FHSAA Released 2026 High School Football Rankings
The latest state rankings impact local teams across Bay County as the 2026 season progresses.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Secondary Education
Live Poll
Do you believe the new FHSAA football rankings accurately represent local team strength in your area?
The Florida High School Athletic Association has issued its debut rankings for the 2026 football season based on game results submitted via MaxPreps. These standings reflect the competitive standing of local teams throughout the state.
Why it matters
These rankings provide a snapshot of team performance and overall strength of schedule, which helps families and students gauge how their local programs are faring in a competitive statewide environment.
Mosley leads the local group with a 5-0 record at rank 26, while North Bay Haven holds a 1-4 record at rank 481. Strength of schedule ratings vary, with Mosley and Rutherford at 33.0 compared to North Bay Haven at 18.9.
The players
Florida High School Athletic Association
The governing body responsible for overseeing secondary school athletics and managing official state rankings in Florida.
MaxPreps
An online platform utilized by athletic programs for reporting game results and maintaining high school sports data.
The details
The rankings are calculated by evaluating game results and the strength of schedule for both a team and their opponents. These figures are compiled through data submitted via MaxPreps, ensuring a systematic approach to assessing performance across the state. Local programs like Bay High, which recently defeated Rutherford 50-20, see their standings shift based on these weighted metrics.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: The FHSAA released the debut rankings for the 2026 season.
The Home Front
These rankings reflect the broader trend of data-driven performance assessments used in regional high school sports. They follow the established structure of the FHSAA state playoff qualification policy which relies on cumulative season performance metrics.
Families with students involved in football should track how strength of schedule adjustments influence playoff positioning throughout the season. Checking the official MaxPreps portal regularly will provide the most accurate look at how local team rankings evolve.
The takeaway
These debut rankings highlight the importance of early-season game results in establishing a competitive path for Florida high school teams. Keep an eye on your local team's strength of schedule rating to better understand their position in the state standings.
Further reading
You can find more updates on local sports developments in the Secondary Education section.
Live Poll
Do you believe the new FHSAA football rankings accurately represent local team strength in your area?
