LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Neshoba Central opens the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll in a familiar spot — the same No 1 position it held for the final eight weeks last season.
The six-time defending Mississippi 5A state champion, which was a perfect 34-0 a year ago, is already 4-0 and is unbeaten over its last 43 games. The Rockets last loss came in May 2017— a 2-1 loss to Saltillo in the state 5A quarterfinals.
Fellow state titlist — two-time reigning Virginia 6A champion Madison — remained No. 2 heading into Wednesday’s season opener at South County, and perennial power Norco (8-0) rounds out the top three. The Cougars have allowed just two runs this season — both in a 6-2 triumph over California rival Orange Lutheran on Feb. 22 — while scoring 44.
Elsewhere, No. 7 Shawnee Heights is coming off back-to-back Kansas state 5A crowns. The Thunderbirds will put their 50-game win streak on the line when they open their season on April 5 against Seaman.
Fellow Kansas powerhouse Olathe Northwest was the state runner-up in 2018 after winning the title in 2017. The 16th-ranked Ravens kick off their season on March 25 at Lawrence Free State.
Meanwhile, two-time reigning Indiana state champ New Palestine remains in the top 10 (ninth) as it prepares to start its season on April 2 at Southport.
State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule.
USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – March 7, 2019
|
Rank |
Team |
2019 Record |
|
1 |
Neshoba Central (Miss.) |
4-0 |
|
2 |
Madison (Va.) |
0-0 |
|
3 |
Norco (Calif.) |
8-0 |
|
4 |
Cedar Ridge (Texas) |
8-0 |
|
5 |
Fairhope (Ala.) |
8-0 |
|
6 |
Oakleaf (Fla.) |
6-0 |
|
7 |
Shawnee Heights (Kan.) |
0-0 |
|
8 |
Spain Park (Ala.) |
11-1 |
|
9 |
New Palestine (Ind.) |
0-0 |
|
10 |
Forney (Texas) |
5-1 |
|
11 |
Huntington Beach (Calif.) |
2-0 |
|
12 |
Foothill (Pleasanton, Calif.) |
3-0 |
|
13 |
Winter Springs (Fla.) |
6-0 |
|
14 |
San Marcos (Calif.) |
1-0 |
|
15 |
Marist (Ill.) |
0-0 |
|
16 |
Olathe Northwest (Kan.) |
0-0 |
|
17 |
Center Grove (Ind.) |
0-0 |
|
18 |
Donovan Catholic (N.J.) |
0-0 |
|
19 |
Los Alamitos (Calif.) |
3-1 |
|
20 |
Immaculate Heart Acad. (N.J.) |
0-0 |
|
21 |
Louisville Male (Ky.) |
0-0 |
|
22 |
Eagle (Idaho) |
0-0 |
|
23 |
Wachusett Regional (Mass.) |
0-0 |
|
24 |
Hamilton (Ariz.) |
3-2 |
|
25 |
Orange Lutheran (Calif.) |
2-2-1 |
