The Super 25 national championship is dictated by a handful of factors: Talent. Strength of schedule. Dominance on the field. Local, regional and state championships won. The winning school is often (but not always) undefeated, always has a high number of Div. I recruits, and takes down other nationally ranked competition en route to the mythical title.
The West region is always in the running.
In 10 of the last 12 years, a victor has been crowned from the West. Last year’s 15-0 Buford (GA) team broke a streak of four straight victories spread across Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) and St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA).
As the start of the season approaches, teams like IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL), St. Frances Academy (Maryland, MD), and Waxahachie (TX) look like they could be threats for a championship. But we must ask: Will the title run through the West this year?
Reviewing the Trinity League
The top divisions of Texas and Georgia are powerhouses. Those of states like Florida, Arizona and Ohio are formidable. Californians will argue that the Trinity League is the best of all.
At the top of the Preseason West Region ranking is St. John Bosco, named National Champion in 2019 and 2022. They had a down year by their own standards last year, finishing 9-2 and No. 12 in the Super 25. But if there’s such a thing as a transition year in high school football, it was that — quarterback Koa Malau’ulu, starting as a sophomore, passed for 33 touchdowns and five interceptions at a 66% completion clip. He headlines a team returning several important players, including RB Maliq Allen, WR DJ Tubbs, LB Josiah Poyer and safety Isala Wily-Ava, as well as getting spring transfer IOL Elisha Mueller. In total, 16 ranked juniors and seniors will play for the Braves this year.
Mater Dei has won four of the last nine national championships, and will have a new offensive identity this season after losing key starters at quarterback, wide receiver, tight end and offensive line. Nevertheless, the Monarchs should have a dominant defense behind CB Danny Lang, DL Montana Toilolo and safety Ace Leutele.
The only thing standing in the way of Mater Dei and Bosco for Trinity League conquest…
The emergence of Centennial (Corona, CA) and Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA). Emergence may not be the right word, as Centennial has long been strong. But last year, the Huskies overtook Mater Dei, beating the Monarchs twice, and will take the field with new star power in QB Jaden Jefferson and WR Quentin Hale. Their only blemish in 2025 was Santa Margarita.
Santa Margarita won the California championship last year, but with key graduations, head coach Carson Palmer will be finding new contributors who turn into stars. With that said, four freshmen with Div. I offers have enrolled in the program, according to the OC Register, potentially making Palmer’s job easier and helping Santa Margarita have a chance to compete once again after finishing No. 3 in the nation last year.
Around the West
Bishop Gorman and St. John Bosco will face off in August, which is good news and bad news for the rest of the country: A team with the talent to go undefeated will have lost a game, easing the burden on others vying for national glory. But one of these teams will get an extremely strong win, building up their strength of schedule by knocking off a top opponent. Gorman and Bosco are separated by just a hair in the Western rankings. One will be on top after this game. That could affect the national rankings, too.
The Gaels have won four national championships since 2014. With returning players like CB Hayden Stepp, LB Tamatoa Gaoteote and WR Zyren Menor, along with incoming transfer QB Chance Thomas, they’re expected to dominate Nevada again. With games against Bosco and Mater Dei this year, they have the strength of schedule. Wins would convert that strength into necessary results.
Basha (Chandler, AZ) has played in three of the last four Arizona Open Division championships and won two, including a 34-7 beatdown of Chandler (AZ) last year. The Bears will look to affirm their spot atop the regional rankings, and wins over teams like Chandler and Orange Lutheran (CA) throughout the regular season could position them nicely heading into the postseason. Beyond Basha, Chandler and Hamilton (Chandler, AZ) are the favorites in the state, though others could make a run.
Around the country
IMG Academy is in full control of its destiny, absolutely loaded with talent and a favorable schedule coming off an undefeated season. St. Frances Academy is looking toward a matchup against the Ascenders in November to make up for the canceled game in 2025, one that had potential to shift the Super 25 if it had been played.
Georgia and Texas show a lot of parity entering this season, with a handful of teams in each that could win their respective conferences. Perhaps a Lone State State team like Waxahachie, DeSoto or Duncanville can go on a run. Maybe Buford, Grayson or Carrollton extend their successes into another season and win Georgia.
There are opportunities. A West team may not be at the top of the Super 25 preseason rankings. But when all is said and done, the last decade of history tells us that there’s a good chance the West finishes on top.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can any teams stop West region in Super 25 football national title race?
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