Preseason Michigan High School Football Top 25 Rankings

Excitement is rising in the Great Lakes State as the Michigan high school football season is just weeks away from getting underway. Here are the top 25 teams heading into the 2025 campaign, based on Massey’s latest rankings.

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.

1. Detroit Catholic Central Shamrocks

From a 13-1 record and winning the state championship in 2023, the Shamrocks lost to Frankenmuth in the Michigan high school football Division 5 state semifinals. Though they finish with a 7-5 record, it’s still an impressive feat, considering they were 4-4 at one point.

Before Detroit Catholic Central gets another shot at the championship, they will start the 2025-26 season against Chippewa Valley on August 29. Quarterback Duke Banta will line up with some talented players like wide receiver Samson Gash, tight end Jack Janda, interior lineman Benjamin Eziuka, and offensive tackle Eric Anderson. Meanwhile, four-star safety Gideon Gash will lead the defense.

2. Rockford Rams

The Rams won seven of their first nine games before entering the postseason. However, Grandville eliminated them in the first round of the Division 1 state tournament. After falling short of the title, Rockford will have another shot at it in the 2025-26 Michigan high school football season, starting with their opener against Saline on August 28.

3. De La Salle Collegiate Pilots

The Pilots never lost more than two straight games during the 2024-25 Michigan high school football season. However, while they showed promise entering the Division 2 playoffs, Wylie E. Groves eliminated them in the state quarterfinals.

De La Salle Collegiate will be back in action against Hamtramck on August 28. Leading the pack for the Patriots are tight end Zack Wagner, cornerback David Williams, linebacker Anthony Bitonti, wide receiver Damion King, and quarterback Grayson Thurston.

4. Zeeland West Dux

After losing to Unity Christian, the Dux rattled off nine consecutive wins, including their victory over King to capture the Michigan high school football Division 4 state championship and finish their campaign at 13-1. Zeeland West will start its title defense against Old Redford Academy on August 29 and will have a rematch against Unity Christian on October 3.

5. St. Mary’s Prep Eaglets

After dropping three of their first seven games, the Eaglets ran off the table and won seven consecutive games. That streak includes their victory over Byron Center to claim the Division 2 state championship.

St. Mary’s Prep’s 2025-26 Michigan high school football season will start against Portage Northern on August 28. The Eaglets have some interesting players like Western Michigan commit Camari Patterson, UMass commit Kareem Pruitt, wide receiver Chad Willis, linebacker Brandon Adams Jr., athlete Lorenzo Barber, and quarterback Jabin Gonzales.

6. Hudsonville
7. Muskegon
8. Belleville High School
9. Byron Center
10. Grandville

11. Cass Technical
12. Adams
13. Mona Shores
14. Forest Hills Central
15. Dakota

16. Dewitt
17. West Bloomfield
18. Davison
19. Unity Christian
20. Clarkston

21. Notre Dame Prep
22. Goodrich
23. West Catholic
24. Lake Orion
25. Wylie E. Groves