The 2025 high school football season kicked off this past weekend with some great in-state and cross-state games! Here is Mr. PA Football’s rundown of some of the top games.
St. Joe’s Prep blows 28-point lead and loses to American Heritage in Fort Lauderdale
Coaches: St. Joseph’s Prep Tim Roken, American Heritage Mike Smith
The Hawks dominated the first half and led 28-0 with 7:14 left in the third quarter of its season opener on ESPN 2 and it looked like the three-time defending PIAA Class 6A state champions would be coming home to Pennsylvania with an enormous victory on a national stage against one of the nation’s best teams.
At that juncture, St. Joe’s Prep had outgained American Heritage 239 to 69 in total yards. The Hawks had a balanced attack and RB Khyan Billups was dynamic out of the backfield, darting through the Patriots’ defense for over 100 yards and Junior QB Charlie Foulke was slicing up the Heritage secondary with precise passes hitting his receivers in stride.
On defense, the Hawks made the nation’s #1-ranked quarterback, Dia Bell, the son of former NBA player Raja Bell, look very average, forcing him to lose two fumbles. Penn State recruit Alex Haskell and fellow defensive tackle Colton Anderson were flushing Bell out of the pocket and getting constant pressure in Bell’s face. Cornerback Simaj Hill, a West Virginia recruit, and linebacker Brandon Lockley were making big-time plays for the Hawks.
Then the momentum changed quickly. Bell and the Patriots orchestrated a drive to finally get on the scoreboard. Jonathan Bueno, a transfer from Western High School, capped off the drive with a spectacular 20-yard touchdown run that galvanized the comeback.
Bell, a Texas recruit, engineered one of the great comebacks in recent memory. Dia directed four touchdown drives, to pull the game even at 28 with two minutes, 51 seconds to go. He completed a key fourth-and-10 with a pass to Jamar Denson, who was his favorite target in the second half. Bell connected with Denson for a 31-yard touchdown pass on a crucial third down with 6:49 left to make it 28-21.
The Patriots defense stepped up big in the fourth quarter and made some crucial stops. The South Florida heat took its toll on the Hawks late in the game as American Heritage looked like the fresher team.
American Heritage was able to pull off the astounding win on a 41-yard field goal by Kade Bailey with four seconds left. The game-winning field goal was set up by a blocked punt by the Patriots.
Standouts of the Game:
American Heritage:
- Senior QB Dia Bell, 18-33, 215 passing yards and 1 TD
- Senior WR Jamar Denson, 12 receptions 147 yards and 1 TD
- Junior RB Jonathan Bueno, 18 rushes for 94 yards, 3 TD’s
- Senior K Kade Bailey
St. Joseph’s Prep:
- Junior QB Charlie Foulke IV
- Senior RB Khyan Billups
- Senior CB Simaj Hill
- Senior DE Alex Haskell
- Junior LB Brandon Lockley
- Junior CB/ATH Masiia Acrey
Next Week: American Heritage vs. Chaminade-Madonna and St. Joseph’s Prep vs. DeMatha Catholic
Quick Hitters Rundown
#3 ranked Harrisburg upends #9 ranked Imhotep Charter 40-26
The Cougars have a late rally to pull away from the Panthers in the finale of the York Rose Bowl Classic. The game featured a combined 31 penalties for 242 yards and five turnovers, the Cougars showed their strength especially when the game was going off course. The Cougars also won the last matchup back in 2017.
#2 ranked La Salle College cruises past #4 ranked Pittsburgh Central Catholic 23-6
La Salle College had to kick off their season on the road on Friday in the KDKA Kickoff Classic. Led by a trio of elite 2026 recruits in Notre Dame commits Joey O’Brien and Grayson McKeogh, along with Missouri quarterback commit Gavin Sidwar. Central Catholic wasn’t able to establish a rhythm offensively because of the stout Explorer defense.
#1 ranked Bishop McDevitt falls to Clarkson North (Canada) 27-7
Clarkson North scored an upset week one victory over reigning PIAA 5A champion Bishop McDevitt in the Rose Bowl Classic. Clarkson North dominated on both sides of the ball and was the far superior team and more physical on Saturday.
#8 Ranked North Allegheny clips #9 ranked Woodland Hills 28-26
North Allegheny’s Luke Rohan rushed for 107 yards and scored the winning TD with 50 seconds left to beat Woodland Hills 28-26 in the KDKA Kickoff Classic. Tigers escape the Wolverines with a huge week one victory.
