The National Prep Football Poll is compiled by high school sports journalist Jamie DeMoney with input from sportswriters, experts, and coaches. The national Top 25 and expanded regional Top 25's follow with 2006 won-loss-tie records:

Following one of the more difficult deliberations in recent summers, St. Xavier (Cincinnati) has been pegged as the top-ranked team in the 2007 preseason National Prep Poll.

The Bombers, who return 16 starters including seven regulars off their 2005 undefeated state championship team, narrowly edged Carroll (Southlake, Texas), DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) and Northwestern (Miami) for the No. 1 nod.

Six St. Xavier players had received Division I scholarship offers by the end of the summer. Coach Steve Specht says a half dozen more are capable of playing at least at the Division I-AA level next year.

St. Xavier's superior overall schedule and continuity in its coaching staff were the deciding factors in this first poll. However, as with the teams ranked in spots 2 through 25, every team will be evaluated and re-evaluated during each week of the season.

The Bombers first major test of the season will come September 2 at the Kirk Herbstreit Classic in Cincinnati when they'll meet No. 3 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.). The game is tenatively scheduled to be aired on ESPN.

Note: Jamie DeMoney also compiled the preseason Power 50 national and regional rankings for GRIDIRON ,a preseason high school football magazine published by RISE. The publication includes in-depth capsules on all 50 nationally ranked and 100 regionally ranked teams, including key players, strengths, weaknesses and overall outlook. Click here to order your copy today!

Northeast Region
1. Pittsburgh, Pa., Central Catholic (10-2-0)  
2. Jersey City, N.J., St. Peter's (11-1-0)  
3. Ramsey, N.J., Don Bosco Prep (12-0-0)  
4. Bethlehem, Pa., Liberty (14-2-0)  
5. Philadelphia, Pa., St. Joseph's Prep (9-3-0)  
6. Everett, Mass. (12-0-0)  
7. Melville, N.Y., St. Anthony's (11-0-0)  
8. Wayne, N.J., Wayne Hills (12-0-0)  
9. Easton, Pa. (12-2-0)  
10. Upper St. Clair, Pa. (16-0-0)  
11. Folsom, Pa., Ridley (13-1-0)  
12. Oradell, N.J., Bergen Catholic (6-4-0)  
13. Montvale, N.J., St. Joseph Regional (4-6-0)  
14. Pittsburgh, Pa., Woodland Hills (8-3-0)  
15. Wexford, Pa., North Allegheny (9-3-0)  
16. Harrisburg, Pa., Bishop McDevitt (9-4-0)  
17. McKeesport, Pa. (8-3-0)  
18. Middletown, N.J., South (11-1-0)  
19. Manasquan, N.J. (12-0-0)  
20. Brockton, Mass. (6-6-0)  
21. Ansonia, Conn. (13-0-0)  
22. Churchville, N.Y., Churchville-Chili (8-1-0)  
23. Greenwich, Conn. (12-1-0)  
24. Downington, Pa., West (10-2-0)  
25. Monroeville, Pa., Gateway (6-5-0)  

East Coast Region
1. Hyattsville, Md., DeMatha (12-0-0)  
2. Charlotte, N.C., Independence (16-0-0)  
3. Virginia Beach, Va., Salem (12-1-0)  
4. Gaffney, S.C. (15-0-0)  
5. Matthews, N.C., Butler (12-3-0)  
6. Summerville, S.C. (12-1-0)  
7. Chantilly, Va., Westfield (11-1-0)  
8. Duncan, S.C., Byrnes (11-2-0)  
9. Chesapeake, Va., Oscar Smith (10-2-0)  
10. Olney, Md., Good Counsel (10-2-0)  
11. Chantilly, Va. (10-4-0)  
12. Greenville, N.C., Rose (16-0-0)  
13. Greenwood, S.C. (13-2-0)  
14. Parkersburg, W.Va. (14-0-0)  
15. Fort Washington, Md., Friendly (14-0-0)  
16. Wilmington, N.C., Hoggard (14-1-0)  
17. Laurinburg, N.C., Scotland (8-4-0)  
18. Manassas, Va., Osbourn (14-0-0)  
19. Hampton, Va., Phoebus (13-1-0)  
20. Conway, S.C. (13-2-0)  
21. Concord, N.C. (13-3-0)  
22. Dumfries, Va., Potomac (11-2-0)  
23. Clifton, Va., Centreville (6-4-0)  
24. Rockingham, N.C., Richmond (12-1-0)  
25. Damascus, Md. (8-3-0)  

Southeast Region
1. Miami, Fla., Northwestern (15-0-0)  
2. Batesville, Miss., South Panola (15-0-0)  
3. Warner Robins, Ga., Northside (15-0-0)  
4. Roswell, Ga. (13-1-1)  
5. Maryville, Tenn. (15-0-0)  
6. River Ridge, La., John Curtis (14-0-0)  
7. Pahokee, Fla. (14-0-0)  
8. Miami, Fla., Booker T. Washington (12-2-0)  
9. Prattville, Ala. (15-0-0)  
10. Fort Lauderdale, Fla., St. Thomas Aquinas (12-2-0)  
11. Seffner, Fla., Armwood (11-2-0)  
12. Jacksonville, Fla., Bolles (14-0-0)  
13. Lakeland, Fla. (15-0-0)  
14. Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Nease (14-1-0)  
15. Smyrna, Tenn. (13-2-0)  
16. Norcross, Ga. (12-1-0)  
17. Bastrop, La. (15-0-0)  
18. Tampa, Fla., Plant (15-0-0)  
19. Valdosta, Ga., Lowndes (6-4-0)  
20. Daphne, Ala. (9-3-0)  
21. Hoover, Ala. (13-2-0)  
22. Belle Glade, Fla., Glades Central (12-3-0)  
23. West Monroe, La. (10-1-0)  
24. Lakeland, Fla., Lake Gibson (10-3-0)  
25. Suwanee, Ga., Peachtree Ridge (11-3-1)  

Midwest Region
1. Cincinnati, Ohio, St. Xavier (10-2-0)  
2. Chicago, Ill., St. Rita (13-1-0)  
3. Cincinnati, Ohio, Colerain (13-1-0)  
4. Muskegon, Mich. (14-0-0)  
5. Youngstown, Ohio, Mooney (14-0-0)  
6. Frankfort, Ill., Lincoln-Way East (12-1-0)  
7. Louisville, Ky., Trinity (14-1-0)  
8. Cleveland, Ohio, Glenville (9-2-0)  
9. Indianapolis, Ind., Warren Central (15-0-0)  
10. Lakewood, Ohio, St. Edward (9-2-0)  
11. Mentor, Ohio (13-2-0)  
12. Mount Prospect, Ill., Prospect (11-2-0)  
13. Dublin, Ohio, Coffman (9-4-0)  
14. Joliet, Ill., Joliet Catholic (6-4-0)  
15. Indianapolis, Ind., Ben Davis (9-4-0)  
16. Chicago, Ill., Mount Carmel (12-2-0)  
17. Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Brother Rice (11-1-0)  
18. Mequon, Wis., Homestead (14-0-0)  
19. Massillon, Ohio, Washington (7-5-0)  
20. Cleveland, Ohio, St. Ignatius (6-4-0)  
21. Cincinnati, Ohio, Elder (6-4-0)  
22. Cincinnati, Ohio, Moeller (5-5-0)  
23. Hilliard, Ohio, Davidson (15-0-0)  
24. Carmel, Ind. (12-3-0)  
25. Louisville, Ky., Male (11-1-0)  

Midlands Region
1. Littleton, Colo., Columbine (13-1-0)  
2. St. Paul, Minn., Cretin-Derham Hall (10-1-0)  
3. Denver, Colo., Mullen (13-1-0)  
4. Kansas City, Mo., Rockhurst (6-4-0)  
5. Eden Prairie, Minn. (14-0-0)  
6. Blue Springs, Mo., South (13-0-0)  
7. Omaha, Neb., Millard North (8-4-0)  
8. South Jordan, Utah, Bingham (14-0-0)  
9. Omaha, Neb., Westside (12-1-0)  
10. Jefferson City, Mo. (7-5-0)  
11. Lincoln, Neb., Southwest (10-1-0)  
12. Castle Rock, Colo., Douglas County (11-2-0)  
13. Bettendorf, Iowa (10-2-0)  
14. Champlin, Minn., Champlin Park (8-2-0)  
15. St. Louis, Mo., Christian Brothers (11-2-0)  
16. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Lake City (12-0-0)  
17. Sandy, Utah, Alta (11-3-0)  
18. Hutchinson, Kan. (13-0-0)  
19. Omaha, Neb., Creighton Prep (5-5-0)  
20. Blue Springs, Mo. (9-2-0)  
21. Highlands Ranch, Colo., Mountain Vista (10-2-0)  
22. Creve Coeur, Mo., DeSmet (3-6-0)  
23. Olathe, Kan., South (6-4-0)  
24. Kansas City, Mo., Oak Park (6-4-0)  
25. West Des Moines, Iowa, Valley (10-2-0)  

Southwest Region
1. Southlake, Texas, Carroll (16-0-0)  
2. Katy, Texas (13-1-0)  
3. Chandler, Ariz., Hamilton (13-1-0)  
4. Jenks, Okla. (13-1-0)  
5. Euless, Texas, Trinity (11-1-0)  
6. Tulsa, Okla., Union (7-4-0)  
7. Cedar Hill, Texas (16-0-0)  
8. DeSoto, Texas (10-4-0)  
9. Phoenix, Ariz., Brophy (9-3-0)  
10. Peoria, Ariz., Centennial (14-0-0)  
11. Muskogee, Okla. (10-3-0)  
12. Houston, Texas, Westfield (13-1-0)  
13. Lufkin, Texas (11-1-0)  
14. Mesquite, Texas (7-5-0)  
15. Texarkana, Ark., Arkansas (11-2-0)  
16. Spring Branch, Texas, Smithson Valley (9-2-0)  
17. Allen, Texas (13-2-0)  
18. Houston, Texas, Klein Forest (9-3-0)  
19. Garland, Texas (12-3-0)  
20. Austin, Texas, Westlake (12-3-1)  
21. Abilene, Texas (8-5-0)  
22. North Las Vegas, Nev., Canyon Springs (8-4-0)  
23. Copperas Cove, Texas (12-3-0)  
24. Fayetteville, Ark. (9-3-0)  
25. Artesia, N.M. (14-0-0)  

West Coast Region
1. Long Beach, Calif., Poly (11-2-0)  
2. Santa Ana, Calif., Mater Dei (8-3-0)  
3. Sherman Oaks, Calif., Notre Dame (11-1-0)  
4. Ventura, Calif., St. Bonaventure (10-2-0)  
5. Mission Viejo, Calif. (9-3-0)  
6. Lake Balboa, Calif., Birmingham (11-3-0)  
7. Bellevue, Wash. (14-0-0)  
8. Concord, Calif., De La Salle (13-1-0)  
9. Corona, Calif., Centennial (11-1-0)  
10. Honolulu, Hawaii, St. Louis (11-1-0)  
11. Huntington Beach, Calif., Edison (11-3-0)  
12. Norco, Calif. (12-2-0)  
13. Portland, Ore., Jesuit (13-0-0)  
14. Carlsbad, Calif. (10-0-2)  
15. Orange, Calif., Lutheran (14-1-0)  
16. Riverside, Calif., JW North (14-0-0)  
17. Newhall, Calif., Hart (8-5-0)  
18. Compton, Calif., Dominguez (13-1-0)  
19. Kahuku, Hawaii (11-2-0)  
20. Clovis, Calif., East (12-1-0)  
21. Westlake Village, Calif., Oaks Christian (15-0-0)  
22. Oceanside, Calif. (9-3-1)  
23. Anaheim, Calif., Servite (8-4-0)  
24. Edmonds, Wash., Edmonds-Woodway (12-1-0)  
25. Portland, Ore., Grant (11-1-0)  

FEATS OF THE WEEK: Preseason No. 1 Cincinnati, St. Xavier aims to become the first Ohio team since 1995 to earn a National Prep Poll title. Coach Steve Specht's Bombers, with one state title and a 36-3 record since 2005, face arguably the nation's toughest schedule. Their regular season opponents include No. 3 Hyattsville, Md., DeMatha, plus regionally ranked Louisville, Ky., Trinity; Cleveland, Glenville; and Lakewood, Ohio, St. Edward. St. Xavier returns 16 starters from a team that lost only to eventual national champion Lakeland, Fla., in overtime, and nationally ranked Cincinnati, Colerain last season. Senior running back Darius Ashley will lead the offense after back-to-back 1,000 rushing yard seasons. Linebacker Fred Craig (Stanford) is back to lead a defense that has allowed only seven points per game the last two seasons.

Past National Prep Poll champs, with records and coaches:
1987--Fontana, Calif. (14-0-0), Dick Bruich
1988--Prichard, Ala., Vigor (13-0-0), Harold Clark
1989--Odessa, Texas, Permian (16-0-0), Gary Gaines
1990--Aldine, Texas (15-0-0), Bill Smith
1991--Indianapolis, Ben Davis (14-0-0), Dick Dullaghan
1992--Valdosta, Ga. (14-0-0), Nick Hyder
1993--Cleveland, St. Ignatius (14-0-0), Chuck Kyle
1994--Concord, Calif., De La Salle (13-0-0), Bob Ladouceur
1995--Cleveland, St. Ignatius (14-0-0), Chuck Kyle
1996--Hampton, Va. (14-0-0), Mike Smith
1997--Hampton, Va. (13-0-0), Mike Smith
1998--Concord, Calif., De La Salle (12-0-0), Bob Ladouceur
1999--Shreveport, La., Evangel (15-0-0), Dennis Dunn
2000--Concord, Calif., De La Salle (13-0-0), Bob Ladouceur
2001--Concord, Calif., De La Salle (12-0-0), Bob Ladouceur
2002--Concord, Calif., De La Salle (13-0-0), Bob Ladouceur
2003--Concord, Calif., De La Salle (13-0-0), Bob Ladouceur
2004--Southlake, Texas, Carroll (16-0-0), Todd Dodge
2005--Southlake, Texas, Carroll (16-0-0), Todd Dodge
2006--Lakeland, Fla. (15-0-0), Bill Castle.

Copyright 2007 World Features Syndicate, Inc...endit

About the National Prep Poll: Compiled weekly since 1987 and a property of World Features Syndicate, the National Prep Poll is the nation's second oldest weekly high school sports rankings and are the only high school rankings distributed to newspapers and Web sites around the United States by the Associated Press national wire service. The National Prep Poll is the first high school football and boys basketball poll to released in the preseason and during each week of the regular season. Criteria considered for the National Prep Poll rankings are strength of schedule, the ability to accomplish the ultimate goal on a team's schedule (i.e. winning a championship), impact players and performers, a team's coaching and recent tradition.

Jamie DeMoney is a 1994 graduate of the University of Iowa School of Journalism, a member of the Football Writers Association of America and the United States Basketball Writers Association. He has been covered high school sports and been involved with prep recruiting and evaluation for nearly 15 years.

DeMoney has compiled the National Prep Poll for World Features Syndicate and the Associated Press since 1999. He is former managing editor of American Football Monthly, the premier trade publication in America for football coaches.

DeMoney is also a full-time staff member of Forbes Recruit Evaluation, a football scouting service subscribed to by more than 300 college coaching staffs. Each football season, DeMoney evaluates thousands of high school football players and teams in person and on tape. DeMoney maintains a library of more than 3,000 high school game tapes from the last three seasons. It isn't likely that any other national high school rankings compiler watches even 10 percent as much game tape of the teams he considers for rankings as DeMoney does.

DeMoney's other credits include serving on the selection panel for the Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year, as editor of Gridiron Greats recruiting yearbook (1995-99), Associate Editor of Hawkeye Nation magazine, contributor to NFLHS.com and doing play-by-play high school sports for KCJJ-AM in Iowa City, Iowa, during the mid-90s.

Note: Jamie DeMoney also compiled the preseason Power 50 national and regional rankings for the GRIDIRON Magazine, published by RISE. The publication includes in-depth capsules on all 50 nationally ranked and 100 regionally ranked teams, including key players, strengths, weaknesses and overall outlook.