The recent Max Preps article ranks the Nations Top Ten Toughest High School Football leagues in the nation. Big North -United League from New Jersey as number one and the Trinity League out of California, number two. The Trinity League out  Southern California is arguably the toughest league of high school teams in the country.

Of course, having grown up in Southern California, my opinion is a little biased. Especially, because I played in the Angelus League which is now the Trinity League. I have fond memories of my senior year at Servite, when we flew back to Ohio to play Moeller High School, which was then ranked #1 in the country. The game was billed as East Coast vs West Coast and I can tell you the argument still continues about where the best high school football is played.

Schools like St. John Bosco, Mater Dei, Servite, Orange Lutheran, Santa Margarita, and JSerra can all claim to  be from the top league in the nation based on the high level of competition they play. Trinity League plays with best teams in the country and schedules the toughest non league games around.

Although, when I played thirty years ago, we never thought we would have a State Championship game. Teams like De La Salle, and Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas, Nevada, have  proven that they are todays top high school football teams, taking on the best High School competition in the country.

The Big North – United League out New Jersey, ranked number one is led by Bergen Catholic and Don Bosco Prep, but had a down year last year. St. Joseph Regional and Paramus Catholic have been Top 25-ranked squads, and DePaul has had one of its strongest team in years.

Archbishop Moeller High School from Ohio, ranked the third toughest league from Max Preps in the Greater Catholic- South League.

Rounding out the top ten leagues is:

#4 California, Serra League

#5 Michigan, Catholic – Central League

#6 Maryland, Virginia & Washington D.C., Washington Athletic Conference

#7 Florida, 5A District 2

#8 Kentucky, 6A, District 4

#9 Indiana, Metropolitan Conference

#10 Florida 6A, District 16

Today high school football is being played at a level where the kids are bigger, faster and stronger. Every year teams rise and fall and the top programs are built on today’s hard work and the legacy of those who played before them. This is what makes athletics and high school competition so amazing.