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Greatest High School Football Teams of All Time

2023-04-13 Lexi Huel

High school football has a rich and storied history in the United States, with countless memorable moments and legendary teams. Over the years, there have been several high school football teams that have achieved greatness and left an indelible mark on the sport. From the powerhouse programs that dominate year after year, to the upstart squads that surprise everyone with their talent and determination, these teams have captivated fans and inspired generations of young athletes.

While it's difficult to objectively determine the greatest high school football teams of all time, there are a handful of squads that stand out as particularly impressive. Whether they dominated their competition with ease or overcame incredible odds to win against all odds, these teams represent the pinnacle of high school football excellence. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the greatest high school football teams of all time, their accomplishments, and the impact they had on the sport.

As a sports enthusiast, I have always been fascinated by the history of high school football. There have been countless teams that have left an indelible mark on the sport, and it is impossible to ignore the contributions of these teams over the years. In this article, I will be ranking the greatest high school football teams of all time.

Criteria for Ranking the Greatest High School Football Teams of All Time

To rank the greatest high school football teams of all time, I took into consideration several factors. First, I looked at the team's record for the season they were ranked. Second, I evaluated the team's strength of schedule, taking into account the caliber of opponents they faced. Third, I considered the team's performance in championship games and whether they won or lost.

Honorable Mentions

Before we dive into the top 10, it is worth mentioning a few teams that did not make the cut but are still worth acknowledging. The 1994 Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits finished the season with a 14-0 record and were ranked the number one team in the nation. The 2011 Allen Eagles also had a perfect 15-0 season and outscored their opponents 851-246. Finally, the 2005 Katy Tigers finished their season 16-0 and allowed just 69 points all year.

10: The 1973 John Tyler High School Lions

The 1973 John Tyler High School Lions football team is widely considered one of the greatest high school football teams of all time. Coached by the legendary Corky Nelson, the team was undefeated with a record of 15-0, winning the Texas state championship.

The Lions were known for their explosive offense, which averaged 48 points per game, and their stifling defense, which held opponents to an average of just 5 points per game. The team was led by future Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell, who rushed for over 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns on the season. The Lions also had a dominant offensive line and a stout defense, with several players who went on to play college football and even the NFL.

The 1973 John Tyler High School Lions remain a source of pride for the community of Tyler, Texas, and their legacy has endured for decades. The team was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 1985, and their coach, Corky Nelson, was inducted in 2012. Earl Campbell went on to have a legendary career at the University of Texas and in the NFL, and is considered one of the greatest running backs of all time.

Overall, the 1973 John Tyler High School Lions were a dominant force in high school football and are widely regarded as one of the greatest high school football teams of all time.

9: The 2004 Southlake Carroll Dragons

The 2004 Southlake Carroll Dragons football team is another team that is often considered one of the greatest high school football teams of all time. Coached by Todd Dodge, the Dragons went undefeated with a record of 16-0 and won the Texas state championship.

The Dragons were known for their high-powered offense, which scored over 800 points on the season, and their tough defense, which allowed only 85 points all year. The team was led by quarterback Chase Daniel, who threw for over 4,000 yards and 49 touchdowns on the season, and running back Tre Newton, who rushed for over 1,500 yards and 30 touchdowns.

The 2004 Southlake Carroll Dragons also had a dominant offensive line and a talented defense, with several players who went on to play college football and even the NFL. The team's success continued in the following years, with Southlake Carroll winning two more state championships in 2005 and 2006.

8: The 1998 De La Salle Spartans

The 1998 De La Salle Spartans football team is widely considered one of the greatest high school football teams of all time. Coached by Bob Ladouceur, the Spartans went undefeated with a record of 12-0 and won the California state championship.

The Spartans were known for their dominant defense, which allowed only 36 points all season and recorded seven shutouts. They also had a potent offense led by quarterback Matt Gutierrez and running back D.J. Williams, who combined for over 2,000 yards and 26 touchdowns on the season.

The 1998 De La Salle Spartans also had a talented roster that included several future NFL players, such as Maurice Jones-Drew, Derek Landri, and Kevin Simon. But it was their team-first mentality and commitment to their coach's philosophy that made them truly special.

The Spartans' success continued in the following years, as they went on an incredible 151-game winning streak and won 12 consecutive California state championships from 1992 to 2003. Their legendary run helped establish De La Salle as one of the premier high school football programs in the country, and inspired countless young athletes to strive for greatness on the gridiron.

7: The 1990 Gainesville State School Tornadoes

The 1990 Gainesville State School Tornadoes football team is a unique and inspiring story in the history of high school football. The team was made up of juvenile offenders who were incarcerated at the Gainesville State School in Texas.

Despite facing numerous obstacles, including limited resources and a lack of experienced coaches, the Tornadoes went undefeated with a record of 8-0-1 and won the district championship. They did not have the opportunity to compete for the state championship due to their status as a juvenile facility team.

The Tornadoes were known for their hard-nosed defense, which allowed only 36 points all season, and their disciplined, fundamentally sound offense. The team was led by quarterback Calvin Johnson and running back Gary Edwards, who each scored seven touchdowns on the season.

But it was the Tornadoes' resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity that truly set them apart. Many of the players had difficult backgrounds and were facing uncertain futures, but they came together as a team and found a sense of purpose and community on the football field.

The 1990 Gainesville State School Tornadoes continue to be an inspiring example of the transformative power of sports, and their story has been told in books and documentaries. Their success on the field was an impressive accomplishment, but it was their ability to overcome obstacles and find hope in difficult circumstances that truly made them champions.

6: The 2012 Miami Central Rockets

The 2012 Miami Central Rockets football team is considered one of the greatest high school football teams of all time. Coached by Telly Lockette, the Rockets went undefeated with a record of 14-0 and won the Florida state championship.

The Rockets were known for their high-powered offense, which averaged over 50 points per game, and their dominant defense, which held opponents to an average of just 8 points per game. The team was led by quarterback Rakeem Cato, who threw for over 3,500 yards and 45 touchdowns on the season, and running back Joseph Yearby, who rushed for over 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns.

The 2012 Miami Central Rockets also had a talented roster that included several future college football and NFL players, such as Dalvin Cook, Devonta Freeman, and Trevor Darling. They defeated some of the top high school football teams in the country that year, including two-time defending national champion Don Bosco Prep and two-time defending Florida state champion St. Thomas Aquinas.

The Rockets' success continued in the following years, as they won three more state championships in 2013, 2014, and 2015. They cemented their status as one of the premier high school football programs in the country, and inspired young athletes across the country to strive for excellence on the gridiron.

5: The 1977 Massillon Washington Tigers

The 1977 Massillon Washington Tigers football team is widely considered one of the greatest high school football teams of all time. Coached by Bob Commings, the Tigers went undefeated with a record of 14-0 and won the Ohio state championship.

The Tigers were known for their dominant defense, which allowed only 29 points all season and recorded ten shutouts. They also had a potent offense led by quarterback Brian Dowling and running back Tom Grizzard, who combined for over 2,000 yards and 36 touchdowns on the season.

The 1977 Massillon Washington Tigers also had a talented roster that included several future college football players, such as Chris Spielman, who went on to have a successful career at Ohio State and in the NFL.

But it was the Tigers' passionate fan base and deep community support that truly set them apart. Massillon, Ohio, is known as a hotbed of high school football, and the Tigers' success in 1977 helped cement the town's reputation as a football powerhouse. Their legendary run continues to be celebrated in Massillon to this day, and the team's accomplishments are immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in nearby Canton, Ohio.

4: The 1999 Valdosta Wildcats

The 1999 Valdosta Wildcats were a team that will forever be remembered in Georgia high school football history. Led by quarterback Dusty Bonner, who would go on to play at the University of Kentucky, the Wildcats finished the season with a perfect 15-0 record and outscored their opponents 611-71. They won the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class AAAAA state championship game 28-7 over Brookwood High School.

The 1999 Valdosta Wildcats football team is considered one of the greatest high school football teams of all time. Coached by Mike O'Brien, the Wildcats went undefeated with a record of 15-0 and won the Georgia state championship.

The Wildcats were known for their dominant defense, which allowed only 44 points all season and recorded eight shutouts. They also had a potent offense led by quarterback Dusty Bonner and running back Kendrell Bell, who combined for over 3,500 yards and 39 touchdowns on the season.

The 1999 Valdosta Wildcats also had a talented roster that included several future college football and NFL players, such as Greg Blue, Bruce Thornton, and Ray Gant.

But it was the Wildcats' passionate fan base and deep community support that truly set them apart. Valdosta, Georgia, is known as a hotbed of high school football, and the Wildcats' success in 1999 helped cement the town's reputation as a football powerhouse. Their legendary run continues to be celebrated in Valdosta to this day, and the team's accomplishments are a source of pride for the community.

3: The 2001 De La Salle Spartans

The 2001 De La Salle Spartans were a team that was simply unstoppable. Led by running back Maurice Jones-Drew and quarterback Matt Gutierrez, the Spartans finished the season with a perfect 12-0 record and outscored their opponents 615-84. They won the CIF Open Division state championship game 31-28 over Long Beach Poly.

The 2001 De La Salle Spartans football team is considered one of the greatest high school football teams of all time. Coached by Bob Ladouceur, the Spartans went undefeated with a record of 12-0 and won the California state championship.

The Spartans were known for their dominant defense, which allowed only 35 points all season and recorded nine shutouts. They also had a potent offense led by quarterback Matt Gutierrez and running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who combined for over 2,500 yards and 36 touchdowns on the season.

The 2001 De La Salle Spartans also had a talented roster that included several future college football and NFL players, such as D.J. Williams, Jackie Bates, and Derek Landri.

But it was the Spartans' commitment to their coach's philosophy and their team-first mentality that truly set them apart. De La Salle football is known for its "perfect effort" and "brotherhood" culture, and the 2001 team embodied these values on and off the field.

2: The 2013 Booker T. Washington Tornadoes

The 2013 Booker T. Washington Tornadoes were a team that will go down in Florida high school football history. Led by quarterback Treon Harris, who would later play at the University of Florida, the Tornadoes finished the season with a perfect 14-0 record and outscored their opponents 701-96. They won the Florida Class 4A state championship game 40-21 over Jacksonville Bolles.

The 2013 Booker T. Washington Tornadoes football team is considered one of the greatest high school football teams of all time. Coached by Tim "Ice" Harris, the Tornadoes went undefeated with a record of 14-0 and won the Florida state championship.

The Tornadoes were known for their explosive offense, which averaged over 50 points per game, and their dominant defense, which allowed only 66 points all season. The team was led by quarterback Treon Harris, who threw for over 3,000 yards and 42 touchdowns on the season, and running back Mark Walton, who rushed for over 1,400 yards and 22 touchdowns.

The 2013 Booker T. Washington Tornadoes also had a talented roster that included several future college football players, such as Chad Thomas, Nigel Bethel, and Demetrius Jackson.

But it was the Tornadoes' resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity that truly set them apart. The team faced several challenges throughout the season, including the death of a teammate and the loss of their home field due to renovations, but they continued to come together as a team and play with determination and heart.

The Tornadoes' success continued in the following years, as they won two more state championships in 2014 and 2015. They cemented their status as one of the premier high school football programs in the country, and inspired young athletes across the country to strive for excellence on the gridiron.

1: The 2008 St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders

The 2008 St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders were a team that will forever be remembered as one of the greatest high school football teams of all time. Led by quarterback Ryan Becker and running back Giovanni Bernard, who would go on to play at the University of North Carolina and in the NFL, the Raiders finished the season with a perfect 15-0 record and outscored their opponents 626-34. They won the Florida Class 5A state championship game 56-7 over Lakeland High School.

The 2008 St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders football team is considered one of the greatest high school football teams of all time. Coached by George Smith, the Raiders went undefeated with a record of 15-0 and won the Florida state championship and the national championship.

The Raiders were known for their dominant defense, which allowed only 42 points all season and recorded nine shutouts. They also had a potent offense led by quarterback Ryan Becker and running back Giovanni Bernard, who combined for over 2,000 yards and 29 touchdowns on the season.

The 2008 St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders also had a talented roster that included several future college football and NFL players, such as Marcus Roberson, Cody Riggs, and Lamarcus Joyner.

But it was the Raiders' commitment to their coach's philosophy and their team-first mentality that truly set them apart. St. Thomas Aquinas football is known for its "family" culture, and the 2008 team embodied this value on and off the field.

The Raiders' success continued in the following years, as they won several more state championships and cemented their status as one of the premier high school football programs in the country.

Overall, the 2008 St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders were a dominant force in high school football and are widely regarded as one of the greatest high school football teams of all time. Their legacy continues to inspire new generations of Raiders and football players across the country.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there have been countless great high school football teams over the years, but these 10 teams stand out as the greatest of all time. From the 2008 St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders to the 1973 John Tyler High School Lions, these teams left an indelible mark on the sport and will forever be remembered as legends.