FOOTBALLSTORIES PRESEASON TOP AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAMS FOR 2026

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Rankings as of July 14, 2026

SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA TOP 20

1. LaSalle (13-1) PIAA 6A Champions

2. Roman Catholic (12-3) PIAA 5A Champions

3. Springfield (14-1)

4. Chester (13-1)

5. Malvern Prep (8-2)

6. Episcopal Academy (9-1)

7. St. Joe's Prep (5-5)

8. Cardinal O'Hara (10-5)

9. North Penn (12-3)

10. Pennridge (13-2)

11. Bonner/Prendie (6-5)

12. Strath Haven (10-3)

13. Coatesville (10-3)

14. Council Rock South (10-3)

15. Neshaminy (9-4)

16. Owen J. Roberts (8-4)

17. Downingtown West (8-3)

18. Downingtown East (8-4)

19. Bishop Shanahan (8-5)

20. Pope John Paul II (Royersford) (10-2)

20. Bayard Rustin (10-3)

20. Central Bucks West (7-4)

North Penn High School (PA) varsity football is led by standout Rylei Gray, a senior. He is primarily a running back and defensive back for the Knights. Photo by Jesse Garber

KEEP AND EYE ON: Abraham Lincoln (8-4), Imhotep Institute (8-5), Ridley (9-3), Springside Chestnut Hill Academy AKA SCHA (6-4), Garnet Valley (8-4), Perkiomen Valley (6-5), Central Bucks South (5-5), Penncrest (8-4), Kennett (9-3), Upper Perkiomen (7-4), Haverford High School (8-4), Souderton (9-3).

Bonner-Prendie hopes for a bounce back year after an early playoff exit in 2025 and a 6-5 record. Three of the Friars five losses were to teams ranked in the top 100 in the United States. Photo by Al Thompson

Quarterback  Noel Campbell helped Bonner-Prendie win the PIAA 4A Championship his sophomore season. He certainly will want to go out on top again. Photo by Al Thompson.   

SOUTH JERSEY TOP 20

1. Glassboro (14-0) NJSIAA 2X Group 1 Champion-Since the start of the 2024 season, the Bulldogs have won 27 consecutive games.

1. Winslow Township (12-2) 2X NJSIAA Group 4 Champion

3. Washington Township (14-0) NJSIAA Group 5 Champions

4. Camden (12-2) NJSIAA Group 2 Champs

5. Cedar Creek (12-2) NJSAA Group 3 Champs

6. Burlington Township (10-1)

7. Haddonfield (10-3)

8. Rancocas Valley (6-5),

9. Delran (10-2)

10. West Deptford (10-2)

11. Kingsway (10-3)

12. Atlantic City (10-2)

13. Shawnee (7-4)

14. St. Augustine (6-4)

15. Seneca (9-3)

16. Lawrenceville (6-3)

17. Millville (7-5)

18. Mainland (7-5)

19. Pleasantville (7-4)

20. Cherry Hill East (9-1)

KEEP AN EYE ON: Ocean City (5-5), Pennsauken (7-3), Paul VI (6-5), Holy Spirit (7-5).

DELAWARE TOP 10

1. Middletown (10-3) DIAA 3A State Champions

2. Salesianum (9-3

3. Red Lion Christian Academy (11-2)

4. Howard (11-1)

5. Indian River (12-1)

6. Smyrna (7-5)

7. Lake Forest (10-2)

8. Caravel (6-4)

9. Appoquinimink (8-4)

10. Seaford (12-1)

10. Lake Forest (12-2)

10. Caesar Rodney (7-4).

CAN'T NOT LOOK AT: St. Elizabeth (8-3), Archmere Academy (7-4), Cape Henlopen (6-5), Sussex Central (4-6), St. George's Tech (5-6), Sussex Tech (7-3), Odessa (7-4), Delaware Military Academy (5-5), Laurel (6-5), Newark Charter School (9-3).

Compiled by Footballstories Editor Al Thompson.

See a mistake? Suggestion?

Email Al Thompson at al.thompson@footballstories.com.

Some info from frommaxpreps.com