Preseason 2026 Maryland High School Football Top 25 Rankings
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Maryland high school football has never been short on talent, and the preseason outlook for 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. Programs from across the state are reloading with returning starters, transfer additions, and incoming classes that have college coaches paying close attention. Before a single snap is played, here is how the landscape looks heading into the new season.
The Teams Setting the Standard Early
| Rank | School | Classification | Notable Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) | MIAA A | Elite defensive front, D-I commits |
| 2 | Good Counsel (Olney) | MIAA A | Returning offensive weapons, experienced QB |
| 3 | Quince Orchard (Gaithersburg) | 4A | Deep skill positions, strong coaching staff |
| 4 | DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville) | MIAA A | Program tradition, reloaded offensive line |
| 5 | Wise (Upper Marlboro) | 4A | Returning playmakers, physical run game |
| 6 | Gilman School (Baltimore) | MIAA A | Balanced roster, multiple college prospects |
| 7 | Gonzaga (Washington, D.C. area) | WCAC | Cross-border powerhouse, strong two-way players |
| 8 | Sherwood (Sandy Spring) | 4A | Improved depth, standout linebacker corps |
| 9 | Glenelg (Glenelg) | 3A | Skilled passing attack, experienced secondary |
| 10 | McDonogh School (Owings Mills) | MIAA A | Athletic skill positions, strong special teams |
| 11 | Severna Park (Severna Park) | 4A | High-powered offense, dual-threat quarterback |
| 12 | Broadneck (Annapolis) | 4A | Consistent program, physical defensive line |
| 13 | Calvert Hall (Towson) | MIAA A | Reloading after key graduates, young talent |
| 14 | Loyola Blakefield (Towson) | MIAA A | Disciplined program, strong senior leadership |
| 15 | Watkins Mill (Gaithersburg) | 4A | Speed at the skill positions, improved line play |
| 16 | Chesapeake (Pasadena) | 4A | Returning starters on both sides of the ball |
| 17 | River Hill (Clarksville) | 3A | Strong run game, stout defensive front |
| 18 | Friendly (Fort Washington) | 4A | Athletic roster, playmaking secondary |
| 19 | North Point (Waldorf) | 4A | Consistent contender, physical style of play |
| 20 | Urbana (Urbana) | 3A | Emerging program, quality skill position depth |
| 21 | Damascus (Damascus) | 3A | Gritty program identity, strong offensive line |
| 22 | Leonardtown (Leonardtown) | 3A | Southern Maryland’s top program, balanced attack |
| 23 | Linganore (Frederick) | 3A | Improving roster, solid quarterback situation |
| 24 | Arundel (Gambrills) | 4A | Underrated depth, consistent postseason presence |
| 25 | Parkside (Salisbury) | 3A | Eastern Shore representative, athletic skill group |
Why St. Frances Sits at the Top
St. Frances Academy enters 2026 as the clear frontrunner, and it is hard to argue with the logic. The Panthers have built a reputation as one of the premier programs on the East Coast, consistently producing Division I talent and winning at a rate that draws national attention. Their defensive line is expected to be a problem for every offense on their schedule, and they return enough pieces on both sides to make a deep run in the MIAA.
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Good Counsel is the most credible challenger at this stage. The Falcons bring back a quarterback with real experience and a receiving corps that should stress opposing secondaries from week one. If their offensive line gels early, they have the tools to push St. Frances when the two programs meet.
The Public School Contenders Worth Watching
The private school programs dominate the top of these rankings, but the public school field is genuinely strong this year. Quince Orchard at No. 3 is the highest-ranked public program and for good reason. The Cougars have the skill position talent to compete with anyone in 4A, and their coaching staff has shown an ability to develop players quickly through a season.
Wise, Severna Park, and Broadneck all carry legitimate 4A title ambitions. Wise’s physical running game gives them a floor that is hard to beat on a Friday night, while Severna Park’s dual-threat quarterback adds a dimension that defenses in their region have struggled to contain in recent seasons.
Sleepers and Programs on the Rise
A few teams in the back half of this list could make noise well above their ranking by the time October arrives.
Urbana has been quietly building something real. Their skill position depth is legitimate, and if their offensive line takes a step forward, they could climb into the top fifteen by midseason. Damascus is another program that tends to outperform preseason expectations simply because of the way they play, physical, disciplined, and rarely beaten by their own mistakes.
On the Eastern Shore, Parkside’s inclusion at No. 25 reflects real improvement. They are not just a geographic placeholder. The Rams have athletes who can make plays, and their schedule will give them a chance to prove it.
What to Watch as the Season Approaches
The MIAA A Conference race will almost certainly come down to St. Frances, Good Counsel, DeMatha, and Gilman, with McDonogh and Calvert Hall capable of playing spoiler. In the public school brackets, the 4A West and 4A South regions look like the most competitive in the state.
Transfer activity and spring evaluation results could still shift these rankings before the first game kicks off. A few programs not currently in the top 25 are close enough that one strong summer could push them in. Keep an eye on programs like Bowie, Thomas Stone, and Paint Branch as camps wrap up and rosters finalize.
These rankings will be updated as the season draws closer and more information becomes available. For now, St. Frances is the team everyone else is chasing.
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