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Team |
1 (1)
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Manatee (10-0) Bradenton, FL
Manatee finished off a perfect regular season with a blowout win over
Lakewood Ranch. Northeast must travel to Bradenton this week for the
honor of getting blown out in the first round. With perennial powers
Dwyer and St. Thomas Aquinas lurking on their half of the bracket,
Manatee will not have a straight shot to the finals.
Last: Def Lakewood Ranch 49-6
Next: 11/16 Northeast (7-3) |
2 (2)
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John Curtis (10-0) River Ridge, LA
Curtis on the other hand can etch their name in the 2A trophy already.
The Patriots don't play a team ranked in the Top 25 of Louisiana to
finish their playoff run. The next victim is North Webster.
Last: Def Pope John Paul 64-0
Next: 11/16 North Webster (7-4) |
3 (3)
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Vista Murrieta (11-0) Murrieta, CA
Vista Murrieta had little trouble with South Hills, but Norco is a team
that can present problems for anyone. Norco hung 50 on its opponent from
Vista Murrieta's league last week in the first round. The Broncos should
prevail, but they might actually have to break a sweat before
dispatching Norco this week.
Last: Def South Hills 34-6
Next: 11/16 Norco (7-4) |
4 (5)
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Katy (10-0) Katy, TX
Speaking of not breaking a sweat, Katy finished off their regular season
with another blowout. The Texas High School Playoffs are a long road,
but Katy shouldn't have any trouble in the first round this week against
Westbury.
Last: Def Memorial 41-6
Next: 11/15 Westbury (3-7) |
5 (6)
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Bellevue (11-0) Bellevue, WA
Bellevue played its toughest game of the season in August in a win over
Euless Trinity of Texas. The rest is merely a formality now as Bellevue
waltzes to another State Championship.
Last: Def Ferndale 28-0
Next: 11/16 Peninsula (9-2) |
6 (7)
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DeSoto (10-0) DeSoto, TX
DeSoto had a game on their hands with Mansfield as the Eagles finished
off a perfect regular season. DeSoto gets an easy opening round matchup
in the playoffs as they should cruise past Harker Heights.
Last: Def Mansfield 37-23
Next: 11/17 Harker Heights (5-5) |
7 (8)
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University (9-0) Ft. Lauderdale
University opens its playoffs with a Cardinal Newman team that looks
good on paper. That 9-1 record looks like a nice matchup coming in, but
Cardinal Newman has played one team of University's caliber, No. 22
American Heritage. The Crusaders were blown out 49-0. This one may not
get that ugly, but don't be fooled by the records, if Cardinal Newman
wins this, it will be a colossal upset.
Last: Idle
Next: 11/16 Cardinal Newman (9-1) |
8 (9)
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North Allegheny (11-0) Wexford, PA
North Allegheny had a bit of deja vu as they've now won back to back
games by identical 42-14 scores and three straight games with 42 points.
It's going to be a little tougher to hang six touchdowns on Seneca
Valley as this will be a good test for the Tigers.
Last: Def Bethel Park 42-14
Next: 11/16 Seneca Valley (10-1) |
9 (10)
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Butler (12-0) Matthews, NC
Butler had to play Independence in back to back games, and the Bulldogs
handled both games admirably. This week's game against East Forsyth
qualifies as one of the best matchups in the country.
Last: Def Independence 55-26
Next: 11/16 East Forsyth 13-0
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10 (11)
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St. Ignatius (11-1) Cleveland, OH
Speaking of rematches, St. Ignatius was probably looking forward to
another shot at St. Edwards who knocked off the Tigers two weeks ago,
but St. Edward fell to Mentor in a 63-56 shootout. Think the Ohio
playoffs are tough? Mentor/St. Edward was merely a second round
game.
Last: Def North Royalton 56-0
Next: 11/16 No. 22 Mentor (11-1) |
11 (12)
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Good Counsel (10-1) Olney, MD
Good Counsel got a good game from St. John's. The Falcons have their
hands full this week in a 10/5 rematch with DeMatha, a game that Good
Counsel won by a score of 13-10.
Last: Def St. John's 21-7
Next: 11/18 DeMatha (9-2) |
12 (13)
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Colerain (12-0) Cincinnati, OH
Did we mention that the playoffs in Ohio are epic? St. Edward goes out
in the second round, and Colerain survives a one point win over Elder. Contrast those scores to the legion of blowouts
across the rest of the Top 50. Round three brings Moeller who is trying to
win the ones that count after being ranked in the Top 10 early this
season.
Last: Def Elder 35-34
Next: 11/17 Archbishop Moeller (9-3) |
13 (15)
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De La Salle (10-0) Concord, CA
De La Salle got about as much resistance from Bye last week as they'll
get from Pittsburg this week. We're just waiting to see who De La Salle
gets in the Open Bowl in a few weeks. Mission Viejo? Vista
Murrieta?
Last: Bye
Next: 11/16 Pittsburg (8-3) |
14 (16)
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Grayson (9-1) Loganville, GA
One gets the feeling that Grayson fell victim to its own success in Week
3. After beating Miami Central handily, the Rams fell to Parkview. since
then, Grayson has been on a rampage including four straight shutouts to
close October and open November. Wheeler should be an easy game for the
Rams as North Gwinnett and Lowndes loom in their quarter of the bracket.
Last: Def Brookwood 42-13
Next: 11/16 |
15 (17)
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Steele (10-0) Cibolo, Texas
Steele will be looking forward to the playoffs as their regular season
schedule hasn't been much of a challenge. The Knights will likely have
to wait until next week for a real test though, as Marshall should be
cannon fodder.
Last: Def Southwest 42-14
Next: 11/16 Marshall (5-5) |
16 (18)
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Mission Viejo (11-0) Mission Viejo, CA
Mission Viejo put Westlake out of their misery after a disappointing
season. The Diablos get a rejuvenated Long Beach Poly team who lost a
game this year 56-0 to Narbonne. But the Jackrabbits got it going again
against a weak league schedule. Poly upset a good Bishop Amat team
rather handily and present a good test for Mission Viejo.
Last: Def Westlake 42-10
Next: 11/16 Long Beach Poly (8-3) |
17 (4)
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St. Edward (11-1) Lakewood, OH
After beating several teams in the Top 50, St. Edward picked a bad time
to lose its first game. How many teams play a team the caliber of Mentor
in the second round of their state playoffs. It's what playoffs should
be. Unfortunately for St. Edward, they may disagree.
Last: Lost to Mentor 63-56
Next: Season Over |
18 (19)
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Trinity (10-1) Louisville, KY
St. Edward gets 10-1 Mentor; Trinity's first opponent in the playoffs
was 1-10. I can't fault the teams for whipping the teams put in front of
them, but it makes it hard to find an interesting angle.
Last: Def Madison Central 62-8
Next: 11/16 St. Xavier (8-4) |
19 (20)
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Bishop Gorman (10-1) Las Vegas, NV
See No. 18 Trinity
Last: Def Palo Verde 71-28
Next: 11/16 Centennial (9-2) |
20 (21)
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Don Bosco Prep (7-1) Ramsey, NJ
Bosco's on again off again schedule has not caused them any trouble on
the field as the Ironmen kept their focus and beat Hackensack 42-8. St.
Augustine Prep brings a lofty record into the game with Don Bosco, but
the Ironmen won't feel a real challenge in this one.
Last: Def Hackensack 42-8
Next: 11/16 St. Augustine Prep (7-1) |
21 (22)
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American Heritage (10-0) Delray Beach, FL American
Heritage won its end of season showdown with Dwyer and should avoid a
letdown against Chaminade-Madonna who is a good team, but not one that
should beat the Stallions.
Last: Def Dwyer 13-7
Next: 11/16 Chaminade-Madonna (7-2) |
22 (NR)
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Mentor (11-1) Mentor (OH)
Mentor's only loss on the season came to No. 10 St. Ignatius early in
the season, but the Cardinals were relatively untested going into the
playoffs. Mentor got into a track meet with No. 4 St. Edward, and when
all was said and done, it was the Cardinals that had run past Ohio's No.
1 team. No rest for the weary in the Buckeye State though, St. Ignatius
is waiting.
Last: Def No. 4 St. Edward 63-56
Next: 11/17 No. 10 St. Ignatius |
23 (14)
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Camden County (9-1) Kingsland, GA
I can hear the fans who have been screaming about Camden County's
lackluster 3-AAAAA schedule all the way in California. The Wildcats drop
the second of back to back tough road games in its new region but still
win 1-AAAAAA by virtue of beating Lowndes last week. A loss heading into
the playoffs to regain focus isn't always a bad thing.
Last: Lost to Colquitt County 13-12
Next: 11/16 Hillgrove (6-4) |
24 (24)
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Byrnes (11-1) Duncan, SC
Byrnes had it rolling against Spring Valley and get a team with a 5-7
record in the second round of the playoffs.
Last: Def Spring Valley 51-21
Next: 11/16 Spartanburg (5-7) |
25 (25)
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Miami Central (7-2) Miami, FL
Miami Central dispatched of North Miami Beach in its last regular season
game and will do the same to Archbishop McCarthy in its first playoff
game.
Last: Def North Miami 52-28
Next: 11/16 Archbishop McCarthy (7-3) |
26 (26)
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Allen (9-1) Allen, TX
You have to give it to Texas; they let nearly everyone into the
playoffs, but a team has to win six grueling games to win a State
Championship. Let the second season in the Lone Star State begin.
Last: Def Plano 35-34
Next: 11/16 Richardson (4-6) |
27 (27)
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McGill-Toolen (11-0) Mobile, AL
McGill-Toolen played the meat of its schedule earlier in the season, but
the Yellow Jackets have not let down and will host a very good Auburn
(High School) team this week.
Last: Def Enterprise 56-33
Next: 11/16 Auburn (10-1) |
28 (28)
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Washington (9-1) Miami, FL
Washington blew out Southridge last week. The Tornadoes will blow out
North Broward Prep this week.
Last: Def Southridge 35-6
Next: 11/16 North Broward Prep (4-5) |
29 (30)
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Hoover (11-0) Hoover, AL
Hoover has been playing great all year and Shades Valley was no match
for the Bucs. Pell City won't be either.
Last: Def Shades Valley 38-7
Next: 11/16 Pell City (7-5) |
30 (31)
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Skyline (11-0) Sammamish, WA
I wonder if anyone will play Skyline within 30 in the playoffs. Can we
pit Skyline against Bellevue in a best of three so they have some
interesting games in Washington?
Last: Def Lake Stevens 42-0
Next: 11/16 Roosevelt (8-3) |
31 (32)
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Bentonville (10-0) Bentonville, AR
Bentonville earned a bye in the first round and will kickoff the
playoffs this week against a good West Memphis team.
Last: Bye
Next: 11/16 West Memphis (8-3) |
32 (33)
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Skyline (9-1) Dallas, TX
Skyline averaged better than 50 points per game over the last month. The
road is about to get tougher; just not this week.
Last: Def Berkner 63-20
Next: 11/16 Plano (5-5) |
33 (34)
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Ensworth (11-0) Nashville, TN
Ensworth beat Montgomery Bell Academy 35-7 earlier this year and will
get another shot to heap more punishment on them this week in the second
round of the playoffs.
Last: Def McCallie 37-7
Next: 11/16 Montgomery Bell Academy (9-3) |
34 (35)
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Oscar Smith (10-1) Chesapeake, VA
Oscar Smith tuned up for this week's showdown with Salem by beating
Bayside 35-12.
Last: Def Bayside 35-12
Next: 11/16 Salem (10-1) |
35 (36)
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Narbonne (11-0) Harbor City, CA
Narbonne won't be challenged until they meet up with Crenshaw in the
City-Section Finals. Then it will come down to the politics in
California to decide if Narbonne should play another game. Politics,
California, what could go wrong?
Last: Def Locke 57-14
Next: 11/16 Garfield (6-5) |
36 (37)
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Carroll (9-1) Southlake, TX
Carroll continues to pole-axe opponents last week, but the Dragons
should get a better test this week against Arlington Martin.
Last: Def Haltom 56-17
Next: 11/16 Arlington Martin (7-3) |
37 (NR)
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St. Bonaventure (10-1) Ventura, CA
The Seraphs should have been in this pole some time ago. I moved St.
Bonaventure ahead of No. 39 St. John Bosco in my regional poll (link)
some time ago. St. Bonaventure is a two-point conversion away from
beating a full strength Santa Margarita team that was ranked in the Top
5 before losing quarterback Johnny Stanton. The Seraphs have a powerful
running game led by Arizona commit Zachary Green, and a quarterback in
sophomore Ricky Town who is poised beyond his years. Bonney gets a
chance to avenge that loss this week.
Last: Def Cabrillo 39-7
Next: 11/16 Santa Margarita (9-2) |
38 (38)
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Mesquite (10-0) Mesquite, TX
The Skeeters finished their regular season two weeks ago; a good plan
considering the state playoffs in Texas can last six weeks.
Last: Idle
Next: 11/16 Sasche (8-2) |
39 (39)
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St. John Bosco (7-4) Bellflower, CA
Not all teams in California make the playoffs because of their
record; some are chosen by a committee. St. John Bosco was 10-0 on the
field, but their first round opponent in the 1st round of the Pac-5
playoffs was one such team chosen by committee. The committee chose
wrong. This week's opponent Notre Dame is there on merit and has been
playing as well as anyone in the Southern Section the last month.
Last: Def Tesoro 38-17
Next: 11/16 Notre Dame (8-3) |
40 (40)
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Gilman (8-2) Baltimore, MD
Gilman took care of McDonogh last week and will get Calvert Hall again
this week. Gilman beat Calvert Hall 24-14 on 10/22.
Last: Def McDonogh 20-8
Next: 11/17 Calvert Hall (9-2) |
41 (41)
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Coppell (10-0) Coppell, TX
Like most of the top teams in Texas, Coppell should have little trouble
with their first round opponent MacArthur.
Last: Def Lewisville 41-3
Next: 11/17 MacArthur (7-3) |
42 (42)
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Goose Creek (12-0) Goose Creek, SC
Goose Creek had its way with Conway, but Bluffton presents a much
tougher opponent as the Gators move on to the second round of the South
Carolina State Playoffs.
Last: Def Conway 48-7
Next: 11/16 Bluffton (11-1) |
43 (43)
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Lincoln-Way East (12-0) Frankfort, IL
Welcome to the Bonneville Salt Flats. Lincoln-Way East and Illinois
are already in the State Semi-Finals. The Griffins flew past
Edwardsville in the quarters and take on a good Benet Academy team in
the fourth round.
Last: Def Edwardsville 40-10
Next: 11/16 Benet Academy (11-1) |
44 (44)
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Norcross (10-0) Norcross, GA
Norcross capped off an impressive regular season with a demolition of a
poor Meadowcreek team. The Blue Devils get a solid Chattahoochee squad
at home to open the playoffs.
Last: Def Meadowcreek 56-6
Next: 11/16 Chattahoochee (7-3) |
45 (46)
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Paramus Catholic (7-1) Paramus, NJ
Paramus Catholic pummeled Northern Highlands, but the Paladins know not
to take Bergen catholic lightly despite the 5-3 record.
Last: Def Northern Highlands 55-7
Next: 11/22 Bergen Catholic (5-3) |
46 (47)
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ThunderRidge (10-1) Highlands Ranch, CO
If St. Edward / Mentor wasn't the game of the week, ThunderRidge/Cherry
Creek was. The Grizzlies may not have been expecting that much fight
from Cherry Creek who entered the game 6-5, but they got nearly more
than they could handle. Grandview will certainly have a focused
ThunderRidge team this week after the Grizzlies nearly saw their season
go up in smoke last week.
Last: Def Cherry Creek 57-56
Next: 11/16 Grandview (8-3) |
47 (48)
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New Bern (12-0) New Bern, NC
New Bern's regular season schedule left a lot to be desired, but the
Bears hung the only loss of the season on New Hanover. New Hanover gets
a second shot this week in the 4A quarterfinals against New Bern.
Last: Def Def Hoggard 41-17
Next: 11/16 New Hanover (11-1) |
48 (49)
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Whitmer (12-0) Toledo, OH
If there is such a thing as an easy quarter of the bracket in Ohio's
Division 1 Football playoffs, Whitmer might have had the least difficult
road to this point. However, 11-1 Washington is the real deal and will
give Whitmer fits. Should the Panthers prevail, the winner of St.
Ignatius / Mentor awaits.
Last: Def Hudson 39-28
Next: 11/17 Washington (11-1) |
49 (NR)
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Glenbard West 12-0 Glen Ellyn, IL
The Hilltoppers proved to be better mudders than Wheaton North in a
3-0 game that was played in a Swamp that would have made a Gator proud.
Glenbard West had been averaging nearly 40 points per game on the season
and look to play in better weather against Lake Zurich in the Illinois
State Semi-Finals.
Last: Def Wheaton North 3-0
Next: 11/16 Lake Zurich (10-2) |
50 (50)
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Muskegon (11-1) Muskegon, MI
Midland came into its game with Muskegon without a loss and looking for
a little respect. They got one of the two. Unfortunately for the Chemics,
it was the loss that they got from Muskegon, if not the respect. Next up
for the Big Reds is a 10-2 Mattawan team who is coming off of a win
against Caledonia.
Last: Def Midland 49-21
Next: 11/16 Mattawan (10-2) |