The 2026 New York high school football preseason Top 25 has been released, painting a picture of a competitive landscape where tradition meets fresh ambition. Iona Prep sits at No. 1 after securing back-to‑back NYCHSFL and NY State AAA championships, while Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse) follows at No. 2 with a 41‑game winning streak and three straight Class AA state titles.
Powerhouses and Historic Streaks
Garden City boasts a historic 66‑game win streak and five consecutive Long Island championships, underscoring the depth of legacy programs. Undefeated teams such as Rye, Bronxville and Monroe entered the rankings as the favorites to repeat as state champions, each carrying the momentum of perfect 2025 campaigns.
Revenge narratives add extra spice to the preview. Somers is eager to avenge a Section I Class A final loss to Rye, while St. Francis, led by Rutgers commit Trent Buttles, seeks retribution for a playoff defeat at the hands of Iona Prep. The storylines extend to St. Anthony’s, whose 3‑star running back Xavier Bala (Boston College commit) fell in the NYCHSFL AAA semifinals to Iona Prep, and to Monsignor Farrell, whose quarterback Bryce Moye reached the championship game against the same dominant program.
Key Players to Watch
The rankings spotlight a wave of talent headed to major college programs. Kory Brown, an All‑State tailback with Division I offers, anchors the offense at Tottenville, while Sean Carnevale and Harvard offensive tackle Tommy Claro lead Chaminade’s attack. At St. Francis, Trent Buttles will continue to showcase his Rutgers‑bound skills, and Xavier Bala’s explosive runs at St. Anthony’s have already drawn praise from scouts.
Other notable names include Hudson Philbrick, the All‑State quarterback for Ward Melville, and Khalid Hedges along with Saleh Atariwa, who are expected to drive Cardinal Hayes’ turnaround after a 2‑8 season. Brighton’s first‑ever Class A state championship game appearance was powered by All‑State tandem Justin Medina and Zack Rossignol, while Erasmus Hall’s wide receiver Victor Onukaogu (Harvard commit) aims to defend its PSAL title.
The preseason also highlights promising quarterbacks such as Theo McMurray of Bronxville, who returns for another championship run, and Jack Clawson of Shenendehowa, who led his team to the 2025 Section II Class AA semifinals. With a blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars, the 2026 season promises dramatic matchups and a fresh slate of contenders vying for the ultimate state crown.