SI's Top 10
1. CARROLL(Southlake, Texas) 2006 RECORD: 16-0
TOP PLAYERS: QBRiley Dodge (6 feet, 187, Sr.); RB Tre' Newton (6 feet, 194, Sr.); LB DerekTomlin (6 feet, 200, Sr.)
OUTLOOK: With eightof 11 starters returning on offense, including Dodge (4,184 passing yards and54 TDs in 2006) and Newton (2,010 rushing yards), the Dragons are favored towin a fourth straight Texas 5A title. Though the D has only three startersback, the players are athletic and know the system. BIG GAME: Sept. 15 vs.Northwestern (Miami)
2. NORTHWESTERN(Miami) 2006 RECORD: 15-0
TOP PLAYERS: QBJacory Harris (6' 4", 171, Sr.); DT Marcus Forston (6' 2", 286, Sr.);WR Aldarius Johnson (6' 3", 195, Sr.)
OUTLOOK: The Bullslook primed for a second straight Florida 6A title. Harris (2,920 passingyards, 37 TDs) and Johnson (1,361 receiving yards, 19 TDs) headline a potentoffense that averaged 43.3 points a game last season. Big man Forston leads adominant defense that allowed 7.2 points per game in 2006. BIG GAME: Sept. 15at Carroll
3. ST. XAVIER(Cincinnati) 2006 RECORD: 10-2
TOP PLAYERS: RBDarius Ashley (5' 9", 190, Sr.); DB Fred Craig (6' 2", 205, Sr.); LBNick Schneider (6' 3", 225, Sr.)
OUTLOOK: TheBombers ended last season with a 24-7 loss to Colerain (Cincinnati) in an OhioDivision I regional final, but the return of 15 starters (six areDivision I recruits) gives them a better shot at winning it all. All eyeswill be on the explosive Ashley, who in two seasons has racked up 3,133 yardsand 48 touchdowns. BIG GAME: Sept. 2 vs. DeMatha
4. DEMATHA(Hyattsville, Md.) 2006 RECORD: 12-0
TOP PLAYERS: WRKenny Tate (6' 4", 220, Sr.); WR Rodney McLeod (5' 10", 185, Sr.); DENick Rivers (6' 3", 245, Sr.)
OUTLOOK: To win afifth straight WCAC championship, the Stags' offense will rely upon twobig-play receivers. While Tate garnered most of the attention with 34receptions for 609 yards and eight TDs last season, the Virginia-bound McLeodalso established himself as a deep threat with 24 receptions and 361 yards. BIGGAME: Sept. 2 at St. Xavier
5. SOUTH PANOLA(Batesville, Miss.) 2006 RECORD: 15-0
TOP PLAYERS: FS-RBDarius Barksdale (6 feet, 190, Sr.); C Jonathan Wilson (6' 2", 275,Sr.)
OUTLOOK: TheTigers, who enter the season with 14 returning starters (including the entireoffensive and defensive lines), are trying to extend 60 consecutive wins andfour straight Mississippi 5A titles. To keep those streaks alive, Barksdale, anOle Miss recruit, must surpass his 1,042 rushing yards in '06. BIG GAME:Sept. 7 vs. Clarksdale (Miss.)
6. INDEPENDENCE(Charlotte) 2006 RECORD: 16-0
TOP PLAYERS: WRJavon Rembert (5' 8", 182, Sr.); RB Rod Chisholm (5' 9", 192, Sr.); FSDevonte Holloman (6' 2", 205, Jr.)
OUTLOOK: Winners of108 straight games and seven North Carolina 4A titles in a row, the Patriotswill retool in a hurry. Chisholm, a transfer, will carry the load on offense,especially after tight end Mario Carter (6' 4", 225) dislocated and toreligaments in his right knee and will be lost for the season. BIG GAME: Nov. 2vs. Butler (Charlotte)
7. KATY (Texas)2006 RECORD: 13-1
TOP PLAYERS: QB BoLevi Mitchell (6 feet, 175, Sr.); RB Audre Dean (6' 1", 210, Sr.); LB EricBall (6' 3", 265, Sr.)
OUTLOOK: After adisappointing 28-21 loss to Cypress Falls (Houston) in the 5A Division IIquarters last year, the Tigers have 12 starters returning. Leading the offensewill be Mitchell (1,490 passing yards, 13 TDs) and UCLA-bound Dean, who rushedfor 2,111 yards out of the I formation last season. BIG GAME: Sept. 8 vs.The Woodlands (Texas)
8. NORTHSIDE(Warner Robbins, Ga.) 2006 RECORD: 15-0
TOP PLAYERS: QBMarques Ivory (6' 2", 240, Sr.); WR Nick Bass (5' 11", 195, Sr.); RBTijuan Green (5' 11", 190, Sr.)
OUTLOOK: The Eagleslook to repeat as Georgia AAAA champions after winning their first title inschool history. Ivory, the division's offensive player of the year, threw for1,823 yards and 27 TDs. The double-threat offense also features Green, whorushed for 945 yards in five playoff games. BIG GAME: Sept. 14 vs. NorthClayton (College Park, Ga.)
9. POLY (LongBeach, Calif.) 2006 RECORD: 11-2
TOP PLAYERS: QBMorgan Fennell (6 feet, 183, Jr.); S Vaughn Telemaque (6' 2", 190, Sr.)
OUTLOOK: Fennell,who was 14 of 35 for 203 yards last season, makes the passing game moreconsistent in a Jackrabbits offense known for its athleticism. The D featuresone of the most talented secondaries in the nation, led by Telemaque, who had54 tackles, 11 deflections and two interceptions. BIG GAME: Sept. 1 atGlenville (Cleveland)
10. JENKS(Oklahoma) 2006 RECORD: 13-1
TOP PLAYERS: RBChris Adkins (5' 9", 185, Sr.); QB Mark Ginther (6' 1", 190, Sr.); DTTony Gillespie (6 feet, 295, Sr.)
OUTLOOK: TheTrojans won the Oklahoma 6A title, but a repeat will be difficult with thetop-two linebackers gone from last year's team. It helps that the team has ahigh-powered offense featuring Ginther (2,140 passing yards, 27 TDs) and Adkins(695 rushing yards in four playoff games). BIG GAME: Sept. 7 at Union(Tulsa)
Only at SI.com For the complete Top 25 go toSI.com/highschool.
TEN ILLUSTRATIONS