Following the release of teams No. 25-6, we have arrived at the Top 5 in The Sporting News Preseason Midwest High School Football rankings.
These are the premier teams in Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois this coming season, as they headline a list that also features programs out of Kansas and Minnesota.
Four of the five are defending state champions in their respective classifications, while the fifth advanced to the finals.
Here are the Top 5 in The Sporting News Preseason Midwest High School Football Top 25 rankings:
THE SPORTING NEWS PRESEASON MIDWEST HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TOP 25
No. 5 West Des Moines Valley (Iowa)
The Class 5A state trophy was within sights last year before Southeast Polk stunned the Tigers. This year, West Des Moines Valley should be the favorites, as they return quarterback Drake DeGroote and Louisville commit Jayden McGregory, who is one of the best players in the state.
No. 4 Mount Carmel (Illinois)
A loss to Loyola Academy before the postseason kicked off ignited the Caravan to a Class 7A state championship victory, which marked their third consecutive title. The roster features Quentin Burrell, Joey Quinn and Roman Igwebuike.
No. 3 Millard South (Nebraska)
The defending Class A state champions are one of the premier programs in all of Nebraska. They won their last 12 games after a Week 1 loss to out-of-state Basha, besting Westside for the title. Alabama commit Jett Thomalla is one of the top quarterbacks in the country and has plenty of talent around him.
No. 2 Loyola Academy (Illinois)
Three-time defending state champions in Class 8A, the Ramblers overcame a tough start last year that included losses in two of three. Over the last four years, Loyola Academy is a combined 51-4, showing why they are one of the best in the Midwest.
No. 1 East St. Louis (Illinois)
Only a loss to IMG Academy kept the Flyers from perfection in 2024, as they won a second Class 6A state championship over the past three years. They will once again play an out-of-state team, taking on New Jersey’s Bergen Catholic to begin on August 28 with Raheem Floyd leading the way.
MORE MIDWEST PRESEASON TOP 25 RANKINGS
- Teams ranked No. 25-21 in Preseason Midwest Top 25
- Teams ranked No. 20-16 in Preseason Midwest Top 25
- Teams ranked No. 15-11 in Preseason Midwest Top 25
- Teams ranked No. 10-6 in Preseason Midwest Top 25