Edgewood, led by head coach Bobby Carr, has the longest active 11-man streak in the nation entering the 2016 season (Photo: Mickey Welsh, Montgomery Advertiser)
As schools begin to wrap up for summer in some areas of the nation, USA TODAY High School Sports is taking a look at the nation’s longest active 11-man football win streaks heading into the 2016 season.
1. Edgewood Academy (Elmore, Ala.) — 71
Edgewood enters next season with the longest active streak. Edgewood survived a last-play throw into the end zone in the championship game to win an unprecedented sixth consecutive Alabama Independent Schools Association championship. The 71-game streak is tied for No. 12 overall all time and will be tested right out of the gate with an opener against Mississippi power Jackson Prep. The Patriots have captured four consecutive state titles, were 13-0 last year and have a 54-game home winning streak. This game, however, will be in Montgomery on Aug. 13 as part of a two-day football kickoff classic.
2. Valle Catholic (Sainte Genevieve, Mo.) — 45
Valle kept its winning streak alive with a 61-36 victory against Penney (Hamilton) in the Missouri Class 1 title game. Valle (15-0) also won a third consecutive state title and the 14th state title in school history, moving it past Webb City for the most in state history.
Members of the Kimberly football celebrate their victory over Arrowhead in last season’s WIAA Division 1 state championship game (Photo: File photo)
3. Kimberly (Wis.) — 42
The Papermakers scored four consecutive second-half touchdowns after trailing by as many as 21 points to stun Arrowhead 49-42 in the WIAA Division 1 state title game to became just the seventh school in state annals to capture at least three consecutive championships. Kimberly is now six wins away from equaling the state record.
4. Soldotna (Alaska) — 39
The Stars won their fourth consecutive medium school state football title and eighth in 10 years with a 33-18 victory against Kenai. The victory capped a 10-0 season and will be remembered for the team’s amazing gesture to an injured senior.
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) has a strong fan following.
tie. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) — 39
The Gaels repeated as Super 25 national champion and won their seventh consecutive Nevada state title. Bishop Gorman has a tough opening schedule, starting with an Aug. 26 visit to DeSoto (Texas) for an ESPN network-televised game.
6. Dillon (S.C.) — 37
Dillon became the fourth team in state history to win four consecutive state titles when it beat Newberry in the 2A state title game 51-19. The program has won six state titles in the last eight years.
7. Bishop Guilfoyle (Altoona, Pa.) — 32
Guilfoyle capped the season with a 35-0 shutout of Farrell to repeat as PIAA Class A state champion and finish off back-to-back 16-0 seasons. Guilfoyle allowed double digits only three times last season and never more than 14 points.
tie. Crest (Shelby, N.C.) — 32
New coach, same result. Defensive coordinator Will Clark was elevated to head coach last spring after Crest’s undefeated season and 3A state title in 2014. The team again went 16-0 and won the state 3AA title with a 55-21 victory against Southern (Durham, N.C.).