Final On3 Composite Pennsylvania high school football rankings: Dec. 17

The high school football season in Pennsylvania is officially complete after the state championships earlier this month, and the final rankings are out for 2024.

After winning its third consecutive state championship by dominating Central Catholic, St. Joseph’s Prep School ends the year atop the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Below are the final top 25 teams in the Keystone State after yet another eventful season of high school football.

The On3 Composite High School Football Team Ranking is a proprietary algorithm that compiles rankings listed in the public domain by respected High School media and data companies. It includes Massey, Max Preps, Cal Preps, ESPN and SI, creating the industry’s most comprehensive and geographically balanced High School Team Ranking.

1. St. Joseph’s Prep School

The Hawks ran over Central Catholic 35-6 in the 6A state title game to claim St. Joseph’s third-straight championship. Junior running back Khyan Billups scored three touchdowns including an 80-yard score on the first snap of the game. St. Joseph’s finished with an 11-2 record and its ninth state title. The senior class featured several Power 4 signees: LB Cam Smith (Penn State), LB Anthony Sacca (Notre Dame), DL Maxwell Roy (Ohio State), RB Isaiah West (Ohio State) and IOL Kahlil Stewart (Syracuse).

2. LaSalle College

En route to an undefeated regular season, LaSalle College took down No. 1 St. Joseph’s Prep 35-34 back in early October. The rematch, however, did not go the Explorers’ way. St. Joseph’s got revenge in the playoffs, 21-14 — ending LaSalle’s 10-1 season. Two Explorers have signed on to play college football at the Power 4 level: wide receiver Julian McFadden with Syracuse and linebacker Chris Fileppo with West Virginia.

3. Malvern Prep

Malvern Prep captured the Inter-Ac League championship with a 35-0 win over Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in early November. The Friars finished the season 8-2 and did not participate in the Pennsylvania high school football playoffs. In the senior class, safety Andrew Pellicciotta signed to play football at Duke.

4. Central Catholic

Central Catholic made it all the way to the PIAA 6A state title game, but fell to St. Joseph’s 35-6 as the Hawks won their third-straight championship. The Vikings finished 12-3 this year with notable wins over North Allegheny, State College Area and Harrisburg. Seniors Bradley Gompers (Duke) and Xxavier Thomas (Penn State) will be playing college football at the highest level next season.

5. Pine-Richland

Pine-Richland got all the way to the state semifinal game with an 11-1 record before getting upset by Bishop McDevitt 28-14. Pine-Richland scored resume-boosting wins against Central Catholic, Bethel Park and Peters Township in 2024, finishing with an 11-2 record.

6. Harrisburg

Amid an 11-3 season, Harrisburg made a deep playoff run to the 6A state semifinals where the Cougars lost in heartbreaking fashion, 38-33, to Central Catholic. Harrisburg’s 2024 season was highlighted by wins against State College Area and Manheim Township. Defensive back Shawn Lee Jr. is the lone signee of the senior class, as he will play college ball for Pittsburgh.

7. Peters Township

Peters Township made it to the 5A quarterfinals before falling to Pine-Richland 20-9. Peters ended the season with an 11-2 record and wins over Bethel Park and Upper Saint Clair. Senior linebacker Mickey Vaccarello has signed with Stanford while defensive lineman Dante Recker has signed with Maryland.

8. Upper Saint Clair

Despite beating Peters Township earlier this year, the rematch did not favor Upper Saint Clair as the Panthers fell to Peters 7-3 in the first round of the postseason. The 2024 regular season featured wins against Peters Township and Bethel Park.

9. Monsignor Bonner

A 12-2 record for Monsignor Bonner ended with the Friars hoisting the PIAA 4A state championship trophy following a 40-14 blowout win against Lampeter-Strasburg to wrap up the 2024 campaign. Bonner jumped out to a 14-0 lead that evaporated throughout the first half, however, the Friars picked off Lampeter-Strasburg twice at the end of the second quarter to stretch the lead to 27-14. Bonner never looked back. Featured in the senior class is West Virginia WR signee Jalil Hall.

10. Roman Catholic

Roman Catholic’s season ended in heartbreaking fashion in the state championship game. The Cahillite fell to Bishop McDevitt 34-31 in overtime — Roman Catholic’s first loss since facing the state’s top two teams in mid-October. Roman Catholic safety William Felder will play football at Duke while EDGE Jaasai Simmons has signed with Marshall.

Teams 11-25 in final On3 Composite Rankings

11. State College Area
12. North Allegheny
13. Northwestern Lehigh
14. Downingtown West
15. Thomas Jefferson

16. Parkland
17. Bethel Park
18. West Chester Bayard Rustin
19. Bishop McDevitt
20. Central Bucks South

21. Lampeter-Strasburg
22. Fords
23. Easton Area
24. Freedom
25. Springfield