ESPN RISE

ESPN will release the ESPN RISE FAB 50 national football rankings to start each week of the regular season and playoffs.

No. 1 Trinity was off last week after downing John Curtis of Louisiana in the Kirk Herbstreit Classic, but held on to the top spot in the Week 2 rankings. The Trojans travel to Cedar Hill on Friday to take on the 2006 Class 5A Division II state champs. No. 3 De La Salle, of Concord, Calif., will finally kick it off Saturday when it takes on Juniperro Serra of San Mateo.

ESPN RISE FAB 50

The ESPN RISE FAB 50 rankings were compiled by a panel of ESPN RISE and ESPN.com high school editors, which includes Mark Tennis, Doug Huff, Chris Lawlor, Jon Mahoney, Sheldon Shealer, Ronnie Flores and Paul Muyskens.

1. Trinity (Euless, Texas)
Record: 1-0
Points: 250, five first-place votes
Previous rank: 1

The Trojans, who opened last week in the Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Classic Series with an impressive 28-12 win over traditional Louisiana power John Curtis, had the weekend off. On Friday, Trinity could have another stiff test from an athletic Cedar Hill squad that won the Texas Class 5A Division II state title in 2006 and is 1-0 this year with a 34-27 win over Class 4A power Rider last week.

2. Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.)
Record: 2-0
Points: 245
Previous rank: 2

The Vikings topped Peachtree Ridge, 22-7, to stay put at No. 2 in the nation for this week. Lowndes' versatile Greg Reid, a Florida pledge, picked off two passes and running back Gerald Demps added a touchdown grab. The stingy Viking defense limited the Lions to 258 yards of total offense. Lowndes will host Ware County on Friday in its next game at Billy Martin Stadium.

3. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
Record: 0-0
Points: 240
Previous rank: 3

Tom Brady's alma mater, Junipero Serra of San Mateo, will be the Spartans' opponent when they open their season Saturday on the road. Two years ago, when De La Salle played at Serra, it was a close game until the fourth quarter of an eventual 40-28 win. Serra also has already started its season and won, 56-0, over the weekend against Westmont of Campbell.

4. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Record: 2-0
Points: 235
Previous rank: 4

The Raiders continued to roll with a 49-3 trouncing against Cardinal Gibbons of Fort Lauderdale. Running back Giovanni Bernard picked up 104 yards and a touchdown to pace the Raider offense. Big-play wideout Dwayne Difton added a 44-yard TD reception. The Raiders are off this week but return to action September 26.

5. Jenks (Jenks, Okla.)
Record: 1-0
Points: 230
Previous rank: 5

It was no problem for the Trojans in their season opener, as they defeated Bixby 44-7 and looked in midseason form. Making his first start with the Trojans since transferring from Bixby, quarterback Zach Horn completed 9 of 15 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown in the first half before finding a spot along the sidelines. Colton Dust rushed for 59 yards and four touchdowns as the Trojans' offense pounded the ball for 241 of their 408 total yards on the ground. Up next is the highly anticipated matchup against Tulsa Union as the two teams have dominated the Oklahoma football scene over the past 10 years. Some shine was taken off the rivalry with Union losing to Broken Arrow last week, but as everyone knows, when rivals collide anything can happen.

6. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)
Record: 0-0
Points: 225
Previous rank: 6

Don Bosco's long-awaited 2008 debut will finally take place this Saturday at 2 p.m. at No. 27 St. Xavier (Cincinnati). After beating Cathedral (Indianapolis, Ind.) this past weekend, St. Xavier has now won 25 consecutive games on its home field, so this will be no easy opening task for Don Bosco. If the Ironmen are going to come out on top, the explosive backfield of senior quarterback Brett Knief, senior running back Dillon Romain and junior running back Tony Jones will have to find holes in the stingy St. Xavier defense, which has allowed just 26 points in three games.

7. Gateway (Monroeville, Pa.)
Record: 2-0
Points: 220
Previous rank: 7

The Gators graduated do-everything tailback Cameron Saddler (now at Pitt), but they still haven't missed a beat offensively. Including last week's 56-6 win over Baldwin, Gateway has already scored 101 points this season. Not to be outdone, the defense has limited opponents to a combined 23 points. Against Baldwin, junior quarterback Robert Kalkstein threw for 163 yards and three scores, senior wide receiver/cornerback Corey Brown hauled in three touchdown passes and senior running back/linebacker Dorian Bell ran for 105 yards and two scores. Gateway will play at Latrobe (Latrobe, Pa.) on Friday. This is the ninth time Gateway has played Latrobe, and the Gators hold a 7-1 advantage in the series.

8. Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.)
Record: 2-0
Points: 215
Previous rank: 8

The Rebels extended their winning streak to 17 games with a 45-20 victory over Ridge View. Byrnes next plays a Greer of Riverside team it defeated 45-7 last year, before heading to Florida to take on Lincoln of Tallahassee. Starting with the Lincoln game, Byrnes will face three consecutive opponents that had a combined record of 35-5 last year.

9. Poly (Long Beach, Calif.)
Record: 1-0
Points: 210
Previous rank: 9

Coach Raul Lara and his team are probably still flying high after their 29-7 win at Miami Northwestern over the Labor Day weekend. The Jackrabbits took last week off and don't play again until Friday, Sept. 19, against Newport Harbor of Newport Beach.

10. Rockhurst (Kansas City, Mo.)
Record: 2-0
Points: 202*
Previous rank: 10

A week after throttling then-nationally ranked Blue Springs South on ESPN, the Hawklets edged Southwest No. 10 Hutchinson (Hutchinson, Kan.) 28-21 at home to snap Hutchinson's 36-game winning streak. Rockhurst senior quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase paced an offensive attack that scored a touchdown in every quarter. Scheelhaase threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning 51 yarder to senior running back Chris Castelluccio with just more than eight minutes remaining. Scheelhaase added 92 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. Rockhurst hosts Blue Springs (Blue Springs, Mo.) on Friday night, and then will travel to face Colorado power Mullen (Denver, Colo.) on Sept. 19.

11. Armwood (Seffner, Fla.)
Record: 1-0
Points: 202*
Previous rank: 11

In a nationally televised game on ESPNU, the Armwood defense proved to be the difference once again as the Hawks clipped Plant of Tampa, 9-2. ESPNU 150 QB Aaron Murray continued his struggles against the dominating Hawks defense. Armwood held Murray to 120 yards passing and no touchdowns. On the Hawks first possession, QB Mywan Jackson connected with Dykerius Cross for the game's only touchdown. After a safety, the Hawks defense shut down the Panthers' explosive offense. Linebacker Petey Smith (10 tackles, 1 sack) and All-American defensive end Ryne Giddins (seven tackles, 1 sack) were dominating all night long. Armwood will play next against Tampa Wharton on Friday night.

12. Deerfield Beach (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
Record: 1-0
Points: 196
Previous rank: 12

Head coach Art Taylor had the Bucks focused Friday following a preseason classic setback against Everglades. The Bucks pounded Hollywood Hills, 43-7. Junior RB Cassius McDowell gashed the Spartans for 199 yards on only nine carries and scored four TDs, all in the first half. Deerfield next battles Ely of Pompano Beach at home Saturday.

13. Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)
Record: 1-0
Points: 189
Previous rank: 13

Junior running back Exavier Edwards scored three times as the Lancers opened their season Saturday in Fresno with a 35-17 victory over Bullard of Fresno. Lutheran led 35-3 until two late scores made the margin of defeat for Bullard more respectable. Up next for the Lancers is Bishop Amat of La Puente.

14. Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Va.)
Record: 2-0
Points: 180
Previous rank: 14

Tim Smith scored three touchdowns and Perry Jones added two as Oscar Smith, the state's top-ranked Class AAA school, ran away with a 44-0 victory over Hickory to reinforce its standing in the Southern District. The Tigers have yet to allow a score this season, and have scored more than 40 points in their past five regular-season games. In its next game, Oscar Smith faces Indian River on Friday.

15. Lake Travis (Austin, Texas)
Record: 2-0
Points: 176
Previous rank: 15

The third time was the charm for Garrett Gilbert on Thursday night, as Lake Travis' standout senior quarterback ran for three scores and passed for another to lead the Cavs past Austin Westlake, 38-17. It was Gilbert's first win over Westlake in his third career start. The Elite 11 QB hit 14 of his 30 passes for 212 yards, but did most of his damage on the ground, rushing for a team-high 82 yards and three scores. The win was the 16th in a row for Lake Travis, and the Cavs will look for No. 17 later this week when they host Cedar Park.

16. St. Xavier (Louisville, Ky.)
Record: 2-0
Points: 171*
Previous rank: 17

The Tigers continued their early season tuneups with a second straight romp, 44-6 over Oldham County this past weekend. St. Xavier has outscored two foes, 107-6, and will face Lexington Catholic this weekend before tackling the two toughest rivals in the following three weeks -- Male and Trinity, both Louisville rivals. Against Oldham County, the Tigers coasted to a 35-0 halftime cushion and limited the Colonels to 99 total yards. Junior Jeremiah Neal rushed 10 times for 68 yards and three TDs.

17. Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio)
Record: 2-0
Points: 171*
Previous rank: 18

The Tarblooders broke open a competitive game with two long touchdown runs in the fourth quarter to defeat Gahanna Lincoln 31-0 over the weekend. Glenville is preparing for its Senate League schedule in which it has won 72 straight games and has won 10 straight league titles. Glenville plays Cleveland South this weekend. The Tarblooders led the Columbus-area team 17-0 entering the fourth quarter before quarterback Terrence Owens connected with Shane Wynn on an 80-yard TD strike and Robert Walton Jr. capped the scoring with a 50-yard burst.

18. Plano (Plano, Texas)
Record: 2-0
Points: 170
Previous rank: 16

Plano's offensive triplets -- QB Carson Meger, RB Rex Burkhead and WR Kris Lott -- usually get all of the attention and accolades, but Thursday night, it was senior safety Laron Kelly who stepped up and made the big plays to lead the Wildcats to a come-from-behind 28-20 win over DeSoto. An interception by Kelly in the first half deep in DeSoto territory set up Plano's only first-half score and really kept the Wildcats close at 20-7 as the visitors dominated the first 24 minutes, outgaining Plano 285 yards to 52. Kelly later thwarted a potential scoring drive by DeSoto with a fourth-down pass breakup and also added a second interception in the fourth quarter that set up Plano's final score, which pushed the Wildcats' lead from one point to eight. Burkhead had 115 yards and two scores on 21 carries to lead the Plano offense, which accounted for only 230 yards in the game. Plano is at Hebron this Friday.

19. Lakeland (Lakeland, Fla.)
Record: 1-0
Points: 161
Previous rank: 20

The Dreadnaughts were idle this week after they defeated Pittsburgh Central Catholic 35-0 on Labor Day at the Friends of Coal Classic in Wheeling, W. Va. Coach Bill Castle's team takes on South Dade in nonregion action Friday.

20. Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.)
Record: 2-0
Points: 156
Previous rank: 21

In cross-sectional play over the weekend, the Wildcats downed Columbia of Lake City, Fla., 31-0. Running back Greg Baker broke free for a 64-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. Baker ended the night with 114 yards on eight carries. Camden travels to Alabama this weekend to take on perennial power Hoover.

21. Carmel (Carmel, Ind.)
Record: 3-0
Points: 149
Previous rank: 22

The Greyhounds dodged a Hoosier State bullet over the weekend in a clash of the state's top two ranked teams. For the second straight year, the defending state Class 5A champion survived a test versus Center Grove. This past weekend, Carmel's Nick Logan scooped up a fumble and scored from eight yards out with 33 seconds left. A two-point conversion pass provided a 33-32 victory after rallying from a 12-point last-quarter deficit. Last year, the Greyhounds needed double overtime to win by a point. This weekend, Carmel tackles South Vigo of Terre Haute.

22. South Panola (Batesville, Miss)
Record: 2-0
Points: 146
Previous rank: 23

Win No. 77 in a row came the easy way, as South Panola rolled up a 34-0 victory over Clarksdale. The team faces Grenada this week before getting a true challenge to the lengthy win streak on Sept. 19 against Apopka (Fla.) in a game that will be seen on ESPNU.

23. Skyline (Sammamish, Wash.)
Record: 1-0
Points: 139
Previous rank: 25

Even with the offense struggling against another ESPN RISE FAB 50 team, Sheldon of Oregon, the defense stepped up to show why the Spartans are among the top teams in the nation, as they picked up the 21-0 shutout victory Saturday night in Portland. Sheldon, which won the Class 6A title last season in Oregon, was kept off the scoreboard by two impressive goal line stands in the first half and then the Spartans' defense capped it off with an interception return for the final touchdown of the game. Seattle's defending 3A state champions will play their first opponent from the state at home Friday against Ballard as they look to defend their championship.

24. Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
Record: 2-0
Points: 134*
Previous rank: 25

For the second straight week, it was the Kyle Padron Show, as the 6-3, 190-pound SMU-bound senior passed for four touchdowns and ran for two more to lead Southlake Carroll past Arlington, 44-10. The Dragons led just 9-3 at the half, but scored on five of six second-half possessions, as Padron hit 23 of 34 passes for 293 yards and also led Carroll with 57 yards on the ground. The Dragons host Houston Bellaire on Friday in a nondistrict tilt.

25. Colerain (Cincinnati)
Record: 3-0
Points: 134*
Previous rank: 26

Some things never change in the Cincinnati metro area. The Ohio powers continue to dominate the cross-river Kentucky powers. Over the weekend, the Cardinals led 33-6 before defending Kentucky Class 5A champion Fort Thomas Highlands scored two late TDs in a 33-18 decision. Colerain is 100-9 since 2000 and has won its past 32 regular-season games. Two sophomore running backs, Tyler Williams (15 carries for 240 yards, two TDs) and Traylon Durham (21 rushes for 184 yards, two TDs), led Colerain's 535-yard total offense effort. Colerain visits city rival Princeton this week.

26. Maryville (Maryville, Tenn.)
Record: 3-0
Points: 124
Previous rank: 27

Maryville defeated Clinton 38-16 to earn its 63rd straight victory. The Rebels should extend their winning streak to 67 games because they do not play an opponent that had a winning record last season until Oct. 10, when they play West of Knoxville.

27. St. Xavier (Cincinnati)
Record: 2-1
Points: 121
Previous rank: 28

The Bombers continued their multistate schedule with a second straight win over a non-Ohio visitor, this time 17-3 over Cathedral from Indianapolis. The defending Ohio Division 1 champion earlier defeated Prattville (Ala.) and will tackle two defending state champions the next two weeks in FAB 50-ranked Don Bosco Prep of New Jersey and Trinity from Kentucky. The Bombers opened the season with a 13-8 loss to city rival and FAB 50-ranked Colerain while playing without injured QB Luke Massa. St. Xavier is now 8-1 all-time versus Cathedral.

28. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Record: 1-0
Points: 110
Previous rank: 29

Some voters dropped the Monarchs a peg or two on their ballots, but Mater Dei still edged up a spot in this week's rankings after its 46-43 win in three overtimes versus Carson. In the big picture, Mater Dei's ranking is going to be mostly determined in a matchup in two weeks against fast-rising Centennial of Corona. This week, the Monarchs host Cypress.

29. Arrowhead (Hartland, Wis.)
Record: 2-0
Points: 109
Previous rank: 30

The defending state Division 1 champion Warhawks returned from a trip to Gary, Ind., with a 55-0 blanking of Lew Wallace High. Conner Maurice returned a punt 69 yards to score and QB Tom Parish scored on a 23-yard run, but it was the Arrowhead defense that provided the margin. The Warhawks capitalized on six Wallace turnovers, all but one coming inside the Hornets' 20-yard line. Arrowhead, seeking its fifth state title in the past 14 years, tackles Mukwonago this weekend.

30. Mt. Carmel (Chicago)
Record: 2-0
Points: 105
Previous rank: 34

The No. 1-ranked Illinois team continued its early-season tune-up before testing the major contenders later on in the schedule. The Caravan scored their second straight rout of a Chicago team this past weekend with a 55-3 blowout of St. Ignatius after opening with a 49-7 romp over Curie. They'll next face Providence Catholic, then state-ranked St. Rita and Brother Rice, and a Homewood-Flossmoor matchup looms down the road. Against St. Ignatius, Brett Butler returned a punt for a score and landed two touchdown passes.

31. St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia)
Record: 2-0
Points: 100
Previous rank: 32

The Hawks and New York juggernaut St. Anthony's (South Huntington, N.Y.) were forced to play in the rain and wind caused by Tropical Storm Hanna. After the muck had settled, St. Joe's escaped with a 7-6 victory. St. Anthony's took an early lead in the first on a run by junior quarterback Tom Schreiber. However, the extra-point attempt was no good, and that proved to be huge later on. With 10:46 left in the fourth quarter, junior running back Garrett Compton put the Hawks on the board with a 1-yard run, and senior kicker Kurt Skalamera kicked what proved to be the game-winning extra point. St. Joe's defense took over from there and halted a late St. Anthony's drive in St. Joe's territory. The Hawks will play at North Penn (Lansdale, Pa.) on Friday.

32. St. Ignatius (Cleveland)
Record: 2-1
Points: 92
Previous rank: 35

The Wildcats continue to dismantle Western New York opponents. Playing in the third game of a four-game, four-year contract with Canisius High of Buffalo, the Ohio power spoiled the debut of a new A-Turf field facility in its 40-0 win. The 12-time Ohio Division 1 champions won the first two games in the series by 52-7 and 64-0. This past weekend, quarterback Andrew Holland passed for four TDs, including three to wide receiver Joey Parris, before the duo sat out most of the second half.

33. Bellarmine Prep (San Jose, Calif.)
Record: 0-0
Points: 91
Previous rank: 33

Two teams that have already played at least twice passed by the Bells in this week's rankings. Still, Bellarmine has not dropped even though it hasn't played its first game and hopes to impress this week in the opener against Clovis of the CIF Central Section.

34. Phoebus (Hampton, Va.)
Record: 1-0
Points: 84
Previous rank: 36

Phoebus' contest with Bethel (Va.) High was postponed until Monday due to Tropical Storm Hanna, which pelted the Tidewater region Friday night. The Phantoms play at Woodside on Saturday.

35. Quince Orchard (Gaithersburg, Md.)
Record: 0-0
Points: 79
Previous rank: 37

Tropical Storm Hanna also forced a postponement of Quince Orchard's season opener with Thomas Wootton. The Cougars beat Wootton 26-21 on Monday. Quince Orchard is still scheduled to face Winston Churchill on Friday.

36. North Shore (Houston, Texas)
Record: 2-0
Points: 78
Previous rank: 39

The Mustangs tied a 15-year-old state record Friday, winning their 72nd-consecutive regular-season game over Aldine Eisenhower, 33-14. North Shore used the same tried and true method that has worked the previous seven-plus seasons, a strong running game and fast, physical defense. After spotting Eisenhower a 7-0 lead, North Shore scored on four of five possessions to take a 28-14 lead into halftime. The defense shut down Eisenhower for the rest of the game and didn't even allow a first down in the second half. Deaundre Jones ran 23 times for 132 yards, and Tracy Woods added 119 yards and two scores on 25 carries for the Mustangs, who look for the record 73rd-straight win this week versus 0-2 Cypress Falls.

37. Bastrop (Bastrop, La.)
Record: 0-0
Points: 72
Previous rank: 38

Although Bastrop is still waiting to play its season opener, the school's facilities came in handy last week. Hurricane Gustav evacuees used the field house to take showers. Bastrop was scheduled to face Istrouma, but the hurricane forced a cancellation. Bastrop is scheduled to visit Dollarway (Ark.) on Friday. Another hurricane, this one Ike, looms on the horizon.

38. Bear Creek (Lakewood, Colo.)
Record: 2-0
Points: 63
Previous rank: 40

The outcome of Friday's game was not in doubt, as the Bears ate up Fruita Monument by a 47-6 score. Bear Creek showed why it's favored to take home the Class 5A state title at the end of the year after losing in the semifinals last season. Zach Thenell passed for 189 yards in the first half and threw four touchdown passes in the second quarter before handing off the ball for the majority of the final half of play. Bear Creek's defense just missed recording a shutout, as Fruita Monument scored on an 8-yard pass as time expired. It was the home opener for the Bruins after they opened the season with a road win in Florida against Timber Creek. They will open league play on Friday with a home game against Chatfield of Littleton, Colo.

39. Prattville (Prattville, Ala.)
Record: 1-1
Points: 57
Previous rank: 41

It was ironic that the Lions scored 31 points in their 31-0 win Friday over Montgomery Lee because their win streak would have been at 31 had they beaten St. Xavier of Cincinnati at the Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series. Instead, Prattville started up a new win streak thanks to its impressive defense. The Lions next face 0-2 Benjamin Russell of Alexander City, Ala.

40. DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.)
Record: 1-0
Points: 52
Previous rank: 42

DeMatha traveled to Middletown, Del., to take on that state's defending large-school state champion in what turned out to be a lopsided contest. Middletown mustered only 17 yards in the first half, and the Stags rolled to a 37-0 victory as coach Bill McGregor earned his 250th coaching win. He sports a record of 250-34-3 at the school. Marcus Coker scored three rushing touchdowns, and quarterback Tom Chroniger had one rushing touchdown and one passing touchdown. McGregor ranks No. 4 on the active career coaching wins list in Maryland.

41. Permian (Odessa, Texas)
Record: 2-0
Points: 47 pts
Previous rank: 43

Mojo exploded for a 30-point second quarter Friday night on the way to an easy 46-14 win over district rival San Angelo Central. After a slow first quarter, QB Trevor Adams and the Panther offense got untracked in the second, as Adams' moved the team through the air and four scoring drives were capped off with short scoring runs. Adams' 1-yard run with 30 seconds left in the half made it 30-7. Adams finished 18 of 30 through the air for 246 yards and also ran for two scores. Permian travels to 2-0 Lubbock Monterey on Friday.

42. Northside (Warner Robins, Ga.)
Record: 2-0
Points: 41 pts
Previous rank: 45

The Eagles ran their winning streak to 32 with a 31-7 thrashing against defending 4A Florida champion Booker T. Washington of Miami, Running back Xavier Bacon finished the day with 176 yards and two TDs. The schedule doesn't get easier for coach Conrad Nix's team. This week, the Eagles travel to Columbus to take on Carver-Columbus, the defending 3A state champion.

43. Plant (Tampa, Fla.)
Record: 0-1
Points: 37 pts
Previous rank: 19

QB Aaron Murray tried to lead the Panthers downfield for a game-tying touchdown, but his pass was intercepted by Armwood safety DeAngelo Hadley, preserving a 9-2 win for Armwood. In the ESPNU nationally televised showdown, Murray was constantly pressured by the Hawks' defense, and the offense never found a rhythm. The Panthers will look to bounce back this week against Tampa Gaither.

44. John Curtis (River Ridge, La.)
Record: 0-1
Points: 31 pts
Previous rank: 46

Inclement weather conditions, including Hurricane Gustav, continue to cause problems with football schedules in Louisiana. The Patriots had a scheduled game against East St. John canceled this past weekend. They will seek their first win Thursday versus Capitol of Baton Rouge, which features touted junior QB Terrance Broadway. The Patriots' only game action was the 28-12 opening loss in Dallas against FAB 50 No. 1 Euless Trinity.

45. Centennial (Corona, Calif.)
Record: 0-0
Points: 28 pts
Previous rank: 47

Two years ago, the Huskies were chugging along as one of the top teams in California but got derailed in a CIF Southern Section playoff loss to Chaparral of Temecula. On Friday, Centennial starts its 2008 season against Chaparral and will be debuting transfer Taylor Martinez at quarterback.

46. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
Record:2-0
Points: 26 pts
Previous rank: 50

OK, it's safe to say the Huskies are for real. In Week 1, Hamilton went into Florida and bested defending Class 4A state champion Booker T. Washington (Miami). This past weekend, the Huskies blanked defending Class 5A, Division I champ Brophy Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.), 10-0. Hamilton has also lost to Brophy in the state playoffs two out of the past three years (Brophy upended Hamilton in the 2005 state finals and the 2007 state semifinals), so this game was a small measure of revenge for the Huskies. Senior running back Dante Alexander ran for 111 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, while the Hamilton defense tallied nine sacks. Hamilton will play at Centennial of Peoria, Ariz., on Friday.

47. The Woodlands (The Woodlands, Texas)
Record: 2-0
Points: 24 pts
Previous rank: NR

Are the Highlanders back for real? The Woodlands, led by fifth-year coach Mark Schmid and 16 returning starters, seems to be on the upswing after suffering its first losing season in 10 years last fall. On Friday night, the Highlanders handed defending Class 5A Division II state champions Katy its worst loss in 20 years, embarrassing the proud program 47-0. For The Woodlands, it was a second straight shutout victory to start off the '08 campaign, as the Highlanders blanked Cy-Fair 42-0 in their opener. The Highlanders are at 2-0 Clear Lake this Friday night.

48. Abilene (Abilene, Texas)
Record: 2-0
Points: 15
Previous rank: NR

A nearly four-hour trip East to the Metroplex might have accounted for the Eagles' slow start Friday night, but Abilene scored 38 unanswered points in the third quarter on the way to a big 55-17 win over homestanding Plano East. The third-quarter onslaught began when Herschel Sims returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a score and Abilene then capitalized on a Plano East turnover to seize a 31-14 lead less than two minutes into the half. Stephen Warren completed 16 of 22 passes for 193 yards and two scores while the Eagles' ground attack accounted for 232 yards. Rival Abilene Cooper, also 2-0, is up next for the Eagles.

49. Stone Bridge (Ashburn, Va.)
Record:2-0
Points: 11
Previous rank: NR

Stone Bridge posted its second straight convincing win over a perennial Northern Virginia power, beating Robinson, 49-7, this past weekend. A week earlier, Stone Bridge defeated then Washington Post No. 10 West Springfield, 42-28. Senior running back Daniel Allen was the star against Robinson, rushing for 105 yards and three touchdowns. The schedule lightens up for Stone Bridge, which does not see another Washington Post Top 20 team during the regular season.

50. Cretin-Derham Hall (St. Paul, Minn.)
Record: 2-0
Points: 9
Previous rank: NR
The Raiders, a perennial state contender, enter the FAB 50 this week after blanking Hastings 33-0 while top running back Marcus Binns sat out the game with a knee injury suffered in the 35-19 debut win over Forest Lake. Binns said he hopes to return against Roseville on Sept. 26. In his absence, fullback Harry Pitera carried seven times for 119 yards and three TDs as the Raiders rolled up 460 total offense yards. The Raiders tackle Woodbury this weekend.

Also Receiving Votes: Broken Arrow (Broken Arrow, Okla.) 1-0, Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.) 2-1, Crespi (Encino, Calif.) 1-0, East Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 2-0, Madison County (Madison, Fla.) 0-0.

Dropped Out: Previous No. 31 Union (Tulsa, Okla.); No. 44 Desert Vista (Phoenix, Ariz.); No. 48 Olive Branch (Olive Branch, Miss.); No. 49 Sheldon (Eugene, Ore.).

*Ties in points are broken according to which team was ranked higher by a majority of panelists.