High school football enters October, with many states now at the midpoint of the schedule. The midseason mark adds to the gridiron storylines across the country, from teams making moves into the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 to others solidifying as a true force heading toward the postseason.
The football spotlight also shines on each state’s current standings, where the hierarchy begins to take shape at the top.
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Which high school football team is currently the top-ranked in your state?
Here is the USA TODAY Sports Super 50 entering October…
Alabama: Thompson (Alabaster)
Alaska: Lathrop
Arizona: Hamilton (Chandler)
Arkansas: Shiloh Christian (Springdale)
California: Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita)
Colorado: Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village)
Connecticut: New Canaan
Delaware: Smyrna
Florida: St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale)
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Georgia: Buford
Hawaii: Mililani
Idaho: Bishop Kelly (Boise)
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See photos of the best high school football celebrations from Week 5
Central Catholic Tyler Schmidt (16) and Wyatt Williams (9) celebrate a touchdown on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, during an IHSAA varsity football game between the Lafayette Central Catholic Knights and the Twin Lakes Indians at Twin Lakes High School in Monticello, Ind. Twin Lakes defeated Lafayette Central Catholic 38-14.
(Clay Maxfield / For The Journal & Courier)
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See photos of the best high school football celebrations from Week 5
Central Catholic Tyler Schmidt (16) and Wyatt Williams (9) celebrate a touchdown on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, during an IHSAA varsity football game between the Lafayette Central Catholic Knights and the Twin Lakes Indians at Twin Lakes High School in Monticello, Ind. Twin Lakes defeated Lafayette Central Catholic 38-14.
(Clay Maxfield / For The Journal & Courier)
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See photos of the best high school football celebrations from Week 5
Reggie Watson of the Moeller Crusaders celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter during the GCL-South football game between Moeller and St. Xavier high schools on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.
(Clay Stark for The Enquirer)
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See photos of the best high school football celebrations from Week 5
Lucas High School’s Brady Guegold, left, celebrates his second quarter touchdown against Tiffin Calvert High School with Owen Guegold (18) during high school football action Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 at Lucas High School. TOM E. PUSKAR/MANSFIELD NEWS JOURNAL
(TOM E. PUSKAR/MANSFIELD NEWS JOURNAL)
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See photos of the best high school football celebrations from Week 5
Wellington football’s Brayton Meglen (right) jumps up to celebrate with teammate Cody Mallet after scoring a touchdown during a high school football game vs. Strasburg on Sept. 18, 2026, at Wellington Middle-High School in Wellington, Colo.
(Chris Abshire/The Coloradoan)
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See photos of the best high school football celebrations from Week 5
Romeo High School football players celebrate after defeating Dakota High Schoo 26-36 at Dakota High School in Macomb on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)
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See photos of the best high school football celebrations from Week 5
Saint Joseph senior James Criniti celebrates a recovered fumble with teammates during a high school football game against Adams Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at Saint Joseph High School in South Bend.
(Austin Hough / South Bend Tribune)
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See photos of the best high school football celebrations from Week 5
Central Bucks East’s Michael Price, 11, celebrates his touchdown against Neshaminy with teammate, Alex Henry, 56, during a Suburban One League high school football game in Langhorne on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Daniella Heminghaus | Bucks County Courier Times)
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See photos of the best high school football celebrations from Week 5
Pickerington North wide receiver Noah Dumas (8) celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Landen Babcock (50) after making a catch during the OHSAA football game at Olentangy Orange High School in Lewis Center on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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See photos of the best high school football celebrations from Week 5
Hardin Valley Academy’s Jeremiah Brown (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Bearden during a high school football game on Sept. 17, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.
(Saul Young/News Sentinel)
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See photos of the best high school football celebrations from Week 5
Kaleb Mcintyre of RIverdale High School football celebrates a touchdown during a game against Cypress Lake at Cypress Lake onThursday, Sept. 17, 2026. Riverdale won.
See photos of the best high school football celebrations from Week 5
Twin Lakes Chewie Walters (51) celebrates a defensive stop with teammates on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, during an IHSAA varsity football game between the Lafayette Central Catholic Knights and the Twin Lakes Indians at Twin Lakes High School in Monticello, Ind. Twin Lakes defeated Lafayette Central Catholic 38-14.
(Clay Maxfield / For The Journal & Courier)
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See photos of the best high school football celebrations from Week 5
Bergen Catholic sophomore Austin Bryan (25) celebrates during a game against St. Peter’s Prep at Caven Point, Sep 18, 2026, Jersey City, NJ, USA.
(Yannick Peterhans/NorthJersey.com)
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See photos of the best high school football celebrations from Week 5
Bergen Catholic junior Anthony Alfano (10) celebrates after defeating St. Peter’s Prep during a game at Caven Point, Sep 18, 2026, Jersey City, NJ, USA.
(Yannick Peterhans/NorthJersey.com)
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See photos of the best high school football celebrations from Week 5
Bergen Catholic senior Bryan Porter (3) celebrates after a touchdown during a game against St. Peter’s Prep at Caven Point, Sep 18, 2026, Jersey City, NJ, USA.
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