There's a New Number One Team in the Nation

New Number One Team in the Nation in Latest USA Today/NFCA High School Top 25



After five weeks as the No. 1 team in the nation, Pembroke Pines Charter’s reign at the top of

the USA Today/NFCA High School Top 25 Poll, has come to an end. The Jaguars lost in Florida’s 4A State Championship against Naples to end their season with a 29-1 record, and fall to No. 4 in this week’s poll. Taking the No. 1 spot this week is Sheldon (Calif.), who improved to 25-1 on the season.


This isn’t the first time the Huskies have been No. 1, as Coach Mary Jo Truesdale’s squad held the ranking in the year’s first poll on April 3. With the loss to Pembroke Pines, Aledo (Texas) and Broad Run (Va.) slide up a spot each to Nos. 2 and 3 respectively. Canyon del Oro (Ariz.) ranks at No. 5 again this week, after winning the 4A-I Arizona State Championship. Following Head Coach Amy Swiderski’s crew is: Butler (N.C.), Kennedy (Calif.), Shadle Park (Wash.), Simi Valley (Calif.), and Central Davidson (N.C.).


In the No. 11 slot sits Santiago (Calif.), who fell from last week’s rank of No. 7, after a loss to Corona (Calif.). Smithson Valley (Texas) jumps four spots this week to 12 after improving their record to 31-2, and continues to march through the 5A Texas State Playoffs. At No. 13 sits undefeated Escondido (Calif.), followed by Coronado (Texas), who saw their season come to an end at 37-4, after be eliminated in the 5A Texas Regional Quarterfinals by Weatherford.


Rounding out the top 15 is Cibola (N.M.), who drops four spots after losing their first game of the season to Rio Rancho (N.M.). Hueytown (Ala.) is this week’s No. 16 team, after defeating Austin (Ala.) in the 6A Alabama Sub-State Playoffs. Hueytown is followed by Eau Gallie (Fla.), Plano (Texas), Byrd (La.), and Carl Sandburg (Ill.). Rankings 21-23 features Ooltewah (Tenn.), Hickory (Va.), and Mandarin (Fla.). Elyria (Ohio) and Naples (Fla.) are Nos. 24 and 25, and are new to the week’s poll. Elyria is currently undefeated at 19-0 and Naples enters the poll after defeating the previous No. 1 team in the nation, Pembroke Pines Charter, in the 4A Florida State Championship Game. The rankings were compiled by representatives and committees from each state across the nation.