Preseason 2026 Maryland High School Football Top 25 Rankings

We continue our race around the country through all 50 states when it comes to our favorite read before anything ever happens on the gridiron: Preseason rankings. Next up in the marathon of states when it comes to high school football preseason rankings is Maryland, the Old Line State. Leading the way out of Maryland heading into the 2026 high school football season is the defending Overtime Nationals Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy Panthers. Here’s how Massey ranked the best Maryland high school football teams in the Old Line State before the season begins. The Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory. 1. St. Frances Academy Panthers The defending Overtime Nationals champion Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy Panthers look better than ever as its arguable they might be better than the 2025 edition. Coming off a 12-1 season a year ago and taking home the first ever Overtime Nationals title, St. Frances Academy is hoping lightning can strike twice as they have reloaded their roster and in some ways, could be better than they were a year ago. Despite the losses of defensive monsters Zion Elee (now at Maryland) and Jireh Edwards (now at Alabama), the Panthers’ defense has been restocked and ready to make another run at a national championship. Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic head football coach Bill McGregor is taking a leave of absence away from his position due to personal reasons and the Stags have named alum Byrce Bevill as the interim lead man. The Stags will have one of Maryland’s top edge rushers back in the fold in 2027 four-star James Pace and 2028 four-star defensive lineman Nikolas Stevens. Among the others that will be expected to contribute this fall for DeMatha Catholic are three-star defensive lineman Sean Saint Fleur, three-star running back Terrance Grant and three-star safety Knyair Crumb. 3. Archbishop Spalding Cavaliers Archbishop Spalding, which won the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Class A state championship in 2025, finished as the state’s No. 3 ranked team, according to the final Maryland 2025 High School Football Massey Rankings. The Cavaliers will enter the 2026 Maryland high school football season with a new head coach in Navy defensive assistant/cornerbacks coach R.B. Green, who takes over for Kyle Schmitt, who left the Cavaliers to become the tight ends coach for his alma mater, the University of Maryland. Among the key offensive starters back from last year include quarterback Brian Snowden, Jr. (1,685 yards, 22 touchdowns in 2025), interior offensive lineman Bryce Smalls, 2028 wide receiver Kam Miller and Maryland commitment Myles McAfee. 4. Good Counsel Falcons Good Counsel ended with a 6-5 record this past 2025 Maryland high school football season and played against some of the best teams in the DMV region. The defensive unit took a big hit when 2027 four-star EDGE Anthony Sweeney decided to transfer to Overtime Nationals champion Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy. Good Counsel is looking to remain in the national high school football limelight as they have lined up half a dozen out of state opponents, with the regular season opener being on the road against Pennsylvania power Bishop McDevitt on Aug. 28. The strength of the team will be on the offensive line, led by North Carolina commit Jaiden Lindsay and 2028 Josiah Eney. 5. McDonogh School Eagles Rounding out the Top 5 of the Maryland high school football preseason rankings are the McDonogh School Eagles, which went 8-3 a season ago and returns one of the top defensive units in the state. Despite the Eagles losing Nick Abrams, who reclassified and enrolled at Georgia early, McDonogh School still brings back one of the best defenses in the state. Leading the defensive front seven is Virginia Tech four-star defensive lineman Joseph Buchanan, paired along with 2027 three-star linebacker Caden Cashman (Navy commit) and 2028 three-star RJ Cruz. 6. Bishop McNamara Mustangs7. Calvert Hall College Cardinals8. Quince Orchard Cougars9. Linganore Lancers10. North Point Eagles11. St. Mary’s Ryken Knights12. Loyola Blakefield Dons 13. Mount Saint Joseph Gaels14. Huntingtown Hurricanes 15. Dr. Henry Wise Pumas 16. Gilman Greyhounds17. St. Mary’s Saints18. Northern Patriots19. Milford Mill Academy Millers20. Patuxent Panthers 21. Dunbar Poets22. Georgetown Preparatory School Hoyas23. Broadneck Bruins24. Oakdale Bears25. Mergenthaler Vocational Technical Mustangs For Maryland high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the state, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Old Line State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement for Maryland high school football.