High school football rankings: Kansas, Ohio powers locked in tie for No. 1 spot in Small Town Top 25

Andale, Byron and Jackson County Central among ranked teams that have already won state titles.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Kevin Askeland
By
Dec 4, 2025, 11:00am
Andale is among the clubhouse leaders in the Small Town Top 25 high school football rankings, completing its season with a 38-6 win over Hayden (Topeka) in the Kansas Class 3A state championship game.

The Indians finished 13-0 and have a score of 44.7 in the MaxPreps ratings. Andale is tied at No. 1 with Liberty Center (Ohio), which is 14-0 with one game left to play. The Tigers meet Wheelersburg in Ohio's Division V state final.

Like Andale, Wahoo (Neb.) and Byron (Ill.) have finished their seasons and are ranked in the top five. Wahoo won the Nebraska C1 playoffs with a 20-6 victory over Sidney. Byron won the Class 3A title in Illinois with a 56-50 win over Tolono Unity (Tolono).
Head coach Kirk Clifton has already led Sonora to a section title in California. Next up is a regional final matchup with Woodcreek. (PHOTO: Sam Stringer)
Head coach Kirk Clifton has already led Sonora to a section title in California. Next up is a regional final matchup with Woodcreek. (PHOTO: Sam Stringer)
Sonora (Calif.) is ranked No. 3 but still has at least one game left to play. The Wildcats host Woodcreek (Roseville) in the Division 2-A Northern California regional.

Carthage (Texas), last year's No. 1 team, is No. 7 at 13-0 but could play as many as three more games.

The Small Town Top 25 is based on the MaxPreps computer ratings. To be eligible for inclusion, schools must have an enrollment under 1,000 students in towns with a population under 10,000.

Small Town Top 25

1. Andale (Kan.), 13-0, 44.7 #
1. Liberty Center (Ohio), 14-0, 44.7
3. Sonora (Calif.), 13-0, 44.0
4. Wahoo (Neb.), 43.3 #
5. Byron (Ill.), 14-0, 43.0 #
6. Wheelersburg (Ohio), 14-0, 41.4
7. Carthage (Texas), 13-0, 40.9
8. Jackson County Central (Jackson, Minn.), 13-0, 40.6 #
9. Brock (Texas), 13-0, 40.3
10. Tuttle (Okla.) 12-0, 39.4
11. Kirtland (Ohio), 14-0, 38.7
12. Jackson (Ala.), 12-2, 38.60
13. Wilmington (Ill.), 13-1, 38.5 #
14. Wall (Texas), 13-0, 38.1
15. Menominee (Mich.), 14-0, 38.0 #
16. Elgin (Okla.), 12-0, 37.9
17. Blountstown (Fla.), 12-0, 37.3
18. Minneota (Minn.), 13-0, 37.1 #
19. Lena-Winslow (Lena, Ill.), 13-1, 36.6 #
20. Kosciusko (Miss.), 13-1, 36.3
21. Royal (Royal City, Wash.), 12-0, 36.2
22. Columbia (Miss.), 14-0, 36.1
23. West Lyon (Inwood, Iowa), 13-0, 36.0 #
24. Louisville (Miss.), 10-3, 35.9 *

Next 25

26. Marion Local (Maria Stein, Ohio), 12-1, 35.7 *
26. Cascade (Clayton, Ind.), 15-0, 35.7 #
28. Gunter (Texas), 12-1, 35.0
29. Waverly (Neb.), 13-0, 34.9 #
30. Harbor Beach (Mich.), 14-0, 34.8 #
31. St. Henry (Ohio), 12-1, 34.7
31. Jones (Okla.), 12-0, 34.7
33. Winneconne (Wis.), 14-0, 34.3 #
34. Hawthorne (Fla.), 10-1, 34.1
35. Ferndale (Calif.), 13-0, 34.0
36. Refugio (Texas), 12-0, 33.8
36. Darlington (Wis.), 14-0, 33.8 #
38. Tarboro (N.C.), 13-0, 33.6
39. Heidelberg (Miss.), 12-2, 33.3
39. Peaster (Texas), 12-1, 33.3
41. Sutter (Calif.), 12-1, 33.1
41. Mansfield (Ark.), 12-0, 33.1
43. Frankfort (Ridgeley, W.Va.), 13-0, 32.6
44. Hopewell-Loudon (Bascom, Ohio), 13-1, 32.4
45. Paradise (Texas), 12-1, 32.2
46. Seneca (Mo.), 12-1, 32.1
47. Stockton (Ill.), 12-1, 32.0 *
48. Washington (Okla.), 11-1, 31.2
49. Lincoln County (Lincolnton, Ga.), 13-0, 31.1
50. Huntingdon (Tenn.), 13-1, 30.6

# State champion
* Season complete

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