Preseason high school football rankings as done by veteran sports writer Jim Halley:
- Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (15-0)
The state Open Division Bowl champion has plenty of talented newcomers, led by WR-DB Jeremiah Criddell and RB Sean Dollars, two Oregon commits who transferred from Rancho Cucamonga.
- Allen, Texas (16-0)
The Eagles have one of the best QB-WR combinations in the state in Grant Tisdale and Theo Wease Jr.
- IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (8-0)
The Ascenders, who have won 38 games in a row, won’t need to get fancy to defeat teams, with an offensive line that averages 6-4 and 319 pounds.
- St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (12-3)
The Braves have 14 returning starters, a big line and elite junior QB D.J. Uiagalelei.
- St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (9-2)
The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference champs have RB Keilan Robinson, an Alabama commit and elite DE Tre’Mon Morris Brash.
- Chandler, Ariz. (13-2)
The Wolves have won back-to-back state titles and return QB Jacob Conover, a BYU commit and added elite DT Matthew Pola-Mao, a transfer from Mountain Pointe (Phoenix).
- Hoover, Ala. (11-3)
The Bucs have won five state titles in the past six years and have elite WR George Pickens, an Auburn commit.
- Lake Travis, Austin (13-3)
The 6A-I state runner-up returns WR Garrett Wilson, an Ohio State commit and promising junior QB Hudson Card, a Texas commit.
- Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (10-2)
The Rams have an abundance of talent, led by OL Wanya Morris, a Tennessee commit, and LB Owen Pappoe, an Auburn commit.
- St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (13-0)
The Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association “A” champions are loaded, led by two Alabama commits in OL Darrian Dalcourt and LB Shane Lee and senior RB Joachim Bangda (35 TDs).
- Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (13-2)
The nine-time defending state champions have a huge offensive line led by UCLA commit Beau Taylor and a defensive line led by Kapolei (Hawaii) transfer Treven Ma’ae.
- Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (10-2)
The Non-Public Group 4 state champion has two solid RBs in Josh McKenzie (907 yards, eight TDs rushing) and Rahmir Johnson (555 yards and six TDs), who is committed to Nebraska.
- Miami Central, Miami (9-3)
The Rockets have the quarterback who can get them back to the state title game after a two-year absence in Marshall commit Maurice Underwood (6-3, 175), a dual-threat player with a strong arm.
- Good Counsel, Olney, Md. (8-3)
The Falcons’ offensive line is huge, led by promising sophomore Landon Tengwall (6-6, 300), who has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, Penn State and others.
- St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (13-1)
The Hawks were the 6A state runners-up and return their top two running backs in senior Marques Mason (141 carries for 748 yards and 11 TDs) and junior Kolbe Burrell (128 carries for 879 yards and 14 TDs).
- University Lab, Baton Rouge, La. (13-0)
The Cubs won the state Div. II title and return 19 starters, led by three-year starting QB John Gordon McKernan, who threw for more than 2,000 yards.
- Brentwood Academy, Brentwood, Tenn. (12-0)
The Div. II-AAA state champion Eagles have won three consecutive state titles and return leading rusher Tomario Pleasant (204 carries for 1,418 yards and 17 TDs).
- Deerfield Beach, Fla. (8-3)
The Bucks have a host of talented transfers and two top RBs in Jaylan Knighton, a junior Oklahoma commit who ran for 1,223 yards and 15 TDs and highly touted freshman Jaziun Patterson.
- Katy, Texas (12-1)
The Tigers made it to the 6A semifinals and return RB Deondrick Glass (451 carries for 4,254 yards and 70 TDs in his career, including 1,690 yards and 26 TDs last season).
- St. Louis, Honolulu (12-0)
The Crusaders have won back-to-back state titles and destroyed Waianae 69-6 in their opener.
- St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (12-3)
LB Anthony Solomon, a Miami commit, DB Jordan Battle, an Ohio State commit, and DB Jaden Davis, an Oklahoma commit, lead a talented defense.
- Archer, Lawrenceville, Ga. (12-1)
The Tigers made it to the state 7A semifinals and have a stingy defense led by DBs Jalyn Phillips and Andrew Booth, a Clemson commit. Archer also returns QB Carter Peevy, who threw for 2,038 yards and 20 TDs as a freshman.
- South Pointe, Rock Hill, S.C. (15-0)
The Stallions are looking to win a fifth consecutive state title behind RB Joe Ervin, a Coastal Carolina commit and CB Jaylen Mahoney, a Wake Forest commit.
- Pickerington Central, Pickerington, Ohio (14-1)
The defending Div. I champions return DTs Karter Johnson, a TCU commit and DeWayne Carter, a Duke commit along with junior QB Demeatric Crenshaw (1,500 yards, 13 TDs passing and 1,218 yards and 18 TDs rushing).
- Trinity, Louisville (15-0)
The Shamrocks have won 30 consecutive games, including back-to-back 6A state titles.
- De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (11-2)
The Spartans have won 30 consecutive section games and return a strong defense, led by LB Henry To’oto’o.
- Imhotep Charter, Philadelphia (12-2)
The 4A state runners-up return two talented WRs in Yusuf Terry, who has committed to Baylor and WR-DB Tykee Smith while LB Sy’mear Williams anchors the team’s defense.
- Maryville, Tenn. (13-1)
The Rebels won the 6A title and return nine starters, led by speedy RB Tee Hodge.
- Owasso, Okla. (12-1)
The Rams broke through last season as 6A-I state champion and return QB Will Kuehne (199-for-298 for 2,788 yards and 24 TDs passing), a North Texas commit.
- Bingham, South Jordan, Utah (13-1)
The Miners have a solid defense, led by LB Lolani Langi and DT Simote Pepa.
- North Gwinnett, Suwanee, Ga. (14-1)
The defending 7A state champion Bulldogs have a secondary that includes Tennessee commit Warren Burrell and Quinton Newsome, a Nebraska commit.
- Hewitt-Trussville, Trussville, Ala. (11-1)
Senior QB Paul Tyson, an Alabama commit who threw for 3,392 yards and 36 TDs, is back along with two of his top receivers in junior Dazalin Worsham, an Alabama commit and senior Ja’Varrius Johnson, an Auburn commit.
- Martinsburg, W.Va. (14-0)
The two-time defending AAA state champions have won 28 games in a row.
- Warren Central, Indianapolis (7-4)
The Warriors have a lot of key returnees, particularly on offense with WR David Bell, OL Justin Britt, an Iowa commit, RB Romeir Elliott and QB Jayden George.
- St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (9-3)
The Marauders, who were the Group 4 Non-Public state runners-up, have a strong defense, led by two big-time defensive ends in R.J. Oben, who has committed to Duke and junior Keith Miles Jr.
36. Northwestern, Miami (14-3-1)
Defending 6A state champions have a solid offensive line, anchored by South Carolina commit Mark Fox Jr.
37. Colquitt County, Moultrie, Ga. (11-4)
The Packers return a strong defense and two solid RBs in junior Daijun Edwards (1,038 yards) and Ty Leggett (1,287 yards).
38. Westlake, Austin, Texas (14-1)
The Cavs, who made it to the 6A-II semifinals, return QB Taylor Anderson (2,879 yards, 32 touchdowns passing and 1,131 yards and 12 TDs rushing).
39. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (14-1)
Junior WR Jalen Hyatt and senior DE Kendrick Allen lead a group of prospects for the two-time defending 5A state champion Silver Foxes
40. Cardinal Gibbons, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (11-2)
The Chiefs lost in the 5A state quarterfinals to eventual champion American Heritage (Plantation) and are led by senior DE Kris Bogle (13.5 sacks)
41. Mentor, Ohio (13-2)
The Cardinals were the state Division I runners-up and have a huge offensive line, led by Ryan Jacoby, who has committed to Ohio State and Michigan State commit Nick Samac
42. Starkville, Miss. (13-3)
The 6A state runners-up return 14 starters, including senior RB Rodrigues Clark, a Memphis commit who ran for more than 1,700 yards last season
43. Centennial, Corona, Calif. (10-2)
The Huskies, led by all-state DE Drake Jackson, won’t allow many points
44. Dowling Catholic, West Des Moines, Iowa (12-1)
The Maroons have won five consecutive 4A state titles and return senior RB Jayson Murray (1,947 yards and 29 touchdowns)
45. Folsom, Calif. (16-0)
The Bulldogs return QB Kaiden Bennett (4,431 and 57 touchdowns passing and 1,218 yards and 16 touchdowns rushing)
46. Eastside Catholic, Sammamish, Wash. (11-1)
Junior WR Gee Scott and sophomore DE J.T. Tuimoloau lead a young but very talented squad
47. Centennial, Peoria, Ariz. (13-1)
Defending 5A champions landed two big transfers RBs in Tawee Walker and Davon Fountain
48. Pulaski Academy, Little Rock, Ark. (14-0)
The four-time defending state champion Bruins have an elite TE in Hudson Henry, brother of Los Angeles Chargers TE Hunter Henry.
49. Belleville, Mich. (10-1)
The Tigers are led by two Michigan State commits in OL Devontae Dobbs and WR Julian Barnett
50. DeMatha Catholic, Hyattsville, Md. (6-5)
The perennial Washington Catholic Athletic Association powerhouse is led by DB-WR Demarcco Hellams, who is committed to Alabama, and RB Marshawn Lloyd
There are three big games this week involving two Who’s Next 25 ranked teams, all of them on Friday: No. 4 St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.) travels to No. 3 Hoover, Ala.; No. 9 Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) will play host to No. 10 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.); and No. 8 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) will play No. 13 St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia) in College Park, Md.
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