Texas, California lead football Small School National Rankings

Texas is one of the biggest states in the union, but it also is home to some of the top small school football teams in the country.

According to the MaxPreps Small School National Rankings, released this week, East Bernard tops the preseason rankings after winning a Texas Class 2A-2 state title last year. East Bernard is one of six teams from Texas in the Top 25.

Also making the list are five teams from California and three from Florida.

See MaxPreps 2012 Small School All-American team

Coming in at No. 2 is the team with the nation's longest win streak. Clairton has won 63 straight games and is vying for its fourth straight state championship in Pennsylvania.

MaxPreps Small Schools National Rankings

1. East Bernard (Texas)

Brahmas went 15-0 last year and won the Texas 2A-2 state championship. Return 12 starters, including wide receiver Trevor Long (6-5, 205), quarterback Grant Aschenbeck (6-2, 190) and running back Cedrick Perkins (5-10, 175).
 
2. Clairton (Pa.)

Owners of the nation's longest win streak at 63 games in a row, Clairton is 78-2 over the past five seasons with four straight Pennsylvania Class A state championships.

See MaxPreps 2013 football kickoff guide

3. Clearwater Central Catholic (Clearwater, Fla.)

The Marauders could be the favorites in the Florida Class 3A playoffs this year after going 11-2 last season. Team returns a pair of Division I recruits in Justus Reed (6-4, 235, DE) and Caanan Brown (6-3, 235, LB).

4. Dillon (S.C.)

The defending Class 2A state champion in South Carolina, Dillon was 13-1 last year and returns Division I talent Joe Blue at running back and Jalen Washington at defensive tackle.

5. Bishop Hartley (Columbus, Ohio)

A total of 12 starters return for a team that went 13-1 at the Division IV level in Ohio last year. The Hawks move down to Division V this year and start this season as the state favorite. Offense should be strong with quarterback Jared Brandewie, tight end Kalil Morris and wide receiver Alonzo Saxton returning.

6. Central Catholic (Modesto, Calif.)

The Raiders (14-2) play one of the toughest preseason schedules in the state, but it gets them ready for the postseason. Last year Central Catholic averaged nearly 50 points a game in the post season and had their last three playoff games finish with a running clock, including a 66-7 win over Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach) in the

7. Calhoun (Ga.)

Winners of 69 games over the past five seasons, Calhoun (14-1) returns 13 starters from last season, including all-state candidate Alex Urbano at running back.

8. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville, Fla.)

The Conquerors appear to be one of the favorites in Class 3A in Florida this year after going 9-2 last season and winning a state title in 2010. A pair of Louisville commits, lineman Kavaris Harkless (6-5, 275) and receiver Isaiah Ford (6-2, 165) lead the way.

See the Fab 5 picks heading into the Florida football season

9. Canadian (Texas)

The Wildcats (10-3) rank among the top three teams in the preseason 2A rankings in Texas and could be headed for their best season since winning back-to-back state titles in 2007-08.

10. Norwayne (Creston, Ohio)

Winners of the Division IV state championship in 2011, Norwayne is now Division V and coming off a 13-1 season. Senior linebacker Kaleb Harris is a Division I prospect for the Bobcats.

11. Refugio (Texas)

The Bobcats' only loss last year came against East Bernard and they most recently won a state championship in 2011. Refugio has won district titles every year since 2004 and have one of the state's top quarterbacks in Travis Quintanilla.

12. Cameron Yoe (Cameron, Texas)

The Yoemen appear loaded again after winning the Class 2A-I championship in Texas last year with a 15-0 record. A total of 13 starters are back and a 10-0 JV team moves up. Returning Class 2A state defensive MVP Somari Wright at linebacker also helps.

13. Bassfield (Miss.)

Four players headed to Division I colleges return for a Bassfield team that went 16-0 and won the Class 2A state title.

14. All Saints (Fort Worth, Texas)

The Saints play in the 18-team Southwest Prep conference in Texas, making it difficult to judge just how strong the team is, but there's no difficulty determining the team's talent. Four players have already committed to Division I schools, including Ohio State-bound offensive lineman Demetrius Knox.

See the Fab 5 picks heading into the Texas football season

15. Nordhoff (Ojai, Calif.)

Don't expect much falloff for Nordhoff after it won the Southern Section Northwest Division last year. A total of 12 starters return and a 10-0 JV team moves up for a team that went 13-1 last year.

16. Newton (Texas)

A loss to Cameron Yoe in the state playoffs ended Newton's unbeaten season last year (13-1). The Eagles return one of the state's top running backs in Kevin Shorter.

17. St. Joseph (Hammonton, N.J.)

Winners of the Non-Public Group 1 championship the past two seasons and Group champions eight of the past 10 seasons, the Wildcats are favored again after outscoring playoff opponents 108-0 last year while going 10-1.

18. Paraclete (Lancaster, Calif.)

With 40 players return, including 16 starters, the Spirits could land in the Division III state championship game.

See all 50 states Fab 5s and preseason All-State teams

19. Maine-Endwell (Endwell, N.Y.)

The Spartans return with a 25-game win streak and two straight state Class B championships. Coach Matt Gallagher has one of the top programs in New York regardless of school size with a 47-9 record over the past five seasons.

20. Marin Catholic (Kentfield, Calif.)

The Wildcats reached the California Division III state championship game last year, falling to Madison (38-35) en route to a 14-2 record. Although it loses California signee Jared Goff at quarterback, Marin Catholic shouldn't fall off at that position with Oregon commit Morgan Mahalak taking over.

21. Jefferson (Ga.)

After losing the first game of the season, Jefferson rattled off 14 straight wins, including a 31-14 victory over Calhoun, for the Class AA state title.

22. Ursuline (Youngstown, Ohio)

The Fighting Irish return 16 starters from a team that went 8-5 overall, including Michigan State-bound quarterback Chris Durkin. Ursuline has a strong history, however, winning three straight championships between 2008-10.

23. El Cerrito (Calif.)

The Gauchos (13-1) will have to get past Marin Catholic to challenge for a state championship, but they have the talent to do it. Linebacker Derik Calhoun is headed to USC while wide receiver Jalen Harvey will play at Cal.

24. American Heritage (Delray Beach, Fla.)

The Stallions lost eight players to Division I programs last year, including running back Greg Bryant to Notre Dame. However American Heritage has won state championships in 2011 and 2009 and regularly reloads for another run at a championship. The Stallions have not lost a district title since 2005.

25. Lynden (Wash.)

The Lions have been consistent winners in the northwest, winning four state championship in the past five seasons. Lynden went 13-1 last season with the only loss coming by three points. Lynden has a 62-5 record the past five seasons.