Completed
Teams to Know: 2026 featured 70 public-school programs from around the country entering the upcoming season.
Start: 5/31/2026
Status: Completed
70 teams / 70 articles
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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
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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. Bryson Phoenix, Jaden Bayonne, N Noble Williams, and Alex Fontenot headline one of Louisiana’s most experienced public-school rosters entering 2026. The schedule also features a major out-of-state matchup against Bryant (AR), one of Arkansas’ premier programs. Top games: • Bryant (AR) • Rustin (LA) • West Monroe (LA)
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After an 8-4 season against one of Georgia’s toughest schedules, Milton enters 2026 looking to reload following back-to-back state titles in 2023 and 2024. Derrick Baker, Grant Haviland, Landon Ghea, Josh Evans, Keelan Wonsley, Jordan Carrasquillo, and Blaize Battaglia headline another talented Eagles roster. Top games: • Gainesville • Battle Ground Academy (TN) • Roswell
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Southern Christian (AL) Coming off an 11-2 season and an NFHA 8-man Div. III National Championship, Southern Christian is looking to make another playoff run and get back to Panama City. Toby Miller, Gabriel Decker, Tucker Webb, Jake Farr, Kaiden Greer, and James Riley give the group names to know, with Miller coming off 10.5 sacks and 18 TFL and Decker adding 6 INTs plus 8 total TDs.
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Daniel Hand is one of the most accomplished small-town football programs in the country. Since 1970: - 76% win rate - 30 league titles - 15 state championships The Tigers went 12-1 last season, won state title No. 15, and now look to kick off 2026 with a big out-of-state matchup vs defending Division 1 Champion Bishop Hendrickson (RI)
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: VALHALLA (CA) A new era is underway in El Cajon. Valhalla enters 2026 under new head coach Jason Carter, bringing a renewed energy to the Norsemen program. With 5 returning starters on offense and defense, plus an intriguing young transfer group, this is a team quietly worth watching in Southern California.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Northside (GA) Northside is not the obvious pick, and that’s why they’re interesting. Coming off a 2-8 season, the Patriots enter 2026 under new HC Brycen Freeman with a clear mission: bring back the fast, physical brand that made Northside one of the programs to know in Columbus. QB Max Thrash RB Alex Tarboro DB Zabe Thompson DL Ja’Veon Floyd TE Jordan "JJ" Arias give the Patriots a core worth watching.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Pine-Richland (PA) Coming off an 11-2 season and a one-point loss in the WPIAL Championship, Pine-Richland is still one of the public-school names to know in Western Pennsylvania. The Rams went 5-0 in conference play, averaged more than 45 points per game, and return names like Khalil Taylor, Oobi Strader, and Luke Bernesser Central Catholic, Avon (OH), and North Allegheny headline the 2026 schedule.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: BFA-St. Albans (VT) This is an outlier worth tracking. After three straight seasons as the No. 8 seed in Vermont D1, BFA-St. Albans enters 2026 with a senior-heavy group and a clear goal: push into the top four. The Bobwhites return 7 starters on offense and 7 on defense, with Porter Sweeney, Duffy Smith, Davion Jones, and Brayden Manning among the names to know.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Choctawhatchee (FL) Coming off a 12-2 season and a Class 4A Final Four run, Choctawhatchee brings back a loaded core and a physical identity. The Indians return 9 starters on offense, 6 on defense, and take on Auburn and Thompson out of Alabama in 2026. TJ Franklin, Von Keller, Dante Whidbee, Carter Marracco, Ryne Burks, Amir Reese, and Rahmeir Montgomery headline a group built to make another run.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Rancocas Valley Regional (NJ) Rancocas Valley went 6-5 and reached the semifinals last season, but the reason they’re interesting entering 2026 is what comes back. The Red Devils return 8 starters on offense and 8 on defense, with Mikey McQueen, David Ogunsola, Thomas Ajasin, Michael Beasley, and JJ Stewart among the names to know. Millville, Shawnee, Cherokee, and Kingsway headline the schedule.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: LaBelle (FL) LaBelle is coming off a 10-0 regular season and enters 2026 with playoff-run expectations. The Cowboys bring back a strong core with Marquay Bradshaw, Jacquay Bradshaw, Zachary Campbell, Peter Halstead, Aldrich Meyer, Sean Rivas, and Jacobo Perez among the names to know. Week 1 brings Frostproof, and the spring rivalry test comes against Clewiston.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Hutchinson (MN) Hutchinson is never far from the Minnesota conversation. The Tigers went 5-5 last season and reached the second round of the playoffs, but the program standard under Andy Rostberg is bigger than one record. This is one of Minnesota’s true public-school football factories, and 2026 is about getting back to playing deep into November.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Hubbertville (AL) Hubbertville went 12-1 last season and brings back a loaded group. The Lions return 9 offensive starters and 10 on defense, with Blaize Wakefield, Kane Rushing, Cole Brand, Braylon Hill, and Tyler Stricklin coming off All-State Seasons. This is a small-school Alabama team with big-time experience and one to keep an eye on for the 1A State title.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Corner Canyon (UT) Corner Canyon is chasing history. The Chargers went 12-2, won another 6A state title, and now enter 2026 pursuing a fourth straight championship with a new HC in Casey Sutera. Tate Patterson, Diesel Dart, Jack West, Mo Brown, Ryce Palepoi, Chase Peterson, and Josh Harris headline a roster still built around the standard. Liberty (AZ), Eastwood (TX), Lone Peak, and Skyridge headline the schedule.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Coolidge (DC) Coolidge is coming off an 8-5 season and a DCIAA championship, and the Colts are young enough to keep building. John Lafontant, Mark Green, Aaron Ballard, Kai Nesbitt, Kayvon Martin, Sir’Ryan Whittington, and Malachi Hooks headline a talented group, with Lafontant already carrying First Team All-Met recognition. Gonzaga, Mervo, All Saints Episcopal (TX), Roosevelt, and Dunbar give the schedule plenty of weight.
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Greenback is trying to climb back toward powerhouse status in Tennessee 1A. The Cherokees went 4-6 last season, but return 9 starters on offense and all 11 on defense as they rebuild a historic program with recent state-title history. Elliott Lindsey, Lucas Bryant, Griffin Cope, Lucas Clifford, and Carson Loope headline the names to know.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Riverdale (FL) Riverdale is coming off a 12-2 season and a state semifinal run, but the goal in Fort Myers is bigger now. The Raiders want to shock the state and become the first state champion from Lee County. Latroy Pender, Jacorie Darrisaw, Kymoni Gordon, Aiden Boyd, Kaleb McIntyre, Josiah Bataille, and newcomer Levi McKenzie give Riverdale plenty to work with.
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Gallatin enters 2026 young, athletic, and built around a standard. The Green Wave went 6-4 last season and return 8 defensive starters, with Preston Mooney, Jason Morton, K’Saun Barksdale, Jo Jo McMurray, Christian Gentry, and Zae McMurry among the names to know. Hendersonville, Station Camp, and Beech make the rivalry slate one to watch.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Irwin County (GA) A new era is underway in Ocilla. Irwin County enters 2026 under new HC Beau Johnson after a season that fell below the program’s standard. The Indians have state-title history in 2019 and 2020, and the expectation is to get back to the version of Irwin County that South Georgia knows. Players to know: QB Christian Clark 2028 RB EJ Nelson 2028 RB Dreek Wynn 2028 WR Evan Stephens 2027 C Christian Phillips 2028 OG Owen Griffin 2027 OT Justin Tatum 2028 RB/LB Brock Simpson 2029 Reset year. Same standard.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Crescent (SC) Crescent is a program on the rise. The Tigers went 8-4 last season, reached the second round, and return 7 starters on offense plus 9 on defense as they chase their first region title since 1997. QB Mason Evans returns after throwing for over 2,000 yards, rushing for over 1,000 more, and accounting for 40+ TDs in 2025. His supporting cast includes Hunter Dale, PJ Deveaux, Austin Whitcomb, Jace Devlin, and Tinsley Evans.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Buena (AZ) A new era is underway in Sierra Vista. Buena went 7-4 last season and now turns to new HC Chris Determan, a multiple-time state champion coach and NAIA Hall of Famer, to reset the standard after a large senior class moved on. Jax Kraus, Tariq Howard, James Lesueur, Giovanni Henderson, and Charlie Crouch headline a tough, disciplined group.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Lincoln (OR) Lincoln went 8-2 last season and enters 2026 with a physical identity built around effort, detail, and playing for each other. The Cardinals return a loaded core up front and on defense, led by Leonardo Correani, Greyson Murff, Devin Prendergast, Alex Lydgate, and Reed Eldridge. Grant, Lakeridge, and Roosevelt are the games to highlight on the schedule.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Dunbar (FL) Dunbar went 7-4 last season, but the Tigers believe the experience gained by a young group can turn into a much bigger 2026. Andre Moss, Frederick Jackson, Jr, Eddie Gore, Jr., Emmanuel James, Brandon Seabrook, Ke'Non Fuller, Ta’rajah Denson, Sandler Pierre headline a group built to take the next step. Spruce Creek, Port Charlotte, and South Fort Myers headline the schedule.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Cleveland (NC) Cleveland is coming off a 10-2 season and a second-round playoff appearance, and the program enters 2026 with balance on both sides. The Rams bring back 6 starters on offense and 6 on defense, with Owen Hulbert, Kaleb Ferrell, Markus Medley, Kaden Blake, and Brody Barnes among the names to know as Cleveland looks to take the next step this fall. “Average is the enemy.”
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Jenks (OK) Jenks is coming off a 10-2 season and a semifinal appearance, and the Trojans enter 2026 loaded with experience on both sides. With 8 starters back on offense and 8 more on defense, Jenks has a veteran core led by Kailib Dillard, Odaefe Oruru, Braxton Daniel, Landon Kizzar, and Luke McInelly. The schedule is big-time too: Southlake Carroll, Rogers, & Bixby are on the slate in the first three weeks of the season.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Pacifica (Oxnard, CA) Pacifica is coming off a 15-1 season, a CIF-SS Division 3 title, a SoCal D1-A regional championship, and a second straight trip to a state title game. The Tritons return 7 starters on offense and 5 on defense for HC Mike Moon, with Isaiah Phelps, Taylor Lee, Alijah Royster, Peewee Wilson, Will Jones, Anthony Loreto , and Jamarcus Harmon among the names to know. Loaded roster. Big schedule. State-title standard.
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Friendship Collegiate is coming off a 9-3 season and a DCSAA semifinal appearance, and the Knights enter 2026 with championship expectations. HC Mike Hunter brings back 8 starters on offense, with Christ Alston, Deyon Smith, Kemontae Chaplin, Deyon Smith, and JayQuan Springs among the names to know.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: McKeesport (PA) Coming off a 9-4 season and a trip to the state quarterfinals, McKeesport enters 2026 with the experience and star power to make a serious run in Pennsylvania 4A. The Tigers return 7 starters on offense and 7 on defense for head coach Matthew Miller, led by the nation’s No. 1 ranked RB in the Class of 2027, 5⭐️ Georgia commit Kemon Spell Add in ELITE 4⭐️ WR Javien Robinson, Justin Powell, Makia Daniels, and Nick Beerman, and McKeesport has one of the most dangerous public-school cores in the country. The Tigers are a serious 4A title contender.
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Millville is coming off a 7-5 season and a sectional playoff run, and the Thunderbolts enter 2026 with the talent to climb back into the Group 4 state-title picture. Robert O’Connor, Reggie Holley, Jaden Days, and Savion Jones headline a strong returning core for HC Humberto Ayala. Millville has built a reputation as an athletic public-school program that produces Division I talent and competes in one of the toughest public-school divisions in New Jersey. Don't be surprised if this team is still playing in the last week in November.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Bolingbrook (IL) Bolingbrook was inches away from the Illinois 8A semifinals last season, finishing 9-3, winning the conference, and falling by one point in the quarterfinals. Now the Raiders enter 2026 with high expectations and a young but loaded roster. QB Tyson Ward after producing through the air and on the ground, RB TJ Lewis is back after a huge season, 4⭐️ Darieon Prescott gives Bolingbrook one of the top defensive prospects in the country, and Antoine Norfleet helps lead a strong returning defense. Add in rising RB Jordan Donald and solid new pieces up front, and Bolingbrook has the talent to be right in the Illinois 8A championship conversation.
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Rock Hill is coming off a 7-5 season and enters 2026 with one of the bigger returning cores in South Carolina. The Bearcats bring back 9 starters on offense and 10 on defense for HC Leon Boulware, with Myles “Jojo” Brooks, Nigel Lighnter, Kaleb Wright, Devin Erby , and Johan Young among the names to know. This is a team with a lot of experience that you should definitely keep an eye on heading into 2026.
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Point Boro is coming off a rare 4-5 season and a 17-14 first-round loss to Rumson-Fair Haven, but the Panthers have an experienced group ready to get back to their programs winning ways. 3-year starters QB Jake Clayton and RB Nick Spanola, along with Mason Morris, Aidan Dombrowsky, and DJ Albanese headline a tough returning core for HC Brian Staub. They play in one of, if not the, toughest division in the Shore Conference, as a Group 2 school. The division is loaded with three Group 5 schools, a Group 4 school, and a Non-Public B School which will help prepare them to make a Group 2 Sectional championship run.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Westlake (GA) Westlake went 4-7 last season, but that record doesn’t tell the story. The Lions played one of the toughest schedules in the country, return 8 starters on offense and 6 on defense, and bring back a loaded core led by Khamani Estrada, Roscoe Hayes, Cannon Robinson, BJ Allen, and Elijah Cox. Carrollton, Douglas County, Newton, and Houston County headline another loaded schedule.
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Centennial is coming off an 11-2 season, and a CIF-SS Open Divisions finals appearance, along with finishing #7 in the #PublicSchoolsTop25, the Huskies enter 2026 with championship expectations again. HC Matt Logan brings back 5 starters on offense and 6 on defense, with Jaden Walk-Green, Miles Schirmer , Malaki Davis, Xavier Baca, Brett Smith, and Dean Gibson among the key returners. Jordan Kirkpatrick, Mason Fowler, Caleb Bynum, and Jaden Bynum headline an elite group of underclassmen. The schedule is massive: Servite, Santa Margarita, Mater Dei, De La Salle, and Chaparral. This is a team you can expect to see towards the top of the Preseason #PublicSchoolsTop25
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Manatee enters 2026 with serious momentum after a regional finals appearance and a roster built around experience. The Hurricanes return 17 total starters under head coach Jacquez Green ( @JacquezGreen ), with key names like Nolan Downes, Tavares Powell, Nowlin Lawson, Cooper Kolbe, Caodon White, and Jared Sanders leading the way. With Sumner, Plant, and Naples on the schedule, Manatee has the pieces to be a real factor in Florida 5A.
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West Deptford enters 2026 with one of the most experienced returning groups in South Jersey. The Eagles are coming off a 9-2 season and a second-round playoff appearance, but the bigger story is what comes back. West Deptford returns 8 starters on offense and 11 on defense under head coach John Emel, giving the Eagles a veteran foundation heading into the fall.
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Southlake Carroll enters 2026 coming off a 14-1 season, a Texas 6A Division II state semifinal appearance, and a final ranking of #23 in the 2025 Public Schools Top 25.
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Avonworth enters 2026 with a championship standard to defend. Coming off a perfect 15-0 season, the Antelopes are the defending Pennsylvania 3A state champions and carry the longest active winning streak in the state into the fall.
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Carrollton enters 2026 coming off a 14-1 season, a Georgia 6A state runner-up finish, and a #8 ranking in the #PublicSchoolsTop25.
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Pine Creek enters 2026 with the pieces to make another push in Colorado 5A. Coming off a 7-3 season and a second-round playoff appearance, the Eagles return 9 starters on offense and 7 on defense under head coach Trevor Hudson
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South Pittsburg enters 2026 coming off a 14-1 season and a Tennessee Class 1A state championship. The Pirates return key pieces under head coach Wes Stone
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Middletown enters 2026 coming off an 11-3 season and back-to-back Delaware Class 3A state championships. The Cavaliers return a strong core under head coach Zachary Blum
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Liberty enters 2026 coming off a 10-2 season and an Arizona Open Division semifinal appearance. The Lions return 5 starters on offense and 4 on defense under head coach Colin Thomas
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Eastern Regional is one of the more interesting South Jersey Group 5 teams heading into 2026. The Vikings bring back experience on both sides, added pieces to the mix, and have a chance to build off last year’s playoff push.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Hewitt-Trussville (AL) Hewitt-Trussville enters 2026 with a younger group, but one that gained valuable experience through last year’s injuries. The Huskies bring back key pieces, face one of Alabama’s toughest schedules, and have the talent to push toward the program’s first state championship.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: New Palestine (IN) New Palestine enters 2026 coming off back-to-back perfect 14-0 seasons and two straight state championships. The Dragons bring back key pieces under head coach Kyle Ralph and have major tests against St. Francis (IL), East Central, Roncalli, and IMG Academy. Championship standard remains the expectation in New Pal.
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North East Carolina Prep enters 2026 as a brand-new 1A program in Tarboro with a vision bigger than just building a team. Head coach Zane Rowland is building from the ground up with fundamentals, development, and culture leading the way. A first-year program to keep an eye on in North Carolina.
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TEAMS TO KNOW 2026: Somers (NY) Somers enters 2026 with a younger group, but the championship standard remains the same. The Tuskers are coming off an 8-3 season and a Section 1 finals appearance, while replacing a senior class that was part of 3 state championships.
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Brookwood enters 2026 coming off a 9-3 season and a second-round playoff appearance, with the talent to push deeper in Georgia 7A. With Marist, Parkview, and North Gwinnett headlining the schedule, Brookwood is a Georgia team to keep an eye on this fall.
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Pell City enters 2026 off a 7-4 season with 5 starters back on offense, 5 back on defense, and one of the tougher early-season tests in Alabama 5A.
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Norwin enters 2026 coming off a 7-3 season and a WPIAL semifinal appearance, with real momentum in a program rebuild that started in 2023.
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Scituate enters 2026 coming off an 11-2 season and a 2025 Massachusetts state championship, with the pieces back to chase a third straight state title.
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Brick Memorial enters 2026 coming off a 10-3 season and a Central Jersey Group 4 sectional title. With a strong core back and major tests against Donovan Catholic, Wall, Point Boro, and Rumson-Fair Haven, the Mustangs are a New Jersey public school team to watch this fall.
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Roswell is coming off a 12-2 season and a trip to the Georgia 5A state semifinals. With Gainesville, Milton, and Walton on the schedule, the Hornets will get tested before chasing another deep run. One to watch in Georgia 5A.
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Venice enters 2026 looking to bounce back after a 9-4 season and a state semifinal finish. The Indians bring back talent, add key pieces, and face early tests against Raines and Lakeland. A Florida 7A program to keep an eye on this fall.
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Twin Valley enters 2026 coming off a 14-1 season and a Pennsylvania 4A state runner-up finish. The Raiders now move up to 5A with another strong returning core and major games against Solanco, Susquehanna, and Wyomissing. A Pennsylvania public school team to watch this fall.
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Martinsburg enters 2026 coming off a 12-3 season and a West Virginia 4A state runner-up finish. The Bulldogs bring back experience on both sides and have major tests against Bridgeport, Morgantown, Canisius, and Huron Heights. A West Virginia power to know this fall.
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Waxahachie enters 2026 coming off a 12-2 season and a trip to the Texas 6A regional finals. With a loaded returning core, major tests against Duncanville, North Crowley, and Denton Guyer, and the Ennis rivalry circled, the Indians are one to watch in Texas 6A.
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Thompson enters 2026 coming off an 11-3 season and another Alabama 7A state championship. With an absolutely loaded roster led by fifth-year starting QB Trent Seaborn, plus one of the toughest schedules in the country, expect the Warriors to be near the top of the rankings throughout 2026.
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Thomas County Central enters 2026 coming off a perfect 15-0 season, a Georgia 5A state championship, and a #5 ranking in the Public Schools Top 25. With championship expectations, a loaded roster, and games against Colquitt County, Lee County, Houston County, and Lincoln (FL), the Yellow Jackets are built to stay near the top.
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Glassboro enters 2026 coming off a perfect 14-0 season and back-to-back state championships.
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Bowdon enters 2026 coming off a 13-2 season and a Georgia 1A-DII state championship. With a veteran group back, a loaded schedule, and year 100 of Red Devil football ahead, Bowdon is built to defend its title standard.
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Northwestern enters 2026 coming off a 13-1 season and a South Carolina 5A state championship. With another strong core back and a loaded schedule featuring Hough (NC) , Berkeley, South Pointe, Dorman, Spartanburg, and Rock Hill, the Trojans are built to stay in the title mix.
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West Boca enters 2026 chasing a three-peat after back-to-back Florida 6A state championships. With a loaded returning core, major talent back, and games against Cardinal Newman, American Heritage, and The First Academy, the Bulls are firmly in the national public-school conversation.
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Oakland enters 2026 coming off a perfect 15-0 season and back-to-back Tennessee 6A state championships. With another strong core back and a loaded schedule featuring CPA, Centerville (OH), Pearl-Cohn, Blackman, Stewarts Creek, and Riverdale, the Patriots are built to chase another title. Tennessee standard.
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Basha enters 2026 coming off a 12-1 season and an Arizona Open State Championship. With a strong core back and a loaded schedule featuring Chandler, Orange Lutheran (CA), Liberty, Red Mountain, Brophy Prep, and Perry, the Bears are built to stay in the national conversation.
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Coming off a perfect 15-0 season and a 6A state championship, the Cougars move into 5A with a repeat on their mind. With major tests against Creekside (GA), Thompson, and Central-Phenix City, Clay-Chalkville will get every chance to prove it belongs in the national title conversation.
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Coming off a perfect 15-0 season, a state championship, and a #2 finish in the 2025 Public Schools Top 25, the Seminoles have the roster and schedule to chase a national title run. Major tests: Clay-Chalkville (AL), St. Joseph’s Regional (NJ), and Langston Hughes.
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Boyle County enters 2026 as one of Kentucky’s top public-school programs after a 14-1 season and 4A state championship, with 12 total starters returning and another major schedule ahead.
