The 2026 Massachusetts high school football preseason rankings have been released, painting a picture of fierce competition across the state's divisions. Fans and coaches alike are already parsing the early signals, as teams jockey for positioning before the first kickoff of the season.
Top Contenders
At the summit, St. John’s Prep holds the No. 1 slot with 98 points and two first‑place votes, while Xaverian follows closely at No. 2 with 97 points and an identical vote count. Catholic Memorial secures third place with 93 points, rounding out a podium that reflects both tradition and recent triumphs.
The upper tier also features strong showings from King Philip, Springfield Central and Central Catholic, each posting scores in the mid‑80s. These programs have consistently demonstrated the ability to translate preseason buzz into on‑field success, setting the stage for a season that could reshape divisional hierarchies.
Championship Pedigree
Xaverian’s recent victory in the Division 1 Super Bowl over St. John’s Prep underscores its dominance, marking the third straight year the team has captured a state title. The program’s momentum is echoed by Catholic Memorial, Scituate and Shawsheen Valley Tech, all of whom repeated as champions in their respective divisions last season.
A handful of schools have become synonymous with excellence at Gillette Stadium, where King Philip, Fairhaven, Cohasset and Randolph have repeatedly proven they can deliver under pressure. Their performances at the venue have cemented reputations as reliable contenders in the state’s championship picture.
Looking back at the 2025 final rankings, Xaverian again topped the list with 100 points, followed by St. John’s Prep at 96. Scituate, Shawsheen Valley Tech and Tewksbury each earned notable vote totals, while mid‑tier programs such as North Attleborough, Marshfield and Tewksbury rounded out the spectrum of competition.
The preseason poll also highlights a broad distribution of talent across divisions, ensuring that this year’s slate of games will feature a diverse array of matchups. As the season unfolds, the early rankings will serve as a barometer for teams aiming to preserve legacies or climb the ladder toward newfound glory.