Georgia, California teams headline preseason top 100 high school football rankings

Four states combined for 57 of the 100 teams in expanded rankings.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Zack Poff
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Jul 18, 2025, 10:00am
No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) headlines our look at the top 100 high school football teams in the country heading into the 2025 season, which kicks off in Hawaii in 22 days. 

In addition to the top-ranked Monarchs, No. 2 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), No. 12 Centennial (Corona), No. 14 Mission Viejo, No. 16 Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) and No. 21 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) are among the 15 teams from California. 

The only state with more selections was Georgia with 16. No. 4 Grayson (Loganville), No. 13 Buford, No. 22 Milton, No. 26 Carrollton and No. 28 Douglas County (Douglasville) lead the way for teams from the Peach State. 

Florida and Texas tied for the third-most with 13 each.

The Sunshine State has the most in the top 11 with five in No. 6 IMG Academy (Bradenton), No. 7 Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood), No. 8 American Heritage (Plantation), No. 10 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) and No. 11 Northwestern (Miami). 

No. 9 Duncanville, No. 18 North Crowley (Fort Worth), No. 25 North Shore (Houston), No. 27 Westlake (Austin) and No. 34 Atascocita (Humble) headline the teams from the Lone Star State.

In total, 26 different states have at least one team in the preseason top 100.
1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Monarchs begin the season ranked No. 1 for the sixth time since 2017.

Madden Williams, Daniel Odom, Dutch Horisk, Josh Holland II and Koa Malau'ulu headline the talent for Trinity League power.

Gaels have won 15 state titles since 2007 and two MaxPreps National Championships since 2016.

Reigning MaxPreps Junior of the Year Tyler Atkinson is among key returners for defending AAAAAA state champs.

Panthers have 18 players rated as a three-star recruit or higher led by five-stars Zion Elee and Jireh Edwards.

Keenyi Pepe, Eric McFarland, Zech Fort, Jake Kreul and Jayden Wade headline the talent for Greg Studrawa as he enters his first season as head coach.

Lions go for fifth straight state title and eighth over last nine years.

Five-star Texas commit Dia Bell looks to lead Patriots to second consecutive state crown. 

Replacing Keelon Russell and Dakorien Moore will be a tough task but expect the Panthers to be heavily in the mix to win a third 6A Division 1 state championship over the last four years. 

Raiders look to extend their state-best streak by winning seventh straight state title and 17th overall. 

A lot is up in the air with the Bulls after the suspension of head coach Teddy Bridgewater but the defending 3A state champs are loaded heading into the season.

Matt Logan enters 29th season as head coach five wins away from 300.

Wolves begin first season in new $62 million stadium with talented roster led by five-star defensive lineman Bryce Perry-Wright.

Recent Ohio State pledge Luke Fahey and four-star Miami commit Vance Spafford give Diablos one of the best quarterback/wide receiver duos in the country.

Richard Anderson, Aiden Hall, Hayward Howard Jr. and John Johnson are all back after leading Cougars to first undefeated season since 2018. 
Carson Palmer enters his first season as head coach and has a good group led by four-star USC commit Trent Mosley.

The nation's top-rated recruit according to 247Sports — Faizon Brandon — is back under center after leading the Whirlies to a 16-0 record and 4A state title.

Defending Conference 6A Division 1 state champs reload after going 16-0 and winning first state championship in 21 years.

Four-star quarterback Helaman Casuga headlines a talented roster as Eric Kjar looks to lead Chargers to third straight state title and sixth since 2018.

Crusaders have won four consecutive Non-Public A state titles and have gone 50-4 over last five years.

Havon Finney Jr., Brandon Lockhart and Madden Riordan give Trailblazers one of the best secondaries in the country.

Eagles enter season riding a 25-game win streak but will have a lot of new faces in 2025.

Defending Division I state champs bring back plenty of key pieces led by the 2024 MaxPreps Michigan Player of the Year C.J. Sadler.

Warriors won their fifth state title over the last six years and will be in the mix again with Trent Seaborn under center.

Kaleb Maryland takes over at quarterback as the Mustangs look to make it to at least the Conference 6A Division 1 semifinals for the eighth straight year. 

Mason Holtzclaw transferred from Christ School (Arden, N.C.) and takes over at quarterback for a well-rounded roster.

Last year's Conference 6A Division 1 runner-up has to replace All-American linebacker Elliott Schaper but bring back plenty of key players led by Ole Miss pledge Rees Wise at quarterback.

Devin Carter, Jordan Carter and Aaron Gregory headline the talent returning after a AAAAAA semifinal appearance last season.

Duece Jones-Drew takes over as the lead back and should have a breakout junior campaign for last year's Open Division state runner-up. 

The Philadelphia power has won nine state titles since 2013 and are going for their fourth straight in 2025.

The Flyers face one of the toughest schedules in the country with matchups against No. 3 Bishop Gorman, No. 6 IMG Academy and No. 20 Bergen Catholic.

The back-to-back state champs look to become the first school to three-peat in Open Division.

Replacing Malik Washington will be no easy task but the Cavaliers bring back plenty of talent led by Sean Johnson and Myles McAfee. 

Arizona State pledge Cardae Mack is back under center after accounting for 3,782 yards of total offense (1,864 passing, 1,918 rushing) and 40 touchdowns. 

Last year's MaxPreps Ohio Player of the Year Matt Ponatoski returns at quarterback after throwing for 4,187 yards and 57 touchdowns as a junior.

Stags won their first WCAC title since 2016 and have some key pieces returning in Darrell Carey, Lavar Keys, James Pace III and Zion Smith. 

Defending 6A Division 2 state champs have gone 84-11 since 2018.

Joey O'Brien, Grayson McKeogh and Gavin Sidwar are all back after going 10-1 last season.

Tom Knotts led Silver Foxes to their ninth state title since 2013 after a 13-0 season in 2024.

Riley Dodge has led the Dragons to a 93-9 record during his seven-year tenure as head coach.

Former Florida State standout Derrick Gibson takes over at head coach and will have the Rockets back in the state championship picture. 

Last year's Open Division state runner-up is led by Class of 2027 standouts Jake Hildebrand and Noah Roberts.

Five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons has accounted for 8,103 yards of total offense (6,589 passing, 1,514 rushing) and 121 touchdowns over the last two years while leading the Bulldogs to 25-4 record.

Brayton Feister, Elbert Hill and Sam Greer are just a few of the notable players for last year's Division II semifinalist. 

The Bulls won their first state title and bring back key returners led by four-star Miami commit Javian Mallory.

Defending Class 6A champs won first state title in 39 years and bring back all-state quarterback Oscar Frye and 2024 MaxPreps Sophomore All-American wide receiver Branden Sharpe.

47. Jones (Orlando, Fla.)
MaxPreps Junior All-American quarterback Dereon Coleman is back after accounting for nearly 4,000 yards of total offense and 32 touchdowns after leading the Fightin' Tigers to a 14-1 record and 4A state title game appearance.

Ethan Feaster, Myson Johnson-Cook, K'Adrian Redmond and Sarod Baker headline the talent for one of the best teams in Texas.

Dreadnaughts look to make statement early in the season with cross-country trip to California to face No. 29 De La Salle on August 29.

Red Raiders have plenty of talent led by two former Trinity League standouts in Matai Fuiava and Talanoa Ili. 

Warriors return a lot of key contributors after going 11-1 last season and added four-star quarterback Teddy Jarrard. 

Defending 7A state champs have to replace some key players but will still be in the mix to compete for a fifth state title since 2017.

Thomas Davis Jr., Aiden Harris and Andrew Harris are all back after going 13-1 last season.

Patrick Nix looks to lead Red Devils to third straight 7A state title game appearance.

Lancers lost a talented group to graduation but one of their strengths will be in the trenches with Sam Utu, Lucas Rhoa, and Class of 2028 standout Marcus Fakatou.

The Eagles hit double-digit wins for the first time since Travis Hunter's senior year and have several key players returning led by four-star defensive lineman Deuce Geralds.

Erik Kimrey has done a tremendous job since taking over as head coach in 2022 and will have the Red Raiders in contention to claim another state crown.

The Eagles had their first 13-win season since 2018 and added Class of 2029 standout quarterback Ty Snell to an already talented group.

The Tigers should have one of the best defenses in the state with Carnell Jackson, Aiden Parker and Greg Williams leading the way.

Loren Montgomery led the Spartans to their seventh consecutive state title, going 85-4 during that span.

Hank Carter will have one of his best groups since the Garrett Wilson days as the Cavaliers return several starters from last year's 12-2 squad. 

The Royals have one of the toughest schedules in the country with matchups against No. 5 St. Frances Academy, No. 22 Milton, No. 49 Lakeland, No. 52 Venice and No. 54 Central.

Andrico Hines takes over as head coach as he looks to help Langston Hughes win another state title like he did when he was the offensive coordinator in 2022.

Twins Jaron and Kennan Pula transferred over from Timpview (Provo) to help boost a roster that made it to the 6A state championship game last season. 

Jayden Broadie, Amir Brown, Marquis Bryant, Jayden Griffin-Hayes, Zavion Griffin-Hayes, AJ Roberts and Gavin Waddell will have the Rams in contention to win a 4A state title after a runner-up finish in 2024.

Justin Rogers has led the Yellow Jackets to a 38-3 record as he enters his fourth year as head coach.

The Thundering Herd won their first state title last season and four-star Texas commit Vodney Cleveland headlines the talent coming back. 

Sophomore MaxPreps All-American linebacker Jake Godfree enters his junior year after leading the Bulldogs to their best season since Josh Downs and Barrett Carter led them to a 12-2 record and AAAAAA semifinal appearance in 2019. 

Last year's MaxPreps Mississippi Player of the Year Jaeden Hill led Tupelo to its first state title in 32 years after rushing for 2,262 yards and 34 touchdowns. 

The Lions will have a chance at making it to the Southern Section Division 1 playoff bracket for the first time since 2018 when Zach Charbonnet and Kayvon Thibodeaux led them to a 13-1 record.

David Schwerzel, Tevita Nonu and Fameitau Siale are just a few of the notable players returning from last year's 13-0 squad.

Josh Niblett has led the Red Elephants to a 33-6 record since coming over from Hoover (Ala.) as he enters his fourth season with a loaded roster led by five-star Alabama commit Xavier Griffin.

The defending Division 1-AA state champs go for their third state title since 2022. 

Ace Alston and Antwoine Higgins should make a huge impact for the Raptors after helping them reach the Division II state championship game last season.

Replacing Weston Bryan and Ousmane Kromah will be next to impossible but expect the Trojans to still be one of the best teams in the Peach State.

Class of 2027 standout running back Landen Williams-Callis led the Lions to a 16-0 record and Conference 5A Division 2 state title in the school's third year of varsity football. 

Brady Smigiel enters his senior season with 11,222 yards and 147 touchdowns through the air.

Jason Todd has led the Bears to four straight Conference 5A Division 2 state title game appearances, winning it all in 2021 and 2022. 

The Eagles had their state title streak come to an end at three but should be back in the mix with a healthy Brandon White returning after tearing his ACL last season.

Jayvan Boggs, Brady Hart and Javion Hilson are all gone but don't be surprised if the Tigers can pull off a fourth straight state title.

Luke Sorensen, Isaiah Leilua and Elisha Mueller headline the talent returning for the Friars after their first Southern Section Division 1 appearance since 2021.

The defending Class 6 state champs went 15-0 last season and have key pieces back led by four-star Michigan commit Travis Johnson and four-star quarterback Lonnie Andrews III.

Elijah Golden, Da'Ron Parks, Kymistrii Young, Macaiden Brown and LaRon Dues are just a handful of the notable players for a team that went 12-1 and made it to the 2A semifinals.

Zane Rowe and Khyren Haywood help form one of the best defensive lines in Texas.

Steve Specht enters his 23rd season as head coach with a group led by Jakobe Clapper, Brayden Reilly, Daniel Vollmer and Aden Reeder.

The defending AAAA state champs won their first state title in 2024 and bring back the leader on offense and defense in three-star quarterback Harrison Faulkner and four-star defensive end Khamari Brooks.

The Bruins are 73-6 over the last six years and have won five 5A state titles during that span.

Ezavier Crowell and Landon Duckworth are both back after leading the Aggies to their first state title since 2011.

Travis Dixon led the Huskies to a 10-2 record in his first year as head coach and should have another successful season in 2025.

Expect a breakout senior campaign for recent Georgia pledge Jae Lamar.

Tajh Overton, Drew Frankenfield and Carter Langenderfer are all back after leading Rams to 12-1 record.

Southern California's Trinity League makes it six-for-six in teams featured in the top 100 with the Lions joining the list.

Standout Class of 2027 quarterback Jayce Johnson should have the Vikings in contention to compete for a state title.

Defending 7A state champs won their sixth state title over the last seven years and will have plenty of talent again in 2025.

The Eagles closed out last season winning eight games in a row and the school's first state championship. 

The back-to-back Class 5 state champs have to replace a lot of talent but should still be one of the best teams in the state.

Tamarion Watkins and Kameron Vance are among the key players coming back after leading the Trojans to a 14-0 record and 5A state championship.

The Blue Tornado won their fifth state title since 2019 last season and will look for a statement win Sept. 19 against No. 14 Mission Viejo.

The Bears return a lot of star power after giving Edna Karr (New Orleans) its toughest game of the season with a 21-19 loss in the Division I Select semifinals last year.

Khary Wilder and Duvay Williams headline the talent for Scott Altenberg as he enters his 28th season as head coach.

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