MaxPreps 2019 Small Schools preseason national football rankings

Of the top 50 small schools on the MaxPreps list, 26 come from those four states with Georgia home to half of those teams. California, meanwhile, is home to the top two teams as a pair of Southern Section powerhouses come in at Nos. 1 and 2.

Small schools are those schools that play in state playoff divisions that are comprised of teams that generally have less than 1,000 students. In the case of California, which has some sections that base playoff divisions on competitive equity rather than enrollment, the school's enrollment is considered. Rankings are based on MaxPreps computer preseason rankings and are listed with last year's record.

MaxPreps Small Schools National Football Rankings
1. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), 12-4, 58.9
The Trailblazers captured a CIF Southern Section Division 3 championship with a 34-30 win over Cajon (San Bernardino) and finished the season with a 19-17 loss to Liberty (Brentwood) in the California 1-A state bowl games. Sierra Canyon is three years removed from a 16-0 season and has been playing in more competitive divisions in the Southern Section's competitive equity-based sectional alignments. Nevertheless, Sierra Canyon has just under 900 students, qualifying it for the MaxPreps Small School National Rankings. The Trailblazers return Chayden Peery at quarterback (2,886 yards, 18 TDs) along with top three linebackers: JD Hernandez (168 tackles), Josh Bryan (123), and Cole Bullock (109). The schedule is extremely tough, however, with games against Westlake (Westlake Village), Lawndale, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village), Bakersfield and No. 2 Grace Brethren (Simi Valley).

2. Grace Brethren (Simi Valley, Calif.), 14-2, 57.2
The Lancers won the Southern Section Division 4 championship last year and topped Del Oro (Loomis) 21-14 in the California 2-AA state bowl game. A total of 13 starters return, including six on offense and seven on defense. The defense should be particularly strong with LB Josh Henderson (6-1, 210) and DE Soane Toia (6-0, 270) returning. Henderson had 157 tackles last year and is the top returning rusher with 857 yards. Nate Bennett leads the offense after catching 21 passes for 558 yards and five scores as a junior.

3. Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.), 13-1, 56.8
The Conquerors won their first 13 games last year before falling to North Marion in the Florida Class 5A playoffs. Trinity Christian Academy drops down to the Class 3A level this year and is the clear favorite. It has won five state championships since 2010 along with 11 straight titles. The defensive backfield might be among the best in the nation with Fred Davis (6-1, 180), Miles Brooks (6-2, 185) and recent transfer Jahquez Robinson (6-2, 190). Davis ranks as the No. 3 cornerback in the country, according to 247Sports, while Brooks is No. 13 and Robinson No. 25. Big games include matchups with American Heritage (Plantation), Carol City (Miami), Pahokee, Booker T. Washington (Miami) and Colquitt County (Norman Park, Ga.).

4. Cedar Grove (Ellenwood, Ga.), 14-1, 50.8
The Saints topped Peach County in the Class AAA state championship game last year and returns three key defensive players from last year's club. Class AAA Player of the Year Jadon Haselwood (WR) has graduated, but All-State linebacker Isaiah Ratcliff returns along with potential All-State picks Tee Denson (CB), Alvin Williams (DE) and Nae' saan Dickerson (WR). Cedar Grove has won two state titles in the past three seasons and six region titles since 2010.

5. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.), 12-2, 49.0
Winners of back-to-back Florida Class 3A state championships, the Lions would be the favorite again if not for the presence of Trinity Christian Academy in Class 3A this year. Miami-bound Willie Moise (6-3, 290) leads the defense at defensive tackle while Auburn commit Elijah Canion (6-3, 190) is the offensive force at receiver.

6. Central Catholic (Modesto, Calif.), 11-2, 42.3
One of the most successful small school programs in California, the Raiders play a mostly medium to large-school schedule during the year. They won four straight state bowl games from 2012-2015 and coach Roger Canepa has won 244 games in his career including 125 at Central Catholic. Dalton Durossette returns at quarterback (1,420 yards) along with running back Minaya Olivo (541 yards) and tight end Nic Sani (6-6, 245).

7. Peach County (Fort Valley, Ga.), 12-3, 41.9
The Class AAA runners-up to Cedar Grove, Peach County has won three state titles since 2005 and has captured five straight region titles. Class AAA defensive Player of the Year Sergio Allen returns at linebacker along with All-State honorable mention quarterback Jaydon Gibson. Peach County is 182-34 over the past 16 seasons and has lost just six region games during that run.

8. Southern Columbia Area (Catawissa, Pa.), 16-0, 40.9
The Tigers have a 32-game win streak heading into the 2019 season and could easily stretch that to 48 under longtime coach Jim Roth. Southern Columbia Area has won seven state titles since 2003 and is 208-22 over the past 16 seasons. Roth enters the 2019 season (his 36th with the Tigers) as the seventh winningest active coach in the nation with 428 career wins and just 63 losses. The Tigers have one of the nation's top receivers in Julian Fleming (6-2, 195) and linebackers in Cal Haladay (6-0, 195).

9. Christian Academy-Louisville (Ky.), 15-0, 38.2
With two Class 2A state titles in the past three seasons, Christian Academy is one of the top small school programs in Kentucky. Last year, the Centurions defeated Mayfield, one of the all-time winningest programs in the nation, to finish 15-0. Christian Academy has two of the state's top linemen in offensive tackle John Young (6-6, 275) and defensive end Austin Collins (6-4, 260).

10. Irwin County (Ocilla, Ga.), 13-1, 36.0
Led by state offensive Player of the Year DJ Lundy, Irwin County will look to go one step further in 2019 after falling to Clinch County in the 1A-Public state championship game. The Indians have been on the rise under coach Buddy Nobles, who is 54-13-2 in his five seasons with the program.

11. Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa, Calif.), 11-1, 35.5
Perennial North Coast Section powerhouse has won five straight league championships and returns quarterback Jackson Pavitt (2,494 yards).

12. Clinch County (Homerville, Ga.), 13-1, 35.1
The Panthers won the Class 1A-Public championship over Irwin County, a team that handed Clinch County its only loss during the regular season. Wide receiver Jeremiah Johnson (6-7, 215) leads the offense.

13. Blair Oaks (Jefferson City, Mo.), 15-0, 34.8
The Falcons won the Missouri Class 2 state title last year, giving them their first state crown since 2006. With 798 points scored in 2018, Blair Oaks had the fourth single-season scoring total in state history.

14. Orrville (Ohio), 13-2, 34.2
The Red Riders had one of the greatest seasons in school history in winning the Ohio Division V championship. One of the most improved teams in the state, Orrville's 13 wins equaled the program's wins from the previous four seasons combined.

15. Reidsville (N.C.), 16-0, 32.9
The Rams have won more state titles than any other school in North Carolina history, up to 20 after last year's 16-0 season. Reidsville is 210-31 since 2003.

16. Shelby (N.C.), 12-3, 32.2
Mike Wilbanks is the new head coach at Shelby, making him just the sixth head coach in 83 years for the Golden Lions. The school has a reported 811 wins in school history.

17. Pierce County (Blackshear, Ga.), 13-1, 31.6
The Bears figure to challenge Cedar Grove and Peach County for Class AAA supremacy in Georgia. They have one of the top offensive lineman in Georgia in guard Avery Jernigan (6-3, 275).

18. Lutheran North (St. Louis), 10-4, 31.2
The Crusaders hope to challenge Blair Oaks for the Class 2 championship in Missouri. They have five FBS prospects returning, led by linebacker Antonio Doyle (6-4, 230).

19. Eagle's Landing Christian Academy (McDonough, Ga.), 13-1, 29.5
Winners of four straight Class 1A Private state titles, ELCA has an outstanding receiving corps, led by Justin Robinson (6-4, 200) and Devon Dorsey (6-1, 175).

20. Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City, Okla.), 13-1, 29.3
The Chargers have won four state titles in five seasons and have posted a 184-30 record since 2003.

21. Abbeville (S.C.), 14-0, 29.2
With 22 straight wins and four straight state championships, Abbeville is the small school favorite in South Carolina.

22. Hasbrouck Heights (N.J.), 12-0, 28.9
The Aviators have won three straight North Group 1 championships and 10 league titles since 2005.

23. Dublin (Ga.), 11-2, 28.6
The Fighting Irish challenged for the Class AA championship last year and return one of the state's top linebackers in Romello Height (6-5, 215).

24. Madison County (Madison, Fla.), 13-1, 28.4
One of the top small school programs in Florida, the Cowboys have won two straight Class 1A championships and have a 171-31-1 record since 2003.

25. Athens Academy (Athens, Ga.), 13-1, 28.1
Only Eagle's Landing Christian Academy kept the Spartans from a possible perfect season in 2018.

26. McComb (Ohio), 14-1, 28.1
The Ohio Division VII state champions are 150-44 since 2013.

27. Mason (Texas), 16-0, 27.8
The Texas Class 2A-I state champion has won eight straight district championships.
28. Florida State University (Tallahassee, Fla.), 8-4, 27.5
The Seminoles are led by quarterback Willie Taggart Jr., the son of Florida State University head coach Willie Taggart.

29. Lafayette Christian Academy (Lafayette, La.), 14-0, 27.3
In the school's short history it has already won a pair of Division IV state championships and has a 20-game winning streak heading into 2019.

30. Grandview (Texas), 14-2, 27.1
The Zebras averaged 42 points per game last year in winning the Texas Class 3A-I state championship.

31. Penns Grove (Carneys Point, N.J.), 13-0, 27.1
The South I Group champions return 10 starters on offense including the entire offensive line.

32. Lena-Winslow (Lena, Ill.), 11-2, 26.9
Split its two games with Forreston and won a Class 1A state championship in 2017.

33. Newton (Texas), 15-0, 26.3
Winners of two straight Class 3A-II state championships and seven straight district titles, Newton has one of the state's top defenders in defensive end James Sylvester (6-4, 225).

34. Taylorsville (Miss.), 15-1, 26.3
With 8,298 yards passing already, junior quarterback Ty Keyes could become the state's all-time leading passer over the next two years.

35. Oakdale (Ijamsville, Md.), 13-0, 25.8
Open less than 10 years, Oakdale picked up its first state championship last year.

36. Maroa-Forsyth (Maroa, Ill.), 13-1, 25.7
Consistently one of the top small school programs in Illinois with a 172-34 record since 2003.

37. Hapeville Charter (Atlanta, Ga.), 10-2, 25.6
Two years removed from a state championship, Hapeville Charter has one of the nation's top receivers in Rico Powers Jr. (6-2, 180).

38. Clearwater Central Catholic (Clearwater, Fla.), 12-1, 25.3
Only loss last year for the seven-time defending district champions was to Class 3A state champion Chaminade-Madonna.

39. Sabetha (Kan.), 13-0, 25.3
The Bluejays have won back-to-back state championships and 20 games in a row at the Kansas Class 2A level.

40. Callaway (Hogansville, Ga.), 11-3, 24.9
The Cavaliers have one of the top running backs in the state this year in Cartavious Bigsby (5-11, 205).

41. Western Boone (Thorntown, Ind.), 15-0, 24.8
The Stars posted the best season in school history last year in winning the Indiana Class 2A state title.

42. Prince Avenue Christian (Athens, Ga.), 11-2, 24.8
A total of 12 starters return, six on each side of the ball, for the Wolverines, including quarterback Brock Vandagriff (6-3, 195), son of coach Greg Vandagriff.

43. Malakoff (Texas), 12-3, 24.6
Two of the Tigers' losses were to state champion Grandview, but Malakoff returns seven starters on defense.

44. Wahoo (Neb.), 10-2, 24.5
Lost twice to Aurora last year, but has won four straight league titles and is 112-49 since 2003.

45. Aurora (Neb.), 13-0, 24.5
The Huskies won their first state title at the C1 level in Nebraska last year after winning back-to-back Class B titles in 2008-09.

46. Phillipsburg (Kan.), 13-0, 24.4
The defending Class 2A state champions won their games by an average of 33 points last year.

47. Wells (Maine), 12-0, 23.9
Winners of three straight state championships, Wells has a 28-game win streak to start the season.

48. Pelham (Ga.), 12-1, 23.8
Quarterback Kendrick Patterson returns to lead the Hornets to a possible Class 1A-Public title in Georgia.

49. Thomasville (Ga.), 7-5, 23.7
The Bulldogs are just two years removed from a 12-1 season.

50. Forreston (Ill.), 12-2, 23.5
The Cardinals have won Illinois Class 1A state championships in 2014, 2016 and 2018.