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

Gridiron hotbeds California (14), Texas (14), Florida (13) and Georgia (12) account for more than half the teams.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Zack Poff
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Aug 7, 2023, 10:00am
No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) headlines our look at the top 100 high school football top teams in the nation heading into the 2023 season, which officially kicks off this week.

Top-ranked Mater Dei, No. 3 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) and No. 15 Centennial (Corona) are among 14 California teams in the expanded top 100. Texas, which also has 14 teams, is led by No. 8 Duncanville, No. 13 North Shore (Houston) and No. 17 DeSoto from the preseason MaxPreps Top 25.

Florida (13) and Georgia (12) were the only other states to hit double-digits. In total, 28 states along with the District of Columbia had at least one team represented.

No. 4 IMG Academy (Bradenton), No. 5 Miami Central (Miami), No. 7 Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood), No. 9 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale), No. 21 American Heritage (Plantation) and No. 23 Columbus (Miami) headline the six teams from the Sunshine State that were ranked in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25.

The Peach State has the second-most teams in the MaxPreps Top 25 with four as No. 10 Buford, No. 12 Carrollton, No. 14 Langston Hughes (Fairburn) and No. 20 Colquitt County (Moultrie) all begin the season ranked.
The Monarchs begin the season ranked No. 1 for the fourth time since 2017.

Last year's MaxPreps National Junior of the Year Micah Alejado is back at quarterback for a very talented Gaels squad.

The defending MaxPreps National Champions have to replace some key players on offense but will again have one of the best defenses in high school football.

Ascenders enter 2023 season with 20 players rated as a four-star recruit or higher on 247Sports composite rankings.

The four-time defending state champs will be loaded again this season led by Armondo Blount, LaWayne McCoy, Jamari Howard, T.A. Cunningham, Ezekiel Marcelin and Amari Wallace.

Baltimore power will have one of the toughest schedules of all-time with matchups against No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), No. 3 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), No. 4 IMG Academy (Brandeton, Fla.), No. 7 Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.) and No. 10 Buford (Ga.).

Jeremiah Smith, Joshisa Trader, Davion Gause, Zaquan Patterson and Cedrick Bailey headline the list of talent for Dameon Jones.

The Panthers won their first state title since 1998 last season and bring back a lot of key players led by Colin Simmons, Caden Durham, Dakorien Moore, Alex January, Ka'Davion Dotson and Keelon Russell.

Roger Harriott looks to lead the Raiders to a fifth consecutive state championship in 2023.


Philadelphia power goes for its eighth state title since 2013.

Class of 2026 quarterback Julian Lewis looks to lead the Trojans back to the AAAAAAA state championship game for second consecutive year.

Kaleb Bailey is back at quarterback after missing the final 11 games of 2022 with a knee injury and will have the Mustangs heavily in the mix to win their fourth state title since 2018.

Defending AAAAAA state champs broke the record for most points scored in a season with 792 and bring back 2022 MaxPreps Junior All-American quarterback Air Noland.

Matt Logan enters 27th season as head coach and will have plenty of star power led by Husan Longstreet, Cornell Hatcher II, Cory Butler Jr., LaRue Zamorano, Wade Helton and Brent Helton.

Back-to-back Division 1 state champs will have one of the best offensive lines in the country with Ben Roebuck, Devontae Armstrong and Deontae Armstrong returning.

Defending 6A Division 2 state champs bring back some key pieces led by Deondrae Riden Jr., Keylan Abrams, Darius Bailey, Brandon Booker, Jaden Trawick and Mario Buford.

Demond Williams, Miles Lockhart, Bryson Dedmon, Thomas Prassas and Jack Bleier are all back from last year's Open Division state championship squad.

Kevin Mawae takes over for Trent Dilfer as the new head coach and the Mustangs begin the season riding a 21-game winning streak.

After making it to the AAAAAAA semifinals last season, expect another long playoff run for the Packers.

The Patriots graduated a lot of talent but will be loaded again in 2023 led by Malachi Toney, Byron Louis, Jimmy Williams III, Dia Bell and Deandre Desinor.

The Falcons return three 2022 MaxPreps Junior All-Americans in Kyle Altuner, Aaron Chiles and Dilin Jones.

T.J. Capers, Dylan Stephenson, Willis McGahee IV, Alberto Mendoza, Jose Leon and Daylen Russell are all back for the defending 4M state champs.

The Crusaders won their 19th state title in school history last season and will be the favorites to win their third straight in 2023.

Class of 2025 quarterback Bryce Underwood led the Tigers to their only two state titles in program history and has been named the MaxPreps Freshman and Sophomore Player of the Year in back-to-back years.

The back-to-back WCAC champs have to replace some key players but return Tariq Hayer, Montay Weedon, Da'Juan Riggs, Isaiah French and Jordan Harrison.

Josh Niblett led Alabama power Hoover to six state titles and in his first season at Gainesville they went 14-1 and finished as the AAAAAA state runner-up.

Texas power has gone 72-4 over the last five years with three state titles during that span.

Padres have represented Northern California in the CIF Open Division state championship the last two years and have gone 44-5 since 2019.

The four-time defending 7A state champs have been the best team in Alabama since 2019.

Will have one of the best offensive lines in California to go with a very talented defense.

Chargers bring back a lot of talent led by recent Utah commit Isaac Wilson.

Riley Dodge enters his sixth season as head coach and has gone 65-6 over his first five years.

The defending CIF Southern Section Division 2 champs bring back a lot of talent and added some key transfers, led by 2024 USC commit Xavier Jordan.

Bert Bathiany takes over as head coach and with 2022 MaxPreps Junior All-American running back Jordan Marshall returning, expect the Fighting Crusaders to be one of the best teams in the state.

The back-to-back 5A Division 2 state champs enter the 2023 season riding a 13-game winning streak.

Jeremy Hecklinski, Daniel Calhoun, Wendell Gregory, Makari Bodiford and Ashton Woods give the Raiders one of the most talented teams in the Peach State.

Gary Joseph has gone 255-24 as the head coach at Katy and has won at least 10 games in all 19 seasons.

After making it to the CIF Southern Section Division 1 semifinals last season, they added some big-time transfers in Davon Mitchell, Jett White and Kobe Boykin to go with some key returners.

Lat year's Open Division runner-up will have plenty of talent led by Jaedon Matthews, Dajon Hinton, Trey Morrison, Jakobi Spence, Joseph Clark IV and Mason Bray.

The defending Class 6A state champs have to replace some key pieces on the offensive line but bring back plenty of talent led by Pops Battle, Leontre Bradford, TaRyan Martin, Jesse Watson and Dominique Dixon.

Ronnie Thornton Jr. takes over at head coach and the Broncos return a lot of talent after playing in the school's first state championship game in 2022.

After a MaxPreps Top 25 finish last season, the Lions bring back all-state quarterback Navi Bruzon.

The Eagles made the AAAAAAA semifinals last year and return a lot of key players led by Debron Gatling, Luke Nickel, Ryan Ghea, Jack Lawson and Jacorey Stewart.

Tom Knotts has led the Silver Foxes to seven state titles since becoming head coach in 2011.

Former standout safety Joey Sturdivant takes over as head coach and inherits a loaded roster headlined by five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews.

The Trinity League is as good as any league in the country and the Lancers should be the third-best team behind Mater Dei and St. John Bosco.

The three-time defending Class 6A state champs have gone 40-2 since 2020.

Last year was the first time since 2015 the Wolves did not make it to the state championship game but expect the six-time state champs to be heavily in the mix this fall.

The Jackrabbits bring back a lot of key players after a 10-1 season and making it to the CIF Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals.

The only three losses for the Eagles last season came against Katy and North Shore. Tory Blaylock, Braylon Conley, Zion Brown and Nate Kibble are all back after the 11-3 season.

Tyler Atkinson, Waltclaire Flynn Jr., Kylan Fox, Jaylen Bell and John Cineas are just a handful of the key players returning for the Rams.

The Bearcats added a state-best 11th state championship in 2022 and will be in the mix for No. 12 with Hauss Hejny, Chris Johnson Jr., Davhon Keys and Jaden Allen all back.

Elite 11 MVP Julian Sayin is one of the best players in the country and the 2024 Alabama commit has led the Lancers to a 21-3 record throwing for nearly 5,500 yards and 61 touchdowns over the last two years.

Toby Mealer, Layton Firestone and Carson Keim lead the way for one of the best offensive lines on the West Coast.

Marvin Frazier takes over as head coach after the legendary Bill Castle retired after 47 years and will have one of the most loaded teams in the Sunshine State.

Last year's AAAAAAA state champs have to replace a lot of key players led by the 2022 MaxPreps National Player of the Year in Caleb Downs but expect the Hawks to still be in contention in Georgia's largest classification. 

Losing Jackson Arnold to graduation will be impossible to replace but Reid Heim will have plenty of talent led by Eli Bowen, Josiah Martin, Willie Goodacre, Pelumi Olanipekun, Trey Joyner III and Xavier Ukponu.

Cam Coleman, Jayden Coleman, Rydarrius Morgan, Isaia Faga, Zackariah Simmons-Brown and Jiquan Sanks will have the Red Devils in contention to win their first state title since 2018.

The four-time defending Class 5A state champs have gone 47-4 since 2019.

The back-to-back Open Division state champs have gone 22-2 over the last two years with the only losses coming against St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.) and St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.).

The four-time defending TAPPS Division 1 state champs are loaded with talent, headlined by Sawyer Anderson, Parker Meese, Caleb Mitchell Irving, Maddux Reid and Bryson Fields.

Wade Waldrop led the Buccaneers to an 11-2 record in his first season as head coach and will have his team in contention to win its first state title since 2017.

Justin Alumbaugh has led the Spartans to a 113-16 record through his first 10 years as head coach.

Last year's 6A Division 2 state runner-up is coming off a 14-2 season and has plenty of talent led by Blake Frazier, Deuce Adams, Miles Coleman, Jase Skoglund and Alex Foster.

The defending AAAAA state champs won the school's first state title and bring back some key pieces.

The Ryder Lyons era gets underway as the Class of 2026 quarterback has already reached double-digit offers that include Oregon and Washington.

Matt Dubuc always has the Chiefs in contention and has gone 73-14 over his first seven years winning three state titles.

Bill McGregor has won over 300 games and 17 WCAC championships in two stints as the Stags head coach.

The defending Class 5 state champs are coming off a 15-0 season and have won five state titles under head coach Loren Johnson, who enters his 10th season.

Jadyn Davis, David Sanders Jr., Channing Goodwin, Jordan Shipp and Brody Barnhardt are all returning after leading the Chargers to their second consecutive NCISAA Division 1 state title.

Scott Pingel prepares for his 16th season as head coach and led the Cadets to their second straight state title last season and fifth since 2014.

Fresh off winning the school's first-ever state title they bring back plenty of talent led by Brayden Platt, the 2022 MaxPreps Washington Player of the Year.

The defending Class 6 state champs are coming off a 15-0 season and bring back Tristan Evans, the 2022 MaxPreps Virginia Player of the Year.

K.J. Lacey and Ryan Williams are one of the best quarterback/wide receiver duos in the country and led the Spartans to their first state title in 2022.

Despite losing Cedric Baxter Jr. to graduation, the Eagles will still have plenty of talent led by Cai Bates, Damon Troutman, Kaden Shields-Dutton, Josh Alexander-Felton and Semaj Fleming.

The Lobos are coming off a 14-1 season and return 2022 MaxPreps Junior All-American running back Taylor Tatum.

Last year's 4A state runner-up returns a lot of key pieces headlined by Alex Taylor, Terrell Anderson, Mitchell Summers, Bryce Davis and Faizon Brandon.

The Vikings will be one of the most talented teams in the Sunshine State with Ennio Yapoor, Dimitry Nicolas, Tomauri Johnson, Jeremiah Marcelin and Tycoolhill Luman leading the way.

J.T. Curtis has won 615 games and is six away from breaking the late John McKissick's record of 620 wins.

The defending Class 5A state champs are coming off a 15-0 season and bring back a lot of key players.

Finished as the Division 1 state runner-up for the second consecutive year and have to replace some key players but four-star cornerback Aaron Scott headlines the talent returning.

Tim 'Ice' Harris returned to the Tornadoes last season going 9-3 and expect another successful year in 2023.

Hudson Fuller takes over as head coach and don't expect any drop off for one of the premier programs in Louisiana.

Rico Zackery will have a loaded roster as he gets ready for his second season as head coach.

The Wildcats have plenty of talent this season after adding some marquee transfers in Davi Belfort, Tovani Mizell, Daijon Calimon and Keyveon Johnson.

87. Edna Karr (New Orleans)
Brice Brown has to replace a lot of key players but will still be in the mix to win their fifth state title since 2016 with John Johnson taking over at quarterback with a bevy of talented wide receivers in TaRon Francis, Rahji Dennis and Tyrone Wilson.

The defending Division II state champs are coming off their first state title since 2014 with the only loss came against the Division 1 champs, St. Edward (Lakewood).

Erik Kimrey led the Red Raiders to their first state championship since 1973 in his first year as head coach and has a lot of key players returning led by Whit Muschamp, Cameron Sparks, Max Leblanc and Amari Jefferson.

The five-time defending state champs have gone 61-2 over the last five years.

Victor Santa Cruz takes over as head coach after 25 years of coaching at the college level and will have plenty of talent headlined by Madden Faraimo, Butter Tollefson and Jake Flores.

Danny O'Neil headlines the key returners for Bill Peebles as they go for their third state title in four years.

The defending 6A state champs return one of the best quarterback/wide receiver tandems in the country in Trey Petty and Braylon Burnside.

Last year's Non-Public Group A runner-up will be in contention to win their first state title since 2015.

Eagles are fifth team from Southern California's Trinity League featured in top 100.

The Crusaders only loss in 2022 was a heart-breaking 20-13 loss against Yelm in the 3A state championship.

The defending 6A state champs have to replace a lot of talent but will be in the mix to win their second straight state title with Jackson Stevens, La’akea Kalama, Darius Afalava and Trent Call on the roster.

The Mustangs are coming off a 12-2 season with the only two losses coming against Duncanville and North Shore (Houston).

Last year's MaxPreps Pennsylvania Player of the Year Stone Saunders is back under center for the defending 4A state champs and has thrown for 6,620 yards and 100 touchdowns through his first two years.

Williams Nwaneri, Isaiah Mozee, Chase Pearsall and Elijah Leonard headline the talent returning after playing in the school's first state championship game last season.

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