High School football is extremely popular in certain areas of the country but there are teams throughout the country that stand above the rest. Here is a compilation of the top ten high school footballs teams in the nation this season.

1. St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders, Florida

Aquinas has been the team to beat in Florida most recently and that will not change this season. They have won the state 5A championships in Florida in both 2007 and 2008 and also won a national championship in 2008. The Raiders are 75-9 since 2003 and the fact that George Smith’s Raiders had 11 seniors sign letters of intent on National Signing Day to play for Division I colleges speaks volumes about the program’s talent. The fact that the team is an overwhelming favorite to win its third straight 5A Florida state title just about says it all.

2. Byrnes Rebels, South Carolina

The Rebels have been a force over the past six seasons with an 83-4 record and state championships in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008. It is a great time to be a high school football fan in the state of South Carolina. South Carolina was the only state to have two teams in the final top 10 at the end of last season, South Pointe of Rock Hill and Byrnes, who is primed to take the state title for the sixth time in the last seven years. This season the Rebels have more players returning to play this season than any of both their in state and their out of state rivals.

3. Katy Tigers, Texas

Texas is THE state for high school football and the Tigers have been one of the most successful teams in that state for the past six seasons with a record of 82-8 and winning the state championship in 2003, 2007 and 2008. Katy is once again highly favored to win District 17-5A. Gary Joseph’s squad did get off to a slow start in 2008, but then won 13 of their final 14 games. Katy piled up six straight victories, after an early season loss, ending the season with a 17-3 victory over Wylie in the 5A-II state championship game. The Tigers should not have a problem winning their third consecutive state championship this season.

4. Elder Panthers, Ohio

Winning a high school Division I state title in the state of Ohio is one of the most difficult things in high school football to do. In addition, Elder’s conference is one of the most difficult and challenging conferences in the country. At the end of the season, the Panthers could be undefeated at 14-0 and on there way to the Division I state title game. The 2009 Panthers will be dangerous, but it will not be a push over by any means. With their schedule, they could be 8-3 and out of the title run early. Ohio high school football, and Region 4 in particular, can be that brutal and is a very difficult division from year to year.

5. Skyline Spartans, Washington

In 2007, Skyline bulldozed there way through Washington’s 3A playoff bracket, finishing with a 14-0 record and a state title. Because of their easy success, last season the Spartans were moved to a more difficult division and placed in Class 4A. It did not do much good however as far as the competition level as the Spartans had the same result in winning another state championship. Despite a lack of depth this season, the overall talent will be in place for Skyline this season. The Spartans have a prolific offense and should be in line for yet another state championship.

6. Oscar Smith Tigers, Virginia  

At first glance, it may seem that the Tigers might be ranked too high because of some of the key players that they lost to graduation and the college ranks. However, head coach Richard Morgan is as good or better then any high school coach in the country at nurturing young and talented players. He is not apprehensive to give a young player a shot on the varsity and throw him into the fire to gain experience. Oscar Smith should be the team to beat in AAA. In addition, Morgan accepted an offer for a nationally televised game against Venice Florida and if he did not think he would give the rest of the country a good look at a high-caliber Virginia football team, he probably would not have accepted in the first place. I would imagine that the rest of the state will turn into Tiger fans on that night.

7. Miami Northwestern Bulls, Florida

Last season was supposed to be an off year for the renowned Bulls of Northwestern. After state titles in 2006 and 2007, the Bulls were without many of the players that brought them local and national recognition. Yet they still went to state championship game. This season, the Bulls will have a nice mix of seasoned veterans and young talent on both sides of the line that will keep them at heavyweight status in the state of Florida as well as throughout the country.

8. Glenville Tarblooders, Ohio

Another tough team in the very tough high school football state of Ohio, the Tarblooders have won six straight championships in the Senate League and are 64-11 since 2003. Ted Ginn’s squad are back after a year where the team only lost one game, by a total of one point. Glenville is once again loaded with talent on both sides of the ball and this could finally be the year that head coach Ted Ginn Sr. brings a state championship to the Tarblooders.

9. Cedar Hill Longhorns, Texas

Head Coach Joey McGuire’s squad returns a majority of its starters from last season and could be as dangerous as any team in the high school football mania of Texas. People in Cedar Hill are hoping for some déjà vu from 2006 when the team went 16-0 and won the state championship. This year could be the year for Longhorns’ year in 5A. The Longhorns may not be as renowned throughout the country as some other Texas high school teams, but this season that will most likely change. Cedar Hill should be downright scary offensively and may be as talented as any team around this year.

10. Notre Dame Knights, California

The Knights won their first 11 games of the season last year and were ranked among the top five teams in the nation at one point during before eventually losing in the Pac-5 playoffs. The Knights return 34 varsity athletes from last year’s squad including the quarterback position, where they have a player that last season was named the Gatorade state player of the year after throwing for 3,291 yards and 36 touchdowns. The Knights will be particularly deep on the offense line giving their award winning quarterback time to throw the ball. Once again, Notre Dame will face one of the most difficult and challenging schedules in the country. Winning the state championship will be huge challenge, but Head Coach Kevin Rooney’s squad is loaded with returning talent.