Honestly, if you aren't paying attention to Pennsylvania high school football right now, you're basically missing out on some of the best gridiron drama in the country. It’s not just about local pride anymore. We're talking about a state that regularly churns out NFL talent and puts up some of the most lopsided, yet high-stakes, championship games you'll ever see. When people look at pa high school football rankings, they aren't just looking for who won a Friday night game in Hershey; they’re looking at the future of the sport.
The 2025 season just wrapped up, and it was a absolute whirlwind. We saw powerhouse programs solidify their legacies and underdogs finally get their moment in the sun at Cumberland Valley’s Chapman Field. If you're trying to make sense of the final standings or wondering who’s going to dominate in 2026, you've gotta look at the sheer depth across the six PIAA classifications. It's kinda wild how much the landscape shifted from August to December.
The 6A Throne: La Salle College and the Philly Dominance
For a long time, St. Joseph’s Prep was the undisputed king of 6A. They were the "big bad" that everyone wanted to take down. But this past season? The script got flipped. La Salle College High School finished the year at 13-1, capping it off with a 34-20 victory over Pittsburgh Central Catholic in the state final.
It wasn't just a win; it was a statement.
The Explorers basically ran the table, and their only blemish was a tight contest early on. Seeing them jump ahead of the Prep in the pa high school football rankings felt like a tectonic shift in District 12. Speaking of St. Joe's Prep, they finished 5-5. Now, don't let that record fool you into thinking they’ve lost their touch. They played one of the most brutal national schedules in the country. They’re still ranked #3 in the state by most composite metrics because, honestly, their "down year" is still better than most teams' best year.
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- La Salle College (13-1) - The new gold standard in 6A.
- Pittsburgh Central Catholic (13-2) - The pride of the WPIAL, but fell just short in Hershey.
- St. Joseph's Prep (5-5) - The most dangerous "average" record you'll ever see.
- Harrisburg (13-1) - The Cougars remain a powerhouse in District 3, narrowly missing the final.
- Easton Area (14-1) - A phenomenal run that reminded everyone why District 11 is always a threat.
Roman Catholic and the 5A Shakeup
The 5A classification was arguably the most competitive bracket this year. For a while, it looked like Bishop McDevitt was going to repeat and keep that trophy in Harrisburg. Then came the final. Roman Catholic put on a defensive clinic, winning 28-6 and proving that the Philadelphia Catholic League is just built differently.
Roman's season was a bit of a roller coaster—they finished 12-3—but they peaked exactly when they needed to. It’s funny how people count out teams with three losses, but in PA, strength of schedule is everything. If you’re playing the likes of Malvern Prep and Imhotep every other week, those losses actually make you tougher for the playoffs.
Small School Power: The Southern Columbia Dynasty
You can't talk about pa high school football rankings without mentioning Southern Columbia Area. It’s basically a law. They took home the 2A title again, beating Farrell 43-22. That’s nine titles in eleven years. Think about that for a second. Most kids in that district haven't lived in a world where Southern Columbia isn't a state title contender.
But the 3A and 4A brackets brought some fresh blood to the podium. Avonworth finished a perfect 15-0, dismantling Northwestern Lehigh 31-7 to claim the 3A crown. Then you had Southern Lehigh in 4A, who grabbed their first-ever state title by beating Twin Valley 43-21. It’s these kinds of stories—the first-timers finally breaking through—that keep the rankings so interesting year after year.
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Final 2025 State Champions by Class
- 6A: La Salle College
- 5A: Roman Catholic
- 4A: Southern Lehigh
- 3A: Avonworth
- 2A: Southern Columbia
- 1A: Clairton
What to Expect for 2026
The recruiting trail for 2026 is already on fire. If you’re looking at the pa high school football rankings for next year, you have to start with the talent. Deymein Doctor, the standout receiver from Pottsgrove, just committed to Penn State as a PWO, and the list of high-major talent is deep.
Keep an eye on Gavin Sidwar, the QB from La Salle College. He’s headed to Missouri and is a big reason why the Explorers are likely to stay at #1 heading into the 2026 preseason. Over in the WPIAL, Reston Lehman from Peters Township is a name you’ll hear on Saturdays soon—he’s a 4-star linebacker committed to Pitt.
The gap between the "Big Three" districts (1, 7, and 12) and the rest of the state seems to be widening, but teams like State College and Central York are consistently putting up numbers that challenge that narrative.
Making Sense of the Numbers
People get really heated about these rankings. Is MaxPreps more accurate than the local beat writers? Honestly, it depends on what you value. The computer models love strength of schedule, which is why a 5-5 St. Joe's Prep can be ranked higher than a 12-1 team from a smaller district.
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If you're following the pa high school football rankings, you have to look past the win-loss column. Look at the point differentials against common opponents. Look at how many kids are going D1. That’s usually the real indicator of who’s going to be standing in the cold at Cumberland Valley come December.
To stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season:
- Watch the transfer portal: Yes, it’s hitting high schools now, especially in the private and charter sectors in Philly and Pittsburgh.
- Monitor the trenches: Pennsylvania is "Linebacker U" for a reason, but the offensive line talent in the 2026 class is specifically massive.
- Follow District 7 (WPIAL) vs District 12 (PCL) debates: This is where the real "state championship" usually happens in the minds of fans.
The road to the 2026 rankings starts in the weight room this month. While the trophies are already in the cases for La Salle and Roman Catholic, the next crop of stars is already prepping to knock them off the pedestal. Pennsylvania football is a religion, and the 2026 season is looking like it’s going to be one of the most competitive ones we've seen in a decade.
If you're looking to dive deeper into specific team stats or individual player highlights to build your own scouting report for the 2026 season, you should start by tracking the upcoming spring camp invites and 7v7 circuit performances. These off-season milestones are often the first real indicators of which programs are reloading and which are truly rebuilding.