The top 25 small cities — determined by MaxPreps computer ratings — include schools with an enrollment of under 1,000 students in cities with a population under 10,000.
Orange Beach (46-1) won its sixth straight Alabama state title. Florida Rural State Champion Trenton finished in second place, capping the season with 10 straight wins en route to a third straight title.
Liberty (Texas) comes in number 3 with a score of 40-6. The Panthers won the Conference 4A Division 2 state championship, securing the school’s first crown since 2022 and fourth overall.
1. Orange Beach (Ala.)
Registration/Evaluation: 46-1, 43.6
Class 4A state champion
2. Trenton (Fla.)
Registration/Evaluation: 25-3, 40.3
Rural State Champion
3. Liberty (Texas)
Registration/Evaluation: 40-6, 36.2
Conference 4A Division 2 state champion
4. Carterville (Ill.)
Registration/Evaluation: 39-1, 36.0
Class 2A state champion
5. Montesano (Wash.)
Registration/Evaluation: 27-0, 34.7
Class 1A state champion
6. Abingdon (Va.)
Registration/Evaluation: 30-0, 34.5
Class 3 state champion
7. Mardela (Mardela Springs, Md.)
Registration/Evaluation: 29-0, 33.9
Class 1A state champion
8. Averill Park (NY)
Registration/Evaluation: 22-4, 33.9
Class A state champion
9. East Union (Blue Springs, Miss.)
Registration/Evaluation: 36-3, 33.9
Class 2A state champion
10. Cattle (Texas)
Registration/Evaluation: 34-2-1, 33.8
Conference 2A Division 1 state champion
11. Shiner (Texas)
Registration/Evaluation: 22-7, 33.3
Conference 2A Division 2 state champion
12. Wheelersburg (Ohio)
Registration/Evaluation: 23-5, 33.2
Category 5 state champion
13. Tecumseh (Lynnville, Ind.)
Registration/Evaluation: 29-4, 33.1
Class 2A state champion
14. Shepherd (Mont.)
Registration/Evaluation: 25-0, 32.3
Class B state champion
15. Crescent (SC)
Registration/Evaluation: 30-4, 32.2
Class 3A state champion
16. Chatham (NY)
Registration/Evaluation: 24-2, 31.7
Class B state champion
17. West Lauderdale (Collinsville, Miss.)
Registration/Evaluation: 37-5, 31.5
Class 4A state champion
18. Crystal Lake-Memorial Welcome (Crystal Lake, Minn.)
Registration/Evaluation: 23-0, 31.4
Class AA state champion
19. Pine Grove (Pa.)
Registration/Evaluation: 27-2, 31.1
Class 3A state champion
20. Love (NM)
Registration/assessment: 22-3, 30.8
2A/1A state champion
21. Robbinsville (NC)
Registration/Evaluation: 27-2, 30.8
Class 1A state champion
22. Grandview (Texas)
Registration/Evaluation: 36-3-1, 30.6
Conference 3A Division 1 state champion
23. Jackson County Central (Jackson, Minn.)
Registration/Evaluation: 26-2, 30.4
Class AA state champion
24. Wave (hr.)
Registration/Evaluation: 24-0, 29.9
Class 3A state champion
25. say hello (SC)
Registration/Evaluation: 29-3, 29.9
Class 2A state champion
