USA TODAY Sports just dropped their preseason Super 15 regional rankings for the East coast, and holy smokes, the talent is undeniable this year. Maryland's St. Frances Academy and DeMatha Catholic aren't just topping the list; these two powerhouses are already showing up in the Super 25 national rankings! It's July 2026, and these guys are already making major noise, proving the East region is absolutely rising in national prominence.
The East's Elite Stronghold: Maryland Dominates
Let's be real: St. Frances Academy from Baltimore is leading the charge, coming off a 9-1 season in 2025. You know who to watch: edge Jermaine Smith Jr., corner Raylaun Henry, edge Anthony Sweeney, and quarterback Denari Hill. Right behind them, DeMatha Catholic from Hyattsville went an undefeated 11-0 last year, and they're bringing back serious firepower with corner Langston Pridgeon, safety Kynair Crumb, quarterback Tristan Sabb, and edge James Pace III. These two Maryland squads are an elite stronghold, and the rest of the region has to figure out how to stop them. But don't sleep on North Carolina either. Hough, out of Cornelius, was a perfect 14-0 in 2025, led by quarterback Ethan Royal, corner Joshua Dobson, and safety Davion Jones. Grimsley from Greensboro also went 14-0, with key returners like offensive tackle Gavin Milton, quarterback Brody Lowe, and edge Andrew Rogers. Then there's New Jersey's Don Bosco Prep, who finished 11-1 last season, featuring quarterback Carson Schoen, linebacker Mikhali Allen, and edge Aidan O'Neil. The top five are stacked!The Regional Powerhouses Ready To Erupt
The talent doesn't stop there. New Jersey is clearly a force, with St. Joseph Regional (10-2 in 2025) bringing back linebacker Tahj Gray and edge rushers Chaz Gray and Cam Aime. Pennsylvania gets in on the action too, with La Salle College (13-1) showcasing offensive guard Andrew Sorge, wide receiver Owen Johnson, and linebacker Zykee Scott. Roman Catholic (12-3) also reps Philly with middle linebacker Walter Hudson, safety Coron Russell, and edge AJ Wright. Bergen Catholic (8-3) adds to New Jersey's depth with receiver Austin Busso, quarterback Trey Tagliaferri, and edge Jackson Vaughn. North Carolina's Providence Day (13-0) comes in strong with wide receiver Braylon Clark, interior offensive lineman Cooper Hodson, and defensive lineman Cory Cunningham. And round out the Super 15, we've got Archbishop Spalding (MD, 10-2), St. Peter's Prep (NJ, 8-3), St. James Performance Academy (VA, 8-1), Catholic Memorial (MA, 10-2), and Central Catholic (PA, 13-2). This region is absolutely loaded, and the hype is real for what's about to unfold! What a list, right? The East is truly making its mark, with this much talent popping up before the season even truly kicks off. You know USA TODAY Sports is dropping their full Super 25 national rankings on Tuesday, July 21. You bet we'll be glued to see where these East region powerhouses truly stack up against the best of the best across the entire country!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.