Best Small-Town High School Football Teams

Small towns can produce epic results.

Best Small-Town High School Football Team in Every State

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.

Alabama: Hazlewood High School

City: Town Creek, Alabama

Population: 1,039

State championships: 11 (1970, 1975, 1981, 1982, 1988-92, 2000)

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

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.

Alaska: Soldotna High School

City: Soldotna, Alaska

Population: 4,719

State championships: 12 (2006-08, 2010, 2012-19)

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

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.

Arizona: Blue Ridge High School

City: Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona

Population: 4,469

State championships: 15 (1974, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1994-97, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2013)

Notable players: Jimmy Sprotte, Scooter Sprotte, Jeremy Hathcock, Jeff Holly

Notable coaches: Joe Girardi, Tom Marshing, Paul Moro

Bottom Line: Blue Ridge High School

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.

Arkansas: Greenwood High School

City: Greenwood, Arkansas

Population: 9,397

State championships: 10 (2000, 2005-07, 2010-12, 2017, 2018, 2020)

Notable players: Tyler Wilson, Spencer Harris, Drew Morgan, Connor Noland

Notable coaches: Ronnie Peacock, Rick Jones

Bottom Line: Greenwood High School

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.

California: Paradise High School

City: Paradise, California

Population: 4,476

State championships: None

Notable players: Jeff Maehl, Ward Walsh, Tyler Harrison, Lukas Hartley

Notable coaches: Rick Prinz

Bottom Line: Paradise High School

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.

Colorado: Limon High School

City: Limon, Colorado

Population: 1,952

State championships: 20 (1933, 1938, 1939, 1960, 1961, 1963-68, 1976-79, 2003-05, 2018-20)

Notable players: Kory Tacha, Travis Sandersfeld, Tyson Liggett, Canaan Bennett

Notable coaches: Lloyd Gaskill, Mike O'Dwyer

Bottom Line: Limon High School

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.

Connecticut: Woodland Regional High School

City: Beacon Falls, Connecticut

Population: 6,168

State championships: 2 (2004, 2005)

Notable players: Jack DeBiase, Will Volage, Shane Kingsley

Notable coaches: Tim Shea, Chris Anderson

Bottom Line: Woodland Regional High School

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.

Delaware: Delmar High School

City: Delmar, Delaware

Population: 1,597

State championships: 7 (1976, 1985, 2000-02, 2009, 2017)

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 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.

Florida: Pahokee High School

City: Pahokee, Florida

Population: 6,315

State championships: 6 (1989, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008)

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

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.

Georgia: Lincoln County High School

City: Lincolnton, Georgia

Population: 1,593

State championships: 14 (1960, 1962, 1963, 1976, 1977, 1985-87, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1995, 2005, 2006)

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

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.

Hawaii: Kahuku High School

City: Kahuku, Hawaii

Population: 2,614

State championships: 9 (2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2021)

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, 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.

Idaho: Fruitland High School

City: Fruitland, Idaho

Population: 5,388

State championships: 5 (1993, 2006, 2010, 2016, 2017)

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 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.

Illinois: Illini West High School

City: Carthage, Illinois

Population: 2,457

State championships: 6 (1995, 1998-2000, 2008, 2010)

Notable players: Ashton Gronewold, Willie Thompson

Notable coaches: Jim Unruh

Bottom Line: Illini West High School

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.

Indiana: Sheridan High School

City: Sheridan, Indiana

Population: 3,048

State championships: 9 (1980, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1998, 2005-07)

Notable players: Brad Maynard, Mike Shelburne, Brett Law, Nick Zackery

Notable coaches: Larry "Bud" Wright

Bottom Line: Sheridan High School

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.

Iowa: Harlan High School

City: Harlan, Iowa

Population: 5,106

State championships: 13 (1972, 1982-84, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2003-05, 2009, 2021)

Notable players: Perry Sibenaller, Michael Burger, Billy Cundiff, Todd Bladt, Greg Applegate

Notable coaches: Curt Bladt, Todd Bladt

Bottom Line: Harlan High School

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.

Kansas: Smith Center High School

City: Smith Center, Kansas

Population: 1,665

State championships: 10 (1982, 1986, 1999, 2004-08, 2017, 2018)

Notable players: Mike Rogers, Jeff Simoneau, Mark Simoneau, Braden Wilson, Dalton Kuhn

Notable coaches: Roger Barta, Darren Sasse

Bottom Line: Smith Center High School

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.

Kentucky: Mayfield High School

City: Mayfield, Kentucky

Population: 10,024

State championships: 12 (1977, 1978, 1985, 1986, 1993, 1995, 2002, 2010, 2012-15)

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 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.

Louisiana: Haynesville High School

City: Haynesville, Louisiana

Population: 2,019

State championships: 17 (1924, 1929, 1936, 1970, 1971, 1984, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993-95, 1996, 2000, 2009, 2013, 2014)

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

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.

Maine: Marshwood High School

City: South Berwick, Maine

Population: 7,524

State championships: 21 (1966, 1971, 1972, 1974-79, 1981, 1983-86, 1988, 1989, 1992, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021)

Notable players: Steve Knight, Drew Gregor, Bretty Gerry, Justin Bryant

Notable coaches: Rod Wotton, Alex Rotsko

Bottom Line: Marshwood High School

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.

Maryland: Urbana High School

City: Ijamsville, Maryland

Population: 6,689

State championships: 5 (1998-2001, 2010)

Notable players: Eric Lenz, Raekwon Gray, Zack Mills, Billy Gaines

Notable coaches: Dave Carrutthers, Joe Polce

Bottom Line: Urbana High School

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.

Massachusetts: Nashoba Regional High School

City: Bolton, Massachusetts

Population: 4,897

State championships: 5 (1999, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2018)

Notable coaches: Ken Tucker, Jamie Tucker

Bottom Line: Nashoba Regional High School

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.

Michigan: St. Mary's Preparatory

City: Orchard Lake Village, Michigan

Population: 2,473

State championships: 8 (1977, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2011, 2014-16)

Notable players: Allen Robinson, Sam Rogers, Scott Kowalkowski, David Bowens, Josh Bourke, Rob Bolden

Notable coaches: George Porritt

Bottom Line: St. Mary's Preparatory

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.

Minnesota: Mahnomen-Waubun High School

City: Mahnomen, Minnesota

Population: 1,239

State championships: 9 (1980, 1990-93, 1998, 2012, 2013, 2018)

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 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.

Mississippi: South Panola High School

City: Batesville, Mississippi

Population: 7,463

State championships: 11 (1993, 1998, 2003-07, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014)

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

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.

Missouri: Webb City High School

City: Webb City, Missouri

Population: 10,996

State championships: 16 (1989, 1992, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2008, 2010-14, 2016, 2019, 2021)

Notable players: Hugh Sprinkle, Grant Wistrom, Collin Howard, John Roderique

Notable coaches: Jerry Kill, Kurt Thompson, John Roderique

Bottom Line: Webb City High School

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.

Montana: Highwood High School

City: Highwood, Montana

Population: 176

State championships: 13 (1992-96, 2000, 2002, 2004-06, 2008, 2013, 2014)

Notable players: Brett Bahnmiller, Jeffers Pasha, CJ Blessum

Notable coaches: Mike Nelson, Rodney Tweet

Bottom Line: Highwood High School

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).

Nebraska: Howells High School

City: Howells, Nebraska

Population: 564

State championships: 10 (2000-05, 2008-10, 2021)

Notable players: Kurt Bohaboi, Matthew Gall, Mat Eikmeier, Scott Bayer

Notable coaches: Mike Speirs

Bottom Line: Howells High School

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.

Nevada: Pahranagat Valley High School

City: Alamo, Nevada

Population: 1,080

State championships: 22 (1978-80, 1983, 1985-87, 1988, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008-15, 2017, 2019, 2021)

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

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).

New Hampshire: Plymouth Regional High School

City: Plymouth, New Hampshire

Population: 4,456

State championships: 24 (1951, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000-03, 2005-09, 2012, 2013, 2016-18)

Notable players: Jeff Beckley, Michael Boyle, Garrett Macomber, Phil LaFlamme

Notable coaches: Chuck Lenahan, Christopher Sanborn

Bottom Line: Plymouth Regional High School

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.

New Jersey: Saint Joseph Regional High School

City: Montvale, New Jersey

Population: 8,570

State championships: 19 (1987, 1988, 1995-97, 1999-2005, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018)

Notable players: Devin McCourty, Jason McCourty, K'Waun Williams, Vinny Ciurciu

Notable coaches: Tony Karcich

Bottom Line: Saint Joseph Regional High School

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.

New York: Dobbs Ferry High School

City: Dobbs Ferry, New York

Population: 10,875

State championships: 10 (1982-85, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2011)

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 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.

New Mexico: Eunice High School

City: Eunice, New Mexico

Population: 3,038

State championships: 17 (1957, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2017-21)

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'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.

North Carolina: Robbinsville High School

City: Robbinsville, North Carolina

Population: 620

State championships: 14 (1969, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1979-83, 1992, 2014, 2019)

Notable players: Travis McCracken, Dusty Anderson, Kyle Garland, Ty Gibbs, Rylee Anderson

Notable coaches: Bob Colvin, Dee Walsh

Bottom Line: Robbinsville High School

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.

North Dakota: Velva High School

City: Velva, North Dakota

Population: 1,190

State championships: 10 (1983, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003-06, 2009, 2010)

Notable players: Codee Lee, Mike Thingstad

Notable coaches: Larry Sandy

Bottom Line: Velva High School

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.

Ohio: Marion Local High School

City: Maria Stein, Ohio

Population: 2,314

State championships: 12 (2000, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2011-14, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021)

Notable players: Kyle Fleck, Jacob Kunkler, Sam Huelsman, Matt Everman

Notable coaches: Tim Goodwin

Bottom Line: Marion Local High School

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.

Oklahoma: Clinton High School

City: Clinton, Oklahoma

Population: 9,087

State championships: 17 (1965, 1967-69, 1978, 1982, 1984, 1996, 1997, 2000-05, 2007, 2012, 2021)

Notable players: Roy Bell, Carlos Bell, Sonny Liles, Trent Smith, Cliff Chatman

Notable coaches: Mike Lee

Bottom Line: Clinton High School

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.

Oregon: Vale High School

City: Vale, Oregon

Population: 1,818

State championships: 12 (1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1964, 1966, 1975, 1990, 1991, 1993, 2014, 2015)

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 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.

Pennsylvania: Southern Columbia Area High School

City: Catawissa, Pennsylvania

Population: 1,466

State championships: 12 (1994, 2002-06, 2015, 2017-21)

Notable players: Julian Fleming, Gaige Garcia, Henry Hynoski, Jerry Marks, Ricco Rosini

Notable coaches: Jim Roth

Bottom Line: Southern Columbia Area High School

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.

Rhode Island: Burrillville High School

City: Harrisville, Rhode Island

Population: 1,605

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)

Notable coaches: Gennaro Ferraro

Bottom Line: Burrillville High School

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.

South Carolina: James F. Byrnes High School

City: Duncan, South Carolina

Population: 3,181

State championships: 11 (1976, 1982, 1986, 2002-05, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011)

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

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.

South Dakota: West Central High School

City: Hartford, South Dakota

Population: 3,354

State championships: 12 (1993, 1996-98, 2000-05, 2007, 2013)

Notable players: Brent Schmeichel, Collin Busse, Braden Swartwowt

Notable coaches: Jim Uttecht, Kent Mueller

Bottom Line: West Central High School

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.

Tennessee: Alcoa High School

City: Alcoa, Tennessee

Population: 9,980

State championships: 18 (1977-79, 1989, 2000, 2004-10, 2013, 2015-21)

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

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.

Texas: Aledo High School

City: Aledo, Texas

Population: 2,716

State championships: 10 (1998, 2009-11, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018-20)

Notable players: Johnathan Gray, Jase McLellan, Chance Nevarez

Notable coaches: Tim Buchanan, Steve Wood

Bottom Line: Aledo High School

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.

Utah: Millard High School

City: Fillmore, Utah

Population: 2,608

State championships: 13 (1950-53, 1958, 1960, 1976, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1988, 1995, 2001)

Notable players: Jesse Rhodes, Aaron Boone, Dustin Kunz, Jason Boone, Jesse Boone

Notable coaches: Taft Watts, Lew Monsen, Dennis Alldredge, Franklin Bramall, Marshall Sheriff

Vermont: Hartford High School

City: White River Junction, Vermont

Population: 2,286

State championships: 12 (1972, 1986, 1990-93, 2007, 2008, 2010-12, 2016)

Notable players: Randy St. Peter, Teddy Mock, Mick Wong, Michael Dulac, Tyler Hamilton

Notable coaches: Mike Stone, Matt Trombly

Bottom Line: Millard High School

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.

Bottom Line: Hartford High School

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.

Virginia: Gate City High School

City: Gate City, Virginia

Population: 1,877

State championships: 5 (1970, 1974, 1997, 2003, 2010)

Notable players: Chad Beasley, Jake Houseright, Billy Houseright, Don Yontz

Notable coaches: Bill Houseright, Harry Fry, Nick Colobro

Bottom Line: Gate City High School

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.

Washington: Royal High School

City: Royal City, Washington (pop. 2,230)

State championships: 10 (1996, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2015-17, 2019, 2021)

Notable players: Jeff Jack, Blair Collins, James Dykes, Michael Perez

Notable coaches: Willey Allred, Bob Nielsen

Bottom Line: Royal High School

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.

West Virginia: Bluefield High School

City: Bluefield, West Virginia

Population: 10,447

State championships: 11 (1959, 1962, 1965, 1967, 1975, 1984, 1997, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2017)

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 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.

Wisconsin: Arrowhead High School

Arrohwead High School — Arrowhead High School won its first state title in 1993.

City: Hartland, Wisconsin

Population: 9,338

State championships: 6 (1993, 1994, 1996, 2007, 2012, 2013)

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

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.

Wyoming: Cokeville High School

Nate Barnes put together one of Cokeville High's greatest seasons in 2019.

City: Cokeville, Wyoming

Population: 548

State championships: 22 (1969, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1986-91, 1993-96, 1998, 2001-03, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014)

Notable players: Nate Barnes, Keith Nate, Jace Petersen, Rick Himmerich, Chance Maddock

Notable coaches: Todd Dayton

Bottom Line: Cokeville High School

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.