New York high school football enters the 2026 season with defending champions everywhere — and no shortage of programs determined to knock them off.Iona Prep begins the season at No. 1 in the High School On SI New York Top 25 after winning its second consecutive NYCHSFL and New York State AAA championships. But the Gaels aren't the only program carrying a championship streak into the fall.Syracuse's Christian Brothers Academy enters at No. 2 riding a remarkable 41-game winning streak after capturing its third consecutive Class AA state championship, while undefeated 2025 champions Rye, Bronxville and Monroe are among several teams looking to repeat. Garden City brings an even longer streak into the season, having won 66 consecutive games and five straight Long Island championships.Meanwhile, contenders such as St. Francis, St. Anthony's, Somers and Tottenville enter 2026 looking to turn last season's postseason disappointment into another championship run.Here are the High School On SI 2026 New York high school football preseason Top 25 rankings:High School On SI1. Iona PrepLast season: 11-1The Gaels captured their second consecutive New York Catholic High School Football League (NYCHSFL) and New York State AAA titles last season. With a dominant defense this season -- anchored by Wake Forest commit and edge rusher Joshua Simmons and defender and Boston College commit Mamadee Sangaray, Iona Prep is poised to repeat once again this season.2. Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse)Last season: 13-0The Brothers extended their unprecedented win streak to 41 games. CBA has won three Class AA state titles in a row and four in the last five years, and the team will go for four straight this season. CBA is led by senior Gradyn Dixon, who completed 70.5% of his passes for 1,864 yards and 26 touchdowns.3. St. FrancisLast season: 10-2Last year, the Red Raiders captured their 28th Monsignor Martin High School Athletic Association (MMHSAA) title in program history. Led by quarterback and Rutgers commit Trent Buttles, St. Francis will look to avenge its loss to Iona Prep in the NYS Catholic High School title game. Buttles passed for 1,929 yards and 20 TDs and recorded 657 yards and nine scores on the ground last year.4 . St. Anthony’s Last season: 7-5The Friars made it to the New York Catholic High School AAA semifinals but fell to eventual champion Iona Prep. St. Anthony’s will enter the 2026 season with a strong roster, which includes 3-star running back and Boston College commit Xavier Bala. The senior star tailback rushed for 1,312 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and 24 touchdowns last season.5. Monsignor FarrellLast season: 9-2The Lions are coming off a 2025 season where they reached the New York CHSFL championship game against Iona Prep. Monsignor Farrell is led by 2028 QB Bryce Moye, who threw for 18 touchdowns last year.6. Rye Last season: 14-0The Garnets captured their second state title in three seasons last year. Rye has its sights set on the program’s sixth state crown this season.With the departure of state-title standouts Carson Miller and Henry Shoemaker, Rye will look to skill players Charlie Brady (QB/DB), Luke Denvir (TE/S), Jagger Fenton (RB/LB) and Ryan Hess (WR/DB) to make an impact this season.7. Erasmus HallLast season: 10-2The Dutchmen will look to defend their PSAL title this season. Erasmus Hall this year will be led by wide receiver Harvard football commit Victor Onukaogu, Stony Brook commit and tailback Jordan Bishop and QB Tommy Zay.8. SomersThe Tuskers are out for revenge after they lost to Rye in the Section I Class A final last season. Somers previously grabbed three state titles in a row from 2022 to 2024.Somers will be anchored by a strong defensive core this season, including elite 2029 edge rusher Cole Kennedy and juniors Brett Solimine (DT) and Alex Gallino (LB).9. Christian Brothers Academy (Albany)Last season: 8-3The Brothers reached the Class AA state championship game in 2024. CBA, the top seed in the Section II Class AA playoffs, lost 14-13 to Saratoga in the final.CBA lost star QB Archie Jones to graduation, but the team still has plenty of top skill players. Senior two-way standout JT Vogel (WR/DB) and senior tailback Thomas Toher, who recently committed to University at Albany baseball, are some of the Brothers' leaders this season.10. CanisiusLast season: 6-5The Crusaders are hoping to bounce back this year following a loss to St. Francis in the MMHSAA title game. Canisius is led by Elijah Kimble, a top 2027 running back in the state and Syracuse commit. Kimble has averaged more than 1,000 yards and about eight TDs on nearly nine yards per carry in his three seasons of prep football.11. Garden CityLast season: 12-0The Trojans are currently on a historic run with a state record 66-game win streak. Garden City also secured their fifth straight Long Island championship crown.Senior Anthony Asaro, who has committed to UNC lacrosse, is the Trojans' top offensive weapon. Asaro had 59 carries for 812 yards and 16 scores and threw in two TD passes last season.12. Tottenville Last season: 11-1The Pirates were the top seed and undefeated as they headed into the PSAL 4A title game. Tottenville, however, lost to Erasmus Hall in stunning fashion.Tottenville this year is led by All-State senior tailback Kory Brown, who currently holds more than 10 Division I offers.13. Chaminade Last season: 7-5The Flyers capped their 2025 season with a 34-3 loss to Monsignor Farrell in the NYCHSFL semifinals. This year, Chaminade is anchored by senior QB Sean Carnevale, two-way threat Michael Genovese (WR/CB), Harvard football commit and offensive tackle Tommy Claro, and Holy Cross commit and defensive back Henry Kasouf.14. Archbishop StepinacLast season: 6-5The Crusaders are focused on a turnaround season after they finished last year with a 6-5 record and an early exit in the NYCHSFL playoffs.A resurgence is possible for Stepinac this season with the addition of Nahum Pierre, the Section I Class AA running back of the year for East Ramapo last year. Pierre rushed for 1,500 yards and 21 scores as a sophomore last season.15. MassapequaLast season: 12-0The Chiefs secured their third consecutive Long Island Class I title last season.QB Luke Garguilo returns to lead Massapequa's offense. Garguilo, who won the Don Snyder Award as Nassau County's top signal caller last year, threw for 1,121 yards and 17 TDs and ran for 738 yards and eight scores.Junior Jack Mulligan, an elite two-way lineman for the Chiefs, will anchorsthe team's defense. Last season, he notably returned two interceptions for scores in just 68 seconds.16. East Islip Last season: 10-2The Redmen competed in the Long Island Class II championship game. East Islip was close to handing Garden City its first loss in 66 games, but the Redmen fell 10-7.East Islip could capitalize on last year's postseason run with a strong team on both sides of the ball this season.17. Bayport-Blue PointLast season: 10-1The Phantoms bounced back in a big way after losing to Wantagh in the 2024 Long Island Class IV title game by securing the Class IV crown last year.BBP's offensive attack this season includes a destructive tight end duo in junior Nick Vatalaro and senior Patrick Ahern.18. SayvilleLast season: 12-0The Golden Flashes captured their eighth Long Island title in program history last season.QB Patrick Coan, who now plays for Lehigh football, left an irreplaceable void behind. Sayville, however, still has plenty of playmakers on both sides of the ball to make another deep postseason run.19. Ward MelvilleLast season: 10-2The Patriots suffered a tough 14-12 loss to Massapequa in the Long Island Class I championship game.Senior Hudson Philbrick -- an All-State QB with a big arm -- will lead Ward Melville this season. Philbrick passed for 2,000 yards and 24 TDs on a 69% completion rate. He also ran for 495 yards and seven scores.Philbrick's top target is senior receiver Joey Karpowicz, who had 37 catches for 763 yards (20.6 yards per reception) and nine scores.20. Cardinal HayesLast season: 2-8The Cardinals are determined to turn things around after a disappointing 2-8 season last year. This season, Cardinal Hayes has plenty of offensive weapons to gear the team in the right direction. Junior running back Khalid Hedges rushed for 782 yards and eight scores last season. Saleh Atariwa -- a 6-foot-7, 255-pound tight end with a seven-foot wingspan -- is in line for a solid senior campaign.21. BrightonLast season: 11-3The Bruins finished their season with an 11-3 record and the program’s first-ever appearance in the Class A state championship game. Brighton is geared to make another deep postseason run this year.Brighton will be led by an All-State offensive tandem in seniors Justin Medina and Zack Rossignol. Medina had 19 total TDs and 1,254 all-purpose yards last year, while Rossignol compiled 966 rushing yards and 11 scores.22. BronxvilleLast season: 12-0The Broncos are coming off a 2025 season where they finished 12-0 and secured their second state title in program history.Senior dual-threat QB Theo McMurray returns to anchor Bronxville's offense this season. McMurray completed 70% of his passes for 1,514 yards and 20 TDs and rushed for five scores.23. Shenendehowa Last season: 8-3The Plainsmen are looking for redemption after a tough loss to Saratoga in the 2025 Section II Class AA semifinals.Shenendehowa has leaders on both sides of the ball this season, including QB Jack Clawson, receiver Jake Fruscio, and defenders Elijah Woodrow and Aidan Spraker.24. BennettLast season: 10-2The Tigers made an appearance in the Class AA state semifinals before losing to eventual champion CBA Syracuse.Bennett's high-powered offense this season will be anchored by senior running back Dontre Hampton, who had 1,055 rushing yards (9.5 yards per carry) and nine scores last season.25. MonroeLast season: 12-0The Red Jackets had a season for the ages last year when they took home the program’s first-ever state crown. The team will look to repeat its efforts but will have to do so without Messiah Hampton, the Red Jackets’ star receiver who is now at Oregon. Monroe still has senior star QB Terrell "Pooty" Cunningham, who completed 74.7% of his passes for 3,033 yards and had 45 total TDs.Senior receiver Brien Walker, who had five TD catches last year, will be Cunningham's top target.Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow