2009 USA TODAY Super 25 preseason rankings

Here are the 2009 preseason USA TODAY Super 25 high school football rankings. The first regular-season rankings will appear Sept. 7. Teams who open their seasons before then will have their results updated below:

1. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale (1-0)
Returning starters:Four on offense, six on defense from 15-0 team. Result: Giovanni Bernard ran for 119 yards and two TDs in a 52-7 win Aug. 29 vs. Upper Arlington (Columbus, Ohio) at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Outlook:The defending USA TODAY Super 25 champion and Florida 5A champion lost QB Ryan Becker and WRs Duron Carter and Dwayne Difton, but will benefit from two speedy transfers. DB/WR LaMarcus Joyner, who has 4.34 speed in the 40 and is the No. 2 CB in the 2010 class according to Scout.com, transferred from Southwest Miami and junior WR Rashad Greene, who was third in Georgia in the 400 meters, moved from Westover (Augusta, Ga.). In addition, senior RBs Bernard (1,528 yards) and James White (960 yards) return. The teams lone weak spot might be offensive line; Brandon Linder is the only returning starter. The Raiders face a schedule that includes home games vs. No. 2 Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) on Oct. 2 and Cypress Bay (Weston, Fla.) on Nov. 13. Next: Sept. 11 vs. Boyd Anderson (Fort Lauderdale).

2. Byrnes, Duncan, S.C. (1-0)
Returning starters: Six on offense, five on defense from 14-1 team. Result: Chas Dodd threw for three TDs and Marcus Lattimore rushed for three in a 43-7 defeat of Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville, Ga.) Aug. 28 in Suwanne, Ga. Outlook: The Rebels have plenty of talent back from their sixth state championship in eight seasons. On offense, the Rebels are led by two three-year starters, Rutgers-bound QB Dodd (2,397 passing yards and 18 passing TDs) and Lattimore (2,300 yards and 30 rushing TDs), the top-ranked RB by Scout.com and the No. 2 RB by Rivals.com. On defense, FSU commit Corey Miller and junior Brandon Willis anchor a formidable front line. The Rebels play at No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas on Oct. 2 and vs. Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.) on Oct. 23. Next: Friday vs. Myrtle Beach.

3. Katy, Texas (1-0)
Returning starters: Four on offense, six on defense from 13-3 team. Result: Ended a 78-game regular-season winning streak for North Shore (Houston) with a 9-7 win on Aug. 29. Outlook: Katy's defense, which led it to a second consecutive state Division II title last season, returns largely intact, led by FS Sam Holl, who had 109 unassisted tackles. While QB Michael Stojkovic didn't get a lot of snaps last season, he will be handing off to RB Will Jeffery, who had 1,483 yards and 17 TDs and Vernon Jeffries, who had 627 yards last season. The schedule will be a challenge. Besides a home game Sept. 12 with Bellevue, Wash., two other schools in the Katy District, Cinco Ranch and Taylor (Katy), went three rounds in the playoffs. Next: Friday vs. The Woodlands (Houston).

4. Elder, Cincinnati (1-0)
Returning starters: Four on offense, seven on defense from 13-2 team. Result: Mike Miller threw for three TDs in a 49-28 win vs. No. 10 East St. Louis, Ill., on Aug. 29. Outlook: If the Panthers can go 3-0 after playing No. 10 East St. Louis (Ill.), No. 13 Colerain (Cincinnati) and Trinity (Louisville), they'll be very good. Elder, the state Division I runner-up to St. Ignatius (Cleveland), has to rebuild its offensive line but has plenty of skill players back, led by senior QB Miller, an all-state player who threw for 2,307 yards and 24 TDs. RB Adam Brown ran for 949 yards and 13 TDs, and Indiana recruit WR Tim O'Conner had 662 receiving yards and nine TD catches. Notre Dame-bound TE Alex Welch also averaged more than 15 yards a catch, but there's also plenty of inexperience on the offensive line. Defensively, the Panthers will be solid, led by DE Pete Bachman, who has given a commitment to Indiana. Next: Sunday vs. No. 13 Colerain (Cincinnati).

5. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (0-0)
Returning starters: Returning starters: Six on offense, eight on defense from 11-1 team. Result: Idle. Outlook: The three-time defending state Non-Public Division 4 champion has a solid defense returning to make up for the loss of QB Brett Knief and RB Dillon Romain. Vanderbilt-bound defensive tackle James Kittredge is one of six future Division I players on defense. The unit will be bolstered by junior LB/RB Paul Canevari and sophomore Darius Hamilton, son of former New York Giants DT Keith Hamilton. Junior QB Gary Nova will step into Knief's shoes and speedy RB Tony Jones will get plenty of carries. Big games include at home against No. 14 De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) on Sept. 12 and a Sept. 25 game on ESPNU at No. 21 Prattville, Ala. Opens: Sept. 12 vs. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.).

6. Miami Northwestern (1-0)
Returning starters: Seven on offense and seven on defense from 13-2 team. Result: Defeated Norland (Miami) 38-7 on Aug. 27 as QB Teddy Bridgewater threw two first-half TD passes. Outlook: 2008 was a "down" year for the Bulls and they still were the state 6A runner-up. With Bridgewater, RB Corvin Lamb and WR Michaelee Harris all back, Northwestern's spread attack will be difficult to stop. Harris had 12 TD catches and 500 yards last season and Bridgewater passed for 18 TDs and 1,500 yards. Defensively, the Bulls secondary will be particularly tough, led by senior DBs Khalid Marshall and Khambrel McGee and senior DT Todd Chandler, a Miami recruit. Next: Friday at Carol City (Opa-Locka, Fla.).

7. Oaks Christian, Westlake Village, Calif. (0-0)
Returning starters: Eight on offense, six on defense from 14-0 team. Result: Idle. Outlook: With the sons of Joe Montana, Wayne Gretzky and Will Smith, the Lions have plenty of star power, but there's substance behind the hype. Senior RB Malcolm Jones rushed for 26 TDs and 1,504 yards last season and is considered the No. 3 RB by Scout.com and the No. 7 athlete by Rivals.com. The defensive line is anchored by Cassius Marsh, a 6-5, 285-pound senior with 17 scholarship offers who had 55 tackles last season. In addition, QB Nick Montana, who has given a commitment to Washington, threw for 2,402 yards and 33 TDs last season and showed steady improvement in the spring and summer. Oaks Christian will be tested early at No. 24 Skyline (Sammamish, Wash.) on Sept. 18. Opens: Friday at Alemany (Mission Hills).

8. Oscar Smith, Chesapeake, Va. (1-0)
Returning starters: Six on offense, five on defense from 15-0 team. Result: Phillip Sims threw for 265 yards and a TD and J.C. Coleman ran for two TDs in a 27-13 defeat of Venice, Fla., on Aug. 28. Outlook: The defending Division 6 champ has one of the top QBs in the country in senior Sims, an Alabama recruit who has passed for 7,785 yards and 84 TDs in his career. He'll be protected by a solid line, led by OT/DT Evan Hailes, G Corey Steward and OT Dontrell Holmes. Hailes, who has committed to Penn State, also anchors the defensive line. The Tigers also added a great deal of speed when RB Coleman transferred from Kings Fork. Next: Sept. 11 at Indian River (Chesapeake).

9. Centennial, Peoria, Ariz. (1-0)
Returning starters: Nine on offense, four on defense from 14-0 team. Result: Won 51-20 at McQueen (Reno) on Aug. 22 as RB Anthony Hughes rushed for 119 yards and a 1-yard TD and scored on a 70-yard TD off a screen pass. Outlook: The Coyotes are in a good position to go for their fourth consecutive state 5A-II title. They have a killer offensive line, led by three 300-pounders, Nick Rowland, Dylan Lusk and Junior Nieves, all three-year starters. Behind that group, it shouldn't be hard for senior QB Dan McFarland to exceed his totals of 1,900 yards and 20 TDs and for senior RB Hughes to run for more than his 900 yards and 13 TDs of a season ago. Plays 5A-I state runner-up Brophy College Prep on Sept. 17. Next: Friday at Chandler.

10. East St. Louis, Ill. (0-1)
Returning starters: 10. Result: Lost 49-28 to then-No. 4 Elder (Cincinnati) at University of Cincinnati. Sept. 5 at Middletown, Ohio. Outlook: The defending 7A state champion Flyers lost two big-time receivers in Terry Hawthorne (Illinois) and Kraig Appleton (Wisconsin), but have plenty of offensive talent returning. In their careers, QB Detchauz Wray has thrown for 68 TDs and 5,100 yards, WR Keante Minor has 800 yards receiving and RB Courtney Molton has rushed for 3,000 yards and 37 TDs. RB/DB Darius Stewart, who transferred from McCuer North (Florissant, Mo.), ran for 1,000 yards last season. Another player, Chris Murphy, nephew of former NFL player Dennis Stallings, had 1,000 all-purpose yards last season. Next: Saturday at Middletown, Ohio.span >

11. Camden County, Kingsland, Ga. (0-1)
Returning starters: Four on offense and four on defense from a 15-0 team. Result: Lost 14-10 to Grayson (Loganville) on Aug. 22 as Grayson allowed only 45 rushing yards. Outlook: With Ean Days and Aundre Johnson back at RB, the defending state 5A champion Wildcats should be solid. The pair rushed for 1,476 yards and 16 TDs. They'll be aided by a solid offensive line. Defensively, DE Matt Jackson and NG Jeremiah Booth anchor the unit, along with Johnson at LB. The secondary is athletic but not seasoned. The Wildcats host perennial Alabama toughie Hoover on Sept. 11. Next: Friday vs. First Coast (Jacksonville, Fla.).

12. Allen, Texas (0-1)
Returning starters: Six on offense, two on defense from 15-1 team. Result: Lost 28-25 at Longview on Aug. 28. Longview's McCray rushed for 108 yards, including 107 in the second half, and ran for a 21-yard TD. Outlook: While the defending 5A champion lost plenty of starters, it has two all-state players returning in QB Matt Brown and OL Cedric Ogbuehi. Brown rushed for 1,134 yards and 14 TDs and passed for 14 yards and 1,966 and 29 TDs. When Brown was injured last season, QB Tucker Carter also saw plenty of playing time. In addition, Ogbuehi anchors a solid offensive line that includes four other returning senior starters: Luke Burleson, Taylor Pearson, Richard Greer and Matthew Peacock. Defense and a difficult schedule that includes Plano, Rockwall, Trinity (Euless) and Plano West will be the big question marks for the Eagles. Next: Friday vs. Monterrey Tech (Mexico).

13. Colerain, Cincinnati (0-1)
Returning starters: Seven on offense, five on defense from 11-2 team. Result: Lost 16-0 on Aug. 28 to St. Xavier (Cincinnati). Outlook: The Cardinals have plenty of muscle to flex in their flexbone option with starting QB Greg Tabar and 1,000-yard rushers Trayion Durham and Tyler Williams returning. Tabar, a senior, has committed to Cincinnati. Durham and Williams, both juniors, combined for 2,301 yards and 25 TDs on the ground. Colerain's defense might be its best ever, led by linebackers Tyon Dixon, who has committed to Louisville and Cincinnati recruit Jarrett Grace. The secondary is also solid with JoVanta Harrison, Chris Dukes and Darius Godfrey all returning. Next: Sunday at No. 4 Elder (Cincinnati).

14. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (0-0)
Returning starters: Five on offense, six on defense from 12-2 team. Result: Idle. Outlook: The Spartans lost only one in-state game last season, and that was in the state championship. Though starting QB Blake Wayne and RB Kylan Butler graduated, the running game will be solid, with RB Terron Ward (708 yards and 10 TDs) returning, along with a talented offensive line led by senior Ts Chris Lawrence and Tom Hickel. Lawrence will combine at DT with DE Dylan Wynn and linebacker Blake Renaud on De La Salle's 4-4 defense. The Spartans play one of the toughest schedules in the country with a game at No. 5 Don Bosco (Ramsey, N.J.) on Sept. 12 and a home game against Lakeland, Fla., on Oct. 2. Opens: Friday vs. Serra (San Mateo).

15. Stony Point, Round Rock, Texas (1-0)
Returning starters: Five on offense, six on defense from 13-2 team. Result: Jinad Johnson rushed for 110 yards and TDs of 10 and 2 yards and QB Aaryn Sharp rushed for 103 yards and passed for 77 in a 29-0 defeat Aug. 28 of Alamo Heights (San Antonio). Outlook: Reached the state semifinals for the first time last season, only eight years after fielding its first varsity team. This year, the team will have to replace starting QB Nyk McKissic (now at Jackson State) and RB Glasco Martin (now at Baylor), but a solid defense should give the offense time to get going. Stony Point also won the state's 7-on-7 title over the summer. Junior QB Sharp looks to take over the team's spread attack. The team's secondary, with CB Kevin White, who has committed to Utah, and FS Desmond Martin, who has committed to Texas Tech, will be particularly strong. Next: Thursday vs. Connally (Pflugerville).

16. Lowndes, Valdosta, Ga. (1-0)
Returning starters: Seven on offense, five on defense from 12-1 team. Result: Lowndes set a school record for points in a 75-14 defeat of Woodland (Stockbridge) Aug. 28 as Troy Braswell rushed for 101 yards and four TDs. Outlook: While the Vikings must replace QB Greg Reid and most of their secondary, the have plenty of experience, including 15 players who saw playing time. Khary Franklin and Tyler Hunter, who return at RB, combined for more than 4,500 yards last season. Lowndes will be tough against the run, led by senior LBs Telvin Smith and Michael Copeland and linemen Ed Christian and Jordan Black, all seniors. Tough games include region foe Northside (Warner Robins), which won a state title in 2007, and 2008 state runner-up Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee). Next: Friday vs. Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee).

17. Cedar Hill, Texas (1-0)
Returning starters: Seven on offense, five on defense from 12-2 team. Result: Defeated Desoto 44-41 Aug. 29 as Mason Hayes rushed for 140 yards and QB Driphus Jackson ran for a TD and passed for two TDs. Sept. 4 vs. Wichita Falls Rider. Outlook: The Longhorns have one of the top backs in the state in Ben Malena, a 5-9 speedster who rushed for 2,202 yards and 35 TDs last season. QB Jackson had 1,350 yards passing and 789 yards rushing last year as a sophomore. Adam Shead, a 6-5, 300-pound guard, anchors the offensive line that includes two-year starter RG Ricky Gonzales, who is 6-0, 270. On defense, LB Aaron Benson, who has committed to Texas, led the team with 155 tackles while LB Randall Smith had 88 tackles last season. Also, DE Josh Parks, a starter as a sophomore, returns after missing his junior year because of injury and the Longhorns gain with the transfer of DT Larryjr Moore from DeSoto. Next: Sept. 12 at Trinity (Euless).

18. Union, Tulsa (0-0)
Returning starters: Seven on offense, six on defense from 13-1 team. Outlook: The Redskins won the 6A title last season and return with an experienced team, though one minus RB Jeremy Smith (1,664 yards and 30 TDs last season) and WR Tracy Moore (1,023 yards receiving and 15 TDs), both now at Oklahoma State. QB Chase Boyce threw for 2,300 yards and 23 TDs and can count on throwing to WRs Thomas and James Roberson. Dalton Duckett and Alec Henry are the only returning starters on the offensive line. The Redskins' secondary is one strength of their defense, led by leading tackler Luke Snider (86 tackles) and Jacob Rice. Union will get tested early by opening at home vs. improving Broken Arrow and a game at archrival Jenks in the second week. Opens: Friday vs. Broken Arrow.

19. Maine South, Park Ridge, Ill. (1-0)
Returning starters: Three on offense, three on defense from 14-0 team. Result: Defeated Schaumburg 64-35 on Aug. 28 as QB Tyler Benz passed for 232 yards and TDs of 23 and 48 yards and ran for three TDs and Matt Perez rushed for 117 yards and four TDs. Outlook: The defending state 8A champ should be solid again despite losing QB Charlie Goro to Vanderbilt and eight other offensive starters. The Hawks will count heavily on Benz, at QB/OLB RB/LB Perez, who had 2,600 all-purpose yards and 31 TDs last season. Maine South also has a good-sized offensive line, anchored by T Victor Nelson, who is 6-7, 300 pounds. Next: Friday vs. Wheaton-Warrenville South (Wheaton).

20. Liberty, Bethlehem, Pa. (0-0)
Returning starters: Six on offense, six on defense from 15-1 team. Result: Idle. Outlook:Anthony Gonzalez (1,580 yards and 12 TDs passing and 1,670 yards and 24 TDs rushing) led the Hurricanes to the state 4A title and is back at QB to run a spread attack. He might be the best two-way player in the country. He had 96 tackles at CB last season. If the Hurricanes can open up 2-0, they will be in good shape, but they must get past North Penn (Lansdale) and Parkland (Bethlehem). Defense is led by DE Dontae Holmes, LB Rashad Knight and LB Drew Persa. Opens: Friday at North Penn (Lansdale).

21. Prattville, Ala. (0-1)
Returning starters: Seven on offense, six on defense from 13-1 team. Result: Lost 14-11 vs. North Gwinnett (Lawrenceville) on Aug. 29. Outlook: Three-time defending 6A champ has won 30 in a row in-state. Senior QB Sam Gibson, an LSU recruit, returns after throwing for 1,083 yards and 11 TDs in the regular season while rushing for 480 yards and eight TDs. Another key returnee is junior WR Cornelius Fenderson. The defense is led by DB Nick Perry, who had 37 tackles and four interceptions. The Lions will play a home game Sept. 25 vs. No. 5 Don Bosco (Ramsey, N.J.). Next: Thursday vs. Robert E. Lee (Montgomery).

22. Madison Central, Madison, Miss. (2-0)
Returning starters: Nine on offense, seven on defense from 12-2 team. Result: Won 28-16 at Hattiesburg as Joe Price ran for TDs of 62 and 15 yards on Aug. 21. QB Peyton Johnson passed for 191 yards and a 48-yard TD and ran for two 1-yard TDs, all in the first half of a 43-28 defeat of Melrose (Memphis) on Aug. 28. Outook: The Jaguars return with most of their starters back. Senior QB Johnson leads an option attack. DEs Carlton Martin and Bryon Bennett pace the defense. Martin, a state champion powerlifter, played DT last season but will be able to utilize his quickness more at DE this season. Next: Friday vs. Provine (Jackson).

23. St. Bonaventure, Ventura, Calif. (0-0)
Returning starters: Seven on offense, seven on defense from 14-1 team. Result: Idle. Outlook: The Seraphs have won two consecutive state Div. III titles and should be fine again, even without All-USA RB Patrick Hall. QB Logan Meyer is back after passing for 2,311 yards and 24 TDs and Devon Blackledge is back after rushing for 1,189 yards and 17 TDs last year as a junior. They'll have a solid line to work behind, led by Southern Cal recruit Giovanni DiPoalo and sophomore David Barajas. LB Dylan Davis returns to lead a defense that allowed 7.7 points a game over the past seven games of the season. Tough games include Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) on Sept. 11 and Crespi (Anaheim) on Sept. 25. Opens: Friday at St. John Bosco (Bellflower).

24. Skyline, Sammamish, Wash. (0-0)
Returning starters: Nine on offense, eight on defense from 14-0 team. Result: Idle. Outlook: In two seasons as Skyline's starting QB, Jake Heaps has two state titles and no losses. The Brigham Young recruit threw for 2,910 yards and 38 TDs last year and has WR Kasen Williams, a state high jump champion, to throw to again. Tough games include a home matchup with No. 7 Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.) on Sept. 18. Opens: Saturday vs. Jesuit (Portland).

25. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (0-0)
Returning starters: Seven on offense and seven on defense from 10-2 team. Result: Idle. Outlook: The Stags graduated 10 players who signed college letters-of-intent, but there's plenty left in the pipeline. DeMatha has won six consecutive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference titles. RB Marcus Coker, who rushed for 1,174 yards and 18 TDs, returns and can count on running behind OL Arie Kouandjio, a top recruit who is 6-6 and 315. Pitt recruit Jeff Knox could play at WR and RB. Big games include Sept. 12 at Gilman (Baltimore). Opens: Saturday at Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro).