Video: Julian Fleming highlights
See the Southern Columbia Area standout in action.
The MaxPreps Small Schools National Rankings had a big shake-up at the top of the rankings, but it had nothing to do with the games played on the field.
Cardinal Ritter College Prep (St. Louis), which had been No. 1 in the rankings, forfeited its first seven games of the season, all wins, after self-reporting the use of an ineligible player, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
In the aftermath, head coach Brandon Gregory and his coaching staff were relieved of their duties and the program suspended play for the remainder of the season. In a statement to the media, athletic director Preston Thomas has also resigned his position.
The forfeits resulted from Cardinal Ritter using a player who'd been ejected from the final game of the 2018 season and Missouri State High School Athletic Association (MSHAA) rules state he was required to miss the next game, regardless if it was the start of the next season.
The player reportedly wore a different jersey and was listed with a different name in the program in the first game of the season, but the Post Dispatch had photos of the first two games of the season and the player, identified by the tattoos on his arm, clearly played in both games.
With Cardinal Ritter now out of the rankings, Southern Columbia Area (Catawissa, Pa.) jumped five spots to No. 1 after posting its 41st win in a row over Mountoursville, 35-0.
Most impressive win: Anna 49, Coldwater 8. Anna limited Coldwater, which had been averaging over 400 yards of offense and 40 points a game, to just 172 yards of offense and eight points in the Cavaliers first loss of the season.
Game of the Week: Champagnat Catholic 20, American Heritage (Delray Beach) 15. In a battle between two of the top small schools teams in Southern Florida, Champagnat Catholic got a big game from Ryle Aguila, who threw for three touchdowns in the win.
Game to watch: Grace Brethren vs. Sierra Canyon. These two Southern California teams started the season ranked as the top two teams in the preseason Small Schools National Rankings. Grace Brethren currently stands at No. 3 while Sierra Canyon moved up to No. 4 this week.
Best individual performance: Mason Sullivan, Kirtland. The junior running back had a huge week as he rushed for 242 yards and six touchdowns and also had an interception on defense.
Dropped Out: No. 1 Cardinal Ritter College Prep (St. Louis); No. 21 Lena-Winslow (Lena, Ill.), No. 24 Tarboro (N.C.), No. 25 Rockmart (Ga.).
The Small Schools Top 25 is open to schools that generally play in enrollment divisions with less than 1,000 students. Some California schools with under 1,000 students that play in competition-based playoff divisions that mostly include large enrollment schools (such as Sierra Canyon and Grace Brethren) are also included. Teams are ranked based on their MaxPreps computer ranking, which is listed along with their current record.
MaxPreps Small Schools Top 25 national high school football rankings
Isaiah Bess, Shelby
File photo by Chris Hull
Results: Defeated Montoursville, 35-0
Highlights: Julian Fleming helped put SCA into the No. 1 spot in the rankings as he caught seven passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns against Montoursville.
Next Game: Friday vs. Danville
2. (3) Cedar Grove (Ellenwood, Ga.), 6-2, 53.2
Results: Defeated Westminster (Atlanta), 21-0
Highlights: Chavon Wright ran for 249 yards and two touchdowns in the win for Cedar Grove.
Next Game: Friday vs. Pace Academy (Atlanta)
3. (2) Grace Brethren (Simi Valley, Calif.), 8-0, 52.8
Results: Defeated Thousand Oaks, 42-0
Highlights: Nate Bennett caught five passes for 108 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
Next Game: Friday vs. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth)
4. (7) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), 7-1, 51.6
Results: Defeated San Pedro, 40-7
Highlights: Chayden Peery had his best game of the season, throwing for 312 yards and two touchdowns.
DJ Harvey caught four passes for 216 yards and a score.
Next Game: Friday vs. Grace Brethren (Simi Valley)
5. (13) Shiner (Texas), 8-0, 48.3
Results: Defeated Weimar, 52-7
Highlights: Shiner piled up 434 yards on the ground in defeating previously undefeated Weimar.
Next Game: Friday vs. Kenedy
6. (4) Irwin County (Ocilla, Ga.), 6-0, 48.2
Results: Defeated Lanier County (Lakeland), 41-0
Highlights: Zach Smith threw a pair of touchdowns and the defense limited Lanier County to 51 yards of offense.
Next Game: Friday vs. Wilcox County (Rochelle)
7. (9) McClymonds (Oakland, Calif.), 6-0, 46.2
Results: Defeated Castlemont (Oakland), 55-0
Highlights: The Warriors posted their seventh straight shutout in OAL play with the win over Castlemont.
Next Game: Friday vs. Fremont (Oakland)
7. (NR) Anna (Ohio), 7-1, 46.2
Results: Defeated Coldwater, 49-8
Highlights: Bart Bixler ran for 164 yards and three touchdowns and threw for 76 yards and two scores in the win over Coldwater.
Next Game: Friday vs. Parkway
9. (16) Wall (Texas), 7-0, 45.9
Results: Defeated Jim Ned (Tuscola), 14-7
Highlights: Mason Fuchs threw for 110 yards and two touchdowns to keep Wall undefeated.
Next Game: Friday vs. Eastland
10. (14) Madison County (Madison, Fla.), 7-2, 45.7
Results: Defeated Clearwater Academy International, 42-34
Highlights: Vinsonta Allen rushed for 138 yards and two scores and
Derrion Staten ran for 102 yards and a touchdown for Madison County.
Next Game: Nov. 1 vs. Crestview
11. (10) Peach County (Fort Valley, Ga.), 6-1, 45.2
Results: Defeated Rutland (Macon), 75-0
Highlights: Tijah Woolfolk gained 173 yards and scored three touchdowns on just seven carries in the rout.
Next Game: Friday vs. Central (Macon)
11. (5) Penns Grove (Carneys Point, N.J.), 7-0, 45.2
Results: Defeated Schalick (Pittsgrove), 36-8
Highlights: Nasir Robinson ran for 151 yards and three touchdowns for Penns Grove.
Next Game: Saturday vs. Glassboro
13. (8) Coldwater (Ohio), 7-1, 45.0
Results: Lost to Anna, 49-8
Highlights: Anna limited Coldwater to 172 yards of offense in the loss.
Next Game: Friday vs. St. Henry
14. (11) Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.), 6-2, 44.9
Results: Lost to Vero Beach, 21-0
Highlights: Thaddius Franklin rushed for 108 yards in the loss for the Lions.
Next Game: Friday vs. Central (Miami)
15. (18) Holy Innocents Episcopal (Atlanta), 7-0, 44.4
Results: Did not play.
Next Game: Friday vs. Trinity Christian (Sharpsburg)
16. (20) Eagle's Landing Christian Academy (McDonough, Ga.), 6-1, 43.9
Results: Did not play.
Next Game: Friday vs. Strong Rock Christian (Locust Grove)
17. (22) Shelby (N.C.), 7-1, 43.7
Results: Defeated Burns (Lawndale), 26-13
Highlights: Omar Phillips ran for 98 yards and two touchdowns for Shelby.
Next Game: Nov. 1 vs. East Rutherford (Forest City)
18. (15) Dublin (Ga.), 8-0, 43.2
Results: Defeated Southwest (Macon), 70-16
Highlights: Jaques Evans ran for 247 yards and five touchdowns on just 11 carries for Dublin.
Next Game: Friday vs. Northeast (Macon)
18. (19) Kirtland (Ohio), 8-0, 43.2
Results: Defeated Beachwood, 49-14
Highlights: Mason Sullivan rushed for 242 yards and six touchdowns to lift Kirtland.
Next Game: Friday vs. Hawken (Gates Mills)
18. (NR) Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.), 4-5, 43.2
Results: Defeated Lee (Jacksonville), 21-12
Highlights: Kyjuan Herndon ran for 179 yards and a touchdown and
Jacory Jordan threw for 142 yards and a score.
Next Game: Friday vs. Raines (Jacksonville)
21. (17) Lutheran North (St. Louis), 6-1, 42.9
Results: Defeated Farmington, 38-10
Highlights: Jalen Head had a pair of rushing touchdowns to lead Lutheran North.
Next Game: Friday vs. Chaminade (St. Louis)
22. (12) Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio), 6-2, 42.4
Results: Lost to Dallas Christian (Mesquite), 35-29 (OT)
Highlights: Lucas Coley had 203 yards rushing on 37 carries with three touchdowns and also threw for 115 yards and a score in the loss.
Next Game: Nov. 1 vs. Legacy School of Sport Sciences (Spring)
23. (23) Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah, Fla.), 6-2, 42.3
Results: Defeated American Heritage (Delray Beach), 20-15
Highlights: Ryle Aguila threw for 183 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
Next Game: Friday vs. Gulliver Prep (Miami)
24. (NR) Wahoo (Neb.), 8-0, 41.7
Results: Defeated Scotus (Columbus), 69-14
Next Game: Friday vs. Scotus (Columbus)
25. (NR) Adams Central (Hastings, Neb.), 8-0, 41.6
Results: Defeated Kearney Catholic (Kearney), 37-14
Highlights: Evan Johnson threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns and
Gabe Conant rushed for 153 yards and two scores for the winners.
Next Game: Friday vs. Cozad
