The NEXT 25 presented by AllSportsPeople: McEachern returns to No. 1 as Creekside finally cracks The SN Top 25

Kendall Webb

The NEXT 25 presented by AllSportsPeople: McEachern returns to No. 1 as Creekside finally cracks The SN Top 25 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  return to the top spot here, a position they held for five weeks before the Creekside [Fairburn, GA] Seminoles dropped out of the SN Composite Rankings last week, bumping the Indians down a spot to No. 2. But the Seminoles made their debut in The SN Top 25 this week, moving up from this list into the national rankings, opening a spot for McEachern to reclaim its spot as the nation's top team on the "bubble." They'll have opportunities in the coming weeks to make their own jump to the Top 25 when the Georgia GHSA Class 6A playoffs kick off next weekend.

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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 McEachern [Powder Springs, GA] Indians


2025 Record: 9-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 2

Next Game: 10/30/2025 — at NR Osborne [Marietta, GA] Cardinals (1-8)
Last Game: 10/24/2025 — McEachern 56, NR South Cobb [Austell, GA] Eagles 18 (2-7)
W/L Streak:  9 wins

McEachern gets an easy one to finish out the 2025 regular season with a trip to face the 1-8 Osborne Cardinals. The Indians will finish 10-0 heading into Georgia's GHSA Class 6A playoffs, hoping to climb the ranks in a division that will include the No. 3/SN No. 3 Grayson [Loganville, GA] Rams, No. 5/SN No. 6 Buford [GA] Wolves, and No. 16/SN No. 21 Carrollton [GA]Trojans.


No. 2 The St. James Performance Academy [Springfield, VA] Strivers


2025 Record: 8-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 6

Next Game: 11/1/2025 — at No. 4/SN No. 4 St. Frances Academy [Baltimore, MD] Panthers
Last Game: 10/24/2025 — The St. James Performance Academy 14, NR St. Thomas More [Oakdale, CT] Chancellors 12 (0-2)
W/L Streak: 8 wins

After winning their first six games by no fewer than 16 points, the Strivers have won their past two games by a combined three points. But it's their first season, and they're still undefeated no matter the margin, heading into their most difficult challenge yet – a date with the No. 4/SN No. 4 St. Frances Academy [Baltimore, MD] Panthers Saturday evening. This will likely end up being a reality check, but the Strivers have to be excited about the future no matter how this game turns out.


No. 3 Elder [Cincinnati, OH] Panthers


2025 Record: 10-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 9

Next Game: 11/7/2025 — TBA
Last Game: 10/24/2025 — Elder NR De La Salle Collegiate [Warren, MI] Pilots (3-5)
W/L Streak:  10 wins

Elder has emerged as the Buckeye State's top program in 2025, and they get a week off while they await the winner of the Fairfield [OH] Indians vs. The Mason [OH] Comets in Ohio's OHSAA Division I playoffs 


No. 4 Cherry Creek [Greenwood Village, CO] Bruins


2025 Record: 9-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 5

Next Game: 10/31/2025 — vs. NR Grandview [Aurora, CO] Wolves (5-4)
Last Game: 10/24/2025 — Cherry Creek 42, NR Smoky Hill [Aurora, CO] Buffaloes (2-7)
W/L Streak:  22 wins

The Bruins have settled into their groove approaching Colorado's CHSAA Class 5A playoffs, having shut out three in-state opponents heading into the season finale. A fourth straight shutout against the Grandview Wolves isn't out of the question, but whether they allow any points or not won't ultimately matter – the Bruins will win this game comfortably as they continue their march toward the postseason.


No. 5 Millard South [Omaha, NE] Patriots


2025 Record: 8-1
Last Week: SN Composite No. 33 (tie)

Next Game: 10/31/2025 — vs. NR Westview [Omaha, NE] Wolverines (6-3)
Last Game: 10/23/2025 — Millard South 63, Benson [Omaha, NE] Bunnies 0 (2-7)
W/L Streak:  8 wins

Millard South's only loss came via a forfeit in the season opener due to rules violations, but the Patriots won that game on the field, 49-7. One of their eight wins also came via forfeit, but in the other seven games, the Patriots have won by an average score of 69.86 to 1.43. In other words, it's been complete domination for the Patriots between the lines, and they head into Nebraska's NSAA Class A playoffs as the heavy favorites Friday night against Westview.


No. 6 Archbishop Hoban [Akron, OH] Knights


2025 Record: 8-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 7

Next Game: TBA
Last Game: 10/24/2025 — Archbishop Hoban 24, NR St. Edward [Lakewood, OH] Eagles 20 (8-2)
W/L Streak:  7 wins

Archbishop Hoban is still awaiting its playoff destination, and they'll take a week off while the final pieces get sorted out in Ohio.


No. 7 Bryant [AR] Hornets


2025 Record: 8-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 10

Next Game: 10/31/2025 — vs. NR North Little Rock [AR] Charging Wildcats (3-5)
Last Game: 10/24/2025 — Bryant 49, NR Cabot [AR] Panthers 3 (2-6)
W/L Streak:  21 wins

Bryant continues to pile up the wins with 21 straight victories to their credit now, and they shouldn't have any problem making it 22 in a row against a 3-5 North Little Rock squad that has struggled for several years now after being one of the state's top programs dating back to the late 2010s and early 2020s.


No. 8 Langston Hughes [Fairburn, GA] Panthers


2025 Record: 9-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 14

Next Game: 10/31/2025 — at NR Lovejoy [GA] Wildcats (8-1)
Last Game: 10/24/2025 — Langston Hughes 40, NR Morrow [GA] Mustangs 0 (1-8)
W/L Streak: 9 wins

In a division dominated by the likes of Grayson, Buford, Carrollton, and McEachern, Langston Hughes has quietly put together a 9-0 run of its own heading into Friday night's season finale at Lovejoy. The Wildcats are 8-1 so this game will be a test, but it could also end up being an affirmation of sorts for Langston Hughes as the Panthers attempt to prove they are a legitimate threat to make a run at Georgia's GHSA Class 6A state championship.


No. 9 East St. Louis [IL] Flyers


2025 Record: 5-3
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 4

Next Game: 10/31/2025 — vs. NR Plainfield [IL] East Bengals (6-3)
Last Game: 10/25/2025 — No. 2/SN No. 2 IMG Academy [Bradenton, FL] Ascenders 38 (8-0), East St. Louis 14
W/L Streak:  1 loss

East St. Louis has taken its program the national route in recent years, scheduling games around the country against some of national high school football's top programs. That's about the only way for a program based in the Midwest to crack the national Top 25, and the Flyers have spent their fair share of time in the national rankings, including earlier this season. The flip side of that strategy is that you're going to lose some of those games, and this edition of the Flyers has lost all of those big games this year, including games against top-ranked teams from New Jersey and Nevada. Last weekend, it was the No. 2/SN No. 2 IMG Academy Ascenders from Florida who dealt the Flyers a loss, but while national acclaim has eluded East St. Louis this year, they can still win an Illinois state title. They'll start their pursuit of a state championship Friday night on six days rest against the Plainfield East Bengals.


No. 10 Carthage [TX] Bulldogs


2025 Record: 8-0
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:  23 wins

Carthage took out its frustration on Bullard last 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. 11 Celina [TX] Bobcats


2025 Record: 8-0
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:  24 wins

Celina's game with Paris last week 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 Friday night as they close in on an undefeated regular season.


No. 12 Lone Star [Frisco, TX] Rangers


2025 Record: 8-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 15

Next Game: 10/30/2025 — at NR Lebanon Trail [Frisco, TX] Trail Blazers (4-4)
Last Game: 10/24/2025 — Lone Star 34, NR Wakeland [Frisco, TX] Wolverines 13 (8-1)
W/L Streak: 8 wins

The Rangers passed their biggest test to date last week with flying colors, beating their previously undefeated neighbors from Wakeland in a comfortable 34-13 win. They shouldn't have any problem beating another Frisco neighbor Thursday night when they take on the Lebanon Trail Trail Blazers.


No. 13 Lake Travis [Austin, TX] Cavaliers


2025 Record: 8-0
Last Week: Unranked

Next Game: 10/31/25 — vs. NR Akins [Austin, TX] Eagles (4-4)
Last Game: 10/24/2025 — Lake Travis 31, Westlake [Austin, TX] Chaparrals 10 (6-2)
W/L Streak: 8 wins

With back-to-back wins over the Dripping Springs [TX] Tigers and Westlake Chaparrals, the Cavaliers have served notice that they might be one of the teams to beat in the Texas UIL Class 6A ranks. They should be able to put it in cruise control for the final two weeks of the regular season starting with Friday's game against the Akins Eagles.


No. 14 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:  3 wins

Like a lot of North Texas teams, Ryan moved its game with Denton to Thursday night last week 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. 15 Jenks [OK] Trojans


2025 Record: 7-1
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:  4 wins

Jenks handed the Moore Lions a 67-14 loss Thursday night, and they'll roll Friday night 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 couple of weeks ago.


No. 16 Davis [Kaysville, UT] Darts


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

Next Game: 10/31/2025 — vs. NR 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 was off last weekend, preparing for Friday's playoff opener against the Bingham Miners who will enter the contest with three weeks of rest. But anything short of a Davis win in this game would be a major upset.


No. 17 West Point [MS] Green Wave


2025 Record: 8-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 21

Next Game: 10/31/2025 — at NR New Hope [Columbus, MS] Trojans (6-2)
Last Game: 10/24/2025 — West Point 51, NR Caledonia [MS] Cavaliers 7 (1-7)
W/L Streak: 8 wins

West Point has proven to be the dominant team in Mississippi's prep football ranks all year, and they rolled again against the overmatched Caledonia Cavaliers last week. New Hope will put up a stiffer challenge on Friday night, but ultimately, this has been the Green Wave's year, and the should add another mark to the win column.


No. 18 Nashville [TN] Christian Eagles


2025 Record: 9-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 21

Next Game: 10/31/2025 — vs. NR Friendship Christian [Lebanon, TN] Commanders (8-1)
Last Game: 10/24/2025 — Nashville Christian 65, NR Ezell-Harding Christian [Antioch, TN] Eagles 12 (5-4)
W/L Streak: 19 wins

Nashville Christian swamped Ezell-Harding Christian, 65-12, last Friday night, but they could run into a bigger challenge Friday night against Friendship Christian. This one is worth keeping an eye on down in the Volunteer State.


No. 19 Brentwood [TN] Academy Eagles


2025 Record: 8-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 23

Next Game: 10/31/2025 — at NR Lipscomb Academy [Nashville, TN] Mustangs (3-6)
Last Game: 10/24/2025 — Brentwood Academy 49, NR Father Ryan [Nashville, TN] Irish 7 (1-8)
W/L Streak: 8 wins

Brentwood Academy made it eight in a row last Friday against Father Ryan, and they shouldn't have any problems this Friday against the Lipscomb Academy Mustangs.


No. 20 McCallie [Chattanooga, TN] Blue Tornado


2025 Record: 7-2
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 24

Next Game: 10/31/2025 — vs. NR Christ Presbyterian Academy [Nashville, TN] Lions (2-7)
Last Game: 10/24/2025 — McCallie 48, NR Montgomery Bell Academy [Nashville, TN] Big Red 21 (5-3)
W/L Streak: 2 wins

The Blue Tornado still has a lot to play for in 2025, and the boys from Chattanooga got back to.500 in region play last weekend. They'll get past Christ Presbyterian Academy Friday night to finish out an 8-2 regular season before heading into Tennessee's TSSAA playoffs.


No. 21 Oakland [Murfreesboro, TN] Patriots


2025 Record: 9-0
Last Week: Unranked

Next Game: 10/31/2025 — vs. NR Riverdale [Murfreesboro, TN] Warriors (7-2)
Last Game: 10/24/2025 — Oakland 49, NR Stewarts Creek [Smyrna, TN] Red Hawks 0 (4-5)
W/L Streak:  15 wins

Oakland will finish out the regular season Thursday in a tough game against their rivals from Riverdale in Murfreesboro. The Patriots understand the importance of this game, but this is a 'throw-out-the-records' kind of rivalry. Their spot here in The NEXT 25 is only assured if they find a way to win this game.


No. 22 Cardinal Mooney [Sarasota, FL] Cougars


2025 Record: 8-1
Last Week: Unranked

Next Game: 10/31/2025 — vs. NR Specially Fit Academy [Dover, FL] Rams (7-3)
Last Game: 10/24/2025 — Cardinal Mooney 48, Tarpon Springs [FL] Spongers (2-7)
W/L Streak: 7 wins

Cardinal Mooney has operated all year in the second tier of Florida preps behind the big names from places like IMG Academy, St. Thomas Aquinas, Chaminade-Madonna, Northwestern, and Central, but their persistence and consistency has finally paid off in a spot here in The NEXT 25. They'll have to keep winning to maintain it.


No. 23 Central [Phenix City, AL] Red Devils


2025 Record: 9-1
Last Week: Unranked

Next Game: TBA
Last Game: 10/24/2025 — Central 62, NR JAG [Montgomery, AL] Jaguars 6 (1-8)
W/L Streak:  4 wins

Central wrapped up the regular season last week at 9-1, their only loss coming in a 49-14 blowout to the nation's No. 2/SN No. 2 IMG Academy Ascenders on September 26. They await the playoff brackets to know their next game as Alabama heads to the postseason next weekend.


No. 24 Highland Park [Dallas, TX] Scots


2025 Record: 7-1
Last Week: Unranked

Next Game: 10/31/2025 — at NR Cleburne [TX] Yellowjackets (2-7)
Last Game: 10/24/2025 — Highland Park 56, Centennial [Burleson, TX] Spartans 14 (3-6)
W/L Streak:  7 wins

It's a deep field in the Lone Star State as a slew of early-season upsets reset the order of our Texas Top 25. Highland Park was one of those teams that stumbled out of the gate in a 52-49 loss to the Rockwall [TX]-Heath Hawks in the 2025 season opener, but they've somewhat quietly strung together eight wins to work their way back up the Texas rankings to earn a spot here in The NEXT 25.


No. 25 Roswell [GA] Hornets


2025 Record: 8-1
Last Week: Unranked

Next Game: 10/31/2025 — vs. NR Milton [GA] Eagles (7-2)
Last Game: 10/24/2025 — Roswell 37, SN NEXT No. 25 Gainesville [GA] Red Elephants 35 (7-2)
W/L Streak: 6 wins

Roswell stunned Gainesville last week, and they take the Red Elephants' position here this week at No. 25 in The NEXT 25. It could be a short stay with Milton on deck.


Weekly NEXT 25 Schedule


NR – Not ranked

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Thursday, October 30, 2025

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  • SN NEXT No. 1 McEachern [Powder Springs, GA] Indians (9-0) at NR Osborne [Marietta, GA] Cardinals (1-8) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
  • SN NEXT No. 12 Lone Star [Frisco, TX] Rangers (8-0) at NR Lebanon Trail [Frisco, TX] Trail Blazers (4-4) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
  • NR Brewer [Fort Worth, TX] Bears (5-2) at SN NEXT No. 14 Ryan [Denton, TX] Raiders (7-1) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
  • NR Riverdale [Murfreesboro, TN] Warriors (7-2) at SN NEXT No. 21 Oakland [Murfreesboro, TN] Patriots (9-0) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)

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Friday, October 31, 2025

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  • SN NEXT No. 8 Langston Hughes [Fairburn, GA] Panthers (9-0) at NR Lovejoy [GA] Wildcats (8-1) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
  • NR Specially Fit Academy [Dover, FL] Rams (7-3) at SN NEXT No. 22 Cardinal Mooney [Sarasota, FL] Cougars (8-1) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
  • NR Milton [GA] Eagles (7-2) at SN NEXT No. 25 Roswell [GA] Hornets (8-1) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
  • NR North Little Rock [AR] Charging Wildcats (3-5) at SN NEXT No. 7 Bryant [AR] Hornets (8-0) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
  • SN NEXT No. 15 Jenks [OK] Trojans (7-1) at NR Enid [OK] Plainsmen (0-7) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
  • SN NEXT No. 17 West Point [MS] Green Wave (8-0) at NR New Hope [Columbus, MS] Trojans (6-2) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
  • NR Friendship Christian [Lebanon, TN] Commanders (8-1) at Nashville [TN] Christian Eagles (9-0) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
  • SN NEXT No. 19 Brentwood [TN] Academy Eagles (8-0) at NR Lipscomb Academy [Nashville, TN] Mustangs (3-6) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
  • NR Christ Presbyterian Academy [Nashville, TN] Lions (2-7) at SN NEXT No. 20 McCallie [Chattanooga, TN] Blue Tornado (7-2) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
  • SN NEXT No. 24 Highland Park [Dallas, TX] Scots (7-1) at NR Cleburne [TX] Yellowjackets (2-7) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
  • SN NEXT No. 10 Carthage [TX] Bulldogs (8-0) at NR Rusk [TX] Eagles (1-7) — 8:30 p.m. EST (7:30 p.m. EST local)
  • SN NEXT No. 11 Celina [TX] Bobcats (8-0) at NR Community [Nevada, TX] Braves (1-7) — 8:30 p.m. EST (7:30 p.m. CST local)
  • NR Akins [Austin, TX] Eagles (4-4) at SN NEXT No. 13 Lake Travis [Austin, TX] Cavaliers (8-0) — 8:30 p.m. EST (7:30 p.m. CST local)
  • NR Grandview [Aurora, CO] Wolves (5-4) at SN NEXT No. 4 Cherry Creek [Greenwood Village, CO] Bruins (9-0) — 9 p.m. EST (7 p.m. MST local)

Playoffs

  • Utah UHSAA Class 6A playoffs
    NR Bingham [South Jordan, UT] Miners (3-6) vs. SN NEXT No. 16 Davis [Kaysville, UT] Darts (9-1) — 6 p.m. EST (4 p.m. MST local)
  • Nebraska NSAA Class A playoffs
    NR Westview [Omaha, NE] Wolverines (6-3) vs. SN NEXT No. 5 Millard South [Omaha, NE] Patriots (8-1) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
  • Illinois IHSA Class 6A playoffs
    NR Plainfield [IL] East Bengals (6-3) vs. SN NEXT No. 9 East St. Louis [IL] Flyers (5-3) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)

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Saturday, November 1, 2025

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  • SN NEXT No. 2 The St. James Performance Academy [Springfield, VA] Strivers (8-0) at No. 4/SN No. 4 St. Frances Academy [Baltimore, MD] Panthers (7-1) — 7 p.m. EST local

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IDLE

SN NEXT No. 3 Elder [Cincinnati, OH] Panthers (10-0); SN NEXT No. 6 Archbishop Hoban [Akron, OH] Knights (8-1); SN NEXT No. 23 Central [Phenix City, AL] Red Devils (9-1)

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Contributing Writer