Toughest High School Football Conferences/Districts/Leagues/Regions In 2024

Southern California's Trinity League continues to cement its status as America's premier high school football conference. The league achieved a remarkable feat in 2024, with all six teams earning spots in the final High School Football America 300.

Leading the charge was Mater Dei, which captured its second consecutive HSFA national championship and fifth national crown since 2017. The Trinity League's dominance extends even further, claiming seven of the last eight national titles—including St. John Bosco's championships in 2019 and 2022. Bosco rounded out the league's excellence by finishing No. 5 in the HSFA 300 last season.

According to our proprietary algorithm rankings, the Philadelphia Catholic League's Red Division claimed the second-toughest league distinction for 2024. The division showcased its strength through championship success, with No. 26 St. Joseph's Prep and No. 202 Monsignor Bonner/Archbishop Prendergast capturing Pennsylvania state titles, while No. 207 Roman Catholic reached the state finals as runner-up.

Florida's District 16 in Class 4A secured third place among the nation's most competitive leagues, anchored by state champion American Heritage (Plantation). The Patriots, ranked No. 16 nationally, demonstrated the district's depth by defeating fellow district member Norland (No. 37) twice en route to the state championship, while Plantation earned the No. 300 national ranking. With Archbishop McCarthy completing the four-team district, every member finished above .500, underscoring the league's overall strength.

Below you can see the Top 25 toughest conferences/districts/leagues/regions across America during the 2024 season.

No. 1 Trinity League (Southern California)

• No. 1 Mater Dei
• No. 5 St. John Bosco
• No. 13 Orange Lutheran
• No. 53 JSerra
• No. 62 Santa Margarita
• No. 66 Servite

No. 2 Philadelphia Catholic League – Red Division (Pennsylvania)

• No. 26 St. Joseph’s Prep
• No. 35 La Salle College High School
• No. 202 Monsignor Bonner/Archbishop Prendergast
• No. 207 Roman Catholic

Other Schools – Cardinal O’Hara, Father Judge

No. 3 Florida 4A District 15

• No. 16 American Heritage (Plantation)
• No. 37 Norland
• No. 300 Plantation

Other School – Archbishop McCarthy

No. 4 North Jersey Super Conference, United Red League (New Jersey)

• No. 7 Bergen Catholic
• No. 106 Don Bosco Prep
• No. 124 St. Joseph Regional (Montvale)

Other school – Paramus Catholic

No. 5 Greater Catholic League South (Cincinnati, Ohio)

• No. 75 Archbishop Moeller
• No. 147 St. Xavier
• No. 256 La Salle
• No. 276 Elder

No. 6 Texas District 11-6A

• No. 29 North Shore
• No. 31 Atascocita
• No. 90 Summer Creek

Other schools – C.E. King, Channelview, Goose Creek Memorial, Humble, Kingwood

No. 7 Georgia 6A Region 8

• No. 20 Buford
• No. 55 Collins Hill
• No. 101 Mill Creek

Other schools – Central Gwinnett, Dacula, Discovery, Mountain View

No. 8 Georgia 5A Region 2

• No. 41 Lee County
• No. 92 Thomas County Central
• No. 94 Coffee
• No. 212 Houston County

Other schools – Northside (Warner Robins), Veterans

No. 9 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference – Capital Conference (Maryland & DC)

• No. 23 DeMatha (Maryland)
• No. 77 Good Counsel (Maryland
• No. 211 Gonzaga (Washington, DC)

Other schools – Bishop McNamara, St. John’s College HS

No. 10 Louisiana 5A District 4

• No. 67 Catholic (Baton Rouge)
• No. 74 Central (Baton Rouge)
• No. 238 Zachary

Other schools – Liberty Magnet, Scotlandville, Woodlawn (Baton Rouge)

No. 11 Georgia 5A Region 7

• No. 2 Milton
• No. 103 Roswell
• No. 242 Gainesville

Other schools – Chattahoochee, Johns Creek, Lanier, Seckinger

No. 12 Texas District 11-6A

• No. 8 Duncanville
• No. 97 DeSoto

Other schools – Cedar Hill, Horn, Lancaster, Mesquite, Skyline, Waxahachie

No. 13 Louisiana 5A District 2

• No. 85 Alexandria
• No. 114 Ruston
• No. 116 Neville

Other schools – West Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Pineville

No. 14 Texas District 26-6A

• No. 27 Westlake
• No. 65 Lake Travis
• No. 272 Dripping Springs

Other schools – Akins, Austin, Bowie (Austin), Del Valle

No. 15 Louisiana 5A District 9

• No. 40 Edna Karr
• No. 131 Archbishop Rummel
• No. 235 John Curtis

Other schools – Brother Martin, Holy Cross, Jesuit, St. Augustine, Warren Easton

No. 16 Alabama Region 2-7A

• No. 93 Auburn
• No. 104 Central (Phenix City)
• No. 175 Opelika
• No. 277 Carver Montgomery

Other schools – Dothan, Enterprise JAG, Smiths Station

No. 17 Alabama Region 3-7A

• No. 39 Thompson
• No. 123 Hoover
• No. 240 Hewitt-Trussville

Other schools – Hillcrest, Oak Mountain, Prattville, Tuscaloosa County Vestavia Hills

No. 18 Alpha League (Southern California)

• No. 22 Mission Viejo
• No. 208 Edison (Huntington Beach)

Other schools – Los Alamitos, San Clemente

No. 19 Utah 6A Region 3

• No. 51 Lone Peak
• No. 102 Skyridge
• No. 142 Lehi

Other schools – American Fork, Pleasant Grove, Westlake

No. 20 East Bay Athletic League – Mountain Division (California)

• No. 25 De La Salle
• No. 230 San Ramon Valley

Other schools – Amador Valley, California, Monte Vista

No. 21 North Jersey Super Conference, United White League (New Jersey)

• No. 41 DePaul Catholic
• No. 180 Delbarton

Other schools – Pope John XXIII, St. Peter’s Prep, Seton Hall Prep

No. 22 Georgia 6A Region 2

• No. 19 Carrollton
• No. 50 Douglas County

Other schools – Chapel Hill, East Coweta, Westlake

No. 23 Georgia 6A Region 7

• No. 61 North Gwinnett
• No. 155 Norcross

Other schools – Berkmar, Brookwood, Duluth, Meadowcreek, Parkview, Peachtree Ridge

No. 24 Catholic High School League Central Division (Michigan/Ohio)

• No. 154 Detroit Catholic Central (Michigan)
• No. 178 Toledo Central Catholic (Ohio)

Other schools – Brother Rice (Michigan), De La Salle Collegiate (Michigan), St. John’s Jesuit (Ohio), St Mary’s Prep (Michigan)

No. 25 Florida 6A District 3

• No. 156 Nease
• No. 194 Buchholz

Other schools – Bartram Trail, Tocoi Creek