Nevada High School Football Top 25 State Rankings (Sept. 8, 2026)

Undefeated Palo Verde continues its strong start while several traditional Nevada public school powers struggle.

Palo Verde is hoping to keep its unbeaten status when it returns to action this week | Jules Karney

With more than a quarter of the Nevada high school football season in the books, some power teams have emerged while several traditional contenders have struggled.

Traditional powers such as Arbor View and Bishop Manogue remain winless. We're starting to wonder what to do with them because they still probably tower over much of the Top 25, but at some point wins have to be rewarded and losses have to be penalized.

Meanwhile, Palo Verde is 3-0, Churchill County is 4-0 and Sloan Canyon and Mater East are also unbeaten. Bishop Gorman remains firmly atop the rankings, but there is plenty of uncertainty behind the Gaels.

On to Week 4 ...

PREVIOUS: PRESEASON | WK1 | WK2 | WK 3 | WK4 |

1. Bishop Gorman (3-1)

Next: vs. Mater Dei, Sept. 18

The spin: The Gaels bounced back from the Columbus loss by taking down Lone Peak of Utah. Now they get a much-needed bye week after all that travel. Mater Dei, which has traditionally given Bishop Gorman trouble, awaits in a key statement game as the Gaels try to salvage their national championship hopes.

2. Churchill County (4-0)

Next: vs. Sparks

The spin: Back in Class 3A last week, Churchill County posted an easy win. Start bracing yourself for the very real possibility that this team is 10-0 entering the postseason.

3. Sloan Canyon (3-0)

Next: vs. Mater East, Sept. 18

The spin: We figured the Pirates would beat Losee Academy last week, but the way they did it was pretty impressive. It's been an excellent start to the season, and now a perfectly timed bye week arrives with the game against Mater East on deck.

4. Mater East (3-0)

Next: vs. Sloan Canyon, Sept. 18

The spin: The Week 0 win over Faith Lutheran looks better and better. Last week, Mater East took care of business against a California opponent in University of San Diego. It's hard to overstate how big the Sloan Canyon game is.

5. Palo Verde (3-0)

Next: vs. Durango

The spin: We wonder whether a bye week for a team off to a hot start is a good or bad thing. The good news is this week's opponent shouldn't be an issue.

6. Faith Lutheran (2-2)

Next: vs. Morgan (Utah)

The spin: It's hard to overstate how impressive last Friday's win over a top Southern California program was. The Crusaders obviously have a lot of upside if last week was a sign they've put things together.

Faith Lutheran posted a huge in Week 3 over Damien of California | Jules Karney

7. Coronado (2-1)

Next: vs. Desert Pines

The spin: Like Palo Verde, this is another Gang of 30 independent team that looks really interesting to us. This week's game against Desert Pines figures to be tough, but if Coronado comes through, the Cougars will have stamped themselves as a legitimate Top 10 team in the state.

8. Centennial (2-2)

Next: vs. Arbor View

The spin: The loss to Perry (Ariz.) was worse than expected. Now that it's out of the system, the focus turns to what amounts to a season-defining game against winless Arbor View.

9. Arbor View (0-3)

Next: vs. Centennial

The spin: Just how much of a toll has the brutal nonleague schedule taken on the Aggies, both emotionally and physically? The second season starts this week with a huge showdown against Centennial. Win that, and the season can turn around.

10. Liberty (1-2)

Next: vs. Desert Oasis

The spin: Like Arbor View, this is another top team in the area that has played a very tough schedule. The Patriots should get back on track this week.

11. Moapa Valley (3-1)

Next: vs. Clark

The spin: Two straight blowout wins over upper-division foes. The rest of the schedule is very manageable, and that Sept. 18 game against Palo Verde should be circled.

12. Spring Creek (3-0)

Next: vs. Truckee

The spin: The Spartans have shut out two winless teams to pad the record. They should be 5-0 heading into the showdown with Churchill County.

13. Foothill (2-1)

Next: vs. Las Vegas

The spin: The Falcons got blown out by a tough Hawaii opponent. There's a chance to bounce back in style as the "league" schedule gets underway against fellow Gang of 30 foe Las Vegas. Make no mistake, it's a must-win.

14. Spanish Springs (1-2)

Next: vs. Simi Valley (Calif.)

The spin: The Cougars have lost their only two games against legitimate competition. Now they have to face a solid California opponent. A win would go a long way in what so far looks like a rebuilding season.

15. Desert Pines (2-1)

Next: vs. Coronado

The spin: The Jaguars had last week off to prepare for a huge battle against Coronado. They can't afford to lose that one with Arbor View and Liberty still to come late in the season.

16. Basic (2-1)

Next: vs. Virgin Valley

The spin: The Wolves got a key win last week in a rivalry game. The next three games are all very winnable, and if those are wins, the plot thickens going into the final weeks.

17. Damonte Ranch (3-0)

Next: vs. Galena

The spin: The record is nice, but the competition gets considerably more difficult as the season wears on.

18. McQueen (2-1)

Next: vs. San Marin (Calif.)

The spin: Still smarting from the Sloan Canyon loss, a win over a California opponent this week would help repair the damage.

McQueen has a big statement game against a California opponent looming | Jules Karney

19. Legacy (2-1)

Next: vs. Spring Valley

The spin: The two-point loss to Palo Verde looks better and better.

20. Reno (2-1)

Next: vs. Bishop Manogue

The spin: Nice start, but are the Huskies good enough yet to knock off a traditional power?

21. Green Valley (1-1)

Next: vs. Sierra Vista

The spin: If the Gators play in their next four games the way they did against Basic, it'll be four wins.

22. Desert Oasis (2-1)

Next: vs. Liberty

The spin: Catching Liberty coming off a bad loss could either be a good or bad thing.

23. Elko (2-1)

Next: vs. Dayton

The spin: This is one of several formidable teams in what appears to be a loaded Class 3A Northern field.

24. Bishop Manogue (0-4)

Next: vs. Reno

The spin: Yes, the strength of schedule has been excellent. But we still want to see signs of life.

25. Las Vegas (1-2)

Next: vs. Foothill

The spin: A huge opportunity awaits this week to ease the sting of last Friday's blowout loss to an Arizona opponent.