Of course, that doesn't even take into consideration the Trojans' secret weapon, the haka, a Polynesian war dance that holds its own against the likes of Florida's "Gator Chomp," Florida State's "Tomahawk Chop" and Trinity's Gatorade commercial ? featuring Bill Parcells ? in 2007.

With all they've got going on, what's not to like about Trinity as the preseason No. 1?

"When Texas Football (magazine) picked us No.1, I said I'd rather be picked something like 19th or 20th," Lineweaver says.

But after thinking it over, he's OK with the Rivals.com selection.

"It's more of a recognition of our community, our past teams and the program," he says. "I don't look at it as a prediction.

"We thought it might be putting too much expectation on the players, where they might not enjoy it. But we've decided not to dread it. It's a compliment. God has blessed us with this talent, so we'll use it (the ranking) in a positive way."

Though he was surprised by the top pick, he knew his team couldn't fly under the radar this fall, not with almost half their starters back from a 14-1 championship squad. Defense should be Trinity's strength early. Plenty of talent returns, led by linebacker Earnest Norman (5 feet 11/220 pounds). Defensive backs Prinz Kande (5-11/182) and Eryon Barnett (6-2/180) also return, and all three players already are committed to Big 12 schools: Kande and Norman to Kansas and Barnett to Texas.

For the coach, there's a big plus to players making early commitments.

"It takes some things off their minds," Lineweaver says. "This way, they can focus on the senior year."

Considering that more than 20 Trinity players have earned college scholarships in the past two years, Division I-A recruiters will be keeping tabs on the defense even with that trio already off the board. Defensive linemen Siosaia Tuipulotu (6-1/275) and Sioeli Pauni (6-0/252) and linebacker Elikena Fielo (5-9/185) also are returning starters.

Trinity, which averaged more than 34 points per game in its 14 victories last season, must rebuild its offensive front after losing five all-district linemen to graduation, including two who wound up at Division I schools.

But Lineweaver has two veterans returning in the backfield, running back Dontrayevous Robinson (6-1/215) and quarterback Denarius McGhee (5-11/178).

If Robinson returns to form and McGhee improves during his second season directing the attack, the line might not have to be perfect from the first snap.

"Trinity's usually known for its offensive line," Lineweaver says. "We'll have a lot of seniors there ? but for the most part, they're inexperienced."

There won't be a lot of time for the new line to get into the flow. The Trojans get their season started with three tough non-district games before getting down to district work. They open on Labor Day against River Ridge (La.) John Curtis Christian, another school with a fancy r?m?22 state titles, 11 undefeated seasons, a No. 2 national ranking just two seasons ago). The Trinity-John Curtis game will be the first of a tripleheader and the fifth of seven games (there'll be four Aug. 30) at Texas Stadium in Irving as part of an extended opening weekend.

Trinity's other non-district games will be against Cedar Hill, just two years removed from a Class 5A state championship, and Allen, another Dallas-area playoff veteran that reached the 5A semifinals in 2006.

In addition to posting 10 consecutive winning seasons ? with a 109-19 record over that period ? the Trojans catch their share of attention on several other fronts.

TOP STATES FOR FOOTBALL

Here are some of the most talented states - in terms of high school football - and how many teams made our RivalsHigh 100.

California - 15
Year-in and year-out California produces some of the top talent in the country. It is no surprise they have the most teams on the list.

Florida - 11
The Sunshine State follows just behind California with 11 teams on the list. It would be hard for many other state champions to make the playoffs in Florida.

Texas - 10
There are reasons why so many movies are made about Texas football - it really is a way of life. Between the regular season, offseason training and a summer of 7-on-7 tournaments, Texas football is some of the best in the land.

Ohio - 8
With the recent Ohio vs. the US games emerging, respect for Ohio football has been on the rise. The team that wins the Greater Catholic League is generally a top-10 team in the nation every year.

Three tied with 4
Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania all have four teams on the list. Arizona is a state on the rise in football, where as Georgia and Pennslvania have always produced great players and teams.

Euless has one of the largest Tongan communities in the nation. Residents of the South Pacific islands began arriving in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the late 1970s and early '80s. With an estimated 4,000 Tongans, about 7.5 percent of the community's population, there are a number of Tongan students in the school system and usually a couple dozen Tongan players on the football team.

In 2005, in the months before Trinity won its first football championship, some of those players saw a video of a New Zealand rugby team performing the 200-year-old Polynesian haka. After learning the dance ? with its arm-, chest- and thigh-slapping moves ? and chant, they asked Lineweaver if they could teach the ritual to the team.

After consulting with Tongan community leaders, the coach OK'd the dance and chant as part of the pre-game warmup. "I wanted to be sure it wasn't something disrespectful," Lineweaver says. "We got a few things straightened out," and it has been a big part of the team since.

The Trojans perform in front of their fans. "We purposefully don't chant at our opponents," Lineweaver says.

But with the haka at full volume, it's unlikely opponents can ignore it.

And it's not just the Tongan players; the entire team participates.

"When I was here in the early 1980s (as an assistant coach), I established some early relationships with the Tongan community," Lineweaver says. "When I came back in 2000 (as head coach), I felt accepted and they felt comfortable with me.

"They've enriched us with their values, culture and loyalty to family. And I think that's why we've embraced the diversity we have at Trinity, even beyond athletics. The team has been a beacon of light, showing how unity can work."

The Trojans have come together well enough on the field to become the top-ranked team in the nation.

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