The NEXT 25 presented by AllSportsPeople: Creekside takes over top spot after dropping out of the composite rankings

Kendall Webb

The NEXT 25 presented by AllSportsPeople: Creekside takes over top spot after dropping out of the composite rankings image

The NEXT 25 presented by AllSportsPeople features 25 teams that could break into the SN Composite Rankings in the weeks to come.

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 McEachern [Powder Springs, GA] Indians  held the top spot here for five weeks, but with the Creekside [Fairburn, GA] Seminoles dropping out of the SN Composite Rankings this week, the Indians slide down a spot to No. 2. That makes room for the Seminoles to take over the top spot as they are the only other Georgia team ranked ahead of McEachern that isn't currently ranked in the national Top 25.

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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 Creekside [Fairburn, GA] Seminoles


2025 Record: 8-0
Last Week: SN Composite No. 46

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — at NR Jackson [Atlanta, GA] Jaguars (6-2)
Last Game: 10/10/2025 — Creekside 91, NR Drew [Riverdale, GA] Titans 0 (0-8)
W/L Streak:  8 wins

Creekside drops out of the SN Composite rankings this week after losing their only Top 25 vote during a bye week. They will likely return to somebody's Top 25 in the weeks to come if they keep winning big, but for now, they drop back into the SN NEXT 25 here, finally knocking their Georgia neighbors from McEachern out of the top spot on this list.


No. 2 McEachern [Powder Springs, GA] Indians


2025 Record: 8-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 1

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — vs. NR South Cobb [Austell, GA] Eagles (2-6)
Last Game: 10/17/2025 — McEachern 35, NR Hillgrove [Powder Springs, GA] Hawks 14 (7-1)
W/L Streak:  8 wins

McEachern's long run at the top of the SN NEXT 25 comes to an end, at least temporarily, to make room for the Creekside Seminoles. But McEachern will get to 9-0 against South Cobb Friday night, and the Indians are still well-positioned to climb even further up the rankings when the Georgia GHSA Class 6A playoffs kick off in a couple of weeks.


No. 3 Central [Miami, FL] Rockets


2025 Record: 6-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 2

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — vs. NR Somerset Academy [Pembroke Pines, FL] Panthers (4-4)
Last Game: 10/18/2025 — Central 34, NR Southridge [Miami, FL] Spartans 28 (8-1)
W/L Streak:  3 wins

Central's big win over previously undefeated Southridge keeps the Rockets within range of reentering the SN Composite Rankings at some point in the near future, and they'll add another win to their ledger Friday night against Somerset Academy.


No. 4 East St. Louis [IL] Flyers


2025 Record: 5-2
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 3

Next Game: 10/25/2025 — at No. 2/SN No. 2 IMG Academy [Bradenton, FL] Ascenders (7-0)
Last Game: 10/17/2025 — East St. Louis 48, NR O'Fallon [IL] Panthers 6 (3-5)
W/L Streak:  5 wins

East St. Louis's big opportunity to make a case for returning to the SN Top 25 is finally here. The Flyers will visit the nation's consensus No. 2 IMG Academy Ascenders Saturday afternoon with their last chance to make a splash on the national scene before starting the Illinois IHSA playoffs. The Flyers will be trying to avenge a 14-13 home loss in overtime to the Ascenders a year ago, and this has the potential to be another close game and alter the nationa championshp picture.


No. 5 Cherry Creek [Greenwood Village, CO] Bruins


2025 Record: 8-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 5

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — at NR Smoky Hill [Aurora, CO] Buffaloes (2-6)
Last Game: 10/16/2025 — Cherry Creek 42, NR Eaglecrest [Centennial, CO] Raptors 0 (6-2)
W/L Streak:  21 wins

The Bruins flexed their muscles in a 42-0 shutout win over a one-loss Eaglecrest last week, and they'll make quick work of the Smoky Hill Buffaloes Friday night in the penultimate game of the 2025 regular season.


No. 6 The St. James Performance Academy [Springfield, VA] Strivers


2025 Record: 7-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 10

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — at NR St. Thomas More [Oakdale, CT] Chancellors (0-1)
Last Game: 10/17/2025 — The St. James Performance Academy 41, NR The First Academy [Orlando, FL] Royals 40 (4-4)
W/L Streak: 7 wins

It's been a fast rise this fall for the new program at The St. James Performance Academy as the Strivers are on the cusp of potentially entering the national Top 25 and the SN Composite Rankings. That might not come against the St. Thomas More Chancellors, a team they will likely dominate on Friday, but it's a certainty that they would enter the SN Top 25 next week with a win at the SN No. 4 St. Frances Academy [Baltimore, MD] Panthers. That's a heavy lift, but the Strivers have passed every test so far, including a difficult road trip to Florida last week to take on The First Academy of Orlando.


No. 7 Archbishop Hoban [Akron, OH] Knights


2025 Record: 7-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 7

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — vs. NR St. Edward [Lakewood, OH] Eagles (8-1)
Last Game: 10/17/2025 — Archbishop Hoban 46, NR Central York [York, PA] Panthers 21 (8-0)
W/L Streak:  6 wins

Archbishop Hoban will face its stiffest test since their visit to Maryland on August 30 to take on the Archbishop Spalding [Severn, MD] Cavaliers. That game resulted in their only loss to date in a 58-28 beatdown, and they'll need to avoid a second loss at a St. Edward squad fresh off a 35-10 win over the Archbishop Moeller [Cincinnati, OH] Fighting Crusaders – another team that was ranked here in the SN NEXT 25 at the time.


No. 8 Galena Park North Shore [Houston, TX] Mustangs


2025 Record: 6-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 8

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — vs. NR Atascocita [Humble, TX] Eagles (4-3)
Last Game: 10/17/2025 — Galena Park North Shore 70, NR Channelview [TX[ Falcons 0 (1-6)
W/L Streak:  6 wins

The Mustangs begin a daunting three-game stretch Friday night against the Atascocita [Humble, TX] Eagles followed by games against the King [Houston, TX] Panthers, and Summer Creek [Houston, TX] Bulldogs. Atascocita has disappointed with only a 4-3 record to date, but two of their losses have come against King and Summer Creek, and the third loss is to a Westlake squad that could eventually crack the national Top 25. All of that is to say that North Shore can't take the Eagles for granted if they want to continue making their own case for a spot in the Top 25.


No. 9 Elder [Cincinnati, OH] Panthers


2025 Record: 9-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 9

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — vs. NR De La Salle Collegiate [Warren, MI] Pilots (3-5)
Last Game: 10/17/2025 — Elder 28, NR Indianapolis [IN] Bishop Chatard Trojans 7 (7-2)
W/L Streak:  9 wins

Elder handled a talented Bishop Chatard squad from Indianapolis last week, and they should get a relative breather this week against a De La Salle Collegiate squad from Michigan Friday night.


No. 10 Bryant [AR] Hornets


2025 Record: 7-0
Last Week: SN Composite No. 37 (tie)

Last Game: 10/24/2025 — at NR Cabot [AR] Panthers (2-5)
Next Game: 10/17/2025 — Bryant 42, NR Little Rock [AR] Southwest Gryphons 6 (0-7)
W/L Streak:  20 wins

Bryant lost its only votes for the national Top 25 this week, so they slide back out of the SN Composite Rankings landing here at No. 10 in the NEXT 25. It could be a short stay as its likely Bryant will eventually return to somebody's Top 25 list, and they'll make it 8-0 Friday night at the Cabot Panthers.


No. 11 Carthage [TX] Bulldogs


2025 Record: 7-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 11

Next Game: 10/31/2025 — at NR Rusk [TX] Eagles (1-7)
Last Game: 10/23/2025 — Carthage 62, Bullard [TX] Panthers 7 (3-5)
W/L Streak:  22 wins

Carthage took out its frustration on Bullard Thursday night, one week after a close call at home against the Athens [TX] Hornets in which the Bulldogs escaped with a 61-56 win at home. Next up are back-to-back games against a couple of 1-7 teams in the Rusk Eagles and the Brownsboro [TX] Bears so this edition of the Bulldogs is guaranteed to finish the regular season undefeated. 


No. 12 Celina [TX] Bobcats


2025 Record: 7-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 12

Next Game: 10/31/2025 —vs. NR Community [Nevada, TX] Braves (1-7)
Last Game: 10/23/2025 — Celina 56, NR Paris [TX] Wildcats 7 (5-4)
W/L Streak:  23 wins

Celina's game with Paris was moved to Thursday night due to potential weather issues in North Texas Friday night, and the Bobcats waltzed to an easy 56-7 win. They might beat the Community Braves even worse than that next Friday night as they close in on an undefeated regular season.


No. 13 Westlake [Austin, TX] Chaparrals


2025 Record: 6-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 13

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — vs. NR Lake Travis [Austin, TX] Cavaliers (7-0)
Last Game: 10/17/2025 — Westlake 30, NR Bowie [Austin, TX] Bulldogs 7 (4-4)
W/L Streak:  6 wins

If not for the big game Friday afternoon between the No. 15/SN No. 12 Allen [TX] Eagles and the No. 31/SN No. 25 Prosper [TX] Eagles, this contest between two Austin powerhouses might be the game of the week in Texas. It is still a chance for both of these teams to make their case for a spot in the national Top 25, and the winner is likely to make a big jump in the Texas rankings.


No. 14 Langston Hughes [Fairburn, GA] Panthers


2025 Record: 8-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 14

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — at NR Morrow [GA] Mustangs (1-7)
Last Game: 10/17/2025 — Langston Hughes 40, NR Northgate [Newnan, GA] Vikings 5 (7-1)
W/L Streak: 8 wins

Langston Hughes rolled past the previously undefeated Northgate Vikings last week, and they'll crush the Morrow Mustangs Friday night before taking on a Lovejoy [GA] Wildcats' squad. Lovejoy enters Friday night with a 7-1 record taking on that same Northgate squad that is also 7-1 now. That should give us a quick snapshot of how the Wildcats might stack up against Langston Hughes next week, but the reality is, this Panthers' squad isn't likely to lose before the Georgia GHSA playoffs kick off.


No. 15 Lone Star [Frisco, TX] Rangers


2025 Record: 7-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 15

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — vs. NR Wakeland [Frisco, TX] Wolverines (8-0)
Last Game: 10/17/2025 — Lone Star 49, NR Sherman [TX] Bearcats 3 (1-6)
W/L Streak: 7 wins

It's the Battle of Frisco Friday night as the city's top two programs meet head-to-head in this clash of unbeatens. Lone Star is looking to add a major resume bullet point in their pursuit of the national Top 25, but this game could do just as much for Wakeland if they can pull the upset.


No. 16 Ryan [Denton, TX] Raiders


2025 Record: 7-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 16

Next Game: 10/30/2025 — vs. NR Brewer [Fort Worth, TX] Bears (5-2)
Last Game: 10/23/2025 — Ryan 38, NR Denton [TX] Broncos 14 (2-5)
W/L Streak:  4 wins

Like a lot of North Texas teams, Ryan moved its game with Denton to Thursday night to avoid any potential weather-related issues on Friday. As expected, the Raiders rolled to an easy win over their crosstown rivals from Denton High, and next up is a Thursday night tussle with the Brewer Bears. Ryan, however, seems unlikely to lose again in the regular season.


No. 17 Jenks [OK] Trojans


2025 Record: 6-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 17

Next Game: 10/31/2025 — at NR Enid [OK] Plainsmen (0-7)
Last Game: 10/23/2025 — Jenks 67, NR Moore [OK] Lions 14 (3-5)
W/L Streak:  3 wins

Jenks handed the Moore Lions a 67-14 loss Thursday night, and they'll roll again next week against the Enid Plainsmen who are likely still smarting from a 92-0 loss to the No. 19/SN No. 24 Bixby [OK] Spartans a week ago.


No. 18 Davis [Kaysville, UT] Darts


2025 Record: 9-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 18

Next Game: 10/31/2025 — vs. Bingham [South Jordan, UT] Miners (3-6)
Last Game: 10/15/2025 — Davis 41, Weber [Pleasant View, UT] Warriors 20 (4-5)
W/L Streak:  9 wins

Davis is off this weekend as they prepare for next week's playoff opener against the Bingham Miners who will enter that contest with three weeks of rest after closing out the regular season on October 10 in a 35-6 loss to the Mountain Ridge [Herriman, UT] Sentinels. Anything short of a Davis win would be a major upset.


No. 19 Lincoln [San Diego, CA] Hornets


2025 Record: 7-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 20

Next Game: 10/24/25 — vs. NR Cathedral Catholic [San Diego, CA] Dons (6-2)
Last Game: 10/17/2025 — Lincoln 56, NR University City [San Diego, CA] Centurions 0 (5-3)
W/L Streak: 4 wins

Two of San Diego's top programs will square off Friday night when Lincoln hosts Cathedral Catholic. The Hornets are the favorites, but it wouldn't be a major upset if Cathedral Catholic somehow managed to win the game.


No. 20 West Point [MS] Green Wave


2025 Record: 7-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 21

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — at NR Caledonia [MS] Cavaliers (1-6)
Last Game: 10/17/2025 — West Point 41, NR Lafayette [Oxford, MS] Commodores 6 (4-4)
W/L Streak: 7 wins

West Point overwhelmed the Lafayette Commodores last week, and the Green Wave will roll again Friday night against the 1-6 Caledonia Cavaliers.


No. 21 Nashville [TN] Christian Eagles


2025 Record: 8-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 22

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — vs. NR Ezell-Harding Christian [Nashville, TN] Eagles (5-3)
Last Game: 10/17/2025 — Nashville Christian 70, NR Columbia [TN] Academy Bulldogs 0 (1-7)
W/L Streak: 18 wins

Nashville Christian got back to business last Friday night in a 70-0 romp past the Columbia Academy Eagles. They'll find a little more fight in the Ezell-Harding Christian Eagles, but ultimately, should win comfortably as they close in on an undefeated regular season.


No. 22 Hamilton [Chandler, AZ] Huskies


2025 Record: 7-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 23

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — at No. 17/SN No. 17 Basha [Chandler, AZ] Bears
Last Game: 10/17/2025 — Hamilton 49, NR Pinnacle [Phoenix, AZ] Pioneers 13 (5-2)
W/L Streak: 7 wins

Hamilton has somewhat flown under the radar this year nationally, but in Arizona, they are indisputably the No. 2 team in the state so far. They get their opportunity to take a shot at the state's No. 1 team in a visit to the consensus No. 17 team in the country in the Basha Bears Friday night.


No. 23 Brentwood Academy [TN] Eagles


2025 Record: 7-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 24

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — at NR Father Ryan [Nashville, TN] Irish (1-7)
Last Game: 10/10/2025 — Brentwood Academy 34, NR Briarcrest Christian [Eads, TN] Saints 31 (5-3)
W/L Streak: 7 wins

Brentwood Academy is coming off a bye week, and they get to ease back into the grind for the stretch run with a game against a 1-7 Father Ryan squad that should be an easy win.


No. 24 McCallie [Chattanooga, TN] Blue Tornado


2025 Record: 6-2
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 24

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — vs. NR Montgomery Bell Academy [Nashville, TN] Big Red (6-2)
Last Game: 10/17/2025 — McCallie 44, NR Knoxville [TN] Catholic Fighting Irish 22 (4-3)
W/L Streak: 1 win

McCallie took to the road last week, and handled Knoxville Catholic in a 44-22 win. They'll face an even bigger challenge this week against Montgomery Bell Academy, but at least they get the Big Red at home.


No. 25 Gainesville [GA] Red Elephants


2025 Record: 8-1
Last Week: Unranked

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — vs. NR Roswell [GA] Hornets (7-1)
Last Game: 10/17/2025 — Gainesville 55, NR Chattahoochee [Alpharetta, GA] Cougars (1-7)
W/L Streak: 5 wins

Gainesville closes out the regular season Friday night with one last huge test before taking a week off to prepare for Georgia's GHSA playoffs. Roswell is 7-1 with the only loss coming at Buford back on September 5, and Gainesville will have to maintain its focus for one more week before thinking about the postseason.


Weekly NEXT 25 Schedule


NR – Not ranked

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Thursday, October 23, 2025

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  • SN NEXT No. 11 Carthage [TX] Bulldogs 62 (8-0), Bullard [TX] Panthers 7 (3-5)
  • SN NEXT No. 12 Celina 56 [TX] Bobcats, NR Paris [TX] Wildcats 7 (5-4)
  • SN NEXT No. 16 Ryan [Denton, TX] Raiders 38, NR Denton [TX] Broncos 14 (2-5)
  • SN NEXT No. 17 Jenks [OK] Trojans 67, NR Moore [OK] Lions 14 (3-5)

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Friday, October 24, 2025

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  • NR De La Salle Collegiate [Warren, MI] Pilots (3-5) at SN NEXT No. 9 Elder [Cincinnati, OH] Panthers (9-0) — 6:30 p.m. EST local
  • SN NEXT No. 6 The St. James Performance Academy [Springfield, VA] Strivers (7-0) at NR St. Thomas More [Oakdale, CT] Chancellors (0-1) — 7 p.m. EST local
  • SN NEXT No. 7 Archbishop Hoban [Akron, OH] Knights (7-1) NR St. Edward [Lakewood, OH] Eagles (8-1) — 7 p.m. EST local
  • SN NEXT No. 23 Brentwood [TN] Academy (7-0) at NR Father Ryan [Nashville, TN] Irish (1-7) — 7 p.m. EST local
  • SN NEXT No. 1 Creekside [Fairburn, GA] Seminoles (8-0) at NR Jackson [Atlanta, GA] Jaguars (6-2) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
  • NR South Cobb [Austell, GA] Eagles (2-6) at SN NEXT No. 2 McEachern [Powder Springs, GA] Indians (8-0) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
  • NR Somerset Academy [Pembroke Pines, FL] Panthers (4-4) at SN NEXT No. 3 Central [Miami, FL] Rockets (6-1) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
  • SN NEXT No. 14 Langston Hughes [Fairburn, GA] Panthers (8-0) at NR Morrow [GA] Mustangs (1-7) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
  • SN NEXT No. 25 Gainesville [GA] Red Elephants (8-1) vs. NR Roswell [GA] Hornets (7-1) —7:30 p.m. EST local
  • NR Atascocita [Humble, TX] Eagles (4-3) at Galena Park North Shore [Houston, TX] Mustangs (6-1) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
  • SN NEXT No. 10 Bryant [AR] Hornets (7-0) at NR Cabot [AR] Panthers (2-5) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
  • SN NEXT No. 20 West Point [MS] Green Wave (7-0) at NR Caledonia [MS] Cavaliers (1-6) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
  • NR Ezell-Harding Christian [Nashville, TN] Eagles (5-3) at SN NEXT No. 21 Nashville [TN] Christian Eagles (8-0) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
  • NR Lake Travis [Austin, TX] Cavaliers (7-0) at SN NEXT No. 12 Westlake [Austin, TX] Chaparrals (6-1) — 8:30 p.m. EST (7:30 p.m. CST local)
  • SN NEXT No. 5 Cherry Creek [Greenwood Village, CO] Bruins (8-0) at NR Smoky Hill [Aurora, CO] Buffaloes (2-6) — 9 p.m. EST (7 p.m. MST local)
  • SN NEXT No. 15 Lone Star [Frisco, TX] Rangers (7-0) at NR Wakeland [Frisco, TX] Wolverines (8-0) — 9 p.m. EST (8 p.m. CST local)
  • NR Cathedral Catholic [San Diego, CA] Dons (6-2) at SN NEXT No. 19 Lincoln [San Diego, CA] Hornets (7-1) — 10 p.m. EST (7 p.m. PST local)
  • SN NEXT No. Hamilton [Chandler, AZ] Huskies (7-0) at No. 17/SN No. 17 Basha [Chandler, AZ] Bears — 10 p.m. EST (7 p.m. PST local)

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Saturday, October 25, 2025

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  • SN NEXT No. 4 East St. Louis [IL] Flyers (5-2) at No. 2/SN No. 2 IMG Academy [Bradenton, FL] Ascenders (7-0) — 12 p.m. EST local

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IDLE

SN NEXT No. 18 Davis [Kaysville, UT] Darts (9-1); SN NEXT No. 23 Brentwood [TN] Academy Eagles (7-0)

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Contributing Writer