by Alex Schwartz

Barring any major surprises, the de facto high school national championship will be played roughly three weeks from now. It will technically be the NJSIAA Non-Public North B sectional championship, but the winner of the highly anticipated matchup between St. Patrick's (NJ) and St. Anthony's (NJ) will almost certainly determine who wins the mythical national title. Since the last poll was released, the only other undefeated top five team has lost twice leaving the North Jersey rivals as nearly the only contenders for the crown.

There are three other undefeated teams ranked, but none have played as tough a schedule as St. Pat's and St. Ant's or have the same quality of wins as the two. Thus, for the fourth consecutive poll, the Celtics and Friars will lead the way in the rankings. Some one-loss and two-loss teams will continue to hold out hope that both clubs will fall, but that is quite unlikely. Have a look below at where things stand in the hunt for the top spot in the nation.

Rank. School (State), Last Poll
an asterisk before a school name indicates that the team remains undefeated

1. *St. Patrick's (NJ), 1
2. *St. Anthony's (NJ), 2
3. Miller Grove (GA), 4
4. IC Norcom (VA), 5
5. Montrose Christian (MD), 6
6. Milton (GA), 7
7. *Wichita Heights (KS), 8
8. Long Beach Poly (CA), 9
9. Mater Dei (CA), 10
10. *Benet Academy (IL), NR
11. Simeon (IL), 3
12. Findlay Prep (NV), 11
13. Dwyer (FL), 14
14. Marcus (TX), 15
15. Oak Hill Academy (VA), 16
16. North Central (IN), 17
17. Arlington Country Day (FL), 13
18. Lakeview Centennial (TX), HM
19. Eastern (KY), 13
20. Hopkins (MN), 19
21. Estacado (TX), NR
22. Lincoln (TX), 12
23. Lincoln (NY), 20
24. Lincoln (CA), 22
25. *Chaminade (MO), 25

Honorable Mentions: Boys & Girls (NY), Chester (PA), Huntington Prep (WV), Kimball (TX), *Linn-Mar (IA), Montverde Academy (FL), Provine (MS), United Faith Christian Academy (NC), Winter Park (FL), Word of God Academy (NC)

New to Poll: Benet Academy (IL), Lakeview Centennial (TX), Estacado (TX)

Out of Poll: Winter Park (FL), Kimball (TX), Westerville South (OH)

Note- MaxPreps used as source for information