If you’re a student-athlete or coach and you’re playing this weekend, you’re playing in a big game. With two weeks to go in the 2015 season, this week’s games are either for a championship or the right to play for a championship next weekend.
Our “mythical” national championship chase is still up in the air as Allen (Texas) goes after its fourth straight national crown and fourth straight Texas state championship. The Eagles, who have won 57 straight, will play Westlake (13-1) tonight in Waco for the right to go next next week’s Class 6A Division I championship game in Houston.
When it comes to claiming another national title, the Eagles control their own destiny when it comes to our propriety algorithm that crowns our champ. If Allen (14-0) runs-the-table over the next two weekends, there’s a great chance that the Eagles will finish #1.
Allen’s drive for four could also be helped by Friday night’s 7A championship game in Florida between #12 St. Thomas Aquinas (12-1) and Viera. If Viera (10-4) pulls the upset, that would help Allen’s Strength of Schedule in our computer ranking, since the Eagles beat Viera 56-20 in early September.
In California, Corona Centennial fans are hoping that someone can knock-off Allen to give the second-ranked Huskies a shot at the national title. Corona Centennial, which last week beat former #2 St. John Bosco, is off the week and will play #7 De La Salle next week in California’s Open Division championship game.
In addition to hoping for an Allen loss, the Huskies could be helped if #5 Colquitt County loses to Roswell in the Georgia Class AAAAAA championship game Saturday. A Packer loss would probably boost De La Salle’s ranking heading into next week’s title game, which in-turn would help Corona Centennial’s Strength of Schedule.
Bishop Gorman‘s hopes of ascending to #1 is completely contingent on both Allen and Corona Centennial losing.
Colquitt County’s national championship hopes also rest on losses by the Eagles and Huskies, plus a win in the Georgia championship game.
I ran a few different scenarios through the algorithm, which shows that Colquitt County would jump above current #4 St. Edward (Ohio), if it were to win its second straight state championship Saturday night. The race for the title would then come down to Bishop Gorman and Colquitt County, which would be a very tight contest.
Like Gorman and Colquitt County, #8 Katy (Texas) is also still in the hunt, but needs the teams in front of its to lose. In addition, the Tigers would have to win the Class 6A Division II title, which would include wins over two teams that are currently ranked in our Top 30. This week, Katy plays #16 Cibolo Steele in the state semis. A win against the Knight would move the Tigers into the final where they would face the winner of game between #25 Lake Travis and #30 Mansfield.
Of course, there are plenty of other scenarios, but for now, sit back and enjoy the end to what has been an incredible season and look forward to our new rankings that will be released on Sunday.
High School Football America Top 25 Schedule – December 11-12
#1 Allen Eagles (Texas) vs. Westlake (Texas), Class 6A Division I semifinal, Friday
#2 Corona Centennial Huskies (California) – Idle, will play #7 De La Salle in CIF State Bowl Championship on December 19th
#3 Bishop Gorman Gaels (Nevada) – Season Completed
#4 St. Edward Eagles (Ohio) – Season Completed
#5 Colquitt County Packers (Georgia) vs. Roswell (Georgia), Georgia AAAAAA championship, Saturday
#6 IMG Academy Ascenders (Florida) – Season Completed
#7 De La Salle Spartans (California) – Idle, will play #2 Corona Centennial (California), CIF State Bowl Championship on December 19th
#8 Katy Tigers (Texas) vs. #16 Cibolo Steele (Texas), Class 6A Division II semifinal, Saturday
#9 St. John Bosco Braves (California) – Season Completed
#10 Center Grove Trojans (Indiana) – Season Completed
#11 Male Bulldogs (Kentucky) – Season Completed
#12 St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (Florida) vs. Viera (Florida), Florida 7A championship, Friday
#13 DeMatha Stags (Maryland) – Season Completed
#14 Gilman Greyhounds (Maryland) – Season Completed
#15 La Salle Lancers (Ohio) – Season Completed
#16 Cibolo Steele Knights (Texas) vs. #8 Katy (Texas), Class 6A Division II semifinal, Saturday
#17 Wayne Warriors (Ohio) – Season Completed
#18 Colerain Cardinals (Ohio) – Season Completed
#19 Starkville Yellowjackets (Mississippi) – Season Completed
#20 Don Bosco Prep Ironmen (New Jersey) – Season Completed
#21 Mission Viejo Diablos (California) vs. Helix (California), CIF Division I-AA Southern Final, Friday
#22 Loyola Academy Ramblers (Illinois) – Season Completed
#23 Eastside Catholic Crusaders (Washington) – Season Completed
#24 Miami Central Rockets (Florida) vs. Armwood (Florida), Florida 6A championship game, Saturday
#25 Lake Travis Cavaliers (Texas) vs. Mansfield (Texas), Class 6A Division II semifinal, Saturday
