Prediction: Imhotep (Penn.) makes playoff push in 6A

The 2025 high school football season will be getting underway in less than six weeks, which means it’s officially preview season. Rivals is breaking down the nation’s top teams from coast-to-coast, and today we make our way to Pennsylvania and look at Imhotep Institute, one of the state’s top Class 6A programs. The Panthers went 10-2 a season ago and made a postseason run before falling to eventual state champion St. Joseph’s Prep. Now facing a tough 2025 slate, will it prepare Imhotep for a deep playoff run or an early exit?

Player Spotlight: RB Sy’eer Coleman

It’s now Sy’eer Coleman‘s turn to take over as Imhotep’s go-to-running back. Coleman saw plenty of time last season despite not being the Panthers’ featured back, rushing for 405 yards and five touchdowns. The three-star prospect has great size at 6-foot, 200 pounds and is a candidate to surpass the 1,000-yard plateau this fall.

Others to watch: OT Jesse Moody, LB Charles Belser, DL Alvin Yates, WR Kareem Haqq

Season Prediction: 6-3

It won’t count toward the final record, but Imhotep Institute’s scrimmage against Archbishop Spalding (Md.) in mid-August should provide valuable experience heading into the regular season. The exhibition against the Cavaliers and the opener against Harrisburg will show us plenty about how the Panthers stack up in 2025. Contests against DeMatha (Md.) and Malvern Prep will also be very telling. We expect a solid season from the Panthers with a deep postseason run that ends with a loss to St. Joseph’s Prep.

Game-By-Game Predictions

Aug. 23 – at Harrisburg (Penn.) Cougars – L
The Panthers lose their opener to the Cougars, 32-20.

Aug. 30 – Eagle Academy For Young Men (N.Y.) Eagles – W
Tep returns home and routs the Eagles for the team’s first victory of the season.

Sept. 5 – at DeMatha Catholic (Md.) Stags – L
The Panthers fall to a Stags squad that ranks as one of the top-100 teams in the country.

Sept. 12 – at Malvern Prep (Penn.) Friars – L
Imhotep’s road woes continue with a 35-7 setback at Malvern Prep.

Sept. 20 – Northeast (Penn.) Vikings – W
The Panthers snap their losing streak with a big victory over the Vikings.

Sept. 26 – at George Washington (Penn.) Eagles – W
Imhotep evens up its record with a blowout victory over George Washington.

Oct. 4 – West Philadelphia (Penn.) Speedboys – W
The Panthers’ winning ways continue with an easy win over the Speedboys.

Oct. 11 – Simon Gratz (Penn.) Bulldogs – W
Imhotep makes quick work of Simon Gratz in a 41-0 blowout.

Oct. 17 – at Lincoln (Penn.) Railsplitters – W
The Panthers end the season on a five-game winning streak and roll to a big victory over the Railsplitters.