To be the best at something is an extremely difficult task. At the county level, district level, region level or even statewide, being ranked above all others is an impressive accomplishment. To be the best in the U.S. is almost unfathomable.

Yet Manatee High School's very own Hurricane football team has garnered a number-one national ranking by USA Today, MaxPreps, ESPN and Sports Illustrated.

Manatee was ranked the top team once before in 1991, by USA Today, but lost to Riverview.

This year is different. The 'Canes' season is well under way and the team has routed a team in front of a national audience, eliminated history repeating itself with Riverview and scored a win against a nationally ranked opponent.

As time progresses, rankings change, but the numbers look to only get better for Manatee.

Rivals is the only major national ranking system that does not recognize Manatee as America's top high school team. The poll ranks the Hurricanes second to a Louisiana team, but Manatee may have a chance to clench the top spot. Many analysts have determined the Louisiana-based school does not have as challenging of a schedule as that of Manatee.

The polls are published every week after the ranked teams have been re-analyzed. There is movement in the polls each week -- not necessarily for every school, but in the complete list. If the Hurricanes are able to finish the season and postseason undefeated, Manatee should continue to be ranked the top team in the nation and have the opportunity to be awarded the mythical national championship.