August 4, 2009

Dallas Jackson
Rivals High Managing Editor

Last Monday RivalsHigh.com began its 2009 countdown, ranking high school teams from first through No. 100.

We started at the bottom of the rankings and will release two groups of five per day; then we'll do a daily countdown from 10th to first, with our No. 1 team to be unveiled Aug. 10 - which will be two weeks from the start of the season.

After that, we will wait until September 1 for the next rankings, and then every Monday during the season.

The team rankings were compiled by high school sports managing editor Dallas Jackson, the Rivals AMP team, football recruiting analysts, and the entire RivalsHigh network of publishers.

Top 100 Countdown: 100-96 | 95-91 | 90-86 | 85-81 | 80-76 | 75-71 | 70-66 | 65-61 | 60-56 | 55-51
50-46 | 45-41 | Post your thoughts on the national message board

Top 100 countdown No. 40 Orange Lutheran, California

COACH: Jim Kunau LAST SEASON: 10-3 FINAL 2008 RIVALS.COM RANKING: No. 12 in California KEEP AN EYE ON: The quarterback position. 6-foot-3 lefty Bobby Wheatley returns to lead the Lancers in his second year. Wheatley is a pocket passer and will be headed to USC to play baseball. With a strong arm and his RB and two leading WRs returning the offense should be in good hands. STAR POWER: While this is a team loaded with talent the best on the field may be Garret Gilliland. Gilliland was Co-MVP of the league last season sharing the title with current USC QB Matt Barkley. Gilliland has a handful of offers and expects to make his decision in early October. STRENGTHS: The skill players on offense and the linebackers on defense. At RB, Damani Wilson returns. Wilson is a very solid football player who is also a very good student. Wilson, who ran a 10.7 100 in track season, has a 1900 SAT and will most likely end at an Ivy League school. OLB Lorenzo Devers is a 2011 prospect who at 6-foot-1 220 pounds will be a force on the outside of the Lancer 3-4 front. HERBSTREIT: "Everybody is really excited about the Herbstreit (Classic)," said Orange Lutheran coach Jim Kunau. "Our players know that Ohio, Texas, Florida, and California are some of the best areas in the nation for football. We are also very aware that we will be going into a hostile environment (against Pickerington Central) and we must prepare for that."

Top 100 countdown No. 39 St. Xavier, Kentucky

COACH: Mike Glaser LAST SEASON: 12-1 FINAL 2008 RIVALS.COM RANKING: No. 53 Nationally KEEP AN EYE ON: How the Tigers replace Mr. Football. Last season was a steady dose of Duece Finch for St. X opponents. This year it will take on a different look for the opposition. STAR POWER: While not a star yet, Jermiah Neal will see the lions share of the carries for St. Xavier which should make him a star in Louisville if he succeeds. STRENGTHS: Tradition and coaching. Derby City football tradition is alive and well. Between Manual, Male, Trinity and St. X there is a wealth of history in Kentucky. To continue that healthy tradition St. Xavier will have to play their way back into the state finals after they missed out in 2008. REVENGE MINDED: "St. X should be fired up this season," says Michael Johnston of KentuckyPreps.com. "Whichever team loses last between St. X and Trinity has a full spring and summer to let that soak in before the pats get put back on. It is probably all they talk about in practice this summer is beating Trinity, taking back the city, and winning states."

Top 100 countdown No. 38 Camden County, Georgia

COACH: Jeff Herron LAST SEASON: 15-0, Won Class 5A State title FINAL 2008 RIVALS.COM RANKING: No. 6 Nationally KEEP AN EYE ON: How the Wildcats replace a lot of talent. Camden County sent 4 kids to Division I and 4 others to Division II schools. This year's seniors do not look to have that type of depth but they always seem to come together despite not having high profile guys. STAR POWER: None. Camden County will rely on being a very solid football team this season. This team won 5A in Georgia last season and know what it takes to win and compete with national powerhouses. STRENGTHS: Their strengths, besides superior coaching and a winning tradition, would be their physicality and size on the offensive and defensive lines. DT Jeremiah Booth could turn out to be one of 5A's best DTs. Plus, 6-foot-8, 390-pound offensive tackle Tyler Dowling is only a rising sophomore, but improving every day. QUOTABLE: "Just because this team does not have a lot of high end guys does not mean they will not compete to win states again," Rivals.com southeastern recruiting analyst Barton Simmons explains. "Kids will emerge as the season progresses, learn their roles, and play to win. Being able to repeat a state title is hard, but it makes you work hard as well."

Top 100 countdown No. 37 Glenville, Ohio

COACH: Theodore Ginn LAST SEASON: 11-1 FINAL 2008 RIVALS.COM RANKING: No. 35 Nationally KEEP AN EYE ON: The first game of the season. Glenville plays a poor (at best) schedule outside of the opening week against St. Ignatius. They will have no problem running the rest of the table after that - but beating all of those other teams are expected - beating Iggy will be a statement. STAR POWER: The Tarblooders have been a showcase for talent in the Cleveland area for a long time now. This season is no different as they will have at least five Division I signees. Leading the way is the No. 2 safety in the country, Latwan Anderson. STRENGTHS: The defense at Glenville is going to be near impossible to score on this season. With four three star rated players on the back seven moving the ball through the air will be tough.Christian Bryant should lock down the opposition's best wide out. QUOTABLE: "Glenville breaks in a new quarterback this year in junior Cardale Jones, which will make a season opener against Scott McVey and St. Ignatius very difficult," Midwest recruiting analyst Greg Ladky explains. "The Tarblooders defense is lights out. Christian Bryant, Latwan Anderson, and James Gordon form one of the nation's best defensive backfields."

Top 100 countdown No. 36 B. T. Washington, Florida

COACH: Earl Tillman LAST SEASON: 10-4 FINAL 2008 RIVALS.COM RANKING: No. 39 in Florida KEEP AN EYE ON: Moving Classes. Booker T Washington was reassigned to Class 3A from 4A for this upcoming season. While they do not escape playing Northwestern or Central in Miami they may have a better chance winning a state title in the lower class after not being able to get by Plant in the 2008 playoffs. STAR POWER: When you are a team with four rivals.com four-star players on the team you can really pick any to be the star player. But playing runningback for a team in Miami is a natural selection. Eduardo Clements is a very good high school player who will, at the very least, be playing on Saturdays. If he reaches his full potential may see some time on Sunday as well. STRENGTHS: Skill position players. Aside from having Clements in the backfield the Tornadoes also feature two four star WR options. Quinton Dunbar, who may have the most upside of anyone on the team, is joined by lightning fast Ted Meline on the outside. QUOTABLE: "Always one of the most talented teams in South Florida Washington will now have to deal with higher expectations," says Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barton Simmons. "Having as much talent as they can put out on the field at one time the Tornadoes have a chance to be great this season."