District IV Football Rankings – Week 9 Update

By: Carrie Miner Yaple | SportzWire | October 23, 2025 | Photo courtesy Carrie Miner Yaple @v1sion_media

District IV Football Rankings – Week 9 Update

Sponsored by Coach’s Health and Fitness – Coach Lon Hazlet

Since midseason, powerhouses have flexed their dominance, underdogs have stolen headlines, and playoff positioning is starting to take shape. Comparing Week 5 to Week 9, some teams have surged with momentum, while others are scrambling to rediscover their early-season spark.

Let’s dive into how the rankings look now — and who’s rising, falling, and holding strong as the postseason looms.

SMALL SCHOOL RANKINGS (Class A, AA, AAA)

Notable Climbers:

Montgomery (#10 → #6): The Red Raiders are one of the hottest small-school programs in District IV. A string of gritty wins has them surging into the top six, and they’re peaking at the right time.

Mount Carmel (New at #9): Don’t look now — the Red Tornadoes are back in the mix. A late-season push has put them on everyone’s radar heading toward playoff season.

Loyalsock (New at #10): The Lancers return to the rankings thanks to an improving defense and timely playmaking. They’re trending in the right direction after a rocky start.

Falling:

Bloomsburg (#6 → #7) & Mifflinburg (#7 → #8): Both have taken steps back since midseason. Each has shown flashes of strong football but needs a late push to regain early-season form.

Holding Strong:

The top five — Troy, Southern Columbia, Line Mountain, Warrior Run, and Montoursville — remain unchanged since Week 5. Troy and Southern Columbia continue to set the standard, while Line Mountain’s balanced attack keeps them firmly in contention.

LARGE SCHOOL RANKINGS (Class AAAA and Above)

Rising:

Athens (#4 → #2): Quietly climbing all season, the Wildcats now find themselves just behind the district’s top dog. Their consistency and physicality have made them one of the toughest outs in District IV.

Shikellamy (#5 → #4): Back on the rise after a midseason slump, the Braves are regaining their edge and showing the balance needed for a playoff run.

Falling:

Williamsport (#3 → #5): The Millionaires’ high-powered offense has cooled off in recent weeks. They’ll need to recapture their Week 5 spark to contend again.

Jersey Shore (#2 → #3): Still a top-tier team, but Athens’ surge bumps them down a notch. Expect the Bulldogs to respond down the stretch.

Steady at the Top:

Shamokin (No Change): The Indians continue to dominate and remain the clear #1. Their physical defense and methodical offense have kept them unbeaten in district play.

Quick Comparison: Week 5 → Week 9

Biggest Climbers (Small School):

• Montgomery: +4 spots

• Mount Carmel & Loyalsock: Enter rankings after strong late-season pushes

Biggest Fall (Small School):

• Bloomsburg & Mifflinburg: Each drops a spot, showing how tight the middle of the pack has become

Biggest Moves (Large School):

• Athens (+2): Into the #2 spot and rising fast

• Williamsport (-2): Down but not out

SMALL SCHOOL RANKINGS (Class A, AA, AAA)

Records reflect most recent available data; key wins/losses highlight notable mid-season games.

* Records are approximate based on available mid-season game data.

Small School Summary

Troy remains the clear leader, with Southern Columbia holding fast at #2. Line Mountain, Warrior Run, and Montoursville are stable-top bags, while the middle pack is shaking: Montgomery is surging (+4), Bloomsburg and Mifflinburg dropped slightly, and the newcomers Mount Carmel and Loyalsock have cracked the top 10. This bracket is far from settled.

LARGE SCHOOL RANKINGS (Class AAAA & above)

* Records are based on available data mid‐season; full season totals not yet finalized.

Large School Summary

Shamokin continues to set the standard in large-school District IV football. Athens’ climb to #2 is the headline — the Wildcats have made themselves impossible to ignore. Jersey Shore, Shikellamy, and Williamsport remain formidable, but each has a story: Jersey Shore is maintaining, Shikellamy is ascending, and Williamsport needs to recapture earlier momentum.

Final Thoughts – Sponsored by Coach’s Health & Fitness

Week 9 has refined the playoff picture — yet in District IV football, nothing is locked down until the final whistle.

• In the small-school ranks, Troy and Southern Columbia remain atop, but challengers like Line Mountain, Warrior Run, and Montoursville are right on their heels. Meanwhile, Montgomery, Mount Carmel, and Loyalsock are making late pushes that could upset plans.

• On the large-school side, Shamokin remains the benchmark. Athens has emerged as the biggest mover and is now staring at the top spot. The Bulldogs (Jersey Shore), Braves (Shikellamy), and Millionaires (Williamsport) each have paths forward—but also clear tasks ahead.

As the playoffs loom, seeding, momentum, and resilience will matter more than ever. Will the rising teams keep climbing? Can the current leaders withstand the pressure? Only time — and Friday night lights — will decide.

This coverage is proudly brought to you by Coach’s Health & Fitness, where Coach Lon Hazlet and his team are forging District IV’s strongest football athletes — physically, mentally, and for the big moments.

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