STUDENT SPORTS FAB 50 NATIONAL FOOTBALL RANKINGS
Compiled by Mark Tennis and Doug Huff
(Preseason national ranking in parentheses)
1. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) 12-0 (1)
The Spartans won their 10th straight CIF North Coast
section crown with a 48-14 victory over San Leandro
and will take a national record 125-game win streak
into next season. Notre Dame recruit Derek Landri, a
two-way lineman, was selected state player of the
year. Quarterback Matt Gutierrez, a Michigan recruit,
anchored the offense. The Spartans handed FAB 50 No. 3
Long Beach Poly a 29-15 defeat in one of the most
hyped games in state history. Coach Bob Ladouceur has
a 261-14-1 record at De La Salle and his teams have
won 159 of their last 160 starts.
2. Jenks (Jenks, Okla.) 13-0 (4)
Jenks won its sixth straight Class 6A title behind a
dominant defensive unit led by defensive end Bryan
Pickryl (the state defensive player of the year),
defensive back Jason Carter and linebacker Lawrence
Pinson. No opponent stayed with 10 points of Jenks all
season. Coach Allan Trimble's Trojans will carry a
38-game winning streak into next season, when the
schedule might just feature a powerhouse squad from an
adjoining state.
3. Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) 12-1 (2)
The Jackrabbits have won the last three CIF Southern
Section Division 1 titles and have gone 66-2-1 in the
last five years. They won this year's crown with a
42-28 victory over Edison of Huntington Beach and
suffered their only loss since 1998, 29-15 to FAB 50
No. 1 Concord De La Salle. Running back Hershel Dennis
received serious consideration for state player of the
year and he's one of several highly-recruited seniors
including linemen Manuel Wright and Winston Justice,
safwety Darnell Bing and tight end Marcedes Lewis.
4. Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.) 15-0 (8)
The Panthers became the first Georgia largest class
team in 21 years to repeat as champion with a 12-7
victory over previous FAB 50 No. 10 Warner Robins
Northside in the Class 5A finals. Parkview extended
its win streak to 30 games with the win and, with only
six senior starters, could challenge next season the
state's all-class winning streak of 44 games.
Graduation will claim two-sport all-stater Jeff
Francoeur, a wide receiver-defensive back, but several
key returness include quarterback Dustin Wade and
running back Sean Dawkins plus players from unbeaten
junior varsity and freshman teams. Wade passed for
over 2,000 yards and 26 TDs with only five
interceptions. Dawkins rushed for over 1,100 yards and
13 TDs.
5. Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.) 14-1 (15)
The Eagles won their seventh state title in as many
finals since 1993 with a 34-27 revenge season win over
defending Class 5A champion West Monroe. It halted a
29-game Rebel win streak and avenged a 37-13 regular
season loss. Sophomore quarterback John David Booty
passed for 339 yards and four TDs in the title game
and ended the season with 3,991 yards and 46 TDs.
State Class 5A all-state MVP Thomas Bachman landed 87
passes for 1,333 yards and 19 scores. The 1999 FAB 50
national champion return several underclassmen,
including Booty, and should challenge for top honors in
2002.
6. Harrison (Farmington Hills, Mich.) 14-0 (10)
The Hawks won their fifth straight state title,
disposing of Fruitport, 28-6, in Division 3. With as
many as six Division I recruits, including Michigan
State commitments, quarterback Drew Stanton (2,818
passing yards and 31 TDs) and wide receiver Agim
Shabaj (60 receptions for 1,047 tards and 18 TDs), the
Hawks cemented their place as one of the state's
best-ever teams. With a 36-game win streak, Harrison
coach John Herrington has now won 12 state titles in
32 years. With juniors like running back Marcus
Woods, who rushed for 1,567 yards and 33 TDs, and
linebacker-fullback Kevin Zerbo, the Hawk express
should roll on in 2002.
7. Ben Davis (Indianapolis, Ind.) 15-0 (18)
Led by quarterback James Banks -- the Midwest region
player of the year, the Giants won a Class 5A state
title with a 35-16 victory over Valparaiso. The title
was the school's sixth (1987, 1988, 1990, national
champion 1991 and 1999) and the seventh for coach Dick
Dullaghan, who also won at Carmel in 1978. Dullaghan
is
219-36 in 17 seasons at Ben Davis and 289-53 in 29
years overall. This team, which also beat Mishawaka
Penn and Indianapolis Warren Central (twice), could go
down as one of Indiana's best teams ever. Banks
finished the season, passing for 1,474 yards and 20
TDs while rushing for 900 yards and 14 scores and also
picked off eight passes on defense. Although replacing
Banks (with 5,074 career passing yards and 2,335
career rushing yards), offensive lineman Joe Spinks
and linebacker Josh Fosher, the school's all-time
leading tackler, will be tough, a top junior class
includes standouts galore--two-way back Todd Barnard,
fullback-defensive lineman Adam Blakey, 335-pound
offensive lineman Jared Evans, tight end Brian Faires,
running back-linebacker Dontae Hart,
quarterback-linebacker Jon Polston, defensive end Mike
Richardson and wide receiver Bo Thompson.
8. Independence (Charlotte, N.C.) 16-0 (7)
The Patriots repeated as state Class 4A champion with
a 49-25 finals' win over previously unbeaten
Wilmington Laney. Independence will take a 30-game win
streak into next season and again be led by
quarterback Chris Leak, who broke state season passing
yardage and TD pass records the last two years. Leak
passed for 57 TDs and 4,521 yards this season. Senior
wide receiver Mario Raley landed 100 passes for 1,505
yards and 27 TDs. With several linemen returning plus
Leak, the Patriots should challenge for a rare third
straight state title in 2002.
9. West Monroe (West Monroe, La.) 14-1 (13)
The Rebels' 29-game win streak ended in defense of
their state Class 5A title, 34-27 to FAB 50 No. 5
Shreveport Evangel Christian. West Monroe was bidding
for its sixth state crown the last nine years. West
Monroe handed Evangel its only regular season loss,
37-13. Six Rebels earned first team 5A all-state
honors including five seniors--running back Edward
Dade (1310 yards, 17 TDs), kick returner Demario
Taylor, linebacker Lucas Jackson and defensive backs
Jarred Frost and Dez Abrams. Junior offensive lineman
Chase Noland also was honored.
10. Neshaminy (Langhorne, Pa.) 15-0 (nr)
Jamar Brittingham amassed 284 all-purpose yards as
Neshaminy surprised Woodland Hills (Pittsburgh)
21-7 in the state Class 4A finals. Brittingham finished
with 157 rushing yards and two TDs, caught four passes
for 96 yards, and completed a 31-yard pass. It was
Neshaminy's first state crown but the fifth in six
years for District 1 teams. Brittingham ended the
season with 2,565 rushing yards and 30 TDs.
Quarterback Jay Wiater passed for 1,530 yards and
receiver Keith Ennis landed 48 passes for 769 yards.
The top underclassman may be freshman kicker Kevin
Kelly, who booted a 54-yard field goal. Neshaminy
defeated District 1 rivals North Penn (23-14) and
Central Bucks West (21-19) during the regular season.
11. Lincoln (Tallahassee, Fla.) 14-1 (3)
The Trojans captured their second state title the
last three years with a 28-20 win over
previously unbeaten Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
in the Class 4A finals. Quarterback Gavin Dickey led
the offense with 2,628 passing yards and 32 TDs and
safety Pat Watkins anchored the defense. Lincoln was
unbeaten vs. in-state opponents with its only setback
to Georgia Class 5A semifnalist Valdosta, 31-21 in the
third game of the season.
12. Daphne (Daphne, Ala.) 15-0 (nr)
The Trojans won their first-ever state title by
avenging their only defeat of the last two years,
48-21 over defending champion Hoover in the Class 6A
finals. Daphne's only loss the last 30 games was to
Hoover in the 2000 title game. Quarterback James
Reiter passed for two TDs and rushed for three scores
to be named title-game MVP. All-state running back Lee
Baker led the rushers and all-state defenders Jeremy
Clark (tackle) and Gerald Reed (back) the defensive
unit.
13. Kahuku (Kahuku, Hawaii) 14-0 (31)
The Red Raiders repeated as state champion with a
21-14 finals' win over perienniel contender St. Louis
of Honolulu while rushing for 337 yards. Mulivai Pula
led the attack with 23 rushes for 209 yards. Kahuku
will take a 23-game win streak into next season but
lose most of their experienced players. Two linemen
returning include 300-pound sophomore Geremy Perry and
315-pound junior Joseph Napeahi.
14. Lufkin (Lufkin, Texas) 15-1 (6)
Ranked No. 1 in Texas during preseason, the Panthers
fulfilled expectations by winning the Class 5A
Division II title, beating Austin Westlake 38-24 in
the final after rallying from an 18-point first half
deficit. Lufkin's only misstep came in September
against eventual Louisiana 5A champion Evangel
Christian of Shreveport. Quarterback Reggie McNeal
accounted for 3,168 yards and 31 touchdowns, cementing
his status as one of the nation's most sought-after
players.
15. Blue Springs (Blue Springs, Mo.) 14-0 (nr)
The Wildcats beat 2000 Class 5A champion Rockhurst of
Kansas City twice and capped the season in impressive
fashion, recording 16 sacks in a 28-12 romp over then
nationally-ranked Hazelwood East (St. Louis) in the 5A
final. The state title was Blue Springs' first sinc
1992. With junior tailback Andrew Tuggle coming back,
the future looks bright at this Kansas City-area
school.
16. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
14-1(26)
The Raiders lost for the second straight year in the
state final -- this time to FAB 50 No. 11 Tallahassee
Lincoln, 28-20, in the Class 4A title game. Quarterback
Dan Shula, grandson of legendary NFL coach Don Shula,
passed for 309 yards in the championship contest.
17. Northside (Warner Robins, Ga.) 13-1 (nr)
The Eagles pushed unbeaten and defending state Class
5A champion Lilburn Parkview, ranked No. 4 in the FAB
50, to the limit in the championship game before
bowing 12-7 in the school's first-ever final. Senior
quarterback Chansi Stuckey rushed 16 times for 135
yards and one TD in the title game.
18. Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) 15-0 (32)
The Warriors captured their third state title since
1994 under coach Gary Rankin with a 35-7 Class 5A
finals' win over Hendersonville (13-2), which had won
13 straight games. Two-time all-state running back
Ralph King finished with 2,647 season rushing yards,
including 129 in the finals. Two juniors also starred
in the title game--quarterback Stephen Britton passed
for four TDs and wide receiver Taron Henry landed five
passes for 196 yards and two scores.
19. Providence Catholic (New Lenox, Ill.) 14-0 (nr)
Another year, another state title for coach Matt
Senffner's program. A 41-0 blowout over Oak Lawn
Richards brought home a Class 6A title, a first for a
program with severn overall state crowns. Mike Mentz
rushed for 1,972 yards and 26 TDs this season behind
linemen Brian Ledigsen, Derrick Knapczyk and Matt
Rogers. Linebacker Rory Steinbach had nearly 200
tackles. Although hit hard by graduations, never count
out the Celtics and Senffner--the Midwest region coach
of the year, who has collected five state titles in
Class 4A (1987, 1991 and three straight from 1995-97)
and one 5A (1994).
20. Rockledge (Rockledge, Fla.) 14-1 (nr)
The Raiders captured the state Class 3A crown with a
38-6 title game win over St. Augustine. Dontavious
Wilcox rushed for 169 yards and quarterback Hunter
Pingston passed for 119 yards in the balanced attack.
Earlier in the playoffs, Rockledge ended the 47-game
win streak, second longest in state history, of Glades
Central (Belle Glade) by 21-14.
21. Northridge (Layton, Utah) 12-0 (nr)
The Knights repeated as state Class 5A champions by
defeating perienniel contender Skyline of Salt Lake
City, 37-26 in the title game. Quarterback Jase
McCormick passed for 200 yards of the 372-yard
offensive attack. His favorite target was the state player of
the year, wide receiver Daniel Coats. Coach Fred
Fernandes' team will take a 16-game win streak into
next season.
22. Chatfield (Littleton, Colo.) 14-0 (40)
The Chargers capped an historic season with a 9-3 win
over Boulder Fairview in the state Class 5A final. It
was the first state football title for Chatfield,
which became the first largest-class state school to
finish unbeaten since 1996. Junior running back
Lendale White repeated as an all-stater and should be
one of the nation's top backs next season for coach
Dave Logan.
23. Mission Viejo (Mission Viejo, Calif.) 14-0 (nr)
The Diablos' defense prevented unbeaten Chino from
scoring a touchdown on two different series inside the
10-yard-line in an 18-9 win to claim the CIF Southern
Section Division II title. Robbie Dubois, the Orange
County offensive player of the year, ended the season
with 2,728 rushing yards and 34 TDs. Coach Bob Johnson
was named state coach of the year.
24. St. Ignatius (Cleveland, Ohio) 11-4 (12)
Left for dead at 5-4 following a three-game losing
streak to Canton McKinley, Lakewood St. Edward and
Cincinnati St. Xavier, the Wildcats made a remarkable
recovery that culminated with its state-record ninth
Division I state championship and a convincing 37-6
victory over former FAB 50 No. 10 St. Xavier. The
senior class--quarterback Nate Szep, linebacker John
Kerr (the state defensive player of the year), wide
receiver Matt Mills and running back John van der Oord
(1,300 yards and 19 TDs)--was good, but so is the
junior group. The juniors include tight end Kevin
Sheridan, wide receiver Tony Gonzalez and tailback
Carter Welo (726 yards and 12 TDs in limited duty).
Coach Chuck Kyle won his 200th game early in the
season.
25. Marlboro County (Bennettsville, S.C.) 15-0 (nr)
The Bulldogs won their second state title under coach
David Boyd with a 17-10 victory over Conway in the
Class 4A-Division II final. Marlboro also win the
1998 title. Junior all-state quarterback Syvelle
Newton led the offense as the Bulldogs were the only
unbeaten largest class team in the state.
26. St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio) 13-1 (nr)
The Bombers dropped to 0-3 in Division I state title
games with a 37-6 loss to Cleveland St. Ignatius after
nipping the Wildcats 42-41 in regular season. St.
Xavier also won two close games by a combined six
points against city rival Elder. Quarterback Marty
Mooney owns every school passing record with 2,385
yards and 29 TDs this season and 6,511 yards and 71
TDs in his career. Back-receiver Josh Williams and
all-district lineman Kyle Ralph contributed
offensively while all-state defenders included
linebacker Matt Vogele and back Mike Hurley.
27. Joliet Catholic Academy (Joliet, Ill.) 13-1 (5)
The Hilltoppers captured an unprecedented 10th state
title with a 27-20 victory over Morris in the Class 5A
final. An ungly loss to Chicago Mount Carmel early in
the season didn't deter JCA and its star-studded cast.
Touted seniors included running backs J. R.
Zwierzynski, who rushed for 2,340 yards and scored 39
TDs; Chris Gruver, who rushed for more than 1,300
yards and 20 TDs; and top recruit Mike Kolodziel, a
6-8, 290-pound tight end-defensive end. Coach Dan
Sharp has top juniors in linebackers Ross Crampton and
Ryan Lincoln and lineman Steve Douglas back next
season.
28. Hart (Newhall, Calif.) 13-0 (nr)
Coach Mike Herrington's team defeated Valencia, 42-13
to claim its fourth consecutive CIF Southern Section
Division III title. Senior quarterback Matt Moore, who
passed for 277 yards and four TDs and rushed for 95
yards and a TD in the finals, ended the season with
3,332 passing yards and 33 TD tosses.
29. Woodland Hills (Pittsburgh, Pa.) 14-1 (11)
The Wolverines were ranked No. 1 in the state all
season until bowing to FAB 50 No. 10 Neshaminy, 21-7
in a rain-soaked Class AAAA title game. After
averaging 295 rushing yards per game, the Wolverines
fumbled the ball seven times and were limited to 182
rushing yards in the title game. Quarterback Steve
Breaston was injured in the second quarter but
returned to the game. Other recruited seniors include
lineman Brian Burgoyne and running back Kareem
Dutrieville. The top junior is receiver-defensive back
Ryan Mundy. The Wolverines won their third straight
WPIAL AAAA title with impressive wins over North
Hills, McKeesport and Pittsburgh Central Catholic.
30. Dowling (West Des Moines, Iowa) 13-0 (50)
Dowling repeated as state Class 4A champion and
extended win streak to 26 games for coach Matt Dillon
in a 35-15 finals' win over Iowa City (12-1). After
seven straight title game losses, the Maroons have
found the closing touch. Offensively, the stars were
wide receiver Chris Holman (52 receptions, 828 yards,
eight TDs) and lineman Matt Schwen. The defense was
anchored by linebackers Tim Heaston and Todd Baldwin
plus lineman James Williams.
31. McNary (Salem, Ore.) 13-1 (nr)
McNary completed an amazing post-season run by
defeating Eugene Sheldon, 35-10, in the state Class 4A
title game. The running game accounted for 360 of the
525 total yards including 357 from back Andy Taylor.
McNary defeated four straight unbeaten teams in the
playoffs--Roseburg, Portland Jesuit, Lake Oswego and
Sheldon. Defensive lineman Martin Miller, who recorded
23 sacks, was named state Defensive Player of the
Year. Other first team all-staters were linebacker J.
D. Rose, defensive back Tony Vrendenburg and offensive
linemen Conrad Venti and Brendon Jones.
32. Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) 11-2 (nr)
What a season for Elder. It beat three state No.
1-ranked teams in eventual champion Cleveland St.
Ignatius, Warren Harding and Cincinnati Colerain but
couldn't master rival St. Xavier, losing twice by a
combined six points, including 24-21 in the playoffs.
Quarterback Keith Bolger and his twin, wide receiver
Brett, and junior wideout Bill Poland run the offense.
Bolger passed for 2,002 yards and rushed for 720 with
25 total TDs. All-District senior defenders were
lineman Josh Huber and Jim Macke. Other standouts were
linebacker Andrew Ackerman and defensive back Ricky
Brown.
33. Apopka (Apopka, Fla.) 14-1 (nr)
The Blue Darters rushed for 350 yards and downed
Miami Northwestern, 34-16 to claim the state Class 6A
championship. Junior Alan Abrams rushed for 166 yards
and fullback Steve Baylark 103 yards in the infantry
attack as Apopka came on strong in the playoffs and
dominated opponents with their ball-control offense.
34. Palm Bay (Melbourne, Fla.) 12-1 (nr)
The Pirates' season ended in the state Class 4A
semifinals to eventual champion, and FAB 50 No. 11
Tallahassee Lincoln, 24-21. Palm Bay, which won the
2000 Class 6A title, handed FAB 50 No. 20 Rockledge
its only season setback.
35. Hoover (Hoover, Ala.) 14-1 (17)
The defending state Class 6A champion Bucs had eight
turnovers--four interceptions and four fumbles, in the
state finals' 48-21 loss to unbeaten, FAB 50 No. 12
Daphne. It ended a 23-game win streak. Quarterback
John Parker Wilson passed for 358 yards in the loss.
One of the nation's top juniors, all-state wide
receiver Chad Jackson, landed 10 passes for 179 yards
in the final.
36. Bakersfield (Bakersfield, Calif.) 13-0 (nr)
The Drillers, the state's winningest all-time
program, ended a seven-year section title drought,
with a 42-14 victory over Clovis to claim the CIF
Central Section crown. Thomas Stancil rushed for 166
yards and two TDs ad Jonathan Dover passed for 205
yards and two scores. It was Bakersfield's 33rd
section championship, the top total in the state.
37. John Curtis (River Ridge, La.) 14-1 (nr)
The Patriots extended their state record for
championships to 17, all under coach J. T. Curtis,
with a 30-0 blanking of previously-unbeaten Baker of Baton Rouge in
the Class 4A final. John Curtis earlier avenged its
lone loss, to New Orleans Walker, which snapped a
303-game national-record scoring streak and long
district winning streak of the Patriots in the regular
season. Two LSU recruits, running back Jason Spadoni
and defensive back Vernon Russell, earned all-state as
well as junior offensive lineman Jerry Sevin.
38. Valdosta (Valdosta, Ga.) 12-2 (nr)
The Wildcats bowed to FAB 50 No. 4 Lilburn Parkview,
30-14 in the state Class 5A semifinals after leading
14-13 at halftime. During the regular season, Valdosta
defeated two Florida state champions -- FAB 50 No. 11
Tallahassee Lincoln and Madison County.
39. DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) 11-0 (nr)
The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference champion
will carry a 22-game win streak into next season. The
Stags finished as the No. 1-ranked Maryland team for
the second team in four years and the third since
1995. Coach Bill McGregor sports a 185-27-3 record in
21 years. The teams was led by Elijah Brooks with
1,679 rushing yards and 23 TDs on 240 carries. Other
key players and college destinations include linemen
Quinn Ojinaka (Syracuse) and Dan Orlebar (Wake
Forest), defensive back Bill Looney (Navy) and tight
end Paul Campitelli (Duke). Top juniors include
quarterback Ryan Mitch and linebacker Corey Sobel. The
Stags' key wins were over Baltimore Gilman (16-0) and
Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) by 20-14 in the WCAC final.
40. Downers Grove South (Downers Grove, Ill.) 12-2
(nr)
After starting the season 1-2, the Mustangs won 11
straight games including a dramatic 34-31
come-from-behind win over former state No. 1
Naperville Central to claim the Class 8A championship.
Quarterback Mike Cuzzone finished the season 117 of
192 for 2,014 yads and 25 TDs. Kent Hughes was the
primary target with 52 catches for a school-record
2,088 yards. Bob Nakielny rushed for 24 TDs. Top
junior offensive lineman Martin O'Donnell (6-4, 260)
is one of the few returning veterans for coach John
Belskis.
41. Naperville Central (Naperville, Ill.) 13-1 (nr)
The Redhawks, seeking to win their second state title
in three years, lost a Class 8A state finals'
heartbreaker, 34-31, to Downers Grove South.
Quarterback Phil Horvath, receivers Tyke Spencer and
Dan Passarelli and running back Jason Paquette were
season standouts for veteran coach Joe Bunge.
Linebackers Mike Lucas and Nick Ehrlich plus back Brad
Matthews led the defense.
42. Olathe North (Olathe, Kan.) 12-0 (nr)
Tailback Maurice Mack rushed for 2,089 yards as the
Eagles won the Class 6A title for the fifth time in
six seasons and finished unbeaten for the second
straight year. Lineman Josh Carroll was a two-time
first-team All-State pick in the Sunflower State. The
big question at North is whether the Eagles will be
able to continue their current level of dominance
without coach Gene Wier, who is being considered for a
job on the staff of new Kansas head coach Mark
Mangino.
43. Mesquite (Mesquite, Texas) 15-0 (nr)
Mesquite has been around for 101 years, but the
Skeeters' Class 5A Division I title, sealed with a
14-13 win over San Antonio Taft, was the school's
first in football. The Skeeters rode the play of a
terrific defensive unit, led by highly-recruited
lineman Marco Martin, to the championship. Mesquite
didn't score more than 36 points in any game, but
never surrendered more than 21 points in any game.
Watch out for freshman linebacker Mark Green, who
broke into the starting lineup and made several key
plays down the stretch for the Skeeters.
44. Glades Central (Belle Glade, Fla.) 12-1 (9)
The Raiders had the second longest win streak in
state history end at 47 games with a 21-14 Class 3A
playoff loss to eventual champion Rockledge, which is
ranked No. 20 in the FAB 50. Quarterback Curtis Holley
passed for 2,533 yards and 28 touchdowns.
45. Poly Prep (Brooklyn, N.Y.) 8-0 (nr)
Poly Prep plays an independent schedule and defeated
teams from four states plus the District of Columbia
and will carry a 20-game win streak into next season.
The team's top players are top lineman recruit Kwa Kou
Robinson, receiver Jahkeen Gilmore and track standout
I-Perfection Harris and will graduate nine players on
each side of the ball. Key victories included
Pennsylvania Class AAAA quarterfinalist Bethlehem
Catholic (22-14) and Baltimore Gilman (18-15).
46. Jackson (Jackson, N.J.) 12-0 (nr)
Jackson pushed its win streak to 25 games by capping
a second straight unbeaten season and earning
consensus No. 1 state ranking after winning the South
Jersey Group 4 title. The only knock was not facing
any state Top 20 ranked teams. Linebackers Nick
Castellano, also the team's top rusher, and Joe
Serratelli earned all-state honors along with
defensive lineman Ray Brown, offensive lineman Ryan
Niemic and placekicker Mike Cortese, who booted 11
field goals including two over 50 yards.
47. Clovis (Clovis, N.M.) 13-0 (nr)
Clovis won its 13th state title, but its first since
1994, with a 17-10 win over previously unbeaten
Mayfield (Las Cruces) in the Class 5A final. Ten of
those titles have come under coach Eric Roanhaus, but
this was the first time Roanhaus -- the Southwest
Region's coach of the Year -- has guided the Wildcats to
an unbeaten season in his 24 years at the helm.
48. Kentwood (Kent, Wash.) 13-1 (nr)
The Conquerers defeated two unbeatens -- Bethel of
Spanaway Lake and defending champion Pasco, to capture
the state's Class 4A championship. It was the first
title for coach Tom Ingles, who has 12-year record of
92-36. Quarterback Carl Bonnell was state 5A player of
the year. Kevin Jones rushed for over 2,000 yards and
had eight interceptions.
49. Putnam City North (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 13-1 (nr)
The Panthers, barely on the radar screen as a
contender at the start of the season, made an
impressive run before falling 38-28 to FAB 50 No. 2
Jenks in the Class 6A final. North senior quarterback
Matt Warren, the state offensive player of the year,
finished the season with 3,585 passing yards (a state
single season record) and 41 touchdowns (which matched
the state record). Junior speedster Aaron Ivey, who
had 1,257 receiving yards, was Warren's favorite
target.
50. Millard West (Omaha, Neb.) 12-1 (nr)
Millard West won the first title in any sport in the
school's seven-year history by capturing the Class A
crown by downing North Platte 28-14 in the
championship game. The Wildcats allowed just 65 points
in 13 games, and missed a perfect season only because
of a 10-7 overtime loss to Millard North during the
regular season. Senior fullback Keith Hoff set a
school single-season rushing record with 1,302 yards,
and offensive lineman-linebacker Nike Leaders was the
state offensive player of the year.
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