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Thomas E. Witte/GO

Elder will need all the help it can get to manage one of the nation's toughest schedules.

As high school football gets underway throughout the country during the next three weeks, much of the focus over at ESPNRISE.com shifts to the FAB 50 national rankings and the race for the mythical national title.

Much thought, analysis and debate go into these ratings, and initial positioning is key. Teams that can make it through the season unbeaten and untied will have some claim (valid or otherwise) that they're the nation's top team.

This is why scheduling has become so important for those top-notch programs across the country who would have liked to add a FAB 50 national title to their resume.

To be the best -- or stake a claim to being the best -- a team needs to schedule the best.

So with that in mind, kudos go out to preseason FAB 50 No. 4 Katy (Texas), No. 7 Allen (Texas), No. 12 Cedar Hill (Texas), No. 20 Bellevue (Wash.), No. 22 North Shore (Houston), No. 24 De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), No. 42 Poly (Long Beach, Calif.), No. 43 Trinity (Louisville, Ky.), as well as regionally-ranked Trinity (Euless, Texas), Westview (Avondale, Ariz.), Servite (Anaheim, Calif.), St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.), Iona Prep (New Rochelle, N.Y.), St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.), St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia) and Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.). All of these teams play at least two foes that are ranked in the preseason FAB 50 or regional top 20s.

But the nod for the nation's toughest schedule on paper this season at the start goes to preseason FAB 50 No. 3 Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio). The Panthers start off their '09 slate with an unbelievable three FAB 50 teams in succession, beginning this weekend against No. 23 East St. Louis (Ill.) followed by No. 30 Colerain (Cincinnati) and then No. 43 Louisville Trinity. Elder will also face local battle-tested squads in St. Xavier (Cincinnati) and Moeller (Cincinnati) during the regular season that figure to be their usual white-knuckle battles.

FAB 50 No. 18 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) has an almost equal claim to the top spot. The Ironmen open the season with FAB 50 tilts versus No. 24 De La Salle and then at No. 10 Prattville (Ala.) and later play three in-state teams all ranked in the East Region Top 20 -- Bergen Catholic, St. Peter's Prep and St. Joseph Regional.

If Elder or Don Bosco Prep survive that gauntlet, it could have a legitimate claim to the No. 1 spot in the nation and that's why these schedules are so vital. To lay claim to being the best, you need to play the best and it's great to see these top programs putting it on the line against each other.

Nation's top 10 toughest schedules

1. Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio)
8/29 vs. #23 East St. Louis (Ill.)
9/6 vs. #30 Colerain
9/11 vs. #43 Louisville (Ky.) Trinity
9/18 @ La Salle
9/26 @ St. Edward
10/2 @ Cincinnati St. Xavier
10/9 vs. Moeller
10/16 vs. St. Francis deSales
10/30 vs. Western Hills
What makes this the nation's toughest schedule? Start at the start -- the Panthers, No. 3 in the preseason FAB 50, open with three preseason FAB 50 opponents in consecutive weeks, something that no other program in the nation is doing or has done in recent memory. If Elder can survive the first three weeks with battles against a defending Illinois state champ, a defending Kentucky state champ and perennial Ohio DI powerhouse Colerain, there still isn't much of a letdown. They later visit St. Edward, a Cleveland area power fallen on hard times the past few years but is a proud program, another perennial Cincy power in St. X, which was in the preseason FAB 50 last year before injuries and a death march of a schedule caught up to it, and also Cincinnati Moeller, which is led by Notre Dame commit Andrew Hendrix under center as well as a host of other Division I bound seniors.

2. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)
9/12 vs. 24 Concord (Calif.) De La Salle
9/25 @ 10 Prattville (Ala.)
10/3 vs. Passaic
10/9 vs. Clifton
10/17 @ Paterson Kennedy
10/24 vs. Bergen Catholic
10/30 @ Passaic County Tech
11/6 vs. St. Peter's Prep
11/26 @ St. Joseph Regional
What makes this the nation's second toughest schedule? Out of state challenges versus both De La Salle, whom Don Bosco bested 23-21 a year ago in California, and also defending Alabama 6A champ Prattville, which like Don Bosco suffered its only loss last year to Cincinnati St. Xavier, deserves acclaim. The Ironmen, who are No. 18 in the FAB 50 to start, also face off against the trio of schools that are largely considered their most competitive rivals in the New Jersey parochial ranks, in Bergen Catholic, St. Peter's Prep and archrival St. Joseph Regional. Don Bosco is 10-0 versus that trio since 2005, when it lost to St. Peter's Prep in the state final.
What could make it No. 1? Stiffer competition from their in-state opposition and one of their New Jersey rivals making a strong push into the FAB 50 during the season.

3. Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, Calif.)
9/3 vs. Servite
9/11 @ #16 St. Bonaventure
9/18 vs. Narbonne
9/25 @ Oceanside
10/2 vs. Long Beach Jordan
10/9 vs. Lakewood
10/23 @ Long Beach Millikan
10/30 @ Long Beach Wilson
11/6 vs. Long Beach Cabrillo
11/13 @ Compton
What makes this the nation's third toughest schedule? The non-league slate, especially for a team breaking in so many newcomers, is brutal. The Jackrabbits, No. 42 in the preseason FAB 50, open at regionally-ranked Servite, which is very experienced along the lines and one of the most competitive teams year-in and year-out in Southern California, then travel north for a rematch with FAB 50 No. 16 St. Bonaventure, which took Poly to the limit last year in a narrow 12-7 Poly win. That is followed with a home game versus 2008 co-L.A City Section champ Narbonne and a trip to regionally-ranked Oceanside, the No. 1 preseason team in the CIF San Diego Section. The Jackrabbits haven't lost a Moore League game since 1994, but regionally-ranked Lakewood is saying this is the year and Compton has played them tough as well lately.
What could make it No. 1? Lakewood being undefeated and FAB 50 ranked would make a strong case for Poly's schedule being the nation's toughest if that is the case come Oct. 9, but it's hard to say the Jackrabbits have the nation's toughest schedule when they play in a league in which no foe has knocked them off for 15 years.

4. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
9/4 vs. San Mateo Serra
9/12 @ #18 Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep
9/25 vs. #15 Lakeland (Fla.)
10/2 vs. Amador Valley
10/9 @ Danville Monte Vista
10/16 vs. San Ramon Valley
10/23 vs. Granada
10/30 @ Livermore
11/6 @ Pleasanton Foothill
11/13 vs. California
What makes this the nation's fourth toughest schedule? Out of state challenges and underrated in-state opposition could make this the most challenging schedule any team in De La Salle's storied history has ever played. The De La Salle-Lakeland game is probably about three or four years late in happening, but it still should be great to see two of the nation's most successful high school football programs face off. The Spartans (No. 24 in the preseason FAB 50) will also be looking for revenge when they travel to New Jersey to meet Don Bosco in week two. Serra also has played De La Salle very tough recently and Monte Vista, led by UCLA-bound QB Brett Nottingham, put up 35 points on the Spartan defense last year and enters '09 in the West region top 20.
What could make it tougher? Like Long Beach Poly, De La Salle has been the big boy on the block in its region/area for so long that the Spartans really don't face much competition, although Monte Vista and also California of San Ramon played them tough a year ago. For more than 10 years now, De La Salle has always scheduled great opponents both out of state and in Southern California and this year is no different.

5. Katy (Texas)
8/29 vs. #22 North Shore
9/4 vs. The Woodlands
9/12 vs. #20 Bellevue (Wash.)
9/19 vs. Flower Mound Marcus (@ Waco)
9/26 vs. Westbrook
10/9 vs. Morton Ranch
10/17 @ Seven Lakes
10/24 vs. Katy Taylor
10/31 @ Mayde Creek
11/7 vs. Cinco Ranch
What makes this the nation's fifth toughest schedule? A very tough and aggressive non-district schedule stands out the most. Coach Gary Joseph did the same thing last year and while it led to an 0-2 start, it did create the toughness and mettle of a team that eventually went 13-3 and won the 5A Division II state title. The same two opponents that beat the Tigers early in '08 (North Shore and The Woodlands) are again on the schedule, as is a visit from FAB 50 No. 20 Bellevue (Wash.). Also watch out for Cinco Ranch, which also topped Katy a year ago and is actually the defending District 17-5A champion. Katy is No. 4 to start in this year's preseason FAB 50.
What could make it tougher? The rest of 17-5A stepping up. Outside of Cinco Ranch, Katy didn't break a sweat in district play in '08, winning by an average of 46-9.

6. Allen (Texas)
8/28 @ #17 Longview
9/3 vs. Prepa Tech (Monterrey, Mexico)
9/11 vs. Rockwall
9/18 @ Euless Trinity
9/25 vs. Plano West
10/8 @ McKinney Boyd
10/16 vs. Plano
10/23 @ Dallas Jesuit
10/30 vs. Plano East
11/6 @ Wylie
What makes this the nation's sixth toughest schedule? The Eagles' non-district slate is daunting, starting with a trip to 4A contender and FAB 50 No. 17 Longview to open and a later matchup with 2008 FAB 50 preseason No. 1 Euless Trinity, whom Allen split with in two meetings last fall. Allen's competition in District 8-5A should be stiff once again at the top as well -- last fall Wylie pushed Allen before falling 31-28 in the regular season and then advanced all the way to the Class 5A Division II state title game. Plano West also features defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat, the No. 1 player in this year's ESPNU 150. Allen is No. 7 in this year's preseason FAB 50.
What could make it tougher? Plano re-loading or a third team stepping up in district play as a legitimate contender. Plano was a preseason FAB 50 team last fall and a very strong team and in the preseason there is no clear cut third team that could be a state competitor.

7. Trinity (Louisville, Ky.)
8/28 vs. Indianapolis (Ind.) Lawrence North
9/4 vs. DuPont Manual
9/11 @ #3 Cincinnati (Ohio) Elder
9/18 @ Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier
9/25 vs. Bowling Green
10/3 vs. Louisville St. Xavier
10/9 vs. Louisville Seneca
10/16 vs. Louisville Eastern
10/23 @ Louisville Ballard
10/30 @ Lexington Catholic
What makes this the nation's seventh toughest schedule? The Shamrocks, No. 43 in the preseason FAB 50, are taking their game across the Ohio River into the Buckeye State. Last year Trinity defeated Cincinnati St. Xavier at home and this year the Shamrocks travel to Cincinnati for both a rematch with a very good St. X program and also a matchup with FAB 50 preseason No. 3 Elder. These big out-of-state games, as well as a matchup with Lawrence North out of Indianapolis, really allow a team like Trinity, who annually dominates in-state, to make a stronger statement about its place on the national scene. The annual rivalry game with Louisville St. Xavier is no joke, either, routinely drawing close to 40,000 spectators. Last year, the teams split two meetings.
What could make it tougher? The rest of Kentucky closing the gap on Trinity and St. X. In 12 games versus in-state opposition not named St. Xavier (including the state playoffs), the Shamrocks outscored their foes, 618-94.

8. Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.)
8/29 at Lawrenceville (Ga.) Central Gwinnett
9/4 vs. Myrtle Beach
9/11 @ Greer
9/18 vs. Woodland-St. George
9/25 vs. Gaffney
10/2 @ #1 Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas
10/9 vs. Spartanburg
10/16 @ Hillcrest
10/23 vs. Dorman
10/30 vs. Mauldin
11/6 @ Boiling Springs
What makes this the nation's eighth toughest schedule? First, it's that Byrnes is playing, on the road, against the nation's preseason No. 1 team, St. Thomas Aquinas. That the Rebels took this game and agreed to travel to Florida says a lot about the school, about the competitive spirit of the players and coaches and how much they want to be the best. Assuming both teams make it to Oct. 2 undefeated, this will be a highly-anticipated No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup. All that being said, Byrnes still faces some tough in-state competition as well  both Gaffney and and Dorman have wins over Byrnes in the past three years and Myrtle Beach should also be an interesting matchup with standout junior QB Everett Golson. South Carolina football as a whole does not get credit for the level of football being played in that state.
What could make it tougher? Playing more out-of-state ranked opponents, although it's not like Byrnes isn't trying. Playing a Georgia team that has gone 3-7 and 4-6 over the past two years isn't going to move too many needles. While many teams don't want to play the Rebels, they still should be able find a better game than that.

9. Colerain (Cincinnati, Ohio)
8/28 vs. St. Xavier
9/6 12:00 PM @ #3 Elder
9/11 vs. Louisville (Ky.) DuPont Manual
9/18 vs. Lakota East
9/24 @ Hamilton
10/2 vs. Princeton
10/9 @ Sycamore
10/16 @ Mason
10/24 vs. Middletown
10/30 @ Oak Hills
What makes this the nation's ninth toughest schedule? The first two games are intense. Colerain added St. Xavier to the schedule last fall and this year also battles Elder in week two, so Cincy area bragging rights could be determined early on with the Cardinals taking on arguably the area's other two top programs in the first two weeks. Also, the Greater Miami Conference might finally be catching up to Colerain, which is a good thing in the strength of schedule ranking. The Cards, who are No. 30 in the preseason FAB 50, lost their first conference game since 1999 last year to Middletown and Hamilton could be a strong challenger this fall as well.
What could make it tougher? While the conference play is getting stronger, Colerain is limited to three non-conference games, which will always somewhat limit how tough it can schedule. And while Louisville DuPont Manual may look like a tough opponent on paper after going 10-3 a year ago, that team was crushed twice by Louisville St. Xavier, the only regionally ranked opponent it played, 53-0 and 57-0.

10. Bellevue (Wash.)
9/4 vs. Marriott (Surrey, British Columbia)
9/12 @ #4 Katy (Texas)
9/19 vs. #41 Sacramento (Calif.) Grant
9/25 @ Mount Si
10/2 vs. Mercer Island
10/9 @ Sammamish
10/16 vs. Juanita
10/23 @ Liberty
10/30 vs. Interlake
What makes this the nation's 10th toughest schedule? Challenging state champs from California and Texas has never been done before. Within a week's time frame in September, Bellevue will travel to Houston to face the defending Class 5A Division II state champs in Katy and then return home to face Sacramento Grant, which won the CIF State Open Division title in 2008. Splitting these two games would keep Bellevue in the FAB 50, winning both would mean a top 10 ranking and a huge boost in the prestige of Washington prep football in general. The Wolverines are starting out at No. 19 in the preseason FAB 50.
What could make it tougher? More students enrolling at Bellevue. The Wolverines are a Class 3A team in Washington (4A is the biggest), which means there is no chance to face FAB 50 ranked Skyline in the state playoffs, and also that they rarely get tested in conference play.