BEst HIGHSchool teams

[smazza]

Florida

Top team: Lakeland

The Dreadnaughts have won two consecutive Class 5A state titles and carry a 30-game winning streak into the season.

California

Top team: Oaks Christian (Westlake Village)

Division I recruits Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame), Marc Tyler (USC) and Marshall Jones (USC) lead a stacked squad.

[smazza]

2. Lakeland (Fla.)

2005 Record: 15-0

Top Players: DL John Brown (6'2", 295, Sr.); RB Chris Rainey (5'11", 170, Sr.); RB Jamar Taylor (5'11", 210, Sr.); OL James Pouncey (6'4", 285, Sr.); OL Lashawn Pouncey (6'4", 280, Sr.); WR Paul Wilson (6'1", 175, Sr.)

Key Game: Sept. 16 vs. No. 14 St. Xavier (Cincinnati) at Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA Challenge, Cincinnati

Outlook: The two-time defending state Class 5A champion Dreadnaughts are loaded again: They have at least nine Division I recruits, including six who have orally committed to Florida -- Rainey, who ran for 1,571 yards in '05; the Pouncey twins, who clear the way for Rainey and Taylor; Wilson, who caught 36 passes for 489 yards and four touchdowns; and senior defensive backs Ahmad Black and Steve Wilks. Taylor, who committed to Alabama, is coming off a 27-touchdown season, and Brown (undecided) is one of the nation's top defensive linemen.

3. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.)

2005 Record: 13-0

Top Players: QB Jimmy Clausen (6'3", 208, Sr.); RB Marc Tyler (6'1", 220, Sr.); WR-DB Marshall Jones (6'1", 188, Sr.); OL-DL Duke Lemmens (6'5", 251, Sr.); LB Casey Matthews (6'2", 222, Sr.); DB Anthony Gildon (6'2", 186, Sr.)

Key Game: Sept. 22 at No. 10 St. Bonaventure (Ventura, Calif.)

Outlook: All eyes will be on the Lions this year because of Clausen (box, page 63), who has led his team to the CIF Southern Section Division XI title each of the last three seasons, but he's not the only reason Oaks Christian is ranked this high. Tyler rushed for 2,195 yards and 39 touchdowns in '05, adding 421 yards and six TDs on 22 receptions. Two-way standout Jones scored 15 TDs, including two on defense. Both gamebreakers have committed to USC. Lemmens, Matthews and Gildon head up a tough defense. "I'd rather deal with the high expectations than everyone expecting you to lose," says coach Bill Redell.

WHAT A BUMMER THAT USF DOESNT HAVE LAKELAND LOCKED UP

[Guest R_to_the_izzo]

Were not at that level yet. A couple more strong seasons and trips to DEC 31 bowls or later and Lakeland will be sending us recruit after recruit.

[smazza]

i hope you around in 2 years rizzo

[Guest R_to_the_izzo]

I should be. Unless I decide to Major in something USF doesnt have to offer.

[smazza]

PLEASE KEEP us posted