Ranking the Top 10 Large & Small 2026 – Week 6

Large Schools

1. St. Joe’s (AA) – A pair of thorough victories for the new WNY #1, including a double figure triumph over their rivals from Canisius, marking the 2nd time in the last three games St. Joe’s has emerged victorious. On Tuesday night, the Marauders face another Top 10 squad when they head to St. Mary’s, and they finish off the week Thursday night at Park.
2. Canisius (AA) – Snapped a three-game skid suffered out of state when they visited Nichols on Tuesday night, before dropping a 4th game in 5 attempts at the hands of their arrivals from St. Joe’s. The Crusaders are back in action on Delaware Ave on Tuesday night when Timon visits. Over the weekend they make road trips to St. Francis on Friday and Park on Saturday.
3. Health Sciences (AAA) – The Falcons have scored over 200 points in their last two games, due in large part to the 118 they poured in against Burgard on Tuesday evening when Amir Moye set the bar high in the area, scoring 57 points. Big Health is off this week.
4. Niagara Falls (AAA) – The Wolverines were impressive in defeat when they made their way out to Penfield this week, a team that I think could be a state champion when the smoke clears in March. Wednesday evening, they will take on another team from Section V when UPrep comes to town.
5. Nichols (AA) – Needed overtime to earn a bounce back victory against Timon after falling to Canisius on Tuesday night. The Vikings are home again on Tuesday, this time facing St. Francis, and finish up the week with a roadie at St. Mary’s on Friday.
6. Jamestown (AAA) – Had a little trouble with Frontier on Monday, but had to dig deep Thursday evening in a game they trailed throughout, to come back defeat host Williamsville North. The Red and Green are riding a 5-game win streak and will look to push that number to 7 games after a road trip this week to Lancaster and a home game against Orchard Park.
7. St. Mary’s (AA) – Don’t look now, but these guys have won 4 straight games, have a 9–3 record, and are currently sitting in 3rd place in the MMA. Sounds like the perfect time for home games against St. Joe’s and Nichols.
8. Grand Island (A1) – The Vikings are riding a three-game win streak after dropping their first of the season, picking up victories this week at Niagara Wheatfield and against East and Ken East. They travel to Lockport on Tuesday for the Centercourt ‘Game of the Week’ and host CSAT on Friday.
9. Williamsville North (AA) – Outlasted Orchard Park on Tuesday, becoming the first team to defeat them on the season, and built a double figure lead against Jamestown, only to let it slip away late on Thursday. This week, the Spartans have Frontier coming in on Wednesday.
10. St. Francis (AA) – Earned a bounce back victory over a Cardinal O’Hara following a game that got away from them at St. Joe’s. Two challenging road games coming this week for the Red Raiders, first at Nichols, and then at Canisius.

Small Schools

1. Tapestry (B2) – The new small school #1 improved to 8-0 on the season with a 16-point victory over Eden. The Thunderhawks travel to JFK on Monday, before hosting a battle of undefeated teams on Thursday night when Global Concepts comes Great Arrow Ave.
2. Wilson (C) – After taking down Roy-Hart on Tuesday. The Lakemen dug themselves in 18-point hole against Medina, only to climb out of the hole and then up a mountain on their way to victory. The 48–11 close to that game was a wave of momentum you don’t see often. Wilson will look to extend their win streak to 12 games at Albion on Friday night.
3. Global Concepts (C) – Defeated East and JFK this week to remain undefeated at 6-0. After hosting Cleveland Hill on Monday night, Global Concepts travels to Tapestry on Thursday, where one of those teams loses their first game and the other takes first place in the division. The Gators close the week out with the trip to Lancaster on Saturday.
4. Akron (B2) – Returned to the win column after piling up 91 points in a victory over Barker, following their first loss of the season by 15 points at Newfane. The Tigers head to ‘The Barn’ on Tuesday to face Roy-Hart, then return home on Friday for a date with Medina.
5. Medina (B1) – After getting pushed to double overtime at Eden on Monday, the Mustangs thought they got right with a win over Tonawanda on Wednesday evening and sure seemed well on their way, building a 17-point lead at Wilson before the wheels came off. Tuesday is Round 1 of the rivalry series with Albion, before the Mustangs head to Akron for a Friday night showdown.
6. Middle College (B1) – The Kats made quick work of Maritime on Tuesday night, before falling at the hands of Middle College on Saturday. Tuesday night, Middle College hosts Bennett and on Friday they head to McKinley, where they will face Clarence.
7. MST (B2) – Six wins in the last 7 games for the Wolves, most recently knocking off IPrep & Bennett behind a combined 73 points from Brandon Singletary. The have a road game at Olmsted on Tuesday and face Holland on Saturday afternoon at McKinley.
8. Newfane (B2) – Dropped from the rankings after a 4th straight loss, the Panthers kicked the door down and demanded a return to the Top 10 rankings this week after handling previously undefeated & #1 ranked Akron. Newfane make the quick trip east to Barker on Tuesday and hosts Roy-Hart on Friday.
9. Olmsted (B1) – Picked up their third win of the season against Buffalo Culinary before dropping a close affair with South Park on Saturday. The Owls host MST on Tuesday and travel to SUNY Fredonia on Sunday to play Rochester SOTA.
10. Salamanca (B1) – I looked at several teams for this last spot. Eden’s losses are twice to Medina & one to Tapestry, but Silver Creek is their best win. Springville is 7-2, but just lost to East Aurora by 20. Southwestern hasn’t been nearly consistent enough yet to warrant a spot. Falconer seemed like the move, except for one major sticking point…Salamanca beat them by 15. So despite a a rough couple weeks, the Warriors hang on to this spot on the strength of victories over Randolph & Falconer, along with a big lead that got away against Dunkirk. On Monday evening, Salamanca hosts Olean and on Thursday they visit Southwestern.