Six-time champ Neshoba opens No. 1 in USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Neshoba Central opens the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll in a familiar spot — the same No 1 position it held for the final eight weeks last season.

The six-time defending Mississippi 5A state champion, which was a perfect 34-0 a year ago, is already 4-0 and is unbeaten over its last 43 games. The Rockets last loss came in May 2017— a 2-1 loss to Saltillo in the state 5A quarterfinals.

Fellow state titlist — two-time reigning Virginia 6A champion Madison — remained No. 2 heading into Wednesday’s season opener at South County, and perennial power Norco (8-0) rounds out the top three. The Cougars have allowed just two runs this season — both in a 6-2 triumph over California rival Orange Lutheran on Feb. 22 — while scoring 44.

Elsewhere, No. 7 Shawnee Heights is coming off back-to-back Kansas state 5A crowns. The Thunderbirds will put their 50-game win streak on the line when they open their season on April 5 against Seaman.

Fellow Kansas powerhouse Olathe Northwest was the state runner-up in 2018 after winning the title in 2017. The 16th-ranked Ravens kick off their season on March 25 at Lawrence Free State.

Meanwhile, two-time reigning Indiana state champ New Palestine remains in the top 10 (ninth) as it prepares to start its season on April 2 at Southport.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – March 7, 2019

Rank

Team

2019 Record

1

Neshoba Central (Miss.)

4-0

2

Madison (Va.)

0-0

3

Norco (Calif.)

8-0

4

Cedar Ridge (Texas)

8-0

5

Fairhope (Ala.)

8-0

6

Oakleaf (Fla.)

6-0

7

Shawnee Heights (Kan.)

0-0

8

Spain Park (Ala.)

11-1

9

New Palestine (Ind.)

0-0

10

Forney (Texas)

5-1

11

Huntington Beach (Calif.)

2-0

12

Foothill (Pleasanton, Calif.)

3-0

13

Winter Springs (Fla.)

6-0

14

San Marcos (Calif.)

1-0

15

Marist (Ill.)

0-0

16

Olathe Northwest (Kan.)

0-0

17

Center Grove (Ind.)

0-0

18

Donovan Catholic (N.J.)

0-0

19

Los Alamitos (Calif.)

3-1

20

Immaculate Heart Acad. (N.J.)

0-0

21

Louisville Male (Ky.)

0-0

22

Eagle (Idaho)

0-0

23

Wachusett Regional (Mass.)

0-0

24

Hamilton (Ariz.)

3-2

25

Orange Lutheran (Calif.)

2-2-1