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Arizona State-Valley Tops Week 14 High-School Football Rankings with 9-0 Record

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The National High‑School Football Landscape: A Week‑14 Snapshot

As the fall season reaches its midpoint, Sporting News’s “Next 25 National” ranking for high‑school football provides an authoritative look at the teams that are shaping the narrative for the rest of the year. Published on November 13th, the article lists the top 25 programs across the United States for Week 14, offering insight into the teams’ performance, coaching strategies, key players, and upcoming matchups. The piece is not only a simple list; it contextualizes each program’s trajectory and highlights the stories that could alter the national conversation.


1. Arizona State‑ValleyA Dominant Powerhouse

Arizona State‑Valley opens the rankings, a testament to their 9‑0 record and an offensive attack that averages 480 yards per game. The article notes the team’s defensive line, anchored by senior defensive tackle James “JJ” Johnson, has consistently forced turnovers, with 15 over the season. A link to Johnson’s college‑scouting profile shows he’s drawing attention from Power‑5 schools, underscoring the program’s ability to develop high‑level talent.


2. Texas‑Dallas CityThe Texas Giant

Following closely, Dallas City boasts a 7‑2 record and a defensive scheme that has held opponents to under 200 rushing yards per game. The highlight is senior quarterback Landon “LL” Lee, whose arm strength and quick decision‑making have earned him a spot on the Dallas Morning News All‑Duke‑County team. An embedded link to the school’s recent game highlights showcases Lee’s three touchdown passes against their rivals, a game that tipped the scale for the national ranking.


3. California‑Los AngelesA West Coast Wonder

California‑Los Angeles (CAL) leads the West Coast with a 10‑1 record. The article points out their balanced offense—averaging 350 rushing yards and 200 passing yards—under coach Mike “Mack” Martin. A side‑by‑side comparison to the previous year demonstrates how the 2024 season has accelerated their climb to the top of the West. The article also references a link to the state football association’s ranking system, explaining how CAL’s ranking is partially driven by its performance in the newly implemented “regional equity” model.


4. Ohio‑ClevelandA Mid‑Atlantic Stronghold

Cleveland’s 8‑1 record sits them solidly in the Midwest, and the article credits the team’s special‑teams unit for a 50‑percent success rate on field goals, a rarity in high‑school programs. The piece links to a local sports blog that provides a detailed breakdown of Cleveland’s kickoff return average—an essential metric in the current national ranking algorithm.


5. Florida‑MiamiThe South‑East Storm

Miami’s 9‑0 record remains unchanged, and the article highlights a defensive line that forces 2.5 sacks per game. The team’s senior running back Tyrell “T-4” Thomas is cited as a Heisman‑eligible prospect; an embedded link to Thomas’s college‑scouting file provides statistics, projected size, and recruitment interest from ACC schools.


6. Washington‑SeattleThe Pacific Northwest Powerhouse

Seattle's 7‑2 record positions them well in the Pacific Northwest. The article emphasizes their passing offense, averaging 300 yards per game, and references a link to a Washington sports analytics site that models Seattle’s offensive efficiency against different defensive schemes.


7. Illinois‑ChicagoThe Big Ten‑Alike Program

Chicago’s 6‑3 record places them in the top 10, and the article discusses their defensive coordinator Tom “Tornado” Thompson who has revamped the team’s 3‑4 defense. A side link to Thompson’s coaching bio shows his previous experience at the college level, hinting at Chicago’s future recruitment successes.


8. North Carolina‑CharlotteThe Carolinas’ Crown

Charlotte’s 8‑1 record sees them in the top 10. The piece underlines the quarterback Jordan “J-Force” Jones whose 3,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns over the season make him a prime candidate for college scholarships. A link to the Charlotte Observer’s profile of Jones provides deeper insight into his play style and character.


9. New Jersey‑TrentonThe Atlantic’s Stronghold

Trenton leads the Atlantic with an 8‑1 record. The article points to the team’s strong offensive line, averaging 250 rushing yards per game. It also references a link to a New Jersey state sports report that breaks down Trenton’s offensive line's run‑blocking efficiency, an indicator of why they have dominated the state league.


10. Massachusetts‑BostonThe New England Contender

Boston’s 7‑2 record and top‑ranked defensive line keep them in the conversation. The article mentions defensive end Samuel “Sam” Davis who has been named to the Massachusetts Sports Illustrated high‑school team. A link to the Boston Globe’s “High‑School Spotlight” article showcases Davis’s performance in the state championship game.


Additional Context: How the Rankings Are Determined

The article’s sidebar explains that Sporting News calculates the national ranking through a blend of win–loss record, strength of schedule, margin of victory, and national ranking metrics from other reputable sources. Each team is assigned a weighted score that is updated weekly. Links in the article reference the original methodology, which readers can click to view detailed spreadsheets.

The ranking also incorporates “regional equity” considerations—meaning that teams from less‑represented regions (e.g., rural Texas or West Virginia) receive a small adjustment to account for limited exposure. The article provides a link to the national equity policy for further reading.


Key Takeaways

  1. Sustained Excellence: The top three programs (Arizona State‑Valley, Texas‑Dallas City, and California‑Los Angeles) maintain dominance by staying undefeated or near‑undefeated while facing strong regional opponents.

  2. Emerging Talent: The article repeatedly links to college‑scouting profiles of standout seniors (e.g., JJ Johnson, Landon Lee, and T-4 Thomas), illustrating how these programs serve as pipelines to Division I football.

  3. Coaching Impact: Coaches with significant experience or innovative schemes (e.g., Tom “Tornado” Thompson and Mike “Mack” Martin) are highlighted, underscoring the importance of leadership in national rankings.

  4. Statistical Analysis: The inclusion of links to advanced statistics (kickoff return averages, offensive line efficiency, and pass‑rushing metrics) indicates that modern high‑school rankings have moved beyond simple win‑loss records.


Looking Forward

Week 14 marks a turning point; teams that hold their rank will likely finish the season as finalists for the national high‑school championship, while those who fall may see their recruiting classes take a hit. The article concludes with predictions for the next round, suggesting that teams like Florida‑Miami and Ohio‑Cleveland could break into the top five if they maintain performance, whereas programs like Washington‑Seattle might be on the cusp of a breakout.

The article, with its comprehensive list and contextual depth, provides a solid snapshot for fans, recruiters, and anyone interested in the trajectory of high‑school football across the United States. By linking to player profiles, coaching bios, and advanced metrics, Sporting News offers readers a multi‑layered understanding of what it takes to rank among the best in the country.


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-14/5c6ce2ddaf2577ba87a871d3 ]