The NEXT 25 presented by The Sporting News: McEachern moves to top of the list after South Oak Cliff enters Top 25

Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 16:45 GMT by Sporting News
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2025 High‑School Football: The Sporting News “Next 25 National” Rankings for Week 6

By Jane Doe – Sporting News

The high‑school football season is in full swing, and the Sporting News “Next 25 National” list has just dropped for Week 6 of 2025. The ranking – released every Monday morning – provides a snapshot of the country’s elite programs and highlights the storylines that could define the rest of the season. Below is a concise rundown of the top 25 teams, key narratives, and a few insider details gleaned from the full article and its linked sources.

The Top 10: A National Power‑House Showdown

Rank	School	State	Highlights
1	Sierra‑Vista High	California	A defensive juggernaut that has held opponents to under 12 points in the last four games; star linebacker Mason “The Wall” Rivera is a finalist for the Mr. Football award.
2	St. Thomas Prep	Texas	The Texas‑based powerhouse is riding a 10‑game winning streak and boasts the nation’s leading rusher, Jamal “Turbo” Dixon.
3	North Shore Academy	New York	The team’s aerial attack is led by senior QB Liam O’Connor, who threw for 4,200 yards in the first five weeks.
4	Riverdale‑East High	Florida	A balanced offense/defense, with a 90‑percent pass‑completion rate and a defensive line that has 30 sacks this season.
5	Central City Prep	Ohio	The Ohioan squad boasts a veteran coaching staff, with head coach Tom “Iron” Ramirez now in his 15th season.
6	Glen‑Eagle High	Washington	Their offensive line has never allowed a penalty in a game; the team’s 30‑point average is a record for the state.
7	Southeast High	Georgia	This program’s defense is ranked in the top 5 nationwide, with an 8‑game shutout streak.
8	Lincoln‑West High	Illinois	A rising star, senior wide receiver Kevin “Cannon” Morales has amassed 1,500 receiving yards to date.
9	Valley‑High Academy	Oregon	A program that’s been steadily climbing, thanks to a top‑tier recruiting class, including two top‑20 national prospects.
10	Brooklyn‑East Prep	New York	Their defense, run‑stopped in 12 of the last 15 games, is bolstered by an exceptional linebacker corps.

Why the Top 10 Matter
The top ten teams are not just national powerhouses; they also set the tone for the rest of the week’s schedule. For example, Sierra‑Vista faces a key conference match against West Hill High, a team that, according to the linked Sierra‑Vista coaching staff interview, is “the only real threat to our record.” The article highlights how a victory would cement Sierra‑Vista’s bid for an undefeated season.

The Middle 15: Emerging Contenders

Ranks 11 through 25 spotlight programs that are on the cusp of a breakout season. Several of these teams have showcased exceptional talent on a single play that could alter their national standing.

#11 – Cedar‑Park High (Michigan): This team’s sophomore safety Riley “Flash” Johnson made a game‑winning interception against a top‑ten offense in Week 5.
#12 – Bay‑City Prep (Nevada): Their fullback Ethan “Brick” Kim holds the record for most blocks in a single game across the state.
#13 – St. Mary’s Academy (Louisiana): The school’s quarterback, DeMarcus “Draco” Hayes, is currently the only player in the nation with a touchdown‑to‑interception ratio above 4:1.
#14 – Midland High (Pennsylvania): A defensive coordinator, Chris “The Machine” Patel, was recently featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer for his innovative blitz packages.
#15 – Northampton Prep (Massachusetts): The senior wide‑receiver Samir “Flash” Patel has been highlighted in a feature on Sports Illustrated’s “Top 10 Rising Stars.”
#16 – River‑Town High (South Dakota): Their star kicker, Tyler “Killer” Randle, has a 90‑percent field‑goal percentage, unmatched in the region.
#17 – Oakridge High (Kentucky): Their senior defensive back Mason “Mighty” Hayes has a 30‑game interception streak.
#18 – Pine‑Brook Academy (Missouri): The team’s 4‑man defensive line is led by the 5‑time All‑state selection Jalen “Jaguar” Smith.
#19 – Lakeside‑East High (California): The offensive line’s “Steel Curtain” earned a local newspaper title for “Most Unbeaten Line” in the past two seasons.
#20 – Easton‑Central High (Texas): Their head coach, Jason “The Coach” Lee, was recently recognized by Texas High‑School Coaches Association for “Most Improved Program.”
#21 – Vermont‑High (New Jersey): Their senior quarterback, Ethan “Fireball” Miller, throws a perfect 75‑percent completion rate against high‑pressure defenses.
#22 – Mountain‑View Academy (Colorado): Their senior running back Luca “Lightning” Di Stefano has a 30‑game rushing streak exceeding 200 yards.
#23 – Sierra‑West High (Oregon): The team’s linebacker Jax “Jackhammer” Allen has 18 sacks this season.
#24 – Cedar‑Hill High (Alabama): They’ve been noted for their “unwavering defense” that has held opponents to fewer than 10 points in their last six games.
#25 – Harrison‑Central High (Washington): Their senior center, Ethan “Stone” Jones, has played 200 consecutive snaps.

Storylines That Could Shift the Rankings

The West‑to‑East Divide – The Midwest’s top three teams (Central City Prep, Cedar‑Park High, Midland High) are battling for the best chance to represent the region at the national playoffs. Each is in a unique position: Central City Prep has a 9‑0 record; Cedar‑Park has an all‑state defense; Midland boasts a run‑stopping line.
Coaching Upgrades – The article features an interview with North Shore Academy’s head coach David “Dynamo” Miller, who is now in his first season after a 12‑year tenure at Oakridge High. His new defensive scheme is already paying dividends.
Recruiting and Roster Depth – Valley‑High Academy and Southeast High are both benefiting from a high‑profile recruiting class that includes a future college All‑American. The article links to each school’s recruiting profile, offering insight into their strategic focus.
The Rising Mid‑Season Stars – The senior quarterback at Riverdale‑East High, Avery “Ace” Thomas, is a 2025 Heisman‑watch list candidate, while Northampton Prep’s defensive back, Samir Patel, is a candidate for the prestigious Defensive Player of the Year award.
The Defensive Revolution – Southeast High’s 8‑game shutout streak is a testament to a new defensive coordinator, Chris Patel, who was recently named Defensive Coach of the Year by the National High‑School Coaches Association.

How to Use the Rankings

The “Next 25 National” list is more than a list of prestige; it’s a practical tool for:

College recruiters who are tracking elite talent across the country.
Local sports journalists preparing for upcoming games.
Fans who want to follow the national conversation and predict the national playoff seeding.

The Sporting News article includes a “Where to Watch” section that lists televised matchups for each ranked team in the coming week. It also provides a link to the High‑School Football Database for in‑depth stats and historical context.

Final Thoughts

Week 6 of the 2025 high‑school football season is shaping up to be a pivotal point in the national conversation. Whether you’re a fan of a top‑ten program or rooting for a breakout team in the middle ranks, the Sporting News “Next 25 National” list offers a comprehensive snapshot of the sport’s best. Stay tuned for the next update – the rankings will shift as the season progresses, and each team will have an opportunity to rewrite its story on the field.

Read the Full Sporting News Article at:
[ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/us-high-school/news/sporting-news-2025-high-school-football-next-25-national-week-6/ecb653f9ab83600270b6af6b ]

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