​As July hits its midway point and schools are getting ready to start in just a few short weeks, that means one thing is for certain: the high school football season is quickly approaching.Given the talent in states like California, Florida, Georgia and Texas, it can sometime be forgotten just how great the talent in the Midwest is from both a player personnel standpoint to the overall teams.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEvery year, a number of teams from the Midwest tend to end the year ranked alongside other national powers. This year is setting up to be no different.More: Top high school football rivalries in the MidwestWith just a few weeks remaining before the 2026 high school football season kicks off, USA TODAY Sports is taking a look at every region and trying to find the top high school programs in each.The Midwest region includes programs and athletes from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.2025 Record: 14-0AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKey Players: LB Roman Igwebuike, Sr.; CB Tavares Harrington, Sr.; WR Quentin Burrell, Sr.2025 Record: 14-0Key Players: QB Owen Scalf, Sr.; CB Ace Alston, Sr.; WR Tysin Weaver, Sr.Brownsburg High School junior Branden Sharpe (12) follows behind offensive linemen during the first half of an IHSAA regional championship football game, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, at Decatur Central High School.2025 Record: 14-0Key Players: QB Oscar Frye, Sr.; WR Branden Sharpe, Sr.; DL Dami Sowunmi, Sr.2025 Record: 12-1Key Players: QB Trae Taylor, Sr.; S Tory Pittman III, Sr.; WR Antayvious Ellis, Sr.2025 Record: 9-4Key Players: RB Myson Johnson-Cook, Sr.; S Raheem Floyd, Sr.; QB Reece Shanklin, Sr.Toledo Central Catholic OHSAA State Championship football game against Columbus Bishop Watterson at Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.2025 Record: 14-0AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKey Players: WR Carter Bellisari, Sr; IOL Davis Seaman, Sr.; EDGE Jack Schuler, Sr.2025 Record: 9-4Key Players: ATH Brayton Feister, Sr.; ATH Brydon Feiser, Jr; TE Da’Shun Williams2025 Record: 11-3Key Players: TE Joe Moore, Sr.; LB Bradyn Paulozzi, Sr.; OL Mason Wilhelm, Sr.2025 Record: 12-2Key Players: WR Jamier Brown, Sr.; QB Eli Stumpf, Sr.; RB Nolan Buirley, Sr.Detroit Catholic Central’s Duke Banta rushes during a football game on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.2025 Record: 14-0Key Players: QB Duke Banta, Sr.; ATH Gideon Gash, Sr.; OT Matthew Brady, Sr.2025 Record: 11-3AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKey Players: TE Ethan Cole, Sr.; DL Josh Fasbender, Buffalo; QB Thomas George, Sr.2025 Record: 13-2Key Players: CB Allen Evans, Sr.; DL Sebastian Blue, Sr.; S Elijah Burns-Crump, Sr.2025 Record: 15-0Key Players: WR Jake Luling, Sr.; LB Brennan Kesler, Sr.; OL Jake Hendon, Jr.2025 Record: 14-1Key Players: OL Derek Weitzel, Jr.; WR Jackson Palmer, Sr.; RB Michael Colburn, Sr.2025 Record: 13-1Key Players: Q