Preseason Midwest Top 25: Teams 25-21

Welcome to the first of five installments in The Sporting News Preseason High School Football Midwest Top 25, which brings together the top prep football teams from Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota and Nebraska.

This is a collection of some of the top teams within those five states, but is in no way, shape or form ignoring the many, many others who will undoubtedly be making plenty of noise over the next several months.

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Here are teams No. 25-21 in The Sporting News Preseason High School Football Midwest Top 25 poll. The rest of the poll will be released over the next several days.

THE SPORTING NEWS PRESEASON HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL MIDWEST TOP 25

No. 25: Wahoo (Nebraska)

The reigning Class C1 state champions, the Warriors went a perfect 13-0 last fall, besting Central City for the title. In 2023, Wahoo reached the state finals before coming up just short. They open the 2025 season against Nebraska City.

No. 24: Blue Valley Northwest (Kansas)

The Huskies will be challenged this coming fall, including games with Blue Valley-Stilwell and Lenexa-St. James. But if they can navigate through those battles, they will be well tested for the postseason. 

No. 23: Edina (Minnesota)

Over the last two years, the Hornets have gone 18-7, including a 9-3 mark a season ago. Led by Mason West, they will look to make a deep playoff run after losing in the 6A quarterfinals a year ago. West has been selected by the Chicago Blackhawks, where he is expected to begin his NHL career after high school.

No. 22: Derby (Kansas)

With one of the top offenses in the state, the Panthers can put points on the board in a hurry. They will look to start 2025 in a big way. The schedule includes some key matchups with Maize and Hutchinson down the road. Derby was state runners-up in 6A in 2023, losing a heartbreaker to Gardner-Edgerton, 22-19.

No. 21: Omaha Skutt (Nebraska)

An opening week contest with Norris on the road will set the tone for Omaha Skutt on Friday, August 29. From there, they play back-to-back home games with Standing Bear and Plattsmouth. All roads lead to a penultimate week contest at Bennington. Omaha Skutt is the defending Class B state champions, having placed second in 2023.

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