Are These Top 10 Football Teams Ranked Too Highly?
It has become abundantly clear who the top high school football teams in the nation are for 2021. However, outside the top five, the room for parity expands. Here, I will look at MaxPreps’ top 10 football teams in the nation and evaluate whether they are ranked too high, too low, or just about right.
10. Katy (TX)
Too high. While the Tigers have been impressive this season at 7-0, they defeated The Woodlands and Dickinson by only 7. That is especially uncharacteristic of a top-10 nationally ranked team.
9. Center Grove (IN)
About right. The Trojans haven’t had trouble in any of their eight games so far this season and even defeated a top-50 (at the time) Carmel team 41-14. They also blew out Lawrence North and Warren Central.
8. Servite (CA)
Too low. Servite has played a rigorous schedule and has blown through it with relative ease. They played three top-100 teams nationally (Mission Viejo, Santa Margarita, and Sierra Canyon) and scored at least 44 points in each of those games.
7. Collins Hill (GA)
Too high. With No. 1 player in the nation Travis Hunter likely out for the rest of the season, the Eagles are more of a top-25 team than a top-10 one. Even with Hunter, the Eagles struggled for three quarters with Greenville Christian (MS), ranked 59th.
6. Bergen Catholic (NJ)
Too high. The Crusaders defeated Delbarton by 9 and shut out a non-top-100 Don Bosco Prep team 17-0. There are several other teams who have not only played a harder schedule but have also won more convincingly.
5. St. John Bosco (CA)
Too low. The Braves are just a week removed from losing by 21 to Mater Dei. However, they have tested themselves all season long with one of the nation’s toughest schedules and are 6-1. On par with previous years, the Braves are definitely a top-five team.
4. Thompson (AL)
About right. Thompson is a tough read. They haven’t played any high-caliber national teams, but they most certainly have dominated, outscoring opponents 400-26 through eight games. I believe they are a top-five team nationally, but I would rank St. John Bosco over them due to rigor.
3. Westlake (TX)
Too high. The Chaparrals have only played and beat one fringe-top-100 team (Trinity) and did so by 20. While it is nitpicking to worry about the margin of victory, it must be done, especially when ranking a team as high as third nationally.
2. IMG Academy (FL)
About right. The Ascenders have rolled through nationally popular teams like Miami Northwestern (FL), La Salle (OH), and Jones (FL). Their defense has taken a step forward as well, allowing only roughly 6 points a game.
1. Mater Dei (CA)
About right. This one requires no explanation. The Monarchs have bulldozed top programs nationwide, including Liberty (NV), Duncanville (TX), and St. John Bosco (CA). They are by far the best team in the nation.
Written by: Dhruv Mohan
