Video: Grace Brethren vs. Sierra Canyon highlights
The two California schools are playing this weekend for section titles.
A new team takes over the No. 1 ranking in the MaxPreps Small Schools National Football Rankings after Wahoo defeated Pierce in the Nebraska Class C1 state championship game.
Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), last week's No. 1 team, could move back into the top spot next week as it plays Chaminade (West Hills) in the Southern Section Division 2 championship game this week.
Most impressive win: Wahoo 38, Pierce 0. Wahoo had never won a state title in football and it was facing the No. 1 team in the state in Pierce, but Trevin Luben's five touchdown performance gave Wahoo the Nebraska Class C1 state title and moved it to the top of the small schools national rankings.
Game of the Week: Leavitt 30, Maine Central Institute 24. Conversions proved to be the difference as Leavitt converted its PATs and MCI did not. Leavitt trailed by 12 in the first quarter and 10 points in the third before rallying to win the Class C state championship.
Game to watch: Southern Columbia Area vs. Richland. The Tigers haven't been challenged all season. Richland was in the small school national rankings last week and could offer SCA's toughest test of the season.
Best individual performance: Josh Henderson, Grace Brethren. Henderson continues to come through in the playoffs as he scored five touchdowns and rushed for 273 yards in a playoff win over La Habra.
Dropped Out: No. 11 Irwin County (Ocilla, Ga.); No. 17 Hayden (Topeka, Kan.); No. 20 Dallas Christian (Mesquite, Texas); No. 23 Shelby (N.C.); No. 25 Richland (Johnstown, Pa.)
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
Braden Brashear, C.H. Yoe
File photo by Mark Cooley
Results: Defeated Pierce, 38-0
Highlights: Trevin Luben rushed for 268 yards and five touchdowns to lead Wahoo to first football state title.
Next Game: Season over.
2. (1) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), 12-1, 59.8
Results: Defeated Rancho Cucamonga, 24-13
Highlights: JD Sumlin rushed for 89 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Trailblazers' rushing attack.
Next Game: Friday vs. Chaminade (West Hills)
3. (5) Anna (Ohio), 12-1, 56.7
Results: Defeated Archbold, 42-7
Highlights: Anna won its first regional championship with
Riley Huelskamp gaining 156 yards with three touchdowns.
Next Game: Friday vs. Mechanicsburg.
4. (2) Southern Columbia Area (Catawissa, Pa.), 14-0, 56.5
Results: Defeated Upper Dauphin Area (Elizabethville), 63-22
Highlights: Gaige Garcia had 95 yards on four carries and
Gavin Garcia had 91 yards on eight carries to put SCA in the state semifinals.
Next Game: Friday vs. Richland (Johnstown)
5. (3) Grace Brethren (Simi Valley, Calif.), 12-1, 56.3
Results: Defeated La Habra, 49-45
Highlights: Josh Henderson rushed for 273 yards and five touchdowns on 26 carries. Henderson has scored 14 touchdowns in the postseason.
Next Game: Friday vs. Corona del Mar (Newport Beach)
6. (13) West Lyon (Inwood, Iowa), 12-1, 54.4
Results: Defeated Van Meter, 50-14
Highlights: Logan Meyer ran for 165 yards and scored three touchdowns to lift West Lyon to its first state title since 2013.
Next Game: Season over.
7. (7) Andale (Kan.), 12-0, 52.3
Results: Defeated Cheney, 55-20
Highlights: Playing without leading rusher
Eli Rowland due to injury, Andale still advanced to second state title game in three seasons.
Next Game: Saturday vs. Perry-Lecompton (Perry)
8. (8) Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.), 10-2, 51.4
Results: Defeated Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, 35-0
Highlights: Thaddius Franklin rushed 22 times for 170 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Next Game: Friday vs. Clearwater Central Catholic
9. (10) Cedar Grove (Ellenwood, Ga.), 10-2, 49.6
Results: Defeated Benedictine (Savannah), 49-13
Highlights: Chavon Wright ran for 164 yards and two touchdowns for Cedar Grove.
Next Game: Friday vs. Peach County (Fort Valley)
10. (4) Pierce (Neb.), 12-1, 49.3
Results: Lost to Wahoo, 38-0
Next Game: Season over.
11. (14) Clearwater Central Catholic (Clearwater, Fla.), 10-3, 48.2Results: Defeated Bishop Verot (Fort Myers), 35-28
Highlights: Jordan Niles ran for 154 yards and two touchdowns for CCC.
Next Game: Friday vs. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood)
12. (9) Lena-Winslow (Lena, Ill.), 13-0, 47.8
Results: Defeated Weathersfield/Annawan (Kewanee) 44-30
Highlights: Isaiah Bruce ran for 227 yards and three touchdowns and also caught a touchdown pass in the win.
Next Game: Friday vs. Central A&M (Moweaqua)
13. (15) Kirtland (Ohio), 13-0, 47.4
Results: Defeated Manchester (Akron), 32-7
Highlights: Luke Gardner scored three touchdowns and rushed for 222 yards for Kirtland.
Next Game: Saturday vs. Oak Harbor.
14. (12) Madison County (Madison, Fla.), 10-2, 46.9
Results: Defeated Union County (Lake Butler), 49-0
Highlights: Vinsonta Allen completed 4-of-7 passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns for Madison.
Next Game: Friday vs. Pahokee
15. (23) Elkton (Md.), 12-0, 46.0
Results: Defeated Liberty (Sykesville), 47-14
Highlights: Nolan Null threw for 336 yards and five touchdowns in the win.
Next Game: Friday vs. Middletown
16. (19) McClymonds (Oakland, Calif.), 9-0, 45.0
Results: Did not play
Next Game: Saturday vs. Skyline (Oakland)
17. (21) Athens Academy (Athens, Ga.), 11-0, 44.8
Results: Defeated Brookstone (Columbus), 52-7
Highlights: Kurt Knisely had 132 yards rushing and 94 yards receiving with four touchdowns for Athens.
Next Game: Friday vs. Eagle's Landing Christian Academy
17. (22) Shiner (Texas), 12-0, 44.8
Results: Defeated Hearne, 55-0
Highlights: Danyoi Taylor had five touchdowns to lead Shiner.
Next Game: Friday vs. Refugio
19. (16) Leavitt (Turner, Maine), 12-0, 44.3
Results: Defeated Maine Central Institute (Pittsfield), 30-24
Highlights: Wyatt Hathaway scored the winning touchdown to lift Leavitt to the Class C championship.
Next Game: Season over.
20. (NR) Peach County (Fort Valley, Ga.), 11-1, 44.2
Results: Defeated Calhoun 35-0
Highlights: Noah Whittington ran for 173 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
Next Game: Friday vs. Cedar Grove.
21. (18) Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah, Fla.), 8-3, 43.9
Results: Defeated Moore Haven, 42-0
Highlights: Ryle Aguila threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns for the Lions.
Next Game: Friday vs. Seffner Christian (Seffner)
22. (NR) Holy Innocents Episcopal (Atlanta, Ga.), 11-0, 43.9
Results: Defeated St. Francis, 42-3
Highlights: Michael Cox had 175 yards rushing with four touchdowns for HIE
Next Game: Friday vs. Mount Paran Christian
23. (NR) Grandview (Texas), 11-1, 43.8
Results: Defeated East Chambers (Winnie), 43-29
Highlights: Tremayne Gullatte ran for 234 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries for Grandview.
Next Game: Friday vs. Yoe.
23. (NR) C.H. Yoe (Cameron, Texas), 11-1, 43.8
Results: Defeated Diboll, 21-6
Highlights: Braden Brashear threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns to lift Yoe.
Next Game: Friday vs. Grandview.
23. (NR) Oakland-Craig (Oakland, Neb.), 13-0, 43.8
Results: Defeated Sutton 19-0.
Highlights: Jaron Meyer ran for 93 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown to lead OC to its first state title since 1995.
Next Game: Season over.
