You've seen The Sporting News High School Football Top 25.
And we've introduced you to the The Sporting News 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 The Sporting News.
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 McEachern [Powder Springs, GA] Indians had one of their best opportunities in the regular season for a statement win, and they made it emphatically in a 48-21 victory over the Harrison [Kennesaw, GA] Hoyas. Unfortunately, none of the teams ranked in The SN Top 25 lost so there were no openings to move up. Instead, the Indians maintain their position atop the "bubble" here for the fourth consecutive week in The SN NEXT 25.
MORE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HEADLINES
- The Sporting News High School Preseason All-American Offense
- The Sporting News High School Preseason All-American Defense
The NEXT 25 presented by The Sporting News
The ratings for opponents below are presented first by SN's Composite Ranking followed by The Sporting News (SN) Top 25 ranking, if applicable.
No. 1 McEachern [Powder Springs, GA] Indians
2025 Record: 6-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 1
Next Game: 10/10/2025 — vs. NR Pebblebrook [Mableton, GA] Falcons (2-4)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — McEachern 48, NR Harrison [Kennesaw, GA] Hoyas 21 (5-1)
W/L Streak: 6 wins
McEachern has been stuck in this position at the top of the bubble for several weeks as lower-ranked teams with bigger opportunities managed to pull upsets and move into the SN Composite Rankings. The Indians had a good opportunity to make a statement themselves last week against undefeated Harrison, and they came through their latest test with flying colors in a 48-21 win on the road.
McEachern will get a chance to make another statement next week on October 17 against their Powder Springs neighbors, the undefeated (6-0) Hillgrove Hawks. In the meantime, they should make quick work of the Pebblebrook Falcons Friday night to set up what could be a battle between two crosstown rivals with 7-0 records on October 17.
No. 2 Central [Miami, FL] Rockets
2025 Record: 3-1
Last Week: No. 39
Next Game: 10/10/2025 — at NR Stranahan [Fort Lauderdale, FL] Mighty Dragons (0-6)
Last Game: 10/6/2025 — Central 52, NR Pompano Beach [FL] Golden Tornadoes 0 (1-5)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
Two weeks ago, Central was ranked No. 5 on this list before moving up into the SN Composite Rankings after picking up Top 25 votes. But after one week as the nation's No. 39 team, Central drops back to the "bubble" rankings here at No. 2 after a 30-21 loss to the Northwestern [Miami, FL] Bulls last Saturday. The Rockets also played a district makeup game on Monday afternoon, defeating Pompano Beach, 52-0. They'll play their third game in seven days on Friday night when they visit the winless Stranahan Mighty Dragons. Even with the crowded schedule, Central will win this one in dominant fashion.
No. 3 Bryant [AR] Hornets
2025 Record: 5-0
Last Week: No. 37 (tie)
Next Game: 10/10/2025 — at NR Pulaski Academy [Little Rock, AR] Bruins (2-3)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — vs. NR Little Rock [AR] Christian Academy Warriors (3-2)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
Bryant had spent weeks in the SN Composite Rankings, but even a 5-0 record wasn't enough to keep them on the various Top 25 lists that comprise that index. Unfortunately for the Hornets, their Arkansas schedule just doesn't afford them many opportunities to make a statement that resonates at the national level, but you can't fault their efforts. The Hornets even brought in a quality opponent from Georgia a few weeks ago, hosting the Newton [Covington, GA] Rams on September 5. Bryant won that game 31-14, and it's arguably the best opponent they've faced to date. As long as they win, however, there's a good chance the Hornets will break back into somebody's Top 25 at some point.
No. 4 East St. Louis [IL] Flyers
2025 Record: 3-2
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 4
Last Game: 10/10/2025 — at NR Belleville [IL] East Lancers (5-1)
Next Game: 10/3/2025 — East St. Louis 54, NR Edwardsville [IL] Tigers (2-4)
W/L Streak: 3 wins
East St. Louis added another easy win against in-state competition in a 54-0 rout of Edwardsville. After season-opening losses to New Jersey's Bergen Catholic [Oradell, NJ] Crusaders and Nevada's Bishop Gorman [Las Vegas, NV] Gaels, the Flyers have settled into the easy stretch on their schedule against Illinois competition. They are 3-0 in conference play, winning those games by a cumulative score of 181-6. They might find a little bit more of a challenge this weekend at Belleville East, but ultimately, anything but a comfortable win would be a shocking result.
No. 5 Cherry Creek [Greenwood Village, CO] Bruins
2025 Record: 6-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 6
Last Game: 10/9/2025 — vs. NR Arapahoe [Centennial, CO] Warriors (3-3)
Next Game: 10/3/2025 — Cherry Creek 49, NR Cherokee Trail [Aurora, CO] Cougars 12 (2-4)
W/L Streak: 19 wins
Another week, another big win against an in-state Colorado foe, and that's all Cherry Creek can do right now – just keep pummeling their intrastate rivals and hope that a spot in somebody's Top 25 opens up before season's end. That should be the goal for this Bruins' squad as they continue to cruise through the regular season en route to Colorado's postseason.
No. 6 West Boca Raton [Boca Raton, FL] Bulls
2025 Record: 5-1
Last Week: SN Next No. 7
Next Game: 10/10/2025 — at NR Royal Palm Beach [FL] Wildcats (5-1)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — West Boca Raton 35, NR Western [Davie, FL] Wildcats 0 (1-5)
W/L Streak: 4 wins
West Boca Raton is No. 7 in our Florida rankings, and the second-ranked team in Florida that isn't currently in any of the Top 25 lists. They made quick work of the 1-5 Western Wildcats last week, but it could be a little more interesting this week against another group of Wildcats from Royal Palm Beach that comes into Friday's meeting with a 5-1 record.
No. 7 Archbishop Hoban [Akron, OH] Knights
2025 Record: 5-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 8
Next Game: 10/10/2025 — vs. NR Glenville [Cleveland, OH] Tarblooders (4-2)
Last Game: 9/26/2025 — Archbishop Hoban 19, NR Walsh Jesuit [Cuyahoga Falls, OH] Warriors 14 (5-1)
W/L Streak: 4 wins
Archbishop Hoban was off last week after picking up a quality win against a solid Walsh Jesuit squad on September 26. They return to action Friday against a worthy Glenville Tarblooders' contingent that has built a 4-2 record to date.
No. 8 Galena Park North Shore [Houston, TX] Mustangs
2025 Record: 4-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 9
Next Game: 10/10/2025 — at NR Goose Creek Memorial [Baytown, TX] Patriots (3-2)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — Galena Park North Shore 71, NR Kingwood [TX] Mustangs 7 (3-2)
W/L Streak: 4 wins
North Shore jumped over Carthage and Celina in our Texas rankings last week, continuing to build momentum heading into the second half of the season this Friday night. The Mustangs rocked Kingwood, 71-7, last weekend and should have their way with Goose Creek Memorial on the road.
No. 9 Elder [Cincinnati, OH] Panthers
2025 Record: 7-0
Last Week: Unranked
Next Game: 10/10/2025 — vs. NR Highlands [Fort Thomas, KY] Bluebirds (6-1)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — Elder 24, SN NEXT No. 3 Archbishop Moeller [Cincinnati, OH] Fighting Crusaders 16 (5-2)
W/L Streak: 7 wins
Elder finally got their opportunity to make a national statement last weekend, and they delivered in a 24-16 win over the SN NEXT No. 3 Archbishop Moeller Fighting Crusaders. Now, it's Elder jostling for position and a potential spot in somebody's Top 25 in the weeks to come. They get another opportunity to make a statement against a Top 10 Kentucky squad in the Highlands Bluebirds on Friday night.
No. 10 Carthage [TX] Bulldogs
2025 Record: 5-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 10
Next Game: 10/10/2025 — at NR Center [TX] Roughriders (2-3)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — Carthage 41, NR San Benito [TX] Greyhounds 3 (0-6)
W/L Streak: 20 wins
Carthage blew out the San Benito Greyhounds on neutral ground in Bay City, Texas, last Friday, and they shouldn't have any problems adding another mark to the win column at the Center Roughriders this coming Friday.
No. 11 Celina [TX] Bobcats
2025 Record: 6-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 11
Next Game: 10/10/2025 —vs. NR Sulphur Springs [TX] Wildcats (5-0)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — Celina 48, NR Aubrey [TX] Chaparrals 10 (1-5)
W/L Streak: 22 wins
Celina continued their regular-season romp through the 2025 schedule in a 48-10 win over Aubrey, but they could have a tougher time Friday night when the undefeated Sulphur Springs Wildcats pay a visit. If we were picking upsets, this one would be high on the list.
No. 12 Westlake [Austin, TX] Chaparrals
2025 Record: 4-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 12
Next Game: 10/9/2025 — vs. NR Austin [TX] Maroons (1-5)
Last Game: 10/2/2025 — Westlake 66, NR Akins [Austin, TX] Eagles 0 (4-2)
W/L Streak: 4 wins
After thrashing the Akins Eagles by a count of 66-0 last Friday, it's possible this week's home game against the 1-5 Austin Maroons could be even worse. The Chaps are really just biding their time until the final three weeks of the regular season when they'll face Lake Travis (October 24) and Dripping Springs (November 7).
No. 13 Langston Hughes [Fairburn, GA] Panthers
2025 Record: 7-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 15
Next Game: 10/17/2025 — vs. NR Northgate [Newnan, GA] Vikings (7-0)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — Langston Hughes 68, NR McIntosh [Peachtree City, GA] Chiefs 13 (2-5)
W/L Streak: 7 wins
The Panthers are having a special season, and after a 7-0 start, they get a week off to prepare for another undefeated team on October 17 – the 7-0 Northgate Vikings from Newnan.
No. 14 Lone Star [Frisco, TX] Rangers
2025 Record: 6-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 16
Next Game: 10/17/2025 — at NR Sherman [TX] Bearcats (1-4)
Last Game: 10/2/2025 — Lone Star 55, NR Frisco [TX] Raccoons 35 (3-1)
W/L Streak: 6 wins
Lone Star knocked off its rival, Frisco High, in a 55-35 thumping last Friday, but this week they'll take a break to prepare for a Sherman squad that is just 1-4. It should be smooth sailing for the Rangers until October 24 when they take on another neighbor from Frisco in the currently undefeated Wakeland Wolverines.
No. 15 The St. James Performance Academy [Springfield, VA] Strivers
2025 Record: 5-0
Last Week: Unranked
Next Game: 10/11/2025 — vs. NR Hewlett Sports Academy [Waldorf, MD] Eagles (1-4)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — St. James Performance Academy 30, Hun [Princeton, NJ] Raiders (5-2)
W/L Streak: 5 wins
And just like that, there was an emerging powerhouse in national high school football. The St. James Performance Academy is in its first season of varsity action, and they showed up on our radar two weeks ago when they dismantled the Our Lady of Good Counsel [Olney, MD] Falcons in a 43-7 blowout. The real test was whether or not they could handle another emerging national power in the Hun Raiders last Friday, but the Strivers sent shockwaves through the high school football world by beating the New Jerseyans, 30-14.
St. James gets a breather this week in a Hewlett Sports Academy squad that lost to Hun a month ago, 64-0, and followed that up with shutout losses to the SN No. 5 St. Frances Academy [Baltimore, MD] Panthers (66-0) and the Loudon Sports Academy [Leesburg, VA] Timberwolves (42-0).
No. 16 Ryan [Denton, TX] Raiders
2025 Record: 4-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 13
Next Game: 10/10/2025 — at NR Richland [North Richland Hills, TX] Royals (5-1)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — No. 28/SN No. 22 Aledo [TX] Bearcats 15 (6-0), Ryan 14
W/L Streak: 1 loss
The Ryan Raiders were 'oh so close' to making a statement on the national scene last weekend in a 15-14 loss to the SN No. 22 Aledo Bearcats. And, in fact, that result did make a statement that the Raiders will be a team to be reckoned with down the regular-season stretch and into the Texas UIL Class 5A playoffs.
No. 17 Jenks [OK] Trojans
2025 Record: 4-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 19
Next Game: 10/10/2025 — vs. NR Mustang [OK] Broncos (4-1)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — Jenks 44, NR Norman [OK] Tigers 0 (4-1)
W/L Streak: 1 win
For now, Jenks' big moment to make a splash has passed with the loss to the Bixby [OK] Spartans a couple of weeks ago. But the Trojans looked fine last week in a 44-0 win over the Norman Tigers, and they should be able to handle the Mustang Broncos this week as they continue the run toward another possible meeting with Bixby in Oklahoma's OSSAA playoffs.
No. 18 Davis [Kaysville, UT] Darts
2025 Record: 7-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 20
Next Game: 10/9/2025 — at NR Layton [UT] Lancers (2-6)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — Davis 21, NR Farmington [UT] Phoenix 10 (3-5)
W/L Streak: 7 wins
Davis is on quite the run in 2025, earning their way into the SN NEXT 25 by virtue of a 29-15 win over the American Fork [UT] Cavemen three weeks ago. They should be able to continue their winning ways over the final two weeks of the regular season as they get ready for Utah's UHSAA playoffs.
No. 19 Archbishop Moeller [Cincinnati, OH] Fighting Crusaders
2025 Record: 5-2
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 3
Next Game: 10/10/2025 — vs. NR St. Ignatius [Cleveland, OH] Wildcats (1-6)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — NR Elder [Cincinnati, OH] Panthers 24 (7-0), Archbishop Moeller 16
W/L Streak: 1 loss
Moeller was hoping for a chance to break into at least one of the various Top 25 rankings before season's end. A 24-16 loss to Elder last week, however, means the Fighting Crusaders will have to be content with a spot here in SN's "bubble" rankings for the rest of the 2025 season. They won't have any problem hanging onto their spot this week agasint the 1-5 St. Ignatius Wildcats of Cleveland.
No. 20 Lincoln [San Diego, CA] Hornets
2025 Record: 5-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 22
Next Game: 10/10/25 — at NR La Jolla [CA] Vikings (4-2)
Last Game: 9/27/2025 — Lincoln 40, NR Grant [Sacramento, CA] Pacers 21
W/L Streak: 2 wins
Lincoln took a bye last week, but they'll be back in action Friday night against the La Jolla Vikings. Lincoln should cruise in this one to get to 6-1.
No. 21 West Point [MS] Green Wave
2025 Record: 5-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 24
Next Game: 10/10/2025 — vs. NR Pontotoc [MS] Warriors (3-2)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — West Point 42, NR Callaway [Jackson, MS] Chargers 0 (3-3)
W/L Streak: 5 wins
West Point established itself as the team to beat in Mississippi after taking down the Tupelo [MS] Golden Wave two weeks ago, and they appear to be on their way to an undefeated season with no real serious challengers on the remaining regular-season schedule.
No. 22 Nashville [TN] Christian Eagles
2025 Record: 6-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 25
Next Game: 10/10/2025 — vs. NR Tyner Academy [Chattanooga, TN] Rams (7-0)
Last Game: 9/26/2025 — Nashville Christian 53, NR Franklin [TN] Christian Academy Falcons 0 (3-3)
W/L Streak: 16 wins
Nashville Christian debuted on this list last week in the No. 25 position just as they were heading into a bye week. Now, they get back to business against a solid Tyner Academy squad from Chattanooga. Both teams are undefeated headed into this one, but the Rams are relatively untested compare to the Eagles. Expect Nashville Christian to pull away eventually and win this one comfortably at home in the Music City.
No. 23 Hamilton [Chandler, AZ] Huskies
2025 Record: 6-0
Last Week: Unranked
Next Game: 10/17/2025 — vs. NR Pinnacle [Phoenix, AZ] Pioneers (5-1)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — Hamilton 54, NR Valley Vista [Surprise, AZ] Monsoon (1-5)
W/L Streak: 6 wins
Hamilton makes its debut here in The SN NEXT 25 just in time for a bye week, so they're guaranteed to be here next week, too. That's when they'll take on a Pinnacle Pioneers' squad that is currently 5-1.
No. 24 Brentwood Academy [TN] Eagles
2025 Record: 6-0
Last Week: Unranked
Next Game: 10/10/2025 — at NR Briarcrest Christian [Eads, TN] Saints (5-2)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — Brentwood Academy 35, Memphis [TN] University School Owls 0 (5-2)
W/L Streak: 6 wins
Tennessee has a deep field of teams jostling for a potential position in the SN Top 25. Brentwood Academy is one of those teams making its debut here on the bubble. The Eagles are hoping to make a run at the national rankings over the final few weeks of the regular season as they get ready to make a run in Tennessee's TSSAA playoffs.
No. 25 McCallie [Chattanooga, TN] Blue Tornado
2025 Record: 5-2
Last Week: No. 45
Next Game: 10/17/2025 — at NR Knoxville [TN] Catholic Fighting Irish (4-2)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — No. 35 Baylor [Chattanooga, TN] Red Raiders 38, McCallie 35
W/L Streak: 1 loss
It's been a season with exhilarating highs and soul-crushing lows for McCallie. In back-to-back games, the Blue Tornado knocked off the Top 25 Mission Viejo [CA] Diablos, 25-14, before slipping past a stubborn Heidelberg [MS] Oilers' squad, 21-18. Both those games were played at McCallie, and last Friday, they hosted a Baylor squad that hadn't won on the Blue Tornado's home turf since 1996. It was a daunting stretch, and in the end, it proved to be too much for McCallie to navigate as the hosts fell to the Red Raiders in a thrilling 38-35 shootout.
Now, McCallie enters the stretch run in a precarious position in the SN rankings – clinging to the final spot in The NEXT 25 with a lot of big football games left to be played. They'll take a week off before beginning that final stretch next weekend at the Knoxville [TN] Catholic Fighting Irish.
Weekly NEXT 25 Schedule
NR – Not ranked
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Thursday, October 9, 2025
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- NR Austin [TX] Maroons (1-5) at Westlake [Austin, TX] Chaparrals (4-1) — 8:30 p.m. EST (7:30 p.m. CST local)
- NR Arapahoe [Centennial, CO] Warriors (3-3) at SN NEXT No. 5 Cherry Creek [Greenwood Village, CO] Bruins (6-0) — 9 p.m. EST (7 p.m. MST local)
- SN NEXT No. 18 Davis [Kaysville, UT] Darts (7-1) at NR Layton [UT] Lancers (2-6) — 9 p.m. EST (7 p.m. MST local)
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Friday, October 10, 2025
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- SN NEXT No. 6 West Boca Raton [Boca Raton, FL] Bulls (5-1) at NR Royal Palm Beach [FL] Wildcats (5-1) — 6:30 p.m. EST local
- SN NEXT No. 2 Central [Miami, FL] Rockets (4-1) at NR Stranahan [Fort Lauderdale, FL] Mighty Dragons (0-6) — 7 p.m. EST local
- NR Glenville [Cleveland, OH] Tarblooders (4-2) at SN NEXT No. 7 Archbishop Hoban [Akron, OH] Knights (5-1) — 7 p.m. EST local
- NR Highlands [Fort Thomas, KY] Bluebirds (6-1) at SN NEXT No. 9 Elder [Cincinnati, OH] Panthers (7-0) — 7 p.m. EST local
- NR St. Ignatius [Cleveland, OH] Wildcats (1-6) at SN NEXT No. 19 Archbishop Moeller [Cincinnati, OH] Fighting Crusaders (5-2) — 7 p.m. EST local
- NR Pebblebrook [Mableton, GA] Falcons (2-4) at SN NEXT No. 1 McEachern [Powder Springs, GA] Indians — 7:30 p.m. EST local
- SN NEXT No. 3 Bryant [AR] Hornets (5-0) at NR Pulaski Academy [Little Rock, AR] Bruins (2-3) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
- SN NEXT No. 4 East St. Louis [IL] Flyers (3-2) at NR Belleville [IL] East Lancers (5-1) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
- SN NEXT No. 8 Galena Park North Shore [Houston, TX] Mustangs (4-1) NR Goose Creek Memorial [Baytown, TX] Patriots (3-2) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
- SN NEXT No. 16 Ryan [Denton, TX] Raiders (4-1) at NR Richland [North Richland Hills, TX] Royals (5-1) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
- NR Mustang [OK] Broncos (4-1) at SN NEXT No. 17 Jenks [OK] Trojans (4-1) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
- NR Pontotoc [MS] Warriors (3-2) at SN NEXT No. 21 West Point [MS] Green Wave (5-0) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
- NR Tyner Academy [Chattanooga, TN] Rams (7-0) at SN NEXT No. 22 Nashville [TN] Christian Eagles (6-0) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
- NR Briarcrest Christian [Eads, TN] Saints (5-2) at SN NEXT No. 24 Brentwood [TN] Academy Eagles (6-0) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
- SN NEXT No. 10 Carthage [TX] Bulldogs (5-0) at NR Center [TX] Roughriders (2-3) — 8:30 p.m. EST (7:30 p.m. CST local)
- NR Sulphur Springs [TX] Wildcats (5-0) at SN NEXT No. 11 Celina [TX] Bobcats (6-0) — 8:30 p.m. EST (7:30 p.m. CST local)
- SN NEXT No. 20 Lincoln [San Diego, CA] Hornets at NR La Jolla [CA] Vikings (4-2) — 10 p.m. EST (7 p.m. PST local)
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Saturday, October 11, 2025
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- NR Hewlett Sports Academy [Waldorf, MD] Eagles (1-4) at The St. James Performance Academy [Springfield, VA] Strivers (5-0) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
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IDLE
SN NEXT No. 13 Langston Hughes [Fairburn, GA] Panthers (7-0); SN NEXT No. 14 Lone Star [Frisco, TX] Rangers (6-0); SN NEXT No. 23 Hamilton [Chandler, AZ] Huskies (6-0); SN NEXT No. 25 McCallie [Chattanooga, TN] Blue Tornado (5-2)
MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HEADLINES
- How the nation's top teams fared last week
- Streak Busters Week 8 – double-digit win streaks fall across the country
- National 20-game active win streaks
- Last week's Roadmap to the National Championship