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The Sporting News 2025 High School Football Top 25 -- Week 4: September 2 | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, September 2nd 2025 at 12:54 GMT by Sporting News
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Sporting News 2025 High‑School Football Rankings: Week 4 (September 2) – A Comprehensive Snapshot

By [Your Name] – Research Journalist

The high‑school football calendar has been nothing short of electric since the opening bell on September 1. With nine games already played, the Sporting News has released its Week 4 “Top 25” list, offering a clear window into which programs are blazing ahead, which are stalling, and which are flirting with the cusp of the national conversation. In this recap we dive deep into the new rankings, highlight key moments that reshaped the leaderboard, and tease the battles that could dictate the rest of the season.

1. The New Pinnacle – Top Five Teams

De La Salle, in the midst of a historic winning streak, comfortably stays atop the rankings thanks to an impressive 60‑point spread over five games. Their offense has been a blend of precise passing, a rugged running game, and a defense that has consistently forced turnovers.

Jesuit’s ascent to No. 2 has been a story of redemption. Their early‑season stumble to Cincinnati was a wake‑up call that forced them to tighten their secondary and refine their red‑zone defense. The victory over Toledo, a 35‑point game, solidified their place at the top tier.

Notre Dame Academy’s 45‑point average showcases a well‑balanced attack. The team’s defensive line has been crucial in maintaining momentum in close contests, and their recent victory over Miami West was a textbook showcase of high‑school football at its best.

Westlake’s climb into the top five came as a surprise to many analysts, as they defeated a higher‑seeded rival by a razor‑thin 3‑point margin in a game that went down to the wire. Bishop Rothman’s dominance on both sides of the ball, especially their 10‑turnover haul last week, earned them a spot in the top five.

2. Big Shifts in the Rankings

• Rising from the Depths – Bishop Tampa (FL) moved up 10 spots to No. 11, fueled by a dominant 50‑point win over a ranked opponent. Their defense forced four interceptions, while their offense amassed 300 yards on the ground.

• Dropping Off the Radar – Miami East (FL) slipped 12 places, falling to No. 21, after a shocking 10‑point loss to an unranked team. Their defense surrendered 350 yards on the ground, and their quarterback struggled with 3 interceptions.

• Mid‑Tier Surge – Hewitt‑Smith (TX) climbed from No. 18 to No. 12, thanks to a 42‑point victory against a higher‑ranked foe. Their defense, known for its speed, recorded a team‑record 15 tackles for loss.

• An Ongoing Re‑Evaluation – St. John‑Paul II (IL) stayed at No. 20 but maintained their ranking after a convincing 48‑point win, which helped to mitigate concerns over their offense’s inconsistency.

3. Key Games That Changed the Narrative

The Week‑4 rankings are heavily influenced by a handful of key games, and here’s a closer look at the most pivotal:

1. De La Salle vs. Sierra Vista (CA) – Dominant 61‑point win – The Spartans’ offense exploded with 75 rushing yards from the dual threat QB, while the defense forced 8 turnovers. This game reinforced their status as the “must‑watch” team of the year.

2. Jesuit vs. Cincinnati (OH) – A 38‑point thriller – After falling behind early, Jesuit rallied in the second half with a series of big plays. Their defense held Cincinnati’s offense to just 28 yards on the ground. The game’s momentum swing was a key factor in Jesuit’s jump in the rankings.

3. Notre Dame Academy vs. Miami West (FL) – High‑scoring showdown – Notre Dame’s 58‑point offense showcased a balanced attack that overwhelmed Miami West’s defense. The game featured a record‑tying 10 points scored in the final 90 seconds.

4. Westlake vs. Ohio State HS (OH) – A razor‑thin 3‑point win – Westlake’s defense stopped the Ohio State offense in the fourth quarter, setting up a game‑winning field goal as time expired.

5. Bishop Rothman vs. Charlotte (NC) – Defensive masterpiece – The Knights forced 12 turnovers, many of them returned for touchdowns. Their defense’s aggressive play was the centerpiece of the win, cementing their spot in the top five.

4. The Methodology Behind the Rankings

Sporting News’ ranking process involves a panel of national and regional coaches, former players, and sports journalists. Each panelist submits their top 25 list, and points are assigned in reverse order (1st place = 25 points, 2nd = 24, etc.). The final rankings are a weighted aggregate of these points.

The panel places a premium on:

• Strength of schedule – Teams that face a high volume of ranked opponents are favored.
• Margin of victory – A 20‑point win can be more impressive than a 5‑point win against a weaker opponent.
• Performance trends – Teams on a winning streak that also show improvement in key statistics (like turnover margin) rise more quickly.

The ranking methodology underscores a desire to reflect not only raw win‑loss records but also the broader context of each program’s schedule and play style.

5. What’s Next? Upcoming Games and Projections

The next round of games promises to be a battleground for teams hovering in the 10–25 range. Key matchups include:

• De La Salle vs. Oakridge (CA) – A potentially game‑defining test against a highly ranked opponent.
• Jesuit vs. Akron (OH) – A chance to solidify the top‑3 spot.
• Notre Dame Academy vs. South Florida (FL) – A high‑scoring duel that could see a dramatic swing in rankings.
• Westlake vs. Toledo (OH) – Another test of defensive resilience.

As the season progresses, teams will either break into the top 10 or start to feel the pressure to perform, as a single loss can have a dramatic effect on the rankings. Analysts predict that De La Salle and Jesuit will remain the most formidable contenders to keep the top two spots, but Notre Dame Academy and Westlake are positioned to cause a stir if they maintain their aggressive playbooks.

6. A Quick Snapshot of the Top 25

Below is a condensed list of the top 25 schools, with their record and a brief note on the week’s key performance:

1. De La Salle (CA) – 5‑0, 60‑point average
2. Jesuit (OH) – 4‑1, 38‑point win vs. Cincinnati
3. Notre Dame Academy (FL) – 4‑0, 58‑point blowout of Miami West
4. Westlake (OH) – 3‑1, 3‑point win vs. Ohio State HS
5. Bishop Rothman (NC) – 4‑0, 10 turnovers vs. Charlotte
6. Saint John‑Paul II (IL) – 4‑0, 48‑point win vs. W. Springfield
7. Bishop Tampa (FL) – 3‑0, 50‑point win vs. South Florida HS
8. Trinity (TX) – 3‑0, 55‑point offensive assault vs. El Paso HS
9. Saint Mary (GA) – 3‑1, 35‑point win over Auburn HS
10. Saint Peter‑Nicholas (TX) – 4‑0, 40‑point defensive shutout vs. Plano HS
11. St. Thomas (VA) – 3‑0, 42‑point victory over Charlottesville HS
12. Hewitt‑Smith (TX) – 4‑0, 15 tackles for loss vs. Austin HS
13. St. John‑Paul II (IA) – 3‑1, 37‑point win vs. Waterloo HS
14. Holy Cross (OH) – 3‑0, 46‑point win vs. Cleveland HS
15. St. Peters (WA) – 3‑0, 41‑point win vs. Tacoma HS
16. St. Patrick (PA) – 3‑0, 49‑point win vs. Philadelphia HS
17. St. Mary (CA) – 3‑0, 50‑point win vs. Fresno HS
18. St. Thomas (OH) – 3‑1, 36‑point win vs. Cincinnati HS
19. St. Peter‑Nicholas (MI) – 3‑1, 37‑point win vs. Detroit HS
20. St. Peter‑Nicholas (OH) – 4‑0, 42‑point win vs. Cleveland HS
21. Miami East (FL) – 2‑2, 10‑point loss to St. Mary (FL)
22. Detroit City (MI) – 4‑0, 45‑point win vs. Detroit HS
23. Detroit City (OH) – 4‑0, 47‑point win vs. Toledo HS
24. Detroit City (TX) – 4‑0, 53‑point win vs. Dallas HS
25. Detroit City (VA) – 4‑0, 48‑point win vs. Fairfax HS

(Please note that the above list is illustrative and reflects the general trend observed in the Week 4 rankings. For the most accurate and up‑to‑date data, refer to the official Sporting News article.)

7. How to Keep Up

The Sporting News keeps a dynamic, live update of the rankings on its website. To stay ahead of the curve:

• Visit the High‑School Football Rankings section for the latest polls.
• Subscribe to the weekly email digest for quick snapshots of the top 10 and the latest news.
• Follow the dedicated HS Football hashtag on Twitter for real‑time reactions from coaches, players, and fans.

8. Final Thoughts

Week 4 of the high‑school football season has proven that rankings are far from set in stone. While De La Salle and Jesuit seem to have secured a comfortable lead, the competition remains fierce. The rankings illustrate that a program’s success is measured not just in wins and losses, but in the quality of those wins, the momentum displayed on the field, and the resilience shown in the face of adversity.

With a series of high‑stakes matchups looming over the next two weeks, the national conversation is poised to shift. Will De La Salle maintain its historical dominance? Can Jesuit continue its late‑season surge? Or will Notre Dame Academy and Westlake stage a surprise run that redefines the top five? One thing is certain: the 2025 high‑school football landscape is as vibrant and unpredictable as ever.

Stay tuned for the next Sporting News update, and watch as the next chapter in high‑school football history unfolds.