High school football is in full swing across the country, and the latest week brought a flurry of action, upsets, and standout performances from coast to coast. From Ohio’s hotly debated Super 25 poll to the electrifying Friday nights in Texas and the drama unfolding in Stark County, this season’s early weeks are already proving to be a rollercoaster for teams, coaches, and fans alike. Let’s dive into the highlights, rankings, and big moments that defined this week’s high school football landscape.
In Ohio, the USA Today Network Ohio released its highly anticipated third in-season Super 25 poll on September 8, 2025. This poll, compiled by a panel of sports writers and editors from across the state, ranks the top 25 high school football teams regardless of division—a true measure of statewide dominance. As the Ohio High School Athletic Association regular season enters Week 4, the stakes are only getting higher for programs looking to cement their reputations.
This week, St. Edward headlines the poll with a commanding 426 points and 12 first-place votes, once again asserting its place as Ohio’s team to beat. Moeller trails in second with 380 points and a single first-place nod, while Avon rounds out the top three at 361 points. The poll’s methodology is straightforward yet rigorous: each voter submits their Top 25, with first-place votes earning 25 points, second place 24, all the way down to a single point for 25th. The result? A comprehensive snapshot of Ohio’s football elite, updated weekly as teams rise and fall with each passing game.
Five Greater Akron teams have cracked the top 25, an impressive feat for the region and a testament to the depth of talent found in Northeast Ohio. Anderson and Hoban are locked in a tie for fourth place, each with 327 points and one first-place vote apiece. Other heavy hitters in the rankings include Walsh Jesuit at sixth, Mentor at seventh, and St. Xavier at eighth—St. Xavier notably snagging two first-place votes, signaling respect from some corners of the panel.
Glenville, Watterson, and Olentangy Orange round out the top ten, with Medina Highland, Marion Local, Indian Valley, and Wadsworth not far behind. Massillon, a perennial powerhouse, finds itself at 17th this week, while Kirtland’s lone first-place vote secures it the 16th spot. The poll also recognizes others just outside the elite, with Pickerington Central, Taft, and Winton Woods all receiving double-digit points. With each week’s results, the rankings are bound to shift, keeping fans and coaches on edge.
As the poll dropped, the excitement wasn’t limited to the Buckeye State. Over in Stark County, Week 3 of high school football wrapped up on September 6 with several teams making headlines for their grit and execution. Perry High School, under new coach Spencer Leno, continued its perfect start to the season. Connor Shephard’s standout road performance was a highlight, helping Perry maintain its unblemished record and giving Leno plenty to smile about in his debut campaign.
Road warriors were the theme of the week in Stark County. Marlington’s Cam Evanich, Alliance’s JR Jackson, and West Branch’s Grady Hirst all delivered clutch performances away from home, propelling their squads to hard-fought victories. Manchester, meanwhile, kept its winning momentum rolling with another dominant outing. These results underscore the competitive spirit that defines Ohio high school football—where every Friday night brings new heroes and storylines.
Shifting gears to Texas, the Central region saw its own share of drama on September 5, 2025. In a marquee matchup, No. 5 Lake Travis edged Rockwall 28-20, thanks largely to a jaw-dropping four-touchdown performance from Vann Hopping. Hopping’s 95-yard scoring run late in the third quarter electrified the crowd and swung momentum firmly in Lake Travis’s favor. The game itself was not without its challenges—a nearly hour-long lightning delay around halftime tested both teams’ focus and resolve. But when play resumed, Lake Travis proved why it’s considered one of the state’s best, improving to 2-0 and setting the stage for next week’s home clash against Midland Legacy.
Elsewhere in Central Texas, Anderson delivered a statement win by blanking Elgin 42-0, while Dripping Springs clobbered San Antonio Wagner 55-0 in a lopsided affair. Buda Hays narrowly escaped with a 35-31 victory over Pflugerville, and Vandegrift took care of business against Cedar Park, winning 35-14. Rouse and Liberty Hill treated fans to a high-scoring overtime thriller, with Rouse ultimately prevailing 49-43. Wimberley also notched a close win, beating Fredericksburg 28-21, while Westwood cruised past Austin High 39-9. The state’s football fever is palpable, with each week’s results sparking new debates about who truly reigns supreme in Texas high school football.
And it wasn’t just Central Texas lighting up the scoreboard. Across the Lone Star State, teams put up eye-popping numbers and delivered nail-biting finishes. From Akins’s 41-13 win over Cedar Creek to Blanco’s 63-7 demolition of Universal City Randolph, the variety and quality of play were on full display. Notable victories included Bastrop’s 48-34 triumph over China Spring, Belton’s 34-26 win against Georgetown, and Buda Hays’s aforementioned thriller. Even as lightning delays and unpredictable weather threatened to dampen spirits, the resilience and passion of Texas football shone through.
What’s next for these teams? In Ohio, all eyes remain on the weekly Super 25 poll as the regular season grinds toward its midpoint. The competition is fierce, with every ranked team knowing that a single misstep could send them tumbling down the list. For Perry, the challenge is to maintain perfection under the guidance of Spencer Leno, while stars like Connor Shephard will look to build on early-season momentum. In Stark County, the exploits of road warriors like Cam Evanich, JR Jackson, and Grady Hirst will be closely watched as their teams chase playoff dreams.
Meanwhile, Texas fans are already circling next week’s matchups, eager to see if Lake Travis can keep its unbeaten run alive against Midland Legacy. The performances of Vann Hopping and his teammates have set the bar high, but in Texas, the competition never lets up. With each Friday night, new legends are made, and the quest for state supremacy continues.
As the dust settles on another action-packed week, one thing is clear: high school football’s magic lies in its unpredictability, its drama, and the relentless pursuit of excellence by players and coaches alike. The journey is far from over, and the best stories are yet to be written.