Limon, Colorado, nicknamed “Hub City” for its central position in the state’s railway and highway networks, is also home to one of the most remarkable high school football dynasties in America. With a population of just about 2,000, the town’s pride, the Limon Badgers, boasts a record of 22 state championships, starting from 1933 up to their most recent win last year. Known for their enduring success, Limon also holds the state’s record for 16 undefeated seasons and achieved the most wins nationally during the 1960s with a tally of 103.

Under the legacy of Coach Lloyd Gaskill, who began shaping this dynasty in the 1950s and ’60s with an innovative no-huddle, single-wing offense, Limon’s team achieved stunning success, including a season scoring average of 60 points in 1968. Gaskill earned 222 career wins and 10 championships, only to be surpassed by current head coach Michael O’Dwyer, who reached 223 wins and eight championships this past year. The Badgers have also held impressive win streaks, with notable runs of 50 and 42 consecutive victories.

Given this historic achievement, MaxPreps ranked the Badgers as the No. 1 small-town football dynasty. This ranking was part of an analysis of small-town teams with top records, longest win streaks, most championships, and undefeated seasons. Using standard deviation and mean to calculate z-scores across each metric, the list is an objective evaluation rather than subjective opinion. While some teams have negative z-scores, these don’t reflect poorly on their accomplishments.

Limon narrowly outranked Haynesville, Louisiana, and Harlan, Iowa, to secure the top spot. The Colorado powerhouse ranked first in total championships and undefeated seasons, while also ranking seventh in both longest win streak and winning percentage. Haynesville, known for its strong overall record and numerous 10-win seasons, ranks close behind, with its winning legacy extended by coaches Alton “Red” Franklin and his son David. Meanwhile, Harlan achieved high rankings in undefeated seasons and overall record, continuing its tradition of excellence under coach Curt Bladt.

Great coaches are often the backbone of these dynasties, as seen with Gaskill and O’Dwyer in Limon, and the Franklins in Haynesville. Other notable coaches include Jim Roth of Southern Columbia Area in Pennsylvania, Gary Rankin of Alcoa in Tennessee, and C.J. Hamilton of Silver Lake in Kansas. Many of these programs are found in towns with fewer than 10,000 residents and enrollments below 1,000 students.

Data sources include contributions from high school football historians across various states and state association records, providing a comprehensive look at the storied successes of these programs. Each team in the top 25 is ranked based on its total wins, winning percentage, championships, undefeated seasons, and longest winning streaks.

Top 25 small town dynasties

1. Limon (Colo.)
Overall record: 679-233-11 (17)
Winning percentage: .742 (7)
State championships: 22 (1)
Undefeated seasons: 16 (1)
10-win seasons: 29 (15)
Longest win streak: 50 (7)
Rating: 5.0826

2. Haynesville (La.)
Overall record: 868-312-34 (1)
Winning percentage: .729 (11)
State championships: 17 (4)
Undefeated seasons: 10 (7)
10-win seasons: 40 (2)
Longest win streak: 41 (11)
Rating: 4.4713

3. Harlan (Iowa)
Overall record: 823-302-43 (6)
Winning percentage: .723 (13)
State championships: 14 (8)
Undefeated seasons: 12 (2)
10-win seasons: 37 (5)
Longest win streak: 49 (8)
Rating: 4.0593

4. Alcoa (Tenn.)
Overall record: 779-296-24 (9)
Winning percentage: .720 (14)
State championships: 22 (1)
Undefeated seasons: 7 (13)
10-win seasons: 33 (11)
Longest win streak: 44 (9)
Rating: 2.8458

5. Southern Columbia Area (Catawissa, Pa.)
Overall record: 582-195-8 (20)
Winning percentage: .746 (6)
State championships: 14 (8)
Undefeated seasons: 8 (8)
10-win seasons: 38 (4)
Longest win streak: 64 (3)
Rating: 2.5086

6. Clinton (Okla.)
Overall record: 851-308-37 (2)
Winning percentage: .727 (12)
State championships: 16 (5)
Undefeated seasons: 8 (8)
10-win seasons: 36 (7)
Longest win streak: 33 (17)
Rating: 2.3725

7. Blue Ridge (Lakeside, Ariz.)
Overall record: 492-156 (24)
Winning percentage: .759 (5)
State championships: 15 (6)
Undefeated seasons: 11 (5)
10-win seasons: 25 (18)
Longest win streak: 63 (4)
Rating: 1.3165

8. Royal (Royal City, Wash.)
Overall record: 530-129 (23)
Winning percentage: .804 (1)
State championships: 12 (11)
Undefeated seasons: 11 (5)
10-win seasons: 23 (19)
Longest win streak: 53 (6)
Rating: 1.2082

9. Lincoln County (Lincolnton, Ga.)
Overall record: 566-136-5 (22)
Winning percentage: .804 (2)
State championships: 11 (16)
Undefeated seasons: 8 (8)
10-win seasons: 32 (14)
Longest win streak: 44 (9)
Rating: 1.0067

10. Smith Center (Kan.)
Overall record: 711-301-32 (15)
Winning percentage: .696 (17)
State championships: 10 (17)
Undefeated seasons: 7 (13)
10-win seasons: 21 (22)
Longest win streak: 79 (1)
Rating: .0179

11. Vale (Ore.)
Overall record: 675-231-32 18)
Winning percentage: .737 (8)
State championships: 12 (11)
Undefeated seasons: 12 (2)
10-win seasons: 22 (20)
Longest win streak: 38 (13)
Rating: -0.0996

12. Silver Lake (Kan.)
Overall record: 681-195-13 (16)
Winning percentage: .773 (3)
State championships: 8 (20)
Undefeated seasons: 7 (13)
10-win seasons: 28 (16)
Longest win streak: 41 (11)
Rating: -0.4160

13. Thomas-Fay-Custer (Thomas, Okla.)
Overall record: 743-221-11 (12)
Winning percentage: .768 (4)
State championships: 10 (17)
Undefeated seasons: 6 (17)
10-win seasons: 35 (9)
Longest win streak: 19 (25)
Rating: -0.4898

14. Abbeville (S.C.)
Overall record: 746-337-27 (11)
Winning percentage: .684 (22)
State championships: 12 (11)
Undefeated seasons: 5 (18)
10-win seasons: 36 (7)
Longest win streak: 35 (16)
Rating: -1.2116

15. Refugio (Texas)
Overall record: 787-277-33 (7)
Winning percentage: .732 (9)
State championships: 5 (23)
Undefeated seasons: 3 (22)
10-win seasons: 42 (1)
Longest win streak: 27 (23)
Rating: -1.4118

16. Mart (Texas)
Overall record: 835-359-43 (4)
Winning percentage: .692 (20)
State championships: 8 (20)
Undefeated seasons: 3 (22)
10-win seasons: 40 (2)
Longest win streak: 30 (20)
Rating: -1.4457

17. Marion Local (Maria Stein, Ohio)
Overall record: 580-257-10 (21)
Winning percentage: .691 (21)
State championships: 14 (8)
Undefeated seasons: 8 (8)
10-win seasons: 22 (20)
Longest win streak: 57 (5)
Rating: -1.5623

18. Beechwood (Fort Mitchell, Ky.)
Overall record: 626-275-8 (19)
Winning percentage: .693 (19)
State championships: 15 (6)
Undefeated seasons: 5 (18)
10-win seasons: 33 (11)
Longest win streak: 38 (13)
Rating: -1.6287

19. Nashville (Ark.)
Overall record: 831-358-27 (5)
Winning percentage: .694 (18)
State championships: 5 (23)
Undefeated seasons: 5 (18)
10-win seasons: 37 (5)
Longest win streak: 33 (17)
Rating: -1.6404

20. Cokeville (Wyo.)
Overall record: 485-176-10 (25)
Winning percentage: .730 (10)
State championships: 22 (1)
Undefeated seasons: 12 (2)
10-win seasons: 15 (25)
Longest win streak: 26 (24)
Rating: -1.6700

21. Louisville (Miss.)
Overall record: 780-304-27 (8)
Winning percentage: .714 (15)
State championships: 12 (11)
Undefeated seasons: 4 (21)
10-win seasons: 27 (17)
Longest win streak: 30 (20)
Rating: -2.0131

22. Pikeville (Ky.)
Overall record: 766-313-27 (10)
Winning percentage: .705 (16)
State championships: 9 (19)
Undefeated seasons: 3 (22)
10-win seasons: 33 (11)
Longest win streak: 33 (17)
Rating: -2.2710

23. Dillon (S.C.)
Overall record: 740-338-25 (13)
Winning percentage: .682 (23)
State championships: 8 (20)
Undefeated seasons: 3 (22)
10-win seasons: 35 (9)
Longest win streak: 37 (15)
Rating: -2.7275

24. Steelton-Highspire (Steelton, Pa.)
Overall record: 836-447-64 (3)
Winning percentage: .644 (25)
State championships: 12 (11)
Undefeated seasons: 8 (8)
10-win seasons: 20 (23)
Longest win streak: 29 (22)
Rating: -3.1005

25. Clairton (Pa.)
Overall record: 724-373-41 (14)
Winning percentage: .654 (24)
State championships: 4 (25)
Undefeated seasons: 7 (13)
10-win seasons: 20 (20)
Longest win streak: 66 (2)
Rating: -3.2014