MaxPreps Top 25 national high school football rankings

Booker T. Washington gained a little breathing room from the teams chasing it in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

The Miami power, which already scored an enormous victory by beating city rival Central, took to the road to defeat Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, 28-12. It was the worst home loss for Bishop Gorman since 2006.

The victory solidified Washington's spot at the top of the rankings -- at least for now -- as Allen, DeSoto and others continue to give chase.

Several new teams entered the rankings this week. Serra (Gardena, Calif.) and Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.), which have appeared in the rankings in previous weeks, make return appearances while McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) and Pearland (Texas) debut.

McEachern looks like Georgia's No. 2 team right now. It is 5-0 and continues to put up points at a prodigious rate. It features one of the country's more dangerous backfields with quarterback Tymashian Clemons and running back Taj Griffin.

Pearland cracks the list for a different reason -- its defense, which has allowed only nine points all season.

Although it has not played a challenging schedule so far, Pearland has been wildly dominant in each game it was played. There were questions about the team's schedule in 2010 also. That season culminated in Pearland beating Euless Trinity for the Class 5A-I state title.


1. (1) Washington (Miami), 6-0
The nation's top team hung on for a big road victory against Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas). Story

2. (2) DeSoto (Texas), 5-0
Idle

3. (3) Allen (Texas), 5-0
Idle

4. (4) St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 5-0
The state's top-ranked team prevailed against Crenshaw (Los Angeles), 75-35. Qwixcore

5. (6) St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.), 4-0
There was no letdown following St. Joseph's big victory over Bergen Catholic. It defeated Wayne Hills 35-0. Qwixcore