Final Trib HSSN Pennsylvania high school football rankings for 2024

By: Don Rebel
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 | 12:01 AM

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It was nearly a clean sweep of gold in the PIAA championships by the top-ranked teams in the Trib HSSN football rankings.

Five teams ranked No. 1 in the state claimed victories this past weekend at Cumberland Valley: St. Joseph’s Prep in 6A, Bishop McDevitt in 5A, Northwestern Lehigh in 3A, Troy in 2A and Bishop Guilfoyle in A.

The lone exception was in Class 4A where No. 2 Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast knocked off No. 1 Lampeter-Strasburg.

The state championship was the first for three teams: Bonner-Prendergast, Northwestern Lehigh and Troy.

It was the third straight and ninth overall championship for St. Joe’s Prep, the fifth title for Bishop Guilfoyle and the third PIAA crown for Bishop McDevitt.

District 12 claimed two PIAA champions while Districts 3, 4, 6 and 11 had one each.

So how did Trib HSSN do when final rankings were compered to preseason rankings back in August?

St. Joseph’s Prep was preseason No. 1 in 6A and was on top for nearly the entire season with the exception of four weeks when LaSalle College took over at No. 1 in 6A after beating St. Joe’s Prep in the regular season and before losing to the Hawks in the District 12 semifinals.

In Class 5A, Bishop McDevitt was preseason No. 3 behind Peters Township and the team the Crusaders beat for gold, Roman Catholic.

Bonner-Prendergast was preseason ranked No. 2 in Class 4A, only behind 2023 champion Aliquippa.

Northwestern Lehigh spent the entire season at No. 1 in Class 3A.

In 2A, Troy was preseason No. 5, originally ranked behind Southern Columbia, Bald Eagle, Farrell and Steel Valley.

Finally, Bishop Guilfoyle was preseason ranked No. 3 in Class A behind Westinghouse and Fort Cherry.

Here are the final Trib HSSN rankings in each of the six classifications. Teams are listed with overall record, last week’s ranking and district.

Class 6A

1. St. Joseph’s Prep (11-2) (1) (D-12): The defending PIAA 6A champion Hawks defeated No. 2 Central Catholic in Week 15, 35-6.

2. Central Catholic (12-3) (2) (D-7): The Vikings lost to No. 1 St. Joseph’s Prep in Week 15, 35-6.

3. Harrisburg (11-3) (3) (D-3): The Cougars’ season is over.

4. Downingtown West (13-2) (4) (D-1): The Whippets’ season is over.

5. West Lawn Wilson (11-2) (5) (D-3): The Bulldogs’ season is over.

Out: None

Class 5A

1. Bishop McDevitt (14-2) (1) (D-3): The Crusaders defeated No. 2 Roman Catholic in Week 15, 34-31 in overtime.

2. Roman Catholic (11-5) (2) (D-12): The Cahillites lost to No. 1 Bishop McDevitt in Week 15, 34-31 in overtime.

3. Pine-Richland (11-2) (3) (D-7): The Rams’ season is over.

4. West Chester Rustin (13-2) (4) (D-1): The Golden Knights’ season is over.

5. Peters Township (11-2) (5) (D-7): The Indians’ season is over.

Out: None

Class 4A

1. Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast (12-2) (2) (D-12): The Friars defeated No. 1 Lampeter-Strasburg in Week 15, 40-14.

2. Lampeter-Strasburg (14-1) (1) (D-3): The Pioneers lost to No. 2 Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast in Week 15, 40-14.

3. Thomas Jefferson (14-1) (3) (D-7): The Jaguars’ season is over.

4. Southern Lehigh (12-3) (4) (D-11): The Spartans’ season is over.

5. Pope John Paul II (12-2) (5) (D-1): The Golden Panthers’ season is over.

Out: None

Class 3A

1. Northwestern Lehigh (16-0) (1) (D-11): The Tigers defeated No. 2 Avonworth in Week 15, 36-33 in overtime.

2. Avonworth (12-4) (2) (D-7): The Antelopes lost to No. 1 Northwestern Lehigh in Week 15, 36-33 in overtime.

3. Danville (13-0) (3) (D-4): The Ironmen’s season is over.

4. Penn Cambria (14-1) (4) (D-6): The Panthers’ season is over.

5. Scranton Prep (12-2) (5) (D-2): The Cavaliers’ season is over.

Out: None

Class 2A

1. Troy (16-0) (1) (D-4): The Trojans defeated No. 2 Central Clarion in Week 15, 25-24.

2. Central Clarion (14-1) (2) (D-9): The Wildcats lost to No. 1 Troy in Week 15, 25-24.

3. South Park (12-2) (3) (D-7): The Eagles’ season is over.

4. Taylor Riverside (13-2) (4) (D-2): The Vikings’ season is over.

5. Cambria Heights (13-1) (5) (D-6): The Highlanders’ season is over.

Out: None

Class A

1. Bishop Guilfoyle (15-1) (1) (D-6): The Marauders defeated No. 2 Port Allegany in Week 15, 41-22.

2. Port Allegany (14-1) (2) (D-9): The Gators lost to No. 1 Bishop Guilfoyle in Week 15, 41-22.

3. Fort Cherry (14-1) (3) (D-7): The Rangers’ season is over.

4. Muncy (12-3) (4) (D-4): The Indians’ season is over.

5. Westinghouse (9-2) (5) (D-8): The Bulldogs’ season is over.

Out: None