Way-Too-Early Montana High School Football Top 25 Rankings

Of the over 220 competing Montana high school football teams, 25 have distanced themselves from the rest of the pack. The top 25 squads demonstrated their dominance throughout the 2024 season, which earned them some of the top spots in the state rankings. From traditional powers to upstart competitors, here are the teams to watch out for in the Treasure State.

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. Billings Central Catholic Rams

The Rams finished the 2024 Montana high school football season with a 12-0 record, their third undefeated campaign since 2007 under head coach Jim Stanton. Billings Central Catholic completed a perfect season by defeating Laurel in the Class A state championship game. The Rams’ title defense starts on August 29 against Beaverhead County.

2. Fergus Golden Eagles

The Golden Eagles finished the 2024 season at 9-3. Two of their losses, including in the Class A state semifinal, were against Billings Central Catholic. Fergus will start their season on August 29 against Columbia Falls.

3. Capital Bruins

After losing their season opener against Gallatin, Capital finished the 2024 Montana high school football season with a 11-game winning streak, including their victory over Glacier to capture the Class AA state championship. Athlete Drew Almquist and the Bruins will start its title defense against C.M. Russell on August 29.

4. Laurel Locomotives

The Locomotives lost to Billings Central Catholic twice, including in the Class A state championship game. That defeat ended their season at 9-2-1 with a tie against Havre. Laurel will have a rematch against the Rams on September 19, two weeks after their game against Sidney.

5. Beaverhead County Beavers

The Beavers entered the 2024 Montana high school football Class A state playoffs with a 7-1 record. However, their promising season ended with a quarterfinal loss to Fergus. Beaverhead County regroups as they start the 2025 season against defending state champions Billings Central Catholic on August 29.

6. Columbia Falls School
7. Glacier
8. Frenchtown
9. Florence-Carlton
10. Havre

11. Manhattan
12. Gallatin
13. Whitefish
14. Jefferson
15. Malta

16. Bigfork
17. Lincoln County
18. Hamilton
19. Custer County
20. Bozeman

21. Billings West
22. Helena
23. Corvallis
24. Sentinel
25. Red Lodge