If you think football is dying at the high school level don’t try to create a series looking at the best uniforms because it feels like the amount of programs never ends. According to the latest information, there are over 16,000 high school football teams in the United States. Put another way, there are 123 times more high school uniforms to judge than there are just in FBS college football.

Clearly, I didn’t review them all. But, I think I got some of the best. Feel free to submit uniforms in the comment section. Especially if they are from small towns across America or in states where football isn’t particularly big.

Our list starts today:

#27 Vanden High School
Location: Fairfield, California
Mascot: Vikings
Enrollment: 1,744 (public)

The first school up are the Vanden Vikings from Fairfiled, California located almost smack dab between San Francisco and the road to Sacramento. They compete in the California Division 3-AA level and are the defending state champions following a 14-13 win over Aquinas of San Bernardino in 2021.

With yellow as their main color and green contrast, plus a touch of grey, they have a scheme similar in feel to North Dakota State. Their primary athletics logo is the Minnesota Viking, although the best feature of their look is a front-facing Viking emblazoned on their wide helmet stripe. Like many schools, they will mismatch their colors but mostly stick to all-yellow, all-green, or all-white jersey/pants combinations.

#26 Douglas McKay High School
Location: Salem, Oregon
Mascot: Royal Scots
Enrollment: 2,319 (public)

Next up are the McKay Royal Scots from the Oregon capital city of Salem. They were playing in the 6A state level but will be dropping down to the 5A level for the upcoming 2022 season. The school was built in 1979 and uses primarily royal blue and green with use of gold in the past, as well.

Obviously, this is a fantastic mascot. I’m guessing the thinking here is that Douglas McKay (former mayor of Salem and later a state senator) for whom the school is named after was Scottish? Either way, the use of the tartan pattern inside their “M” helmet logo is top notch.

#25 Bishop Gorman High School
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Mascot: Gaels
Enrollment: 1,450 (Catholic, co-ed)

To be fair, Bishop Gorman probably didn’t deserve to make our rankings based off their 2021 uniforms. Like many of the wealthy/nationally recognizable programs they have a bevy of alternate uniforms and color combinations that when taken in together keep them on our list.

They have a sharp all-orange alternate, an all-white with blue helmet look, a more traditional all-blue uniform donned with an orange helmet, an orange-blue-orange Florida Gators look, an all-black uniform with orange helmet set up, and that same look but with dark blue instead of black. They are opening up the bank with that Fertitta money in Vegas.

Their most commonly worn uniform in 2021 was today’s inset picture of white helmet, royal blue jersey, and white pants. For Gorman’s standards, pretty tame but still quite professional and crisp. The jerseys and pants have a subtle camo-like pattern and the school patch on the right chest is a nice touch.

Next up: A school from Idaho(!) and a pair from Ohio.