I think what people are saying is that smaller schools like Norton and Hoxie dominated the 321a circuit. For a school like Norton, who has (I'm assuming) less than 500 students, to be able to finish in the top 10 at Newton, is a testament to their domination. To put forth such great teams consistently with such small numbers is truly a great feat. Imagine what Norton or Hoxie could do if they had, say, Manhattan or Wichita's numbers. Many schools from Wichita have over 1000 students, yet the last Wichita public school I can remember that would hang with an average Norton squad is the WW team from the late 90s that had Gaylen Taylor, Earl Henry, et cetera.
I think that with their small school sizes, to compete year in and year out with the "big boys" IS domination--if not in final scores, than at least within coaching and preparedness.