Projecting a 12-team national high school football playoffs with the On3 Composite Ranking

High school football playoffs around the country are winding down, with some states already deciding their state champions, while others have a few rounds left to go.

By mid-December, each of the 50 state’s will have their champions. But unfortunately, there’s no true tournament to decide who would be the country’s national champion.

In lieu of that — and in a nod to the College Football Playoff — we’ve created a mythological On3 High School Football Playoff, which features the top 12 teams in the recently released On3 Composite Ranking.

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.

Let’s break down what the bracket would look like:

4 teams receive byes

Just like the CFP, the top four teams in the 12-team high school football playoffs would receive a first-round bye. Because there are no guarantees given based on conference affiliation, it would be the top four teams in the rankings:

1) Mater Dei (Calif.)
2) Duncanville (Texas)
3) Bishop Gorman (Nevada)
4) St. John Bosco (Calif.)

The Monarchs and Braves are set to renew their rivalry this weekend in the CIF-Southern Section Division I championship game after playing earlier this season. Mater Dei dominated that matchup 59-14 to cement its spot as the No. 1 team in the land.

Duncanville is the top program in the talent-rich state of Texas and has its eyes on a Class 6A-Division I title next month. They’ve rolled to an undefeated season thus far, including a rout of rival DeSoto back in early October. The Panthers are led by Five-Star Plus+ prospects Keelon Russell (Alabama commit) and Dakorien Moore (Oregon commit).

Bishop Gorman, meanwhile, will look to wrap up another state title run on Tuesday when it faces Arbor View in the Nevada 5A state championship game. The Gaels are the most dominant team in the state and have been for more than a decade now.

First-round matchups

The first round of the playoff would be filled with terrific matchups, featuring teams from powerhouse stats like Texas and Georgia, as well as top teams in Utah, New Jersey, and Maryland.

No. 5 North Crowley (Texas) vs. No. 12 Bergen Catholic (N.J.)

North Crowley has been one of the biggest surprises nationally this year, as well as in the state of Texas. After an early-season upset of DeSoto, they sit at 12-0 ahead of a huge playoff matchup with Coppell. Bergen Catholic is again New Jersey’s top squad, led by a talented roster of future Division I players. They’re looking to close on a state title against Don Bosco Prep this weekend.

No. 6 North Shore (Texas) vs. No. 11 Corner Canyon (Utah)

The Houston-based Mustangs boast one of the country’s most dominant defenses and have rolled to a 12-0 record ahead of a huge showdown with Katy this weekend in the playoffs. Corner Canyon, meanwhile, won another state title over the weekend in Utah with a 30-27 win over Lone Peak.

No. 7 Milton (Ga.) vs. No. 10 Archbishop Spalding (Md.)

Georgia powerhouse Milton is the No. 1 team in the Peach State and is on a run toward the AAAAA state championship next month. The Eagles sit at 12-0 ahead of a big game against Houston County. Their first-round opponent would be the Cavaliers, who are coming off a Maryland state title win over McDonogh School.

No. 8 Carrollton (Ga.) vs. No. 9 Buford (Ga.)

Arguably the most interesting matchup of the quarterfinals would be between the two programs at the top of the Georgia AAAAAA rankings. These teams could very well meet in Atlanta for the state title at Mercedez-Benz Stadium next month. It also may feature the best quarterback showdown with Carrollton’s Julian Lewis and Buford’s Dayton Raiola.

Teams who just missed the cut

Much like the final College Football Playoff rankings, this one would cause a significant uproar among the teams left out. Teams 13-16 include:

Chaminade-Madonna Prep (Fla.)
Atascocita (Texas)
Lakeland (Fla.)
De La Salle High School (Calif.)