Pennsylvania High School Football Top 25 Rankings - Dec. 2

The Pennsylvania high school football is now onto the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) state championships as teams prepare for this weekend’s title matchups.

No. 1 ranked La Salle College has consistently remained their dominant after they routed North Penn, 49-14, in the state semifinal round and advance to face No. 2 Central Catholic for the state’s 6A state crown. Which other Pennsylvania high school football teams make our second to lastset of Top 25 rankings as the season heads its final weekend?

The Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.

Here is the latest Pennsylvania high school football Top 25 rankings, according to Massey as of Dec. 2.

1. La Salle College Explorers (12-1)

The La Salle College Explorers (12-1) made it look fairly easy in a PIAA Class 6A state semifinal tilt as they cruised by North Penn in a 49-14 rout.

The Explorers have effectively avenged a 2024 Class 6A state championship loss to St. Joseph’s Prep School by defeating the Hawks, 24-14, ending their 2025 season. Now, La Salle looks to put a bow and tie on the season by winning a state championship this weekend when they take on Central Catholic, the No. 2 team in the state.

Senior quarterback Gavin Sidwar, a Missouri commit, through 10 games this season before the playoffs has completed 166 of 234 (71 percent) passes for 2,399 yards, 29 touchdowns and just five picks.

2. Central Catholic Vikings (13-1)

Make it fourteen-straight victories for Central Catholic, as they soundly defeated Harrisburg, 32-14, in the state semifinal round of the Class 6A playoffs. The Vikings (13-1) have been one of the state’s hottest teams as they’ve now won fourteen consecutive wins since losing to La Salle College at the beginning of the season.

Now the Vikings will get their long awaited rematch with the Explorers this week for the PIAA’s Class 6A state championship.

Vikings’ sophomore quarterback Owen Herrick, who completed 145 of 255 passes for 2,313 yards and 19 touchdowns. Another player that has had a strong season for Central Catholic is junior running back Roman Thompson, who has rushed for 839 yards and 29 touchdowns.

3. St. Joseph’s Prep School Hawks (5-5)

The St. Joseph’s Prep School Hawks won’t be repeating as Class 6A state champions as their season ended at the hands of La Salle College, 24-14.

Playing a national schedule certainly has impacted the overall win/loss record for the team, but make no mistake that this is still one of Pennsylvania’s top high school football teams.

St. Joseph’s Prep (5-5) won the Class 6A state championship last year, but won’t get a chance to repeat.

4. Peters Township Indians (13-1)

The Peters Township Indians (13-1) saw its undefeated run this season come to an end in heartbreaking fashion as they fell, 31-28, to Bishop McDevitt last week. Peters Township’s goal of reaching the Class 5A state championship comes up just short of their ultimate goal.

The Indians roster featured multiple Division I recruits on the team, including seniors Reston Lehman (Pittsburgh commit) and Lucas Shanafelt (Stanford commit).

Peters Township started the 5A playoffs with No. 10 ranked Upper Saint Clair (9-3), winning 31-6 in the opening round before the Pine-Richland victory.

5. Bishop McDevitt Crusaders (12-2)

Rounding out the Pennsylvania Top 5 of the rankings is the Bishop McDevitt Crusaders (12-2), which narrowly defeated Peters Township (see above), 31-28, in a Class 5A state semifinal last week.

The Crusaders after a loss to Harrisburg back on Aug. 29 have won 12 games in a row, making them one of the hottest Pennsylvania high school football teams heading into the state championships.

Leading the offensive charge for Bishop McDevitt is the play of Eastern Michigan commitment Nazir Jones-Davis (1,281 yards, 18 touchdowns).

Pennsylvania High School Football Rankings: Nos. 11 – 25

6. Roman Catholic Cahillite (11-3)
7. Malvern Prep Friars (8-2)
8. Harrisburg Cougars (14-1)
9. Pine-Richland Rams (11-2)
10. Avonworth Antelopes (14-0)

11. Upper Saint Clair Panthers (9-4)
12. State College Area Little Lions (11-3)
13. Easton Area Rovers (14-1)
14. Northwestern Lehigh Tigers (14-0)
15. Twin Valley Raiders (14-0)

16. Episcopal Academy Churchmen (9-1)
17. Central York Panthers (11-3)
18. North Allegheny Tigers (8-4)
19. Springfield Cougars (13-2)
20. North Penn Knights (12-3)

21. Moon Area Tigers (9-4)
22. Springside Chestnut Hill Academy Blue Devils (6-4)
23. Parkland Trojans (12-1)
24. Pennridge Rams (13-2)
25. Imhotep Institute Panthers (8-5)

How to Follow Pennsylvania High School Football

For Pennsylvania 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 Keystone 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 high school football excitement across Pennsylvania high school football.