MaxPreps Small Schools Top 25 national high school football rankings: Sierra Canyon remains No. 1 but road gets tougher

Although Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) has under 1,000 students, it plays in the Southern Section Division 2 tournament against schools with much larger enrollments. Sierra Canyon will open the postseason with a matchup against Santa Margarita. Sierra Canyon concluded the regular season with a win over Paraclete (Lancaster).

Most impressive win: Southern Columbia Area 75, Towanda 0. The Tigers scored eight touchdowns on their first nine plays of the game, including a 64-yard touchdown pass to Julian Fleming on the first play of the game. SCA finished with 645 yards of total offense, including 500 in the first half.

Game of the Week: Sierra Canyon 24, Paraclete 20. Sierra Canyon needed 15 points in the final period in order to recover from a 20-9 deficit. Chayden Peery threw the game-winning pass to JD Sumlin in the final minutes.

Game to watch: Anna vs. Minster. Anna draws a tough first-round playoff game as it takes on 9-1 Minster. The lone loss for Minster came against Coldwater, a team Anna knocked off late in the season.

Best individual performance: Jaques Evans, Dublin. With Dublin scoring 77 points and rushing for 758 yards, Evans did the bulk of the work as he had 375 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

Dropped out: No. 14 Coldwater (Ohio), No. 22 Dallas Christian (Mesquite, Texas), No. 23 Kirtland (Ohio), No. 25 Adams Central (Hastings, Neb.).

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
1. (Last week 1) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), 9-1, 56.4
Results: Defeated Paraclete (Lancaster), 24-20
Highlights: JD Sumlin caught six passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns in the win while Chayden Peery threw for 196 yards and two scores.
Next Game: Friday vs. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita)

2. (3) Cedar Grove (Ellenwood, Ga.), 7-2, 53.7
Results: Did not play
Next Game: Saturday vs. Stone Mountain

3. (5) Grace Brethren (Simi Valley, Calif.), 9-1, 53.2
Results: Defeated Camarillo, 28-13
Highlights: Josh Henderson rushed for 134 yards on 22 carries with one touchdown to lead Grace Brethren.
Next Game: Friday vs. Westlake (Westlake Village)

4. (2) Southern Columbia Area (Catawissa, Pa.), 11-0, 53.0
Results: Defeated Towanda, 75-0
Highlights: Gaige Garcia ran for 177 yards and two touchdowns on just three carries while Gavin Garcia rushed for 143 yards and three touchdowns on only three carries for SCA.
Next Game: Saturday vs. North Penn-Mansfield (Mansfield)

5. (6) Madison County (Madison, Fla.), 8-2, 52.2
Results: Defeated Crestview, 34-13
Highlights: Vinsonta Allen threw for 185 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 122 yards and two scores for Madison County.
Next Game: First-round playoff bye

6. (4) Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.), 8-2, 51.2
Results: Defeated Everglades (Miramar), 52-0
Highlights: Freshman Charles Williams had 79 yards on seven carries with a touchdown in the Lions rout.
Next Game: First-round playoff bye

7. (10) Shiner (Texas), 9-0, 48.6
Results: Did not play
Next Game: Friday vs. Brazos (Wallis)

8. (15) Wahoo (Neb.), 10-0, 48.3
Results: Defeated Boys Town, 56-0
Highlights: Trevin Luben rushed for 74 yards on 11 carries with three touchdowns for the winners.
Next Game: Friday vs. Scotus (Columbus)

9. (9) McClymonds (Oakland, Calif.), 8-0, 48.0
Results: Defeated Oakland, 68-0
Highlights: The Warriors have outscored OAL opponents 236-0
Next Game: Friday vs. Oakland Tech

10. (8) Irwin County (Ocilla, Ga.), 8-0, 47.9
Results: Defeated Atkinson County (Pearson), 52-0
Highlights: Jamorri Colson ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns on a pair of carries
Next Game: Friday vs. Turner County (Ashburn)

11. (16) Dublin (Ga.), 10-0, 47.5
Results: Defeated Suwanee (Live Oak, Fla.), 77-48
Highlights: Dublin had 758 yards rushing, according to Georgia High School Football Daily with Jaques Evans gaining 375 yards with seven touchdowns.
Next Game: Friday vs. Washington County

12. (7) Lutheran North (St. Louis), 9-0, 47.3
Results: Defeated Grandview (Hillsboro), 62-0
Highlights: Lutheran North scored on a pair of blocked punt recoveries, an interception and a punt return.
Next Game: Friday vs. Cuba

13. (NR) Lena-Winslow (Lena, Ill.), 10-0, 47.0
Results: Defeated Aurora Christian (Aurora), 46-8
Highlights: Sean Ormiston scored three touchdowns and had 230 yards on 15 carries for Lena-Winslow.
Next Game: Friday vs. Orangeville

13. (11) Holy Innocents Episcopal (Atlanta), 9-0, 47.0
Results: Defeated Landmark Christian (Fairburn), 56-14
Highlights: Michael Cox ran for 131 yards and two touchdowns and Matt Davis added 148 yards and three scores for HIE.
Next Game: Friday vs. Our Lady of Mercy

15. (17) Anna (Ohio), 9-1, 46.2
Results: Defeated St. John's (Delphos), 56-7
Highlights: Bart Bixler threw for 160 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 57 yards and two scores.
Next Game: Friday vs. Minster

15. (NR) Andale (Kan.), 9-0, 46.2
Results: Defeated Clay Center, 68-7
Highlights: Eli Rowland scored on three runs and a 61-yard punt return for Andale.
Next Game: Friday vs. Clearwater

17. (13) Penns Grove (Carneys Point, N.J.), 9-0, 45.9
Results: Defeated Salem, 27-21
Highlights: Nasir Robinson had another big game, rushing for 112 yards and three touchdowns.
Next Game: Saturday vs. Keansburg

18. (20) Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.), 5-5, 45.5
Results: Did not play.
Next Game: Friday vs. Trinity Catholic (Ocala)

19. (18) Eagle's Landing Christian Academy (McDonough, Ga.), 8-1, 45.4
Results: Defeated Mount Vernon Presbyterian (Atlanta), 56-3
Highlights: Justin Robinson scored on a 55-yard fumble return and a 69-yard pass.
Next Game: Friday vs. Landmark Christian.

20. (NR) Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah, Fla.), 6-3, 45.2
Results: Did not play
Next Game: First round playoff bye

21. (21) Peach County (Fort Valley, Ga.), 8-1, 45.1
Results: Defeated Jackson, 49-14
Highlights: Noah Whittington had 128 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Next Game: Friday vs. Westside-Macon

22. (12) Wall (Texas), 9-0, 45.1
Results: Defeated Breckenridge, 20-6
Highlights: Seven different ball carriers combined for 285 yards rushing, led by Drew Morrison with 79 yards and one touchdown.
Next Game: Friday vs. Early

23. (24) Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.), 8-1, 45.0
Results: Defeated Middleton (Tampa), 37-6
Highlights: Xavier Townsend had 43 yards on just seven carries, but scored three touchdowns in the win.
Next Game: First round playoff bye

24. (NR) Diboll (Texas), 9-0, 44.9
Results: Defeated Franklin, 34-7
Highlights: Diboll won its first district championship in 19 years with the victory.
Next Game: Friday vs. Trinity

25. (19) Shelby (N.C.), 8-1, 44.8
Results: Defeated East Rutherford (Forest City), 63-7
Highlights: Isaiah Bess completed 14-of-16 passes for 225 yards and four touchdowns for Shelby.
Next Game: Friday vs. South Point (Belmont)