By: Don Rebel
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | 7:57 PM
Antonio Rossetti | For TribLive
Players from Fort Cherry head to midfield for the coin toss before a game against Monessen on Sept. 19, 2025, at Fort Cherry.
The top football teams across Pennsylvania had a strong kick to finish the 2025 regular season.
The 30 teams ranked in the Trib HSSN state Top 5 last week dominated Week 9 top the tune of a combined 27-3 record.
One loss came in a head-to-head battle in District 12 with Class 5A Roman Catholic defeating 4A Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast. However, despite a third straight loss to District 12 powers LaSalle College and St. Joe’s Prep in 6A and Roman Catholic in 5A, the Friars remain ranked in the Top 5 at No. 5 in Class 4A.
There was one change in Class 2A as undefeated Bishop McCort knocked out fellow District 6 foe Richland from the ranking even though the Rams defeated Huntingdon in Week 9. The Crimson Crushers rolled past Class A ranked Bishop Guilfoyle Academy last week and handed Richland their only loss earlier this season.
In a District 4 showdown between state top-ranked teams last week, Class 3A No. 1 Northwestern Lehigh defeated Class 4A top-ranked Southern Lehigh, knocking the Spartans form the top spot in 4A, which has been taken over by undefeated Susquehanna Township..
The other five classifications remained unchanged at the top with LaSalle College in 6A, Pine-Richland in 5A, Northwestern Lehigh in 3A, Troy in 2A and Fort Cherry in A.
The district playoffs begin this weekend. Some of the state Top 5 has earned byes while others get a taste of postseason football.
In District 12, the Philadelphia Catholic League championship games are set for this weekend with four ranked teams participating and the big one taking place Saturday when No. 1 LaSalle College goes up against No. 4 St. Joe’s Prep in Class 6A.
The Explorers beat the defending state champion Hawks earlier this season, but last year LaSalle College won the regular season game and St. Joe’s Prep claimed the PCL title.
Here are the latest Trib HSSN rankings in each of the six classifications. Teams are listed with overall record last week’s ranking and district.
Class 6A
1. LaSalle College (8-1) (1) (D-12): The Explorers defeated Father Judge, 56-7, in Week 9. They play No. 4 St. Joseph’s Prep in the Philadelphia Catholic League finals on Saturday.
2. Harrisburg (10-0) (2) (D-3): The Cougars defeated Central Dauphin East, 28-6, in Week 9. They have a District 3 first round bye this weekend.
3. Central Catholic (9-1) (3) (D-7): The Vikings defeated Canon-McMillan, 45-10, in Week 9. They have a WPIAL quarterfinals bye this weekend.
4. St. Joseph’s Prep (5-4) (4) (D-12): The defending PIAA 6A champion Hawks defeated Cardinal O’Hara, 38-3, in Week 9. They play No. 1 LaSalle College in the Philadelphia Catholic League finals on Saturday.
5. Parkland (10-0) (5) (D-11): The Trojans defeated Emmaus, 34-13, in Week 9. They host Stroudsburg in the District 11 quarterfinals on Friday.
Out: None
Class 5A
1. Pine-Richland (9-1) (1) (D-7): The Rams defeated Shaler, 49-17, in Week 9. They have a WPIAL first round bye this weekend.
2. Peters Township (10-0) (2) (D-7): The Indians defeated Bethel Park, 35-0, in Week 9. They have a WPIAL first round bye this weekend.
3. Roman Catholic (6-3) (3) (D-12): The Cahillites defeated 4A No. 4 Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast, 26-15, in Week 9. They play Father Judge in the Philadelphia Catholic League finals on Saturday.
4. Bishop McDevitt (8-2) (4) (D-3): The defending PIAA 5A champion Crusaders defeated State College, 36-20, in Week 9. They have a District 3 first round bye this weekend.
5. Chester (10-0) (5) (D-1): The Clippers defeated Quakertown Community, 32-19, in Week 9. They host Marple-Newtown in a District 1 first round game on Saturday.
Out: None
Class 4A
1. Susquehanna Township (10-0) (3) (D-3): The Indians defeated Milton Hershey, 49-16, in Week 9. They have a District 3 first round bye this weekend.
2. Southern Lehigh (9-1) (1) (D-11): The Spartans lost to 3A No. 1 Northwestern Lehigh, 36-28, in Week 9. They host Bangor in a District 11 quarterfinals game on Thursday.
3. Pope John Paul II (9-1) (2) (D-1): The Golden Panthers defeated Owen J. Roberts, 27-7, in Week 9. They host Springfield-Montco in a District 1 semifinals game on Friday.
4. Twin Valley (10-0) (5) (D-3): The Raiders defeated Daniel Boone, 71-7, in Week 9. They have a District 3 first round bye this weekend.
5. Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast (5-3) (4) (D-12): The defending PIAA 4A champion Friars lost to 5A No. 3 Roman Catholic, 26-15, in Week 9. They play Archbishop Wood in a Philadelphia Catholic League semifinals game on Friday.
Out: None
Class 3A
1. Northwestern Lehigh (10-0) (1) (D-11): The defending PIAA 3A champion Tigers defeated 4A No. 1 Southern Lehigh, 36-28, in Week 9. They host Palmerton in a District 11 quarterfinals game on Thursday.
2. Avonworth (10-0) (2) (D-7): The Antelopes defeated Beaver, 49-7, in Week 9. They have a WPIAL first round bye this weekend.
3. Notre Dame-Green Pond (10-0) (3) (D-11): The Crusaders defeated Wilson Area, 62-0, in Week 9. They host Salisbury in a District 11 quarterfinals game on Thursday.
4. Imani Christian (10-0) (4) (D-7): The Saints defeated Freeport, 53-7, in Week 9. They have a WPIAL first round bye this weekend.
5. Hickory (8-1) (5) (D-10): The Hornets did not play last weekend. They play Girard in a District 10 quarterfinals game on Friday.
Out: None
Class 2A
1. Troy (9-1) (1) (D-4): The defending PIAA 2A champion Trojans defeated Canton Area, 49-6, in Week 9. They host Wellsboro in a District 4 quarterfinals game on Friday.
2. Southern Columbia (9-1) (2) (D-4): The Tigers defeated Shikellamy, 61-28 in Week 9. They host Cowanesque Valley in a District 4 quarterfinals game on Friday.
3. Schuylkill Haven (10-0) (3) (D-11): The Hurricanes defeated Tri-Valley, 55-20, in Week 9. They host Catasauqua in a District 11 quarterfinals game on Saturday.
4. Farrell (8-2) (4) (D-10): The Steelers defeated Cathedral Prep, 46-7, in Week 9. They play Eisenhower in a District 10 semifinals game on Saturday.
5. Bishop McCort (10-0) (NR) (D-6): The Crimson Crushers defeated Class A No. 2 Bishop Guilfoyle, 46-18, in Week 9. They host Bald Eagle in a District 6 quarterfinals game on Friday.
Out: Richland (6)
Class A
1. Fort Cherry (10-0) (1) (D-7): The Rangers defeated Serra Catholic, 49-8, in Week 9. They host Avella in a WPIAL first round game on Friday.
2. Port Allegany (10-0) (3) (D-9): The Gators defeated Brockway, 48-22, in Week 9. They have a District 9 quarterfinals bye this weekend.
3. Clairton (8-1) (4) (D-7): The Bears defeated Brentwood, 53-0, in Week 9. They host Monessen in a WPIAL first round playoff game on Friday.
4. Bishop Guilfoyle Academy (8-2) (2) (D-6): The defending PIAA A champion Marauders lost to Bishop McCort, 46-18, in Week 9. They host Purchase Line in a District 6 quarterfinals game on Friday.
5. Line Mountain (10-0) (5) (D-4): The Eagles defeated Susquenita, 63-14, in Week 9. They have a District 4 semifinals bye this weekend.
Out: None