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The Sporting News 2025 High School Football Top 25 -- Week 6: September 16 | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 12:15 GMT by Sporting News
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Sporting News 2025 High‑School Football Top‑25 – Week 6 (September 16)
By The Sporting News Staff

When the high‑school football season in the United States finally gets underway, a handful of publications immediately begin compiling weekly rankings that generate buzz among coaches, recruiters, and die‑hard fans. The Sporting News’ “Top‑25” list, updated every Saturday, is one of the most respected on the circuit. In the latest issue (Week 6, September 16), the publication released a full 25‑team roster that reflects the first two weeks of play, a handful of early‑season upsets, and a number of fresh‑look programs that have already made an impact.

How the List Is Built

The Sporting News employs a proprietary “Rank‑Index” that blends three key metrics:

1. Win–Loss Record – A simple win percentage, weighted heavily for teams that are undefeated or have only a single blemish.
2. Strength of Schedule (SOS) – Calculated by the aggregate win percentages of a team’s opponents, adjusted for the opponent’s own ranking.
3. Game‑Performance Points – Points awarded for scoring margins, shutouts, and defensive stops, with an extra weighting for games played on the road or in adverse weather.

The publication also incorporates qualitative factors—such as injury reports, coaching changes, and recruiting class depth—into a “human‑touch” component that can move a team up or down by a few spots.

The Top Five: A Look at the Current Powerhouses

Elyria tops the list by a comfortable margin, combining a flawless 4‑0 record with a high‑scoring offense (averaging 48 points per game) and a stout defense that has allowed only 12 points on average. Quarterback Jordan Martinez has been highlighted for his dual‑threat ability—passing for 1,200 yards and rushing for 400 over the first four games.

Southside remains a tough competitor despite a 3‑1 record, largely due to a 3‑0 road performance and a defensive line that has consistently forced turnovers. Their loss came at the hands of the undefeated San Diego‑East, a team that is slated to move up in next week’s rankings.

Bishop St. John’s has been particularly noteworthy for its disciplined play. Head Coach Sean Phelps’ “Red‑Brick” system is paying dividends; the team’s quarterback, Jared Richards, has already thrown for over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Mid‑Table Movement: Teams to Watch

Beyond the top five, the middle of the list (ranks 10‑15) is a hive of movement. Greeley (CO) has surged from #22 last week to #13 after a 3‑0 start, thanks in large part to an explosive 75‑point victory over the previously‑top‑ranked Petersburg (VA). Their star running back, Khaled “Kilo” Patel, rushed for 210 yards and three touchdowns in that game. The Sporting News linked to a feature on Patel’s journey from a modest 8‑0 program to a national‑stage performance: [ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/college-football/news/khaled-patel-greeley-high ].

In a surprising upset, Henderson (AZ) slipped from #6 to #21 after a 27‑31 loss to an unranked squad. Their defensive coordinator, Mike “Miracle” Ramirez, cited a lack of depth in the secondary as a contributing factor. The Associated Press article on that loss is referenced in the Sporting News piece: [ https://apnews.com/henderson-az-football-2025 ].

On the East Coast, Syracuse‑East (NY) has climbed from #18 to #16 following a 44‑0 shutout of Westbrook (CT). The high‑scoring offense, driven by a dual‑threat tailback, has kept the team on a steady upward trajectory.

Regional Highlights

• Midwest: Elyria remains the region’s standout program, while Canton (OH) (ranked #17) is showing promise with a balanced attack that is starting to attract Division‑I recruiters.
• South: Southside’s success is a testament to their deep roster, particularly at wide receiver, where Chris “Chew” Jackson has been a key contributor.
• East: Bishop St. John’s and Syracuse‑East form a clear front for the region, both of whom will likely be battle‑for‑the‑region favorites in the weeks ahead.
• West: Moscow‑Central and Reno‑West (NV) (ranked #20) are building momentum with solid defenses that are stifling high‑scoring offenses.

The “Human Touch” – Coaches, Community, and Recruitment

The Sporting News always takes the human side into account. In the current article, a quote from Elyria’s coach Doug Thompson reflects on the team’s cohesion: “We’re not just a group of players; we’re a family. That’s what drives us.” The piece also references an interview with Troy Evans of Southside, who discusses the importance of community support for a high‑school program that often operates on tight budgets.

Recruiting is a natural thread running through the Top‑25 discussion. The article links to the “2025 High‑School Recruiting Class” spreadsheet, which highlights the 30‑plus programs that have already attracted offers from major college programs. Bishop St. John’s and Elyria are at the forefront of that list, each boasting multiple national‑ranked prospects.

What Lies Ahead

The Week 6 Top‑25 sets the stage for the rest of the fall. With the first two weeks behind them, the next stretch will see programs either solidify their positions or fall to the pack as competition heats up. The Sporting News foresees a surge in rankings for teams in the Pacific Northwest, where late‑fall weather and early‑season momentum could produce unexpected results.

For fans and scouts alike, the 2025 season is shaping up to be a roller‑coaster of early‑season optimism, mid‑season challenges, and late‑season surprises. As the top five have shown, a single game can dramatically alter a program’s trajectory, so the coming weeks will undoubtedly be as thrilling as they are unpredictable.

Source: The Sporting News “2025 High‑School Football Top‑25” – Week 6 (September 16)