District of Columbia High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams - September 25
There’s little movement in the District of Columbia On3 Massey Ratings top 25 list as of Sept. 25, as the top teams before the latest round of games have maintained their high rankings. However, only four of the top ten teams have remained undefeated after Week 4 of the 2024 District of Columbia high school football season.
Meanwhile, the 11th to 25th spots feature only one team with an undefeated record and five with winning records. Here’s how the best teams in the nation’s capital fare before another round of games starts Sept. 27.
The On3 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.
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1. Gonzaga
Previous: No. 1
The Eagles continue to steamroll over their opponents, as evident in their 42-0 victory over Archbishop Carroll last Sept. 20. Gonzaga has given up only 13 points in four games, including two shutouts, making them the top-ranked defense in D.C. They can extend their winning streak by beating Malvern Prep, Pennsylvania’s seventh-best team, on the 27th.
2. St. John’s College
Previous: No. 2
The Cadets have responded with two consecutive victories after their season-opening loss to the Roman Catholic Cahillite. They dominated Archbishop Carroll last Sept. 14, thanks mainly to Breylon Williams’ 78 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Reece Williams fielded a touchdown pass from Nyeem Woods. St. John’s defense registered four sacks and four tackles for losses against the Lions. The Cadets can improve to 3-1 by winning their high-profile matchup against Friendship Collegiate.
3. Friendship Collegiate Academy
Previous: No. 3
The Knights scored the only points in the second half to edge fourth-ranked Dunbar 20-14. Friendship Collegiate has improved its record to 4-0 while surrendering only 20 points in five games. Before their win over the Crimson Tide, the Knights came off consecutive shutout victories against Charles Herbert Flowers and Coolidge. Their shutdown defense will be handy in defeating St. John’s on the road this Friday.
4. Dunbar
Previous: No. 4
The Crimson Tide suffered their first loss in the 2024 District of Columbia high school football season against Friendship Collegiate. Despite that setback, they remain one of the district’s best teams because they fought well. Dunbar had a shot at victory in overtime if the Knights didn’t score six points in the final quarter. However, that result is more of an aberration because the Crimson Tide defeated their first three opponents by 23, 47, and 23 points. Dunbar can rediscover their winning ways against Coolidge on the 27th.
5. Archbishop Carroll
Previous: No. 5
The Lions are going through tough times as they deal with losses against three of the district’s top four teams. Their only victory (so far) is a 24-21 decision over Coolidge. After that win, they lost to St. John’s by 45 and Gonzaga by 42. Archbishop Carroll can regain their confidence as they face an easier opponent in Bishop McNamara, Maryland’s 17th-best team, on Oct. 5.
6. St. Albans School
Previous: No. 6
The Bulldogs cruised to a 4-0 record via a 42-0 shutout victory over Virginia-based Saint John Paul the Great Catholic. Brett Paukstis threw for five touchdowns in that dominating win, and Will Martin had 34 rushing yards. However, the Wolves had no answers for the pass-catching duo of Zahir Cobb and Lacy Rice, who had 265 receiving yards and five touchdowns combined. St. Albans’ defense also held their ground, tallying 11 tackles for negative yardage, two sacks, and three interceptions. The Bulldogs will aim for a 5-0 start in their Oct. 4 game versus Paul VI.
7. Roosevelt
Previous: No. 7
The Roughriders gave the Washington Jaguars a rough time by tallying 56 points while keeping their opponents off the scoreboard. David Anderson threw for three touchdowns, and Deyon Smith added a rushing TD. Roosevelt also scored touchdowns off a Jamal Gilmore kickoff return and from fumble recoveries by Matthew Hilton and Quinelle Shaw. This team effort could help the Roughriders remain undefeated after their Sept. 27 match against Anacostia.
8. Woodson H.D.
Previous: No. 8
The Warriors followed up their loss to Martinsburg, West Virginia’s top-ranked team, with a 28-6 victory over Ron Brown. Save for that defeat, Woodson’s defense remains solid, allowing only 12 points in their victories. That impressive feat includes a 46-0 shutout of Utopian Academy last Sept. 7. District of Columbia High School football’s fifth-best defense will be tested against Ballou on the 27th.
9. Maret School
Previous: No. 9
Maret is coming off a 31-21 loss to Landon School. It’s an entirely different outcome from their 42-6 victory over Ballou. Victories over Brown on the 27th and Woodlawn on Oct. 4 should put the Frogs on the right track.
10. Eastern
Previous: No. 10
The Ramblers completed their second shutout victory of the season, scoring 44 points against Gwynn Park. Eastern boasts of the district’s ninth-best defense after another shutout win over Largo and allowing only 12 points to McKinley Technology. The Ramblers can improve to 4-1 by defeating Jackson-Reed at home on Friday.
Teams 11-25 in the latest District of Columbia High School Football Rankings
11. Coolidge
12. Bell Multicultural
13. Anacostia
14. Ballou
15. Jackson-Reed
16. KIPP DC Legacy College Prep
17. McKinley Technology
18. Brown
19. Sidwell Friends School
20. Digital Pioneers Academy
21. KIPP College Prep
22. Model Deaf
23. Phelps ACE
24. Wright PCS
25. Paul International