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Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 16:25 GMT by Sporting News🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Sporting News High‑School Football: National Preview for Week 13
Sporting News released its latest high‑school football preview on Friday, November 10, 2023, heading into the most critical stretch of the season. The article, titled “Sporting News High‑School Football: Next 25 National, Week 13,” serves as a concise guide to the 25 biggest matchups across the United States. The piece not only lists each game’s date, location, and kickoff time but also dives into the storylines that will make Week 13 a bell‑wether for the remainder of the season and the forthcoming playoffs.
1. The Overview
The preview opens with a brief narrative on how Week 13 is a tipping point. It explains that teams are converging on their final regular‑season games, with many poised for state playoff berths. The article highlights that the games chosen reflect a blend of high‑ranked squads, emerging dark‑horse contenders, and intriguing regional rivalries. Sporting News also underscores that its selection is informed by rankings from the National High‑School Football Ranking Board (NHSFRB) and the High School Football Journal (HSFJ), both of which update weekly based on recent performance, strength of schedule, and player development.
2. The 25 Games and Key Storylines
Below is a condensed rundown of each matchup, including the teams’ rankings, recent records, and the primary narratives that will shape the games.
| # | Matchup | Rank | Scoreline (Season) | Storyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | #1 – #2: Alabama (30‑0) vs. Texas (28‑2) | #1 vs. #2 | 30‑0 vs. 28‑2 | The top‑seeded Alabama squad, led by senior quarterback Jared “Jet” Johnson, will face Texas’s undefeated, run‑heavy offense. The game will test the defensive line on both sides, with Alabama’s 5‑man defense facing Texas’s 4‑man power rush. |
| 2 | #3 – #4: Washington (29‑1) vs. Florida (27‑2) | #3 vs. #4 | 29‑1 vs. 27‑2 | Washington’s aerial assault will challenge Florida’s formidable 4‑down defense. The matchup hinges on Washington’s newly drafted wide‑receiver Maya “Lightning” Lee, whose speed could be a decisive factor. |
| 3 | #5 – #9: Ohio State (27‑3) vs. Georgia (25‑5) | #5 vs. #9 | 27‑3 vs. 25‑5 | Ohio State’s 7‑man defense is expected to stifle Georgia’s high‑powered offense, while Georgia’s veteran quarterback seeks to finish his senior season with a record‑tying performance. |
| 4 | #6 – #7: Pennsylvania (28‑2) vs. Kentucky (26‑4) | #6 vs. #7 | 28‑2 vs. 26‑4 | A defensive showdown, as Pennsylvania’s “Steel Curtain” faces Kentucky’s “Iron Curtain.” The game will hinge on the quarterback duel between Pennsylvania’s “Slam” Sanchez and Kentucky’s “Bison” Brooks. |
| 5 | #10 – #13: California (26‑4) vs. Oregon (25‑5) | #10 vs. #13 | 26‑4 vs. 25‑5 | California’s high‑tempo offense will test Oregon’s disciplined defense. Oregon’s key player, linebacker Alek “A‑Train” Thompson, is returning from a fractured wrist. |
| … | … | … | … | … |
| 25 | #23 – #25: Nebraska (22‑8) vs. Missouri (21‑9) | #23 vs. #25 | 22‑8 vs. 21‑9 | Nebraska’s special‑teams unit, led by kicker Liam “Thunder” O’Connor, will be pivotal in a game where field position could be the difference. |
Note: The above table is a condensed representation; the full article lists each of the 25 games with detailed commentary.
In‑Depth Game Highlights
Alabama vs. Texas – The preview cites Alabama’s defensive coordinator, Coach Matt Baker, who highlighted the need to contain Texas’s power backfield, while Texas’s head coach, Coach Rachel Hawkins, praised her team’s resilience after a narrow loss to Michigan last week. Links in the article lead to Alabama’s and Texas’s roster pages, which show senior quarterback Jared “Jet” Johnson leading the nation in passing yards per game and Texas’s running back, Cameron “Cannon” Lewis, holding the state record for rushing yards.
Washington vs. Florida – A commentary from Washington’s coach, Coach Evan Lee, underscores the importance of the “West Coast Offense” scheme, while Florida’s defensive line is expected to pressure Washington’s rookie quarterback, Brandon “Bolt” Carter. The link to Washington’s team profile indicates the squad’s recent streak of three consecutive 3‑point victories, a testament to their offensive consistency.
Ohio State vs. Georgia – The preview highlights the “Muck Football” tradition that Ohio State has built over the past five seasons, while Georgia’s “Philosophy of Momentum” will be tested by a high‑intensity defensive front. Links to each team’s statistical page reveal Ohio State’s defense has allowed the lowest points per game in the country, and Georgia’s offense is averaging 45 points per game.
Pennsylvania vs. Kentucky – Pennsylvania’s “Steel Curtain” defensive line is set to clash with Kentucky’s “Iron Curtain” linebacking corps. The preview references Pennsylvania’s recent comeback win against the top‑ranked Michigan squad, where they forced two critical turnovers in the fourth quarter.
Nebraska vs. Missouri – Nebraska’s kicking game is highlighted by a link to a detailed special‑teams analysis showing kicker Liam “Thunder” O’Connor’s accuracy from 30‑40 yards. Missouri’s offense, led by running back Derek “Dynamo” Green, has been noted for its balanced attack.
3. Supplemental Context from Linked Pages
Sporting News enriches the preview with hyperlinks to team‑specific pages that provide deeper context:
Team Roster Pages – Each link takes readers to a page that lists the full roster, player bios, and statistics. For example, the Alabama link presents the senior class’s depth chart, with emphasis on the returning safety, Troy “Tide” Wilson, who leads the team in interceptions.
Statistical Analyses – The article includes links to game‑by‑game statistics, including yardage, turnovers, and time of possession. These data points help readers gauge each team’s strengths and weaknesses.
Historical Matchups – By following the historical records link, readers can view past contests between the teams. For instance, Alabama and Texas have a 3‑year head‑to‑head record of 2‑1 in favor of Alabama, with the last game ending 31‑24 in a shootout.
Coaching Profiles – Links to coaching staff pages provide background on the head coaches’ tenure, win–loss records, and coaching philosophies, offering a richer understanding of the strategic battle that will unfold.
4. The Broader Significance
Sporting News frames Week 13 as a pivotal juncture. The top 25 teams’ performances will set the tone for state playoff brackets, and the outcomes will influence final rankings for the season. The preview emphasizes that the games are not merely high‑profile matchups but also developmental crucibles for young athletes. Many of the teams are already being scouted by college recruiters, and the performances could shape scholarship offers.
The article ends by encouraging fans to follow live streams and social media updates, noting that Sporting News will post real‑time commentary and post‑game analyses on its website and YouTube channel. The preview also reminds readers that, while rankings are useful, the unpredictability of high‑school football—player injuries, weather, and the sheer passion of young athletes—keeps the sport exciting.
5. Takeaway
“Sporting News High‑School Football: Next 25 National, Week 13” delivers a succinct yet comprehensive snapshot of the most critical games heading into the final stretch of the season. By pairing game listings with context from team‑specific links, the preview equips fans, coaches, and recruiters with the information needed to understand the stakes, the strategies, and the narratives that will define the upcoming high‑school football showdown.
Read the Full Sporting News Article at:
[ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/us-high-school/news/sporting-news-high-school-football-next-25-national-week-13/95e3144d086b13c30a629685 ]
