April 04, 2019 / By mobanmarket
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
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