Best Small-Town High School Football Teams
Some small-town high schools have had big-time success on the football field.There's something special about growing up in a small town. The traditions. The bonds. The community. And, if you're lucky, you might mix in a pretty amazing high school football team.
Small towns across America produce some of the best high school football being played anywhere, regardless of population size. All 50 states have small-town gridiron powerhouses that define communities for decades.
So what exactly is a small town? In this case, it's a town with a population of around 10,000 or less. These are the best small-town high school football programs in every state. And they're ranked.
Notable Payers and Coaches: Velva High School
Larry Sandy is a legend at Velva.Notable players: Codee Lee, Mike Thingstad
Notable coaches: Larry Sandy
Bottom Line: Velva High School
Velva High School hasn't won a state title since 2010.Longtime Velva High head coach Larry Sandy took the job in 1990 and hasn't looked back.
Sandy has been on the sideline for nine of Velva's 10 state championships since, including several when the school was playing as Velva-Sawyer in a co-op with a neighboring community.
49. Montana — Highwood High School
The Highwood-Geraldine co-op football team is known as the "Rivals" for a mascot.City: Highwood, Montana
Population: 176
Record in the 2010s: 69-30 (.696 winning percentage)
State championships: 13 (1992-96, 2000, 2002, 2004-06, 2008, 2013, 2014)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Highwood High School
It's not the size of the dog in the fight. It's the size of the fight in the dog.Notable players: Brett Bahnmiller, Jeffers Pasha, CJ Blessum
Notable coaches: Mike Nelson, Rodney Tweet
Bottom Line: Highwood High School
Highwood-Geraldine's co-op of teams won two state titles together.Highwood High won 11 state titles on its own, and its last two, in 2013 and 2014, as a co-op team with rival Geraldine, although the two teams split up again after the 2018 season.
Highwood owns the state record for most unbeaten seasons with eight and competes in 6-Man football.
Running back Brett Bahnmiller led Highwood to three state championships in 2002, 2004 and 2005 and still owns state 6-Man records for career rushing yards (4,967) and career rushing touchdowns (88).
48. Wyoming — Cokeville High School
Nate Barnes put together one of Cokeville High's greatest seasons in 2019.City: Cokeville, Wyoming
Population: 548
Record in the 2010s: 94-16 (.854 winning percentage)
State championships: 22 (1969, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1986-91, 1993-96, 1998, 2001-03, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Cokeville High School
Cokeville has won 22 state titles.Notable players: Nate Barnes, Keith Nate, Jace Petersen, Rick Himmerich, Chance Maddock
Notable coaches: Todd Dayton
Bottom Line: Cokeville High School
Cokeville High School has won 11-man, 9-man and 6-man state titles.Cokeville High owns a staggering 22 state titles. What's even more amazing is that they've won them playing 11-man, 9-man and 6-man football. Wrap your head around that.
They've also won at least one state title in every decade since the 1960s, with their most dominant decade being the 1990s, when they won eight titles. Cokeville has always found a way to be dominant. The first state title team, in 1969, averaged 47.6 points per game.
The greatest season for a Cokeville player, ever, may have been utility player Nate Barnes in 2019, when he recorded 151 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, six sacks, six fumble recoveries, two interceptions, 996 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
47. Minnesota — Mahnomen-Waubun High School
Mahnomen High School won its first state title in 1980.City: Mahnomen, Minnesota
Population: 1,239
Record in the 2010s: 117-10 (.921 winning percentage)
State championships: 9 (1980, 1990-93, 1998, 2012, 2013, 2018)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Mahnomen-Waubun High School
Mahnomen has had some great players over the years.Notable players: Jason Miller, Frank Burdick, Kal Handyside
Notable coaches: John Clark Jr., Ken Baumann, John Clark Sr.
Bottom Line: Mahnomen-Waubun High School
Mahnomet-Waubun's defense swarms for a tackle.In a pretty remarkable twist, Mahnomen won its ninth state title in 2018 in the first year of a co-op with former rival Waubun High, going 13-0 under longtime head coach John Clark.
Running back Jason Miller, who led Mahnomen to three consecutive state championship games and state titles in 1990 and 1991, is still in the state record books at No. 10 for career rushing yards with 5,395.
Notable Players and Coaches: Howells High School
Mike Speirs knows how to motivate his players.Notable players: Kurt Bohaboi, Matthew Gall, Mat Eikmeier, Scott Bayer
Notable coaches: Mike Speirs
Bottom Line: Howells High School
Howells High School won six consecutive state titles from 2000 to 2005.When Mike Speirs took over as head coach at Howells High School in 1996, the program was still three years away from meeting enrollment qualifications to play for Nebraska School Activities Association state championships.
What happened next made history. Speirs and Howells reeled off six consecutive state titles in 8-Man Division I from 2000 to 2005, then added three more from 2008 to 2010 before consolidating to become Howells-Dodge and make the move to 11-man football.
Howell's six straight state titles are tied for the state record, on any level.
45. Rhode Island — Burrillville High School
Burrillville High School has won 24 state championships.City: Harrisville, Rhode Island
Population: 1,605
Record in the 2010s: 84-36 (.700 winning percentage)
State championships: 24 (1937-39, 1941, 1944, 1946-48, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1962, 1969, 1971, 1976, 1977, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2014, 2016, 2017)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Burrillville High School
Gennaro Ferraro is a great teacher.Notable players: N/A
Notable coaches: Gennaro Ferraro
Bottom Line: Burrillville High School
Burrillville High School didn't win a state title from 1977 to 2000 but won six from 2000 to 2017.Rhode Island hasn't always handed out state titles the same way, but Burrillville High began winning whatever there was to play for in the late 1930s and kept winning steadily through the late 1970s.
Burrillville had a state championship drought from 1977 to end 2000 but has been flush since then, with six state titles from 2000 to 2017, including three since 2014.
44. Colorado — Limon High School
Limon High School has won 19 state championships, dating back to the 1930s.City: Limon, Colorado
Population: 1,952
Record in the 2010s: 91-23 (.815 winning percentage)
State championships: 20 (1933, 1938, 1939, 1960, 1961, 1963-68, 1976-79, 2003-05, 2018-20)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Limon High School
Lloyd Gaskill was a winner at Limon.Notable players: Kory Tacha, Travis Sandersfeld, Tyson Liggett, Canaan Bennett
Notable coaches: Lloyd Gaskill, Mike O'Dwyer
Bottom Line: Limon High School
Limon High School has more state titles than any school in Colorado.The long stretch of Interstate 70 that stretches across the plains mostly ends in Limon, one of the eastern-most posts of civilization in Colorado — and also home to a high school football juggernaut.
Limon and coach Lloyd Gaskill earned a reputation in the 1960s and 1970s for having a "hazy" grasp of recruiting rules. They also knew how to get the most of their players on the football field. Limon's success isn't just remarkable because their 19 state titles are more than any other school in the state. It's remarkable for the length of time they've been successful.
Limon won its first title in 1933, won six straight from 1963 to 1968, then didn't win a title from 1979 until 2003, when they reeled off three straight state titles.
43. Oregon — Vale High School
Vale High School won its first state title in 1954.City: Vale, Oregon
Population: 1,818
Record in the 2010s: 73-38 (.657 winning percentage)
State championships: 12 (1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1964, 1966, 1975, 1990, 1991, 1993, 2014, 2015)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Vale High School
Dave Wilcox is the greatest high school football player in Oregon history.Notable players: Dave Wilcox, John Wilcox, Gary Kamo, Dick Fulwyler, Brady Lovell
Notable coaches: Dutch Kawasoe, Arnold Lewis, Brice Gundlach, Matt Hawley, Jeff Aldred
Bottom Line: Vale High School
Vale High School owns the most state championships in Oregon history.Vale High owns the most state titles in Oregon history with 12. Vale got a big leg up on its state championships with the first four titles coming with either John Wilcox or younger brother Dave Wilcox leading the way.
John Wilcox went on to play in the 1958 Rose Bowl with the University of Oregon and won an NFL championship with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1960.
Dave Wilcox, arguably the greatest high school football player in Oregon history, also played for Oregon, then played 11 seasons in the NFL as an outside linebacker. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
Notable Players and Coaches: Soldotna High School
Big players make big plays at small school-town schools.Notable players: Robbie Smithwick, Brenner Furlong, Anthony Griglione, Josh Coleman, Joe Roderick, Timo Gleason, Austin Tennis
Notable coaches: Galen Brantley Jr., Bob Boudreaux
Bottom Line: Soldotna High School
Soldotna High School won eight consecutive state titles from 2012 to 2019.The greatest high school football dynasty in Alaska history resides at Soldotna High, where they've won 12 state titles from 2006 to 2019. Before that, they finished as runner-up four times since Alaska began having informal state championships in the 1980s, then made things official in the mid-1990s.
The Stars posted a record 59-game winning streak over five years and has produced four Alaska Gatorade Players of the Year.
Over the last decade, the Stars are an amazing 77-3 and won eight consecutive state titles from 2012 to 2019.
Notable Players and Coaches: Woodland Regional High School
Listen up, boys. Tim Shea gives his players a pep talk.Notable players: Jack DeBiase, Will Volage, Shane Kingsley
Notable coaches: Tim Shea, Chris Anderson
Bottom Line: Woodland Regional High School
Woodland Regional High School is one of the most dominant programs in Connecticut history.Football-barren Connecticut hasn't seen much distribution of state titles to smaller towns in the state, but one of the few schools that have broken through is Woodland Regional High School in Beacon Falls.
The Hawks won back-to-back Class S state titles in 2004 and 2005 under former head coach Tim Shea and finished as state runner-up in 2013 under Shea.
40. Massachusetts — Nashoba Regional High School
Nashoba Regional High School celebrates one of its five state championships.City: Bolton, Massachusetts
Population: 4,897
Record in the 2010s: 99-26 (.792 winning percentage)
State championships: 5 (1999, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2018)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Nashoba Regional High School
When Jamie Tucker talks, the media listens.Notable players: N/A
Notable coaches: Ken Tucker, Jamie Tucker
Bottom Line: Nashoba Regional High School
Legendary Nashoba Regional head coach Ken Tucker.Massachusetts, for some reason, didn't go to an actual state championship until 2013, previously parsing out Eastern, Central and Western state titles.
Nashoba Regional High has had success both ways, with five state titles and six state runner-up finishes.
All of those titles have come with either Ken Tucker or his son, Jamie Tucker, at the helm, after Jamie took over for Ken in 2013.
39. Indiana — Sheridan High School
Sheridan High School celebrates winning a state title in 2007.City: Sheridan, Indiana
Population: 3,048
Record in the 2010s: 73-46 (.619 winning percentage)
State championships: 9 (1980, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1998, 2005-07)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Sheridan High School
Brad Maynard went on to play in the NFL.Notable players: Brad Maynard, Mike Shelburne, Brett Law, Nick Zackery
Notable coaches: Larry "Bud" Wright
Bottom Line: Sheridan High School
Larry "Bud" Wright has more wins and state titles than any coach in Indiana history.Legendary Sheridan head coach Larry "Bud" Wright has been leading the Blackhawks for over 50 years and has the most career wins (417) and state championships (9) of any high school football coach in Indiana history.
Sheridan High product Brad Maynard became one of the greatest punters in NCAA history at Ball State as a two-time consensus All-American and still holds NFL records for most punts in a Super Bowl, most punts by a rookie and most punting yards by a rookie.
Maynard also led the NFL in punting three times.
38. New Hampshire — Plymouth Regional High School
Plymouth Regional High School won its first state title in 1951.City: Plymouth, New Hampshire
Population: 4,456
Record in the 2010s: 88-21(.807 winning percentage)
State championships: 24 (1951, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000-03, 2005-09, 2012, 2013, 2016-18)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Plymouth Regional High School
Plymouth has won 24 state titles.Notable players: Jeff Beckley, Michael Boyle, Garrett Macomber, Phil LaFlamme
Notable coaches: Chuck Lenahan, Christopher Sanborn
Bottom Line: Plymouth Regional High School
Plymouth Regional High School has 13 undefeated seasons.The argument for the greatest high school football coach in New Hampshire history begins and ends with legendary Plymouth Regional High head coach Chuck Lenahan.
Hired in 1971, he didn’t win a game in his first season but went on to win 19 state championships in 39 years, including 13 unbeaten seasons and two separate win streaks of 57 and 46 games.
Perhaps the greatest single season in Plymouth history belongs to running back Garrett Macomber in 2016, when he rushed for 2,373 yards and 26 touchdowns on the way to a state title.
Notable Players and Coaches: Dobbs Ferry High School
Frank Violante led Dobbs Ferry to eight New York state championships.Notable players: Richard Burke, Kadeem Scott, Thomas Palicz
Notable coaches: Frank Violante, James Moran, Joe Cox
Bottom Line: Dobbs Ferry High School
Dobbs Ferry won four consecutive state titles before going to a state playoff system in 1988.Dobbs Ferry won four straight titles before New York began using a playoff system to determine its state champion in 1988, but they’ve won six titles since then.
The team was also a co-op with local community Hastings until 2000, and they’ve won four titles since then.
Eight of the titles were won by head coach Frank Violante, who is among New York’s career wins leaders.
36. North Carolina — Robbinsville High School
Robbinsville High School, with ball, won its first state title in 1969.City: Robbinsville, North Carolina
Population: 620
Record in the 2010s: 92-35 (.724 winning percentage)
State championships: 14 (1969, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1979-83, 1992, 2014, 2019)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Robbinsville High School
Bob Colvin still holds the North Carolina record with 11 state championships.Notable players: Travis McCracken, Dusty Anderson, Kyle Garland, Ty Gibbs, Rylee Anderson
Notable coaches: Bob Colvin, Dee Walsh
Bottom Line: Robbinsville High School
Robbinsville High won five consecutive state titles from 1979 to 1983.Legendary Robbinsville High coach Bob Colvin still holds the state record with 11 state championships, including five straight from 1979 to 1983 and 12 state titles from 1969 to 1983.
Robbinsville's population of 620 lines up with some of the smallest towns on this list.
One interesting fact about Robbinsville: Besides its staggering success in high school football, the famous "dam scene" in the 1993 movie "The Fugitive" starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones (where Ford jumps) was filmed at nearby Cheoah Dam.
35. Vermont — Hartford High School
Hartford High School is one of the best high school football programs in Vermont.City: White River Junction, Vermont
Population: 2,286
Record in the 2010s: 75-28 (.728 winning percentage)
State championships: 12 (1972, 1986, 1990-93, 2007, 2008, 2010-12, 2016)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Hartford High School
Tyler Hamilton has a big arm.Notable players: Randy St. Peter, Teddy Mock, Mick Wong, Michael Dulac, Tyler Hamilton
Notable coaches: Mike Stone, Matt Trombly
Bottom Line: Hartford High School
Hartford High School posted back-to-back unbeaten seasons in 2011 and 2012.Former coach Mike Stone built a dynasty coming from one of the smaller schools in Vermont’s Division I, including back-to-back undefeated seasons in 2011 and 2012.
Stone won a state title in his first season in 1986, then won four straight from 1990 to 1993 and three straight from 2010 to 2012.
Hartford has been home to five Gatorade Player of the Year winners, including three in the last decade.
34. Maine — Marshwood High School
Marshwood High has won 20 state titles.City: South Berwick, Maine
Population: 7,524
Record in the 2010s: 92-26 (.779 winning percentage)
State championships: 21 (1966, 1971, 1972, 1974-79, 1981, 1983-86, 1988, 1989, 1992, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Marshwood High School
Now you see Justin Bryant, now you don't.Notable players: Steve Knight, Drew Gregor, Bretty Gerry, Justin Bryant
Notable coaches: Rod Wotton, Alex Rotsko
Bottom Line: Marshwood High School
Marshwood High School won eight state titles in the 1970s.Former Marshwood High head coach Rod Wotton led the team to six consecutive state titles from 1974 to 1979 as Marshwood won eight state titles in the 1970s. The 1980s were almost as good — seven state titles and a streak of four straight from 1983 to 1986.
Current coach Alex Rotsko has brought back the glory years, with four state titles in nine seasons. Rotsko's teams have gone 38-2 from 2017 to 19 with two state titles.
Running back/linebacker Justin Bryant won the Fitzpatrick Trophy as the state's top senior football player after the 2019 season.
33. South Dakota — West Central High School
West Central High, in blue, has won 12 state titles.City: Hartford, South Dakota
Population: 3,354
Record in the 2010s: 70-40 (.636 winning percentage)
State championships: 12 (1993, 1996-98, 2000-05, 2007, 2013)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: West Central High School
Jim Uttecht knows how to win.Notable players: Brent Schmeichel, Collin Busse, Braden Swartwowt
Notable coaches: Jim Uttecht, Kent Mueller
Bottom Line: West Central High School
West Central High School won its first state title in 1993.West Central has 12 state championships, but it's long been thought that their 1997 team put together one of the greatest seasons in South Dakota prep football history.
That year's team, with head coach Jim Uttecht and defensive coordinator Kent Mueller, who would eventually take over for Uttecht, went 12-0 with seven shutouts, including all four postseason games.
In all, the defense gave up over eight points just once, in a season-opening 63-24 win over McCook Central.
Notable Players and Coaches: Illini West High School
Don't mess with Illini West.Notable players: Ashton Gronewold, Willie Thompson
Notable coaches: Jim Unruh
Bottom Line: Illini West High School
Illini West is used to scoring touchdowns.Jim Unruh coached Carthage High School, which eventually became Illini West, for 25 years, making it to 10 state championship games and winning six titles in that stretch. Unruh retired after winning his last state title in 2010 while going 14-0.
The greatest player in Carthage/Illini West history might be all-purpose player Austin Gronewold, who is still in the Top 20 in Illinois state history for career and single-season touchdowns, points, rushing touchdowns, punt return yards, punt return touchdowns and kickoff return touchdowns.
Gronewold went on to become a three-time All-American at NCAA Division II Missouri S&T.
31. Delaware — Delmar High School
Delmar High won its first state title in 1976.City: Delmar, Delaware
Population: 1,597
Record in the 2010s: 75-36 (.675 winning percentage)
State championships: 7 (1976, 1985, 2000-02, 2009, 2017)
Notable Players and Coaches: Delmar High School
Alex Ellis made the NFL as an undrafted free agent after the 2016 NFL draft.Notable players: Alex Ellis, Shane Leatherbury, Dustin Johnson, Don James, Burt Culver, John Phillips, Odell Jones Sr., Andy Harris
Notable coaches: David Hearn, Rick White, Greg Wood
Bottom Line: Delmar High School
Delmar High has won a lot of football games over the years.Delmar head coach David Hearn has led the program for three decades and won five state championships. He's also led the Wildcats to state runner-up finishes twice, in 1995 and 1996.
Hearn and Delmar's greatest success story as a player is tight end Alex Ellis, who played for the University of Tennessee and has been in the NFL since 2016.
Another Delmar player, wide receiver Shane Leatherbury, is also now in the NFL after a standout career playing for Towson.
30. Washington — Royal High School
Royal High School celebrates after winning the 2004 state title.City: Royal City, Washington (pop. 2,230)
Record in the 2010s: 114-14 (.890 winning percentage)
State championships: 10 (1996, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2015-17, 2019, 2021)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Royal High School
Royal has been a royal pain for everyone they play for a long time.Notable players: Jeff Jack, Blair Collins, James Dykes, Michael Perez
Notable coaches: Willey Allred, Bob Nielsen
Bottom Line: Royal High School
Royal High School's 2019 state title was its fourth in five years.Willey Allred has won eight state titles as Royal High's coach, including an unexpected 14-0 season on the way to a championship in 2019, the Knights' fourth title in five years. He's also led Royal to state runner-up finishes twice, in 2002 and 2012.
Few players in Washington history can compare to former Royal running back Jeff Jack, the two-time Class 1A Player of the Year, who is still in the state top 10 for career touchdowns, scoring and PATs.
Jack went on to win three Ivy League championships at Penn.
29. Arizona — Blue Ridge High School
Blue Ridge High School has won 15 state championships.City: Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona
Population: 4,469
Record in the 2010s: 80-39 (.672 winning percentage)
State championships: 15 (1974, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1994-97, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2013)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Blue Ridge High School
Jimmy Sprotte was one of the toughest players in Blue Ridge history.Notable players: Jimmy Sprotte, Scooter Sprotte, Jeremy Hathcock, Jeff Holly
Notable coaches: Joe Girardi, Tom Marshing, Paul Moro
Bottom Line: Blue Ridge High School
Blue Ridge High School won its first state title in 1974.The legacy of legendary Blue Ridge head coach Paul Moro stands up against the best high school football coaches in the history of the game.
Moro, who died in January 2019, won a record 13 state championships at Blue Ridge and owns the career record for wins with 336.
Moro's greatest player was linebacker/running back Jimmy Sprotte, who starred for the University of Arizona and played two seasons in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Notable Players and Coaches: Urbana High School
Running back Raekwon Gray rushed for 5,474 rushing yards at Urbana.Notable players: Eric Lenz, Raekwon Gray, Zack Mills, Billy Gaines
Notable coaches: Dave Carrutthers, Joe Polce
Bottom Line: Urbana High School
Urbana High School won its fifth state title in 2010.Maryland isn't really a state that lends itself to small-town football success because of its congested population centers, but Urbana High found a way.
Ahead of its time, legendary head coach Dave Carrutthers led Urbana to four consecutive state championships from 1998 to 2001 with an air attack led by quarterback Zack Mills, who threw for almost 6,000 yards in his career and 2,245 yards in 1998, the first year of Urbana's title run.
Running back Raekwon Gray is still among the state's career leaders with 5,474 rushing yards.
27. New Mexico — Eunice High School
Eunice High School quarterback Mason Caperton's name dots the state record books.City: Eunice, New Mexico
Population: 3,038
Record in the 2010s: 89-32 (.735 winning percentage)
State championships: 17 (1957, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2017-21)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Eunice High School
Eunice football is a source of pride for the community.Notable players: Mason Caperton, Avante Stephens, Felix Gonzales, Cameron Santa Cruz, Logan Gaskins, Travis Hacker, Josh Lynn, Ryan Dean, Chad Dean, Hayden Dean, Steve Dean, Chris Barteet, Micheal Harlen, Leroy Hinman, Jimmie Jones, Nic Thompson
Notable coaches: Bullet Cook, Martin Wade, Tom Gruber, David Lynn, Gerald Bruns, Gene Strickland, Ken Stevens, Greg Jackson
Bottom Line: Eunice High School
Eunice High School won three consecutive state titles from 2017 to 2019.Eunice High School's tradition of winning state titles dates back to the 1950s, and the Cardinals have won a championship in every decade since, with the exception of the 1980s.
In a testament to the talent coming out of Eunice, those titles have been won under the leadership of eight different coaches, including five consecutive state titles from 2017 to 2021.
Quarterback Mason Caperton ended his career in 2019 as one of the greatest signal-callers in state history and racked up 51 touchdown passes in his final season.
Notable Players and Coaches: Gate City High School
Jake Houseright was tough to bring down.Notable players: Chad Beasley, Jake Houseright, Billy Houseright, Don Yontz
Notable coaches: Bill Houseright, Harry Fry, Nick Colobro
Bottom Line: Gate City High School
Gate City High School is located on Harry Fry Drive, named after the school's legendary football coach.How much do sports mean at Gate City High? Just look up the address of the school. It's located at 178 Harry Fry Drive, the street named after the school's legendary football coach.
Gate City's great tradition of coaching hopes to continue under new coach Jeremy Houseright, the son of former coach Bill Houseright.
Bill Houseright led the Blue Devils to a state championship in 2010, and two of his sons, Jake and Billy, both went on to play for Virginia Tech.
25. Kentucky: Mayfield High School
Mayfield High School won five state titles in the 2010s.City: Mayfield, Kentucky
Population: 10,024
Record in the 2010s: 139-11 (.926 winning percentage)
State championships: 12 (1977, 1978, 1985, 1986, 1993, 1995, 2002, 2010, 2012-15)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Mayfield High School
Tyrese Murrell was a talented player.Notable players: Tyrese Murrell, Luke Guhy, Xavier Shelton, Marcus Moss, Michael Bright
Notable coaches: Joe Morris, Paul Leahy, Jack Morris
Bottom Line: Mayfield High School
Mayfield High School hasn't lost more than two games in a season since 2008.Mayfield High School has won 12 state titles and finished as state runner-up 11 times, including three consecutive losses in the title game from 2017 to 2019. On top of that, the Cardinals haven't had a losing season since 1963.
Mayfield won back-to-back titles in the 1970s, won two titles in the 1990s, then won four state titles in the 2010s, including four straight from 2012 to 2015.
Mayfield's winning percentage over the last decade matches up with anyone in the nation, and they haven't lost more than two games in a season since 2008.
24. Nevada — Pahranagat Valley High School
Pahranagat Valley went 113-3 from 2010 to 2019.City: Alamo, Nevada
Population: 1,080
Record in the 2010s: 113-3 (.974 winning percentage)
State championships: 22 (1978-80, 1983, 1985-87, 1988, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008-15, 2017, 2019, 2021)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Pahranagat Valley High School
Tabor Maxell led Pahranagat Valley to some big wins.Notable players: Wade Leavitt, Tyler Higbee, Brady Whipple, Tabor Maxell, Shawn Wadsworth, Austin Poulsen
Notable coaches: Ken Higbee, David Thomas
Bottom Line: Pahranagat Valley High School
Pahranagat Valley has won 21 state titles.Located right next to Area 51 in Alamo, Nevada, tiny Pahranagat Valley High set the national 8-Man record with 104 straight wins from 2008 to 2016.
Pahranagat Valley also holds the record for most state titles on any level, with 21, and former coach Ken Higbee's 10 state titles are also a record.
Pahranagat Valley's players dot the career record books for Nevada. Former quarterback Tabor Maxwell is still the state leader for career passing yards (10,073) and is second for career touchdown passes (152).
Notable Players and Coaches: Paradise High School
Rick Prinz is a great leader.Notable players: Jeff Maehl, Ward Walsh, Tyler Harrison, Lukas Hartley
Notable coaches: Rick Prinz
Bottom Line: Paradise High School
Paradise High School made it to the North Sectional Finals in 2019.The population of Paradise, California, was just a hair over 26,000, according to the 2010 census. That number now has dropped to an estimated 4,476 after the tragic Camp Fire in 2018 destroyed much of the town.
That's why the accomplishment of the football team in 2019 is so incredible that a movie is already in the works about the team, based on Bill Plaschke's book "Paradise Found" about Paradise High's stunning run to the Northern Section Division III championship game.
Plenty of teams on this list have more wins than Paradise High. Few, if any, have more heart.
22. Utah — Millard High School
Millard High School won its first state title in 1950.City: Fillmore, Utah
Population: 2,608
Record in the 2010s: 66-45 (.594 winning percentage)
State championships: 13 (1950-53, 1958, 1960, 1976, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1988, 1995, 2001)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Millard High School
This Aaron Boone played football.Notable players: Jesse Rhodes, Aaron Boone, Dustin Kunz, Jason Boone, Jesse Boone
Notable coaches: Taft Watts, Lew Monsen, Dennis Alldredge, Franklin Bramall, Marshall Sheriff
Bottom Line: Millard High School
Millard High School set the state record by giving up just 15 yards in a game in 1958.Millard High head coach Taft Watts led his program to six state championships from 1950 to 1960, including four straight titles to kick things off between 1950 and 1953.
Watts' 1958 team still holds the single-game record for defense by giving up just 15 yards against North Sanpete.
No family has helped define Millard's success more than brothers Aaron Boone, Jason Boone and Jesse Boone. All three played Division I football, then in the pros, with Aaron going on to become a star wide receiver in the Arena Football League.
21. Idaho — Fruitland High School
Fruitland High School celebrates after winning the state championship in 2016.City: Fruitland, Idaho
Population: 5,388
Record in the 2010s: 94-22 (.810 winning percentage)
State championships: 5 (1993, 2006, 2010, 2016, 2017)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Fruitland High School
Former Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Jordan Gross is one of the most notable players in Fruitland football history.Notable players: Jordan Gross, Canaan Bourcy, Joe Martarano, Larry Ziegler, Jeff Church, Vic Martarano, Alec Dhaenens, Garrett Larson, Tyler Eiguren, Luke Thomas, Mica McMurry, Tyler Graves, Kaleo Nawahine, Jordan Eggers, Josh Black, Phoenix Ruffin, Brian Walton
Notable coaches: Ryan Tracy, Bruce Schlaich, Mel Person
Bottom Line: Fruitland High School
Fruitland High School won three state championships in the 2010s.Fruitland High School has won four of its five state titles in the last 15 years, including three championships in the 2010s. Just adjacent to the Oregon border, Fruitland won its first state title in 1993 before winning again in 2006.
Fruitland has produced a steady stream of college football talent for quite some time, but none more significant than offensive tackle Jordan Gross, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft.
Gross, a six-time Pro Bowl pick, started all 167 games he played over 11 NFL seasons.
20. West Virginia — Bluefield High School
Bluefield High School won its first state title in 1959.City: Bluefield, West Virginia
Population: 10,447
Record in the 2010s: 95-27 (.778 winning percentage)
State championships: 11 (1959, 1962, 1965, 1967, 1975, 1984, 1997, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2017)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Bluefield High School
Yubrenal Isabelle played in NFL Europe.Notable players: Yubrenal Isabelle, Raymond Isabelle, Rick Disibbio, Matthew Carter, Will Cole, Mookie Collier, Sean Martin
Notable coaches: Fred Simon, John Chmara
Bottom Line: Bluefield High School
Bluefield High School has won 11 state titles.Bluefield High alum Fred Simon became head coach in 1986 and has led the program to five state championships. His stewardship of the program meant that Bluefield now has won a state title in seven consecutive decades dating back to the 1950s.
In an unfortunate bit of irony, arguably the program's greatest player never won a state championship. Linebacker Yubrenal Isabelle was a three-time All-State selection in the mid-1990s who starred at the University of Virginia and then played several seasons in NFL Europe.
19. Kansas: Smith Center High School
Smith Center High School won five consecutive state titles from 2004 to 2008.City: Smith Center, Kansas
Population: 1,665
Record in the 2010s: 90-24 (.789 winning percentage)
State championships: 10 (1982, 1986, 1999, 2004-08, 2017, 2018)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Smith Center High School
Mark Simoneau played linebacker for 10 years in the NFL.Notable players: Mike Rogers, Jeff Simoneau, Mark Simoneau, Braden Wilson, Dalton Kuhn
Notable coaches: Roger Barta, Darren Sasse
Bottom Line: Smith Center High School
Smith Center High School is located on Roger Barta Way, named for the school's legendary football coach.The epic story of the Smith Center High School football program was chronicled in the book, "Our Boys: A Perfect Season on the Plains" by Joe Drape, which ended up on The New York Times bestseller list.
Today, the high school stands on Roger Barta Way, a street named after its famous head coach, who was named National Coach of the Year in 2007. Smith Center’s 79-game win streak from 2004 to 2009 is one of the longest in national history.
Linebacker Mark Simoneau was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American in 1999 at Kansas State, then played 11 seasons in the NFL.
18. Iowa — Harlan High School
Harlan High School celebrates after winning a state title in 2005.City: Harlan, Iowa
Population: 5,106
Record in the 2010s: 78-31 (.715 winning percentage)
State championships: 13 (1972, 1982-84, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2003-05, 2009, 2021)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Harlan High School
Billy Cundiff's foot took him to the NFL.Notable players: Perry Sibenaller, Michael Burger, Billy Cundiff, Todd Bladt, Greg Applegate
Notable coaches: Curt Bladt, Todd Bladt
Bottom Line: Harlan High School
Harlan High won four state titles in the 2000s.Longtime Harlan High head coach Curt Bladt has won 11 of the school’s record 13 state titles. Bladt was an assistant coach at Harlan for 10 seasons before he became head coach in 1978 and is one of the winningest coaches in the nation.
Harlan won three state titles in the 1980s, then won four state titles in the 1990s and 2000s.
NFL All-Pro kicker Billy Cundiff was also the quarterback on the 1997 state championship team and the only Harlan product to make an NFL roster, so far.
17. Ohio — Marion Local High School
The Marion Local High School Flyers won its 11 state title in 2019.City: Maria Stein, Ohio
Population: 2,314
Record in the 2010s: 131-15 (.897 winning percentage)
State championships: 12 (2000, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2011-14, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Marion Local High School
Marion Local is used to winning.Notable players: Kyle Fleck, Jacob Kunkler, Sam Huelsman, Matt Everman
Notable coaches: Tim Goodwin
Bottom Line: Marion Local High School
Marion Local High School is tied for the most state championships in Ohio history.Marion Local High tied Cleveland St. Ignatius for the most state titles in Ohio history with its 11th state title in 2019.
That total is even more impressive considering Marion Local didn't win its first state title until 2000. And all of those state titles have come under the guidance of one coach, Tim Goodwin, who took over in 1999.
If you want to know the secret to Marion Local's success, start with defense. The Flyers have produced four Ohio Division VI Defensive Player of the Year winners, including Jacob Kunkler, who won the award twice.
Notable Players and Coaches: Arrowhead High School
Ben Bredeson was a fourth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2020 NFL draft out of Michigan.Notable players: Jim Herrmann, John Kaiser, Mike Sowold, Nick Hayden, Ben Bredesen
Notable coaches: Tom Taraska, Greg Malling, Fritz Rauch
Bottom Line: Wisconsin: Arrowhead High School
Arrowhead High School has produced a steady stream of state titles and NFL players.Legendary head coach Tom Taraska guided Arrowhead High to the state championship game nine times in 29 seasons, winning four state titles.
To the surprise of absolutely no one, Arrowhead’s stable of future NFL players is mainly made up of offensive and defensive lineman — and the latest one to come through that pipeline might be the greatest.
University of Michigan junior offensive guard Ben Bredeson started three years for the Wolverines, was a two-time All-Big Ten selection and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft.
15. Georgia — Lincoln County High School
Lincoln County High School has a tradition of football excellence.City: Lincolnton, Georgia
Population: 1,593
Record in the 2010s: 84-35-1 (.700 winning percentage)
State championships: 14 (1960, 1962, 1963, 1976, 1977, 1985-87, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1995, 2005, 2006)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Lincoln County High School
Garrison Hearst was a beast at every level.Notable players: Garrison Hearst, Barney Bussey, Jarius Wynn, Randy Edmunds, Brandon Barden
Notable coaches: Larry Campbell, Thomas Bunch, Buddy Buford
Bottom Line: Lincoln County High School
Lincoln County won its 14th state title in 2006.Larry Campbell coached Lincoln County for 41 seasons, from 1972 to 2012, racking up an astonishing 470 career victories and 11 state titles, including eight unbeaten seasons.
Campbell won state titles in each of the first four decades he coached in and finished as state runner-up four times.
The greatest player to come out of Lincoln County was running back Garrison Hearst, a Heisman Trophy finalist who starred at the University of Georgia, played 10 seasons in the NFL and was twice named NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
14. Louisiana — Haynesville High School
Haynesville High School won its first state title in 1924.City: Haynesville, Louisiana
Population: 2,019
Record in the 2010s: 114-23 (.823 winning percentage)
State championships: 17 (1924, 1929, 1936, 1970, 1971, 1984, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993-95, 1996, 2000, 2009, 2013, 2014)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Haynesville High School
Demetric Evans played in the NFL from 2001 to 2010.Notable players: Demetric Evans, Doug Evans, Rock Reed, Johnny Meadors, Bobby Evans, Shannon Harris, Bobby Ray Tell, Alonzo Jackson, Joseph Evans
Notable coaches: Alton "Red" Franklin, David Franklin
Bottom Line: Haynesville High School
Haynesville High School is 17-9 in state championship games.Tiny Haynesville High School is a football juggernaut with 17 state titles and nine state runner-up finishes. Legendary coach Alton "Red" Franklin won 11 state championships and was named Louisiana Coach of the Year four times in his tenure.
One family — the Evans — have helped define Haynesville football. Demetric Evans played nine seasons in the NFL. Doug Evans played 11 seasons in the NFL and started for the Packers in their Super Bowl win in 1996. Bobby Ray Evans played nine years in the CFL.
The latest and greatest member of the family, Joseph Evans, won a national championship in his first year at LSU in 2019.
13. Arkansas: Greenwood High School
Greenwood High School celebrates winning the 2011 state title.City: Greenwood, Arkansas
Population: 9,397
Record in the 2010s: 119-13 (.901 winning percentage)
State championships: 10 (2000, 2005-07, 2010-12, 2017, 2018, 2020)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Greenwood High School
Tyler Wilson threw for a lot of yards at Greenwood before playing quarterback at Arkansas.Notable players: Tyler Wilson, Spencer Harris, Drew Morgan, Connor Noland
Notable coaches: Ronnie Peacock, Rick Jones
Bottom Line: Greenwood High School
Greenwood High School has won nine state championships.Longtime head coach Rick Jones built a football dynasty at Greenwood High School in 16 seasons, winning eight state championships before departing for a job as a consultant with the University of Missouri football program in 2020.
Jones' eight state titles are tied for second among Arkansas high school coaches. One of his best players was quarterback Tyler Wilson.
Wilson led Greenwood to back-to-back state titles, then went on to star at the University of Arkansas and played briefly in the NFL.
Notable Players and Coaches: Hazlewood High School
Antonio Langham was a three-year starter at left cornerback for Alabama and is in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.Notable players: Antonio Langham, Aaron Goode, Chris Goode, Kerry Goode, Kalvin Pearson, Don Jones, Bob Penchion, Joe Manley
Notable coaches: David Hogan, Rickey Johnson, Aaron Goode
Bottom Line: Hazlewood High School
Hazlewood High won an Alabama-record 11 state titles.Even though Hazlewood High School closed in 2010, it still tops the state of Alabama for most high school football state championships with 11.
That amazing run started in 1970, and in a testament to the program's greatness, the football team won at least one state title in every decade until the school closed.
The greatest run came from 1988 to 1992, when Hazlewood won five consecutive state titles and produced its greatest player, Antonio Langham, who helped lead the University of Alabama to the 1992 national title and won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back in 1993.
11. South Carolina — James F. Byrnes High School
James F. Byrnes High School won six state titles in the 2000s.City: Duncan, South Carolina
Population: 3,181
Record in the 2010s: 105-35 (.777 winning percentage)
State championships: 11 (1976, 1982, 1986, 2002-05, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: James F. Byrnes High School
Marcus Lattimore was heavily recruited out of Byrnes High.Notable players: Trey Elder, Everett Dawkins, Marcus Lattimore, Prince Miller
Notable coaches: Bo Corne, Bobby Bentley, Chris Miller, Reggie Shaw
Bottom Line: James F. Byrnes High School
Marcus Lattimore is considered the greatest player in James F. Byrnes history.Byrnes High was open for 20 years before it won its first state championship in 1976 — the first of three over the next decade.
After a 16-year wait for its next title, Byrnes won eight state championships from 2002 to 2011. The first four came under Bobby Bentley and the last four under Chris Miller, who only coached from 2007 to 2012.
In 2009, Byrnes opened the season as the No. 1 team in the nation but missed out on a state title.
Byrnes' greatest player was one of the most sought-after recruits in history — running back Marcus Lattimore — who seemed like a surefire first-round NFL draft pick until he suffered a gruesome knee injury while playing for the University of South Carolina in 2012.
10. Michigan — St. Mary's Preparatory
St. Mary’s Prep, wearing red and black uniforms, is located in Orchard Lake Village, Michigan.City: Orchard Lake Village, Michigan
Population: 2,473
Record in the 2010s: 91-33 (.733 winning percentage)
State championships: 8 (1977, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2011, 2014-16)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: St. Mary's Preparatory
Allen Robinson was born to catch footballs.Notable players: Allen Robinson, Sam Rogers, Scott Kowalkowski, David Bowens, Josh Bourke, Rob Bolden
Notable coaches: George Porritt
Bottom Line: St. Mary's Preparatory
St. Mary's Prep is 7-6 in state championship games.Legendary St. Mary's Prep coach George Porritt has won seven state championships in 30 years as head coach and made it to the state championship game six more times in that stretch. His best run came in the 2010s, with four state titles, including three in a row from 2014 to 2016.
Perhaps the greatest player in St. Mary's history is current Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson, a two-time All-Big Ten pick at Penn State who led the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2015.
9. Mississippi — South Panola High School
South Panola High celebrates winning a state title in 2007.City: Batesville, Mississippi
Population: 7,463
Record in the 2010s: 112-27 (.805 winning percentage)
State championships: 11 (1993, 1998, 2003-07, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: South Panola High School
Dwayne Rudd made life miserable for opponents in high school.Notable players: Dwayne Rudd, Deshea Townsend, Peria Jerry, Antonio Conner, Derek Pegues
Notable coaches: Willis Wright, Lance Pogue, Ricky Woods
Bottom Line: South Panola High School
South Panola High has won 11 state titles.How good is the talent being funneled into South Panola High? Three different coaches have won state titles.
Even though South Panola won a national title in 2010, it would be hard to take top billing away from the 1993 team as the greatest in school history. That squad, coached by Willis Wright, went 15-0 for the first state title in school history behind future NFL players Dwyane Rudd and Deshea Townsend.
Rudd was an NFL All-Pro in 1998, and Townsend won two Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
8. Oklahoma — Clinton High School
Clinton High School won its first state title in 1965.City: Clinton, Oklahoma
Population: 9,087
Record in the 2010s: 83-39 (.680 winning percentage)
State championships: 17 (1965, 1967-69, 1978, 1982, 1984, 1996, 1997, 2000-05, 2007, 2012, 2021)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Clinton High School
Roy Bell played in the Canadian Football League.Notable players: Roy Bell, Carlos Bell, Sonny Liles, Trent Smith, Cliff Chatman
Notable coaches: Mike Lee
Bottom Line: Clinton High School
Clinton High School's 16 state titles are the second-most in state history.Clinton High's 16 state titles are second among all Oklahoma schools behind only Ada High's 18 titles, with the last nine of those coming under the tenure of Hall of Fame coach Mike Lee.
The first two state championships for Clinton came in 1965 and 1967 and featured arguably the greatest player in program history, running back Roy Bell. Running alongside brother Carlos Bell in the backfield, Roy is still in the Oklahoma record books with 6,000 career rushing yards.
He also won a Grey Cup with the Edmonton Eskimos and was a two-time CFL All-Star.
7. Hawaii: Kahuku High School
Kahuku High School won its first state title in 2000.City: Kahuku, Hawaii
Population: 2,614
Record in the 2010s: 95-26-1 (.778 winning percentage)
State championships: 9 (2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2021)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Kahuku High School
Chris Naeole coached football after his playing days.Notable players: Chris Naeole, Tim Manoa, Itula Mili, Aaron Francisco, Hau'oli Kikaha, Al Afalava
Notable coaches: Siuaki Livai, Reggie Torres, Vavae Tata
Bottom Line: Kahuku High School
Kahuku High School is 8-4 in state championship games.Kahuku, Hawaii, is located on the famous North Shore of Oahu, one of the most beautiful places on earth. The Kahuku High School Red Raiders have won eight state championships in football and played in the championship game 12 times, which are both state records.
Kahuku has produced a steady stream of Division I and NFL talent the last 20 years, most notably longtime New Orleans Saints offensive lineman Chris Naeole, who played 11 seasons in the NFL after an All-American career at the University of Colorado in the mid-1990s.
Notable Players and Coaches: Pahokee High School
Anquan Boldin spent 14 seasons in the NFL.Notable players: Rickey Jackson, Anquan Boldin, Andre Waters, Alphonso Smith, Janoris Jenkins
Notable coaches: Donald Thompson, Leroy Foster Jr., Blaze Thompson
Bottom Line: Pahokee High School
Pahokee High School won its first state title in 1989.Perhaps the greatest small-town high school football program on this list, Pahokee has won six state championships under three different head coaches. It's proof of the talent in this tiny town that's known for being surrounded by sugarcane fields.
In the last five years, the biggest story coming out of Pahokee was when it was forced to vacate its seventh state title, in 2017, for the use of an ineligible player.
Pahokee's greatest player, hands-down, is Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Rickey Jackson, a five-time NFL All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler.
5. Tennessee — Alcoa High School
Alcoa High School won seven state championships in the 2010s.City: Alcoa, Tennessee
Population: 9,980
Record in the 2010s: 130-15 (.896 winning percentage)
State championships: 18 (1977-79, 1989, 2000, 2004-10, 2013, 2015-21)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Alcoa High School
Randall Cobb was was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft.Notable players: Randall Cobb, Shannon Mitchell, Billy Williams, Dave Davis, Sonny Davis, Tim George, Willie Lundy, Walker Russell, Brandon Warren, Tyler Robinson, Darrell Warren, Jonathan Decker
Notable coaches: Gary Rankin, Bill Cochran, James Dalton
Bottom Line: Alcoa High School
Alcoa High celebrates a state title in 2016.The two longest state championship streaks in Tennessee history belong to Alcoa High — seven consecutive titles from 2004 to 2010 and five consecutive from 2015 to 2019.
Alcoa High head coach Gary Rankin is the state's career leader with 410 wins and has won 14 state titles, including 10 since taking over at Alcoa in 2005.
Wide receiver Randall Cobb is arguably Alcoa's greatest player. The former Tennessee Mr. Football has played 10 seasons in the NFL and was a Pro Bowl pick in 2014.
4. Missouri — Webb City High School
Webb City High quarterback John Roderique in the 2013 state championship game.City: Webb City, Missouri
Population: 10,996
Record in the 2010s: 140-8 (.972 winning percentage)
State championships: 16 (1989, 1992, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2008, 2010-14, 2016, 2019, 2021)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Webb City High School
Grant Wistrom played at Nebraska, then in the NFL.Notable players: Hugh Sprinkle, Grant Wistrom, Collin Howard, John Roderique
Notable coaches: Jerry Kill, Kurt Thompson, John Roderique
Bottom Line: Webb City High School
Webb City High won its 15th state championship in 2019.John Roderique, Webb City High’s head coach since 1997, has won 11 of the school’s 15 state titles.
Roderique starred at linebacker for Webb City in the early 1980s, then played college football at NCAA Division II power Pittsburg State for future University of Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill, who led Webb City to a state title as head coach in 1989.
Roderique’s son, John, quarterbacked Webb City to state titles in 2011 and 2012. The school's greatest player is undoubtedly defensive end Grant Wistrom, a three-time national champion and two-time All-American at the University of Nebraska and the No. 6 overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams.
3. New Jersey — Saint Joseph Regional High School
Saint Joseph won seven consecutive state titles from 1999 to 2005.City: Montvale, New Jersey
Population: 8,570
Record in the 2010s: 88-28 (.758 winning percentage)
State championships: 19 (1987, 1988, 1995-97, 1999-2005, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Saint Joseph Regional High School
You might have heard of Devin McCourty.Notable players: Devin McCourty, Jason McCourty, K'Waun Williams, Vinny Ciurciu
Notable coaches: Tony Karcich
Bottom Line: Saint Joseph Regional High School
Saint Joseph has won every kind of postseason championship in New Jersey's long, winding history of playoff football.In New Jersey, schools compete for "group" and "section" titles although the state is working toward actual state championships.
That being said, whatever title New Jersey schools play for, Saint Joseph has won 19 of them dating back to 1987 while competing on the "non-public" level, with 17 of those coming under legendary head coach Tony Karcich.
The title of greatest player in Saint Joseph's history falls on the shoulders of New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty, a three-time Super Bowl champion, three-time NFL All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler.
2. Pennsylvania — Southern Columbia Area High School
Southern Columbia's Julian Fleming might be the greatest receiver in state history.City: Catawissa, Pennsylvania
Population: 1,466
Record in the 2010s: 138-10 (.932 winning percentage)
State championships: 12 (1994, 2002-06, 2015, 2017-21)
'22 Preseason Stadium Talk Top 25 High School Football Rankings
Notable Players and Coaches: Southern Columbia Area High School
Julian Fleming was a game-changer at Southern Columbia.Notable players: Julian Fleming, Gaige Garcia, Henry Hynoski, Jerry Marks, Ricco Rosini
Notable coaches: Jim Roth
Bottom Line: Southern Columbia Area High School
Southern Columbia High went 16-0 in 2017, 2018 and 2019.Jim Roth has been the head coach at Southern Columbia Area High since 1984 and on the sideline for all 10 of the school's state championships.
Southern Columbia was on a 48-game winning streak headed into the 2020 season after going 16-0 for three consecutive years.
The school's best player might be its latest star, Ohio State wide receiver Julian Fleming, who graduated in 2020 with the Pennsylvania state records for career yards (5,481) and receiving touchdowns (78) and was second all-time with 256 career receptions.
Notable Players and Coaches: Aledo High School
Jase McClellan went on to play at Alabama.Notable players: Johnathan Gray, Jase McLellan, Chance Nevarez
Notable coaches: Tim Buchanan, Steve Wood
Bottom Line: Aledo High School
Aledo High School's Johnathan Gray rushed for 10,000 yards in just over three seasons.Tiny Aledo is home to the greatest high school football dynasty in Texas history, which means it’s also home to one of the greatest high school football dynasties in the entire country.
The Bearcats have won a record nine state titles, with eight of those coming in 11 seasons from 2009 to 2019. An opposing parent famously filed bullying charges with the school district after a 91-0 loss to Aledo in 2013.
Aledo’s de facto greatest player has been Johnathan Gray, who rushed for over 10,000 yards in just over three seasons, won three state titles from 2009 to 2011, and went on to play for the University of Texas.
Related:High Schools That Have Produced the Most NFL Players