Kentucky high school football runs deep. From the powerhouse programs in Louisville and Lexington to the small-town teams where the whole community packs the stands on Friday night, the Bluegrass State takes its football seriously. The Massey Ratings preseason top 25 for 2026 is out, and there's no surprise at the top — but there are plenty of storylines to follow.
The Massey Ratings, which were officially used during the BCS era, rank teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory. Here's how the best teams in Kentucky stack up heading into the 2026 season.
The Top 5: Teams to Beat
1. Trinity Shamrocks
If there's one constant in Kentucky high school football, it's Trinity. The Shamrocks have won 30 state championships in program history — more than any other school in the state — and they enter 2026 at No. 1 once again.
Trinity finished 2025 with a 13-2 record and the top spot in the final Massey Rankings. Leading the way is quarterback Zane Johnson, a Buffalo commit who has already won three state titles as a Shamrock. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound signal caller totaled 2,925 all-purpose yards, 53 touchdowns, and only three interceptions last season. When you've got a quarterback with that kind of experience and a program with that kind of tradition, you're the team to beat until proven otherwise.
2. St. Xavier Tigers
St. Xavier has some work to do. The Tigers graduated key players at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver — the top yardage producers at each position. That's a lot of production to replace.
Stepping in at quarterback is Class of 2027 Will Burmester (6-foot-2, 200 pounds), who saw limited action last season. The road back to the top of Kentucky football won't be easy for St. Xavier, but this is a program with the history and coaching to reload rather than rebuild.
3. Boyle County Rebels
Boyle County won a seventh Class 4A state championship in dramatic fashion, defeating Franklin County 34-0 in a game that featured a controversial call that kept their hopes alive. The Rebels are back with an experienced group looking to add an eighth title.
The offensive firepower is real. Four-star tight end Seneca Driver (Oklahoma commit) is a matchup nightmare, and he's joined by 6-foot-6 tight end Maddox Hager. With quarterback Jhet Raleigh back behind center, this offense has the experience and talent to make another deep run.
4. Christian Academy of Louisville Centurions
There might not be a more talented roster in Kentucky than what Christian Academy of Louisville brings to the field, especially on defense. The Centurions feature one of the top defensive line units in the state, anchored by 2028 five-star lineman Kellan Hall.
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound defender racked up 53 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks through 11 games en route to a Class 3A state championship. With that kind of talent on defense, expect another deep playoff run from the Centurions.
5. Frederick Douglass Broncos
Frederick Douglass brings back a loaded roster with multiple Division I and Power 4 prospects. The defense features 2027 three-stars in safety Demond Green and linebacker Tacori Fields. On offense, keep an eye on rising junior running back Ron'Rekus Barbour, who led the team in rushing last season.
With that kind of talent on the defensive side of the ball, it's easy to see why Frederick Douglass breaks into the top five. This is a program on the rise.
Preseason Rankings: No. 6 Through No. 15
The middle of the top 25 is stacked with historic programs and rising contenders:
- South Warren Spartans
- Dupont Manual Crimson
- Owensboro Red Devils
- Ryle Raiders
- Covington Catholic Colonels
- Corbin Redhounds
- Highlands Bluebirds
- Woodford County Yellow Jackets
- Louisville Male Bulldogs
- Bowling Green Purples
Preseason Rankings: No. 16 Through No. 25
The back half of the top 25 features programs with the potential to climb:
- Madison Central Indians
- Paducah Tilghman Blue Tornado
- Scott County Cardinals
- Pulaski County Maroons
- Franklin County Flyers
- Johnson Central Golden Eagles
- Lexington Christian Academy Eagles
- Ballard Bruins
- Owensboro Catholic Aces
- Bryan Station Defenders
What to Watch in Kentucky This Season
Trinity is the clear favorite — when you return a three-time state champion quarterback with 53 total touchdowns, that's the baseline. But the storyline to watch is how St. Xavier reloads after significant graduation losses, and whether Christian Academy of Louisville's loaded defense can carry them past Trinity.
Boyle County's experience and Frederick Douglass's rising talent make the Class 4A and 6A races ones to watch. And don't sleep on teams like Covington Catholic, Highlands, and Bowling Green — programs that always seem to outperform their preseason rank.
Gear Up for the Season
Whether you're still lining up on Friday nights or your playing days are behind you, there's nothing quite like Kentucky high school football. The smell of the grass. The marching band. That feeling when the crowd roars.
If you've hung up your cleats but still want to carry those memories, design a custom football jersey with your name, your number, and your school colors. Or browse the full football jersey collection to find the look that brings it all back.
The 2026 season is coming. Get ready.
Rankings via Massey Ratings, as reported by On3. The Massey Ratings model analyzes game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory using a system originally used during the BCS era.