High School Football: Winners and Losers from Oct. 22-25

If you think college football has been whacky, the high school football scene hasn’t been that far behind whatsoever. The week of Oct. 22-25 provided more surprises and upsets around the country and we’re all here for it. We’re looking at the players who impressed, the coaches who stood out and the fans who are either celebrating or scratching their heads. This week, we’re highlighting the biggest winners and losers – the people and moments that made the past weekend memorable.

WINNERS

St. Joseph Regional (N.J.) head coach Augie Hoffmann: There’s big regular seasons wins and then there is victories like St. Joseph Regional had like Saturday afternoon’s 43-42 victory over No. 14 nationally ranked Bergen Catholic. Augie Hoffman and the Green Knights had been so close throughout the season, with tight losses to Don Bosco Prep (17-14) and St. Peter’s Prep (29-28). Hoffmann decided in the overtime session that he would go for two and the win, with the gamble paying off. The head coach rolled the dice and called a fake ‘Philly Special’ with star wide receiver Nate Bailey, who just broke the goal line to give St. Joseph Regional that seismic win. This victory definitely shakes up things in the Garden State and nationally.

Hamilton (Ariz.) wide receiver Roye Oliver: How many players in recent memory have had the kind of season receiving wise, like Oliver? In Hamilton’s 28-12 victory over Basha on Friday night, Oliver added another notch under his belt what has already been a historic season for the wide receiver. The sophomore sensation became the all-time single season leader in touchdown receptions in Arizona’s Class 6A classification. When taking a closer look at the numbers, it really shouldn’t surprise anyone when it comes to Oliver’s play this fall. Oliver through eight games had hauled in 59 passes for 1,316 yards and 25 touchdowns. Not too shabby, eh?

Elkhorn North (Neb.) head coach Sam Stanley: What better story on the dais came last week than the one of Stanley in leading his Wolves to an emotional, 29-27 victory over Bennington Thursday night. Stanley had lost his son, Grant, who died just days before his first birthday. It would’ve been totally understanding of Stanley to not take the field under such circumstances, but the head coach took to the sidelines, pulling off a win against Elkhorn North’s rival for the first time in program history. What an emotional moment for Stanley, his staff and players in a game that meant more than just the on the field result.

LOSERS

Ironton (OH) football players: Late Friday night, the Ironton Board of Education announced that the five-time state champion Ironton (OH) Fighting Tigers would be missing out on the 2025 Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) playoffs due to sanctions handed down by the association. The OHSAA made their official announcement on Saturday morning, confirming what had been speculated all Friday. Ironton football players protested out front of the Ironton School Board office in hopes of changing the minds of decision makers regarding the Fighting Tigers’ postseason hopes. Ironton won’t be afforded the chance to defend their Division V state championship from a year ago and this is most crushing for the seniors that go out with no more games to play before Halloween, just a year removed from playing well past Thanksgiving.

Bergen Catholic Crusaders (N.J.): We’re not sounding some alarm on the program like they’re in shambles, but more along the lines of what could’ve been potentially a season that saw them finish on the national level. A narrow loss to rival Don Bosco Prep earlier in the campaign stung, but this latest decision against St. Joseph Regional has to sting that much more. The Crusaders still are very much a viable contender for the state’s Non-Public A state championship, but this sport reporter would be remiss to not acknowledge that Bergen Catholic has company and could be in jeopardy of not raising the trophy come late November at Metlife Stadium.

Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA): A state association that seems to be between a rock and a hard spot right now is the FHSAA, as multiple outlets last week reported that attorneys representing a number of players at Orlando The First Academy have issued a letter to the Gainesville-based organization reverse the program’s 2025 playoff ban.

“My clients seek the immediate reversal of these penalties to permit their participation in the 2025 postseason, failing which we will pursue all available legal remedies, including an emergency injunction in state or federal court to enjoin enforcement of the ban and a civil action for damages arising from the FHSAA’s arbitrary and capricious conduct,” Darren Heitner and Paul Aloise Jr., lawyers representing The First Academy, said via a USA Today report.

Per the report, the letter points directly to the cases of Gadsden County, Nease and Miami Northwestern, saying that the FHSAA imposed much lighter sanctions compared to that of The First Academy. What happens next it the most interesting part as per the report, the FHSAA had yet to respond to the letter and there was a 24-hour window to do so. It would seem that a lawsuit may be forthcoming and potentially more information regarding the three aforementioned cases may come to light.

How to Follow National High School Football

For high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement across the country.