Three LV football programs make top 20 list
Three Lehigh Valley schools made Max Preps' Top 20 Most Dominant Football Programs in Pennsylvania.
You can probably assume which three schools made the list, as all three are Class 4A opponents, with Liberty, Parkland and Easton heading the list of teams across the state to be selected since the Max Preps era started in 2004.
The Hurricanes head the list with the highest ranking, coming in at 10th overall. Teams are allotted points through Max Preps' computer system, based on whether they finished in the top 25 end of season rankings by the site, along with additional points for winning a state championship or finishing as state runners-up.
Liberty squeaked out North Penn by a single point (128-to-127) for the 10th spot, charging their way forward with the great teams they had during the Dan Persa/Anthony Gonzalez era, which was capped off by a state championship in 2008. The Hurricanes have gone 91-35 over the last 10 years.
Parkland joins the club, coming in at 13, with an overall record of 89-35. The Trojans reached the 2007 state championship, but lost to Pittsburgh Central Catholic, which topped Max Preps' list as the best program in the state over the past decade.
Only eight teams have won more games than Easton (104-30) on the list, but the Rovers sneak in at the 20th spot due to their lack of top 25 computer finishes.
Not that this list means much, as it is computer generated rankings, it does give a clear gauge of programs consistency over the last 10 years, which is on par with how the local football scene has played out during that time span.
Liberty (2005, 2006, 2008), Parkland (2007, 2012, 2013) and Easton (2004, 2009, 2010) have each won three district championships over the last 10 years.
Nazareth is the only other 4A school in the Lehigh Valley to win a 4A crown with that title coming in 2011.
The complete top 20 list below is taken from Max Preps website.
1. Central Catholic (Pittsburgh) - 218 points
Overall record: 114-16
The Vikings have compiled two state championships and six Top 10 finishes, making them the state's most dominant team.
2. Clairton - 207
Overall record: 125-14
Clairton has compiled four Class A state titles and one runner-up finish.
3. La Salle College (Wyndmoor) - 188
Overall record: 97-37
The Explorers have finished in the Top 10 six times, capturing one state championship in the process.
4. Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson Hills) - 187
Overall record: 120-15
The Jaguars have piled up three state titles as well as five Top 25 finishes.
5. St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia) - 177
Overall record: 91-32
The Hawks have racked up nine Top 25 finishes and one state championship.
6. Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg) - 175
Overall record: 117-25
Bishop McDevitt has recorded eight Top 25 finishes as well as three runner-up finishes.
7. Archbishop Wood (Warminster) - 172
Overall record: 109-25
The Vikings lay claim to two Class AAA state titles and five Top 25 finishes.
8. North Allegheny (Wexford) - 169
Overall record: 96-28
The Tigers have won two state championships, finishing with the No. 1 rank in both years.
9. Southern Columbia Area (Catawissa) - 140
Overall record: 120-19
The Tigers own three state championships and one runner-up finish since 2004.
10. Liberty (Bethlehem) - 128
Overall record: 91-35
Liberty finished the 2008 season with the No. 1 ranking after capturing a Class AAAA state title.
11. North Penn (Lansdale) - 127
Overall record: 110-26
North Penn has notched eight Top 25 finishes since 2004.
12. Upper St. Clair - 126
Overall record: 95-24
An undefeated season in 2006 gave the Panthers a No. 1 ranking and state championship.
13. Parkland (Allentown) - 95
Overall record: 89-35
Parkland has finished in the Top 10 three times and the Top 25 a total of five times.
13. Woodland Hills (Pittsburgh) - 95
Overall record: 77-40
The Wolverines have totaled six Top 25 finishes, reaching the No. 3 rank in 2009.
15. McKeesport - 93
Overall record: 85-28
The Tigers finished the 2005 season with the No. 1 ranking and a Class AAAA state title.
16. Gateway (Monroeville) - 90
Overall record: 91-28
Gateway has cracked the Top 25 five times since 2004.
17. Lancaster Catholic - 89
Overall record: 112-21
The Crusaders have finished in the Top 25 twice, winning state titles in both seasons.
18. Neshaminy (Langhorne) - 85
Overall record: 103-27
Neshaminy has recorded six Top 25 finishes since 2004.
19. South Fayette (McDonald) - 84
Overall record: 89-26
A perfect season in 2013 ended with a state title and the No. 4 ranking for the Lions.
20. Easton - 83
Overall record: 104-30
Easton has finished in the Top 25 six times over the past 10 years.