High school football rankings: Expanding the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 all the way to 100

California, Florida, Georgia and Texas combine for 59 teams of the 100 teams in expanded rankings.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Zack Poff
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Jul 15, 2024, 10:30am
No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) headlines our look at the top 100 high school football teams in the country heading into the 2024 season, which kicks off in Hawaii in 25 days.

No. 4 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), No. 8 Centennial (Corona), No. 17 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth), No. 24 Orange Lutheran (Orange) and No. 25 Folsom are among 16 teams from California in the expanded top 100.

Florida and Texas have the second most teams represented with 15 each. 

Some notable programs from the Sunshine State include No. 3 IMG Academy (Bradenton), No. 9 Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood), No. 11 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale), No. 13 Cocoa, No. 15 Central (Miami) and No. 20 American Heritage (Plantation).

No. 5 DeSoto, No. 7 Duncanville and No. 10 North Shore (Houston) headline the teams from the Lone Star State.

Georgia was the only other state to have more than 10 teams featured with 13. Some notable schools include No. 6 Milton, No. 12 Carrollton and No. 21 Buford.

In total, 25 states along with District of Columbia have at least one team in the preseason top 100.
1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
The Monarchs begin the season ranked No. 1 for the fifth time since 2017.

Last year's MaxPreps National Champs will have one of the best offensive lines in the country led by S.J. Alofaituli, Alai Kalaniuvalu and Douglas Utu.

Ascenders have 24 players rated as a three-star recruit or higher according to 247Sports.

Dutch Horisk and Epi Sitanilei give Braves one of the best defensive lines in high school football.

Back-to-back 6A Division 2 state champs have plenty of talent led by Keylan Abrams, Ethan Feaster, Deondrae Riden, Kelden Ryan, Daylon Singleton and Byron Washington.

Ethan Barbour, Ryan Ghea, Luke Nickel, Ty Redmond and C.J. Wiley are just some of the notable players for defending 7A state champs.

Keelon Russell and Dakorien Moore help form one of the best quarterback/wide receiver duos in the nation for back-to-back 6A Division 1 state champs.

Five-star quarterback Husan Longstreet should put up huge numbers in Matt Logan's system.

Three-time defending state champs added some key transfers in Jabari Brady, Derrek Cooper, Koby Howard and Zac Katz.


Head coach Roger Harriott looks to lead Raiders to sixth consecutive state title.

Five-star quarterback Julian Lewis headlines a loaded roster as Trojans go for first state championship in 26 years.

Brady Hart and Jayvan Boggs give back-to-back 2S state champs one of the best quarterback/wide receiver combos. 

Expect a bounce back season for Panthers with a very talented group led by Byron Baldwin, Bryce Deas, Jireh Edwards, Tristan Sabb and Blake Woodby.

South Florida power goes for fifth state title in six years.

Back-to-back 6A state champs bring back Alex Haskell, Maxwell Roy, Anthony Sacca, Cameron Smith, Kahlil Stewart and Isaiah West.

Jon Ellinghouse has led Trailblazers to 170 wins as he enters his 17th season. Expect another successful year after a CIF Division 1 semifinal appearance in 2023.

Four-star Helaman Casuga takes over under center after throwing for 4,145 yards and 34 touchdowns at Timpview (Provo, Utah) last season.

Last year's MaxPreps New Jersey Player of the Year — Quincy Porter — headlines the talent back for three-time defending state champs.

The Patriots bring back a loaded roster led by Dia Bell, Brandon Bennett, Byron Louis, Gregory Xavier Thomas and Malachi Toney.

Wolves go for 15th state title and fourth since 2019.

Defending 7A state champs look for statement win on Sept. 27 against No. 3 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.).

Dallas Golden and Joseph Troupe are both back after leading Bucs to first state title.

Benjamin Alefaio, A.J. Ia, Talanoa Ili, T.J. Lateef and Samuelu Utu are just a handful of notable returners for Lancers.

Five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons looks to lead Bulldogs to second consecutive state title.

Tigers won first state title last season and should be in the mix to repeat.

Last year's MaxPreps Freshman of the Year — Trent Seaborn — will have Warriors in contention to win fifth state championship since 2019.

Defending CIF Division 1-AA state champs bring back plenty of talent led by Phillip Bell, Luke Fahey, Dijon Lee, Vance Spafford and Jaden Williams.

Texas power has gone 73-3 over last five years and won three state titles.

Red Raiders had biggest win in program history beating St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) last season and look to add to that with matchups against No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) and No. 2 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) in 2024.

Three-time defending Division I state champs have to replace a lot of key players but will still be one of the best teams in Ohio.

Russ Mann led Giants to 14-1 record and first state title since 2017 in his first season as head coach.

Riley Dodge has led Dragons to at least 12 wins in every season since he took over as head coach in 2018.

Justin Rogers has led Yellow Jackets to 27-1 record and 6A state title during his first two years as head coach.


Five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson was only sophomore to make 2023 All-America Team after racking up a school-record 197 tackles and headlines a very talented Rams squad.

Tim Tyrrell has led Knights to five state titles and 192-22 record as he enters his 12th season as head coach.

The No. 1 recruit in the country — Bryce Underwood — looks to lead Tigers to third Division 1 state title since 2021.

Ennio Yapoor enters his senior campaign as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in state history accounting for 13,585 yards of total offense (11,024 passing, 2,561 rushing) and 124 total touchdowns.


Replacing Ryan Williams will be impossible but K.J. Lacey will have Spartans in contention to make third straight 6A state championship game.

Defending WCAC champs lost a lot of key players but will still be one of the most talented teams led by Eidan Buchanan, Gavin Crawford, Faheem Delane, DaMarion Fowlkes, Jackson Rice and Justin Thompson.

Tigers are coming off a 13-1 season and bring back a loaded roster that will have them in contention to win first state title in 60 years.

Loren Montgomery has led Spartans to nine state titles over last decade.

Scott Altenberg has won over 200 games during his 24-year tenure as head coach and will have one of the most explosive offenses in California.

Nation's top-rated offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. looks to lead Chargers to fourth consecutive NCISAA Division I state title.

Spartans return plenty of talent after CIF 1-AA runner-up finish in 2023.

Replacing the 2023 MaxPreps Arizona Player of the Year Navi Bruzon will be tough but expect the Lions to be in the mix to repeat as Open Division champs.

Only loss last season came against Duncanville in the 6A Division 1 semifinals.

Marvin Frazier led Dreadnaughts to 12-3 record and 4S state title in first season as head coach after taking over for Bill Castle.

Quaid Carr, Saxon Churchwell, Leo Hannan, Isaiah Leilua and Devan Parker are some of the notable returners for Friars.

Expect a bounce back year for Cadets with a lot of young talent returning.

West Virginia-bound wide receiver Montavin Quisenberry leads the way as Rebels go for fifth consecutive state title.

Four-star defensive back R.J. Sermons headlines the key pieces returning after 10-2 season.

Bearcats bring back 10 starters after going 14-0 and winning first state title since 1990.

Eagles have become one of the better programs in the country and are coming off a 13-1 season.

The Trojans have won three state titles since 2020 and will be in contention once again in 2024.
Bearcats won their 12th state championship last season and have won at least 10 games every year since 2013.

Travis Roland takes over as head coach for 7A state semifinalist after leading Mainland (Daytona Beach, Fla.) to a state title last season.

Made it to 6A Division 2 state championship game and only two losses came against DeSoto and North Shore (Houston).

Four-star wide receiver Cortez Mills headlines talent for 3M state runner-up.

Defending 5A state champs are coming off 15-0 season.

Have gone 37-4 over last three seasons and look to add second state title in 2024.

Jimmy Bryson, Briggs Cherry, Joakim Dodson, Joel Lowenberg, Shekai Mills-Knight, Gabriel Osenda and Cameron Sparks headline talent returning for Division II Class AAA runner-up.

Stanford-bound quarterback Bear Bachmeier is back and has accounted for 6,741 yards of total offense (5,466 passing, 1,275 rushing) and 72 total touchdowns over the last two years.

Craig Stump has led Eagles to double-digit wins in all but one season since 2015.

Defending Class 5 state champs are coming off 15-0 season winning by an average margin of 47.5 points per game.

Tom Knotts has led Silver Foxes to 165 wins and eight state titles since taking over as head coach in 2010.

Dave Dunn has led Explorers to back-to-back 4M state titles and will be heavily in the mix for a three-peat.

Last year's Open Division state runner-up will have one of the best quarterbacks in the state in junior Kainan Manna.

Last year's 4S state runner-up will have plenty of talent led by Asharri Charles, Eli Jones, Ryan Matulevich, Winston Watkins Jr. and Jamarice Wilder.

Have to replace a very talented group of seniors but will still be in contention to represent Northern California in Open Division state championships for fourth consecutive year.

Defending Division 1 Select champs will have one of the best defenses in the state.

Jaime Ffrench, Tramell Jones Jr. and Hylton Stubbs are all back for 4M state runner-up.

Gus Cordova and Chaston Ditta are just a couple of key returners for Cavs after a 6A Division 1 quarterfinal appearance.

Joel Bradford takes over as head coach for defending Division II Class AAA state champs.

Gary Joseph has led Tigers to at least 10 wins every season as he enters his 21st year as head coach.

Tufanua Ionatana Umu­­-Cais, Aiden Knapke, Maxwell Lovett, Keegan Perea, Soren Shinofield and Brock Vodicka are all back as Bruins go for fifth state title since 2019.

Tim "Ice" Harris always has Tornadoes in contention and has plenty of talent after going 9-3 in back-to-back years.

The No. 1 recruit in Class of 2026 — Faizon Brandon — threw for 3,026 yards and 36 touchdowns while leading the Whirlies to a 13-1 record as a sophomore.
 
Josiah Abdullah, Jerome Bettis Jr., R.J. Harrison and Landon Walker all back after making it to 6A state championship game last season.

Lions make it six teams from Trinity League featured in preseason top 100.

Josh Niblett has led Red Elephants to 26-2 record after leading Hoover (Ala.) to 171 wins and six state titles from 2008-21.

Handed Kahuku its first in-state loss since 2019 and return 2023 MaxPreps Hawaii Player of the Year Kini McMillian.

Back-to-back MIAA-A champs return a lot of key pieces led by four-star quarterback Malik Washington.

Darius Afalava, Mataalii Benjamin, Tavian Edwards, Ben Howard, Kaneal Sweetwyne and DeShawn Toilolo should have Falcons in contention to make third consecutive 6A state championship game appearance.

Back-to-back 8A state champs have won 19 straight games heading into the season.

Only losses for Wolves over last two years have come against Carrollton and the last two 6A state champs — Thomas County Central (Thomasville) and Langston Hughes (Fairburn).

Rick Garretson will have plenty of young talent led by sophomore wide receiver Jai Jones.

Knights bring back a lot of firepower on offense led by Royal Capell, Jalen Cooper, Jonathan Hatton Jr., Sean Robinson and Chad Warner.

Fighting Crusaders look to make it to Division 1 state semifinals for fourth straight year.

Four-star quarterback Akili Smith Jr. will have Hornets in mix to win second state championship in three years.

Raiders have plenty of talent returning after going 8-3 last season.

Darren Sunkett has led Flyers to 218 wins and looks to bring home the school's 11th state championship in 2024.

Jeff Joseph led Indians to first state title since 1975 as they return plenty of key players led by Connor Bailey, Jackson Christian, Aaron Wolford and Mason Wuenschel.

Teddy Bridgewater takes over at his alma mater. Expect the Bulls to have a huge turnaround after a 4-6 season.

Lions promoted defensive coordinator Morris Mitchell to head coach and will be one of the top teams in the Peach State.

Jason Todd is four wins away from 100 and has led Bears to three consecutive Class 5A Division 2 state championship game appearances.

Have gone 37-2 over last three years winning two Class 6A state championships.

Devin Fitzgerald, Anderson Kopp, Logan Powell, Daylen Sharper, Cree Thomas and Bastian Vanden Bosch should give Broncos one of the most talented teams in the Grand Canyon State.

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