Defending PIAA champions start season atop Trib HSSN state football rankings

By: Don Rebel
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 | 1:39 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Welcome to the 2025 high school football season, which kicks off for most schools across the state with Week Zero games this weekend.

Before this season kicks off, here is a quick refresher course on the six 2024 PIAA champions.

District 12 powerhouse St. Joseph’s Prep captured its third straight PIAA crown and ninth overall.

A pair of Bishops turned out to be golden last fall. Bishop McDeviit won a third PIAA championship in 5A while Bishop Guilfoyle won Class A state gold for a fifth time.

Three schools won state gold for the first time — Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast in 4A, Northwestern Lehigh in 3A and Troy in 2A.

So how did Trib HSSN do last preseason? How were those six eventual PIAA champions ranked in the first Trib HSSN state rankings last August?

St. Joe’s Prep and Northwestern Lehigh were both preseason No. 1, Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast was ranked No. 2, Bishop McDevitt and Bishop Guilfoyle were No. 3 and Troy was No. 5 in 2A.

How will this year’s preseason Terrific 30 do this fall? Time will tell.

Here are the preseason Trib HSSN state rankings in each of the six classifications. Their 2024 final record is followed by their ranking from last year and then their district.

Class 6A

1. St. Joseph’s Prep (11-2) (1) (D-12): The defending PIAA 6A champion Hawks visit American Heritage (Fla.) in Week Zero on Friday.

2. LaSalle College (10-1) (NR) (D-12): The Explorers visit No. 3 Central Catholic (at Woodland Hills) in Week Zero on Friday.

3. Central Catholic (12-3) (2) (D-7): The Vikings host No. 2 LaSalle College (at Woodland Hills) in Week Zero on Friday.

4. Harrisburg (11-3) (3) (D-3): The Cougars play Imhotep Charter in Week Zero on Saturday.

5. Parkland (11-3) (NR) (D-1): The Trojans visit George Washington in Week Zero on Friday.

Class 5A

1. Bishop McDevitt (14-2) (1) (D-3): The defending PIAA 5A champion Crusaders host Clarkson Football North (Canada) in Week Zero on Saturday.

2. Roman Catholic (11-5) (2) (D-12): The Cahillites visit Providence Day (N.C.) in Week Zero on Friday.

3. Pine-Richland (11-2) (3) (D-7): The Rams visit Findlay (Ohio) in Week Zero on Friday.

4. Peters Township (11-2) (5) (D-7): The Indians host Canon-McMillan in Week Zero on Friday on Trib HSSN.

5. Garnet Valley (9-4) (NR) (D-1): The Jaguars visit Coatesville in Week Zero on Friday.

Class 4A

1. Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast (12-2) (1) (D-12): The defending PIAA 4A champion Friars host Simon Gratz in Week Zero on Saturday.

2. Lampeter-Strasburg (14-1) (2) (D-3): The Pioneers host Solanco in Week Zero on Friday.

3. McKeesport (8-5) (NR) (D-7): The Tigers host Delaware Valley (at Woodland Hills) in Week Zero on Saturday.

4. Thomas Jefferson (14-1) (3) (D-7): The Jaguars host Baldwin in Week Zero on Friday.

5. Pope John Paul II (12-2) (5) (D-1): The Golden Panthers visit Neumann-Goretti in Week Zero on Saturday.

Class 3A

1. Northwestern Lehigh (16-0) (1) (D-11): The defending PIAA 3A champion Tigers visit Wilson Area in Week Zero on Saturday.

2. Avonworth (12-4) (2) (D-7): The Antelopes host Burrell in Week Zero on Friday.

3. Danville (13-1) (3) (D-4): The Ironmen host Bloomsburg in Week Zero on Friday.

4. Scranton Prep (12-2) (5) (D-2): The Cavaliers visit Valley View in Week Zero on Friday.

5. Hickory (11-2) (NR) (D-10): The Hornets host 2A No. 2 Farrell in Week Zero on Saturday.

Class 2A

1. Troy (16-0) (1) (D-4): The defending PIAA 2A champion Trojans visit Sayre in Week Zero on Friday.

2. Farrell (7-6) (NR) (D-10): The Steelers visit 3A No. 5 Hickory in Week Zero on Saturday.

3. Southern Columbia (7-5) (NR) (D-4): The Tigers host Wyomissing in Week Zero on Friday.

4. Richland (10-3) (NR) (D-6): The Rams host Central Cambria in Week Zero on Friday.

5. Central Clarion (14-1) (2) (D-9): The Wildcats host Kirtland (Oh) in Week Zero on Friday.

Class A

1. Bishop Guilfoyle Academy (15-1) (1) (D-6): The defending PIAA A champion Marauders visit Penns Valley in Week Zero on Friday.

2. Fort Cherry (14-1) (3) (D-7): The Rangers visit Northgate in Week Zero on Friday.

3. Port Allegany (14-1) (2) (D-9): The Gators visit Bradford in Week Zero on Friday.

4. Westinghouse (9-2) (5) (D-8): The Bulldogs play Steel Valley (at Woodland Hills) in Week Zero on Saturday.

5. Clairton (13-1) (NR) (D-7): The Bears host Imani Christian in Week Zero on Friday.

Tags: Avonworth, Central Catholic, Clairton, Fort Cherry, McKeesport, Peters Township, Pine-Richland, Thomas Jefferson, Westinghouse