USA TODAY Sports releases comprehensive high school football schedule and state rankings

The United States high school football season has officially commenced, with kickoff dates varying by state from early August to early September. USA TODAY Sports has published a comprehensive guide detailing start dates, the highest-ranked team in each state, and viewing options via the NFHS Network. The season opener in Hawaii took place on Monday, 3 August, with other states following in mid-to-late August, while Connecticut and Delaware begin in September.

According to the guide, the season structure is fragmented across the country, reflecting regional scheduling differences. Hawaii began its campaign on 3 August with Mililani identified as the top-ranked team. Two weeks later, on 13 August, Georgia (Buford) and Alaska (Soldotna) commenced their seasons. The bulk of states followed in late August, with Alabama (Thompson), Colorado (Cherry Creek), and Illinois (Mount Carmel) starting on 20 August.

California (St. John Bosco), Florida (IMG Academy), and Idaho (Bishop Kelly) began their seasons on 21 August. Arkansas (Bryant) started on 24 August, followed by Arizona (Basha) on 27 August. Later in the season, Delaware (Middletown) begins on 3 September, and Connecticut (Choate Rosemary Hall) starts on 11 September.

The NFHS Network serves as the primary platform for live coverage of these games. USA TODAY Sports has highlighted that viewers can access live streams through this service. To facilitate access, a promotional code (USAT15) is available, offering a 15 per cent discount on yearly subscriptions for those wishing to follow the season digitally.

The publication of this guide coincides with the release of the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 matchups, which highlight top national contenders alongside local state-level clashes. The guide aims to provide clarity for fans navigating the disparate start dates and identifying the leading squads in each jurisdiction as the season progresses.