The Christian Brothers Academy football team, coming off their third consecutive State Title, are not only winners on the field, but also in the classroom.
The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced that the Brothers football team is one of 95 state winners of the 2025-26 NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards, presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation. The initiative honors the top academic football teams from each level of play within each state and is designed to inspire and foster a culture of academic excellence in high school football teams throughout the nation.
“This recognition affirms what we strive to form at Christian Brothers Academy: young people challenged to be their best in every aspect of their lives,” President Matt Keough said. “It reflects a culture where academic discipline, athletic commitment, and character are shaped together, and I am grateful to our students, parents, faculty, staff, and coaches who make this possible.”
The 95 teams will now vie as finalists for the HFF Hatchell Cup, presented by Bob’s Steak & Chop House. The Hatchell Cup winner will be announced Feb. 5, recognizing the top high school football team in the nation for excellence in the classroom, on the field and in the community. The Hatchell Cup, named in honor of NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell, comes with a $10,000 donation.
Eligibility requirements for the awards include: a minimum cumulative team GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 scale; a superior academic application and performance; and a successful football season. Each state’s high school coaches association selects their respective state’s winners from a panel of nominees submitted by each school’s head coaches. A national selection committee is responsible for choosing one school as the recipient of the Hatchell Cup as the best team in the nation.
“Success on the field is significantly enhanced when a coach inspires his players to apply the same discipline, dedication, and determination in the classroom as well,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “We are proud to honor these football teams at the top academic performers in their states. Their accomplishments are a credit to the players, coaches, families, and communities who set high expectations and meet them. When teams bring the same competitive mindset to the classroom, that it takes to win on the field, they are preparing themselves for success far beyond football.”
