Friday nights in Missouri are a big deal. Always have been. Whether you played on a turf field under the lights in Blue Springs or on a grass field in a small town, there's something about Missouri high school football that sticks with you. The band. The crowd. The hit you remember from your junior year.
Well, the 2026 season is coming fast, and the Massey Ratings preseason top 25 for Missouri is here. These rankings, which use the same model that was officially used during the BCS era, analyze game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory to project the best teams in the state. Let's break down who's who and what to watch this fall.
The Top 5: Teams to Beat
1. Blue Springs South Jaguars
The Jaguars enter 2026 as the team to beat — and for good reason. Head coach Alan Wilmes has completely turned this program around since taking over after an 0-10 season in 2021. Now? Blue Springs South is sitting at No. 1 in the state.
They return the top player in Missouri, Ohio State commit Prince Goldsby at defensive end. Goldsby put up 13.5 sacks in 2025 and is the kind of game-wrecker who changes how every opponent schemes their offense. The Jaguars went 9-1 last season and were ranked No. 1 in Missouri, though their playoff run ended earlier than expected — losing to rival Blue Springs in the district semifinals. That chip on their shoulder is going to fuel them this year.
2. Christian Brothers College Cadets
CBC finished 2025 with a 12-1 record and a No. 2 national ranking. That tells you everything about the program the Cadets have built. They did graduate some serious talent — three-star safety Nick McClellan and edge rusher Jake Plummer — but the next wave is already here.
Keep an eye on wide receiver Kingston McPike, who spent 2025 on junior varsity due to eligibility rules and still put up 843 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns, plus 388 return yards. That's the kind of explosive playmaker who can flip a game. The Cadets fell 45-42 to Jackson in the Class 6 playoffs last season, so they'll be hungry.
3. Nixa Eagles
Nixa is the only team in the top three that reached the 6A state championship game in 2025. That experience matters. Yes, they graduated Jackson Cantwell — the No. 1 player nationally in the class of 2026 according to Rivals — which leaves a massive gap on the offensive line. But this roster is far from empty.
They return starting quarterback Adam McKnight, who threw for 23 touchdowns and 1,839 yards last season with Cantwell blocking for him. Defensively, cornerback Carter Mabe and linebackers Reed Wilson and Weston Weldon give the Eagles a solid core to build around.
4. Liberty North Eagles
Liberty North might be the most complete top-five team entering 2026 — no glaring roster holes and a strong returning core. Quarterback Brennan Smith is back after throwing for 1,375 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025. Wide receiver Jaxen Proden, a three-star safety committed to Iowa State, put up 754 yards and six scores while contributing on defense.
They did lose Zemar Cheatam (1,573 yards), but the Eagles have offensive talent ready to step up. Liberty North finished 7-5 last season and ranked No. 10 — expect them to climb.
5. Lee's Summit North Broncos
The Broncos had a tumultuous 2025. Head coach Jason Rodgers resigned weeks into the season after self-reported MSHSAA violations. Deron Washington stepped in as interim, and now former Missouri defensive coordinator DeMontie Cross takes over as the permanent head coach.
The Broncos return running back Bryce Thompson, who rushed for 958 yards last season, and linebacker Caleb Green, who averaged 14.5 tackles per game with two sacks. If Cross can stabilize the program, this team has the pieces to make noise. They finished 6-6 in 2025 ranked No. 8.
Preseason Rankings: No. 6 Through No. 15
The middle of the top 25 is loaded with tradition-rich programs and rising contenders:
- Platte County Pirates
- Liberty Blue Jays
- Lee's Summit Tigers
- Rockhurst Hawklets
- Blue Springs Wildcats
- Carthage Tigers
- Cardinal Ritter Lions
- Jackson Fighting Indians — Remember, Jackson knocked off CBC in the 2025 playoffs as the No. 13 team. Don't sleep on them.
- Republic Tigers
- Kearney Bulldogs
Preseason Rankings: No. 16 Through No. 25
The back half of the top 25 features programs that could easily make a run:
- Park Hill Trojans
- Blair Oak Falcons
- Helias Crusaders
- De Smet Spartans
- Webb City Cardinals — A perennial small-school powerhouse that always seems to outperform projections.
- Lee's Summit West Titans
- Joplin Eagles
- Kirkwood Pioneers
- Grain Valley Eagles
- Lafayette Lancers
What the Massey Ratings Tell Us
The Massey Ratings have been around since the BCS era, and they crunch more than just wins and losses. The model factors in strength of schedule and margin of victory, which explains why Blue Springs South — despite their early playoff exit — still holds the top spot. They dominated the regular season with a 9-0 record, beating top programs like Lee's Summit North and Liberty North along the way.
What's interesting about this year's rankings is the gap between regular-season dominance and playoff success. Blue Springs South, CBC, and Nixa all had the talent to win it all last year, but only Nixa made it to the state championship game. That's Missouri high school football — anyone can get beat on the right night.
Gear Up for the Season
Whether you're still playing or your playing days are behind you, the start of football season brings back memories. The bus rides. The workouts in August heat. That first Friday night under the lights when everything felt possible.
For those who've hung up the cleats but still want to rep their glory days, design a custom football jersey with your name, your number, and your school colors. Or check out the full collection of football jerseys to find the look that brings it all back.
The 2026 season is going to be one to remember. Get your popcorn 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.