Predicting the Pennsylvania high school football state champions

The Keystone State is rich in history when it comes to its high school football and it features many storied programs up and down its classifications. From the legendary Western Pennsylvania region to the Eastern part of the state that features nationally-ranked St. Joseph’s Prep, there’s a myriad of schools looking to compete for a championship. Who ends up winning them, though? We dive into the Pennsylvania PIAA’s six classifications and give you predictions on who we think ends up winning state championships this fall.

AAAAAA: St. Joseph’s Prep School

We bounced around between La Salle College and St. Joseph’s Prep, going with the latter, especially that we have already made a prediction that the Hawks are bound to repeat as PIAA state champions. St. Joseph’s Prep plays arguably the toughest schedule of any Pennsylvania high school football team in AAAAAA and will be well prepared for a deep postseason run. The team that will give them the most fits is the Explorers, who will come at the Hawks with a dynamic offensive attack. The Hawks winning this tough Pennsylvania class will be close, but that’s our prediction for 2025.

AAAAA: Roman Catholic

Last year’s AAAAA Pennsylvania high school football championship game with Bishop McDevitt went into overtime as Roman Catholic came up just short in a 34-31 loss. Now with an entire offseason to stew over the loss, the Cahillite return for vengeance as they’re looking to take the top spot away from Bishop McDevitt. Senior quarterback Semaj Beals, an Akron commitment, is returning to the offense after a junior season that saw him throw for 3,048 yards and 36 touchdowns.

AAAA: Monsignor Bonner

The Friars pulled off a decisive victory in last year’s Pennsylvania high school football championship game and we see another coming this fall. Monsignor Bonner cruised their way through the AAAA playoffs en route to soundly defeating Lampeter-Strasburg, 40-14. Now that the Friars are the defending state champs, the proverbial X is laid squarely across their backs but that shouldn’t stop them from pulling off a repeat performance. A key element returning is Class of 2027 quarterback Noel Campbell Jr., who threw for 2,679 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2024.

AAA: Avonworth

Just a field goal away from tying or touchdown to win it was the story for the Antelopes in 2024 as they fell to Northwestern Leigh, 36-33. What has us believing that Avonworth’s time is now stems from the returners they have at key positions, especially on offense. Starting quarterback Carson Bellinger (1,074 yards, 11 TDs in 2024) and leading rusher Luca Neal (1,018 yards, nine TDs) both return behind a stout offensive line, led by Navy commitment Peter Bonnet.

AA: Troy

The Trojans narrowly won last year’s state championship over Central Clarion, 25-24, leaving plenty of room to debate on whether Troy can repeat in AA. Our answer is yes they can as the Trojans will head into the season bringing back leading rusher Brendan Gilliland. Last season as a junior, Gilliland on his way to being one of the classification’s Player of the Year nominees, rushed for 1,476 yards on 138 carries and found the endzone 27 times. Having the workhorse of your offense back absolutely speaks volumes on where your team will be come postseason time in Pennsylvania high school football.

A: Bishop Guilfoyle

With one Kissell having graduated, another steps into his place under center. Chase Kissell was the Marauders’ starting quarterback that led them to the A state championship, but has now since graduated. Stepping in his his younger brother, Jake, who played more last year primarily as an athlete. The younger Kissell only attempted three passes last season, but has plenty of experience playing within the offense already. Bishop Guilfoyle also returns last year’s leading rusher Taurean Consiglio, who went for 1,283 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024.