MaxPreps final 2014 Texas Top 25 high school football rankings
Photos by MaxPreps photographers
Allen earned a national championship and the top spot in the Texas rankings by winning a third consecutive state title in the state's highest classification.
Allen proved the foundation cracks that made its $60 million stadium unusable this season do not extend to Tom Westerberg's football program.
The No. 1 team in MaxPreps Texas Top 25 (and in the nation) joined elite company with a third consecutive state title in the largest classification after a 47-16 victory over Cypress Ranch (Houston) in the Class 6A Division I title game before 52,308 at Arlington's AT&T Stadium.
Allen vs. Cypress Ranch game story
Allen, which played without a true home stadium, extended its winning streak to 43 games in a row, dating back to mid-season of 2012, and finished as the only unbeaten team in Class 6A this season.
The other schools with three consecutive titles in the top classification: Carroll (Southlake) 2004-2006; Lee (Midland) 1998-2000; Abilene 1954-56; Amarillo 1934-36 and Waco 1925-27.
Allen had to run a gauntlet in the playoffs, facing DeSoto, Martin (Arlington), Trinity (Euless) and Skyline (Dallas) in rounds two through five. Those four schools owned a combined record of 46-4 going into the Allen game. The Eagles needed field goals in the final minute to get past DeSoto and Trinity.
In Class 6A Division II, Cedar Hill and Katy met for the third straight season in the title game. For the second year in a row, the Longhorns rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit for a victory.
A 25-yard field goal by Brooks Ralph with two seconds remaining gave the 14-2 Longhorns a 23-20 win and the No. 2 spot in the Texas rankings. Katy (14-2) finished at No. 5, behind 14-1 Skyline and 10-2 DeSoto.
Here's the final 2014 MaxPreps Texas Top 25.
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MaxPreps Final 2014 Texas Top 25 Football Rankings
1. Allen 16-0 (1)
Kyler Murray threw for 316 yards and five touchdowns as Allen was crowned 6A-DI state champion for the third straight season with a 47-16 victory over 13-3 Cypress Ranch (Houston) before a crowd of 52,308 at Arlington‘s AT&T Stadium. Kerry Hall had nine catches for 129 yards and three touchdowns as the Eagles extended their winning streak to 43 games. Murray, a Texas A&M pledge, won all 42 of his career starts. The state title is the fourth for Allen coach Tom Westerberg.
2. Cedar Hill 14-2 (3)
Photo by David Megginson
DaMarkus Lodge, Cedar Hill
Rarely-used sophomore quarterback Avery Davis made the most of his expanded role in the Wildcat set to rush for 126 yards in a 23-20 victory over 14-2 Katy in the 6A-DII title game. Davis' 52-yard run in the final two minutes led to the winning field goal of 25-yards by Brooks Ralph. DaMarkus Lodge had four catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns. The state title is the second in succession for coach Joey McGuire and the school's third.
3. Skyline (Dallas) 14-1 (2)
The Raiders' perfect season was halted one game shy of the state finals in a 52-34 loss to Allen in a 6A-DI state semifinal. The Raiders had to play the second half without starting quarterback Kylan Johnson (thumb injury).
4. DeSoto 10-2 (5)
The Eagles suffered elimination to Allen for the third straight season, this time in a 6A-DI area playoff, 25-22, on a field goal as time expired. Its other defeat came at the hands of Cedar Hill.
5. Katy 14-2 (4)
Rodney Anderson, orally pledged to Oklahoma, carried 24 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns, but the Tigers fell victim to a Cedar Hill second-half comeback. A field goal with two seconds remaining gave 14-2 Cedar Hill a 23-20 victory over the Tigers in the 6A-DII state title game watched by 46,289 at AT&T Stadium. Katy linebacker Paddy Fisher was named the game's defensive MVP. The Tigers extended their lead in most state championship game appearances to 13, two more than any other school.
6. Carroll (Southlake) 13-1 (6)
The Dragons' unbeaten run ended in a 62-42 Round 4 playoff loss to Cedar Hill in 6A-DII.
7. Trinity (Euless) 12-2 (7)
The Trojans were a last-minute 30-27 victim to Allen in a 6A-DI fourth-round playoff defeat. Its other loss was by four points to Carroll (Southlake).
8. Steele (Cibolo) (13-2) (8)
The Knights led 14-2 Katy late by three points in a 6A-DII state semifinal, but eventually lost 27-20 in overtime. Its other loss was to DeSoto.
9. Manvel 13-1 (9)
For the second consecutive year, the Mavericks' season ended in a Region III title-game loss to Katy in 6A-DII, this time by a 45-17 score.
10. Martin (Arlington) 10-3 (15)
The Warriors were eliminated 69-54 by Allen in a very competitive 6A-DI Region I semifinal. Its other losses were to DeSoto and Skyline (Dallas) in the first two weeks.
11. Cypress Ranch (Houston) 13-3 (10)
Photo by Ken Murray
Charlie Booker III, Cypress Ranch
Charlie Booker III carried 23 times for 115 yards and two touchdowns to help keep the Mustangs close in the first half, but 16-0 Allen pulled away in the final two quarters for a 47-16 victory in the 6A-DI state title game. Collin Rock rushed for 81 yards and threw for 123. Niko Johnson led the defense with 6.5 tackles. The state title appearance was the first for Cy Ranch.
12. Dickinson 13-1 (11)
The Gators' unbeaten season ended in a 31-28 loss to Cypress Ranch (Houston) in the 6A-DI Region III title game.
13. Westfield (Houston) 13-2 (12)
The Mustangs 13-game winning streak ended with a 64-33 loss to Cedar Hill in a 6A-DII state semifinal. Its other loss was to Manvel.
14. Aledo 15-1 (14)
The Bearcats made it five state titles in six seasons and two in a row with a 49-45 victory over 13-2 Temple in the 5A-DI title game before a crowd of 40,281. Senior quarterback Luke Bishop scored the winning touchdown on a six-yard run with 47 seconds remaining. Bishop rushed for 169 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 122 yards and two scores. Jess Anders IV made the key block on the winning score and rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Anders also caught a 29-yard touchdown pass. The state title is the sixth for Aledo and the first under new head coach Steve Wood.
15. Brennan (San Antonio) 11-1 (16)
The Bears' goal of a second straight trip to a state title game ended in a 24-12 loss to Steele (Cibolo) in a 6A-DII area playoff.
16. Brandeis (San Antonio) 12-2 (13)
Elimination came at the hands of Steele (Cibolo) in a 31-28 loss in the 6A-DII Region IV title game. Its other loss was to Brennan.
17. Rockwall 12-1 (17)
The Yellowjackets' unbeaten run ended in a 43-38 loss to Spring Westfield (Houston) in a 6A-DI Region II semifinal.
18. Ennis 14-2 (18)
Devin Smith connected with Donta Thompson on a 36-yard touchdown pass with 21 seconds remaining to give the Lions a thrilling 38-35 victory over Cedar Park in the 5A-DII title game. Ennis needed only a minute to go 80 yards in nine plays for the winning score. Smith threw for 243 yards and three touchdowns. Thompson had seven catches for 99 yards and two scores. Taylor Thompson rushed for 182 yards and a touchdown. The state title is the fifth for Ennis and the first since 2004.
19. Temple 13-2 (19)
The Wildcats rallied from an 18-point halftime deficit to take the lead with 5:50 remaining, but fell victim to a late drive by 15-1 Aledo in a 49-45 loss in the 5A-DI state final. A 40-yard trick-play pass from Tyler Hannon to Jordan Lee gave Temple the late lead. Marques Hatcher rushed for 171 yards and three touchdowns. Chad President threw for 233 yards and a score. The Wildcats were making their eighth state final appearance and their first since 1992.
20. Cedar Park 12-4 (20)
The Timberwolves were within 21 seconds of winning their second state title in three years. But a late touchdown pass by 14-2 Ennis in the 5A-DII title game sent Cedar Park to a 38-35 defeat. Game offensive MVP Thomas Hutchings led the Timberwolves with 155 rushing yards and a touchdown. Amir Alzer threw for 98 yards and three touchdowns, two to Davis Fiala.
21. Mansfield Timberview (Arlington) 10-2 (NR)
The Timberwolves lost to Ennis 17-13 on a late touchdown in a 5A-DII area playoff after defeating the Lions 34-21 in the season opener.
22. Navasota 16-0 (22)
Photo by John Godwin
Tren'Davian Dickson
Shelton Eppler's 13-yard pass to Tren'Davian Dickson in the second overtime was the difference in a 42-35 victory over 15-1 Argyle in the 4A-DI state championship game. Eppler completed 30 of 54 passes for 393 yards and four touchdowns. Dickson had 12 catches for 177 yards and four scores. Sammy Blair made nine catches for 170 yards. It is the second state title in the last three seasons for coach Lee Fedora.
23. Argyle 15-1 (23)
Nick Ralston, an Arizona State pledge, rushed 54 times for 221 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-35 loss to 16-0 Navasota in the 4A-DI state title game. Cooper Rodgers threw for 123 yards and a score. Argyle fought out of a 14-0 hole for a 28-21 lead that stood up until the final minute when Navasota scored to force overtime. Argyle won a state title in 2013 and had a 31-game winning streak snapped.
24. Gilmer 16-0 (24)
Trailing 25-7 at halftime, the Buckeyes stormed back with four touchdowns in the second half for a 35-25 victory over 13-3 West Orange-Stark (Orange) in the Class 4A-DII state championship game. Blake Lynch scored twice on short runs, Devin Smith had a fumble recovery for a touchdown and McLane Carter connected with Nick Smith on a 13-yard score to start the rally. Carter threw for 239 yards and Kris Boyd rushed for 84. The Buckeyes dedicated the state title to former teammate Desmond Pollard, who died during a pickup basketball game in March.
25. Cameron Yoe 12-4 (NR)
The Yoemen tied a state championship game record for points in a 70-40 defeat of 12-4 Mineola for the 3A-DI crown. Traion Smith rushed for 123 yards and five touchdowns. Quarterback Reid Nickerson threw for 311 yards and five scores. Aaron Sims had six catches for 153 yards and three scores. The state title was the third in succession for Yoe and its fourth overall.
Dropped out: No. 21 Spring; No. 25 West Orange-Stark (Orange)
On the bubble
Bishop Dunne (Dallas) 12-1, Bremond 15-0, Canadian 15-0, Waskom 14-1
