For Johnson, mind is what matters

Whether she's competing in the Olympics or on "Dancing with the Stars," Shawn Johnson isn't surprised when she wins ... she's already pictured it a thousand times

All-time greats from each state

Just because they don't strap on pads doesn't mean coaches can't make a difference. ESPN RISE looks at each state's top coach.

ESPN RISE Yearbook: Superlatives

...LSU, has taken theater and ballet classes. We wouldn't be surprised to see him filling Emmitt Smith's shoes in the future. Andrew ShurtleffRyan Kelly's got our vote. With off-the-charts...

2008 EA SPORTS Football All-America team

2008 EA SPORTS Football All-America team

Mr. Football USA all-time list

Mr. Football USA all-time list

Gilbert takes home top football award

After leading his team to consecutive state titles and setting a Texas career passing record with 12,534 yards, Garrett Gilbert was named EA SPORTS Mr. Football USA.

Fans' passion puts Texas over the top

If you looked only at the players and teams to emerge from Texas each year, you could make the case that Texas is the best high school football state in the country. But when you factor in Texas fans' passion, the Lone Star State wins in a landslide.

Emmitt Smith

Florida and Texas All-Time Teams

ESPN RISE has tabbed all-time all-state teams from both states as part of this week's Great State Debate final. Once the voting is closed Wednesday at noon ET, we'll know which state will be crowned the nation's best for high school football.

Competition heats up in semifinals

Will the Sunshine State get eclipsed by California gold? This week's Great State Debate about which is the best in high school football should be the closest one yet.

Nov 10. 1996; San Francisco, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22) in action against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park. Dallas defeated San Francisco 20...

Speed, swagger define Florida prep football

As big as Florida is -- with distinct cultural regions ranging from the Panhandle to Jacksonville to Orlando to Tampa Bay to Lake Okeechobee to Miami -- there is one quality that binds state high school football players together: speed.

ESPN RISE's Football Players of the Week

Trent Richardson, a senior running back from Escambia High of Pensacola, Fla., has been chosen as the first recipient of ESPN RISE National Football Player of the Week honors.

Talent, coaching, weather boost Florida

In the second head-to-head matchup of the Great State Debate, SportsNation came out in droves to decide which state has produced the best high school football: No. 2 seed Florida or No. 7 seed Louisiana.

Who hails from Florida, Louisiana?

Which state can claim the best high school football players? Here's a look at the all-stars that hail from No. 1 Texas and No. 8 Virginia.