Top 25 high school football rankings

The nation's No. 1 team survived this weekend, but just barely.

Trinity (Euless, Texas) needed a touchdown as time expired to beat an extremely tough Coppell (Texas) squad 41-40 and advance to the 5A-I semifinals.

Other teams in the Xcellent 25 Rankings presented by the Army National Guard were not as fortunate, as Katy (Texas), Grant (Sacramento, Calif.) , and Hoover (Ala.) all went down in playoff action.

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This late in the season, surviving is the name of the game. However, some teams have done more than merely survive.

Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.), led by quarterback Justin Worley, dismantled Greenwood in the 4A-I state final, winning a 42-10 blowout. The Trojans' passing attack is arguably the best in the nation. They rise from No. 18 to No. 8.

Other top teams have wrapped up their season, though their final national ranking still hangs in the balance.

No. 2 South Panola (Batesville, Miss.) beat previously-unbeaten Meridian in the 6A state final 28-7. The Tigers rolled through their Magnolia State competition this season, and also own a victory over Colquitt County, which is playing for the AAAAA title in Georgia.

In Ohio, St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) completed its magical run through the Division I playoffs by beating an explosive Wayne squad 35-27. The Eagles finished undefeated while navigating through one of the country's most difficult schedules.

Xcellent 25 Footbal Rankings presented by the Army National Guard

1. (1) Trinity (Euless, Texas), 14-0
In one of the state's all-time greatest games, Trinity scored as time expired to capture a 41-40 victory over previously-unbeaten Coppell. The game was expected to be dominated by two talented defenses, but the Trojans survived what quickly became a major shootout. See story.

2. (2) South Panola (Batesville, Miss.), 15-0
South Panola claimed its sixth state title in seven years by downing Meridian 28-7. Qyendairs Griffin rushed for 174 yards and three scores to lead the Tigers, who completed a perfect season.

3. (4) St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio), 15-0
With a 35-28 comeback victory, St. Edward captured Ohio's Division 1 state title and capped off a 15-0 campaign. See story.

4. (3) St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 13-0
For the second time this season, Aquinas dismantled Boyd Anderson, this time winning 47-6. The Raiders will next face Manatee for a rematch of last year's 5A semifinal.

5. (6) Centennial (Corona, Calif.), 13-0
After being challenged early, Centennial rebounded to defeat Chino Hills 42-23. Michael Eubank threw for 205 yards and rushed for another 122 to lead the Huskies.

6. (7) Armwood (Seffner, Fla.), 13-0
Showing why it has one of the country's top defenses, Armwood limited Charlotte star running back Mike Bellamy to 57 yards in a 28-12 victory for the Hawks.

7. (11) Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.), 12-0
Despite being challenged by Bergen Catholic and head coach Nunzio Campanile, who left Don Bosco Prep in the offseason to join the Crusaders, the Ironmen held on for their fifth-straight Non-Public Group 4 title, winning 37-27. Story.

8. (18) Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.), 15-0
Justin Worley polished off his fine senior season by throwing five more touchdown passes in Northwestern's 42-10 blowout of Greenwood.

9. (9) Mission Viejo (Calif.), 13-0
Three touchdowns from quarterback Alex Bridgford allowed Mission Viejo to get past perennial national power Mater Dei 42-21.

10. (14) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 12-0
Quarterback Bart Houston continues his fine play, throwing for four touchdowns and rushing for another in a 49-10 thrashing of Granada.

11. (23) Stony Point (Round Rock, Texas), 14-0
The Tigers' highly-touted offense came out firing in a 72-48 victory over DeSoto, which lost to Stony Point for the second time this season. Running back Sam Kelly gained 270 yards and scored three touchdowns for Stony Point, which will take on Trinity in the 5A-I semifinals.

12. (12) Phoebus (Hampton, Va.), 14-0
For the second straight week, Phoebus was tested, but the Phantoms once again prevailed, overcoming a 13-0 deficit to beat Dinwiddie 21-13.

13. (13) West Monroe (La.), 14-0
Two touchdowns from Paul Turner helped give West Monroe an easy 34-3 victory over Westgate.

14. (15) Wheaton-Warrenville South (Wheaton, Ill.), 14-0
Season complete. 7A state champions.

15. (16) Bingham (South Jordan, Utah), 13-0
Season complete. 5A state champions.

16. (NR) Daphne (Ala.), 15-0
With a late touchdown, Daphne upset previously-ranked Hoover to capture Alabama's 6A state title.

17. (17) Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.), 12-1
Jacoby Brissett tossed three touchdowns to lead Dwyer to a 24-7 victory over Palm Bay, setting up a showdown with undefeated Armwood.

18. (19) Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.), 13-0
The Hurricanes held on against Bayside, winning 35-32. Cord Sandberg threw for three touchdowns in the victory.

19. (20) Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Fla.), 13-0
Demetrius Hart rushed for 238 yards and two scores as Dr. Phillips edged Seminole Ridge 38-28.

20. (21) Servite (Anaheim, Calif.), 13-0
Servite took another step closer to earning the a CIF Bowl Games bid by downing Alemany 28-21.

21. (22) Mullen (Denver, Colo.), 14-0
For the 33rd consecutive game, Mullen came out on top, this time 37-6 over Regis Jesuit in the 5A final. Story.

22. (24) Serra (Gardena, Calif.), 13-0
Serra was tested early, but pulled away from Paso Robles, winning 41-23. Conner Preston threw five touchdown passes and finished with 310 yards for the Cavaliers.

23. (25) Butler (Matthews, N.C.), 15-0
Jahwan Edwards carried 27 times for 203 yards and three scores as Butler defeated Vance 44-24. The Bulldogs take on Rolesville for the 4A state title.

24. (NR) Folsom (Folsom, Calif.), 13-1
Folsom avenged a season-opening defeat at the hands of previous No. 8 Grant by dominating the Pacers' highly-touted defense. Senior quarterback Dano Graves accounted for 418 yards and six touchdowns en route to a 41-20 victory. Story.

25. (NR) Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.), 14-0
Hamilton returns to the rankings after a 34-10 win over Mountain Pointe. The Huskies will take on Desert Vista in the 5A-I finals.

Dropped out:
Katy (Texas)
Grant (Sacramento, Calif.)
Hoover (Ala.)