The NEXT 25 presented by The Sporting News: Colorado's top-ranked Cherry Creek now the No. 1 team 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.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnd we've introduced you to the The Sporting News Composite Rankingswhich 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.
One week after the McEachern [Powder Springs, GA] Indians finally got knocked out of the top spot here in The NEXT 25, the Elder [Cincinnati, OH] Panthers also were knocked out of the No. 1 position after falling to the St. Xavier [Cincinnati, OH] Bombers, 42-34, in Ohio's OHSAA Division I Region 4 championship.
Now, it's the Cherry Creek [Greenwood Village, CO] Bruins who ascend to the top of the "bubble" rankings, and they have one of their toughest tests, yet, in the semifinals of Colorado's CHSAA Class 5A playoffs against the Valor Christian [Highlands Ranch, CO] Eagles.
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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 Cherry Creek [Greenwood Village, CO] Bruins
2025 Record: 12-0Last Week: SN NEXT No. 2
Next Game: 11/29/2025 — vs. NR Valor Christian [Highlands Ranch, CO] Eagles (10-2)Last Game: 11/22/2025 — Cherry Creek 49, NR Fairview [Boulder, CO] Knights 28 (10-2)W/L Streak: 25 wins
Cherry Creek is inching closer to defending their 2024 Class 5A state title, and their game against unranked Valor Christian could be one of the more challenging opponents they've faced all season. If they make it through, it will set up a battle of the unbeaten on December 6 in the state championship game as the Bruins will face the winner of the Ralston Valley [Arvada, CO] Mustangs and the Mountain Vista [Highlands Ranch, CO] Golden Eagles – both of whom are 12-0.
No. 2 Bryant [AR] Hornets
2025 Record: 11-0Last Week: SN NEXT No. 4
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNext Game: 11/28/2025 — vs. NR Rogers [AR] Mountaineers (10-1)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Bryant 42, NR Fayetteville [AR] Bulldogs 0 (7-5)W/L Streak: 24 wins
Bryant got its playoff run started last Friday in a 42-0 route of Fayetteville, but they'll face a step up in competition this week against the 10-1 Rogers Mountaineers in the Arkansas AAA Class 7A state semifinals. The winner of this one will face the winner of the Bentonville [AR] Tigers and the Conway [AR] Wampus Cats for the state championship on December 5.
No. 3 Langston Hughes [Fairburn, GA] Panthers
2025 Record: 12-0Last Week: SN NEXT No. 5
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNext Game: 11/28/2025 — vs. SN NEXT No. 20 Gainesville [GA] Red Elephants (10-2)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Langston Hughes 49, NR Lee County [Leesburg, GA] Trojans 31 (8-4)W/L Streak: 12 wins
Langston Hughes is still undefeated in Georgia's Class 5A ranks, but their state quarterfinal matchup Friday night against the Gainesville Red Elephants will likely be their most difficult opponent since at least September 5 when they defeated the Douglas County [Douglasville, GA] Tigers.
No. 4 Lone Star [Frisco, TX] Rangers
2025 Record: 12-0Last Week: SN NEXT No. 8
Next Game: 11/28/2025 — vs. NR West Mesquite [Mesquite, TX] Wranglers (11-1)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Lone Star 42, NR Georgetown [TX] Eagles 21 (9-3)W/L Streak: 12 wins
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLone Star isn't in anybody's national Top 25, yet, but they're inching closer and closer to The SN Top 25, checking in now at No. 4 here in the "bubble" rankings. Beating West Mesquite won't get them there, but it will likely set up a meeting with SN NEXT No. 17 Highland Park, and that's a game where Lone Star will finally be in the national spotlight with a chance to make a major statement. First things first, however – you never want to overlook an 11-1 team in the Texas Class 5A ranks, and that's exactly what these West Mesquite Wranglers are. If Lone Star doesn't get caught looking ahead, however, they should still be the better team Friday night.
No. 5 The St. James Performance Academy [Springfield, VA] Strivers
2025 Record: 8-1Last Week: SN NEXT No. 6
Next Game: Season has concludedLast Game: 11/1/2025 — No. 4/SN No. 4 St. Frances Academy [Baltimore, MD] Panthers 35 (8-1), The St. James Performance Academy 0W/L Streak: 1 loss
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe St. James Performance Academy wrapped up a successful first season with an 8-1 finish, losing only to No. 4/SN No. 4 St. Frances Academy in the regular-season finale. The Strivers are an up-and-coming name to keep an eye on in all high school sports in the future.
No. 6 East St. Louis [IL] Flyers
2025 Record: 9-3Last Week: SN NEXT No. 7
Next Game: 11/29/2025 — vs. NR Fenwick [Oak Park, IL] Friars (10-3)Last Game: 11/22/2025 — East St. Louis 50, NR St. Laurence [Burbank, IL] Vikings 7 (8-5)W/L Streak: 4 wins
East St. Louis will play for the Illinois IHSA Class 6A state championship Saturday afternoon against the Fenwick Friars. They Flyers are heavy favorites to add another piece of hardware to their trophy case.
No. 7 Ryan [Denton, TX] Raiders
2025 Record: 11-1Last Week: SN NEXT No. 12
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNext Game: 11/28/2025 — vs. NR Richland [North Richland Hills, TX] Royals (9-3)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Ryan 59, NR Abilene [TX] Eagles 0 (9-3)W/L Streak: 7 wins
Ryan has put up 59 points in back-to-back wins to open the playoffs, but they might find the going a little harder against the Richland Royals. Still, they should win this, and that will almost certainly set up a rematch with Aledo – the only team to beat Ryan so far in 2025 in a 15-14 decision back on October 3. If not for that loss, Ryan would probably occupy Aledo's spot in the national Top 25, and they're one win away from earning the opportunity to possibly avenge that defeat.
No. 8 Carthage [TX] Bulldogs
2025 Record: 12-0Last Week: SN NEXT No. 9
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNext Game: 11/28/2025 — vs. NR Pleasant Grove [Texarkana, TX] Hawks (11-1)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Carthage 63, NR Sanger [TX] Indians 35 (8-4)W/L Streak: 27 wins
Carthage has opened the playoffs with almost identical results in the first two games – a 63-34 win over the Pittsburg [TX] Pirates and a 63-35 victory over the Sanger [TX] Indians. Now, they'll face one of the best teams they've seen all year in the Pleasant Grove Hawks Friday night. Carthage is the better team on paper, and the only team to even slow them down was the Kilgore [TX] Bulldogs. Carthage beat them 21-10 in the season opener on August 29, and Kilgore is responsible for Pleasant Grove's only loss by an 18-6 count back on September 19. Both of those results are close enough to suggest that Pleasant Grove on its best night will be a handful for a Carthage team on its worst. They're also decisive enough to suggest that if the Hawks aren't in top form, a score in line with Carthage's first two playoff games wouldn't be too surprising.
No. 9 Basha [Chandler, AZ] Bears
2025 Record: 10-1Last Week: SN NEXT No. 11
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNext Game: 11/29/2025 — vs. No. 41 (tie) Liberty [Peoria, AZ] Lions (10-1)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Basha 33, NR Williams Field [Gilbert, AZ] Black Hawks 10 (8-4)W/L Streak: 3 wins
Basha and Liberty have both spent time in the national Top 25 this fall, and this game feels like a coin flip. There's a lot at stake, however, as the winner will advance to the Arizona AIA Open Division state championship game on December 6.
No. 10 Celina [TX] Bobcats
2025 Record: 12-0Last Week: SN NEXT No. 10
Next Game: 11/28/2025 — vs. NR Decatur [TX] Eagles (8-3)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Celina 70, NR Eastern Hills [Fort Worth, TX] Highlanders 22 (6-6)W/L Streak: 28 wins
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCelina is in full playoff mode now after steamrolling Eastern Hills, 70-22, last Friday night. They should roll again against an overmatched Decatur squad that will struggle to contain the Bobcats' high-scoring offense.
No. 11 West Point [MS] Green Wave
2025 Record: 12-0Last Week: SN NEXT No. 14
Next Game: 11/28/2025 — vs. NR Holmes County Central [Lexington, MS] Jaguars (10-3)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — West Point 37, NR Pontotoc [MS] Warriors 0 (7-6)W/L Streak: 12 wins
West Point will take on Holmes County Central after shutting out Pontotoc, 37-0, last week. The winner of this will advance to the Magnolia State's Class 5A title game on December 4 against the winner of the Brookhaven [MS] Panthers and the Laurel [MS] Golden Tornadoes.
No. 12 Jenks [OK] Trojans
2025 Record: 10-1Last Week: SN NEXT No. 13
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNext Game: 11/28/2025 — vs. NR Owasso [OK] Rams (9-2)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Jenks 60, Edmond [OK] Memorial Bulldogs 28 (8-4)W/L Streak: 7 wins
Jenks is one win away from taking on the Bixby [OK] Spartans in Oklahoma's OSSAA Class 6A-I state championship game. Standing in their way is an Owasso Rams' squad that gave them a pretty good fight in a 31-21 loss back on September 5. If Jenks wants a rematch with Bixby, they can't get caught looking ahead or this Owasso team just might be able to pull the upset.
No. 13 Nashville [TN] Christian Eagles
2025 Record: 12-0Last Week: SN NEXT No. 15
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNext Game: 12/4/2025 — vs. NR University School of Jackson [TN] Bruins (11-1)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Nashville Christian 41, NR Trinity Christian Academy [Jackson, TN] Eagles 7 (10-3)W/L Streak: 22 wins
Nashville Christian will take on the University School of Jackson on December 4 for Tennessee's TSSAA Division II Class A state championship game. They'll spend this weekend preparing for next week's title clash.
No. 14 Brentwood [TN] Academy Eagles
2025 Record: 11-0Last Week: SN NEXT No. 16
Next Game: 12/4/2025 — vs. NR Baylor [Chattanooga, TN] Red Raiders (11-0)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Brentwood Academy 38, NR Christ Presbyterian Academy [Nashville, TN] Lions 7 (4-9)W/L Streak: 11 wins
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTennessee's TSSAA Division II Class AAA state championship game is set as Brentwood Acadcmy will meet Baylor in a battle of two 11-0 teams fighting for the trophy. Their regular-season matchup was canceled due to weather, and this game feels like a potential classic in the offing.
No. 15 Oakland [Murfreesboro, TN] Patriots
2025 Record: 13-0Last Week: SN NEXT No. 17
Next Game: 11/28/2025 — vs. NR Blackman [Murfreesboro, TN] Blaze (12-1)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Oakland 21, NR Green Hill [Mt. Juliet, TN] Hawks 17 (10-3)W/L Streak: 19 wins
It's a battle of hometown rivals in Tennessee's TSSAA Division I Class 6A semifinals as two powers from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, will square off in a rematch of their September 26 clash. Oakland won that meeting, 32-0, but it's Blackman's only loss to date, and the Blaze will likely put up a better battle this time around. The winner will face an undefeated team in next week's state championship game as the Ravenwood [Brentwood, TN] Raptors and the Southwind [Memphis, TN] Jaguars are both 13-0.
No. 16 Cardinal Mooney [Sarasota, FL] Cougars
2025 Record: 11-1Last Week: SN NEXT No. 18
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNext Game: 11/28/2025 — vs. NR Lakewood [St. Petersburg, FL] Spartans (11-1)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Cardinal Mooney 51, NR Bishop Verot [Fort Myers, FL] Vikings 14 (5-7)W/L Streak: 10 wins
Cardinal Mooney has won its first two playoff games by a combined score of 106-21, but the Lakewood Spartans might offer a little more resistance in this Friday night meeting between two 11-1 squads.
No. 17 Highland Park [Dallas, TX] Scots
2025 Record: 11-1Last Week: SN NEXT No. 20
Next Game: 11/28/2025 — vs. NR Wakeland [Frisco, TX] Wolverines (11-1)Last Game: 11/20/2025 — Highland Park 45, NR Reedy [Frisco, TX] Lions 10 (8-4)W/L Streak: 11 wins
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHighland Park hasn't lost since the season opener, and they'll face a Wakeland squad that is their equal in the win-loss column. The Scots, however, are still the heavy favorites, and it would be a pretty big upset if Wakeland managed somehow managed to win this.
No. 18 Roswell [GA] Hornets
2025 Record: 11-1Last Week: SN NEXT No. 21
Next Game: 11/28/2025 — vs. NR Sequoyah [Canton, GA] Chiefs (11-1)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Roswell 50, NR Clarke Central [Athens, GA] Gladiators 7 (6-6)W/L Streak: 9 wins
Roswell will take on Sequoyah in Georgia's Class 5A regional finals, and both teams enter the game with identical 11-1 records. But Roswell has played in bigger games and should be ready for anything the Chiefs throw at them in this Friday night contest.
No. 19 La Salle College [Wyndmoor, PA] Explorers
2025 Record: 11-1Last Week: SN NEXT No. 22
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNext Game: 11/29/2025 – vs. NR North Penn [Lansdale, PA] Knights (12-2)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — La Salle College 49, NR Easton [PA] Area Rovers 7 (13-1)W/L Streak: 5 wins
La Salle College stormed past the previously-undefeated Easton Area Rovers last Friday, and they are still the team to beat in Pennsylvania's PIAA Class 6A bracket. They'll take on the North Penn Knights Saturday afternoon in a semifinal matchup with the winner advancing to take the title game against either the Harrisburg [PA] Cougars (13-0) or the Central Catholic [Pittsburgh, PA] Vikings.
No. 20 Gainesville [GA] Red Elephants
2025 Record: 10-2Last Week: SN NEXT No. 23
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNext Game: 11/14/2025 — vs. SN NEXT No. 3 Langston Hughes [Fairburn, GA] Panthers (12-0)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Gainesville 42, NR Brunswick [GA] Pirates 0 (9-3)W/L Streak: 2 wins
As noted above, this game pits two teams from The NEXT 25 against each other, and the winner will advance to Georgia's GHSA Class 5A semifinals. Langston Hughes is undefeated, but this twice-beaten Gainesville squad still feels like a slight favorite in this one despite the rankings suggesting otherwise.
No. 21 Anderson [Cincinnati, OH] Raptors
2025 Record: 13-0Last Week: SN NEXT No. 24
Next Game: 11/28/2025 — vs. NR Big Walnut [Sunbury, OH} Golden Eagles (13-0)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Anderson 38, NR Trotwood [OH]-Madison Rams 7 (8-4)W/L Streak: 13 wins
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt's a battle of 13-0 squads in this semifinal matchup in Ohio's OHSAA Division II ranks Friday night. Anderson feels like a heavier favorite than the records would suggest, but they still have to go out and play the game. The winner will take on the winner of SN NEXT No. 22 Walsh Jesuit and the highly-regarded Avon [OH] Eagles.
No. 22 Walsh Jesuit [Cuyahoga Falls, OH] Warriors
2025 Record: 11-1Last Week: Unranked
Next Game: 11/28/2025 — vs. NR Avon [OH] Eagles (12-1)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — Walsh Jesuit 35, Archbishop Hoban [Akron, OH] 7 (10-2)W/L Streak: 6 wins
As noted directly above, Walsh Jesuit will take on Avon in the semifinals of Ohio's OHSAA Division II playoffs. The one-loss winner of this game will then have to take down an undefeated foe in the title game as both Anderson and Big Walnut are both 13-0.
No. 23 North Shore [Houston, TX] Mustangs
2025 Record: 10-2Last Week: Unranked
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNext Game: 11/28/2025 — vs. NR Cypress Falls [Houston, TX] Eagles (9-3)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — North Shore 31, Ridge Point [Missouri City, TX] Panthers 7 (11-1)W/L Streak: 2 wins
North Shore might be the best two-loss team left in the Texas UIL Class 6A Division I playoffs, and they are rolling Friday afternoon against the Cypress Falls Eagles. The Mustangs will play the winner of the Strake Jesuit [Houston, TX] Fighting Crusaders and the Dickinson [TX] Gators in the state quarterfinals next week.
No. 24 North Gwinnett [Suwanee, GA] Bulldogs
2025 Record: 11-1Last Week: Unranked
Next Game: 11/28/2025 — vs. NR West Forsyth [Cumming, GA] Wolverines (10-2)Last Game: 11/21/2025 — North Gwinnett 29, Lowndes [Valdosta, GA] Vikings 17 (10-2)W/L Streak: 11 wins
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNorth Gwinnett has quietly put together an 11-game win streak entering Georgia's GHSA Class 6A regional finals, and it's hard to imagine them losing to West Forsyth. If the Bulldogs win as expected, they'll get the undefeated winner of the Grayson [Loganville, GA] Rams vs. the Carrollton [GA] Trojans in the state semifinals next week.
No. 25 Elder [Cincinnati, OH] Panthers
2025 Record: 12-1Last Week: SN NEXT No. 1
Next Game: Season has concludedLast Game: 11/21/2025 — NR St. Xavier [Cincinnati, OH] Bombers 42 (10-2), Elder 34W/L Streak: 12 wins
Ohio's OHSAA Division I playoff bracket is one of the most difficult brackets in the entire country, and even a 12-0 Elder squad ultimately couldn't find a way to successfully navigate it. The Panthers' season ended in a 42-34 loss to their rivals from St. Xavier, who now soldier on in their place. But Elder most likely locked up a Top 25 spot here in the "bubble" rankings despite the loss.
Weekly NEXT 25 Schedule
NR – Not ranked
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Friday, November 28, 2025
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SN NEXT No. 10 Celina [TX] Bobcats (12-0) vs. NR Decatur [TX] Eagles (8-3) — 3 p.m. EST (2 p.m. CST local)
SN NEXT No. 23 North Shore [Houston, TX] Mustangs (10-2) vs. NR Cypress Falls [Houston, TX] Eagles (9-3) — 3 p.m. EST (2 p.m. CST local)
SN NEXT No. 7 Ryan [Denton, TX] Raiders (11-1) vs. NR Richland [North Richland Hills, TX] Royals (9-3) — 7 p.m. EST (6 p.m. CST local)
SN NEXT No. 21 Anderson [Cincinnati, OH] Raptors (13-0) vs. NR Big Walnut [Sunbury, OH} Golden Eagles (13-0) — 7 p.m. EST local
SN NEXT No. 22 Walsh Jesuit [Cuyahoga Falls, OH] Warriors (11-1) vs. NR Avon [OH] Eagles (12-1) — 7 p.m. EST local
SN NEXT No. 24 North Gwinnett [Suwanee, GA] Bulldogs (11-1) vs. NR West Forsyth [Cumming, GA] Wolverines (10-2) — 7 p.m. EST local
SN NEXT No. 3 Langston Hughes [Fairburn, GA] Panthers (12-0) vs. SN NEXT No. 20 Gainesville [GA] Red Elephants (10-2) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
SN NEXT No. 16 Cardinal Mooney [Sarasota, FL] Cougars (11-1) vs. NR Lakewood [St. Petersburg, FL] Spartans (11-1) — 7:30 p.m. EST
SN NEXT No. 18 Roswell [GA] Hornets (11-1) vs. NR Sequoyah [Canton, GA] Chiefs (11-1) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
SN NEXT No. 3 Bryant [AR] Hornets (11-0) vs. NR Rogers [AR] Mountaineers (10-1) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
SN NEXT No. 8 Carthage [TX] Bulldogs (12-0) vs. NR Pleasant Grove [Texarkana, TX] Hawks (11-1) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
SN NEXT No. 11 West Point [MS] Green Wave (12-0) vs. NR Holmes County Central [Lexington, MS] Jaguars (10-3) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
SN NEXT No. 12 Jenks [OK] Trojans (10-1) vs. NR Owasso [OK] Rams (9-2) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
SN NEXT No. 15 Oakland [Murfreesboro, TN] Patriots (13-0) vs. NR Blackman [Murfreesboro, TN] Blaze (12-1) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
SN NEXT No. 17 Highland Park [Dallas, TX] Scots (11-1) vs. NR Wakeland [Frisco, TX] Wolverines (11-1) — 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST local)
SN NEXT No. 4 Lone Star [Frisco, TX] Rangers (12-0) vs. NR West Mesquite [Mesquite, TX] Wranglers (11-1) — 9 p.m. EST (8 p.m. CST local)
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Saturday, November 29, 2025
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Playoffs
SN NEXT No. 19 La Salle College [Wyndmoor, PA] Explorers (11-1) vs. NR North Penn [Lansdale, PA] Knights (12-2) — 1 p.m. EST local
SN NEXT No. 6 East St. Louis [IL] Flyers (9-3) vs. NR Fenwick [Oak Park, IL] Friars (10-3) — 2 p.m. EST (1 p.m. CST local)
SN NEXT No. 1 Cherry Creek [Greenwood Village, CO] Bruins (12-0) vs. NR Valor Christian [Highlands Ranch, CO] Eagles (10-2) — 3 p.m. EST (1 p.m. MST local)
SN NEXT No. 9 Basha [Chandler, AZ] Bears (10-1) vs. No. 41 (tie) Liberty [Peoria, AZ] Lions (10-1) — 9 p.m. EST (6 p.m. PST local)
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IDLE
SN NEXT No. 5 The St. James Performance Academy [Springfield, VA] Strivers (8-1); SN NEXT No 13 Nashville [TN] Christian Eagles (12-0); SN NEXT No. 14 Baylor [Chattanooga, TN] Red Raiders (11-0); SN NEXT No. 25 Elder [Cincinnati, OH] Panthers (12-1)
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