Prediction: St. Frances Academy (Md.) drops one game in 2025

The 2025 high school football season will be getting underway in less than six weeks, which means it’s officially preview season. Rivals is breaking down the nation’s top teams from coast-to-coast, and today we make our way to over to the DMV and look at the nationally-ranked St. Frances Academy Panthers. Ranked No. 7 in the nation according to the preseason Massey Ratings Top 25 national rankings, the Panthers will play one of the toughest schedules in the country and have 12 games scheduled. The Panthers do not play in any type of state playoff system within Maryland, so their season ends on Nov. 7 against rival IMG Academy. How does this campaign go for St. Frances Academy?

Player Spotlight: EDGE Zion Elee

When it comes to high school pass rushers, Elee is about as good as it gets. The 2026 5-star edge rusher is already committed to the University of Maryland, so he won’t have to go far when it comes to playing on the next level. In his last year as a Panther, Elee looks to continue creating havoc for opposing offenses on a national level. Last season, Elee totaled 56 tackles, 28 going for a loss, 10 sacks, seven pass breakups and three forced fumbles. Whomever has the job on any given Friday night of trying to block the 6-foot-3, 225-pound defensive end, well, good luck because it’s going to be a long evening.

Others to watch: S Jireh Edwards, CB Raylaun Henry, CB Amauri Polydor, CB Hakim Satterwhite, TE Damon Hall, OL Edward Baker, LB Maurice Medley, S Khmari Bing, S Wayne Henry, EDGE Alexander Taylor, DL Jayden Travers, RB Jae’Oyn Williams, OT John Watkins

Season Prediction: 11-1

St. Frances Academy is always looking to play the best competition in the country and the 2025 season is no different. Playing a national schedule that features the likes of Chaminade-Madonna, St. John Bosco, St. Joseph’s Prep and The First Academy will always keep you on your toes. The Panthers we see winning every game for the exception of one when they make the cross country trip to face the Braves in Bellflower. In what will be a down-to-the-wire kind of contest, the Braves will edge out the Panthers in a 28-22 decision. But what about the end of the season when St. Frances Academy faces rival IMG Academy? That matchup we see ending like last year’s: A win for the Panthers.

Game-By-Game Predictions

Aug. 15 – Canada North (Canada) – W
The Panthers get to host their first home game of the season in a rout of Canada North.

Aug. 23 – at Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.) Lions – W
St. Frances Academy heads down for the Broward County Classic once again to face Chaminade-Madonna, their 2023 opponent, and this time around come away with the win in the South Florida heat.

Sep. 5 – at St. John Bosco (Calif.) Braves – L
The first loss of the season comes when the Panthers travel out to the West Coast to face the No. 2 nationally-ranked Braves in a 28-22 thriller.

Sept. 13 – at St. Joseph’s Prep School (Penn.) Hawks – W
After losing to St. John Bosco, St. Frances Academy bounced back with a 36-16 victory over the Hawks.

Sept. 19 – HSA Academy (MD) – W
Back at the friendly confines of home in Baltimore and the Panthers runaway in this one.

Sept. 26 – Prep Sports Academy (Ala.) – W
Up against another academy, this time from Alabama, St. Frances Academy cruises to win No. 5.

Oct. 3 – The First Academy (Fla.) Royals – W
A couple games against up and coming academies, the Panthers welcome in the Royals, who are making their way up the ranks in Florida. St. Frances Academy pulls off the win over a very talented The First Academy group, 34-17.

Oct. 10 – St. Thomas More (Conn.) Chancellors – W
This has been an annual game between the Maryland and Connecticut private schools. The Panthers win by double-digits over the Chancellors.

Oct. 17 – Hun School (N.J.) Raiders – W
Heavyweight battle in the Baltimore goes to the Panthers as they get by Big Red.

Oct. 24 – at Aces ELITE (Ariz.) – W
Another academy comes into the DMV and walks out with a loss, compliments of St. Frances Academy.

Oct. 31 – St. James (Vir.) – W
On Halloween, there’s plenty to spook out St. James with in a blowout victory.

Nov. 7 – at IMG Academy (Fla.) Ascenders – W
This other than Mater Dei-St. John Bosco is the next most talent-filled game on the high school level around the country. The contest has become a rivalry between the two schools and we see the Panthers upending the Ascenders in Bradenton.