VYPE National High School Football Rankings: 8.27.12

Click to view image

Tim Polzer - National Editor

Manatee High School in Bradenton, Fla. wasted no time stating its case for national ranking prominence, scoring on Kelvin McKnight’s 90-yard kickoff return on the first play of its 49-14 season-opening win over Osceola (Fla.) on ESPN. The Hurricanes’ total package of play-making offense and dominating put the defending state champions atop VYPE’s National Top 25 Rankings of the 2012 season.

This Week’s Top 25 Battles

No. 3 Grayson (Loganville, GA) featuring top recruit Robert Nkemdiche and No. 9 Miami Central, (Fla.) will battle in Georgia on Aug. 31. It’s the first of two showdowns Central will play against Top 25 teams with No. 6 Booker T. Washington also on the Rockets’ tough schedule.

No. 24 Trinity (Euless, Texas) travels to the Pacific Northwest to play No. 14 Bellevue, (Wash).

State By State Top 25 Breakdown

VYPE National High School Football Top 25 Rankings

1. Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.) Record: 1-0

Last Game: Defending state champs dominated Osceola (Fla.)  in opening win.

Next Game: Sept. 2 vs. Miramar (Fla.)         

2. Skyline (Dallas, Texas) Record: 0-0

Talented Raiders return six offensive starters and six on defense from 2011 squad that was one onside kick away from state finals.

See Skyline Preview at VYPE DFW

First Game: Sept. 1 vs. The Woodlands (Texas)   

3. Grayson (Loganville, GA) Record: 1-0

Last Game: Top-recruit and Clemson commit Robert Nkemiche, and the much heralded Grayson defense, held McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)  to 12 points in season-opening win.

Next Game: Aug. 31 vs. Miami Central (Fla.)         

4. Santa Margarita Catholic (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) Record: 1-0

Last Game: Quarterback Johnny Stanton produced more than 300 yards and four TDs in 27-14 win over Brophy Prep.

Next Game: Aug. 31 at Jordan (Long Beach, Calif.)          

5. Carroll (Southlake, Texas) Record: 0-0

State champions, including Texas A&M commit QB Kenny Hill, will open in the Allen Eagles’ much talked about $59.6 million stadium.

See Carroll Preview at VYPE DFW        

First Game: Aug. 31 at Allen (Texas)

6. Washington (Miami, Fla.) Record: 0-0

The Tornadoes prepared for their opener by trouncing crosstown rival Miami Northwestern, 32-6, in a preseason classic.

First Game: Aug. 31 at Carol City (Fla.)     

7. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) Record: 1-0

Beat No. 25 Our Lady of Good Council (Olney, MD), 29-27 in season opener.

Next Game: Sept. 1 at Saint Louis (Hawaii)

8. Central (Miami, Fla.) Record: 0-0

The Rockets aren’t afraid to play anyone. Central’s rushing attack, led by Joseph Yearby, can chew up yards with the best of them. The Rockets’ defense is also stout, featuring eight players boasting D-I offers.

First Game: Aug. 31 at Grayson (Loganville, GA) 

9. John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, LA) Record: 0-0

The Patriots bring back 16 starters from last year’s 2A state championship campaign – the school’s 24^th. Running backs Sherman Badie, Raekwon James and Tevin Horton are a great 1-2-3 battering ram.

First Game: Aug. 31 at Franklinton (LA)

10. Union (Tulsa, Okla.) Record: 0-0

Coach Kirk Fridrich believes the four-time defending 6A state champions will be quicker and more athletic in 2012.

See Union Preview at VYPE Oklahoma

First Game: Aug. 31 vs. Jenks          

11. Trinity (Louisville, KY) Record: 2-0

Last Game: The Shamrocks squeaked by Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville), 27-23.

See more Trinity news at VYPE Greater Louisville

Next Game: Sept. 7 Elder (Cincinnati)        

12. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, NJ) Record: 0-0

The return of QB Jonathan Germano and WR Kyle Queiro has many thinking this is the year that Bergen knocks off six-time state champion Don Bosco Prep.

First Game: Sept. 7 at St. Anthony’s (Melville, NY)           

13. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) Record: 0-0

De La Salle has won three straight CIF state open division championships. The Spartans are again widely considered California’s best team, but they are not without question marks. Graduation took several key playmakers including three-year starting QB Bart Houston. New QB Chris Williams will be closely watched.

First Game: Aug. 31 at Bellarmine (San Jose, Calif.)

14. Bellevue (Wash.) Record: 0-0

The Wolverines’ formidable running game features Myles Jack and Ari Morales. The Bellevue defense is anchored by linebacker Sean Constatine, a UCLA commit. The Bellevue-Trinity opener is another top-25 showcase.

First Game: Aug. 30 No. 24 Trinity (Euless, Texas)

See Trinity Preview at VYPE DFW

15. Katy (Texas) Record: 0-0

One of Texas’ most dominant programs returns eight starters from 2011’s 12-1 team.

See Katy Preview at VYPE Houston

First Game: Aug. 31 vs. Klein (Texas)

See Klein Preview at VYPE Houston

16.  Byrnes (Duncan, SC) Record: 1-0

Last Game: WR Akia Booker had 10 catches for 141 yards, averaged 5 yards per carry and scored three TDs in 42-21 win over Oscar Smith (Va.).

Next Game: Aug. 31 at Woodruff (SC)     

17. Plant (Tampa, Fla.) Record: 1-0

Last Game: Plant gave up five turnovers in a 36-12 win over Boyd Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.) and also lost DE/LB Max Baker for the season.

Next Game: Aug. 30 at Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.)          

18. Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio) Record: 1-0

Last Game: Moeller started season off big with 35-14 win over nationally ranked Gilman (Baltimore, MD)

Next Game: Sept. 1 Grand Rapids Christian (Mich.)    

19. Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.) Record: 1-0

Two-time defending Div. II-AA state champions bring back QB Andrew Bowers.

Last Game: Corn Elder rushed for 199 yards and four touchdowns in the Tigers’ 62-14 domination of Lexington Catholic (KY)

Next Game: Aug. 31 at McCallie (Chattanooga, Tenn.)    

20. Carmel (Ind.) Record: 2-0

Last Game: Defending 5A state champions barely got by Valparaiso (Ind.), 21-20.

See more Carmel news at VYPE Central Indiana  

Next Game: Aug. 31 at Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.) 

21. Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) Record: 0-0

The five-time defending 4A state champions move up to 5A in 2012.

First Game: Aug. 31  at Judson (Converse, Texas)      

22.  Hoover (Ala.) Record: 0-0

The Buccaneers return three-year starter Devon Earl at QB for team that’s won 54 of last 60.

First Game: Aug. 31 at South Panola (Batesville, Miss.)   

23. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) Record: 0-0

The Ironmen must reload after losing many starters to graduation, but Al-Quadin Muhammad and Rahzohnn Gross are back to solidify the defense.

First Game: Sept. 8 at Gilman (Baltimore, MD)    

24. Trinity (Euless, Texas) Record: 0-0

The Trojans ended their streak of winning three 5A state titles in odd-numbered years in 2011. Trinity once again will field very physical fronts on both sides of the ball.

See Trinity Preview at VYPE DFW        

First Game: Aug. 30 at Bellevue (Wash.)

25. Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, MD) Record: 0-1

Three-time defending state champions lost close one to No. 7 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 29-27.

ABOUT VYPE

VYPE is a niche multimedia sports brand providing exclusive high school sports coverage through a national syndicate of hyper-local publishers, affiliates and contributors. VYPE High School Sports Magazine anchors the brand publishing 14 print and digital editions alongside 30 sports news websites, social media and producing annual events – all providing unprecedented local, regional and national access to high school athletic communities. Celebrating the accomplishments of student-athletes, VYPE features 100% positive real-life stories and resources while recognizing the “All-American” high school sports lifestyle and the integral part it plays in each local community. For more information, please visit www.vype.com.