Pennsylvania High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams - Sept. 1

The high school football season continued in Pennsylvania last week, as many of the top programs in the Keystone State were in action. Plenty of interesting results followed. La Salle College emerged victorious in an instant classic against rival Malvern Prep, Roman Catholic won big in Florida and St. Joseph’s Prep was routed in Delaware.

Another jam-packed slate is on deck as teams continue their quests for a state title. Below are the top 25 Pennsylvania high school football teams, according to the Massey Ratings, as of Sept. 1.

1. La Salle College (2-0)

It came down to a key defensive stop in the final moments of the game but La Salle College came away from the Battle at the Beach with a 42-35 over No. 5 Malvern Prep. Missouri quarterback commit Gavin Sidwar connected with Notre Dame commit Joey O’Brien for three scores, and the Explorers’ special teams unit got in on the action with a pair of kickoff returns for touchdowns. Next up for La Salle College is a road game against the top-ranked team in Delaware, Salesianum.

2. St. Joseph’s Prep School (0-2)

The Hawks were dominated start to finish by DeMatha Catholic on Saturday, 45-17, and now sit 0-2 for the first time since 2007. Nothing is going well for St. Joseph’s Prep so far this season. The team’s defense couldn’t keep the Stags out of the endzone on Saturday, its offense has managed just 17 points in the last five quarters and the special teams had a punt blocked and returned for a touchdown. The Hawks will have a desperately-needed bye week to regroup before their season continues Sept. 13 against St. Frances Academy (Md.).

3. Roman Catholic (1-1)

The Cahillite bounced back from an opening week loss to North Carolina’s Providence Day with an impressive 49-35 road win over Florida’s Cardinal Newman on Friday. Senior quarterback Semaj Beals, an Akron Zips commitment, accounted for six touchdowns in the victory. Roman Catholic will look to push its record to 2-1 on Friday against No. 25 Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.

4. Central Catholic (1-1)

The Vikings snapped a three-game losing streak to Pine-Richland on Friday with an emphatic 34-20 decision. Central Catholic forced three turnovers and Roman Thompson, an FBS prospect at linebacker, rushed for three touchdowns in the win. Next up for the Viking is a matchup with Woodland Hills.

5. Malvern Prep (0-1)

The good news for the Friars is their offense looks to be in midseason form already. The bad news is, well, the defense and special teams are still a work in progress. Ezekiel Bates, a Minnesota commit, paced Malvern Prep with three rushing touchdowns in the loss. The Friars will look for their first win of the season Saturday against New Jersey’s Delbarton.

6. Harrisburg (2-0)

Celebration of the Cougars’ 29-21 win over No. 15 Bishop McDevitt on Saturday was muted due to an injury to star running back Messiah Mickens, who is committed to Penn State. Mickens left the game in the second quarter and eventually returned to the sideline in street clothes. Harrisburg will face No. 13 State College Area on Friday.

7. Peters Township (2-0)

The Indians faced a short-handed McKeesport squad on Friday as the Tigers were without two key offensive linemen and star running back Kemon Spell. Peters Township took full advantage and cruised to a 35-0 victory to push its record to 2-0. The team enters next week’s Pennsylvania high school football matchup against Mt. Lebanon as a heavy favorite.

8. Monsignor Bonner (2-0)

The Friars blanked Archbishop Ryan 26-0 on Saturday, giving the team back-to-back shutout victories for the first time in more than a decade. Monsignor Bonner will look to continue its defensive momentum Friday against Archbishop Wood.

9. Upper Saint Clair (2-0)

Upper Saint Clair feasted on the Canon-McMillan Big Macs on Friday, 48-0. The first two weeks of the schedule have been very manageable for the Panthers and that will continue next week against an 0-2 Franklin Regional squad that has been outscored 73-27 on the young Pennsylvania high school football season.

10. North Allegheny (2-0)

The Tigers scored on their opening possession and never looked back in their 41-0 romp over Gateway on Friday. Running back Luke Rohan accounted for more than 100 yards of offense and scored three times in the win, while quarterback Brady Brinkley completed 9-of-13 passes for 159 yards and threw two touchdowns. Next up for North Allegheny is a home date against Penn Hills.

Pennsylvania High School Football Rankings: Nos. 11 – 25

11. Pine-Richland Rams (1-1)
12. Downingtown West Whippets (1-1)
13. State College Area Little Lions (2-0)
14. Easton Area Rovers (2-0)
15. Bishop McDevitt (0-2)

16. Thomas Jefferson Jaguars (2-0)
17. Coatesville Area Red Raiders (2-0)
18. Central York Panthers (2-0)
19. Springfield Cougars (2-0)
20. North Penn Knights (2-0)

21. Wyomissing Spartans (2-0)
22. Souderton Area Indians (2-0)
23. Chester Clippers (2-0)
24. Episcopal Academy Churchmen (1-0)
25. Springside Chestnut Hill Academy Blue Devils (1-0)

Dropped out of the Pennsylvania High School Football Rankings: Manheim Township, McKeesport, Haverford School, Bethel Park.