The NEXT 25 presented by The Sporting News: McEachern maintains grip on top spot in "bubble" rankings

The NEXT 25 presented by The Sporting News: McEachern maintains grip on top spot in "bubble" rankings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

You've seen The Sporting News High School Football Top 25.

And we've introduced you to the The Sporting News Composite Rankings which takes that top 25 and combines it with the rankings from seven other major selectors.

And now it's time for The NEXT 25 presented by The Sporting News.

The NEXT 25 is a weekly list of teams hoping to break into one of those Top 25 rankings in the weeks to come, and as soon as they do, they'll move up to the SN Composite Rankings. And, of course, the Top 25 they crack could be ours. These are essentially the "bubble" teams sitting just outside the composite rankings. They'll hang out here in The NEXT 25 until they get their opportunity to move up – or down if they don't perform in those key contests.

The McEachern [Powder Springs, GA] Indians made a big statement two weeks ago in a 48-21 victory over the undefeated Harrison [Kennesaw, GA] Hoyas. They'll get a chance to add to their resume Friday night when they take on their crosstown rivals, the Hillgrove [Powder Springs, GA] Hawks, who are also undefeated. There has only been one opening in the SN Top 25 the past two weeks, and McEachern still needs a few teams ahead of them to lose in order to move into our top list.

But a Hillgrove win would be another big feather in McEachern's cap, and either way, the winner of this game makes a huge statement in the Peach State this week.

MORE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HEADLINES

• The Sporting News High School Preseason All-American Offense
• The Sporting News High School Preseason All-American Defense

The NEXT 25 presented by The Sporting News

The ratings for opponents below are presented first by SN's Composite Ranking followed by The Sporting News (SN) Top 25 ranking, if applicable.

No. 1 McEachern [Powder Springs, GA] Indians

2025 Record: 7-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 1

Next Game: 10/17/2025 — at NR Hillgrove [Powder Springs, GA] Hawks (7-0)
Last Game: 10/10/2025 — McEachern 51, NR Pebblebrook [Mableton, GA] Falcons 14 (2-5)
W/L Streak: 7 wins

McEachern continues to pile up the wins while looking for an opportunity to crack one of the national Top 25 lists, but as long as they keep winning, their moment will come.

No. 2 Central [Miami, FL] Rockets

2025 Record: 5-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 2

Next Game: 10/18/2025 — at NR Southridge [Miami, FL] Spartans (8-0)
Last Game: 10/10/2025 — Central 59, NR Stranahan [Fort Lauderdale, FL] Mighty Dragons 6 (0-7)
W/L Streak: 2 wins

The Rockets face a "make-or-break" moment Saturday evening when they visit the undefeated Southridge Spartans. Central's goal, first and foremost, is to win a Florida state championship, but a national Top 25 finish would be the cherry on top. The Rockets' primary goal won't end with a loss here, but any shot at the SN Top 25 by season's end means finding a way to win games like this.

No. 3 East St. Louis [IL] Flyers

2025 Record: 4-2
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 4

Next Game: 10/17/2025 — vs. NR O'Fallon [IL] Panthers (3-4)
Last Game: 10/10/2025 — East St. Louis 55, at NR Belleville [IL] East Lancers 7 (5-2)
W/L Streak: 4 wins

East St. Louis won't have any problems against their in-state opponents from O'Fallon this Friday night as they prepare for their big regular-season finale next week at Florida's IMG Academy, ranked No. 2 nationally in the SN Top 25. That game represents the Flyers' potential path back to SN's top list as they head into what could be another state-title run in the Illinois IHSA playoffs.

No. 4 Thompson [Alabaster, AL] Warriors

2025 Record: 6-2
Last Week: No. 45 (tie)

Next Game: 10/17/2025 — at NR Hoover [AL] Buccaneers (5-3)
Last Game: 10/10/2025 — Thompson 56, NR Hillcrest [Tuscaloosa, AL] Patriots (5-3)
W/L Streak: 2 wins

Thompson ran roughshod past the Hillcrest Patriots, but it won't be such easy sledding this weekend at Hoover. The Warriors have the better team, but not such a huge advantage that they can take the perennial powerhouse Buccaneers for granted.

No. 5 Cherry Creek [Greenwood Village, CO] Bruins

2025 Record: 7-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 5

Next Game: 10/16/2025 — vs. NR Eaglecrest [Centennial, CO] Raptors (6-1)
Last Game: 10/9/2025 — Cherry Creek 56, NR Arapahoe [Centennial, CO] Warriors 0 (3-4)
W/L Streak: 20 wins

Cherry Creek continues to cruise through its regular-season schedule with Colorado's CHSAA playoffs fast approaching. They'll have to be careful not to overlook an upset-minded 6-1 Eaglecrest squad.

No. 6 West Boca Raton [Boca Raton, FL] Bulls

2025 Record: 6-1
Last Week: SN Next No. 6

Next Game: 10/17/2025 — at NR Cardinal Newman [West Palm Beach, FL] Crusaders (5-2)
Last Game: 10/10/2025 — West Boca Raton 31, NR Royal Palm Beach [FL] Wildcats 0 (5-2)
W/L Streak: 5 wins

West Boca Raton will visit a talented Cardinal Newman team Friday night, looking to maintain their position here in the SN NEXT 25 while hoping to eventually climb the Florida ranks and make a run at the national Top 25 in the playoffs. The Crusaders aren't a team the Bulls can take for granted.

No. 7 Archbishop Hoban [Akron, OH] Knights

2025 Record: 6-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 7

Last Game: 10/17/2025 — vs. NR Central York [York, PA] Panthers (8-0)
Next Game: 10/10/2025 — Archbishop Hoban [Akron, OH] Knights 12 (6-1), NR Glenville [Cleveland, OH] Tarblooders 9 (4-3)
W/L Streak: 5 wins

This is a game to keep an eye on Friday night as Hoban hosts undefeated Central York of Pennsylvania. The Panthers could make their own bid for a spot in The NEXT 25 with a win while signaling that they are a forced to be reckoned with as the Keystone State winds its way toward the postseason. Hoban won't gain much with a win here, but a loss would knock them out of the national rankings.

No. 8 Galena Park North Shore [Houston, TX] Mustangs

2025 Record: 5-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 8

Next Game: 10/17/2025 — at NR Channelview [TX[ Falcons (1-5)
Last Game: 10/10/2025 — North Shore 76, NR Goose Creek Memorial [Baytown, TX] Patriots 15 (3-3)
W/L Streak: 5 wins

North Shore is walking down the "Easy Street" portion of its regular-season schedule, but bigger games are right around the corner. They begin a daunting three-game stretch next week against the Atascocita [Humble, TX] Eagles, King [Houston, TX] Panthers, and Summer Creek [Houston, TX] Bulldogs which are a combined 13-5.

No. 9 Elder [Cincinnati, OH] Panthers

2025 Record: 8-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 9

Last Game: 10/17/2025 — vs. NR Indianapolis [IN] Bishop Chatard Trojans (7-1)
Next Game: 10/10/2025 — Elder 40, NR Highlands [Fort Thomas, KY] Bluebirds 16 (6-2)
W/L Streak: 8 wins

Elder enters Friday's contest as Ohio's top-ranked team against their visitors from Indianapolis. Bishop Chatard is a solid Top 15 program in the Hoosier State, and while Elder will have all the advantages playing at home in "The Pit," this isn't a Trojans' team they can overlook.

No. 10 The St. James Performance Academy [Springfield, VA] Strivers

2025 Record: 6-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 15

Next Game: 10/17/2025 — at NR The First Academy [Orlando, FL] Royals (4-3)
Last Game: 10/11/2025 — St. James Performance Academy 70, NR Hewlett Sports Academy [Waldorf, MD] Eagles 6 (1-5)
W/L Streak: 6 wins

High school football's newest potential national power continues its march up the rankings with another big game this weekend at The First Academy of Orlando, Florida. The Royals aren't currently ranked, but they've played a noteworthy schedule of their own, and this will ultimately be another measuring stick for the Strivers as they barrel toward the finale at the national SN No. 4 St. Frances Academy [Baltimore, MD] Panthers on November 1.

No. 11 Carthage [TX] Bulldogs

2025 Record: 6-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 10

Next Game: 10/17/2025 — vs. NR Athens [TX] Hornets (5-1)
Last Game: 10/10/2025 — Carthage 60, NR Center [TX] Roughriders 14 (2-4)
W/L Streak: 21 wins

Carthage slips a spot here this week despite their 6-0 record. The Bulldogs just don't have enough big games on their regular-season schedule to hold off some of the up-and-comers (like The St. James Performance Academy above them) that are winning big games on the national stage.

No. 12 Celina [TX] Bobcats

2025 Record: 7-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 11

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — at NR Paris [TX] Wildcats (5-2)
Last Game: 10/10/2025 —Celina 38, NR Sulphur Springs [TX] Wildcats 14 (5-1)
W/L Streak: 23 wins

Celina is in a similar position to Carthage above them in the rankings with a schedule that just isn't going to attract any attention at the national level. They'll take a week off before visiting the Paris Wildcats on October 24.

No. 13 Westlake [Austin, TX] Chaparrals

2025 Record: 5-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 12

Next Game: 10/17/2025 — at NR Bowie [Austin, TX] Bulldogs (4-3)
Last Game: 10/9/2025 — Westlake 58, NR Austin [TX] Maroons 14 (1-6)
W/L Streak: 5 wins

Westlake's game at Bowie Friday night is their last tune-up before a final three-game stretch that includes two of its biggest games – the Lake Travis [Austin, TX] Cavaliers and the Dripping Springs [TX] Tigers. Those two programs are both undefeated, and they will play Friday night as the heavyweights of Texas UIL Class 6A District 26 start meeting face to face. If one of these three teams emerges unscathed from those head-to-head matchups, they'll rocket up the SN Texas state rankings as well as the national list here.

No. 14 Langston Hughes [Fairburn, GA] Panthers

2025 Record: 7-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 13

Next Game: 10/17/2025 — vs. NR Northgate [Newnan, GA] Vikings (7-0)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — Langston Hughes 68, NR McIntosh [Peachtree City, GA] Chiefs 13 (2-5)
W/L Streak: 7 wins

Langston Hughes took a week off to prepare for their clash with fellow unbeaten Northgate on Friday night. It's a chance for the Panthers to make a statement that their undefeated record is legitimate – but that's also true for the visiting Vikings from Newnan.

No. 15 Lone Star [Frisco, TX] Rangers

2025 Record: 6-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 14

Next Game: 10/17/2025 — at NR Sherman [TX] Bearcats (1-5)
Last Game: 10/2/2025 — Lone Star 55, NR Frisco [TX] Raccoons 35 (3-1)
W/L Streak: 6 wins

Lone Star took a bye last week, and they'll get another breather this week against a 1-5 Sherman squad that won't present much of a challenge. For the Rangers, it's about getting to their Week 8 matchup with crosstown rival Wakeland, which is also unbeaten so far in 2025.

No. 16 Ryan [Denton, TX] Raiders

2025 Record: 4-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 16

Next Game: 10/17/2025 — vs. NR Azle [TX] Hornets (1-5)
Last Game: 10/10/2025 — Ryan 30, NR Richland [North Richland Hills, TX] Royals 21 (5-2)
W/L Streak: 1 win

Ryan's only blemish is a 15-14 loss to SN Top 25 Aledo a couple of weeks ago, and they'll crush the Azle Hornets this week. In fact, there doesn't appear to be anybody capable of knocking the Raiders off before the playoffs begin in November.

No. 17 Jenks [OK] Trojans

2025 Record: 5-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 17

Last Game: 10/16/2025 — at NR Deer Creek [Edmond, OK] Antlers (2-4)
Next Game: 10/10/2025 — Jenks 55, NR Mustang [OK] Broncos 48 (4-2)
W/L Streak: 2 wins

Jenks made it two wins a row after their loss to Bixby a few weeks back, and the Trojans don't figure to be challenged much in Thursday night's game at Deer Creek.

No. 18 Davis [Kaysville, UT] Darts

2025 Record: 9-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 18

Next Game: TBD
Last Game: 10/15/2025 — Davis 41, Weber [Pleasant View, UT] Warriors 20 (4-5)
W/L Streak: 8 wins

Davis defeated the Farmington [UT] Phoenix, 21-10, last Thursday night, and the Darts were back in action on Wednesday night of this week, wrapping up their regular season slate with a 41-20 win over th Weber Warriors. Now, it's time to sit back and wait for Utah's UHSAA Class 6A playoff bracket to be released as Davis continues its pursuit of a state title.

No. 19 Archbishop Moeller [Cincinnati, OH] Fighting Crusaders

2025 Record: 6-2
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 19

Next Game: 10/18/2025 — at NR St. Edward [Lakewood, OH] Eagles (7-1)
Last Game: 10/10/2025 — Archbishop Moeller 42, NR St. Ignatius [Cleveland, OH] Wildcats 10 (1-7)
W/L Streak: 1 win

Moeller is hanging onto their position here in the SN NEXT 25 by a thread, and a loss at St. Edward would be the end of their run in this year's rankings. The Eagles are a Top 10 program in Ohio, and this could be one of the better games in the Buckeye State this weekend.

No. 20 Lincoln [San Diego, CA] Hornets

2025 Record: 6-1
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 20

Next Game: 10/17/2025 — vs. NR University City [San Diego, CA] Centurions (5-2)
Last Game: 10/10/25 — Lincoln 54, NR La Jolla [CA] Vikings 3 (4-3)
W/L Streak: 3 wins

Lincoln returns to action against University City Friday night in a game that the Hornets should ultimately win comfortably. The real challenge is next week when the Central Catholic [San Diego, CA] Dons pay a visit.

No. 21 West Point [MS] Green Wave

2025 Record: 6-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 21

Next Game: 10/17/2025 — vs. NR Lafayette [Oxford, MS] Commodores (4-3)
Last Game: 10/10/2025 — West Point 50, NR Pontotoc [MS] Warriors 13 (3-3)
W/L Streak: 6 wins

West Point is clearly the best team this year in the Magnolia State, and they should dominate this Lafayette squad that has a 63-20 loss to the Oxford [MS] Chargers on its ledger.

No. 22 Nashville [TN] Christian Eagles

2025 Record: 7-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 22

Next Game: 10/17/2025 — at NR Columbia [TN] Academy Bulldogs (1-6)
Last Game: 10/10/2025 — Nashville Christian 49, NR Tyner Academy [Chattanooga, TN] Rams 42 (7-1)
W/L Streak: 17 wins

Nashville Christian survived a close call at home from Chattanooga's unheralded Tyner Academy last Friday, underscoring the depth of the Volunteer State's top programs in 2025. Ultimately, the Eagles survived a 49-42 shootout, and they won't have any such difficulties this Friday at Columbia Academy.

No. 23 Hamilton [Chandler, AZ] Huskies

2025 Record: 6-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 23

Next Game: 10/17/2025 — vs. NR Pinnacle [Phoenix, AZ] Pioneers (5-1)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — Hamilton 54, NR Valley Vista [Surprise, AZ] Monsoon (1-5)
W/L Streak: 6 wins

Hamilton is quietly chasing Basha and Liberty for supremacy in the Grand Canyon State, and they'll find out more about where they stand in the pecking order taking on a Pinnacle squad that lost, 39-8, to Liberty on September 26. And if Hamilton survives this, they get their own shot at Basha next Friday night.

No. 24 Brentwood Academy [TN] Eagles

2025 Record: 7-0
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 24

Next Game: 10/24/2025 — at NR Father Ryan [Nashville, TN] Irish (1-7)
Last Game: 10/10/2025 — Brentwood Academy 34, NR Briarcrest Christian [Eads, TN] Saints 31 (5-3)
W/L Streak: 7 wins

Brentwood Academy has navigated a challenging schedule so far without accruing any losses to date. They get a week off before facing a 1-7 Father Ryan squad that should be another mark in the win column.

No. 25 McCallie [Chattanooga, TN] Blue Tornado

2025 Record: 5-2
Last Week: SN NEXT No. 25

Next Game: 10/17/2025 — at NR Knoxville [TN] Catholic Fighting Irish (4-2)
Last Game: 10/3/2025 — No. 35 Baylor [Chattanooga, TN] Red Raiders 38, McCallie 35
W/L Streak: 1 loss

On any given night, McCallie might be the best team in Tennessee. But they weren't on October 3 when they lost to Baylor in a wild 38-35 shootout on their own home field, and unfortunately, that was the Blue Tornado's second loss. They have to win out all the way through the playoffs to likely maintain their precarious hold on this position.

Weekly NEXT 25 Schedule

^{NR – Not ranked}

__________

Thursday, October 16, 2025

__________

• SN NEXT No. 17 Jenks [OK] Trojans (5-1) at NR Deer Creek [Edmond, OK] Antlers (2-4) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
• NR Eaglecrest [Centennial, CO] Raptors (6-1) at SN NEXT No. 5 Cherry Creek [Greenwood Village, CO] Bruins (7-0) — 9 p.m. EST (7 p.m. MST local)

__________

Friday, October 17, 2025

__________

• NR Central York [York, PA] Panthers (8-0) at SN NEXT No. 7 Archbishop Hoban [Akron, OK] Knights (6-1) — 6 p.m. EST local
• SN NEXT No. 6 West Boca Raton [Boca Raton, FL] Bulls (6-1) at NR Cardinal Newman [West Palm Beach, FL] Crusaders (5-2) — 7 p.m. EST local
• NR Indianapolis [IN] Bishop Chatard Trojans (7-1) at SN NEXT No. 9 Elder [Cincinnati, OH] Panthers — 7 p.m. EST local
• SN NEXT No. 10 The St. James Performance Academy [Springfield, VA] Strivers (6-0) at NR The First Academy [Orlando, FL] Royals (4-3) — 7 p.m. EST local
• SN NEXT No. 25 McCallie [Chattanooga, TN] Blue Tornado (4-2) at NR Knoxville [TN] Catholic Fighting Irish (4-2) — 7 p.m. EST local
• SN NEXT No. 1 McEachern [Powder Springs, GA] Indians at NR Hillgrove [Powder Springs, GA] Hawks (7-0) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Northgate [Newnan, GA] Vikings (7-0) at SN NEXT No. 14 Langston Hughes [Fairburn, GA] Panthers (7-0) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR O'Fallon [IL] Panthers (3-4) at SN NEXT No. 3 East St. Louis [IL] Flyers (4-2) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
• SN NEXT No. 4 Thompson [Alabaster, AL] Warriors (6-2) at NR Hoover [AL] Buccaneers (5-3) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
• SN NEXT No. 8 Galena Park North Shore [Houston, TX] Mustangs (5-1) at NR Channelview [TX[ Falcons (1-5) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
• SN NEXT No. 15 Lone Star [Frisco, TX] Rangers (6-0) at NR Sherman [TX] Bearcats (1-5) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
• NR Azle [TX] Hornets (1-5) at SN NEXT No. 16 Ryan [Denton, TX] Raiders (5-1) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
• NR Lafayette [Oxford, MS] Commodores (4-3) at SN NEXT No. 21 West Point [MS] Green Wave (6-0) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
• SN NEXT No. 22 Nashville [TN] Christian Eagles (7-0) at NR Columbia [TN] Academy Bulldogs (1-6) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
• NR Athens [TX] Hornets (5-1) at SN NEXT No. 11 Carthage [TX] Bulldogs (6-0) — 8:30 p.m. EST (7:30 p.m. CST local)
• SN NEXT No. 13 Westlake [Austin, TX] Chaparrals (5-1) at NR Bowie [Austin, TX] Bulldogs (4-3) — 8:30 p.m. EST (7:30 p.m. CST local)
• NR University City [San Diego, CA] Centurions (5-2) at SN NEXT No. 20 Lincoln [San Diego, CA] Hornets (6-1) — 10 p.m. EST (7 p.m. PST local)
• NR Pinnacle [Phoenix, AZ] Pioneers (5-1) at SN NEXT No. 23 Hamilton [Chandler, AZ] Huskies (6-0) — 10 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)

__________

Saturday, October 18, 2025

__________

• SN NEXT No. 19 Archbishop Moeller [Cincinnati, OH] Fighting Crusaders (6-2) at NR St. Edward [Lakewood, OH] Eagles (7-1)
• SN NEXT No. 2 Central [Miami, FL] Rockets (5-1) at NR Southridge [Miami, FL] Spartans (8-0) — 7 p.m. EST local

__________

IDLE

SN NEXT No. 12 Celina [TX] Bobcats (7-0); SN NEXT No. 24 Brentwood [TN] Academy Eagles (7-0)

MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HEADLINES

• How the nation's top teams fared last week
• Streak Busters Week 9 – double-digit win streaks fall across the country
• National 20-game active win streaks
• Last week's Roadmap to the National Championship