The NEXT 25 presented by The Sporting News: Elder takes over the top spot after McEachern's shocking playoff loss

You've seen The Sporting News High School Football Top 25.

And we've introduced you to the The Sporting News Composite Rankings which takes that top 25 and combines it with the rankings from seven other major selectors.

The McEachern [Powder Springs, GA] Indians spent much of the season in the top spot here before crashing and burning last week in a loss to the Walton [Marietta, GA] Raiders in the first round of Georgia's GHSA Class 6A playoffs. The Indians' loss is the Elder [Cincinnati, OH] Panthers' gain, and the boys from Ohio ascend to the catbird seat here in The NEXT 25.

MORE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HEADLINES

• The Sporting News High School Preseason All-American Offense
• The Sporting News High School Preseason All-American Defense

The NEXT 25 presented by The Sporting News

The ratings for opponents below are presented first by SN's Composite Ranking followed by The Sporting News (SN) Top 25 ranking, if applicable.

No. 1 Elder [Cincinnati, OH] Panthers

2025 Record: 12-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 2

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR St. Xavier [Cincinnati, OH] Bombers (9-2)
Last Game: 11/14/2025 — Elder 32, NR Princeton [Cincinnati, OH] Vikings 30 (9-3)
W/L Streak: 12 wins

Elder moved to 12-0, but it didn't come easy in a 32-30 win over the Princeton Vikings. Next up is the St. Xavier Bombers, a team the Panthers beat, 23-13, back on September 26. But this is a 'throw out the records' kind of rivalry game for the Region 4 championship, and while Elder is the favorite, it wouldn't be a complete shock if St. Xavier finds a way to win this.

No. 2 Cherry Creek [Greenwood Village, CO] Bruins

2025 Record: 11-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 3

Next Game: 11/22/2025 — vs. NR Fairview [Boulder, CO] Knights (10-1)
Last Game: 11/14/2025 — Cherry Creek 56, Fountain [CO]-Fort Carson Trojans 0 (8-4)
W/L Streak: 24 wins

Cherry Creek cruised past Fountain-Fort Carson in the first round of Colorado's CHSAA Class 5A playoffs last week, but they could be pushed a little more against a 10-1 Fairview squad Saturday afternoon. Still, an upset isn't likely in the cards, and we expect the Bruins to advance comfortably before it's all said and done.

No. 3 Archbishop Hoban [Akron, OH] Knights

2025 Record: 10-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 5

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR Walsh Jesuit [Cuyahoga Falls, OH] Warriors (10-1)
Last Game: 11/14/2025 — Archbishop Hoban 35, NR Hudson [OH] Explorers 3 (10-3)
W/L Streak: 9 wins

The Knights were big winners against the Hudson Explorers in their second-round playoff game last weekend, but they might be in for a long Friday night against Walsh Jesuit. The Knights beat the Warriors in the regular season on September 26, but it was only 19-14. This is a game with major upset potential.

No. 4 Bryant [AR] Hornets

2025 Record: 10-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 6

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR Fayetteville [AR] Bulldogs (7-4)
Last Game: 11/7/2025 — Bryant 28, Conway [AR] Wampus Cats 21 (8-2)
W/L Streak: 23 wins

Bryant closed out the regular season with a hardfought 28-21 win two weeks ago over the Conway Wampus Cats. They earned a first-round bye in the Arkansas AAA Class 7A playoffs, and they should be rested and ready Friday night for the Fayetteville Bulldogs.

No. 5 Langston Hughes [Fairburn, GA] Panthers

2025 Record: 11-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 7

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR Lee County [Leesburg, GA] Trojans (8-3)
Last Game: 11/14/2025 — Langston Hughes 45, NR East Paulding [Dallas, GA] Raiders 28 (6-5)
W/L Streak: 11 wins

Langston Hughes gave up their second-highest defensive total in yielding 28 points to East Paulding last week. They'll need to tighten things up against Lee County to avoid the possibility of an upset in the second round of Georgia's GHSA Class 5A playoffs.

No. 6 The St. James Performance Academy [Springfield, VA] Strivers

2025 Record: 8-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 8

Next Game: Season has concluded
Last Game: 11/1/2025 — No. 4/SN No. 4 St. Frances Academy [Baltimore, MD] Panthers 35 (8-1), The St. James Performance Academy 0
W/L Streak: 1 loss

The St. James Performance Academy wrapped up a successful first season with an 8-1 finish, losing only to No. 4/SN No. 4 St. Frances Academy in the regular-season finale. The Strivers are an up-and-coming name to keep an eye on in all high school sports in the future.

No. 7 East St. Louis [IL] Flyers

2025 Record: 8-3
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 9

Next Game: 11/22/2025 — vs. NR St. Laurence [Burbank, IL] Vikings (8-4)
Last Game: 11/15/2025 — East St. Louis 49, NR Simeon [Chicago, IL] Wolverines 0 (7-5)
W/L Streak: 3 wins

East St. Louis takes on St. Laurence in the Illinois IHSA Class 6A semifinals Saturday afternoon. They appear to be a shoo-in at this point to advance to the state championship game the following Saturday setting up what could be their only challenge of the postseason against a Nazareth Academy [LaGrange Park, IL] squad that could be 12-1.

No. 8 Lone Star [Frisco, TX] Rangers

2025 Record: 11-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 12

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR Georgetown [TX] Eagles (9-2)
Last Game: 11/13/2025 — Lone Star 49, NR North Mesquite [Mesquite, TX] Stallions 6 (5-6)
W/L Streak: 11 wins

The Rangers broke the North Mesquite Stallions last week in a 49-6 romp, but things will gradually get a little more difficult as they progress in the playoffs. And they should be challenged a little more against a 9-2 Georgetown Eagles' squad Friday night.

No. 9 Carthage [TX] Bulldogs

2025 Record: 11-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 10

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR Sanger [TX] Indians (8-3)
Last Game: 11/13/2025 — Carthage 63, NR Pittsburg [TX] Pirates 34 (7-4)
W/L Streak: 26 wins

Carthage has been vulnerable on defense several times this defense, and the Pittsburg Pirates put up a respectable 34 points against the Bulldogs last Thursday. But nobody has managed to slow down the 'Dogs offense since the Kilgore [TX] Bulldogs held them to 21 in the season opener. Sanger can definitely light up the scoreboard – they scored 80 and 91 in back-to-back games against Gainesville and Farmersville in the past three weeks. They also give up a lot of points, too, however, and yielded a combined 78 in those two games including 56 to Farmersville. Translation? This game could potentially be an epic shootout, and we can't wait to see how many combined points these two teams put on the board.

No. 10 Celina [TX] Bobcats

2025 Record: 11-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 11

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR Eastern Hills [Fort Worth, TX] Highlanders (6-5)
Last Game: 11/13/2025 — Celina 77, Pinkston [Dallas, TX] Vikings 0 (4-6)
W/L Streak: 27 wins

Celina always seems to turn it up a notch in the playoffs, and that was bad news for the Pinkston Vikings last week as the Bobcats rolled to a 77-0 win. And it will be bad news for the Eastern Hills Highlanders this coming Friday night as well.

No. 11 Basha [Chandler, AZ] Bears

2025 Record: 9-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 13

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR Williams Field [Gilbert, AZ] Black Hawks (8-3)
Last Game: 11/6/2025 — Basha 52, NR Perry [Gilbert, AZ] Pumas 3 (5-5)
W/L Streak: 2 wins

Basha earned a first-round bye last week, but they're back in action this Friday in pursuit of Arizona's AIA Open Division state championship. They'll face a Williams Field squad that survived a 39-36 shootout against the Pinnacle [Phoenix, AZ] Pioneers last week, and they've already beaten the Black Hawks once this year by a score of 42-14. This one will probably be a one-sided affair, too.

No. 12 Ryan [Denton, TX] Raiders

2025 Record: 10-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 14

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR Abilene [TX] Eagles (9-2)
Last Game: 11/13/2025 — Ryan 59, NR Chisholm Trail [Fort Worth, TX] Rangers 7 (7-4)
W/L Streak: 6 wins

Ryan is inching closer to a rematch with the No. 22/SN No. 13 Aledo [TX] Bearcats which could take place two weeks from now. Until then, they continue to roll up the big wins including last week's 59-7 blowout over Chisholm Trail. Abilene might put up a little more of a challenge, but this one still has the feel of a game that could get out of hand.

No. 13 Jenks [OK] Trojans

2025 Record: 9-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 15

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. Edmond [OK] Memorial Bulldogs (8-3)
Last Game: 11/6/2025 — Jenks 69, NR Edmond [OK] North Huskies 8 (3-7)
W/L Streak: 6 wins

Jenks remains on a crash course to meet the No. 16/SN No. 21 Bixby [OK] Spartans in Oklahoma's OSSAA Class 6A-I state title game. They should be fresh and ready for the Edmond Memorial Bulldogs after earning a first-round bye last week.

No. 14 West Point [MS] Green Wave

2025 Record: 11-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 16

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR Pontotoc [MS] Warriors (7-5)
Last Game: 11/14/2025 — West Point 42, NR Vicksburg [MS] Gators 19 (5-6)
W/L Streak: 11 wins

There isn't a team left in Mississippi's MHSAA Class 5A bracket with fewer than two losses other than the undefeated West Point Green Wave. They rolled past Vicksburg with ease last week in a 42-19 win, and their Friday night date with the Pontotoc Warriors will likely be a mismatch as well.

No. 15 Nashville [TN] Christian Eagles

2025 Record: 11-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 17

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR Trinity Christian Academy [Jackson, TN] Eagles (10-2)
Last Game: 11/14/2025 — Nashville Christian 42, NR Jackson [TN] Christian Eagles 14 (9-3)
W/L Streak: 21 wins

After earning a first-round bye in Tennessee's TSSAA Division II Class A playoffs, Nashville Christian got back to business last Friday night in a 42-14 rout of the Jackson Christian Eagles. They've piled up 21 straight wins, and there's no reason to believe this Trinity Christian Academy squad is the one that can end the streak.

No. 16 Brentwood [TN] Academy Eagles

2025 Record: 10-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 18

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR Christ Presbyterian Academy [Nashville, TN] Lions (4-8)
Last Game: 11/14/2025 — Brentwood Academy 42, NR Montgomery Bell Academy [Nashville, TN] Big Red 14 (6-5)
W/L Streak: 10 wins

At 10-0, Brentwood Academy hasn't attracted much attention on the national scene, although we've had them listed here in the 'bubble' rankings for several weeks. But here they are at 10-0, and they catch a Christ Presbyterian Academy squad that is just 4-8 although the Lions have pulled back-to-back upsets to get here. This could be a little close for comfort for the unbeaten Eagles, but ultimately, they should prove to be the better team and advance to Tennessee's TSSAA Division II Class AAA state championship against the winner of the No. 23/SN No. 22 Baylor [Chattanooga, TN] Red Raiders and the No. 42 McCallie [Chattanooga, TN] Blue Tornado.

No. 17 Oakland [Murfreesboro, TN] Patriots

2025 Record: 12-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 19

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR Green Hill [Mt. Juliet, TN] Hawks (10-2)
Last Game: 11/14/2025 — Oakland 35, NR Bradley Central [Cleveland, TN] Bears 10 (8-4)
W/L Streak: 18 wins

There are bigger games just around the corner, but the Patriots just keep on winning no matter who the opponent is, including last week's 35-10 victory over Bradley Central. They'll win again Friday night against a solid Green Hill Hawks' team that just doesn't have the talent to hang with the Patriots.

No. 18 Cardinal Mooney [Sarasota, FL] Cougars

2025 Record: 10-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 20

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR Bishop Verot [Fort Myers, FL] Vikings (5-6)
Last Game: 11/14/2025 — Cardinal Mooney 55, NR North Broward Prep [Coconut Creek, FL] Eagles 7 (5-6)
W/L Streak: 9 wins

Cardinal Mooney opened its 2025 playoff run with a big 55-7 win over North Broward Prep, and they should roll up a similar result against Bishop Verot this coming Friday night.

No. 19 Central [Phenix City, AL] Red Devils

2025 Record: 11-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 21

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR Thompson [Alabaster, AL] Warriors (9-3)
Last Game: 11/14/2025 — Central 34, NR Fairhope [AL] Pirates 15 (8-4)
W/L Streak: 6 wins

Friday's matchup between Central and Thompson in Alabama's AHSAA Class 7A semifinals may very well be the de facto state championship game. Of course, the winner will have to play in the real state championship game next week against either the Auburn [AL] Tigers or the Opelika [AL] Bulldogs, but the winner of Central-Thompson will be heavily favored to take home the state championship hardware in that title game.

No. 20 Highland Park [Dallas, TX] Scots

2025 Record: 10-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 22

Next Game: 11/20/2025 — Highland Park 45, NR Reedy [Frisco, TX] Lions 10 (8-4)
Last Game: 11/14/2025 — Highland Park 56, NR Lake Belton [Temple, TX] Broncos 13 (5-6)
W/L Streak: 10 wins

Highland Park is one of those teams that just seems to know how to crank it up come playoff time. Of course, last week's opponent was the 5-5 Lake Belton Broncos, but on Thursday night, the Scots beat a solid Reedy Lions' squad in lopsided fashion to advance in the Texas UIL Class 5A Division I playoffs. They'll catch the winner of Friday's matchup between the Cedar Park [TX] Timberwolves and the Wakeland [Frisco, TX] Wolverines.

No. 21 Roswell [GA] Hornets

2025 Record: 10-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 23

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR Clarke Central [Athens, GA] Gladiators (6-5)
Last Game: 11/14/2025 — Roswell 51, NR Chamblee [GA] Bulldogs 6 (4-7)
W/L Streak: 8 wins

Roswell opened Georgia's GHSA Class 5A playoffs in style with a 51-6 win over the Chamblee Bulldogs. They catch another middle-of-the-road squad Friday night in the Clarke Central Gladiators' team, and a similar result wouldn't be a surprise at all.

No. 22 La Salle College [Wyndmoor, PA] Explorers

2025 Record: 10-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 24

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR Easton [PA] Area Rovers (13-0)
Last Game: 11/15/2025 – La Salle College 31, NR Imhotep Charter [Philadelphia, PA] Panthers 16 (8-4)
W/L Streak: 4 wins

This is one of the most difficult playoff brackets in the entire country, and after fending off a feisty Imhotep Charter squad a week ago, the Explorers will have to find a way to beat the undefeated Easton Area Rovers. And it's only likely to get harder from here out if they survive.

No. 23 Gainesville [GA] Red Elephants

2025 Record: 9-2
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 25

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR Brunswick [GA] Pirates (9-2)
Last Game: 11/14/2025 — vs. Gainesville 48, Dunwoody [GA] Wildcats 3 (5-6)
W/L Streak: 1 win

Brunswick is a pretty tough second-round draw, and the Red Elephants can't get caught looking ahead to next week's potential matchup against an undefeated Langston Hughes' squad. This one could stay close for awhile, but as long as Gainesville is focused on the task at hand, they should ultimately have the answers for Brunswick.

No. 24 Anderson [Cincinnati, OH] Raptors

2025 Record: 10-0
Last Week: Unranked

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. NR Trotwood [OH]-Madison Rams (8-3)
Last Game: 11/14/2025 — Anderson 35, La Salle [Cincinnati, OH] Lancers (9-4)
W/L Streak: 12 wins

Anderson earned a hard-fought win over the La Salle Lancers last week, and they could get another stiff challenge from the Trotwood-Madison Rams Friday night in the Region 8 championship game.

No. 25 Bergen Catholic [Oradell, NJ] Crusaders

2025 Record: 8-2
Last Week: Unranked

Next Game: 11/21/2025 — vs. No. 18/SN No. 20 Don Bosco Prep [Ramsey, NJ] Ironmen (10-0)
Last Game: 11/15/2025 — Bergen Catholic 56, St. Joseph [Metuchen, NJ] Falcons (8-2)
W/L Streak: 2 wins

Bergen Catholic was off to a roaring start in September with early wins against nationally-ranked East St. Louis and a defending Florida state champion in the West Boca Raton [Boca Raton, FL] Bulls. But Don Bosco Prep ended their dreams of national glory on September 26 as the Crusaders came up short in a 14-9 loss. So, this game is their opportunity to avenge that loss and play for a New Jersey state championship next week. We expect this will be quite a battle between two Garden State foes that have spent time in the Top 25 this year.

Weekly NEXT 25 Schedule

^{NR – Not ranked}

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Thursday, November 20, 2025

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• SN NEXT No. 20 Highland Park [Dallas, TX] Scots (10-1) vs. NR Reedy [Frisco, TX] Lions (8-3) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)

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Friday, November 14, 2025

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• SN NEXT No. 1 Elder [Cincinnati, OH] Panthers (12-0) vs. NR St. Xavier [Cincinnati, OH] Bombers (9-2) — 7 p.m. EST local
• SN NEXT No. 3 Archbishop Hoban [Akron, OH] Knights (10-1) vs. NR Walsh Jesuit [Cuyahoga Falls, OH] Warriors (10-1) — 7 p.m. EST local
• SN NEXT No. 18 Cardinal Mooney [Sarasota, FL] Cougars (10-1) vs. NR Bishop Verot [Fort Myers, FL] Vikings (5-6) — 7 p.m. EST local
• SN NEXT No. 22 La Salle College [Wyndmoor, PA] Explorers (10-1) vs. NR Easton [PA] Area Rovers (13-0) — 7 p.m. EST local
• SN NEXT No. 24 Anderson [Cincinnati, OH] Raptors (12-0) vs. NR Trotwood [OH]-Madison Rams (8-3) — 7 p.m. EST local
• SN NEXT No. 25 Bergen Catholic [Oradell, NJ] Crusaders (8-2) vs. No. 18/SN No. 20 Don Bosco Prep [Ramsey, NJ] Ironmen (10-0) — 7 p.m. EST local
• SN NEXT No. 5 Langston Hughes [Fairburn, GA] Panthers (11-0) vs. NR Lee County [Leesburg, GA] Trojans (8-3) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• SN NEXT No. 21 Roswell [GA] Hornets (10-1) vs. NR Clarke Central [Athens, GA] Gladiators (6-5) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• SN NEXT No. 23 Gainesville [GA] Red Elephants (9-2) vs. NR Brunswick [GA] Pirates (9-2) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• SN NEXT No. 4 Bryant [AR] Hornets (10-0) vs. NR Fayetteville [AR] Bulldogs (7-4) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
• SN NEXT No. 8 Lone Star [Frisco, TX] Rangers (11-0) vs. NR Georgetown [TX] Eagles (9-2) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
• SN NEXT No 9 Carthage [TX] Bulldogs (11-0) vs. NR Sanger [TX] Indians (8-3) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
• SN NEXT No. 12 Ryan [Denton, TX] Raiders (10-1) vs. NR Abilene [TX] Eagles (9-2) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
• SN NEXT No. 13 Jenks [OK] Trojans (9-1) vs. NR Edmond [OK] Memorial Bulldogs (8-3) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
• SN NEXT No. 14 West Point [MS] Green Wave (11-0) vs. NR Pontotoc [MS] Warriors (7-5) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
• SN NEXT No. 15 Nashville [TN] Christian Eagles (11-0) vs. NR Trinity Christian Academy [Jackson, TN] Eagles (10-2) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
• SN NEXT No. 16 Brentwood [TN] Academy Eagles (10-0) vs. NR Christ Presbyterian Academy [Nashville, TN] Lions (4-8) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
• SN NEXT No. 17 Oakland [Murfreesboro, TN] Patriots (12-0) vs. NR Green Hill [Mt. Juliet, TN] Hawks (10-2) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
• SN NEXT No. 10 Celina [TX] Bobcats (11-0) vs. NR Eastern Hills [Fort Worth, TX] Highlanders (6-5) — 8:30 p.m. EST (7:30 p.m. CST local)
• SN NEXT No. 19 Central [Phenix City, AL] Red Devils (11-1) vs. NR Thompson [Alabaster, AL] Warriors (9-3) — 9 p.m. EST (8 p.m. CST local)
• SN NEXT No. 11 Basha [Chandler, AZ] Bears (9-1) vs. NR Williams Field [Gilbert, AZ] Black Hawks (8-3) — 10 p.m. EST (7 p.m. PST local)

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Saturday, November 15, 2025

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Playoffs

• SN NEXT No. 7 East St. Louis [IL] Flyers (8-3) vs. NR St. Laurence [Burbank, IL] Vikings (8-4) — 2 p.m. EST (1 p.m. CST local)
• SN NEXT No. 2 Cherry Creek [Greenwood Village, CO] Bruins (11-0) vs. NR Fairview [Boulder, CO] Knights (10-1) — 3:30 p.m. EST (1:30 p.m. MST local)

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IDLE

SN NEXT No. 6 The St. James Performance Academy [Springfield, VA] Strivers (8-1)