District XI Week 5 Rankings: Shakeups, Statement Wins, and New Faces in the Top 10

By: Tony Sibilla | Sportzwire | September 21, 2025 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus Photography

Week 5 in District XI football brought drama on every field, from miracle comebacks to rivalry routs and a few statement wins that reshuffled both the Big School and Small School rankings. Some undefeated giants stayed perfect, while others fell and opened the door for new contenders to climb into the mix.

Helping sort through the chaos as always are Tony Sibilla (Penn Sports Radio) and Keith Groller (The Morning Call), two of the Lehigh Valley’s most trusted high school football voices. Together, they’ve worked the rankings once again to show who’s hot, who’s rising, and who’s slipping.

And remember: these weekly rankings are fueled by Fit AF Nutrition, powering athletes and families with clean, performance-driven meals designed for busy lifestyles.

Big School Rankings – Week 5

1. Parkland (5-0)

The Trojans rolled again, this time with Finn Coen tossing two touchdown passes and sparking an impressive 42-6 rout of Nazareth. Parkland led 28-0 after the first quarter and now prepares for William Allen in Week 6.

2. Southern Lehigh (5-0)

Behind Sean Steckert’s four touchdowns, the Spartans survived a halftime deficit and came back to beat Pottsville 35-17. Southern stays undefeated and heads to Jim Thorpe next.

3. Easton (5-0)

Cole Ordway put on another show, throwing for 162 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 108 more and two scores in a 42-7 win over Emmaus. The Red Rovers take on Stroudsburg in Week 6.

4. Liberty (4-1)

The Hurricanes keep storming, as Antonio Fontanez accounted for six total touchdowns (five passing, one rushing) in a 42-0 shutout of Dieruff.

5. Nazareth (4-1)

The Blue Eagles dropped their first game, 42-6 to Parkland. Star QB Peyton Falzone was sidelined for this big game due to an injury suffered in week 4 vs. Freedom. The Blue Eagles will look regroup against Pleasant Valley in Week 6.

6. Whitehall (4-1)

In one of the wildest games of the season, the Zephyrs erased a 28-point deficit and beat Northampton 56-49. Tanner Dogmanits connected with brother Talon for the game-winning TD with 13 seconds left.

7. Northampton (2-3)

The Konkrete Kids have now dropped three straight despite a big night from Chase Kessler (193 rushing yards, 1 TD) and Gavin Taff (221 passing yards, 2 TDs) in the loss to Whitehall.

8. Bethlehem Catholic (3-1)

The “Holy War” lived up to the hype, with the Golden Hawks outlasting Allentown Central Catholic, 28-24. Cayden Vassa switched between QB and RB, rushing for 167 yards and a TD.

9. Freedom (2-3)

The Patriots muscled past William Allen 51-13, powered by Lashawn Johnson’s 162 rushing yards and 2 TDs.

10. Pocono Mountain West (4-1)

The Panthers returned to the Top 10 with a 21-0 shutout of East Stroudsburg North. They’ll host Northampton in Week 6.

On the Outside Looking In: Allentown Central Catholic (2-3), Pocono Mountain East (3-2).

Small School Rankings – Week 5

1. Northwestern Lehigh (5-0)

The Tigers came out firing in a 50-0 rout of Lehighton. Shane Leh threw for 166 yards and 2 TDs and had added an INT on defense. 

2. Notre Dame-Green Pond (5-0)

The Crusaders blanked Catasauqua 58-0, with Aaron Gordon and Matt Bodnar sparking a balanced offensive attack. They face a tough Northern Lehigh squad in Week 6.

3. Williams Valley (5-0)

In a grinder vs. Tri-Valley, Brady Shomper and company rushed for 241 yards in a 14-7 win. Williams Valley remains unbeaten heading into a showdown with Schuylkill Haven.

4. Schuylkill Haven (5-0)

Colton Reber erupted for 353 yards and 4 TDs, while Niko Castillo added 3 more as Haven outlasted Minersville 48-38 in a shootout.

5. North Schuylkill (3-2)

Luke Miller was unstoppable with 361 rushing yards and 4 TDs in a 36-14 win over Jim Thorpe. The Spartans travel to Northwestern Lehigh next for a huge test.

6. Pen Argyl (4-1)

The Green Knights took down previously unbeaten Palisades 38-21. Caiden Faust did it all—2 rushing TDs, a 76-yard receiving TD, and a pick-six.

7. Palisades (4-1)

Despite Jack Trickel’s 188 passing yards and 2 TDs, the Pirates couldn’t slow Pen Argyl and dropped their first game of the season.

8. Northern Lehigh (3-2)

Grady Newhard rushed for 2 TDs as the Bulldogs rallied from down 17-8 at halftime to beat Palmerton 37-25. They face Notre Dame-GP in Week 6.

9. Catasauqua (3-2)

The Rough Riders fell hard to NDGP, 58-0, but still sit inside the Top 10. They’ll try to rebound against Saucon Valley.

10. Marian Catholic (5-0)

The Colts are undefeated and into the Top 10 after a 35-13 win over Mahanoy Area. Rory Dixon ran for 2 TDs, and they’ll meet Minersville in a big Week 6 clash.

On the Outside Looking In: Minersville (3-2).

Use code 'SPORTZWIRE' to save 20% off your first 7 meals or more. Now serving the Lehigh Valley Fresh Prepared Meals!

Archives

• 2025 (814)
• 2024 (136)