 yards, while Peyton and Eli are nearly 22,000 yards behind with 14,596. The Mauks also are head-and-shoulder above the Mannings in touchdown passes with 397 to 181.

In Texas, Gray of capped his incredible four-year career leading his school to its third straight Texas state title. In his final game, Gray scored his 205th touchdown to become the country’s all-time leading touchdown-maker.

Gray, who has given his verbal to the University of Texas, also challenged the nation’s all-time rushing mark set by Ken Hall of Sugar Land High School (Texas). Gray finished with 10,908 yards, 330 yards shy of Hall’s record of 11,232 yards.

Round out the record breakers is Green-Beckham, who many recruiting services rank as the nation’s top recruit. Green-Beckham set the national record for receiving yards with 6,356 yards.

This year the 6-6, 225-pound wide receiver caught 119 passes for 2,233 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Tune-in to Thursday night's High School Football America radio show to find-out who wins our National Player of the Year Award. The show airs LIVE starting at 7 PM Eastern Time.

Click here to listen.

Friday Night High School Football Scoreboard - December 9, 2011

2011-12-09T19:50:00.000-08:00

Friday Night Championship High School Football Scores
December 9, 2011

Arkansas Championships

3A
Charleston 31 Barton 10

Florida Championships

2A
North Florida Christian 69 Admiral Farragut 0

1A
Jefferson County 47 Chipley

Georgia Championships

AAAA
Tucker 22 Lovejoy 7

AA
Calhoun 27 Buford 24 (OT)

Louisiana Championships

4A
Neville 27 Edna Karr 6

1A
Ouchita Christian 23 West St. John 7

Pennsylvania Semifinals

AAA
Archbishop Wood 70 Allentown Central Catholic 14
Bishop McDevitt 41 Montour 32

A
Southern Columbia 37 Penns Manor 6
Clairton 30 Sharpsville 8

Texas

Class 3A Division I Championship

Tyler Chapel Hill 20, Alvarado 19

Semis

Class 4A Division I

Hewitt Midway 51, Tyler 20

Lake Travis 35, Pearland Dawson 14

Class 4A Division II

Aledo 68, Corsicana 28

Class 3A Division II

Argyle 34, Monahans 14

Wimberley 21, Coldspring-Oakhurst 14

Class 2A Division I

Hempstead 21, Tatum 14

Melissa 49, Muleshoe 36

Class 2A Division II

Cisco 35, Corsicana Mildred 28

Refugio 63, Lexington 33

Class 1A Division I

Mason 46, Garrison 14

Stamford 47, Mart 28

Class 1A Division II

Munday 62, Wellington 22

Tenaha 63, Burton 28

Championship Streaks & Great Turnarounds on High School Football America Radio Show

2011-12-09T19:29:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

If you missed last night's High School Football America radio show, it's now available free in our archives.

The show was an interesting one as we talked with one coach who is looking to make Texas football history and two coaches discussing incredible turnarounds.

Lake Travis head coach Hank Carter joined me to talk about his team's drive to make Texas football history by winning its fifth straight championship.

The Cavaliers, on a 20-game win streak and ranked #16 by MaxPreps, face Pearland Dawson tonight in the Class 4A Division I semifinals in the Alamodome.

Lake Travis hasn't lost a playoff game since November, 2006.

Also on the show: Bob Buckel, head coach at Powers Catholic (Flint, Michigan) and Harold Fairclough, head coach at Allentown Central Catholic (Pennsylvania).

Buckel's team went from 1-8 last year and a 2-4 start this year to win the Michigan Division 5 championship on Thanksgiving weekend.

Fairclough has brought the defending 3A state champs back to the Pennsylvania semifinals after a 2-5 start. Allentown Central Catholic needs to beat #1 Archbishop Wood tonight to head back to Hershey next weekend.

Click here to listen to last night's show.

Fourth Time is the Charm for Calhoun Against #9 Buford in Georgia AA Championship

2011-12-09T18:51:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

After three straight losses to Buford in Georgia's AA championship games, Calhoun broken through on Friday with a 27-24 overtime win over the Wolves.

Calhoun, which captured its first state title since 1952, almost lost its fourth straight title game to Bufrod when it squandered a 24-10 lead with two minutes to play. Buford tied the game with 39 seconds to go in regulation when Dillon Lee returned a blocked punt for a TD.

Calhoun beat the Wolves, ranked #9 by MaxPreps, in the first overtime when Adam Griffith kicked his third field goal of the night.

Last year's game also when to overtime before Buford won 31-24.

California QB Becomes 1st in State to Top 5,000 Yards Passing in Single Season

2011-12-04T07:15:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher

High School Football America

Folsom (California) quarterback Tanner Trosin's career came to an end Saturday in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II championship game, but not before becoming California's best all-time passer and all-purpose player.

Trosin became the first quarterback in state history to top the 5,000 yard passing mark in a single-season with 407 yards in the Bulldogs 39-35 loss to Vacaville. Trosin ended the season with 5,185 yards passing. He also rushed for 101 yards on Saturday to become the state's single-season leader in all-purpose yards with 6,349 yards this season. The senior also ended this year with 69 touchdowns; 49 passing and 20 rushing.

Vacaville improved to 13-1 and now has to sit back and wait for next Sunday when the state's ten section commissioners will be on the state bowl teams. Folsom finishes 8-3 this season.

#3 Gaffney Upset by Byrnes in South Carolina Title Game

2011-12-03T19:38:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Byrnes did it again in the South Carolina Class AAAA Division I championship game.

Last season, the Rebels won the state title by avenging a regular season defeat by beating the #1 team in the state in the championship game.

Like Dorman last year, Gaffney, ranked #3 nationally by MaxPreps, felt the sting of payback in a 31-24 championship game loss. Gaffney beat Byrnes 35-13 on September 16th.

The key in Saturday's win was Byrnes scoring two defensive touchdowns. Skip Barnes scored on a 30-yard interception return; Melvin Armstrong scored on a 60-yard fumble recovery.

Gaffney quarterback Joey Copeland threw for 358 yards and two touchdowns.

The title was the 12th overall for Byrnes and eight in the past 10 seasons.

On October 27th, I spoke with Gaffney head coach Dan Jones on the High School Football America radio show about how tough it is to win a South Carolina state championship, because you usually see the same top teams twice in the season.

Click here to listen to the interview with Coach Jones.

Championship Saturday

2011-12-03T12:33:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

There's gold in those states!

Plenty of championship trophies to be handed-out today around this great country. Below are links to the states, so as the scores come-in to the High School Football America score center.

Click on the links below to see if your favorite team won a state title or is moving-on to the next round.

Championship Scores
Saturday, December 3, 2011

New Jersey Championship Scoreboard
Ohio Championship Scoreboard
Rhode Island Championship Scoreboard
South Carolina Championship Scoreboard

Quarterfinal Scores
Saturday, December 3, 2011

Pennsylvania Scores

Don Bosco Prep (New Jersey) Wins 46th Straight...and Probably "Mythical" National Championship

2011-12-03T07:01:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

There was a lot of hopes in Kentucky and South Carolina that #1 Don Bosco Prep would trip-up against its arch-rival Bergen Catholic in the New Jersey Non-Public Group IV championship.

A loss by the Ironmen would open the door for #2 Trinity (Kentucky) and #3 Gaffney (South Carolina) to have a shot at claiming MaxPreps' "mythical" national championship. Of course, both would have to grab gold this weekend themselves.

Well, DBP wasted no time showing why it deserves its second national title in three years. Head coach Greg Toal's team never struggled like it did in its September 30th regular season match-up against BC, rolling to a 42-14 win, which gave the school its sixth straight state title and pushed its win streak to 46 straight.

In the September 30th game, Bergen Catholic took a one-point lead into the fourth quarter before losing 33-22.

BTW...Trinity did its part by beating Scott County 62-21 Friday night to capture Kentucky's 6A title. This afternoon, Gaffney will take-on Byrnes for South Carolina's Class AAAA Division I title.

Click here to read the game story from last night's DBP victory.

Friday Night High School Football Scoreboard - December 2, 2011

2011-12-02T20:28:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

There's nothing like the energy of state tournament football!

As I mentioned earlier in the day, I was in Pennsylvania for the showdown between two top-notch Class A teams. Pius X and Southern Columbia both entered their quarterfinal match-up with identical 12-1 records, with both schools' losses coming at the hands of bigger schools.

Pius lost to Quad-A University Prep in Week 6, while SC lost to Double-A Mount Carmel. University advanced to the first round of the 4A state tourney, while Mount Carmel has a meeting with Lancaster Catholic in Saturday's AA quarters.

Pius X raced-out to a 19-7 second quarter lead behind sophomore quarterback A.J. Long's 44th and 45th touchdown passes this season. But, after that, it was all Southern Columbia. The Tigers outscored the Royals 48-6 the rest of the way to advance to the state semifinals with 55-25 victory.

Southern Columbia, which is now 6-0 all-time against Pius, is going after its 7th state title in 22 years since Pennsylvania began playing for state titles.

Below, you can check-out all of the scores from around the country as they come-in to the High School Football America score center.

Friday Night High School Football Scores
December 2, 2011

Alabama Scores
Florida Scores
Ohio Scores
Pennsylvania Scores
Texas Scores

Another Weekend of Championships

2011-12-02T11:59:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

I hate to write this, but only three weeks remain in the 2011 high school football season. However, it's three really good weeks of football as these are the biggest games of the season!

Whether it's championship games in states like Alabama, Kentucky, New Jersey North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina; semifinal games in California and Georgia; or quarterfinal match-ups in Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas - these are BIG games!!

I'll be in Pennsylvania tonight to continue my documentary Roseto's Royals as I film Pius X's showdown with state powerhouse Southern Columbia. The Royals, one of the smallest 11-man programs in America, are looking for their first-ever state championship.

Southern Columbia is one of the top small-school programs in the country. Since Pennsylvania instituted state playoffs, the Tigers have played in 12 of the 21 state championship games. Southern Columbia has won six state titles, including five-in-a-row from 2002 through 2006.

Pius, behind a high-octane offense led by sophomore A.J. Long, who has passed for over 6,100 yards in 25 games, is averaging over 44 points a game and looking for revenge. These two have met five times in the postseason with Southern Columbia winning all five.

The last time these two met in 2004 with the Tigers winning a shootout 76-47 behind current New York Giants fullback Henry Hynoski, who had 409 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Southern Columbia rushed for 768 yards as a team, which at the time was a national single-game record.

I expect this one to be a dandy with points aplenty going-up on the scoreboard.

We'll have all of the scores posted tonight once I return from the Pius-SC game.

In the meantime, check-out this cool photo I took today while visiting my grandparents' gravesite in Easton.

You know I love to brag about the hometown passion that goes into Pennsylvania football, but even I had to double-take when I saw an Easton Red Rover t-shirt on a tombstone.

'Til death do us part...or maybe not! :-)

Happy Friday Night everyone!!

Former NFLers Having Success as High School Football Coaches

2011-12-01T18:41:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Last weekend was a special one for two former NFL players, who as high school head coaches, took their respective programs to state championship games.

Former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Don Beebe led Aurora Christian to its first-ever state title beating Mount Carmel 34-7 to win the Illinois Class 3A championship. In Missouri, former Pro Bowl quarterback Gus Frerotte, in his first year as head coach at John Burroughs, led his team to a runner-up finish in Class 3.

Both Beebe and Frerotte will be guests on tonight's High School Football America radio show starting at 7PM Eastern Time.

They will be joined by Phil Stambaugh, head coach at Pius X in Pennsylvania. Stambaugh was a quarterback with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Pius X, one of the smallest high school football teams in America, is seeking its first-ever state title. Friday night, the Royals, who are the subject of a documentary by yours truly, will face state powerhouse Southern Columbia in a 1A quarterfinal match-up.

Click here to listen to LIVE to the show.

Six New Teams Enter MaxPreps Top 25 after Big Weekend

2011-11-29T08:16:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

The postseason has a way of sorting-out the national rankings, and that was the case this weekend when six former members of the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 tasted defeat, plus saw their seasons come to a close.

Former #4 Katy (Texas), former #8 Euless Trinity (Texas), former #10 Mallard Creek (North Carolina), former #16 Camden County (Georgia), former #20 University (Florida) and former #24 Hamilton (Arizona) all suffered defeats over the weekend. Hamilton's loss to Desert Vista in the state's Class 5A Division I championship game, snapped the nation's longest active win streak at 53 straight.

On the other side of the coin, the top three teams remain unbeaten and in contention for the "mythical" national championship. #1 Don Bosco Prep (New Jersey), #2 Trinity (Kentucky) and #3 Gaffney (South Carolina) all play in their respective state championship games this weekend.

Making a huge debut is Maryville (Tennessee) at #10. Glades Central (Florida) returns to the rankings at #11.

MaxPreps Xcellent 25
through November 26, 2011

1. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 11-0, LW: #1
2. Trinity (KY) 13-0, LW: #2
3. Gaffney (SC) 14-0, LW: #3
4. Miramar (FL) 11-0, LW: #5
5. Good Counsel (MD) 12-0, LW: #6
6. Skyline (TX) 13-0, LW: #14
7. Grayson (GA) 13-0, LW: #11
8. Armwood (FL) 12-0, LW: #7
9. Bishop Gorman (NV) 14-1, LW: #9
10. Maryville (TN) 14-0, LW: NR
11. Glades Central (FL) 12-0, LW: NR
12. Buford (GA) 13-0, LW: #12
13. Westlake (CA) 12-0, LW: #13
14. Carmel (IN) 14-1, LW: #15
15. Bellevue (WA) 13-0, LW: #17
16. Central (FL) 11-0, LW: #18
17. Lake Travis (TX) 13-0, LW: #19
18. Bentonville (AR) 12-0, LW: #21
19. Page (NC) 14-0, LW: NR
20. Manatee (FL) 10-2, LW: #22
21. Warren Central (IN) 11-1, LW: #23
22. North Allegheny (PA) 13-0, LW: #25
23. Olive Branch (MS) 14-0, LW: NR
24. Steele (TX) 13-0, LW: NR
25. Pleasant Grove (CA) 10-1, LW: NR

3 Games, 9 Days

2011-11-27T11:09:00.001-08:00

by Jeff Fisher

High School Football America

In my research, Easton, and in some years Phillipsburg (New Jersey), are the only teams in America that play three high school football games in just nine days.

Yes, think about that; 3 in 9!!

First, the reason for the plethora of games in nine days.

It's simple, Easton and their across the Delaware River rival Phillipsburg, play a Thanksgiving Day rivalry game that will NEVER be moved. Couple that with the fact that Easton's second round district playoff game is played on the Friday before the Turkey Day match-up that annually attracts 14,000 fans to Lafayette College.

If Easton wins the second round district game, the Red Rovers know they'll be playing for a district championship the following Saturday; two days after playing P'burg on Thanksgiving morning.

So you may think that there's enough moving parts that Easton wouldn't have to worry about the 3 in 9 equation very much.

Think again!

Last night's Easton played Nazareth, it's third game in nine days for the District 11 championship. And, yes, second in three.

It was also the third straight year that Easton has played 3 in 9.

One other point, Easton head coach Steve Shiffert NEVER rests his starters against Phillipsburg; the game is too big!

One thing the Rovers have never been able to pull-off the sweep, meaning a perfect 3-0. Last year, the Rovers were upset 3-0 in overtime in the snow on Thanksgiving Day, but bounced back to beat Whitehall two days later to win the district championship.

Click here to listen to my interview with Coach Shiffert after last year's run of 3 in 9 on the NHSCA Sports Hour.

Last night, Easton, fresh off a Thanksgiving Day win over Phillipsburg, the Rovers were going after a perfect three games in nine days. A win would give them a third straight district title, plus a berth in next week's Class AAAA state quarterfinals.

At the start, it looked like Easton would finally end the nine day stretch with a trio of wins.

The Red Rover jumped-out to a 14-point lead against Nazareth, but couldn't hold-on. In the end, Nazareth won its first district crown with a 28-21 win on its home field.

Some say, Easton's quest for a state title will always be hampered by its desire not to move the Thanksgiving Day game.

Having witnessed Easton's 3 in 9 several times, I'm here to tell you there isn't a bigger feat on the high school gridiron. What the Easton kids and coaches go through during this stretch is magical.

Did Easton get its third straight gold Saturday? No, but, I think they deserve a gold medal for choosing to keep its tradition alive with Phillipsburg over playing only two games in eight or nine days.

I salute you Rover Nation!!

Congrats on an 11-3 season and upholding the true tradition and spirit of high school athletic competition!

Turkey Day High School Football

2011-11-25T16:40:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving full of family and football!!

Crazy day in the kitchen for me yesterday, so I didn't have a chance to post anything about my favorite high school football day of the year. Nothing, in my mind, beats watching a high school football game on a cool and crisp Thanksgiving morning.

Last year, in the snow, Trish Hoffman and I spent the morning creating a video on the Battle of the Delaware River game between Easton (Pennsylvania) and Phillipsburg (New Jersey). Yesterday, Easton beat P'burg 24-8 before 14,000 fans at Lafayette College. The Red Rovers victory in game #105 in the series, gives Easton a 59-41-5 lead in the overall series.

Yesterday, also marked the first time in three years that I wasn't able to watch a Turkey Day tradition, live and in-person.

In 2009, High School Football America visited Connecticut to watch the battle between the two schools that started it all. Norwich Free Academy and New London (then the New London Bulkeley Tigers) played America's first-ever high school football game on May 12, 1875; yesterday was the 150th meeting between the two.

New London (9-1) won the sesquicentennial game 37-17, however, NFA still leads the series 73-66-11.

Yesterday, Stonington (Connecticut) and Westerly (Rhode Island) met for the 100th time on Thanksgiving in the country's most played rivalry. Westerly beat Stonington 15-0 before 4,400 fans in the 152nd meeting between the two.

The win prevented Stonington (6-4) from making the Connecticut state playoffs; Westerly (8-2) already won its first round game in the Rhode Island state playoffs last week. Stonington leads the all-time series 69-66-17.

Finally, there was the grand-daddy of them all...Needham and Wellesley that played for the 124th consecutive Thanksgiving. It's Turkey Day's oldest continuous rivalry.

Needham (8-3) closed the gap in the all-time series with a 42-18 win that also clinched a playoff berth for the Rockets. Wellesley (2-9) still leads the series 59-56-9.

Plenty of Movement in Latest MaxPreps Top 25

2011-11-21T09:40:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

If you tuned into last Thursday's High School Football America radio show, you heard MaxPreps' Steve Spiewak talk about there's plenty of football ahead when it comes to deciding who will grab this year's "mythical" national championship.

Listen to internet radio with HighSchoolFootballAmerica on Blog Talk Radio

This weekend proved MaxPreps' senior writer correct with eight changes in the Top 10.

#1 Don Bosco Prep (New Jersey) and #4 Katy (Texas) were the only two teams to hang-on to their positions from last week.

Trinity (Kentucky) moves-up a notch to #2 after former #2 Armwood struggled in its opening round playoff game against Lakewood Ranch.

Gaffney (South Carolina) is up two spots to #3, while Katy and Miramar (Florida) round-out the new Top 5.

Making the biggest jump was the Euless Trinity, which climbs from #13 to #8 after a 28-21 win over former #21 and previously unbeaten Allen. Also climbing five spots was Bellevue (Washington) to #17 after an impressive quarterfinal round win over previously undefeated Inter Lakes 35-14.

The only newcomer to this week's poll is North Allegheny (Pennsylvania), which enters at #25. The defending 4A champs are in the WPIAL finals after beating Pittsburgh Central Catholic over the weekend. Central, which suffered its first loss of the year, had spent a short time in the national rankings earlier this year.

MaxPreps Xcellent 25

1. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 10-0, LW: #1
2. Trinity (KY) 12-0, LW: #3
3. Gaffney (SC) 13-0, LW: #5
4. Katy (TX) 12-0, LW: #4
5. Miramar (FL) 10-0, LW: #6
6. Good Counsel (MD) 12-0, LW: #7
7. Armwood (FL) 11-0, LW: #2
8. Euless Trinity (TX) 12-0, LW: #13
9. Bishop Gorman (NV) 13-1, LW: #8
10. Mallard Creek (NC) 13-0, LW: #9
11. Grayson (GA) 12-0, LW: #10
12. Buford (GA) 12-0, LW: #11
13. Westlake (CA) 11-0, LW: #12
14. Skyline (TX) 12-0, LW: #16
15. Carmel (IN) 13-1, LW: #14
16. Camden County (GA) 12-0, LW: #15
17. Bellevue (WA) 12-0, LW: #22
18. Central (FL) 10-0, LW: #18
19. Lake Travis (TX) 12-0, LW: #17
20. University (FL) 12-0, LW: #19
21. Bentonville (AR) 11-0, LW: #21
22. Manatee (FL) 9-2, LW: #23
23. Warren Central (IN) 11-1, LW: #24
24. Hamilton (AZ) 13-0, LW: #25
25. North Allegheny (PA) 12-0, LW: NR