Super 25 Preview: Will West Region Reign Again

The Super 25 national championship hinges on talent, strength of schedule, field dominance, and the cascade of local and state titles leading up to the finals. Historically, a single region has dominated the outcome—over the past 12 seasons, ten champions have hailed from the West. Last year’s spotless 15‑0 Buford squad broke a four‑year run that included Bishop Gorman, Mater Dei, and St. John Bosco.

IMG Academy (FL), St. Frances Academy (MD) and Waxahachie (TX) are shaping up as possible dark‑horse entries this fall. Their emergence raises the question: can any team break the West’s long‑standing grip on the crown?

Trinity League Power Play

St. John Bosco entered the cycle as the preseason top seed in the West, fresh off national titles in 2019 and 2022. The Braves suffered a modest 9‑2 slide last year but return a core of impact players. Sophomore quarterback Koa Malau’ulu posted 33 passing touchdowns with a 66 % completion rate, while senior contributors such as RB Maliq Allen, WR DJ Tubbs, LB Josiah Poyer and safety Isala Wily‑Ava anchor the roster. Transfer IOL Elisha Mueller and a cadre of 16 ranked juniors and seniors give Bosco depth for another title run.

Mater Dei has captured four of the last nine national championships, yet it must rebuild its offensive arsenal after losing starters at quarterback, wide receiver, tight end and the offensive line. The defense, however, remains a force led by CB Danny Lang, DL Montana Toilolo and safety Ace Leutele. Centennial and Santa Margarita have risen to challenge the league’s traditional order.

Centennial (CA) dethroned Mater Dei twice last season, showcasing new stars QB Jaden Jefferson and WR Quentin Hale. Their only loss came at the hands of Santa Margarita, which captured the California state title and finished the year ranked No. 3 nationally. The Eagles are shedding key seniors, but coach Carson Palmer’s program has added four freshman prospects with Division I offers, setting the stage for aCompetitive Trinity League battle.

Key West Contenders

The August clash between Bishop Gorman and St. John Bosco serves as both a_preview and a puzzle for the rest of the nation. The game will strip one potential undefeated team of a clean record, easing pressure on others, yet the victor will boost its strength‑of‑schedule profile with a high‑profile win. Gorman, the defending four‑time national champion since 2014, returns defensive anchors such as CB Hayden Stepp, LB Tamatoa Gaoteote and WR Zyren Menor, plus transfer quarterback Chance Thomas.

Bishop Gorman and St. John Bosco sit razor‑thin in the Western rankings; this single contest will likely reshuffle the order and ripple into national polls. A decisive victory for either side could cement a team’s place atop the Super 25 before the season even reaches the regular‑season midpoint.

Outside the Trinity League, Basha (AZ) has appeared in three of the last four Arizona Open Division championships, winning two—most recently a dominant 34‑7 defeat of Chandler (AZ). The Bears’ schedule, which includes games against Chandler and Orange Lutheran (CA), could position them for a deep postseason run. In Arizona, Chandler and Hamilton are viewed as the top contenders, though other programs lurk in the shadows.

National Outlook

IMG Academy’s roster is a blend of elite talent and an attractive slate of opponents, making the Ascenders the team to watch after an undefeated campaign. St. Frances Academy is set for a November rematch against IMG, a game that was canceled in 2025 and could have reshaped the Super 25 landscape.

Georgia and Texas showcase internal parity, with multiple squads in each state capable of conference supremacy. In Texas, Waxahachie, DeSoto and Duncanville could mount surprise runs, while in Georgia, Buford, Grayson and Carrollton are poised to repeat past successes.

Despite the surge of programs across the country, the historical pattern suggests the West remains a safe bet. A team from the region may not open at the top of preseason rankings, but the past decade shows a high probability of West representation claiming the mythical national title.