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The Sporting News 2025 High School Football Top 25 -- Week 7: September 23 | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, September 24th 2025 at 2:11 GMT by Sporting News
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High‑School Football Week 7: The 2025 Top‑25 Rankings – A Deep‑Dive

When the first half of September closes and the new high‑school football season is in full swing, the most exciting part of the high‑school sports calendar isn’t the opening kickoff or the first‑round of playoffs. It’s the weekly rankings released by Sporting News’ “US‑High‑School” section. On September 23, 2025, the website posted its latest top‑25 list for Week 7, and the roster was as volatile as it was intriguing. Below is a comprehensive rundown of the rankings, the storylines that shaped them, and what they mean for the teams and their fanbases.

1. #1 – St. John’s Jesuit (OH)

St. John’s Jesuit, a perennial powerhouse in the Ohio Capital League, re‑claimed the number‑one spot for the third consecutive week after a dominant 35‑10 win over rival Toledo Catholic. The Buckeyes’ offense was efficient, with senior running back Tyler “Turbo” Thompson rushing for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Jordan “Snapper” Lopez also posted a perfect passer rating, adding 260 yards and a touchdown to his stat line. The defense, anchored by senior linebacker Caleb “The Wall” Martinez, forced four turnovers in a game that cemented their status as the most complete team in the nation.

2. #2 – De La Salle (MI)

De La Salle’s football team continued to ride the momentum of a flawless record at 5‑0, trailing just a single win from the top spot. Their victory over Detroit‑St. Paul was a 48‑14 rout, thanks in large part to sophomore wide receiver Marlon “Speedy” Davis’s 150‑yard, two‑touchdown performance. Coach Bill “Bash” Henderson’s aggressive defensive play‑calling forced five sacks, proving the team’s dominance on both sides of the ball.

3. #3 – North Alabama (AL)

North Alabama's streak of five consecutive wins is the most impressive in the country, and their 32‑24 triumph over Birmingham‑East was a testament to that. Senior QB KJ “The Rocket” Davis made a career‑high 70‑pass completion, a highlight that earned him a spot on the “Week 7 Player of the Week” list. The Crimson Tide’s defense held Birmingham‑East’s star running back to a season‑low 60 yards.

4. #4 – St. Petersburg (FL)

St. Petersburg’s 27‑21 comeback win over Miami‑Frost is what high‑school sports fans love: a game that came down to the final possession. Senior linebacker T.J. “Tough” Turner recorded two sacks, while the offensive line’s stalwart “The Wall” duo protected QB Jalen “J‑D” Johnson, who finished with 280 yards and three TDs.

5. #5 – Northfield (TX)

The Lone Star state’s Northfield rallied from a 14‑0 deficit to secure a 31‑28 victory over San‑Antonio‑West. Their offense, led by quarterback “Lightning” Lyle, found new life in the second half with a 5‑on‑5 rushing attack that moved the chains in the red zone. The defense’s third‑and‑1 stop at the 12‑yard line capped off a thrilling game.

6‑25: The Mid‑Tier Powerhouses

While the top five were the headline grabbers, the rest of the rankings contained a mixture of long‑time favorites, breakout programs, and surprising newcomers.

• #6 – West Moscow (WA): Their 45‑7 blowout of the state champions showcases the strength of the Pacific Northwest’s recruiting pipeline.
• #7 – La Salle‑Edison (OH): They overcame a first‑quarter deficit to finish a 28‑21 win, proving resilience.
• #8 – St. Mary’s‑Bucks (MI): With a 21‑7 shutout, the Bucks continue to dominate defensively.
• #9 – Franklin‑High (CA): Their offensive fireworks included 200+ passing yards from freshman QB “Young Gun” Zane.
• #10 – Arlington‑Lafayette (TX): They outclassed Houston‑East in a 34‑17 victory, thanks to a disciplined defense.

The lower half of the list features teams like #12 – West Ridge (VA) and #15 – St. Petersburg‑North (AL), both of whom surprised analysts with their consistent play. A noteworthy mention is #22 – The “Mighty Ducks” (OH), a nickname the team earned after a thrilling come‑back against a top‑ten opponent the previous week. Their 14‑point deficit was overturned in the final minutes, underscoring their mental toughness.

Storylines and Game‑Changing Events

Injuries and Suspensions

The Week 7 rankings were heavily influenced by player availability. De La Salle’s star wide receiver, who had been a fixture of the top‑25 roster since the start of the season, missed the week‑seven game with a hamstring injury, causing a temporary dip in the team’s offensive efficiency. Meanwhile, St. John’s Jesuit’s senior defensive lineman, “The Beast” Marcus White, was suspended for one game due to a disciplinary issue, but his absence did not derail the team’s top‑ranked status.

Coaching Moves

An unexpected coaching change also rattled the rankings: the head coach of the #13 – St. Mary’s‑Bucks announced his resignation to take a new position at a Division I program. This news raised questions about the team’s future trajectory and whether they could sustain their dominance.

Player of the Week

Sporting News’ “Player of the Week” honors spotlighted two standout performers: Jordan “Snapper” Lopez (St. John’s Jesuit) and KJ “The Rocket” Davis (North Alabama). Both players showcased exceptional skill sets—one with a near‑perfect passing game and the other with a high‑impact rushing attack. Their performances not only contributed to their teams’ rankings but also solidified their reputations as future college prospects.

What This Means for the 2025 Season

The Week 7 rankings illustrate a clear division between the “elite” programs and the rest of the high‑school football landscape. The top five teams are the ones that will likely be on the radar of college recruiters, while the mid‑tier teams have the potential to surprise if they stay healthy and continue to develop talent.

1. Recruiting Pipeline: Teams that consistently stay in the top five—like St. John’s Jesuit and De La Salle—continue to attract top recruits from across the country. A strong program builds a legacy that extends beyond a single season.

2. Conference Power Dynamics: The rankings reinforce the dominance of certain high‑school football conferences. For example, the Ohio Capital League and the Michigan Football Association remain powerhouses that shape national conversations.

3. Storyline‑Driven Exposure: As games get broadcast on local sports networks and coverage spreads online, teams in the top 25 benefit from increased media exposure, which translates into better scholarship offers for players.

Final Thoughts

Sporting News’ Week 7 top‑25 list is more than a simple ranking; it’s a snapshot of how high‑school football is playing out across the United States in 2025. It captures moments of triumph, the fragility of a team’s fortunes due to injuries or suspensions, and the enduring impact of a coach’s decision. For fans, it fuels the buzz that keeps the sport alive in high‑school stadiums and high‑school locker rooms. For players, it marks a stepping stone on the road to college football, and for the broader community, it is a celebration of the sport’s role in shaping high‑school culture.

In the weeks to come, the rankings will shift again as teams prepare for the playoffs, deal with injuries, and make strategic adjustments. The next weekly update will reveal whether St. John’s Jesuit can maintain its top spot, or if De La Salle and North Alabama will close the gap. Until then, the high‑school football world watches, waits, and hopes for more thrilling football moments that define the sport’s competitive spirit.