CBSSports.com affiliate MaxPreps is giving Pennsylvania football a bit more respect this preseason. On Tuesday, MaxPreps revealed its Medium Schools National Rankings with three decorated programs inside the Top 25.
Perennial Class AAA power Archbishop Wood is ranked eighth following its second state championship in three seasons. The Vikings again are loaded with returning starters, including OT Ryan Bates and LB Jake Cooper, both Penn State recruits. Top playmaker Jarrett McClenton, who is committed to Villanova, also returns.
Bishop McDevitt, the team Archbishop Wood defeated 22-10 in last year's finale, is ranked 14th. The Crusaders will run behind Penn State recruit Andre Robinson and wide receiver Kobay White. Defense should be a hallmark for Jeff Weachter's crew, as well, with DT Anthony Long and LB Que'Shawn Jenkins back in the fold.
Defending Class AA champ South Fayette sits at 20th overall in the preseason poll. Quarterback Brett Brumbaugh led the Lions past Imhotep Charter 41-0 in December. Only Texas placed more teams inside the Top 25 than Pennsylvania.
The medium category includes schools in the 1,000 to 2,000-student range. Earlier, MaxPreps stamped defending Class AAAA champ St. Joseph's Prep 16th in its Top 25 Composite rankings.
MaxPreps Medium Schools Preseason Rankings
1. American Heritage (Fla.), 14-1
2. Booker T. Washington (Fla.), 14-0
3. Bellevue (Wash.), 14-0
4. Buford (Ga.), 15-0
5. Easton (La.) 10-3
6. St. Vincent-St. Mary (OH), 15-0
7. Curtis (La.), 10-2
8. Archbishop Wood, 13-2
9. University Lab (La.), 13-1
10. Argyle (Texas), 16-0
11. Griffin (Ga.), 15-0
12. Franklin (Md.), 12-2
13. Oxford (Miss.), 14-1
14. Bishop McDevitt, 14-2
15. Picayune (Miss.), 12-2
16. Webb City (MO), 14-1
17. Kilgore (Texas), 14-1
18. Graham (Texas), 14-1
19. Salpointe Catholic (Ariz.), 14-0
20. South Fayette, 16-0
21. Jackson Prep (Miss.), 12-2
22. Navasota (Texas), 10-2
23. Anadarko (Okla.), 14-0
24. Fulton (TN), 15-0
25. Saguaro (Ariz.), 13-1