MaxPreps 2014 Preseason Small Schools National High School Football Rankings

Trinity Christian Academy starts the season as the No. 22 team in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Football Rankings, but the Conquerors are the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps Preseason Small Schools National Football Rankings.

With nine Division 1 prospects dotting the roster, Trinity Christian Academy easily outdistances No. 2 Kingfisher in the small schools rankings, which are based on the MaxPreps Computer Rankings. The Conquerors start the season with a ranking of 71.3 while Kingfisher comes in at 60.1.

Texas has the highest number of teams in the preseason rankings with six, topped by Cisco at No. 4. Washington, Oklahoma and Ohio have three apiece.


1. Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.), 12-1, 71.3
The Conquerors are the clear small schools favorite after going 12-1 last year and winning the Florida Class 3A state championship. Trinity Christian returns nine Division 1 prospects, including defensive back Kevin Toliver and linebacker  Jeff Holland, who are ranked among the top players in the country at their respective positions.



2. Kingfisher (Okla.), 15-0, 60.1
The Yellowjackets return seven starters on both sides of the ball from a team that went 15-0 and won a Class 3A state championship last year.

3. Lynden (Wash.), 14-0, 59.0
The Lions have won 27 games in a row and have won three straight state championships at the Class 2A level in Washington.

4. Cisco (Texas), 16-0, 53.7
Cisco enters the 2014 season with a 16-game win streak after winning a Class 2A-II state championship last year. The Loboes have five returning starters on offense and six on defense, including all-state picks Bailey Edwards at tackle and Kotie Hoover at defensive back.

5. Coldwater (Ohio), 13-2, 51.4
The Cavaliers have won two straight Division V state championships behind returning starting quarterback Brody Hoying. They also return 11 total starters on offense and defense combined.

6. White Oak (Texas), 13-2, 48.0
The Roughnecks finished 13-2 last year, losing in the Class 2A state playoffs to Cameron Yoe. White Oak returns running back Riley Lakin and defensive back Jake Pullen.

7. Skutt Catholic (Omaha, Neb.), 12-1, 47.4
After losing the season opener to Gretna last year, Skutt Catholic has won 12 in a row, including a Class B state championship.



8. Shiocton (Wis.), 14-0, 47.3
The Chiefs posted 11 shutouts last year and allowed just 28 points all season in winning the Division 6 state championship with a 14-0 record.

9. Bassfield (Miss.), 15-1, 46.2
Winner of the Class 2A state championship the past two seasons, Bassfield has one of the nation's top defensive backs in Jamal Peters.

10. Cameron Yoe (Cameron, Texas), 15-1, 46.0
Winner of back-to-back Class 2A-1 state championships, Yoe returns only three starters on offense and defense, however Traion Smith returns at running back and Aaron Sims returns at wide receiver.

11. Marion Local (Maria Stein, Ohio), 15-0, 45.9
It should be another strong season for the Division VII state champions, as the Flyers return seven starters on offense and eight on defense. Marion Local has 22 straight wins and has won three straight state championships.

12. Wall (Texas), 15-1, 45.2
Wall fell to Yoe in the state playoffs with the loss ending a 15-game winning streak. The Hawks have won three straight district championships.

13. Madison Academy (Ala.), 15-0, 44.7
The Mustangs have won the last two Class 3A state championships and have a 25-game win streak. Auburn-bound running back Kerryon Johnson ranks as one of the state's best.



14. Lovett (Atlanta), 14-1, 43.8
The Lions won the Class AA state title last year with a 14-1 record and return a pair of Division I prospects in defensive end Jack Gearon and wide receiver Jonathan Thomas.

15. St. Joseph (Hammonton, N.J.), 11-1, 43.0
The Wildcats have won five section championships in a row and went 11-1 last season. Over the last decade, St. Joseph has lost just 16 games.

16. Maine-Endwell (Endwell, N.Y.), 13-0, 42.7
Winners of three straight state championships, the Spartans have a 38-game win streak entering the season.

17. Louisville (Miss.), 16-0, 42.6
After going undefeated in 2013, Louisville will return just one starter on defense and five starters on offense. The Wildcats have one of the top receivers in Mississippi in junior Dontae Jones.

18. Hallettsville (Texas), 13-1, 42.6
Another victim of Yoe in the postseason, the Brahmas finished 13-1 and have won two straight district crowns. Wide receiver Trenton McGee was an all-state third-team pick last year, as was defensive back Jimario Grounds. Quarterback Nate Kowalik also returns.

19. Blanchard (Okla.), 13-1, 42.5
The Lions' only loss came against Kingfisher in last year's playoffs. The Class 3A state champion in 2012, Blanchard returns five starters on offense and defense in 2014.



20. Black Hawk (South Wayne, Wis.), 14-0, 42.5
The Warriors went undefeated in capturing the Division 7 state championship.

21. Waskom (Texas), 14-1, 42.3
The Wildcats lost to Refugio in the playoffs, but they return eight starters on offense and nine on defense.

22. Davis (Okla.), 15-0, 41.8
Winner of eight straight district championships, Davis went undefeated last year and won a Class 2A state championship.

23. Ellensburg (Wash.), 12-1, 41.8
The Bulldogs lost only to Lynden last year while racking up a 12-1 mark. All-state players Brayton Leach (tight end) and Gabe Caskey (running back/linebacker) return.

24. Bishop Hartley (Columbus, Ohio), 13-2, 41.7
The Hawks' only losses last year were to Coldwater. Six starters return on offense and defense, including defensive lineman Tayron Washington and safety Jack Zang.

25. Freeman (Rockford, Wash.), 14-0, 41.3
The Scotties return 10 total starters and have an undefeated JV team moving up. Among the returners are quarterback Preston Hoppman and running back Markus Goldbach.