Sometimes a team's record doesn't tell the whole story. Some teams win big, some win close and others can't seem to catch a break no matter how well they play.
Using the MaxPreps computer rankings and game-by-game scores from the 2026 season, we have come up with 10 different ways to look at the nation's 11-man high school football teams. The lists include everything from the luckiest and unluckiest teams in the country to the most dominant, most entertaining and most battle-tested programs.
To compile the lists, the national computer ratings of more than 13,000 teams were matched with over 50,000 game results through Oct. 19. Teams were then ranked using different statistical formulas that take into account such things as scoring margin, opponent strength, close victories and expected wins. Each list includes an explanation of how the rankings were determined.
Emerging from a giant black cat, the Klein Oak Panthers of Texas have been one of the unluckiest teams in the nation this season with a record of 3-4 despite outscoring opponents by more than 100 points. (PHOTO: Rick Berns)
Some of the results are surprising.
White County (Cleveland, Ga.), for example, ranks No. 1 among the nation's biggest overachievers. The Warriors have a 7-1 record despite a national ranking of No. 6,934 and an average scoring margin of just 4.6 points per game. Based on their computer rating and strength of their opponents, the rural Georgia school has won nearly three more games than expected.
At the other end of the spectrum is
La Marque (Texas), which leads the unluckiest teams list. Despite outscoring opponents by an average of 16.7 points per game, the Cougars have a losing record at 3-4.
Then there is
Knoxville Catholic (Knoxville, Tenn.), which has made a habit of winning close games. The Fighting Irish lead the close-game specialists list with six victories by seven points or fewer.
Not all of the lists focus on winning and losing.
Rockwall (Texas) leads the most entertaining teams rankings, which combine high-scoring games with close finishes.
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) tops the most battle-tested teams list thanks to opponents averaging an 88.2 MaxPreps computer rating.
Smithson Valley (Spring Branch, Texas) leads the most dominant teams rankings with a combination of large scoring margins and opponent strength.
The lists are not intended to replace the MaxPreps national rankings. Instead, they offer a different look at the season, recognizing teams whose accomplishments — or misfortunes — might otherwise go unnoticed.
Luckiest teams
Teams with at least seven wins that have barely outscored their opponents overall. A small average scoring margin suggests a team has found ways to win without dominating the scoreboard. Teams are ranked by the smallest point differential per game. This is a descriptive measure, not proof that their wins were due to luck.
1. Illini West (Carthage, Ill.)
Record: 7-2
National rank: 9,128
MaxPreps rating: 28.1
Points for/against: 256/256
Margin: 0
2. Wausau East (Wausau, Wis.)
Record: 7-2
National rank: 6,844
MaxPreps rating: 36.3
Points for/against: 184/176
Margin: 0.8
3. Fredericktown (Ohio)
Record: 7-2
National rank: 6,448
MaxPreps rating: 37.5
Points for/against: 204/183
Margin: 2.3
4. Knoxville Catholic (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Record: 7-1
National rank: 322
MaxPreps rating: 74.40
Points for/against: 177/157
Margin: 2.5
5. Morris Hills (Rockaway, N.J.)
Record: 7-1
National rank: 7,016
MaxPreps rating: 35.69
Points for/against: 127/101
Margin: 3.2
6. Stark County (Toulon, Ill.)
Record: 7-2
National rank: 8,087
MaxPreps rating: 31.69
Points for/against: 255/225
Margin: 3.3
7. Westlake (Saratoga Springs, Utah)
Record: 7-3
National rank: 601
MaxPreps rating: 68.53
Points for/against: 193/159
Margin: 3.4
8. Louisville (Ohio)
Record: 7-2
National rank: 3,131
MaxPreps rating: 51.07
Points for/against: 208/172
Margin: 4.0
9. West Field (Taylor, Utah)
Record: 7-3
National rank: 4,859
MaxPreps rating: 43.80
Points for/against: 241/200
Margin: 4.1
10. Waynesfield-Goshen (Waynesfield, Ohio)
Record: 7-2
National rank: 8,514
MaxPreps rating: 30.33
Points for/against: 265/227
Margin: 4.2
Best teams with losing records
Teams with more losses than wins that are highest in MaxPreps computer ratings.1. Servite (Anaheim, Calif.)
Record: 3-5
National rank: 172
MaxPreps rating: 79.5
Points for/against: 213/217
Margin: -0.50
2. St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.)
Record: 3-4
National rank: 228
MaxPreps rating: 76.8
Points for/against: 202/205
Margin: -0.43
3. Hoover (Ala.)
Record: 3-6
National rank: 261
MaxPreps rating: 76.17
Points for/against: 210/191
Margin: 2.1
4. John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.)
Record: 2-5
National rank: 286
MaxPreps rating: 75.23
Points for/against: 185/189
Margin: -0.57
5. Houston County (Warner Robins, Ga.)
Record:: 3-4
National rank: 326
MaxPreps rating: 74.18
Points for/against: 272/260
Margin: 1.7
6. Long Beach Poly (Calif.)
Record: 3-4
National rank: 327
MaxPreps rating: 74.15
Points for/against: 167/90
Margin: 11.0
7. Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio)
Record: 3-6
National rank: 344
MaxPreps rating: 73.5
Points for/against: 176/175
Margin: 0.1
8. Edison (Huntington Beach, Calif.)
Record: 3-5
National rank: 357
MaxPreps rating: 73.4
Points for/against: 176/191
Margin: -1.8
9. Archbishop McCarthy (Southwest Ranches, Fla.)
Record: 3-5
National rank: 366
MaxPreps rating: 73.2
Points for/against: 210/160
Margin: 6.2
10. Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (San Francisco, Calif.)
Record: 3-4
National rank: 394
MaxPreps Rating: 73.0
Points for/against: 143/152
Margin: -1.29
Most impressive wins
Each team’s best victory is scored using the opponent’s current MaxPreps rating, plus a bonus for the winning margin. The bonus is 0.15 points per point of victory, counting no more than a 35-point margin. Higher scores mean stronger opponents and/or more convincing wins.
1. Columbus (Miami, Fla.)
Record: 8-1
National rank: 19
MaxPreps rating: 95.8
Points for/against: 371/96
Margin: 30.56
Metric: 104.5
Detail: Defeated Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) 33-28 on Aug. 29, opponent rating 103.8
2. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)
Record: 8-0
National rank: 3
MaxPreps rating: 101.1
Points for/against: 240/44
Margin: 24.50
Metric: 101.3
Detail: Defeated St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) 21-7 on Oct. 16, opponent rating 99.2
3. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Record: 7-1
National rank: 1
MaxPreps rating: 103.8
Points for/against: 332/89
Margin: 30.38
Metric: 100.74
Detail: Defeated St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) 38-28 on Aug. 21, opponent rating 99.2
4. Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
Record: 8-0
National rank: 11
MaxPreps rating: 98
Points for/against: 338/130
Margin: 26
Metric: 98.89
Detail: Defeated Trinity (Louisville, Ky.) 35-27 on Sept. 11, opponent rating 97.6
5. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Record: 8-0
National rank: 4
MaxPreps rating: 100.1
Points for/against: 340/85
Margin: 31.8
Metric: 96.8
Detail: Defeated Columbus (Miami, Fla.) 31-24 on Sept. 4, opponent rating 95.8
6. Prattville (Ala.)
Record: 8-0
National rank: 16
MaxPreps rating: 96.8
Points for/against: 370/145
Margin: 28.1
Metric: 96.1
Detail: Defeated Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.) 28-27 on Oct. 16, opponent rating 96.0
7. Hough (Cornelius, N.C.)
Record: 8-0
National rank: 21
MaxPreps rating: 95.0
Points for/against: 337/33
Margin: 38
Metric: 95.7
Detail: Defeated Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C) 15-10 on Aug. 22, opponent rating 95.0
8. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
Record: 7-0
National rank: 8
MaxPreps rating: 99.2
Points for/against: 303/77
Margin: 32.2
Metric: 94.0
Detail: Beat Centennial (Corona, Calif.) 35-32 on Sept. 26, opponent rating 93.6
9. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Record: 6-2
National rank: 10
MaxPreps rating: 98.1
Points for/against: 205/129
Margin: 9.5
Metric: 93.7
Detail: Beat Centennial (Corona, Calif.) 10-9 on Sept. 11, opponent rating 93.6
10. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
Record: 8-0
National rank: 2
MaxPreps rating: 102.4
Points for/against: 328/48
Margin: 35
Metric: 93.4
Detail: Beat Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) 28-10 on Sept. 18, opponent rating 90.7
Most battle-tested teams
The strength of the teams each school has faced. It averages the current MaxPreps ratings of rated opponents, requiring at least six such games. A higher number indicates a more demanding schedule, it does not necessarily mean the team won those games.1. Mater Dei
Record: 6-2
National rank: 10
MaxPreps rating: 98.1
Points for/against: 205/129
Margin: 9.5
Metric: 88.2
2. Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)
Record: 5-3
National rank: 32
MaxPreps rating: 90.77
Points for/against: 246/154
Margin: 11.5
Metric: 86.4
3. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
Record: 6-2
National rank: 9
MaxPreps rating: 99.2
Points for/against: 286/160
Margin: 15.7
Metric: 85.2
4. Saint Louis (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Record: 1-7
National rank: 629
MaxPreps rating: 67.6
Points for/against: 63/278
Margin: -26.8
Metric: 84.4
5. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
Record: 4-4
National rank: 138
MaxPreps rating: 81.3
Points for/against: 255/228
Margin: 3.38
Metric: 84.0
6. Centennial (Corona, Calif.)
Record: 5-3
National rank: 23
MaxPreps rating: 93.6
Points for/against: 296/142
Margin: 19.2
Metric: 83.8
7. Servite (Anaheim, Calif.)
Record: 3-5
National rank: 172
MaxPreps rating: 79.5
Points for/against: 213/217
Margin: -0.50
Metric: 82.4
8. Legacy School of Sport Sciences (Spring, Texas)
Record: 0-7
National rank: 837
MaxPreps rating: 65.3
Points for/against: 102/266
Margin: -23.4
Metric: 82.1
9. Roman Catholic (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Record: 5-2
National rank: 125
MaxPreps rating: 82.2
Points for/against: 150/116
Margin: 4.8
Metric: 81.3
10. Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills, Calif.)
Record: 4-3
National rank: 150
MaxPreps rating: 80.6
Points for/against: 161/149
Margin: 1.71
Metric: 81.0
Most entertaining teams
This index rewards games with lots of scoring and close finishes. It factors combined points per game (55 percent) with the share of games decided by a touchdown or less (45 percent) scaled to a 100-point index. Higher scores indicate more action and competitive finishes.
1. Rockwall (Texas)
Record: 5-2
National rank: 319
MaxPreps rating: 74.4
Points for/against: 358/320
Margin: 5.4
Metric: 78.9
2. Americas (El Paso, Texas)
Record: 2-5
National rank: 5,132
MaxPreps rating: 42.6
Points for/against: 259/314
Margin: -7.8
Metric: 77.1
3. McCracken County (Paducah, Ky.)
Record: 5-3
National rank: 3,838
MaxPreps rating: 47.9
Points for/against: 323/303
Margin: 2.5
Metric: 76.7
4. Robinson (Texas)
Record: 6-1
National rank: 802
MaxPreps rating: 65.6
Points for/against: 284/230
Margin: 7.71
Metric: 72.5
5. Penney (Hamilton, Mo.)
Record: 2-6
National rank: 8,173
MaxPreps rating: 31.4
Points for/against: 266/287
Margin: -2.62
Metric: 71.7
6. Benton (Ark.)
Record: 4-3
National rank: 718
MaxPreps rating: 66.5
Points for/against: 288/293
Margin: -0.71
Metric: 71.3
7. Palisades (Pacific Palisades, Calif.)
Record: 4-3
National rank: 5,130
MaxPreps rating: 42.6
Points for/against: 209/198
Margin: 1.5
Metric: 70.5
8. Santa Cruz (Calif.)
Record: 4-4
National rank: 8,305
MaxPreps rating: 30.9
Points for/against: 265/267
Margin: -0.25
Metric: 70.3
9. Haskell (Texas)
Record: 5-2
National rank: 3,776
MaxPreps rating: 48.1
Points for/against: 426/300
Margin: 18
Metric: 69.9
10. Camarillo (Calif.)
Record: 4-4
National rank: 3,246
MaxPreps rating: 50.6
Points for/against: 277/247
Margin: 3.7
Metric: 69.7
Unluckiest teams
Teams with losing records even though they have scored more points than their opponents across the season. The metric is their positive average scoring margin per game, so the leaders have the biggest scoring advantage despite losing more often than they win. The label "unlucky" is shorthand, not a statistical determination of luck.1. La Marque (Texas)
Record: 3-4
National rank: 2,676
MaxPreps rating: 52.8
Points for/against: 297/180
Margin: 16.71
2. Klein Oak (Spring, Texas)
Record: 3-4
National rank: 797
MaxPreps rating: 65.7
Points for/against: 260/150
Margin: 15.71
3. Cherokee Bluff (Flowery Branch, Ga.)
Record: 3-4
National rank: 3,950
MaxPreps rating: 47.5
Points for/against: 202/94
Margin: 15.43
4. Skidmore-Tynan (Skidmore, Texas)
Record: 3-4
National rank: 9,735
MaxPreps rating: 26.1
Points for/against: 284/193
Margin: 13
5. Benjamin Logan (Bellefontaine, Ohio)
Record: 4-5
National rank: 4,251
MaxPreps rating: 46.2
Points for/against: 287/174
Margin: 12.5
6. Fond du Lac (Wis.)
Record: 4-5
National rank: 2,266
MaxPreps rating: 55.1
Points for/against: 246/134
Margin: 12.44
7. Woodland Christian (Woodland, Calif.)
Record: 3-4
National rank: 8,695
MaxPreps rating: 29.6
Points for/against: 258/171
Margin: 12.43
8. Marist (Eugene, Ore.)
Record: 3-4
National rank: 5,414
MaxPreps rating: 41.4
Points for/against: 282/196
Margin: 12.2
9. Rayville (La.)
Record: 3-4
National rank: 8,626
MaxPreps rating: 30.0
Points for/against: 196/110
Margin: 12.2
10. Deweyville (Texas)
Record: 3-5
National rank: 11,511
MaxPreps rating: 15.4
Points for/against: 255/158
Margin: 12.1
Giant killers
This list counts wins over teams whose current MaxPreps rating is more than 10 points higher than the winner's rating. The metric is the number of those wins. Ties are broken by the combined size of the rating gaps. Current ratings are used, not necessarily the ratings at the time of each game.1. Highlands (North Highlands, Calif.)
Record: 4-4
National rank: 11,854
MaxPreps rating: 11.5
Points for/against: 293/173
Margin: 15
Metric: 2
2. Western Tech & Environmental Science (Baltimore, Md.)
Record: 2-5
National rank: 12,060
MaxPreps rating: 8.0
Points for/against: 88/191
Margin: -14.71
Metric: 2
3. Arlington (Texas)
Record: 4-3
National rank: 2,820
MaxPreps rating: 52.2
Points for/against: 254/200
Margin: 7.7
Metric: 2
4. Oshkosh West (Oshkosh, Wis.)
Record: 4-5
National rank: 5,379
MaxPreps rating: 41.7
Points for/against: 89/169
Margin: -8.89
Metric: 2
5. Bakersfield (Calif.)
Record: 6-2
National rank: 981
MaxPreps rating: 64.1
Points for/against: 271/135
Margin: 17
Metric: 2
6. Wallington (N.J.)
Record: 3-5
National rank: 12,143
MaxPreps rating: 7.5
Points for/against: 65/223
Margin: -19.75
Metric: 2
7. Hoke County (Raeford, N.C.)
Record: 5-3
National rank: 4,266
MaxPreps rating: 46.1
Points for/against: 201/216
Margin: -1.88
Metric: 2
8. West Las Vegas (Las Vegas, N.M.)
Record: 5-3
National rank: 7,819
MaxPreps rating: 32.5
Points for/against: 173/162
Margin: 1.38
Metric: 2
9. Lake Nona (Orlando, Fla.)
Record: 7-1
National rank: 1,290
MaxPreps rating: 61.5
Points for/against: 302/85
Margin: 27.1
Metric: 2
10. Gilmer County (Glenville, W.Va.)
Record: 2-5
National rank: 12,772
MaxPreps rating: 2.7
Points for/against: 141/262
Margin: -17.29
Metric: 2
Most dominant teams
This index starts with a team’s average scoring margin then adjusts it according to the average rating of its opponents. Playing tougher opponents raises the score, playing weaker opponents lowers it. The adjustment is 0.35 times the difference between the average opponent rating and 40. It is an exploratory measure, not an official MaxPreps statistic.1. Smithson Valley (Spring Branch, Texas)
Record: 7-0
National rank: 475
MaxPreps rating: 71.5
Points for/against: 481/55
Margin: 60.8
Metric: 58.69
2. Carrollwood Day (Tampa, Fla.)
Record: 8-0
National rank: 147
MaxPreps rating: 80.7
Points for/against: 467/51
Margin: 52
Metric: 54.9
3. Desert Mountain (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Record: 7-0
National rank: 544
MaxPreps rating: 69.7
Points for/against: 381/23
Margin: 51.1
Metric: 52.9
4. Allen (Texas)
Record: 7-0
National rank: 6
MaxPreps rating: 100.0
Points for/against: 388/93
Margin: 42.1
Metric: 52.9
5. Carrollton (Ga.)
Record: 8-0
National rank: 18
MaxPreps rating: 95.9
Points for/against: 451/97
Margin: 44.2
Metric: 51.8
6. Gregory-Portland (Portland, Texas)
Record: 8-0
National rank: 495
MaxPreps rating: 70.3
Points for/against: 488/66
Margin: 52.7
Metric: 51.6
7. Thomas County Central (Thomasville, Ga.)
Record: 8-0
National rank: 12
MaxPreps rating: 97.8
Points for/against: 434/90
Margin: 43
Metric: 51.6
8. Royal (Royal City, Wash.)
Record: 7-0
National rank: 545
MaxPreps rating: 69.7
Points for/against: 397/29
Margin: 52.5
Metric: 51.2
9. South Putnam (Greencastle, Ind.)
Record: 9-0
National rank: 541
MaxPreps rating: 69.8
Points for/against: 507/40
Margin: 51.8
Metric: 50.4
10. Cartersville (Ga.)
Record: 8-0
National rank: 477
MaxPreps rating: 71.5
Points for/against: 420/35
Margin: 48.1
Metric: 50.3
Close-game specialists
These teams have the most victories decided by seven points or fewer. Teams need at least five total wins to qualify. The metric is simply the number of close wins, so a higher figure means the team has repeatedly come out ahead in tight games.1. Knoxville Catholic (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Record: 7-1
National rank: 322
MaxPreps rating: 74.4
Points for/against: 177/157
Margin: 2.5
Metric: 6
2. Skyridge (Lehi, Utah)
Record: 8-1
National rank: 42
MaxPreps rating: 89.5
Points for/against: 257/192
Margin: 7.2
Metric: 5
3. Fordson (Dearborn, Mich.)
Record: 7-1
National rank: 3,540
MaxPreps rating: 49.4
Points for/against: 201/107
Margin: 11.7
Metric: 5
4. Rockridge (Taylor Ridge, Ill.)
Record: 7-1
National rank: 4,922
MaxPreps rating: 43.5
Points for/against: 163/97
Margin: 8.2
Metric: 5
5. White County (Cleveland, Ga.)
Record: 7-1
National rank: 6,934
MaxPreps rating: 35.97
Points for/against: 203/166
Margin: 4.62
Metric: 5
6. Garden Plain (Kan.)
Record: 6-1
National rank: 3,204
MaxPreps rating: 50.8
Points for/against: 169/131
Margin: 5.4
Metric: 5
7. Brainerd (Minn.)
Record: 6-1
National rank: 3,651
MaxPreps rating: 48.75
Points for/against: 209/140
Margin: 9.8
Metric: 5
8. American Leadership Academy (Spanish Fork, Utah)
Record: 6-4
National rank: 11,159
MaxPreps rating: 18.1
Points for/against: 177/275
Margin: -9.80
Metric: 5
9. Clark/Willow Lake (Clark, S.D.)
Record: 9-0
National rank: 4,060
MaxPreps rating: 47.0
Points for/against: 291/130
Margin: 17.8
Metric: 4
10. Southeast Polk (Pleasant Hill, Iowa)
Record: 8-0
National rank: 908
MaxPreps rating: 64.8
Points for/against: 290/157
Margin: 16.6
Metric: 4
Overachievers
Compares how many games a team actually won with how many a rating-based model expected it to win against its rated opponents. The metric is actual wins minus expected wins. For example, a score of 2.71 means the team won about 2.7 more games than its computer ratings and schedule would predict. This is an estimate based on a model, not an official MaxPreps measure.
1. White County
Record: 7-1
National rank: 6,934
MaxPreps rating: 35.9
Points for/against: 203/166
Margin: 4.6
Metric: 2.7
2. Morris Hills (Rockaway, N.J.)
Record: 7-1
National rank: 7,016
MaxPreps rating: 35.6
Points for/against: 127/101
Margin: 3.2
Metric: 2.6
3. Louisville (Ohio)
Record: 7-2
National rank: 3,131
MaxPreps rating: 51.0
Points for/against: 208/172
Margin: 4
Metric: 2.5
4. Knoxville Catholic
Record: 7-1
National rank: 322
MaxPreps rating: 74.4
Points for/against: 177/157
Margin: 2.5
Metric: 2.4
5. Eastlake (Chula Vista, Calif.)
Record: 8-1
National rank: 4,754
MaxPreps rating: 44.1
Points for/against: 217/99
Margin: 13.1
Metric: 2.3
6. Boise (Idaho)
Record: 8-1
National rank: 3,001
MaxPreps rating: 51.6
Points for/against: 297/201
Margin: 10.6
Metric: 2.3
7. Montclair (Calif.)
Record: 7-1
National rank: 7,376
MaxPreps rating: 34.4
Points for/against: 173/111
Margin: 7.7
Metric: 2.2
8. Central (Martinsburg, Pa.)
Record: 7-1
National rank: 4,832
MaxPreps rating: 43.8
Points for/against: 222/162
Margin: 7.5
Metric: 2.2
9. Southeast Polk
Record: 8-0
National rank: 908
MaxPreps rating: 64.8
Points for/against: 290/157
Margin: 16.6
Metric: 2.2
10. South Forsyth (Cumming, Ga.)
Record: 6-2
National rank: 4,006
MaxPreps rating: 47.2
Points for/against: 244/208
Margin: 4.5
Metric: 2.2
