High school football isn't just a game in some parts of the country; it’s basically the local religion. If you’ve ever been to a Friday night game in Georgia or Texas, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The 2025 season just wrapped up, and honestly, the final shakeup for the top high school football teams was a total mess—in the best way possible.
For years, California and Florida have just sort of sat on the throne, trading the "National Champion" title back and forth like a family heirloom. But 2025 changed the script. A powerhouse from the Peach State finally kicked the door down.
The New King: Buford's Historic Run
Let’s talk about the Buford Wolves. Most people who follow the sport knew they were good, but becoming the first Georgia team in the MaxPreps era (which started back in 2005) to finish at No. 1? That’s wild. They went 15-0 and capped it off with a 28-21 thriller over Carrollton at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
You’ve gotta look at Tyriq Green. The kid is headed to Georgia, and he basically put the team on his back in the final three minutes. Tied at 21, he rips off an 82-yard touchdown run that felt like something out of a movie. Their defense was just mean, too. They held 11 different teams to 14 points or less. When you're averaging 44 points and giving up 10, you’re basically playing a different sport than everyone else.
Why Buford Stood Out
- The Schedule: They didn't duck anyone. They opened by beating a powerhouse Milton team in their brand new $62 million stadium.
- Star Power: 14 players with three-star ratings or higher, including Bryce Perry-Wright (Texas A&M) and Dre Quinn (Ohio State).
- The "It" Factor: They beat five teams ranked in the top 100 nationally.
The Vegas Dynasty and the SoCal Gauntlet
If you aren't looking at Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, you’re missing half the story. The Gaels finished 12-1, with their only blemish being a razor-thin 27-24 loss to Mater Dei. They still ended up at No. 3 in the final MaxPreps rankings, and honestly, you could argue they were just as good as Buford on any given Saturday. They won their 15th state title in 16 years. That’s not a program; it’s a factory.
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Then you have the usual suspects in California. Mater Dei and St. John Bosco.
It’s kinda funny—every year, people say the Trinity League is "down," and then Mater Dei goes out and plays a schedule that would make some D1 college teams sweat. They played Bishop Gorman, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Kahuku from Hawaii. Even though they finished with a few losses (10-3), they still sat firmly in the top 10 because their "quality losses" were against other titans.
Santa Margarita actually ended up being the highest-ranked California team in some polls after winning the Open Division state title 47-13 over De La Salle. That’s a huge shift in the California hierarchy.
Texas Heartbreak and the North Shore Wall
Texas football is a different beast entirely. Everyone expected Duncanville to just steamroll their way to another title. They had a 12-2 record and were ranked No. 1 in the state for a huge chunk of the year.
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But then they hit the North Shore wall.
The 6A Division 1 state final was a defensive slugfest. North Shore took it 10-7. Seven points. For a Duncanville team that usually scores at will, that was a shocker. It just goes to show that even the top high school football teams can get stifled if they run into a defense that refuses to blink.
What the Media Missed
A lot of people focus on the big-name recruits, but the 2025 season showed that depth and coaching matter way more than five-star rankings. Look at Edna Karr out of New Orleans. They went 14-0. No one talks about them as much as the Florida schools, but they were arguably the most consistent team in the country.
And don't sleep on St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. They finished at No. 2. They play a true "national" schedule, meaning they spend more time on airplanes than in their own classrooms during the fall.
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The Final 2025 Top 5 Standings (Composite)
- Buford (GA): 15-0. Undisputed.
- St. Frances Academy (MD): The ultimate road warriors.
- Bishop Gorman (NV): Still the kings of the desert.
- Santa Margarita (CA): The new bosses of SoCal.
- Carrollton (GA): Only lost to the No. 1 team in the country.
Real Talk: The 2026 Outlook
So, what happens now? Most of these teams are losing their star seniors to the SEC and Big Ten.
Duncanville is actually projected to be a monster in 2026 because they’re bringing back a ton of defensive starters. Mater Dei is also retooling with Ryan Hopkins at QB and the 5-star receiver Chris Henry Jr. (an Ohio State commit). If you’re trying to track the next wave of talent, keep your eyes on the sophomores at St. John Bosco—they had one of the best JV seasons in program history.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Recruits
- Watch the Transfers: The "transfer portal" has hit high schools. Keep an eye on where top QBs move in January; it usually dictates the next year’s rankings.
- Strength of Schedule Matters: If a team is 12-0 but plays nobody, they won't crack the top 10. You have to see them play in the Trinity League or against Georgia 6A competition.
- Follow the Lines: National titles are won by the offensive and defensive lines. Teams like North Shore and Buford dominate because their linemen are 300-pounders who move like linebackers.
High school football has basically become "College Light." The money is bigger, the stadiums are nicer, and the competition is more cutthroat than ever. Whether it's the suburban sprawl of Atlanta or the bright lights of Vegas, the battle for the top spot is only getting more intense.
If you're looking to catch these teams in action next season, start booking your travel for the early-season "showcase" games in August. That’s when the real national championship path is usually decided.