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2026 TEAMS TO KNOW: Alexandria Senior (LA)
After a 10-3 season and Quarter Finals appearance, the Trojans return 17 starters with 8 back on offense and 9 returning defensively.
5/8/2026
Coverage
News, features, analysis and rankings context from Top 25 Public HSFB.
Series
After a 10-3 season and Quarter Finals appearance, the Trojans return 17 starters with 8 back on offense and 9 returning defensively.
5/8/2026
Series
Coming off a 14-0 season and back-to-back state titles, the Cougars return 14 starters — including eight on defense — with Rico Jackson, Jaheim Bond, and Ryan Drakeford leading another roster built for national relevance. Top 2026 games: • Northwest • Stone Bridge (VA) • Sherwood
Top 25 Public HSFB / 1 min read
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The landscape of Colorado high school football is defined by legendary coaching and disciplined "ground-and-pound" identities. In a state where one or two programs often hoard the hardware, these five public schools have separated themselves through championships and sustained dominance at the highest levels.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 3 min read
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Illinois high school football operates within one of the most layered playoff systems in the country. Under the structure governed by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), the state crowns champions across eight classifications (1A–8A). Enrollment determines placement, with the largest schools competing in 8A and the smallest in 1A.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 4 min read
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Idaho high school football has one of the most unique structures in the country. Because of the state’s rural geography and small-school enrollment base, 8-man football is extremely common. Under the current structure governed by the Idaho High School Activities Association:
Top 25 Public HSFB / 4 min read
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Hawaii high school football operates very differently than most states. Because the islands are geographically spread out and the total number of programs is relatively small, the regular season is organized through regional leagues, not large statewide classifications.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 4 min read
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Georgia is one of the deepest football states in the country. With multiple classifications and true competitive balance across regions, sustained success here is difficult — especially in 6A and formally 7A.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 3 min read
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Delaware high school football is small in size but heavy in parity. With just three classifications (3A, 2A, 1A), the margins are thin — and unlike some larger states, private powers regularly take hardware off the table. That makes sustained public-school dominance even harder.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 3 min read
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Florida isn’t just deep — it’s layered. From the Panhandle to Miami-Dade, every classification is loaded with Power 5 prospects, national schedules, and programs that expect to play in December. Add in the Metro/Suburba
Top 25 Public HSFB / 3 min read
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Connecticut high school football runs through the CIAC’s six-division playoff system — LL, L, MM, M, SS, and S — with classifications determined by enrollment. Each class crowns its own state champion annually, and sustained championship production is the only metric that separates contenders from dynasties.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 3 min read
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California high school football is the most complex landscape in the country. With 10 sections and a bowl system that often sees the best public schools "bottlenecked" by national private school juggernauts, evaluating these programs requires more than just counting rings.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 4 min read
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Arkansas is a state where football is woven into the community's DNA. Like most of the country, the landscape is defined by traditional classifications ranging from 2A up to 7A. While the presence of private school powerhouses often complicates the trophy count in the mid-sized classes, the public schools in Arkansas have maintained a level of dominance that rivals any state in the South.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 3 min read
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Arizona utilizes the “Open Division” format for its playoffs, and it's a very clean system. Regardless of what class you’re in, if you’re one of the top 8 ranked teams in the state (determined by the AIA power rating system), you qualify for the Open Division bracket. That tournament is what determines the true state champion.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 3 min read
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In the world of Alaska high school football, the "Last Frontier" isn't just a nickname, it’s a description of the grit required to survive the postseason. While the bigger schools in Anchorage often grab the headlines, the last five years (2021–2025) have been defined by two D-II powerhouses that have effectively built a wall around the state championship game.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 3 min read
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In Alabama, high school football isn't just a hobby; it’s a meat grinder. Over the last five seasons, these five public programs have separated themselves from the pack.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 3 min read
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To start, let me make clear what I believe a public school is and who I include in the #PublicSchoolsTop25: A traditional district public school A charter school A public magnet or tech school If students don’t pay tuition to attend, it qualifies.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 1 min read
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High school football doesn’t need massive budgets or TV deals to create unforgettable atmospheres. Across the country, public high schools play in stadiums that are historic, unique, loud, and iconic. They're places where Friday nights mean everything.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 4 min read