Trib HSSN preseason Pennsylvania high school football rankings for Aug. 25, 2026

As we prepare to kick off a new high school football season across the state this weekend, let’s look back before we look ahead.

The six reigning state champions heading into the 2026 campaign are LaSalle College from District 12 in Class 6A, Roman Catholic from District 12 in 5A, Southern Lehigh from District 11 in 4A, Avonworth from District 7 in 3A, Southern Columbia from District 4 in 2A and Clairton from District 7 in A.

There are two showdowns in Week 1 featuring preseason Top 5 teams … so much for easing into the new season.

On Friday, Class 2A defending champ and top-ranked Southern Columbia will host Class 3A No. 5 Wyomissing in a battle of District 3 and 4 powers.

The next day, Class A reigning state champ and top-ranked Clairton faces Class 2A No. 2 Farrell in a showdown between the WPIAL and District 10.

Here are the first Trib HSSN rankings in each of the six classifications in 2026. Final 2025 record is followed by ranking from last year and district.

Class 6A

1. LaSalle College (13-1) (1) (D-12): The defending PIAA 6A champion Explorers open the season in Week 1 visiting Paramus Catholic (NJ) on Friday.

2. Central Catholic (13-2) (2) (D-7): The Vikings open the season in Week 1 against Bergen Catholic (NJ) at The Wolvarena in Turtle Creek on Friday.

3. St. Joseph Prep (5-5) (NR) (D-12): The Hawks will play a second scrimmage in Week 1.

4. Harrisburg (13-1) (3) (D-3): The Cougars open the season in Week 1 against William Penn at the York Rose Bowl on Friday.

5. Bishop McDevitt (12-3) (2 in 5A) (D-3): The Crusaders open the season in Week 1 hosting Our Lady of Good Counsel (MD) on Friday.

Class 5A

1. Pine-Richland (11-2) (4) (D-7): The Rams open the season in Week 1 visiting Avon (OH) on Friday.

2. Imhotep Charter (8-5) (NR) (D-12): The Panthers open the season in Week 1 hosting Camden Hill (NJ) on Saturday.

3. Springfield-Delco (14-1) (3) (D-1): The Cougars open the season in Week 1 visiting Perkiomen Valley on Friday.

4. Southern Lehigh (15-1) (1 in 4A) (D-11): The defending PIAA 4A champion Spartans open the season in Week 1 visiting Quakertown Community.

5. Twin Valley (14-1) (2 in 4A) (D-3): The Raiders open the season in Week 1 visiting Middletown on Friday.

Class 4A

1. Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast (6-2) (NR) (D-12): The Friars open the season in Week 1 visiting St. Augustine Prep (NJ) on Friday.

2. McKeesport (9-4) (NR) (D-7): The Tigers open the season in Week 1 visiting Brashear on Friday.

3. General McLane (8-2) (NR) (D-10): The Lancers open the season in Week 1 visiting Central Clarion on Friday.

4. Shamokin (13-1) (NR) (D-4): The Indians open the season in Week 1 visiting Pottsville on Friday.

5. Susquehanna Township (12-1) (5) (D-3): The Indians open the season in Week 1 visiting West York on Friday.

Class 3A

1. Avonworth (15-0) (1) (D-7): The defending PIAA 3A champion Antelopes open the season in Week 1 visiting Hopewell on Friday on Trib HSSN.

2. Northwestern Lehigh (15-1) (1) (D-11): The Tigers open the season in Week 1 visiting Valley View on Friday.

3. Aliquippa (10-4) (3 in 4A) (D-7): The Quips will play a second scrimmage in Week 1.

4. Hickory (10-2) (NR) (D-10): The Hornets open the season in Week 1 playing Westinghouse at The Wolvarena in Turtle Creek on Saturday.

5. Wyomissing (10-2) (NR) (D-3): The Spartans open the season in Week 1 visiting 2A No. 1 Southern Columbia on Friday.

Class 2A

1. Southern Columbia (15-1) (1) (D-4): The defending PIAA 2A champion Tigers open the season in Week 1 hosting 3A No. 5 Wyomissing on Friday.

2. Farrell (13-3) (2) (D-10): The Steelers open the season in Week 1 playing Class A No. 1 Clairton at The Wolvarena in Turtle Creek on Saturday.

3. Schuylkill Haven (12-1) (NR) (D-11): The Hurricanes open their season in Week 1 visiting Mt. Carmel on Friday.

4. Seton LaSalle (12-2) (4) (D-7): The Rebels open their season in Week 1 hosting North Catholic on Friday on Trib HSSN.

5. Richland (12-2) (5) (D-6): The Rams open their season in Week 1 visiting Central Cambria on Friday.

Class A

1. Clairton (15-1) (1) (D-7): The defending PIAA champion Bears open their season in Week 1 playing 2A No. 2 Farrell at The Wolvarena in Turtle Creek on Saturday.

2. Bishop Guilfoyle Academy (13-3) (2) (D-6): The Marauders open the season in Week 1 hosting Penns Valley on Saturday.

3. Belmont Charter School (10-2) (3) (D-12): The Tigers open the season in Week 1 visiting Neumann-Goretti on Saturday.

4. Fort Cherry (12-1) (NR) (D-7): The Rangers open the season in Week 1 hosting Chartiers-Houston on Friday.

5. Steelton-Highspire (11-3) (NR) (D-3): The Steamrollers open the season in Week 1 visiting Eastern York on Friday.