You've seen AllSportsPeople High School Football Top 25.
And we've introduced you to the AllSportsPeople Composite Rankings which takes that top 25 and combines it with the rankings from seven other major selectors.
And now it's time for The NEXT 25 presented by AllSportsPeople.
The NEXT 25 is a weekly list of teams hoping to break into one of those Top 25 rankings in the weeks to come, and as soon as they do, they'll move up to the SN Composite Rankings. And, of course, the Top 25 they crack could be ours. These are essentially the "bubble" teams sitting just outside the composite rankings. They'll hang out here in The NEXT 25 until they get their opportunity to move up – or down if they don't perform in those key contests.
The Cherry Creek [Greenwood Village, CO] Bruins head into Colorado's CHSAA Class 5A championship game on Saturday evening still in the top spot in the "bubble" rankings with their last chance to make a bid for the national Top 25.
MORE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HEADLINES
- AllSportsPeople High School Preseason All-American Offense
- AllSportsPeople High School Preseason All-American Defense
The NEXT 25 presented by AllSportsPeople
The ratings for opponents below are presented first by SN's Composite Ranking followed by AllSportsPeople (SN) Top 25 ranking, if applicable.
No. 1 Cherry Creek [Greenwood Village, CO] Bruins
2025 Record: 13-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 1
Next Game: 12/6/2025 — vs. NR Ralston Valley [Arvada, CO] Mustangs (13-0)
Last Game: 11/29/2025 — Cherry Creek 21, NR Valor Christian [Highlands Ranch, CO] Eagles 13 (10-3)
W/L Streak: 26 wins
Cherry Creek started the season in the No. 15 position here in The NEXT 25 "bubble" rankings, and they've steadily climbed to the top spot en route to a 13-0 record and a spot in Colorado's CHSAA Class 5A state championship game on Saturday evening. There's one more foe to vanquish – another 13-0 squad from Arvada, Colorado, in the Ralston Valley Mustangs. It's Cherry Creek's last opportunity to present its case for a spot in the season-ending national Top 25 lists, but it's also Ralston Valley's opportunity to break into the NEXT 25.
No. 2 Bryant [AR] Hornets
2025 Record: 12-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 2
Next Game: 12/5/2025 — vs. NR Bentonville [AR] Tigers (12-0)
Last Game: 11/28/2025 — Bryant 50, NR Rogers [AR] Mountaineers 43 (10-2) [OT]
W/L Streak: 25 wins
Bryant survived a scare in the semifinals of the Arkansas AAA Class 7A playoffs last weekend, winning a 50-43 shootout in overtime over the Rogers Mountaineers. Now comes the final test of 2025 in the state championship finale against the undefeated Bentonville Tigers. Whether a win is enough to lift the Hornets into the national Top 25 remains to be seen, but a loss would knock them out of the "bubble" rankings while opening up a spot for Bentonville. Stay tuned, this could be a good one.
No. 3 Langston Hughes [Fairburn, GA] Panthers
2025 Record: 12-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 3
Next Game: 12/5/2025 — vs. SN NEXT No. 20 Gainesville [GA] Red Elephants (10-2)
Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Langston Hughes 49, NR Lee County [Leesburg, GA] Trojans 31 (8-4)
W/L Streak: 12 wins
Langston Hughes was supposed to take on Gainesville last week, but the ongoing saga resulting from the Red Elephants' brawl against the Brunswick [GA] Pirates forced the game to be pushed back a week. There is still uncertainty as no ruling has been announced in the GHSA's appeal of Gainesville's successful injunction request, but like they say, the show must go on. And, for now, that's what will happen Friday night in Georgia as the undefeated Panthers will finally meet the Red Elephants on the field. It's expected to be a good game, and the two-loss Elephants are even considered to be the favorites by some online prognosticators.
No. 4 Lone Star [Frisco, TX] Rangers
2025 Record: 13-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 4
Next Game: 12/5/2025 — vs. SN NEXT No. 17 Highland Park [Dallas, TX] Scots (12-1)
Last Game: 11/28/2025 — vs. NR West Mesquite [Mesquite, TX] Wranglers (11-1)
W/L Streak: 13 wins
We'll finally find out just how good this Lone Star squad really is when they take on the Highland Park Scots of Dallas. If the Rangers can win this game, then they have to be considered a serious threat to the Texas UIL Class 6A Division I frontrunners like Aledo and Ryan. On the other hand, Highland Park, even with a loss, is already considered to be a threat in any given year, and we expect this could be a pretty good contest.
No. 5 The St. James Performance Academy [Springfield, VA] Strivers
2025 Record: 8-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 5
Next Game: Season has concluded
Last Game: 11/1/2025 — No. 4/SN No. 4 St. Frances Academy [Baltimore, MD] Panthers 35 (8-1), The St. James Performance Academy 0
W/L Streak: 1 loss
The St. James Performance Academy wrapped up a successful first season with an 8-1 finish, losing only to No. 4/SN No. 4 St. Frances Academy in the regular-season finale. The Strivers are an up-and-coming name to keep an eye on in all high school sports in the future.
No. 6 East St. Louis [IL] Flyers
2025 Record: 9-4
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 6
Next Game: Season has concluded
Last Game: 12/2/2025 — NR Fenwick [Oak Park, IL] Friars 38, East St. Louis 28
W/L Streak: 1 loss
East St. Louis played its final game Tuesday night – a stunning 38-28 loss to the Fenwick [Oak Park, IL] Friars in the Illinois IHSA Class 6A state championship game. That loss will cost them their spot here in The NEXT 25 when next week's rankings are released.
No. 7 Ryan [Denton, TX] Raiders
2025 Record: 12-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 7
Next Game: 12/5/2025 — vs. No. 24/SN No. 13 Aledo [TX] Bearcats (13-0)
Last Game: 11/28/2025 — Ryan 41, NR Richland [North Richland Hills, TX] Royals 10 (9-4)
W/L Streak: 8 wins
Ryan has been on a crash course for a rematch with Aledo here in the playoffs ever since the Bearcats beat the Raiders in a 15-14 slugfest on October 3. It's finally here, and now the question is, can the Raiders avenge that loss and become the favorites to win the Texas UIL Class 5A Division I state title? We're about to find out.
No. 8 Carthage [TX] Bulldogs
2025 Record: 13-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 8
Next Game: 12/5/2025 — vs. NR Athens [TX] Hornets (11-2)
Last Game: 11/28/2025 — Carthage 34, NR Pleasant Grove [Texarkana, TX] Hawks 20 (11-2)
W/L Streak: 28 wins
Carthage continued to roll last week in a comfortable if somewhat closer-than-usual win over the Pleasant Grove Hawks. Now, the Bulldogs catch an Athens Hornets' team that gave them fits in a 61-56 shootout back on October 17. Carthage was the winner that night, but this Hornets' team would love nothing more than to be the team that ends the Bulldogs' run toward a second straight Texas UIL Class 4A Division II championship.
No. 9 West Point [MS] Green Wave
2025 Record: 13-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 11
Next Game: 12/4/2025 — vs. NR Brookhaven [MS] Panthers (11-2)
Last Game: 11/28/2025 — West Point 20, NR Holmes County Central [Lexington, MS] Jaguars 6 (10-4)
W/L Streak: 13 wins
West Point will take on Brookhaven Thursday night in Mississippi's MHSAA Class 5A state championship game, and there's nothing to suggest that this Panthers' team will be the one to crash the Green Wave's party. We expect West Point to walk away with the trophy when this one is all said and done.
No. 10 Celina [TX] Bobcats
2025 Record: 13-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 10
Next Game: 12/5/2025 — vs. NR Alvarado [TX] Indians (12-0)
Last Game: 11/28/2025 — Celina 33, NR Decatur [TX] Eagles 7 (8-4)
W/L Streak: 29 wins
Celina has continued to roll no matter who they line up against, but this one has at least a bit of intrigue. Alvarado enters this contest with a 12-0 record, and they've put up as many lopsided results as the Bobcats. We're expecting this one to be a real barnburner as it feels like a game that could turn into quite a shootout.
No. 11 Nashville [TN] Christian Eagles
2025 Record: 12-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 13
Next Game: 12/4/2025 — vs. NR University School of Jackson [TN] Bruins (11-1)
Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Nashville Christian 41, NR Trinity Christian Academy [Jackson, TN] Eagles 7 (10-3)
W/L Streak: 22 wins
Nashville Christian will take on the University School of Jackson on Thursday night in Tennessee's TSSAA Division II Class A state championship game. They are solid favorites with 5-star quarterback Jared Curtis at the controls after inking with the Vanderbilt Commodores this week in a major National Signing Day surprise when he backed out of a commitment to the Georgia Bulldogs.
No. 12 Brentwood [TN] Academy Eagles
2025 Record: 11-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 14
Next Game: 12/4/2025 — vs. NR Baylor [Chattanooga, TN] Red Raiders (11-0)
Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Brentwood Academy 38, NR Christ Presbyterian Academy [Nashville, TN] Lions 7 (4-9)
W/L Streak: 11 wins
Tennessee's TSSAA Division II Class AAA state championship game is set as Brentwood Academy will meet Baylor in a battle of two 11-0 teams fighting for the trophy. Their regular-season matchup was canceled due to weather, and this game feels like a potential classic in the offing.
No. 13 Oakland [Murfreesboro, TN] Patriots
2025 Record: 14-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 15
Next Game: 12/6/2025 — vs. NR Ravenwood [Brentwood, TN] Raptors (14-0)
Last Game: 11/28/2025 — Oakland 42, NR Blackman [Murfreesboro, TN] Blaze 14 (12-2)
W/L Streak: 20 wins
Oakland will meet Ravenwood Saturday evening for Tennessee's TSSAA Division I Class 6A state championship in a battle between two of the state's perennial public school powerhouses.
No. 14 Cardinal Mooney [Sarasota, FL] Cougars
2025 Record: 12-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 16
Next Game: 12/5/2025 — vs. NR Cocoa [FL] Tigers (8-4)
Last Game: 11/28/2025 — Cardinal Mooney 49, NR Lakewood [St. Petersburg, FL] Spartans 29 (11-2)
W/L Streak: 11 wins
Cardinal Mooney faced a little more resistance last week against Lakewood, but the Cougars still emerged with a 20-point victory. Now it's on to Florida's FHSAA Class 2A semifinals and a date with the Cocoa Tigers.
No. 15 Highland Park [Dallas, TX] Scots
2025 Record: 12-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 17
Next Game: 12/5/2025 — vs. SN NEXT No. 4 Lone Star [Frisco, TX] Rangers (13-0)
Last Game: 11/28/2025 — Highland Park 47, NR Wakeland [Frisco, TX] Wolverines 20 (11-2)
W/L Streak: 12 wins
We discussed this game above, but just to reiterate here, even with a loss, we are leaning toward Highland Park coming away with the win here Friday night against the Lone Star Rangers. The Scots have the championship pedigree, but there are no easy opponents in Texas when you get to the Class 5A quarterfinals. And it won't be a complete shock if the Rangers' pull the upset here either.
No. 16 Roswell [GA] Hornets
2025 Record: 12-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 18
Next Game: 12/11/2025 — vs. No. 29 Thomas County Central [Thomasville, GA] Yellow Jackets (13-0)
Last Game: 11/28/2025 — Roswell 42, NR Sequoyah [Canton, GA] Chiefs 35 (11-2)
W/L Streak: 10 wins
Roswell was supposed to take on Thomas County Central Friday night, but these are the other two schools in Georgia's GHSA Class 5A semifinals affected by the drama embroiling the Gainesville Red Elephants that we discussed above. So, this semifinal has been pushed back to next Thursday, and the Hornets get an extra weekend to prepare for the undefeated Yellow Jackets.
No. 17 La Salle College [Wyndmoor, PA] Explorers
2025 Record: 12-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 19
Next Game: 12/6/2025 — vs. NR Central Catholic [Pittsburgh, PA] Vikings (12-1)
Last Game: 11/29/2025 – La Salle College 49, NR North Penn [Lansdale, PA] Knights 14 (12-3)
W/L Streak: 6 wins
La Salle College rolled to another easy win last Saturday, and now it's on to Pennsylvania's PIAA Class 6A state championship game against the heavyweights from Pittsburgh – the Central Catholic Vikings. Both teams are 12-1, but the Explorers' are the favorites having been responsible for the Vikings' only loss back on August 22 in the season opener. It was a fairly one-sided affair with La Salle coming away with a 23-6 win, but we expect this one to be close to the final whistle.
No. 18 Gainesville [GA] Red Elephants
2025 Record: 10-2
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 20
Next Game: 12/5/2025 — vs. SN NEXT No. 3 Langston Hughes [Fairburn, GA] Panthers (12-0)
Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Gainesville 42, NR Brunswick [GA] Pirates 0 (9-3)
W/L Streak: 2 wins
As noted above, this game was originally scheduled for last Friday night, but after winning an injunction to have the eligibility of 35 of their suspended players restored, the Red Herd finally gets their shot at undefeated Langston Hughes on Friday night. And even with two losses, they feel like slight favorites in this one.
No. 19 Anderson [Cincinnati, OH] Raptors
2025 Record: 14-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 21
Next Game: 12/4/2025 — vs. NR Avon [OH] Eagles (13-1)
Last Game: 11/28/2025 — Anderson 29, NR Big Walnut [Sunbury, OH} Golden Eagles 22 (13-1)
W/L Streak: 14 wins
Anderson has made it all the way to Ohio's OHSAA Division II state championship game without suffering a loss in 2025, but they may be facing their toughest test yet in a 13-1 Avon Eagles' squad that ambushed a solid Walsh Jesuit [Cuyahoga Falls, OH] Warriors' squad last Friday in a 38-7 blowout.
No. 20 Don Bosco Prep [Ramsey, NJ] Ironmen
2025 Record: 11-1
Last Week: No. 17/SN No. 20
Next Game: Season has concluded
Last Game: 11/28/2025 — NR St. Joseph Regional [Montvale, NJ] Green Knights 24 (10-2), Don Bosco Prep 21
W/L Streak: 1 loss
Don Bosco Prep's hopes of a Top 15 national finish were dashed last week in a rematch with St. Joseph Regional. The Ironmen lost, 24-21, in the New Jersey NJISAA Non-Public A state championship game – the second time the two teams played a game that ended by a field goal margin in 2025. Don Bosco won the regular-season meeting, 17-14, in overtime, but in the end, St. Joseph Regional won the game that counted the most.
No. 21 North Gwinnett [Suwanee, GA] Bulldogs
2025 Record: 12-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 24
Next Game: 12/5/2025 — vs. No. 5/SN No. 5 Carrollton [GA] Trojans (13-0)
Last Game: 11/28/2025 — North Gwinnett 25, NR West Forsyth [Cumming, GA] Wolverines 15 (10-3)
W/L Streak: 12 wins
While Buford, Carrollton, and Grayson have got most of the publicity in Georgia's GHSA Class 6A ranks this year, North Gwinnett has put together a solid 12-1 campaign that has them within a win of advancing to the state championship game. They'll have to go through that No. 5/SN No. 5 Carrollton squad to get there.
No. 22 Avon [OH] Eagles
2025 Record: 13-1
Last Week: Unranked
Next Game: 12/4/2025 — vs. SN NEXT No. 19 Anderson [Cincinnati, OH] Raptors (14-0)
Last Game: 11/28/2025 — Avon [OH] Eagles (12-1) 38, SN NEXT No. 22 Walsh Jesuit 7 (11-2)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
Avon will take on Anderson for Ohio's OHSAA Division II state championship Thursday night, and while Anderson is undefeated, it wouldn't surprise anybody in the Buckeye State if the Eagles emerge victorious.
No. 23 Elder [Cincinnati, OH] Panthers
2025 Record: 12-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 25
Next Game: Season has concluded
Last Game: 11/21/2025 — NR St. Xavier [Cincinnati, OH] Bombers 42 (10-2), Elder 34
W/L Streak: 1 loss
Ohio's OHSAA Division I playoff bracket is one of the most difficult brackets in the entire country, and even an undefeated Elder squad ultimately couldn't find a way to successfully navigate it. The Panthers' season ended in a 42-34 loss to their rivals from St. Xavier, who were knocked out of the playoffs themselves a week later.
No. 24 Cass Tech [Detroit, MI] Technicians
2025 Record: 13-1
Last Week: No. 29
Next Game: Season has concluded
Last Game: 11/30/2025 — NR Catholic Central [Novi, MI] Shamrocks 42 (14-0), Cass Tech 19
W/L Streak: 1 loss
Cass Tech ran into a buzzsaw Sunday evening, losing in blowout fashion to fellow unbeaten, Catholic Central. The Technicians were favored, and while an upset was never out of the question, the manner in which the Shamrocks won was stunning.
No. 25 Dutch Fork [Irmo, SC] Silver Foxes
2025 Record: 11-1
Last Week: Unranked
Next Game: 12/6/2025 — vs. NR Summerville [SC] Green Wave (12-2)
Last Game: 11/28/2025 — Dutch Fork 30, NR Dorman [Roebuck, SC] Cavaliers (10-3)
W/L Streak: 4 wins
Dutch Fork finally makes its return to The NEXT 25 – just in time for the Palmetto State's SCHSL Class 5A state championship game on Saturday night.
Weekly NEXT 25 Schedule
NR – Not ranked
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Tuesday, December 2, 2025
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- NR Fenwick [Oak Park, IL] Friars 38 (11-3), SN NEXT No. 6 East St. Louis [IL] Flyers 28 (9-4)
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Thursday, December 4, 2025
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- SN NEXT No. 11 Nashville [TN] Christian (12-0) vs. NR University School of Jackson [TN] Bruins (11-1) — 4 p.m. EST (3 p.m. CST local)
- SN NEXT No. 19 Anderson [Cincinnati, OH] Raptors (14-0) vs. NR Avon [OH] Eagles (13-1) — 7 p.m. EST local
- SN NEXT No. 12 Brentwood [TN] Academy (11-0) vs. No. 20/SN No. 22 Baylor [Chattanooga, TN] Red Raiders (11-0) — 8 p.m. EST local
- SN NEXT No. 9 West Point [MS] Green Wave (13-0) vs. NR Brookhaven [MS] Panthers (11-2) — 8:30 p.m. EST (7:30 p.m. CST local)
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Friday, December 5, 2025
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- SN NEXT No. 14 Cardinal Mooney [Sarasota, FL] Cougars (12-1) vs. NR Cocoa [FL] Tigers (8-4) — 7 p.m. EST local
- SN NEXT No. 2 Bryant [AR] Hornets (12-0) vs. NR Bentonville [AR] Tigers (12-0) — 7:30 p.m. EST (6:30 p.m. CST local)
- SN NEXT No. 3 Langston Hughes [Fairburn, GA] Panthers (12-0) vs. SN NEXT No. 18 Gainesville [GA] Red Elephants (10-2) —7:30 p.m. EST local
- SN NEXT No. 21 North Gwinnett [Suwanee, GA] Bulldogs (12-1) vs. No. 5/SN No. 5 Carrollton [GA] Trojans (13-0) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
- SN NEXT No. 4 Lone Star [Frisco, TX] Rangers (13-0) vs. SN NEXT No. 17 Highland Park [Dallas, TX] Scots (12-1) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
- SN NEXT No. 7 Ryan [Denton, TX] Raiders (12-1) vs. No. 24/SN No. 13 Aledo [TX] Bearcats (13-0) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
- SN NEXT No. 8 Carthage [TX] Bulldogs (13-0) vs. NR Athens [TX] Hornets (11-2) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
- SN NEXT No. 10 Celina [TX] Bobcats (13-0) vs. NR Alvarado [TX] Indians (12-0) — 8:30 p.m. EST (7:30 p.m. CST local)
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Saturday, December 6, 2025
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Playoffs
- SN NEXT No. 1 Cherry Creek [Greenwood Village, CO] Bruins (13-0) vs. NR Ralston Valley [Arvada, CO] Mustangs (13-0) — 7 p.m. EST (5 p.m. MST local)
- SN NEXT No. 17 La Salle College [Wyndmoor, PA] Explorers (12-1) vs. NR Central Catholic [Pittsburgh, PA] Vikings (12-1) — 7 p.m. EST local
- SN NEXT No. 25 Dutch Fork [Irmo, SC] Silver Foxes (11-1) vs. NR Summerville [SC] Green Wave (12-2) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
- SN NEXT No. 13 Oakland [Murfreesboro, TN] Patriots (14-0) vs. NR Ravenwood [Brentwood, TN] Raptors (14-0) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
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IDLE
SN NEXT No. 5 The St. James Performance Academy [Springfield, VA] Strivers (8-1); SN NEXT No. 16 Roswell [GA] Hornets (12-1); SN NEXT No. 23 Elder [Cincinnati, OH] Panthers (12-1)