WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Here are our top 25 rankings of the best high school football teams in Washington, D.C., Maryland and northern Virginia. List comprised by DC News Now’s sports department. Records are as of Thursday morning.
1. Riverdale Baptist (9-0) – Last week: 1
Riverdale Baptist wrapped up their season weeks ago, finishing 9-0, with wins over Hayfield, Good Counsel and Friendship Collegiate.
2. DeMatha (10-1) – Last week: 2
DeMatha finishes their season with a WCAC championship over Good Counsel. After starting 0-1, the Stages won ten straight.
3. Madison (13-0) – Last week: 3
Madison advances to the state semifinals with a 48-21 win over Washington-Liberty. The Warhawks are 13-0 for the first time ever, and will host Lake Braddock on Saturday.
4. Quince Orchard (12-0) – Last week: 4
Quince Orchard dominates Broadneck 48-13 to advance to the state final. They will look to win their third in four years as the face off against Wise Friday night in Annapolis.
5. Wise (11-1) – Last week: 5
Wise shuts out their rival Flowers 35-0 to advance to the state championship game vs. Quince Orchard. The Pumas will look to make it back-to-back titles in 4A.
6. Hayfield (10-1) – Last week: 7
Hayfield’s season came to a close over a week ago when the principal decided to withdraw the team from playoffs due to the allegations against the program. Nonetheless, when the Hawks were on the field, they were dominant, going 10-1 and outscoring their opponents by over 50 points.
7. Linganore (13-0) – Last week: 10
Linganore is heading back to the state final after a 35-21 win over Oakland Mills in the state semis.
8. Good Counsel (7-5) – Last week: 9
Good Counsel stays in our top ten after a 16-7 loss to DeMatha in the WCAC final. The Falcons finish 7-5 on the season.
9. Gonzaga (7-4) – Last week: 12
Gonzaga’s season ended weeks ago, finishing 7-4, advancing to the WCAC semis before falling to Good Counsel 26-14.
10. St. John’s (5-5) – Last week: 14
St. John’s wrapped up their season a few weeks back, falling to the eventual WCAC champs DeMatha 42-6.
11. Friendship Collegiate (8-3) – Last week: 15
Friendship advances to the DCSAA AA title game after defeating Eastern 18-10. They will take on Dunbar on Saturday at Howard University.
12. Dunbar (11-1) – Last week: 16
Dunbar defeats Coolidge on Thanksgiving day 35-21 in overtime to advance to the DCSAA AA state final. The Crimson Tide will take on Friendship at Howard University on Saturday.
13. Lake Braddock (11-2) – Last week: 21
Lake Braddock wins their second straight 6C region title, defeating Fairfax 40-25. They will play No. 3 Madison on the road Saturday in the state semis.
14. Colonial Forge (10-3) – Last week: 24
Colonial Forge jumps up ten spots in our rankings after defeating Patriot 42-14 in the 6B region final. The Eagles won three straight playoff road games and will now play Oscar Smith on the road on Saturday in the state semifinals.
15. Tuscarora (Va.) (11-1) – Last week: 23
Tuscarora blows out John Champe 41-16 to win their second straight 4C region title. They travel to take on Varina on Saturday in the state semifinals.
16. C.H. Flowers (9-3) – Last week: 17
Flowers’ season comes to an end in the state semis, losing to their rival Wise 35-0.
17. Sherwood (10-3) – Last week: 19
Sherwood’s season comes to a close in the state semifinals, as they lost to Arundel 24-8, finishing the season 10-3.
18. Washington-Liberty (12-1) – Last week: 11
Washington-Liberty’s historic season comes to an end in the 6D region final, falling to undefeated Madison 48-21.
19. Battlefield (11-1) – Last week: 6
Battlefield gets upset by Patriot in the region semifinals 10-7, eliminating the Bobcats from playoffs, finishing the season 11-1.
20. John Champe (11-1) – Last week: 13
John Champe loses their only game this season in the region final to Tuscarora 41-16. The Knights finish 11-1.
21. Westfield (9-3) – Last week: 20
Westfield’s season came to a close two weeks ago, losing to Madison 35-28.
22. Paint Branch (9-2*) – Last week: 8
Paint Branch’s season ended in the 4A state quarterfinals, losing to Flowers 21-14.
23. Kettle Run (13-0) – Last week: honorable mention
Kettle Run jumps into our rankings after an impressive 35-32 win over Thomas Jefferson in the 3B region final. The Cougars host Lafayette in the state semifinals Saturday.
24. Briar Woods (9-3) – Last week: honorable mention
Briar Woods defeats Riverbend 32-15 to win the 5D region championship. The Falcons will host L.C. Bird Saturday with a spot in the state final on the line.
25. Georgetown Prep (7-2) – Last week: 22
Georgetown Prep’s season wrapped up weeks ago, defeating Bullis in their final game of the season and winning the IAC regular season crown.
Honorable mention:
Northwest (9-3), Patriot (9-4), St. Albans (9-4), Paul VI (10-2), Langley (9-3), Middletown (9-3), Douglass (12-1), Bullis (8-2), Oakdale (8-3), Herndon (8-3)
