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. 18The 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. SparksThe 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. 18The 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. 18The 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. DurangoThe 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 Karney7. Coronado (2-1)Next: vs. Desert PinesThe 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 ViewThe 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. CentennialThe 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 OasisThe 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. ClarkThe 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. TruckeeThe 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 VegasThe 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. CoronadoThe 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 ValleyThe 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. GalenaThe 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 Karney19. Legacy (2-1)Next: vs. Spring ValleyThe spin: The two-point loss to Palo Verde looks better and better.20. Reno (2-1)Next: vs. Bishop ManogueThe spin: Nice start, but are the Huskies good enough yet to knock off a traditional power?21. Green Valley (1-1)Next: vs. Sierra VistaThe 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. LibertyThe spin: Catching Liberty coming off a bad loss could either be a good or bad thing.23. Elko (2-1)Next: vs. DaytonThe 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. RenoThe 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. FoothillThe spin: A huge opportunity awaits this week to ease the sting of last Friday's blowout loss to an Arizona opponent.Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
Nevada High School Football Top 25 State Rankings (Sept. 8, 2026)
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 struggl






