MaxPreps Small Schools Top 25 national high school football rankings

Also joining the rankings this week was Anna (Ohio) and Kirtland (Ohio) at Nos. 19 and 20, respectively. Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.) also entered at No. 25.

Two of the nation's top three teams, Brethren Christian (Simi Valley, Calif.), and Cedar Grove (Ellenwood, Ga.) were idle, but Cardinal Ritter (St. Louis) moved closer to the top spot as jumped two places to No. 2 with a big win.

Most impressive win: Trinity Christian Academy 42, Carol City 21. One week after Carol City had defeated Chaminade-Madonna, Trinity Christian Academy upset Carol City by 21 points. The win moved the Conquerors from No. 15 to No. 9.

Game of the Week: Callaway 56, Troup County 45. The two Georgia teams combined for over 100 points with Callaway gaining over 400 yards of offense despite receiving only minimal minutes from top recruit Tank Bigsby, who was sidelined with an injury. Demetrius Coleman threw for 254 yards in Bigsby's absence.

Game to watch: Anna vs. Marion Local. Winners of six state championships over the past eight seasons, Marion Local actually goes into this game as the underdog since Anna is undefeated and ranked No. 19 in this week's small schools rankings.

Best individual performance: Jake Hemmelgarn, Coldwater (Ohio). The quarterback had nearly 400 yards of total offense, throwing for 237 and two scores and also rushing for 151 yards to lift Coldwater from No. 21 to No. 8 in this week's rankings.

Dropped out: No. 8 Eagle's Landing Christian Academy (McDonough, Ga.); No. 9 Wahoo (Neb.); No. 15 Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City, Okla.); No. 20 Orrville (Ohio); No. 21 Pierce (Neb.); No. 23 Wall (Texas).

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 No. 1) Grace Brethren (Simi Valley, Calif.), 4-0, 56.4
Results: Did not play
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. Westlake (Westlake Village)

2. (4) Cardinal Ritter College Prep (St. Louis), 4-0, 53.2
Results: Defeated Helias (Jefferson City) 48-14
Highlights: The Lions took advantage of five interceptions and three fumble recoveries by the defense to beat Helias.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. Father Tolton (Columbia)

3. (3) Cedar Grove (Ellenwood, Ga.), 2-2, 51.6
Results: Did not play
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. Lovett (Atlanta)

4. (6) Irwin County (Ocilla, Ga.), 3-0, 51.0
Results: Defeated Clinch County (Homerville) 14-0
Highlights: Gabriel Benyard had a 78-yard touchdown run and Irwin County intercepted three Clinch County passes in a game between the top two Class A public schools in Georgia.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. Telfair County (McRae)

5. (7) Peach County (Fort Valley, Ga.), 3-1, 48.0
Results: Defeated Mary Persons (Forsyth) 44-13
Highlights: Sergio Allen had a 63-yard touchdown reception and led Peach County on defense.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. Kendrick (Columbus)

6. (2) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), 4-1, 46.1
Results: Defeated St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) 28-20
Highlights: Chayden Peery threw for 134 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for a score.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. Bakersfield.

7. (5) Southern Columbia Area (Catawissa, Pa.), 5-0, 45.2
Results: Defeated Central Columbia (Bloomsburg) 62-0
Highlights: Gaige Garcia ran for three touchdowns and Julian Fleming caught four passes for 165 yards and a touchdown.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. South Williamsport

8. (21) Coldwater (Ohio), 4-0, 44.1
Results: Defeated Minster 38-20
Highlights: Jake Hemmelgarn completed 18-of-25 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 151 yards and two scores for Coldwater.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. Fort Recovery

9. (15) Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.), 2-3, 43.6
Results: Defeated Carol City 42-21
Highlights: Jacory Jordan threw for 301 yards and three touchdowns, Kyjuan Herndon rushed for 138 yards and two scores and Marcus Burke caught five passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. Pahokee

10. (23) Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio), 4-0, 43.1
Results: Defeated Bishop Dunne (Dallas) 26-23
Highlights: Scored in the final minutes to come from behind and defeat the defending TAPPS Division 1 state champions.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. Bishop Lynch (Dallas)

11. (11) Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.), 4-1, 43.0
Results: Defeated Atlantic (Delray Beach) 17-14
Highlights: Thaddius Franklin ran for 89 yards and two touchdowns against Atlantic.
Next Game: Oct. 4 vs. Doral Academy (Doral)

12. (10) Taylorsville (Miss.), 5-0, 42.4
Results: Defeated Collins 35-0
Highlights: Ty Keyes threw for 238 yards and four touchdowns in the win. He now has 100 touchdown passes in his career.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. Jackson Prep (Jackson)

13. (NR) Madison County (Madison, Fla.), 5-0, 42.0
Results: Defeated Florida State University (Tallahassee) 37-8
Highlights: Robert Hiers ran for 173 yards and two touchdowns and Vinsonta Allen added 116 yards and two scores for Madison County.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. Lakewood (St. Petersburg, Fla.)

14. (14) Lutheran North (St. Louis), 2-1, 41.3
Results: Defeated Westminster Christian (St. Louis) 63-14
Highlights: Brian Brown had touchdown runs of 1, 8, 4 and 3 yards to lead Lutheran North.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. Lutheran South (St. Louis)

15. (19) McClymonds (Oakland, Calif.), 4-0, 40.8
Results: Defeated Downey (Modesto), 55-6
Highlights: Daveonne Sanders caught a 99-yard touchdown pass and Edward Woods had a 90-yard punt return for the Warriors.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. San Leandro

16. (23) Dublin (Ga.), 4-0, 40.3
Results: Defeated Brooks County (Quitman) 49-35
Highlights: Zion Kemp had a 44-yard touchdown run and Markelle Mitchell had two touchdowns for the Irish.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. East Laurens (East Dublin)

17. (12) Clinch County (Homerville, Ga.), 3-1, 39.9
Results: Lost to Irwin County 14-0
Highlights: Three interceptions hurt Clinch County in its loss to No. 4 Irwin County.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. Wilcox County (Rochelle)

18. (17) Newton (Texas), 3-0, 38.9
Results: Did not play
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. Gilmer

19. (NR) Anna (Ohio), 4-0, 38.3
Results: Defeated St. Henry 48-7
Highlights: Riley Huelskamp rushed for 213 yards and two touchdowns and Bart Bixler had 146 yards and two touchdowns for Anna.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. Marion Local.

20. (NR) Kirtland (Ohio), 4-0, 37.5
Results: Defeated Riverside (Painesville) 28-7
Highlights: Mason Sullivan ran for 174 yards to keep Kirtland undefeated.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. Wickliffe

21. (NR) Callaway (Hogansville, Ga.), 3-1, 37.3
Results: Defeated Troup County (LaGrange) 55-45
Highlights: Demetrius Coleman threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns for Callaway, which got limited play from the injured Cartavious Bigsby.
Next Game: Sept. 26 vs. Temple.

22. (18) Hapeville Charter (Atlanta), 2-1, 37.0
Results: Defeated Therrell (Atlanta) 43-6
Highlights: Marcus Carroll ran for 153 yards in the win.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. McNair

23. (13) Shelby (N.C.), 3-1, 36.9
Results: Lost to Kings Mountain 42-17
Highlights: King Mountain limited Shelby to negative 11 yards rushing, although Isaiah Bess did throw for 176 yards and two touchdowns.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. East Gaston (Mt. Holly)

24. (NR) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa, Calif.), 3-1, 36.8
Results: Lost to Liberty (Brentwood), 17-14
Highlights: Jackson Pavitt had 235 yards passing and two touchdowns in the loss to Liberty.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. Balboa (San Francisco)

25. (NR) Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.), 4-0, 36.7
Results: Defeated IMG Academy White (Bradenton) 42-7
Highlights: Travis Bates ran for 108 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
Next Game: Sept. 27 vs. Tampa Catholic (Tampa)