{"id":286506,"date":"2026-09-15T14:32:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T14:32:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/286506\/"},"modified":"2026-09-15T14:32:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T14:32:14","slug":"pennsylvania-high-school-football-top-25-state-rankings-sept-15-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/286506\/","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania High School Football Top 25 State Rankings (Sept. 15, 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"

This week\u2019s High School On SI Pennsylvania<\/a> Top 25 Football<\/a> State Rankings definitely saw some shaking up near the top.<\/p>\n

Not at the top, though, as No. 1 Central Catholic lived up to the hype with a 48-24 victory over Pine-Richland in the debut of its sparkling new home stadium.<\/p>\n

Both teams\u2019 stars shined throughout, with Nebraska recruit Khalil Taylor<\/a> returning a kick 99 yards for a touchdown for the Rams, while quarterback Aaron Strader amassed 363 total yards and accounted\u00a0 for two TDs.<\/p>\n

But in the end, the Vikings proved too much to handle, showing why they are ranked not only No. 1 in the Keystone State but No. 21 in the Power 25 national rankings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Behind the Vikings, however, there was a lot of shuffling going on. Last week\u2019s No. 2 St. Joseph\u2019s Prep and No. 3 Malvern Prep both lost, making way for Harrisburg and State College to move into their spots, while five teams dropped out of the rankings altogether.<\/p>\n

Here are this week\u2019s Pennsylvania High School Football Top 25 State Rankings.<\/p>\n

\"Pennsylvania<\/p>\n

High School On SI<\/p>\n

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: WK1<\/a>\u00a0 | WK2<\/a> | WK3 |<\/p>\n

1. Central Catholic (3-0)<\/p>\n

Last week: 1; Def. No. 6 Pine-Richland 48-24<\/p>\n

Junior RB Chrys Black, who ran for 253 yards and two touchdowns to go with a 70-yard punt return for a score, was the star of the show for the Vikings and a top candidate for Pennsylvania Player of the Week<\/a> honors.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Next up: vs. Norwin, Sept. 18\u00a0<\/p>\n

2. Harrisburg (3-0)<\/p>\n

Last week: 5; Def. Cumberland Valley 28-7<\/p>\n

Trays Walker returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown, and Keijuan Sinkler and Asante Eubanks-Burnett each had interceptions for the Cougars.<\/p>\n

Next up: vs. Central Dauphin, Sept. 19<\/p>\n

3. State College (3-0)<\/p>\n

Last week: 8; Def. No. 9 Bishop McDevitt 27-20<\/p>\n

Quarterback Connor Kulka ran for two touchdowns and threw for 189 yards and a score to help the Little Lions knock off their Mid-Penn Commonwealth rivals.<\/p>\n

Next up: at Central Dauphin East, Sept. 18<\/p>\n

4. St. Joseph\u2019s Prep (1-1)<\/p>\n

Last week: 2; Lost to Bergen Catholic 33-3<\/a><\/p>\n

The Hawks traded field goals with the traditional power from New Jersey before seeing starting quarterback Max Rogers go down to an injury on their first-quarter scoring drive. The Crusaders took control from there as St. Joe\u2019s was held out of the end zone for the first time since a 42-0 loss to Don Bosco Prep in 2013.<\/p>\n

Next up: vs. No. 7 Malvern Prep, Sept. 19<\/p>\n

5. Imhotep Charter (2-1)<\/p>\n

Last week: 14; Def. No. 7 Malvern Prep 27-21<\/p>\n

The Panthers erased a 21-14 halftime deficit, with Joe McLeish hitting Brian Culmer for a go-ahead 14-yard touchdown pass that allowed them to avenge last year\u2019s 35-7 loss in this rivalry.<\/p>\n

Next up: vs. Belmont Charter, Sept. 18<\/p>\n

6. Pine-Richland (2-1)<\/p>\n

Last week: 4; Lost to No. 1 Central Catholic 48-24<\/p>\n

The Rams closed to within 27-24 on an 87-yard keeper by quarterback Aaron Strader, but they couldn\u2019t slow the Vikings\u2019 Chrys Black in this matchup of the state\u2019s top-ranked 6A and 5A teams.<\/p>\n

Next up: at Mt. Lebanon, Sept. 18<\/p>\n

7. Malvern Prep (1-1)<\/p>\n

Last week: 3; Lost to No. 5 Imhotep Charter 27-21<\/p>\n

The Friars had a chance to take the lead late, twice converting on fourth down on their final drive to get to Imhotep\u2019s 18-yard line before a sack of Brayden Fallon with 2:28 to play ended their hopes for victory.<\/p>\n

Next up: at No. 4 St. Joseph\u2019s Prep, Sept. 19<\/p>\n

8. Upper St. Clair (3-0)<\/p>\n

Last week: 7; Def. then-No. 17 Canon-McMillan 21-10<\/p>\n

Andrew Gaither\u2019s red-zone fumble recovery set the tone for the Panthers defense, and Upper St. Clair got rushing touchdowns from John Banbury, Luca Coury and Josh Snyder.<\/p>\n

Next up: at Chartiers Valley, Sept. 18<\/p>\n

9. Bishop McDevitt (2-1)<\/p>\n

Last week: 6; Lost to No. 3 State College 27-20<\/p>\n

Sebastian Williams was 13-for-17 passing for 182 yards and three touchdowns in defeat.<\/p>\n

Next up: at Cedar Cliff, Sept. 18<\/p>\n

10. La Salle College (1-2)<\/p>\n

Last week: 9; Def. Archbishop Wood 38-24<\/p>\n

The Explorers finally got into the win column.<\/p>\n

Next up: at Calvert Hall, Sept. 19<\/p>\n

11. Southern Lehigh (3-0)<\/p>\n

Last week: 11; Def. Jim Thorpe 43-7<\/p>\n

Big plays in the second half allowed the Spartans to put the game away.<\/p>\n

Next up: vs. Wilson Area, Sept. 18<\/p>\n

12. Roman Catholic (1-2)<\/p>\n

Last week: 11; Def. Dematha (MD) 14-7<\/p>\n

What a way for the Cahillite to get their first win \u2014 knocking off formerly nationally ranked DeMatha as Jahmil Hawkins hit Kaylin Bass for a 4-yard touchdown to break a 7-7 tie in the third quarter.<\/p>\n

Next up: vs. No. 22 Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, Sept. 18<\/p>\n

13. Chester (3-0)<\/p>\n

Last week: 10; Def. Northeast 32-30<\/p>\n

Sophomore Kanif Doward\u2019s interception with 3:49 remaining secured the win after freshman Sa\u2019Mham Williams ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns and returned a kickoff 90 yards and another score.<\/p>\n

Next up: vs. Upper Darby, Sept. 19<\/p>\n

14. Springfield (3-0)<\/p>\n

Last week: 13; Def. Lower Merion 54-0<\/p>\n

The Cougars led 34-0 after one quarter against the winless Aces.<\/p>\n

Next up: vs. Penncrest, Sept. 18<\/p>\n

15. Central Bucks West (3-0)<\/p>\n

Last week: 16; Def. Souderton 35-14<\/p>\n

Nick Miletto and Braylen Cape scored two touchdowns apiece as the Bucks remained unbeaten ahead of a showdown with 3-0 Pennridge.<\/p>\n

Next up: at Pennridge, Sept. 18<\/p>\n

16. Shamokin (3-0)<\/p>\n

Last week: Not ranked; Def. Shikellamy 37-0<\/p>\n

The Indians overcame four fumbles and 10 penalties, including two that negated touchdowns, to hand their rivals their first loss.<\/p>\n

Next up: vs. Jersey Shore, Sept. 18<\/p>\n

17. North Penn (2-1)<\/p>\n

Last week: 19; Def. Upper Dublin 35-0<\/p>\n

The Knights held Upper Dublin to minus-18 rushing yards and 48 total.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Next up: at Pennsbury, Sept. 18<\/p>\n

18. Parkland (2-1)<\/p>\n

Last week: Not ranked; Def. then-No. 20 Easton Area 44-14<\/p>\n

The Trojans got a huge performance from senior TJ Lawrence, who followed up his 255-yard effort a week ago against Freedom by running for 186 yards and three touchdowns against the Red Rovers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Next up: vs. Stroudsburg, Sept. 17<\/p>\n

19. Episcopal Academy (1-1)<\/p>\n

Last week: 22; Def. St. Christopher\u2019s 28-0<\/p>\n

The Churchmen scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to put the game away.<\/p>\n

Next up: vs. Hill School, Sept. 18<\/p>\n

20. South Fayette (3-0)<\/p>\n

Last week: Not ranked; Def. Montour 35-28<\/p>\n

It was a tale of two halves for the Lions, whose defense stiffened in the second half to help them erase a 15-point deficit.<\/p>\n

Next up: at Trinity, Sept. 18<\/p>\n

21. Propel Braddock Hills (2-1)<\/p>\n

Last week: Not ranked; Def. then-No. 21 Hopewell 28-21<\/p>\n

Tyrone Sowell ran for 184 yards and three touchdowns to lift the Saints.<\/p>\n

Next up: at McKeesport, Sept. 18<\/p>\n

22. Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (1-1)<\/p>\n

Last week: 23; Def. then-No. 25 Monsignor Bonner\/Archbishop Prendergrast Catholic 24-7<\/p>\n

William Howard\u2019s 90-yard touchdown run helped seal victory for the Blue Devils.<\/p>\n

Next up: at No. 12 Roman Catholic, Sept. 18<\/p>\n

23. Twin Valley (3-0)<\/p>\n

Last week: 24; Def. Wyomissing 42-14<\/p>\n

Lucas Myers scored three first-half touchdowns to help the Raiders build a 42-7 halftime\u00a0 lead.<\/p>\n

Next up: at Manheim Central, Sept. 18<\/p>\n

24. Cardinal O\u2019Hara (3-0)<\/p>\n

Last week: Not ranked; Def. Neumann-Goretti 53-0<\/p>\n

The Lions have outscored their first three opponents 135-7 but will be tested this week against fellow unbeaten West Catholic.<\/p>\n

Next up: at West Catholic, Sept. 18<\/p>\n

25. West Chester Bayard Rustin (1-1)<\/p>\n

Last week: 15; Lost to Pope John Paul II 26-14<\/p>\n

The Golden Knights could not get their run game going, as they managed just 91 yards on 19 carries.<\/p>\n

Next up: vs. Norristown, Sept. 18<\/p>\n

Dropped out<\/p>\n

17. Canon-McMillan<\/p>\n

18. Central York<\/p>\n

20. Easton Area<\/p>\n

21. Hopewell<\/p>\n

25. Monsignor Bonner\/Archbishop Prendergrast Catholic<\/p>\n

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