National High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams – Sept. 22

We have another new No. 1 when it comes to the national high school football scene as last week’s upset-palooza that took place around the country shook up the Top 25 rankings in a big way, with some newcomers to the ranks.

The Grayson Rams (Ga.) takes over the top spot in the country, just ahead of No. 2 Mater Dei (Calif.) followed by the third-ranked St. John Bosco (Calif.) Braves. Who else made an impression last week and soared into the national rankings?

This week brings new opportunities as a another slate of games is on deck this week as teams around the nation continue their quest for the all mythical national championship. Below are the top 25 high school football teams in the country, according to the Massey Ratings, as of Sept. 22.

1. Grayson (Ga.) (5-0)

For the second straight week in a row, the country sees a new No. 1 and they are out of the Peach State. Enter the Grayson Rams to the top of the national high school football world.

The loss of quarterback Travis Burgess for the rest of the season was a massive blow, but don’t tell the Grayson that it’s going to hold them back whatsoever. In their latest victory, Grayson throughly dominated Grovetown in a 51-0 effort.

The Rams will have a little different look to them when they operate on offense moving forward, leaning on junior quarterback Deuce Smith to lead the way behind center. The Rams’ defense behind Texas five-star commit Tyler Atkinson will need to continue and step up as well if Grayson looks to repeat as GHSA state champions.

Up next for the Rams is another road trip and will go head-to-head against Newton.

2. Mater Dei (Calif.) (4-1)

For the first time since the 2015 season, Mater Dei has lost to a team not named St. John Bosco.

Mater Dei a couple weeks ago fell behind 33-7 heading into halftime and though they mustered up a furious comeback attempt, the Monarchs fell narrowly in a 43-36 loss to Corona Centennial, the very team they had last lost to that was not the Braves.

The Monarchs had previously fallen eight spots in the national high school football rankings, but bounce back up to the second spot after upending previous No. 1 Bishop Gorman (Nevada) on the road.

Mater Dei has a bye week before they return to the gridiron on Oct. 3 to face Orange Lutheran.

3. St. John Bosco (Calif.) (5-0)

After playing their toughest challenge of the season against St. Frances Academy (Md.) in a 21-14 victory a few weeks ago, St. John Bosco had looked like they were in the driver’s seat to take the No. 1 spot after Bishop Gorman’s loss to rival Mayer Dei.

Through the first couple of weeks, St. John Bosco only played two quarters against Manatee (Fla.), coming away with a 31-0 victory, the Braves returned home and routed Texas’ Eastwood 66-7.

The Braves defeated Hawaii’s top-ranked team, the St. Louis Crusaders, last week but still dropped down a spot in the latest set of rankings. We think everything will work itself out, especially with St. John Bosco facing Mater Dei on Halloween.

4. Bixby (Okla.) (4-0)

Bixby jumps up to the No. 4 spot after falling out of the top 10 of the national high school football rankings a couple weeks ago.

Senior quarterback Carson Kirby has been a steady hand behind center for Bixby, with the passer completing 47 of 62 passes for 656 yards and eight touchdowns. The Spartans have remained the top team out of Oklahoma and should run the table to a 10-0 regular season record with the way they’re playing.

Next up, Bixby will go on the road and face an undefeated Jenks (3-0) squad.

5. Southlake Carroll (Texas) (4-0)

The top-ranked team from the Lone Star State in these latest national high school football rankings are the Southlake Carroll Dragons after they soundly defeated an undefeated Trinity team last week.

There’s little question that Southlake Carroll (3-0) might be playing the best football of the season behind the play of their high-octane offense. Leading the way is Pittsburgh commit Angelo Renda and Ohio State pledge Brock Boyd.

Southlake Carroll looks to go 5-0 on a short week when they face Timber Creek on Thursday night.

6. Buford (Ga.) (4-0)

Are the Buford Wolves the prohibitive favorite to win Georgia’s Class 6A high school football classification? Last week was another indication that the Wolves might be the team to unseat Grayson (above) as they defeated a very good Douglas County squad recently, 34-26.

One of the top defensive front sevens in the Peach State resides in Buford, as they feature four-star edge rushers Bryce Perry-Wright (Texas A&M) and Dre Quinn (Clemson) along with four-star safety Tyriq Green (Georgia). Through four games, the defense has only yielded 74 points and has shown they can play with the best of ‘em.

Buford takes on winless Discovery before taking a bye week.

7. IMG Academy (Fla.) (5-0)

One thing has been made clear this 2025 season: IMG Academy is not the same group from last year.

If you had any doubts of the Ascenders, look at their last two contests. Against Coronado (Nev.) and Mandarin (Fla.), IMG Academy won by a combined score of 136-13. Oof.

The Ascenders could be in line for another blowout win as they take their show right back to the Yellowhammer State as they travel to Phenix City Central to take on the Red Devils.

8. Bishop Gorman (Nev.) (4-1)

The Bishop Gorman Gaels had their chance last week to make a national statement.

Following up wins over Lone Peak (Utah) and East St. Louis (Ill.) Flyers, it seemed inevitable that Bishop Gorman might be able to get over the proverbial hump of being 0-4 versus Mater Dei. Instead, the Gaels will have to wait for another season to defeat the Monarchs as they fell 27-24.

Because of the loss, Bishop Gorman takes a big dip from last week’s No. 1 ranking all the way down to No. 8. The Gaels have to try and move forward as they take to the road and take on Santa Margarita Catholic.

9. Carrollton (Ga.) (6-0)

If you’re looking for a surprise team that has continued to move up the national high school football rankings, look no further than the Carrollton Trojans.

The latest example of Carrollton’s dominance was a 43-7 rout of A.H. Parker of Alabama last week. There’s a lot to like about this Trojans club as they remain undefeated and rolling.

Some thought that with Julian Lewis gone and some graduations, losses on the roster from the 2024 team that Carrollton might not be where they were last fall. Well, think again. The Trojans proved once more recently that they are a national powerhouse in a 43-21 beatdown of Gainesville.

10. Allen (Texas) (4-0)

Out with Duncanville and North Crowley, in with Allen into the Top 10 of the rankings as they have been simply dominant through four games.

Allen (4-0) has been able to run through the opposing competition with ease, as they showed in its most recent victory over a previously undefeated Plano group, 56-0. The offense has been sizzling behind the play of Arizona three-star wide receiver commit Caleb Smith and crew.

The Eagles return to the field this Friday night when they take on McKinney.

11. Thomas County Central (Ga.) (5-0)
12. St. Frances Academy (Md.) (2-1)
13. Sierra Canyon (Calif.) (5-0)
14. Waxahachie (Texas) (4-0)
15. Brownsburg (Ind.) (4-0)

For high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement across the country.