What would a 12-team 'High School Football Playoff' look like?

We’re entering playoff time around the country for high school football, but if the sport followed the collegiate model, there would be a 12-team playoff taking place amongst the elite teams in the country.

Since there isn’t such a format around, we decided to tinker with the 12 teams, the matchups and who the overall winner of it all would be. Each game is predicted by the Massey Ratings as we decide who would be the champion in a College Football Playoff format, but a high school version of it.

Teams with the first round bye week: No. 1 IMG Academy, No. 2 St. Frances Academy, No. 3 St. John Bosco, No. 4 Grayson

FIRST ROUND

No. 12 Don Bosco Prep Ironmen (N.J.) at No 5. Buford Wolves (Ga.)

Both teams bring defenses that are second to none, but what would be the difference maker between the two are the skill players offensively for Buford and Don Bosco Prep‘s lack of offensive production. Makes sense that the Wolves would get the edge here and advance to the second round.

Massey Prediction: Buford 30, Don Bosco Prep 14

No. 11 Sierra Canyon Trailblazers (Calif.) at No. 6. Southlake Carroll Dragons (TX)

Talk about one team’s strength versus another’s weakness. You have Southlake Carroll‘s high-flying offense, that’s averaging well over 50 points a game, up against an elite Sierra Canyon defense. Massey is siding with Angelo Renda (Pittsburgh commit) and Brock Boyd (Ohio State commit) over a Richard Wesley-led Trailblazers’ defense. This is certainly up for discussion because the old adage is defense wins championships. ..

Massey Prediction: Southlake Carroll 38, Sierra Canyon 21

No. 10 Edna Karr Cougars (La.) at No 7. Bishop Gorman Gaels (Nev.)

Very interesting matchup between Edna Karr and Bishop Gorman, two teams that pretty much dominate their respective states when it comes to competition. That can certainly be said for this season as Edna Karr’s closest game was a overtime win over American Heritage (Fla.) while Bishop Gorman lost to Mater Dei (Calif.) at home and barely beat Santa Margarita Catholic (Calif.) on the road. Plenty of reason to believe this would be a close one between the Gaels and Cougars.

Massey Prediction: Bishop Gorman 28, Edna Karr 22

No. 9. Centennial Huskies (Calif.) at No. 8. Mater Dei Monarchs (Calif.)

Well, well, well, look what we have here. A rematch from the regular season, in which Centennial edged out Mater Dei in a wild 43-36 victory. Now the two square off in this imaginary High School Football Playoff. What could honestly be a game that’s played in the Southern Section’s Division I bracket in the second round, Massey sees the Monarchs winning the second go round by a tuddy over the Huskies. I mean, it’s hard to beat the same team twice in a season, so there’s that.

Massey Prediction: Mater Dei 35, Centennial 28

SECOND ROUND

No. 8. Mater Dei Monarchs (Calif.) at No. 1 IMG Academy Ascenders (Fla.)

Mater Dei pulls off a revenge victory over Centennial, but has to refocus and head down to Florida for the second time this season an face the No. 1 seeded IMG Academy down in Bradenton. The matchups between the two teams, especially at the skill position would be a high school football fan’s dream. No less than 60 players with Division I offers in a matchup like this and it would go down to the wire. Massey has the Ascenders defending home turf and sending the Monarchs home to Santa Ana.

Massey Prediction: IMG Academy 28, Mater Dei 21

No 7. Bishop Gorman Gaels (Nev.) at No. 2 St. Frances Academy (Md.)

Going from the desert to the cold, rainy city of Baltimore in November certainly favors St. Frances Academy over Bishop Gorman. Ideal conditions would be great, but the Panthers’ defense feasts on any kind of advantage they could get and in this one, it’ll be at the line of scrimmage and via Mother Nature as well. Not to mention the Gaels’ passing attack won’t be able to get much going versus the Panthers’ elite secondary.

Massey Prediction: St. Frances Academy 28, Bishop Gorman 14

No. 6. Southlake Carroll Dragons (TX) at No. 3 St. John Bosco Braves (Calif.)

Now Massey has this playing out to a high scoring thriller in Bellflower and you know, it certainly could play out like that. I mean, both teams have a wide receiver duo that’s elite within their state as Bosco features Madden Williams-Daniel Odom and Southlake’s Blake Gunter-Brock Boyd. Though Texas high school football teams this 2025 season haven’t exactly ventured outside of the Lone Star State, seeing this go down to the wire could be a possibility.

Massey Prediction: St. John Bosco 35, Southlake Carroll 34

No 5. Buford Wolves (Ga.) at No. 4 Grayson Rams (Ga.)

An all-Georgia second round matchup, sign everyone up from the Peach State for this one. In reality, this is a game we expect to happen in the GHSA’s Class 6A postseason and this will be a barn burner. Honestly, this game could go either way, but Massey takes the Wolves on the road to upset the Rams in a tight one in Loganville.

Massey Prediction: Buford 32, Grayson 28

SEMIFINALS

No 5. Buford Wolves (Ga.) at No. 1 IMG Academy Ascenders (Fla.)

From Northwest Georgia to Florida’s South Suncoast in this semifinal as Buford looks to upset IMG Academy on their way for a chance to compete for a national high school football championship game. Both teams play a similar pro-styles of offense and have defenses that feature several Division I players on each. These two teams throw jabs at each other back and forth throughout the contest, but it will be the Ascenders that moves on to the national title tilt, per Massey.

Massey Prediction: IMG Academy 33, Buford 26

No. 3 St. John Bosco Braves (Calif.) at No. 2 St. Frances Academy Panthers (Md.)

Another rematch from a game that did happen in the regular season as St. John Bosco defeated St. Frances Academy, 21-14, in Bellflower. This time around, the game takes place in Baltimore and the game was a toss up thousands of miles away for the Panthers in the first matchup between the high school football titans. Now with the home field advantage at Under Armour Field, Massey gives St. Frances Academy the edge over St. John Bosco, sending them to the de facto national championship game.

Massey Prediction: St. Frances Academy 28, St. John Bosco 23

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFF CHAMPIONSHIP

No. 2 St. Frances Academy Panthers (Md.) vs. No. 1 IMG Academy Ascenders (Fla.)

We talked about this one in today’s edition of Andy’s Take as St. Frances Academy gets their shot at IMG Academy on a neutral field in a de facto national high school football championship game. There’s no telling between these two teams as this one is sure to reach the final quarter with no for certain winner. It’s the Panthers just getting by the Ascenders, according to Massey, as they are hailed the national champions of high school football, hypothetically of course.

Massey Prediction: St. Frances Academy 22, IMG Academy 21

How to Follow National High School Football

For national high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals National High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals National High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement across the country.