MaxPreps preseason small schools high school football rankings

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See Oxbridge Academy's Traivon Leonard in action last season

For the third-straight season, Trinity Christian Academy sits atop the MaxPreps preseason small schools football rankings.

The Conquerors finished the 2015 and 2014 seasons ranked No. 1 and enter the 2016 season as the top team thanks to an 89.5 rating in the MaxPreps Football Computer Rankings presented by the Army National Guard. Trinity Christian Academy returns 10 Division 1 prospects from last year's Florida Class 3A state championship team.

TCA is one of nine Florida teams in the Top 25, including the top three spots. Ohio, Texas and Nebraska each have three apiece.

Small-school teams include those schools that compete in state enrollment divisions that are generally less than 1,000 students. Information is current up until Friday's games.


1. (last year 1) Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.), 14-0, 89.5
The Conquerors have won three straight Class 3A state championships and have a 22-game win streak entering the 2016 season. Despite losing four college prospects to graduation, TCA returns 10 Division 1 prospects. Leading the way are a pair of 5-star prospects in cornerback Shaun Wade (6-foot-2, 180 pounds) and wide receiver D.J. Matthews.

2. (NR) Oxbridge Academy (West Palm Beach, Fla.), 9-3, 63.3
With seven Division 1 prospects, Oxbridge Academy might give Trinity Christian Academy a run for the Class 3A state championship in Florida. The defensive backfield should be a strong point with 3-star defensive backs Traivon Leonard and Darnell Robinson returning.

3. (3) Trenton (Fla.), 14-0, 57.6
The Class 1A Florida champion in 2015 and 2013 returns Montrez Jackson at running back after he ran for 940 yards last year.

4. (7) Brock (Texas), 16-0, 56
The Eagles return 12 starters from a team that went undefeated last year in Class 3A-1. Brock is in just its fifth season and has gone 36-4 over its first four years.

5. (NR) Clearwater Central Catholic (Fla.), 12-1, 54.6
The Marauders lost in the third round of the Class 3A playoffs to American Heritage (Delray Beach), but they return three Division 1 prospects, including 4-star athlete C.J. Cotman (5-11, 180) and offensive lineman Dillan Gibbons (6-4, 310).

6. (NR) Monroe (N.C.), 16-0, 54.6
The Redhawks claimed a Class 2A state title in North Carolina last year after winning five league titles over the past seven seasons. Monroe returns one of the nation's most prolific passers in Zephaniah Wall (3,572 yards, 45 touchdowns).

7. (NR) Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.), 7-3, 54.5
The Lions recently lost coach Jason Milgrom, who resigned to take a position at Hallandale. Chaminade-Madonna reportedly has seven Division 1 prospects returning from last year's team that lost to Oxbridge Academy in the playoffs.

8. (13) Chenango Forks (Binghamton, N.Y.), 12-1, 51.8
Winner of 12 league titles over the past 13 seasons, Chenango Forks won Class C state championships the past three seasons. The Blue Devils move up to Class B this year and have a 141-15 record since 2003.

9. (19) Marion Local (Maria Stein, Ohio), 13-2, 50.6
Winners of four state titles between 2011-2014, the Flyers lost to Coldwater and Kirtland last season. However, 14 starters return, seven on both sides of the line, including junior offensive lineman John Dirksen (6-6, 295).

10. (12) American Heritage (Delray Beach, Fla.), 10-3, 50.4
The Stallions lost to Trinity Christian Academy, Oxbridge Academy and Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) last season. Seven Division 1 prospects return from that team, including defensive backs Jarques Mcclellion and Joshua Turner.

11. (20) Cazenovia (N.Y.), 13-0, 49.1
The Class B state champions have won 11 league titles since 2003 and have a 114-18 record during that span.

12. (NR) Tampa Catholic (Fla.), 10-3, 48.6
Another outstanding team from the Class 3A division in Florida, Tampa Catholic loses 5-star prospect Nate Craig-Myers to graduation, but it returns four Division 1 prospects. Tops among them is 4.5-star athlete Devan Barrett (6-1, 190).

13. (14) Aquinas (David City, Neb.), 12-1, 48.3
The Monarchs have won two straight Class C2 state titles and four championships in the past five years. Aquinas returns one of the state's top offensive players in all-state running back Lane Napier.

14. (NR) Bremond (Texas), 16-0, 48.1
The Tigers have one of the nation's longest win streaks with 31 straight games. They've won a pair of Class 2A-II state titles and three straight district championships. Bremond has a Division 1 prospect in athlete Roshauud Paul (6-0, 170).

15. (NR) Royal (Royal City, Wash.), 14-0, 47.6
The Knights won the Class 1A championship last season while winning games by an average margin of 48 points. Royal scored over 60 points seven times and over 70 points three times. Royal has won four state championships since 2004.

16. (2) Central Catholic (Modesto, Calif.), 16-0, 47.3
The Raiders have an impressive streak of state bowl championships, capturing four in a row under coach Roger Canepa. Central Catholic is 157-21-1 over the past 13 seasons and has a Division 1 prospect in running back Montell Bland (5-11, 200).

17. (NR) Mechanicsburg (Ohio), 12-1, 47.1
The Indians have won two straight league titles and lost only to powerhouse Marion Local (Maria Stein) in 2015. Mechanicsburg has one of the state's more dynamic playmakers in quarterback Kaleb Romero, who threw for 1,796 yards and rushed for 1,702 yards last year.

18. (8) Elkhorn South (Neb.), 13-0, 46.9
The Class B champions return one of the state's top running backs in junior all-state performer Moses Bryant (6-0, 190), who rushed for 1,181 yards last year. Quarterback Braden Wright (1,167 yards passing) also returns.

19. (NR) Canton Central Catholic (Ohio), 11-4, 46.7
The Crusaders suffered three regular season losses, but caught fire in the postseason and reached the Division V championship game before falling to Coldwater. Griffin Baumoel (6-2, 225) returns to lead the defense at linebacker.

20. (NR) Skutt Catholic (Omaha, Neb.), 10-2, 46.1
The Skyhawks are a perennial powerhouse in Nebraska, winning Class B state titles in 2014, 2013 and 2005. Skutt Catholic's only losses in 2015 were to Elkhorn South and they have a 112-35 record over the past 13 seasons. Trent Hixson (6-4, 260) is one of the state's top defensive tackles.

21. (NR) University Christian (Jacksonville, Fla.), 10-3, 45.1
The Christians won the Class 2A state title in Florida last year and also in 2012. They've also won four straight district championships. The Christians have six Division 1 prospects, led by running back Otis Anderson (5-8, 165) and defensive back Donell "DJ" Stubbs (5-9, 160).

22. (NR) Port St. Joe (Fla.), 11-2, 44.4
The Sharks won the Class 1A state championship in Florida in 2014, but lost twice to state champion Trenton last year. Ethan Sander (1,125 yards) returns at quarterback but sophomore standout Trey Sanders (1,063 yards rushing) has transferred to IMG Academy.

23. (NR) Jones (Okla.), 13-1, 44.3
The Longhorns lost to Lincoln Christian in the fourth round of the Class 3A playoffs last year, but they are the expected favorites in the division in 2016. A total of 16 starters return, including 10 on offense. Among them is quarterback Brandon George.

24. (6) Canadian (Texas), 16-0, 44
The Wildcats lose quarterback Tanner Schafer (4,053 yards, 49 touchdowns) to graduation, but they've won 31 straight games and a pair of Texas Class 2A state titles. Canadian has a record of 156-23 over the past 13 seasons.

25. (25) Appomattox County (Appomattox, Va.), 15-0, 43.1
The Raiders captured the Virginia Class 2A state championship last year with an undefeated record. Coach Doug Smith was the state coach of the year last season.