The national high school football landscape has shifted with the latest MaxPreps Top 25 rankings. Two teams, in particular, have made a massive leap, shaking up the established order after impressive victories. The DeMatha Stags and the Southlake Carroll Dragons have burst into the rankings, showcasing their potential to be national title contenders. DeMatha’s stunning comeback win against a powerhouse opponent and Southlake Carroll’s dominant shutout performance highlight the unpredictable and exciting nature of high school football. As the season progresses, these rankings will continue to evolve, with every game having the potential to impact a team’s standing.
DeMatha’s Resurgence: From Unranked to a Top 15 Team
The DeMatha Stags from Hyattsville, Maryland, are this week’s biggest riser. After being unranked, they’ve surged to No. 15 in the MaxPreps Top 25. This dramatic jump comes after their remarkable 45-17 win against three-time Pennsylvania state champion, St. Joseph’s Prep. The Stags demonstrated incredible resilience, overcoming a 10-3 halftime deficit by outscoring their opponent 42-7 in the second half. The team’s success was a collective effort, with key performances from junior safety Kynair Crumb, who had two interceptions (including a pick-six), and senior running back Elijah Lee, who rushed for nearly 100 yards and two touchdowns. Junior quarterback Tristan Sabb also contributed significantly, accounting for over 150 yards of total offense and a touchdown.
Southlake Carroll’s Dominance
Joining DeMatha in the rankings is the Southlake Carroll Dragons, who enter at No. 18. The Dragons, led by head coach Riley Dodge, earned their spot with a decisive 49-0 shutout victory over Midland. Southlake Carroll, who were last year’s Conference 6A Division 2 state runner-up, showed why they are a force to be reckoned with. Their offense was highly efficient, with quarterback Angelo Renda completing 16 of 24 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns. Renda’s favorite target was Brock Boyd, who had six receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown. The Dragons’ impressive win demonstrates their all-around strength and sets the tone for the rest of their season.
Notable Teams & What’s Next
Several other top teams solidified their positions with strong performances. No. 2 St. John Bosco improved to 2-0 with a commanding 66-7 win over Eastwood and now prepares for a huge matchup against No. 4 St. Frances Academy. This game is the MaxPreps Game of the Week and promises to have major national championship implications. Sierra Canyon made a significant move, jumping six spots to No. 12 after a dominant 63-0 shutout win. Meanwhile, No. 3 Bishop Gorman posted its second straight shutout, a 38-0 victory in Hawaii, and faces a tough schedule in the coming weeks.
Below is the complete list of the MaxPreps Top 25 football rankings:
| Rank | Team (State) | Record | Last Week |
| 1 | Mater Dei (CA) | 1-0 | 1 |
| 2 | St. John Bosco (CA) | 2-0 | 2 |
| 3 | Bishop Gorman (NV) | 2-0 | 3 |
| 4 | St. Frances Academy (MD) | 1-0 | 4 |
| 5 | Grayson (GA) | 3-0 | 5 |
| 6 | IMG Academy (FL) | 2-0 | 6 |
| 7 | American Heritage (FL) | 1-0 | 7 |
| 8 | Duncanville (TX) | 0-0 | 9 |
| 9 | Buford (GA) | 2-0 | 10 |
| 10 | St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) | 1-1 | 11 |
| 11 | Mission Viejo (CA) | 2-0 | 12 |
| 12 | Sierra Canyon (CA) | 2-0 | 18 |
| 13 | Edna Karr (LA) | 0-0 | 13 |
| 14 | Corner Canyon (UT) | 3-0 | 14 |
| 15 | DeMatha (MD) | 1-0 | NR |
| 16 | Bergen Catholic (NJ) | 1-0 | 17 |
| 17 | Santa Margarita (CA) | 1-1 | 21 |
| 18 | Southlake Carroll (TX) | 1-0 | NR |
| 19 | Grimsley (NC) | 2-0 | 16 |
| 20 | North Crowley (TX) | 1-0 | 15 |
| 21 | Centennial (CA) | 1-1 | 9 |
| 22 | Thompson (AL) | 1-1 | 19 |
| 23 | Orange Lutheran (CA) | 2-0 | 20 |
| 24 | Cass Tech (MI) | 1-0 | 22 |
| 25 | Carrollton (GA) | 3-0 | 24 |
