Hawks begin season ranked No. 16 in the nation after capturing second consecutive Class AAAAAA state title in 2023.
The high school football season in Pennsylvania kicks off this
week and MaxPreps has your look at the state's top teams. Defending Class AAAAAA state champion
St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia) owns the
No. 1 spot in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25.
The Hawks begin the season ranked No. 16 nationally after claiming their second consecutive state championship in 2023 and eighth since 2013.
Seniors
Maxwell Roy (6-3, 285, DL, Ohio State commitment),
Anthony Sacca (6-3, 225, LB, Notre Dame),
Cameron Smith (6-0, 200, LB, Penn State),
Kahlil Stewart (6-4, 325, OL, Syracuse) and
Isaiah West (5-11, 208, RB, Ohio State) along with junior
Alex Haskell (6-3, 230, DL) lead the charge for the Philadelphia Catholic League powerhouse.
The best player in the state, however, may be under center for
Spring-Ford (Royersford). Committed to Missouri, senior quarterback
Matt Zollers (6-4, 205) threw for 2,917 yards 37 touchdowns against just two interceptions last season. Zollers also carried 65 times for 420 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior.
The Preseason
MaxPreps Top 25 is a composite of the
Preseason Top 100 and computer
rankings factoring in past results and adjustments such as returners
and statistical data when available.
Pennsylvania Preseason MaxPreps Top 251.
St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia), 13-1 record in 2023
2.
Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia), 15-0
3.
Central Catholic (Pittsburgh), 10-2
4.
Harrisburg, 12-2
5.
La Salle College (Wyndmoor), 6-5
6.
Malvern Prep (Malvern), 9-1
7.
Peters Township (McMurray), 15-1
8.
Aliquippa, 14-0
9.
North Allegheny (Wexford), 13-2
10.
Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg), 13-1
11.
Roman Catholic (Philadelphia), 9-3
12.
Pine-Richland (Gibsonia), 9-4
13.
Manheim Township (Lancaster), 12-1
14.
Spring-Ford (Royersford), 9-3
15.
Downingtown East (Exton), 11-1
16.
Nazareth Area (Nazareth), 12-2
17.
Belle Vernon, 13-1
18.
Central Bucks South (Warrington), 13-2
19.
Northwestern Lehigh (New Tripoli), 15-1
20.
Downingtown West (Downingtown), 11-3
21.
Cocalico (Denver), 12-2
22.
Manheim Central (Manheim), 11-2
23.
Montour (McKees Rocks), 10-2
24.
Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson Hills), 9-3
25.
Haverford School (Haverford), 5-5
