Predicting the New York high school football state champions

High schools around the state of New York have begun football practices and that means student-athletes are back on the gridiron in the Empire State.

With practices starting up, games are not too far on the horizon and we’ve decided to already forecast which teams will win NYSPHSAA state championships this fall. We selected all five state champions as the New York high school football season is just getting underway in the Northeast.

Class AA: Albany Christian Brothers Academy

Sitting as the No. 6-ranked team in all of the Empire State, the Albany Christian Brothers Academy are team coming off a season of heartbreak. The Brothers came just a point short of winning it all last season, falling to Syracuse Christian Brothers Academy in a heartbreaking 41-40 decision. Don’t worry Christian Brothers Academy, the window of opportunity to winning a Class AA crown is not closed as the team returns star quarterback Archie Jones this fall. Jones, who has an offer from Cornell, last season completed 127 of 191 passes for 2,362 yards, 28 touchdowns and just one mere interception. With the heart of the offense back, the Brothers have a chance to redeem last year’s disappointing finish and come away with a championship.

Class A: Somers

We have already made our decision prior to this, as we made a 2025 schedule prediction for the Tuskers in winning it all in Class A. Somers has won three straight state championships and we’re already predicting a fourth is on the way as the Tuskers return a talented bunch under head coach Anthony DeMatteo, whose father, Tony, is second all-time on New York’s coaching wins list with 360. The Tuskers will need to lean heavily on the talents of 2026 athlete Dean Palazzolo, who made all-state last year and also plays lacrosse.

Class B: Port Jervis

The Raiders are the defending NYSPHSAA Class B state champs and we think they have what it takes to repeat as champions this fall. After a season that saw Port Jervis defeat Maine-Endwell is a hard fought 33-26 game, the Raiders enter the fall with an offensive group that averaged 44.3 points per game. Port Jervis’ starting quarterback from a year ago, Dylan Fox, is back at the controls behind center after a stellar 2024 season. Fox a year ago threw for 2,001 yards and 29 touchdowns, adding 1,098 on the ground and 17 more scores. Fox returning is a big reason why we can see Port Jervis hoisting another state title in December.

Class C: Schuylerville

Of the five New York classifications, this one might’ve been one of the toughest to choose as Schuylerville just narrowly edged out Salamanca, 26-20, last year in Class C. The Broncos may have graduated some key starters, they also bring back experience on both sides of the ball. A star in the making is sophomore Ernie Dacosta, who as a freshman rushed for 674 yards and scored five touchdowns. Senior defensive back Ben VanVeghten is back in the secondary after intercepting three passes a year ago.

Class D: Greenwich

The Witches were right on the doorstep last year of reaching NYSPHSAA’s Class D state championship game, losing to eventual runner-up Burke Catholic, 25-18. What Greenwich has going for them is a favorable schedule to start the season as the Witches recorded several shutouts in 2024 en route to reaching the playoffs. Though the team graduates eight seniors from last year’s 10-2 team, Greenwich has been on the precipice of winning it all the last couple of years and we see them breaking down the door this time around.