High school football: Nebraska's Pierce takes over No. 1 spot in Small Town Top 25 rankings

Pierce (Neb.) won the battle of unbeatens in Nebraska and as a result moved into the top spot in the MaxPreps Small Town National Football Rankings.

The Bluejays defeated previous No. 1 Aurora, 42-14 in the Nebraska C1 state finals on Tuesday and jumped from No. 5 to the No. 1 spot. Aurora (12-1) dropped to No. 5.

China Spring (Texas), the preseason No. 1 team, comes in at No. 2 and faces Lake Worth (10-2) in the Texas Class 4A-1 playoffs this weekend. Carthage comes in at No. 3. It takes on No. 6 Gilmer in the Texas Class 4A-2 playoffs this weekend.

Marion Local (Maria Stein, Ohio) is No. 4 and will take on Columbus Grove in the Ohio Class VI semifinals.
Small Town Top 25 high school football rankings

1. (Last time 5) Pierce (Neb.)
Record: 13-0, 59.1

2. (2) China Spring (Texas)
Record: 11-1, 55.4

3. (NR) Carthage (Texas)
Record: 12-0, 55.1

4. (7) Marion Local (Maria Stein, Ohio)
Record: 14-0, 53.3

5. (1)  Aurora (Neb.)
Record: 12-1, 52.4

6. (3) Gilmer (Texas)
Record: 11-0, 50.7

7. (14) Central Lyon/George-Little Rock (Rock Rapids, Iowa)
Record: 13-0, 49.4

8. (NR) Van Meter (Iowa)
Record: 12-1, 48.6

9. (23) Harlan (Iowa)
Record: 12-1, 48.1

10. (10) Rabun County (Tiger, Ga.)
Record: 12-0, 48.0

11. (12) Gunter (Texas)
Record: 12-0, 47.8

12. (NR) Liberty Center (Ohio)
Record: 14-0, 47.5

13. (NR) Franklin (Texas)
Record: 12-0, 47.2

14. (22) Andale (Kan.)
Record: 12-0, 47.1

15. (NR) Bennington (Neb.)
Record: 13-0, 46.0

16. (NR) Pahokee (Fla.)
Record: 9-2, 45.9

17. (11) Fitzgerald (Ga.)
Record: 12-0, 45.7

18. (NR) Kirtland (Ohio)
Record: 14-0, 45.4

19. (NR) Frankenmuth (Mich.)
Record: 13-0, 45.4

20. (24) Irwin County (Ocilla, Ga.)
Record: 10-1, 44.7

21. (NR) Boone Central (Albion, Neb.)
Record: 9-3, 44.4

22. (NR) Louisville (Miss.)
Record: 12-1, 44.1

23. (NR) Sugar-Salem (Sugar City, Idaho)
Record: 11-0, 43.9

24. (6) Swainsboro (Ga.)
Record: 11-0, 43.8

25. (25) Silsbee (Texas)
Record: 12-0, 43.2