Way-Too-Early North Dakota High School Football Top 25 Rankings

North Dakota high school football might not be the biggest in terms of participation. However, it doesn’t mean that these teams, especially the state’s best, cannot put on a fantastic show. They bring their best every week, hoping to defeat their rivals and boost their chances of hoisting state championship trophies. Here are the best North Dakota high school football teams entering into the 2025 season, according to Massey.

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. Sheyenne Mustangs

After starting with a 3-2 record, the Mustangs finished the 2024 season with seven consecutive victories, including their triumph over Fargo Davies for the North Dakota high school football Division AAA state championship. Sheyenne’s title defense starts on August 29 against Legacy.

2. Minot Magicians

After losing two of their first three games, the Magicians bounced back by winning their next six games. However, Fargo Davies eliminated them in the Division AAA state semifinals, ending their season at 8-3. Minot will try to regain the state championship they won in 2023 via a better 2025 campaign, starting with an August 29 rematch against the team that eliminated them from last year’s competition.

3. Bismarck Demon

While Bismarck lost to eventual champions Sheyenne in the Division AAA state semifinals, their 8-3 record is still a remarkable achievement, considering they were winless during the 2022-23 season. The state’s third-best team returns to action on August 29 against West Fargo.

4. Mandan Braves

The Braves started the 2024 season winning three of their first four games. However, they faltered at the end, losing four of their last six. Mandan hopes to improve on their 5-5 record, starting with their season-opener against Fargo North on August 30.

5. Kindred Vikings

The Vikings swept their first 12 games of the 2024 North Dakota high school football season, only to lose to Velva/Garrison/Drake/Anamoose in the Division A state championship game. With the help of tight end Brooks Bakko and defensive lineman Luke Starcevic, Kindred hopes to regain that title. Their 2025 campaign starts against Devils Lake on August 29.

6. Century
7. Shanley
8. West Fargo
9. Velva
10. Central Cass

11. Red River
12. New Rockford-Sheyenne
13. Langdon Area
14. Fargo North
15. Bishop Ryan

16. Trinity
17. Jamestown
18. Shiloh Christian School
19. Oakes
20. Ellendale

21. Lamoure
22. Lisbon
23. Harvey
24. Killdeer
25. St. Mary’s