By Suni Blackwell

Since I started my journey on the road with the FP.tv crew back in August, I have witnessed some outstanding high school football.  I have also had the chance to witness some nationally-ranked teams play -- like on Friday night with Southlake Carroll High School.

Now, I am one that gives credit when credit is due, but I have never been too big on rankings because on any given Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, you don't know which team will win until the game is played.  And as we saw this weekend, rankings went straight out the window in college football with at least five Top 25 upsets.

According to ESPN's Elite Top 25 Rankings, Southlake Carroll High School, out of Southlake, Texas, are ranked seventh nationally. And I believe that Southlake Carroll is a good team offensively -- but they rely too much on that. 

The team is led by running back Tre Newton and quarterback Riley Dodge.  While Newton is a power/speed runner, Dodge is a quick signal-caller with a strong arm.  But the most pressing concern was Southlake's pass defense.  There is no way Keller Central should have scored sixteen points on them -- with ten of the points coming when their starters were in the game.  It was evident this weekend that when the Dragons finally comes across a team with a strong passing offense mixed with a potent running attack, they will be in trouble.

In that same Top 25, Prattville High, out of Prattville, Alabama, are ranked 15th nationally.  This is quite shocking to me after seeing this team play.  Prattville is a complete team. And their offense is one of the best I have ever seen.  They can beat you with the running game and passing game, led by running back Justin Albert and quarterback Casey Weston.  So while Albert is a slick/speedy runner, Weston is smooth QB with a strong arm.

Meanwhile, let's not forget about Prattville's defense -- a unit that has recorded two shutouts this season.  Hands down, this defense is the best unit I have seen all tour.  They play the run and the pass well.  It's eleven on the ball at all times with the Lions.

So why is Southlake Carroll ranked eights spots ahead of Prattvile? This is one matchup that I would love to see take place. Perhaps FootballPower can make the game happen.  But until the match-up takes place, I will never know and Prattville will continue to be "Underrated"........