HS: New teams join regional rankings

by Sheldon Shealer

December 23, 2019

The frontrunners are holding their own.

But behind them, is a growing list of fresh faces in the regional rankings.

As is often the case in high school soccer, the very good and good are separated by the narrowist of margins. Therefore, behind the clear favorites is a revolving door of teams that earn their way in to the rankings -- and quite honestly, might quickly be replaced.

This week, the California regional rankings feature four boys and five girls teams that are undefeated and weren't ranked last week. In some cases, those teams will appear in the next SIMA FAB 50 on Tuesday. But the question will be how long can they stay among the nation's elite.

The state No. 1s are Brophy Prep (Ariz.), San Clemente (Calif.), Doral Academy (Fla.), Punahou (Hawaii), St. Paul's (La.), Northwest Rankin (Miss.) and San Antonio LEE (Texas) for the boys; Chaparral (Ariz.), Monte Vista (Calif.), Montverde Academy (Fla.), Mililani (Hawaii), Mandeville (La.), Gulfport (Miss.) and Coppell (Texas) for the girls.