Tag: NFCA

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Another year, another state title for Neshoba Central.

The top-ranked (32-0) Rockets capped their run to an eighth straight Mississippi Class 5A crown with the second of two victories over East Central, 14-0, last Friday. Neshoba opened the best-of-three championship series with a 7-3 victory last Thursday. The No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 heads into the offseason having won 39 consecutive games.

Second-ranked Lake Creek (37-0) rolled to a 16-0 triumph in last Friday’s Texas 5A playoff showdown with Magnolia West, and will face Crosby tonight. No. 3 Hewitt-Trussville topped Baker, 5-4, this morning, and will face the winner of the Hoover-Sparkman matchup at 1:30 p.m. today, then potentially play another contest at 5 p.m. to set up Friday’s Alabama state 7A championship.

In that 5 p.m. contest, Hewitt-Trussville could face No. 19 Bob Jones (35-4), who blanked Thompson, 5-0, this morning, and will play the winner of the earlier Fairhope-Vestavia Hills matchup at 1:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, No. 4 Lakewood Ranch (28-2) competes in its third straight Florida 7A final four on Friday against Palmetto Bay, after dispatching West Orange, 7-2, in their regional final last Friday. Park Vista (28-0), Leander (34-1) and Clear Springs (28-0) all advanced in their respective state tournament brackets to remain fifth through seventh this week.

Crown Point (26-3) dropped one spot, to 22nd, following last Thursday’s 7-2 ranked loss to Marist (24-1), who subsequently lost 2-1 to Lake Central on Monday to fall one place themselves to No. 12.

Elsewhere, No. 25 Trenton (20-1) beat Jay, 5-4, on Wednesday to capture the Florida Class 1A state championship.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – May 20, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 32-0 – PR: 1

2. Lake Creek (Texas): 37-0 – PR: 2

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 45-2-1 – PR: 3

4. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 28-2 – PR: 4

5. Park Vista (Fla.): 28-0 – PR: 5

6. Leander (Texas): 34-1 – PR: 6

7. Clear Springs (Texas): 28-0 – PR: 7

8. Barbe (La.): 31-2 – PR: 8

9. Norco (Calif.): 20-1 – PR: 9

10. New Palestine (Ind.): 25-0 – PR: 12

11. St. Amant (La.): 25-3 – PR: 10

12. Marist (Ill.): 24-1 – PR: 11

13. Keystone (Ohio): 28-1 – PR: 13

14. Byrnes (S.C.): 27-1 – PR: 14

15. Rocky Mountain (Idaho): 21-1 – PR: 15

16. Lakota West (Ohio): 27-1 – PR: 16

17. Roncalli (Ind.): 22-2 – PR: 17

18. South Warren (Ky.): 26-1 – PR: 18

19. Bob Jones (Ala.): 35-4 – PR: 19

20. Barbers Hill (Texas): 34-2 – PR: 20

21. Masuk (Conn.): 16-0 – PR: 22

22. Crown Point (Ind.): 26-3 – PR: 21

23. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 25-2 – PR: 23

24. Winnacunnet (N.H.): 4-0 – PR: 24

25. Trenton (Fla.): 20-1 – PR: 25

Dropped out: None

Learn more about the NFCA.

[lawrence-related id=101485358]

[lawrence-related id=101485282]

[lawrence-related id=101485102]

[lawrence-related id=101485012]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Stop us if you’ve heard this before: Neshoba Central advanced to the Class 5A state finals.

The seven-time reigning Mississippi state titlist and No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 will face East Central later today in the opener of the best-of-three championship series at the University of Southern Mississippi. Game two will be Friday, with a third game, if necessary, slated for Saturday. The (30-0) Rockets are riding a 37-game win streak.

Meanwhile, No. 2 Lake Creek (36-0), third-ranked Hewitt-Trussville (43-2-1), No. 4 Lakewood Ranch (27-2) and fifth-ranked Park Vista (27-0) all continued to advance through their respective state tournaments and play again in the coming days.

San Antonio Warren (25-2) dropped all the way from sixth to 23rd after being upset in the final two games of a best-of-three playoff series against Los Fresnos, allowing the eight teams below to slide up one spot each.

Elsewhere, Connecticut’s Masuk (14-0) and New Hampshire’s Winnacunnet (4-0) are new to this week’s rankings.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – May 13, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 30-0 – PR: 1

2. Lake Creek (Texas): 36-0 – PR: 2

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 43-2-1 – PR: 3

4. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 27-2 – PR: 4

5. Park Vista (Fla.): 27-0 – PR: 5

6. Leander (Texas): 32-0 – PR: 7

7. Clear Springs (Texas): 26-0 – PR: 8

8. Barbe (La.): 31-2 – PR: 9

9. Norco (Calif.): 17-1 – PR: 10

10. St. Amant (La.): 25-3 – PR: 11

11. Marist (Ill.): 21-0 – PR: 12

12. New Palestine (Ind.): 23-0 – PR: 13

13. Keystone (Ohio): 26-1 – PR: 14

14. Byrnes (S.C.): 25-1 – PR: 16

15. Rocky Mountain (Idaho): 21-1 – PR: 18

16. Lakota West (Ohio): 25-1 – PR: 19

17. Roncalli (Ind.): 19-2 – PR: 15

18. South Warren (Ky.): 20-1 – PR: 17

19. Bob Jones (Ala.): 33-4 – PR: 20

20. Barbers Hill (Texas): 33-2 – PR: 21

21. Crown Point (Ind.): 21-2 – PR: 22

22. Masuk (Conn.): 14-0 – PR: NR

23. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 25-2 – PR: 6

24. Winnacunnet (N.H.): 4-0 – PR: NR

25. Trenton (Fla.): 18-1 – PR: 25

Dropped out:

Alvin (Texas)

Spain Park (Ala.)

Learn more about the NFCA.

[lawrence-related id=101485282]

[lawrence-related id=101485102]

[lawrence-related id=101485012]

[lawrence-related id=101484893]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Seven-time reigning Mississippi state champion Neshoba Central advanced to the Class 5A North State finals and remained No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 for a fifth straight week.

The (27-0) Rockets defeated Grenada twice to run their win streak to 44 games and reach the fourth round of the playoffs. Neshoba will play the winner of a weather-delayed best-of-three series between New Hope and Saltillo this weekend. Saltillo won the first game, 13-4, and can advance with another win later today. The state finals are slated for next weekend at Mississippi State University.

Meanwhile, No. 2 Lake Creek (34-0) overwhelmed Magnolia 39-0 in a pair of Texas playoff contests — the first postseason victories for the Lions in school history. Senior Emiley Kennedy fanned 12 in the first game, while sophomore Ava Brown tossed a perfect game in the second, striking out 20 of the 21 batters she faced.

Fifth-ranked Park Vista (25-0), which has won 44 straight games, finally heads back to action today with a Florida playoff matchup against Jupiter, the last team to beat the Cobras back on April 25, 2019.

Elsewhere, New Palestine (19-0) moved up one more place this week after dealing No. 15 Roncalli (15-1) its first loss, 4-0, last Saturday in a showdown of top Indiana programs.

South Carolina’s Byrnes (23-1) and Kentucky’s South Warren (14-0) are the poll newcomers.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – May 6, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 27-0 – PR: 1

2. Lake Creek (Texas): 34-0 – PR: 2

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 42-2-1 – PR: 3

4. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 25-2 – PR: 4

5. Park Vista (Fla.): 25-0 – PR: 5

6. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 24-0 – PR: 6

7. Leander (Texas): 31-0 – PR: 7

8. Clear Springs (Texas): 25-0 – PR: 8

9. Barbe (La.): 31-2 – PR: 9

10. Norco (Calif.): 14-1 – PR: 12

11. St. Amant (La.): 25-3 – PR: 10

12. Marist (Ill.): 18-0 – PR: 13

13. New Palestine (Ind.): 19-0 – PR: 14

14. Keystone (Ohio): 23-1 – PR: 16

15. Roncalli (Ind.): 15-1 – PR: 15

16. Byrnes (S.C.): 23-1 – PR: NR

17. South Warren (Ky.): 14-0 – PR: NR

18. Rocky Mountain (Idaho): 21-1 – PR: 17

19. Lakota West (Ohio): 21-1 – PR: 18

20. Bob Jones (Ala.): 30-4 – PR: 11

21. Barbers Hill (Texas): 31-2 – PR: 21

22. Crown Point (Ind.): 17-2 – PR: 20

23. Alvin (Texas): 24-3 – PR: 23

24. Spain Park (Ala.): 35-5 – PR: 24

25. Trenton (Fla.): 17-1 – PR: 25

Dropped out:

Eastern Alamance (N.C.)

Spanish Fork (Utah)

Learn more about the NFCA.

[lawrence-related id=101485102]

[lawrence-related id=101485012]

[lawrence-related id=101484893]

[lawrence-related id=101484788]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — There was some jostling in this week’s USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll, but not at the top, as perennial power Neshoba Central continued to win and remained No. 1 for a fourth-straight week.

The (25-0) Rockets defeated West Lauderdale last Thursday in the Mississippi playoffs, then defeated Center Hill twice this week to win their 42nd straight game. Neshoba hosts Grenada in the third round of the playoffs on Friday, with game two of that series set for Saturday on the road.

The (22-4) Chargers dealt the seven-time reigning state 5A champs their last loss, 5-2, on April 26, 2019, in the first game of a best-of-three playoff series ultimately won by Neshoba.

Every other team in the top 10 kept winning, including No. 2 Lake Creek (32-0), which scored victories over Caney Creek and Lovelady; third-ranked Hewitt-Trussville (40-2-1), which rolled past Tuscaloosa County; and No. 4 Lakewood Ranch (24-2), which defeated Riverview on Tuesday in the Florida district semis.

Los Alamitos (10-3) suffered two more losses to drop out of the rankings this week, with one-loss Ohio power Lakota West (18-1) the newcomer at No. 18. The Firebirds’ lone defeat of the season was a 5-1 setback against unbeaten Indiana powerhouse and No. 15-ranked Roncalli (14-0) on April 17.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – April 29, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 25-0 – PR: 1

2. Lake Creek (Texas): 32-0 – PR: 2

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 40-2-1 – PR: 3

4. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 24-2 – PR: 4

5. Park Vista (Fla.): 25-0 – PR: 5

6. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 22-0 – PR: 6

7. Leander (Texas): 29-0 – PR: 7

8. Clear Springs (Texas): 24-0 – PR: 8

9. Barbe (La.): 26-2 – PR: 9

10. St. Amant (La.): 23-2 – PR: 10

11. Bob Jones (Ala.): 26-3 – PR: 12

12. Norco (Calif.): 11-1 – PR: 13

13. Marist (Ill.): 11-0 – PR: 14

14. New Palestine (Ind.): 15-0 – PR: 15

15. Roncalli (Ind.): 14-0 – PR: 17

16. Keystone (Ohio): 21-1 – PR: 18

17. Rocky Mountain (Idaho): 18-1 – PR: 16

18. Lakota West (Ohio): 18-1 – PR: NR

19. Spanish Fork (Utah): 22-1 – PR: 20

20. Crown Point (Ind.): 12-1 – PR: 21

21. Barbers Hill (Texas): 28-2 – PR: 22

22. Eastern Alamance (N.C.): 12-2 – PR: 19

23. Alvin (Texas): 22-3 – PR: 23

24. Spain Park (Ala.): 33-5 – PR: 24

25. Trenton (Fla.): 15-1 – PR: 25

Dropped out:

Los Alamitos (Calif.)

Learn more about the NFCA.

[lawrence-related id=101485012]

[lawrence-related id=101484893]

[lawrence-related id=101484788]

[lawrence-related id=101484696]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Perennial power Neshoba Central continued to win and remained No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll for a third-straight week.

The (22-0) Rockets had a rare close game, edging Holmes Central just 1-0 last Thursday, but rolled past Choctaw Central, 9-2, the next day. Neshoba will vie for its 40th straight win when it hosts West Lauderdale tonight. The Rockets’ last loss came April 26, 2019, when they dropped the first game of a best-of-three playoff series, 5-2, to Grenada.

Meanwhile, Emiley Kennedy no-hit Cleveland and had 12 strikeouts in a 12-0 rout for second-ranked Lake Creek (30-0) on Tuesday, which followed up Ava Brown’s 11 strikeouts in last Friday’s district-clinching 14-0 triumph over Porter. The Lions have won 34 straight and 45 of their last 46 games.

The first eight teams remain unchanged, as all but Leander (29-0), who didn’t play, added wins to their resumes. Louisiana standouts Barbe (26-2) and St. Amant (23-2) both are in the top 10 now following Los Alamitos’ 3-2 loss to Pacifica on Wednesday.

The lone newcomer to the poll this week is Indiana’s undefeated Roncalli (11-0), which dealt Ohio power Lakota West its first loss, 5-1, last Saturday.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – April 22, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 22-0 – PR: 1

2. Lake Creek (Texas): 30-0 – PR: 2

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 33-2-1 – PR: 3

4. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 21-2 – PR: 4

5. Park Vista (Fla.): 22-0 – PR: 5

6. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 21-0 – PR: 6

7. Leander (Texas): 29-0 – PR: 7

8. Clear Springs (Texas): 23-0 – PR: 8

9. Barbe (La.): 26-2 – PR: 10

10. St. Amant (La.): 23-2 – PR: 11

11. Los Alamitos (Calif.): 10-1 – PR: 9

12. Bob Jones (Ala.): 25-3 – PR: 12

13. Norco (Calif.): 8-1 – PR: 13

14. Marist (Ill.): 6-0 – PR: 14

15. New Palestine (Ind.): 8-0 – PR: 15

16. Rocky Mountain (Idaho): 17-0 – PR: 19

17. Roncalli (Ind.): 11-0 – PR: NR

18. Keystone (Ohio): 16-1 – PR: 16

19. Eastern Alamance (N.C.): 11-1 – PR: 17

20. Spanish Fork (Utah): 20-1 – PR: 18

21. Crown Point (Ind.): 9-1 – PR: 20

22. Barbers Hill (Texas): 28-2 – PR: 21

23. Alvin (Texas): 21-3 – PR: 22

24. Spain Park (Ala.): 30-5 – PR: 23

25. Trenton (Fla.): 13-1 – PR: 24

Dropped out:

O’Connor (Ariz.)

Learn more about the NFCA.

[lawrence-related id=101484893]

[lawrence-related id=101484788]

[lawrence-related id=101484696]

[lawrence-related id=101484606]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Perennial power Neshoba Central continued to win and remained No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll for a second-straight week.

The (18-0) Rockets scorched the scoreboard for 48 runs over the past week, while only allowing five, and are back in action today with a game against Holmes County Central.

The rest of the top 10 also kept rolling, collecting 17 wins combined. No. 4 Lakewood Ranch (19-2) and seventh-ranked Leander (29-0) led the way with three victories apiece. In fact, none of teams in an unchanged first 15 lost.

Speaking of teams on a roll, three undefeated squads joined the rankings this week. Ohio’s Keystone (11-0), which won the 1,000th game in its program’s storied history, is the new No. 16 team, while Utah’s Spanish Fork (17-0) and Idaho’s Rocky Mountain (14-0) check in at 18th and 19th, respectively.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – April 15, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 18-0 – PR: 1

2. Lake Creek (Texas): 28-0 – PR: 2

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 32-2-1 – PR: 3

4. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 19-2 – PR: 4

5. Park Vista (Fla.): 17-0 – PR: 5

6. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 19-0 – PR: 6

7. Leander (Texas): 29-0 – PR: 7

8. Clear Springs (Texas): 22-0 – PR: 8

9. Los Alamitos (Calif.): 8-0 – PR: 9

10. Barbe (La.): 25-2 – PR: 10

11. St. Amant (La.): 23-2 – PR: 11

12. Bob Jones (Ala.): 24-3 – PR: 12

13. Norco (Calif.): 7-1 – PR: 13

14. Marist (Ill.): 1-0 – PR: 14

15. New Palestine (Ind.): 3-0 – PR: 15

16. Keystone (Ohio): 11-0 – PR: NR

17. Eastern Alamance (N.C.): 8-0 – PR: 17

18. Spanish Fork (Utah): 17-0 – PR: NR

19. Rocky Mountain (Idaho): 14-0 – PR: NR

20. Crown Point (Ind.): 5-1 – PR: 18

21. Barbers Hill (Texas): 25-2 – PR: 19

22. Alvin (Texas): 19-3 – PR: 20

23. Spain Park (Ala.): 24-5 – PR: 21

24. Trenton (Fla.): 13-1 – PR: 22

25. O’Connor (Ariz.): 8-2 – PR: 25

Dropped out:

Sickles (Fla.)

Cooper City (Fla.)

Chino Hills (Calif.)

Learn more about the NFCA.

[lawrence-related id=101484788]

[lawrence-related id=101484696]

[lawrence-related id=101484606]

[lawrence-related id=101484508]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Losses at the top two spots allowed perennial power Neshoba Central to ascend to the No. 1 position in this week’s USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll.

The (5-0) Rockets rolled past Enterprise, 14-2, last Thursday and play Morton on Friday. Neshoba has won the past seven Mississippi 5A state championships, and is riding a 22-game win streak dating back to April 26, 2019, when it lost 5-2 to Grenada in the opener of a best-of-three playoff series it won. Last year, the Rockets were 11-0 before COVID-19 intervened.

Unbeaten Lake Creek (26-0) also leapfrogged Lakewood Ranch and Hewitt-Trussville to take over the No. 2 spot this week. The Lions defeated New Caney, 5-1, last Thursday and Dayton, 9-0, on Tuesday. They have now won 30 straight games, having claimed their last four during last year’s pandemic-shortened 15-1 campaign.

Hewitt-Trussville (31-2-1) went 7-0 over the weekend at the Oxford Spring Sting Tournament, but slipped from second to third following Wednesday’s 8-6 loss to No. 21 Spain Park, while Lakewood Ranch (16-2) won twice, but dropped from first to fourth after a 3-2 loss to Venice on Tuesday. The rest of the top 10 stayed unchanged.

Elsewhere, Barbe (23-2) stayed put at No. 10 after a loss to a quality Sam Houston squad, No. 12 Bob Jones (23-3) rolled through the 28th edition of its own home tournament, and Barbers Hill (24-2) moved up to 19th after getting a perfect game from Reagan Duty in Tuesday’s 18-0 run-rule victory over Port Arthur Memorial.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – April 8, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 5-0 – PR: 3

2. Lake Creek (Texas): 26-0 – PR: 4

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 31-2-1 – PR: 2

4. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 16-2 – PR: 1

5. Park Vista (Fla.): 15-0 – PR: 5

6. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 17-0 – PR: 6

7. Leander (Texas): 26-0 – PR: 7

8. Clear Springs (Texas): 20-0 – PR: 8

9. Los Alamitos (Calif.): 6-0 – PR: 9

10. Barbe (La.): 23-2 – PR: 10

11. St. Amant (La.): 22-2 – PR: 11

12. Bob Jones (Ala.): 23-3 – PR: 12

13. Norco (Calif.): 5-1 – PR: 13

14. Marist (Ill.): 0-0 – PR: 14

15. New Palestine (Ind.): 3-0 – PR: 15

16. Sickles (Fla.): 15-0 – PR: 17

16. Sickles (Fla.): 15-0 – PR: 17

17. Eastern Alamance (N.C.): 5-0 – PR: 18

18. Crown Point (Ind.): 3-0 – PR: 19

19. Barbers Hill (Texas): 24-2 – PR: 20

20. Alvin (Texas): 16-3 – PR: 16

21. Spain Park (Ala.): 24-5 – PR: 21

22. Trenton (Fla.): 11-1 – PR: 22

23. Cooper City (Fla.): 9-2 – PR: 23

24. Chino Hills (Calif.): 4-2 – PR: 24

25. O’Connor (Ariz.): 6-2 – PR: 25

Dropped out:

None.

[lawrence-related id=101484696]

[lawrence-related id=101484606]

[lawrence-related id=101484508]

[lawrence-related id=101484439]

Learn more about the NFCA.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Top-ranked Lakewood Ranch won three more games last week to remain No. 1 in Thursday’s USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll.

The (14-1) Mustangs are back in action today with a home doubleheader against Braden River, following wins over Hardee (16-0 last Thursday), Venice (11-3 on Monday) and Canterbury (6-3 on Tuesday).

The next five teams in the poll also continued to win and stayed put. No. 2 Hewitt-Trussville (23-1-1) and fourth-ranked Lake Creek (24-0) added five victories apiece, while No. 3 Neshoba Central (4-0) and sixth-ranked San Antonio Warren (15-0) each won once. No. 5 Park Vista (12-0) was idle last week, but resumes play tonight with a home game against Dwyer.
Leander (25-0) continued to roll through its schedule in Texas, and is the new No. 7 team in the poll. Chino Hills (1-2), which had been the seventh-ranked team, fell all the way to 24th after dropping its first two games — one of which was a 5-4 loss to then-No. 12 Norco.

Meanwhile, Barbe (23-1) joined fellow Louisiana school St. Amant (21-2) in the rankings this week. The newcomer Buccaneers, who have won 20 straight, jumped in ahead of the Gators at 10th, based on St. Amant’s 4-2 extra-inning loss to West Monroe, a team Barbe beat 9-4 on March 19.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – April 1, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 14-1 – PR: 1

2. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 23-1-1 – PR: 2

3. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 4-0 – PR: 3

4. Lake Creek (Texas): 24-0 – PR: 4

5. Park Vista (Fla.): 12-0 – PR: 5

6. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 15-0 – PR: 6

7. Leander (Texas): 25-0 – PR: NR

8. Clear Springs (Texas): 18-0 – PR: NR

9. Los Alamitos (Calif.): 5-0 – PR: 9

10. Barbe (La.): 23-1 – PR: NR

11. St. Amant (La.): 21-2 – PR: 10

12. Bob Jones (Ala.): 12-1 – PR: 11

13. Norco (Calif.): 3-1 – PR: 12

14. Marist (Ill.): 0-0 – PR: 13

15. New Palestine (Ind.): 2-0 – PR: 14

16. Alvin (Texas): 16-2 – PR: 15

17. Sickles (Fla.): 14-0 – PR: 16

18. Eastern Alamance (N.C.): 4-0 – PR: 17

19. Crown Point (Ind.): 0-0 – PR: 18

20. Barbers Hill (Texas): 23-2 – PR: 19

21. Spain Park (Ala.): 17-4 – PR: 20

22. Trenton (Fla.): 10-0 – PR: 21

23. Cooper City (Fla.): 8-1 – PR: 22

24. Chino Hills (Calif.): 1-2 – PR: 7

25. O’Connor (Ariz.): 4-2 – PR: 24

Dropped out:

Sheldon (Calif.)

Brandon (Miss.)

[lawrence-related id=101484606]

[lawrence-related id=101484508]

[lawrence-related id=101484439]

[lawrence-related id=101484364]

Learn more about the NFCA.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Top-ranked Lakewood Ranch was idle, and there was no movement among the first seven teams in Thursday’s USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll.

The (11-1) Mustangs return to action tonight at home against Hardee, a team Lakewood Ranch defeated 15-3 on Feb. 22, while the six teams immediately below them went a combined 8-0 over the past week. No. 2 Hewitt-Trussville (18-1-1), third-ranked Neshoba Central (3-0) and No. 6 San Antonio Warren (14-0) all won twice, while No. 4 Lake Creek (18-0) and fifth-ranked Park Vista (12-0) won once each. No. 7 Chino Hills opens its season today versus Esperanza.

An early matchup between perennial California powers Los Alamitos (4-0) and Norco (1-1) on Tuesday was taken by the Griffins, 8-4, to swap their order again this week in the rankings, while the (8-0) Gryphons of Florida’s Sickles High kept winning to earn a place in the Super 25 this week.

Texas’ Clear Springs (17-0) was the other newcomer to the rankings, after Tuesday’s 11-1 rout of Clear Brook gave the Chargers their ninth double-digit scoring game of the season. Shawnee Heights and Oshkosh North, who haven’t started their season yet, dropped out this week but are expected to return once they get rolling.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – March 25, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 11-1 – PR: 1

2. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 18-1-1 – PR: 2

3. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 3-0 – PR: 3

4. Lake Creek (Texas): 18-0 – PR: 4

5. Park Vista (Fla.): 12-0 – PR: 5

6. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 14-0 – PR: 6

7. Chino Hills (Calif.): 0-0 – PR: 7

8. Clear Springs (Texas): 17-0 – PR: NR

9. Los Alamitos (Calif.): 4-0 – PR: 9

10. St. Amant (La.): 18-1 – PR: NR

11. Bob Jones (Ala.): 10-1 – PR: 11

12. Norco (Calif.): 1-1 – PR: 8

13. Marist (Ill.): 0-0 – PR: 12

14. New Palestine (Ind.): 2-0 – PR: 13

15. Alvin (Texas): 15-2 – PR: 14

16. Sickles (Fla.): 8-0 – PR: NR

17. Eastern Alamance (N.C.): 2-0 – PR: 15

18. Crown Point (Ind.): 0-0 – PR: 17

19. Barbers Hill (Texas): 21-2 – PR: 18

20. Spain Park (Ala.): 16-4 – PR: 19

21. Trenton (Fla.): 8-0 – PR: 20

22. Cooper City (Fla.): 7-1 – PR: 21

23. Sheldon (Calif.): 4-0 – PR: 22

24. O’Connor (Ariz.): 2-1 – PR: 16

25. Brandon (Miss.): 11-2-1 – PR: 23

Dropped out:

Shawnee Heights (Kan.)

Oshkosh North (Wis.)

[lawrence-related id=101484508]

[lawrence-related id=101484439]

[lawrence-related id=101484364]

Learn more about the NFCA.