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High school coaches with most state championships - OFFICIAL
Jim Tate coached and taught at St. Paul's Episcopal (Mobile, Ala.) for 42 years, producing over 100 state championships in cross country and
track and field. Tate ranks No. 1 on the list of
coaches with the most all-time high school sports state championships.
After brief stints at schools in South Carolina and Georgia, Tate arrived at St. Paul's in the fall of 1978. He coached boys and girls cross country, boys and girls indoor track and boys and girls outdoor track and field. He produced his first state championship team in 1983 and after that came an avalanche of titles. Consider this: between 1984 and 2001, Tate won AT LEAST two state championships a year. After a four-year drought between 2002 and 2005, Tate's teams averaged over two state titles a year from 2005-06 to 2017-18. He retired in the spring of 2020.
Tate won six state titles during both the 1984-85 and 1994-95 school year. He won five state championships in a single school year three others times, four state titles five times and three state titles nine times. He won nine championships in boys cross country, 18 in girls cross country, 11 in boys indoor track and 22 in girls indoor track, 17 in boys outdoor track and 23 in girls outdoor track. He also won a freshman state championship and a junior high school state championship (which were at one time contested in the state of Alabama).
The total could have been much higher. Tate's teams finished in second place a total of 53 times across the six sports.
Second on the list is Dale Phillips of Marquette (Mich.), who won 70 titles in cross country and track. Phillips' titles were "Upper Peninsula" championships as Michigan divides some of its sports into Upper State and Lower State competitions.
We found 129 coaches with at least 20 state championships or more. The majority of those coached cross country or track and field or a combination of the two. A total of 48 coaches had either of the two sports on their resume including 11 of the top 12 coaches on the list. Swimming was also popular with 22 coaches participating in that sport.
Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii), which has won over 500 state championships, had the most coaches on the list with six. Westminster (Atlanta, Ga.) was next with three.
Terry Lowe of Greenwich (Conn.) had the most state championships while coaching just one sport. He has won 45 state championships in boys swimming.
Can any coach catch Tate? Probably not, but the best bet might be Patrick Castagno of Tatnall (Wilmington, Del.). Like Tate, Castagno coaches cross country, indoor track and outdoor track for both the boys and the girls. Since 2001, Castagno has 49 state championships.
Corrections or additions? Email Kevin Askeland at [email protected]
Coaches with most state championships
Nos. 1-10
102 — Jim Tate, St. Paul's Episcopal (Mobile, Ala.), cross country, track and field
70 — Dale Phillips, Marquette (Mich.), cross country, track and field
69 — Pat Galle, UMS-Wright Prep (Mobile, Ala.), cross country, track and field
68 — Greg Echols, Mountain Brook (Birmingham, Ala.), cross country, track and field
68 — Dave Houle, Mountain View (Orem, Utah), cross country, track and field, girls basketball
64 — Jim Doyle, Bishop Hendricken (Warwick, R.I.), cross country, track and field
60 — Claney Duplechin, Episcopal (Baton Rouge, La.), cross country, track and field
56 — Dave Hawley, Collegiate (Wichita, Kan.), tennis
52 — Pete Boudreaux, Catholic-B.R. (Baton Rouge, La.), cross country, track and field
50 — Mark Chaplin, U-32 (Montpelier, Vt.), cross country, track and field
Nos. 11-20
49 — Patrick Castagno, Tatnall (Wilmington, Del.), cross country, track and field
46 — John Esslinger, Scottsboro (Ala.), cross country, track and field
45 — Terry Lowe, Greenwich (Conn.), swimming
44 — Ed Aston, Cheshire (Conn.), swimming
44 — Mike Bain, Pontotoc (Miss.), cross country, track and field
43 — Woody Barnett, Pearl (Miss.), track and field
43 — Karl Torchia, Christian Brothers Academy (Lincroft, N.J.), track and field
43 — Murl Bowen, Asher (Okla.), baseball
42 — Jerry Popp, Bowman County (N.D.), Willmar (Minn.), cross country
42 — Devon Hind, Hoover (Ala.), track and field
No. 21-30
42 — David Barney, Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque, N.M.), swimming
41 — Pete Higgins, Westminster (Atlanta, Ga.), swimming
40 — Richard Duease, Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison, Miss.), basketball
39 — Bob Wood, University Liggett (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.), tennis
39 — Howard Wood, Washington (Sioux Falls, S.D.), football, basketball, track and field
39 — Earl Quigley, Central (Little Rock, Ark.), football, baseball, track and field
39 — Jim Palmer, Altamont (Birmingham, Ala.), cross country, track and field
39 — Arky Crook, Newark Academy (Livingston, N.J.), tennis
39 — Dennis Cullen, Durham Academy (Durham, N.C.), cross country, track and field
38 — Jeff Meister, Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii), swimming
37 state championships
Nick Baker, Haddonfield (N.J.), cross country, track and field
Bill Thorn, Landmark Christian (Fairburn, Ga.), cross country, track and field
Sister Lynn Winsor, Xavier College Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.), girls golf
36 state championships
Steve Borowski, Punahou, swimming
Tony Giordano, Asbury Park (N.J.), track and field
34 state championships
Mickey Johnson, Marquette (Mich.), tennis
Dave Hanson, Bishop Hendricken, swimming
Van Rose, Shawnee Mission Northwest (Shawnee Mission, Kan.), cross country
33 state championships
Steve Holzer, Jackson Hole (Jackson, Wyo.), skiing, tennis
Dick Villaflor, Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City, Okla.), tennis
32 state championships
Bill Belisle, Mount St. Charles Academy (Woonsocket, R.I.), ice hockey
Tom Heath, Christian Brothers Academy (Lincroft, N.J.), cross country, track and field
31 state champioinships
CH "Okie" Blanchard, Central (Cheyenne, Wyo.), football, basketball, track and field
Denny Hill, Pioneer (Ann Arbor, Mich.), swimming
Lindy Remigino, Hartford Public (Hartford, Conn.), cross country, track and field
30 state championships
Jeff Holman, Haddonfield (N.J.), tennis
Greg McClallen, Rutland (Vt.), skiing, cross country, soccer
Paul Morina, Paulsboro (N.J.), wrestling
Jack Nelson, Ransom Everglades (Miami), Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale), Fort Lauderdale, swimming
Maria Nolan, Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township, N.J.), volleyball
Kirk Price, Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.), tennis, swimming
29 state championships
Dan Borgman, New Canaan (Conn.), tennis
Harry "Swede" Dahlberg, Butte (Mont.), football, basketball, track and field
Karl Koonce, Lake Hamilton (Pearcy, Ark.), track
Seymour Williams, Booker T. Washington (Tulsa, Okla.), football, basketball
28 state championships
Gary Cornelsen, Liberal (Kan.), football, track and field
Jerry Holtrey, Hawken (Gates Mills, Ohio), swimming
Bob Hurley, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.), basketball
Scott Legacy, Mount Anthony (Bennington, Vt.), wrestling
Duncan McDonald, Punahou, cross country, track and field
Joe Newton, York (Elmhurst, Ill.), cross country, track and field
John Turner, Jenks (Okla.), swimming
27 state championships
Rick Baker, Hopi (Keams Canyon, Ariz.), cross country
Russ Cozart, Brandon (Fla.), wrestling
Jon Marcus Duncan, Jackson Prep, soccer
Scott Knowlen, Bismarck (N.D.), wrestling
Joe Tribble, Westminster, cross country
Andy Zihlman, Bishop Lynch (Dallas, Texas), girls basketball
26 state championships
John T. Curtis, John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.), football
Joe Lombard, Canyon (Texas), girls basketball, track and field
Ann Schilling, Bayside Academy (Daphne, Ala.), volleyball
Gregg Troy, Bolles (Jacksonville, Fla.), swimming
25 state championships
Amy Eubanks, Westminster, cross country
Woodie Head, Faith Academy, basketball, softball, volleyball
Ralph Heiss, Salesianum (Wilmington, Del.), cross country, track and field
John Jarmon, Mountain Brook, cross country, track and field
Rusty Komori, Punahou, tennis
Ian Wilson, Waterville (Maine), cross country
24 state championships
Dick Hannula, Wilson (Tacoma, Wash.), swimming
Paul Jorgenson, Flathead (Kalispell, Mont.), cross country
Ted Larson, Lincoln Southeast (Lincoln, Neb.), cross country, track and field
Chris Plumb, Carmel (Carmel,Ind.), swimming
Greg Urbas, St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio), wrestling
23 state championships
Rosemary Adams, Grissom (Huntsville, Ala.), swimming
Scott Chenoweth, Perry (Okla.), wrestling
H.T. Clothier, Duncan (Ariz.), tennis
Thom Haine, Punahou, swimming
Adam Kedge, Albuquerque Academy, cross country
Chuck Koeppen, Carmel, cross country
Terry Nelson, Whitefish (Mont.), golf
Tommy Orndorff, Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.), softball
Steve Paulson, Edina (Minn.), tennis
22 state championships
Bill Aris, Fayetteville-Manlius (Manlius, N.Y.), cross country
Nola Ayres, Sehome (Bellingham, Wash.), gymnastics
Scott Bliss, Champlain Valley Union (Hinesburg, Vt.), cross country, track and field
Jerry Boatner, West Lauderdale (Collinsville, Miss.), baseball, softball
Terry English, Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kan.), girls basketball
Tom Esslinger, Homewood (Ala.), cross country
Ron Kordes, Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), volleyball
Brother Melchior Polowy, Holy Cross (New Orleans, La.), wrestling
Aaron Oldfield, Hopewell Valley Central (Pennington, N.J.), cross country, track and field
Cherry Roberds, Miami (Ariz.), girls tennis
21 state championships
Norma Bellamy, Safford (Ariz.), volleyball
Greg Voisine, Fort Kent (Maine), skiing
Billy Martin, Granby (Norfolk, Va.), wrestling
Cal Lee, St. Louis (Honolulu, Hawaii), football
Jim Brower, St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio), boys swimming
Al Rowan, Punahou, track and field
Gwen Pike, Bishop Miege, volleyball
Steve Schondell, Muncie Burris (Muncie, Ind.), volleyball
Butch Briggs, East Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids, Mich.), girls swimming
Pat Johnson, West Fargo (N.D.), softball
Rod Wotton, Marshwood (South Berwick, Maine), football
Danyle Heilig, Eastern (Voorhees, N.J.), field hockey
20 state championships
Billy Jack Bowen, Silo (Okla.), baseball
Charles Lenahan, Plymouth (N.H.), football
Paul Sacco, St. Joseph (Hammonton, N.J.), football
Victor Pasternostro, Pope John XXIII (Sparta, N.J.), football
Tony Karcich, Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.), St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.), football
Todd Dayton, Cokeville (Wyo.), football
Marty O'Toole, St. Xavier (Louisville, Ky.), boys swimming
Becky Dickinson, McGill-Toolen (Mobile, Ala.), volleyball, girls basketball, boys tennis
Mike Bugliari, The Pingry School (Martinsville, N.J.), soccer
Sid Cichy, Shanley (Fargo, N.D.), football
Bobby Carr, Autauga Academy (Prattville, Ala.), football, baseball
Joe Pereira, Skyline (Salt Lake City, Utah), swimming
Luke Nealy, Jackson Prep, swimming
After brief stints at schools in South Carolina and Georgia, Tate arrived at St. Paul's in the fall of 1978. He coached boys and girls cross country, boys and girls indoor track and boys and girls outdoor track and field. He produced his first state championship team in 1983 and after that came an avalanche of titles. Consider this: between 1984 and 2001, Tate won AT LEAST two state championships a year. After a four-year drought between 2002 and 2005, Tate's teams averaged over two state titles a year from 2005-06 to 2017-18. He retired in the spring of 2020.
Tate won six state titles during both the 1984-85 and 1994-95 school year. He won five state championships in a single school year three others times, four state titles five times and three state titles nine times. He won nine championships in boys cross country, 18 in girls cross country, 11 in boys indoor track and 22 in girls indoor track, 17 in boys outdoor track and 23 in girls outdoor track. He also won a freshman state championship and a junior high school state championship (which were at one time contested in the state of Alabama).
Jim Tate speaks at the inaugural Jim Tate Relays earlier this year.
Second on the list is Dale Phillips of Marquette (Mich.), who won 70 titles in cross country and track. Phillips' titles were "Upper Peninsula" championships as Michigan divides some of its sports into Upper State and Lower State competitions.
We found 129 coaches with at least 20 state championships or more. The majority of those coached cross country or track and field or a combination of the two. A total of 48 coaches had either of the two sports on their resume including 11 of the top 12 coaches on the list. Swimming was also popular with 22 coaches participating in that sport.
Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii), which has won over 500 state championships, had the most coaches on the list with six. Westminster (Atlanta, Ga.) was next with three.
Terry Lowe of Greenwich (Conn.) had the most state championships while coaching just one sport. He has won 45 state championships in boys swimming.
Can any coach catch Tate? Probably not, but the best bet might be Patrick Castagno of Tatnall (Wilmington, Del.). Like Tate, Castagno coaches cross country, indoor track and outdoor track for both the boys and the girls. Since 2001, Castagno has 49 state championships.
Corrections or additions? Email Kevin Askeland at [email protected]
Coaches with most state championships
Nos. 1-10
102 — Jim Tate, St. Paul's Episcopal (Mobile, Ala.), cross country, track and field
70 — Dale Phillips, Marquette (Mich.), cross country, track and field
69 — Pat Galle, UMS-Wright Prep (Mobile, Ala.), cross country, track and field
68 — Greg Echols, Mountain Brook (Birmingham, Ala.), cross country, track and field
68 — Dave Houle, Mountain View (Orem, Utah), cross country, track and field, girls basketball
64 — Jim Doyle, Bishop Hendricken (Warwick, R.I.), cross country, track and field
60 — Claney Duplechin, Episcopal (Baton Rouge, La.), cross country, track and field
56 — Dave Hawley, Collegiate (Wichita, Kan.), tennis
52 — Pete Boudreaux, Catholic-B.R. (Baton Rouge, La.), cross country, track and field
50 — Mark Chaplin, U-32 (Montpelier, Vt.), cross country, track and field
Nos. 11-20
49 — Patrick Castagno, Tatnall (Wilmington, Del.), cross country, track and field
46 — John Esslinger, Scottsboro (Ala.), cross country, track and field
45 — Terry Lowe, Greenwich (Conn.), swimming
44 — Ed Aston, Cheshire (Conn.), swimming
44 — Mike Bain, Pontotoc (Miss.), cross country, track and field
43 — Woody Barnett, Pearl (Miss.), track and field
43 — Karl Torchia, Christian Brothers Academy (Lincroft, N.J.), track and field
43 — Murl Bowen, Asher (Okla.), baseball
42 — Jerry Popp, Bowman County (N.D.), Willmar (Minn.), cross country
42 — Devon Hind, Hoover (Ala.), track and field
No. 21-30
42 — David Barney, Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque, N.M.), swimming
41 — Pete Higgins, Westminster (Atlanta, Ga.), swimming
40 — Richard Duease, Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison, Miss.), basketball
39 — Bob Wood, University Liggett (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.), tennis
39 — Howard Wood, Washington (Sioux Falls, S.D.), football, basketball, track and field
39 — Earl Quigley, Central (Little Rock, Ark.), football, baseball, track and field
39 — Jim Palmer, Altamont (Birmingham, Ala.), cross country, track and field
39 — Arky Crook, Newark Academy (Livingston, N.J.), tennis
39 — Dennis Cullen, Durham Academy (Durham, N.C.), cross country, track and field
38 — Jeff Meister, Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii), swimming
37 state championships
Nick Baker, Haddonfield (N.J.), cross country, track and field
Bill Thorn, Landmark Christian (Fairburn, Ga.), cross country, track and field
Sister Lynn Winsor, Xavier College Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.), girls golf
36 state championships
Steve Borowski, Punahou, swimming
Tony Giordano, Asbury Park (N.J.), track and field
34 state championships
Mickey Johnson, Marquette (Mich.), tennis
Dave Hanson, Bishop Hendricken, swimming
Van Rose, Shawnee Mission Northwest (Shawnee Mission, Kan.), cross country
33 state championships
Steve Holzer, Jackson Hole (Jackson, Wyo.), skiing, tennis
Dick Villaflor, Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City, Okla.), tennis
32 state championships
Bill Belisle, Mount St. Charles Academy (Woonsocket, R.I.), ice hockey
Tom Heath, Christian Brothers Academy (Lincroft, N.J.), cross country, track and field
31 state champioinships
CH "Okie" Blanchard, Central (Cheyenne, Wyo.), football, basketball, track and field
Denny Hill, Pioneer (Ann Arbor, Mich.), swimming
Lindy Remigino, Hartford Public (Hartford, Conn.), cross country, track and field
30 state championships
Jeff Holman, Haddonfield (N.J.), tennis
Greg McClallen, Rutland (Vt.), skiing, cross country, soccer
Paul Morina, Paulsboro (N.J.), wrestling
Jack Nelson, Ransom Everglades (Miami), Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale), Fort Lauderdale, swimming
Maria Nolan, Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township, N.J.), volleyball
Kirk Price, Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.), tennis, swimming
29 state championships
Dan Borgman, New Canaan (Conn.), tennis
Harry "Swede" Dahlberg, Butte (Mont.), football, basketball, track and field
Karl Koonce, Lake Hamilton (Pearcy, Ark.), track
Eddie Kriwiel, Kapaun Mt. Carmel (Wichita, Kan.), football, golf
Tom Lamar, Pine Crest, swimming
Charles Tiller, Faith Academy (Mobile, Ala.), cross country, track and fieldTom Lamar, Pine Crest, swimming
Seymour Williams, Booker T. Washington (Tulsa, Okla.), football, basketball
28 state championships
Gary Cornelsen, Liberal (Kan.), football, track and field
Jerry Holtrey, Hawken (Gates Mills, Ohio), swimming
Bob Hurley, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.), basketball
Scott Legacy, Mount Anthony (Bennington, Vt.), wrestling
Duncan McDonald, Punahou, cross country, track and field
Joe Newton, York (Elmhurst, Ill.), cross country, track and field
John Turner, Jenks (Okla.), swimming
27 state championships
Rick Baker, Hopi (Keams Canyon, Ariz.), cross country
Russ Cozart, Brandon (Fla.), wrestling
Jon Marcus Duncan, Jackson Prep, soccer
Scott Knowlen, Bismarck (N.D.), wrestling
Joe Tribble, Westminster, cross country
Andy Zihlman, Bishop Lynch (Dallas, Texas), girls basketball
26 state championships
John T. Curtis, John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.), football
Joe Lombard, Canyon (Texas), girls basketball, track and field
Ann Schilling, Bayside Academy (Daphne, Ala.), volleyball
Gregg Troy, Bolles (Jacksonville, Fla.), swimming
25 state championships
Amy Eubanks, Westminster, cross country
Woodie Head, Faith Academy, basketball, softball, volleyball
Ralph Heiss, Salesianum (Wilmington, Del.), cross country, track and field
John Jarmon, Mountain Brook, cross country, track and field
Rusty Komori, Punahou, tennis
Ian Wilson, Waterville (Maine), cross country
24 state championships
Dick Hannula, Wilson (Tacoma, Wash.), swimming
Paul Jorgenson, Flathead (Kalispell, Mont.), cross country
Ted Larson, Lincoln Southeast (Lincoln, Neb.), cross country, track and field
Chris Plumb, Carmel (Carmel,Ind.), swimming
Greg Urbas, St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio), wrestling
23 state championships
Rosemary Adams, Grissom (Huntsville, Ala.), swimming
Scott Chenoweth, Perry (Okla.), wrestling
H.T. Clothier, Duncan (Ariz.), tennis
Thom Haine, Punahou, swimming
Adam Kedge, Albuquerque Academy, cross country
Chuck Koeppen, Carmel, cross country
Terry Nelson, Whitefish (Mont.), golf
Tommy Orndorff, Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.), softball
Steve Paulson, Edina (Minn.), tennis
22 state championships
Bill Aris, Fayetteville-Manlius (Manlius, N.Y.), cross country
Nola Ayres, Sehome (Bellingham, Wash.), gymnastics
Scott Bliss, Champlain Valley Union (Hinesburg, Vt.), cross country, track and field
Jerry Boatner, West Lauderdale (Collinsville, Miss.), baseball, softball
Terry English, Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kan.), girls basketball
Tom Esslinger, Homewood (Ala.), cross country
Ron Kordes, Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), volleyball
Brother Melchior Polowy, Holy Cross (New Orleans, La.), wrestling
Aaron Oldfield, Hopewell Valley Central (Pennington, N.J.), cross country, track and field
Cherry Roberds, Miami (Ariz.), girls tennis
21 state championships
Norma Bellamy, Safford (Ariz.), volleyball
Greg Voisine, Fort Kent (Maine), skiing
Billy Martin, Granby (Norfolk, Va.), wrestling
Cal Lee, St. Louis (Honolulu, Hawaii), football
Jim Brower, St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio), boys swimming
Al Rowan, Punahou, track and field
Gwen Pike, Bishop Miege, volleyball
Steve Schondell, Muncie Burris (Muncie, Ind.), volleyball
Butch Briggs, East Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids, Mich.), girls swimming
Pat Johnson, West Fargo (N.D.), softball
Rod Wotton, Marshwood (South Berwick, Maine), football
Danyle Heilig, Eastern (Voorhees, N.J.), field hockey
20 state championships
Billy Jack Bowen, Silo (Okla.), baseball
Charles Lenahan, Plymouth (N.H.), football
Paul Sacco, St. Joseph (Hammonton, N.J.), football
Victor Pasternostro, Pope John XXIII (Sparta, N.J.), football
Tony Karcich, Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.), St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.), football
Todd Dayton, Cokeville (Wyo.), football
Marty O'Toole, St. Xavier (Louisville, Ky.), boys swimming
Becky Dickinson, McGill-Toolen (Mobile, Ala.), volleyball, girls basketball, boys tennis
Mike Bugliari, The Pingry School (Martinsville, N.J.), soccer
Sid Cichy, Shanley (Fargo, N.D.), football
Bobby Carr, Autauga Academy (Prattville, Ala.), football, baseball
Joe Pereira, Skyline (Salt Lake City, Utah), swimming
Luke Nealy, Jackson Prep, swimming
High school football: No. 1 Mater Dei to face No. 15 Duncanville in August - OFFICIAL
Ranked No. 1 in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 released earlier this week, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) will travel to Texas for a showdown with No. 15 Duncanville on Aug. 27, the schools announced Friday. The Monarchs' first trip to the Lone Star State will be among the most highly-anticipated games of the 2021 high school football season.
Joe Maimone of Prep Gridiron Logistics has played a major role in setting up heavyweight out-of-state matchups at the prep level and helped get this one done. Mater Dei is 45-3 over the past five seasons while Duncanville is 50-5 over the same span.
The last time a nationally-ranked California team traveled to Texas was in 2015 when Trinity (Euless, Texas) upset then-No. 1 De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 26-21.
Mater Dei is expected to feature 12 players rated as a three-star recruit or better by 247Sports from the Class of 2022, including cornerback Domani Jackson, running back Raleek Brown (committed to Oklahoma), wide receiver C.J. Williams and linebacker David Bailey.
Linebacker Leviticus Su'a, offensive linemen DeAndre Carter and B.J. Tolo, quarterback Elijah Brown, defensive back Zabien Brown and defensive lineman Aydin Breland are some of the notable underclassmen who will be impact players for the Monarchs.
Photo by Heston Quan
Mater Dei has won 17 of its last 18 games and is 45-3 since 2017.
Duncanville head coach Reginald Samples counters with another talented squad that will compete for the 6A Division 1 state title.
Edge rusher Omari Abor, offensive lineman Jaylen Early and Oklahoma State commit Jordan Crook are among the 10 players rated as three-star recruits or better in the Class of 2022 by 247Sports.
Defensive backs Deldrick Madison and Ka'Davion Dotson, wide receiver Lontrell Turner and freshman wide receiver Dakorien Moore are some of the notable underclassmen who have already landed Power 5 offers.
Mater Dei has notable games lined up against Centennial (Corona) on Aug. 20, No. 3 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) on Oct. 1 and No. 21 Servite (Anaheim) on Oct. 22.
Duncanville's schedule includes showdowns against district rivals DeSoto on Sept. 17 and Cedar Hill on Oct. 22 along with another out-of-state matchup against Bishop Sycamore (Columbus, Ohio) on Sept. 10.
MaxPreps will highlight the 10 biggest games of the 2021 season July 5 as part of our preview series. See the full lineup below.
Previewing the 2021 football season
June 29 — MaxPreps Top 100 high school football teams
July 1 — Best team in all 50 states
July 5 — Top 10 games
July 7 — Top 10 toughest schedules
July 9 — Top 10 quarterbacks
July 12 — Top 10 running backs
July 14 — Top 10 wide receivers
July 15 — Top 10 tight ends
July 16 — Top 10 offensive lineman
July 19 — Top 10 defensive lineman
July 20 — Top 10 linebackers
July 21 — Top 10 defensive backs
July 23 — Top 10 players
July 26 — Preseason Sophomore All-America Team
July 28 — Preseason Junior All-America Team
July 30 — Preseason All-America Team
Aug. 3 — Top football player in all 50 states
High school football rankings: California powerhouse Mater Dei tops Preseason OFFICIAL Top 25 - OFFICIAL
Coming off an impressive albeit abbreviated spring season with a freshman under center, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) gets the nod as No. 1 in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings. The Monarchs have won 24 of their last 25 games dating back to 2018 and have finished No. 1 or No. 2 in each of the past three seasons excluding the pandemic-delayed 2020 campaign.
Oklahoma-bound running back Raleek Brown and USC cornerback pledge Domani Jackson provide senior starpower, but Mater Dei's success will likely hinge on the development of sophomore quarterback Elijah Brown. As a freshman, he completed nearly 70 percent of his attempts for 973 yards and 15 touchdowns against one interception in five games.
Under legendary head coach Bruce Rollinson, Mater Dei was crowned MaxPreps National Champion in 2017 and also recognized as the final No. 1 by other media outlets in 1994 and 1996.
While Mater Dei's coaching situation is a model of stability, last year's MaxPreps National Champion still doesn't have a head coach. Bobby Acosta announced his departure in April and IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) hasn't announced a replacement. Regardless of who fills those shoes, a roster loaded with Top 100 talent will make the Ascenders tough to beat once again.
Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah) is scheduled to be the first Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 team to take the field this season, putting its 40-game win streak on the line Aug. 13 against Farmington.
Hawaii will be the first state to get underway Aug. 6, followed the next week by Alaska and Utah.
Read on for a complete look at the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25. Click on school links for complete team previews.
Head coach: Bruce Rollinson
2020-21 record: 5-0 | Final ranking: NR (Spring season)
Head coach: Pepper Johnson
2020-21 record: 8-0 | Final ranking: 1
Head coach: Jason Negro
2020-21 record: 5-1 | Final ranking: NR (Spring season)
Head coach: Todd Dodge
2020-21 record: 14-0 | Final ranking: 3
Head coach: Mark Freeman
2020-21 record: 14-0 | Final ranking: 6
Head coach: Roger Harriott
2020-21 record: 8-1 | Final ranking: 14
Head coach: Riley Dodge
2020-21 record: 12-2 | Final ranking: 15
Head coach: Adam Carter
2020-21 record: 14-0 | Final ranking: 2
Head coach: Patrick Surtain
2020-21 record: 11-2 | Final ranking: 21
Co-head coaches: Biff Poggi and Messay Hailemariam
2020-21 record: Season canceled
Head coach: Lenny Gregory
2020-21 record: 12-3 | Final ranking: NR
12. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.)
Head coach: Vito Campanile
Head coach: Vito Campanile
2020-21 record: 5-1 | Final ranking: NR
Head coach: Brent Browner
2020-21 record: 2-0 | Final ranking: NR (Spring season)
Head coach: Jon Kay
2020-21 record: 14-1 | Final ranking: 7
Head coach: Reginald Samples
2020-21 record: 10-2 | Final ranking: 16
Head coach: Roland Smith
2020-21 record: 8-1 | Final ranking: 18
Head coach: Justin Alumbaugh
2020-21 record: 6-0 | Final ranking: NR (Spring season)
Head coach: Eric Moore
2020-21 record: 14-0 | Final ranking: 12
19. Chandler (Ariz.)
Head coach: Rick Garretson
2020-21 record: 10-0 | Final ranking: 5
20. Katy (Texas)
Head coach: Gary Joseph
2020-21 record: 13-1 | Final ranking: 17
Head coach: Troy Thomas
2020-21 record: 4-2 | Final ranking: NR (Spring season)
Head coach: Tim Roken
2020-21 record: 6-0 | Final ranking: 4
Head coach: Steve Specht
2020-21 record: 10-2 | Final ranking: 20
Head coach: Eric Kjar
2020-21 record: 14-0 | Final ranking: 9
Head coach: Dave Henigan
2020-21 record: 15-0 | Final ranking: 8
High school basketball rankings: Every team that has appeared in the final OFFICIAL Top 25 since 2009 - OFFICIAL
MaxPreps crowned its first high school basketball national champion in 2009 after Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) capped a 33-0 season by defeating previous No. 1 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 74-66 in the ESPN Rise National High School Invitational championship game. Since that time, 199 schools in 36 states have etched their place
in history by earning a spot in the final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings. See
the complete list below.
Storied Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) leads the way when it comes to MaxPreps Top 25 finishes, notching 12 in 13 years including being crowned No. 1 in 2012. The Warriors were ranked in the top 10 in 10 of those seasons with No. 2 finishes in 2009, 2015 and 2016.
Oak Hill Academy is joined by Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) and Findlay Prep (Henderson. Nev.) as the only teams with 10 or more MaxPreps Top 25 finishes.
Texas leads the way with the most different schools represented on the list with 20. Florida is not far behind with 14 and California (13), Georgia (11), North Carolina (11) and Pennsylvania (10) are the only other states with double digits.
FINAL MAXPREPS TOP 25: 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 High School | 2012 Independent | 2013 High School | 2013 Independent | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 High School | 2017 Independent | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021
MaxPreps Top 25 finishes 2009-21
Photo by: Steven Ryan
MaxPreps National Player of the Year Ben Simmons pushes the ball up the court at Dick's Nationals.
Alabama
Butler (Huntsville) – 2009 (24)
Lee (Huntsville) – 2020 (25)
LeFlore (Mobile) – 2009 (10)
Mountain Brook (Birmingham) – 2018 (24), 2019 (5)
Wenonah (Birmingham) – 2013 (17)
Arizona
AZ Compass Prep (Chandler) – 2021 (2)
Basha (Chandler) – 2017 (16)
Corona del Sol (Tempe) – 2014 (7), 2015 (8)
Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix) – 2017 (8)
Shadow Mountain (Phoenix) – 2017 (14), 2018 (9), 2019 (18)
Arkansas
Fayetteville – 2009 (22)
Jonesboro – 2017 (5)
North Little Rock – 2013 (9)
California
Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) – 2012 (23)
Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) – 2017 (4)
Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) – 2015 (13)
Chino Hills – 2016 (1), 2017 (17)
Etiwanda – 2013 (13)
Fairfax (Los Angeles) – 2009 (20)
Lincoln (San Diego) – 2011 (24)
Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) – 2011 (13), 2013 (20)
Mater Dei (Santa Ana) – 2009 (8), 2010 (17), 2011 (10), 2012 (6), 2013 (4), 2014 (1), 2017 (9)
Prolific Prep (Napa) – 2020 (7), 2021 (10)
Salesian College Prep (Richmond) – 2012 (22)
Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) – 2017 (18), 2018 (18), 2019 (6), 2020 (15)
Westchester (Los Angeles) – 2009 (3), 2010 (8)
Colorado
Overland (Aurora) – 2016 (24)
District of Columbia
Gonzaga – 2017 (8)
Woodson – 2016 (9)
Florida
Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville) – 2011 (17)
Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach) – 2012 (13), 2013 (8), 2015 (7)
Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) – 2015 (15)
Coral Reef (Miami) – 2009 (18)
Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens) – 2011 (8)
IMG Academy (Bradenton) – 2017 (4), 2019 (1), 2020 (19), 2021 (5)
Montverde Academy (Montverde) – 2010 (11), 2012 (4), 2013 (1), 2014 (2), 2015 (1), 2016 (7), 2017 (2), 2018 (1), 2019 (4), 2020 (1), 2021 (1)
Oak Ridge (Orlando) – 2018 (13)
Orlando Christian Prep (Orlando) – 2014 (20), 2021 (14)
Providence School (Jacksonville) – 2010 (6), 2015 (23)
Sagemont (Weston) – 2014 (16)
The Rock (Gainesville) – 2013 (10), 2017 (9)
University (Fort Lauderdale) – 2018 (2), 2019 (13)
Winter Park – 2010 (12)
Georgia
Columbia (Decatur) – 2012 (10)
Greater Atlanta Christian (Norcross) – 2014 (6)
Greenforest (Decatur) – 2016 (8)
Jonesboro – 2015 (9)
McEachern (Powder Springs) – 2018 (20), 2019 (2)
Miller Grove (Lithonia) – 2011 (6), 2013 (19), 2016 (15)
Milton – 2010 (14), 2011 (14), 2012 (3), 2021 (7)
South Atlanta (Atlanta) – 2009 (14)
Tift County (Tifton) – 2017 (12)
Upson-Lee (Thomaston) – 2018 (7)
Wheeler (Marietta) – 2015 (5), 2020 (24)
Illinois
Althoff Catholic (Belleville) – 2016 (20)
Belleville West (Belleville) – 2018 (16), 2019 (19)
Morgan Park (Chicago) – 2013 (16)
Proviso East (Maywood) – 2012 (17)
Simeon (Chicago) – 2011 (9), 2012 (4), 2013 (3), 2018 (22)
Stevenson (Lincolnshire) – 2015 (21)
Whitney Young (Chicago) – 2013 (10), 2014 (9)
Indiana
Arsenal Technical (Indianapolis) – 2014 (3)
Bloomington South (Bloomington) – 2009 (7), 2011 (19), 2020 (22)
Carmel – 2013 (15), 2019 (16), 2021 (25)
La Lumiere (La Porte) – 2012 (7), 2013 (7), 2014 (14), 2016 (6), 2017 (1), 2018 (17), 2019 (3), 2020 (8)
New Albany – 2016 (22)
North Central (Indianapolis) – 2010 (23)
Warren Central (Indianapolis) – 2018 (14)
Iowa
Ames – 2009 (19), 2010 (3)
Iowa City West – 2013 (6)
Linn-Mar (Marion) – 2011 (12)
Kansas
Blue Valley Northwest (Overland Park) – 2013 (14)
Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire) – 2012 (9), 2013 (6), 2019 (15), 2020 (4), 2021 (3)
Heights (Wichita) – 2011 (11)
Kentucky
Holmes (Covington) – 2009 (17)
Louisiana
Peabody (Alexandria) – 2010 (15)
Scotlandville (Baton Rouge) – 2012 (16), 2020 (12)
Maryland
DeMatha (Hyattsville) – 2009 (23), 2010 (19), 2012 (13), 2015 (19), 2016 (13), 2018 (6), 2019 (10), 2020 (5), 2021 (4)
Lake Clifton (Baltimore) – 2009 (21)
Montrose Christian (Rockville) – 2009 (5), 2011 (4), 2012 (6), 2013 (10)
Poly (Baltimore) – 2020 (18)
St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) – 2020 (17)
Michigan
Clarkston – 2017 (19), 2018 (5)
Detroit Country Day (Beverly Hills) – 2010 (21)
Kalamazoo Central (Kalamazoo) – 2010 (20), 2011 (25)
Muskegon – 2014 (12)
Pershing (Detroit) – 2009 (11)
Romulus – 2013 (7)
Sexton (Lansing) – 2012 (15)
University of Detroit Jesuit (Detroit) – 2016 (5)
Western International (Detroit) – 2015 (22)
Minnesota
Apple Valley – 2017 (22)
DeLaSalle (Minneapolis) – 2013 (22)
Eden Prairie – 2020 (9)
Hopkins (Minnetonka)– 2009 (6), 2011 (15), 2016 (11)
Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis) – 2020 (13), 2021 (8)
Mississippi
Callaway (Jackson) – 2014 (24), 2015 (16)
Missouri
Chaminade (St. Louis) – 2016 (14)
McCluer North (Florissant) – 2011 (22)
Vashon (St. Louis) – 2017 (25)
Webster Groves – 2017 (13)
Nebraska
Bellevue West (Bellevue) – 2021 (18)
Millard North (Omaha) – 2021 (11)
Omaha Central (Omaha) – 2013 (24)
Nevada
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) – 2010 (7), 2012 (7), 2013 (11), 2014 (10), 2018 (23) 2019 (21), 2020 (14)
Findlay Prep (Henderson) * – 2009 (1), 2010 (5), 2011 (20), 2012 (2), 2013 (3), 2014 (13), 2015 (6), 2016 (16), 2017 (3), 2018 (8)
New Jersey
Camden – 2020 (16), 2021 (9)
Paterson Catholic (Paterson) * – 2010 (25)
Patrick School (Hillside) – 2009 (4), 2010 (18), 2011 (5), 2017 (7)
Ranney (Tinton Falls) – 2019 (7)
Roselle Catholic (Roselle) – 2015 (20), 2018 (25)
St. Anthony (Jersey City) * – 2011 (1), 2012 (1), 2016 (3)
St. Benedict's Prep (Newark) – 2009 (13), 2010 (2), 2012 (5), 2013 (2), 2016 (17), 2017 (5), 2018 (10), 2020 (23)
St. Joseph (Metuchen) – 2014 (17)
Trenton Catholic Academy (Trenton) – 2010 (24)
New York
Long Island Lutheran (Brookville) – 2019 (17), 2020 (10)
Our Savior New American (Centereach) – 2012 (10), 2014 (15)
Rice (Manhattan) * – 2009 (16)
Wings Academy (Bronx) – 2015 (24)
North Carolina
Christ School (Arden) – 2010 (13)
Combine Academy (Lincolnton) – 2021 (15)
Greensboro Day (Greensboro) – 2015 (11), 2017 (6)
New Hanover (Wilmington) – 2012 (21)
Northside Christian Academy (Charlotte) – 2014 (18)
Olympic (Charlotte) – 2013 (5)
Providence Day (Charlotte) – 2016 (18)
Ravenscroft (Raleigh) – 2012 (8)
South Central (Winterville) – 2019 (11)
Southwest Guilford (High Point) – 2019 (20)
Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point) – 2013 (9), 2015 (12)
Ohio
Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati) – 2019 (8)
Dunbar (Dayton) – 2012 (12)
Jackson (Massillon) – 2017 (21)
La Salle (Cincinnati) – 2011 (23)
Mentor – 2013 (25)
Northland (Columbus) – 2009 (9), 2010 (16)
St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron) – 2021 (17)
Oklahoma
Mustang – 2015 (14)
Putnam City (Oklahoma City) – 2009 (25)
Union (Tulsa) – 2012 (25)
Oregon
Jefferson (Portland) – 2017 (23)
Jesuit (Portland) – 2010 (22)
Pennsylvania
Archbishop Wood (Warminster) – 2017 (20)
Chester – 2011 (18), 2012 (5)
Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia) – 2017 (3), 2018 (11), 2019 (23)
Lower Merion (Ardmore) – 2013 (21)
Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) – 2010 (4), 2012 (20), 2014 (22)
New Castle – 2014 (23)
Plymouth Whitemarsh (Plymouth Meeting) – 2010 (9)
Reading – 2021 (22)
Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) – 2015 (18)
Westtown (West Chester) – 2017 (7)
South Carolina
Dorman (Roebuck) – 2020 (2)
Irmo (Columbia) – 2013 (12)
Tennessee
Brentwood Academy (Brentwood) – 2017 (10)
Hamilton (Memphis) – 2015 (25)
Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga) – 2016 (19), 2019 (25), 2020 (11)
Houston (Germantown) – 2021 (16)
Melrose (Memphis) – 2010 (10)
Memphis East (Memphis) – 2016 (21), 2017 (2), 2018 (4)
Texas
Atascocita (Humble) – 2016 (12)
Beaumont United (Beaumont) – 2021 (23)
Cypress Falls (Houston) – 2017 (15)
DeSoto – 2016 (10)
Duncanville – 2019 (24), 2020 (20), 2021 (6)
Fort Bend Travis (Richmond) – 2012 (18), 2013 (18)
Grace Prep (Arlington) – 2012 (11)
Guyer (Denton) – 2018 (21)
Kimball (Dallas) – 2011 (21)
Lakeview Centennial (Garland) – 2011 (16)
Lancaster – 2016 (23), 2020 (21)
Marcus (Flower Mound) – 2011 (2), 2012 (2)
North Shore (Houston) – 2014 (19)
Plano West (Plano) – 2015 (10)
Prestonwood Christian (Plano) – 2012 (9)
Prime Prep (Dallas) – 2013 (4)
Richardson – 2021 (20)
Waxahachie – 2021 (13)
Westlake (Austin) – 2021 (18)
Yates (Houston) – 2009 (15), 2010 (1)
Utah
Bingham (South Jordan) – 2016 (25)
Lone Peak (Highland) – 2012 (24), 2013 (1)
Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant) – 2019 (14), 2020 (3), 2021 (12)
Virginia
Bird (Chesterfield) – 2017 (24)
Bishop O'Connell (Arlington) – 2013 (23)
Cape Henry Collegiate (Virginia Beach) – 2015 (3)
Norcom (Portsmouth) – 2011 (3)
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson) – 2009 (2), 2011 (7), 2012 (1), 2013 (8), 2014 (4), 2015 (2), 2016 (2), 2017 (6), 2018 (3), 2019 (12), 2020 (6), 2021 (24)
Paul VI (Chantilly) – 2012 (8), 2014 (8), 2018 (12), 2021 (21)
Trinity Episcopal (Richmond) – 2017 (11)
Washington
Franklin (Seattle) – 2009 (12)
Garfield (Seattle) – 2014 (21), 2015 (17), 2018 (19)
Gonzaga Prep (Spokane) – 2018 (15), 2019 (22)
Nathan Hale (Seattle) – 2017 (1)
Rainier Beach (Seattle) – 2014 (5)
West Virginia
Huntington St. Joseph Prep (Huntington) – 2012 (3), 2013 (5), 2014 (11), 2015 (4), 2017 (10)
Wisconsin
Germantown – 2012 (19), 2013 (2), 2014 (25)
Nicolet (Glendale) – 2019 (9)
Stevens Point – 2016 (5)
* School closed
MaxPreps National Champions
2020 — Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
2018 — Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
2016 — Chino Hills (Calif.)
2015 — Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
2012 — St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.); Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
2011 — St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.)
High school football: Defending national champion IMG Academy hires former NFL linebacker Pepper Johnson as new head coach - OFFICIAL
Former NFL linebacker and five-time Super Bowl champion Pepper Johnson has been named the new football head coach for defending MaxPreps National Champion IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). He served as the defensive coordinator for the program last year, helping the Ascenders go 8-0 en route to the national No. 1 ranking.
Johnson is the fourth head coach in IMG Academy history after replacing Bobby Acosta, who took the head coaching position at Del Valle (Texas).
Expectations will remain high under Johnson at IMG Academy. Despite not having a head coach at publication time, the Ascenders were ranked No. 2 in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 released earlier this week.
Johnson played in the NFL for 13 years. He spent the first seven years
of his career with the New York Giants followed by stints with
the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and New York Jets. He was a
two-time Pro Bowl selection (1990, 1994) and won two Super Bowls as a
player.
We are very happy to announce that heading into our 2021 football season current interim coach Thomas "Pepper" Johnson will permanently fill the Head Coach position for our National Team.
— IMG Academy Football (@IMGAFootball) June 23, 2021
Pepper played 13 seasons in the NFL, including seven years with the New York Giants! pic.twitter.com/LgSMzcM9qs
After his playing days, Johnson coached in the NFL from 2000 to 2016. He was part of three Super Bowl-winning teams with the New England Patriots (2000-13) before moving on to the Buffalo Bills (2014) and New York Jets (2015-16). He also was the defensive line coach for the Memphis Express in 2019 and had a brief stint as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL.
He takes over for a team that has its sights set on repeating as national champs. The Ascenders have 19 players rated as a four-star recruit or higher by 247Sports and have more than 30 players who have landed at least one FBS offer.
Tyler Booker, Daylen Everette, Keon Sabb and Kamari Wilson are all rated in the top 50 on 247Sports for the Class of 2022.
Joenel Aguero, Malik Bryant, Francis Mauigoa, Samuel M'Pemba, Malik Muhammad and Carnell Tate all check in as top 50 players overall in the Class of 2023.
Former Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley, Calif.) standout A.J. Duffy takes over under center. The 2022 Florida State commit is the No. 7-rated quarterback, according to 247Sports composite rankings. During his first two years playing in Southern California he threw for over 5,500 yards and 66 touchdowns.
The Ascenders have not released their full schedule but have notable games lined up against La Salle (Cincinnati) on Sept. 3, Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) on Oct. 8, and against No. 10 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) on Nov. 19.