Preseason 2026 High School Football America Ohio Top 25 Rankings
even-time Ohio high school football state champ St. Edward starts 2026 at the top of the Preseason High School Football America Ohio Top 25 rankings, powered by NFL Play Football. The Eagles, who annually play one of the toughest in-state schedules along with a mix of quality interstate games, are coming off an 11-3 season and a second straight state semifinal appearance.
Four of St. Ed’s first five games will be against teams inside the statewide Top 25, which will set the tone for the season. The Eagles open against No. 23 Olentangy Liberty on August 21. In 2024, Liberty beat St. Ed in the state semifinals on the way to the school’s first-ever Division I high school football state championship.
Coming close to claiming the top spot in the Preseason Ohio Top 25, which is created with the HSFA proprietary algorithm, is Avon. The two-time reigning Division II state champs finished last season atop the statewide rankings.
The always-tough Greater Catholic League South Division holds down the No. 3 and No. 4 spots. St. Xavier, which lost in the Division I state championship game to Olentangy Orange, starts at No. 3. Elder, which won the GCL-South regular season title, is ranked No. 4. Last year, Elder beat St. X during the regular season, but the Blue Bombers got revenge with a 42-34 win over the Panthers in the state quarterfinals.
Reigning Division I state champ Olentangy Orange is No. 5, followed by 2025 Division III champ Bishop Watterson at No. 6, Massillon Washington at No. 7, Archbishop Moeller at No. 8, Glenville at No. 9 and Anderson at No. 10.
Below is the complete Top 25.
High School Football America Ohio Top 25
| Ranking/Team | 2025 Record | Preseason HSFA 300 Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| No. 1 St. Edward | 11-3 | 52 |
| No. 2 Avon | 14-1 | 54 |
| No. 3 St. Xavier | 11-3 | 59 |
| No. 4 Elder | 12-1 | 68 |
| No. 5 Olentangy Orange | 14-0 | 71 |
| No. 6 Bishop Watterson | 14-0 | 88 |
| No. 7 Massillon Washington | 9-4 | 89 |
| No. 8 Archbishop Moeller | 8-4 | 98 |
| No. 9 Glenville | 11-3 | 100 |
| No. 10 Anderson | 14-1 | 106 |
| No. 11 Walsh Jesuit | 11-2 | 122 |
| No. 12 Archbishop Hoban | 10-2 | 124 |
| No. 13 Big Walnut | 12-2 | 128 |
| No. 14 La Salle | 9-4 | 160 |
| No. 15 Toledo Central Catholic | 11-5 | 176 |
| No. 16 Pickerington Central | 11-2 | 222 |
| No. 17 Mentor | 12-1 | 236 |
| No. 18 Upper Arlington | 10-3 | 259 |
| No. 19 Pickerington North | 9-2 | 282 |
| No. 20 Princeton | 9-3 | 285 |
| No. 21 Winton Woods | 9-3 | 289 |
| No. 22 Canton McKinley | 9-3 | HSFA On the Bubble 301-400 |
| No. 23 Olentangy Liberty | 8-5 | HSFA On the Bubble 301-400 |
| No. 24 Springfield | 8-5 | Outside the HSFA 300 |
| No. 25 Ironton | 9-1 | Outside the HSFA 300 |
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