Kentucky high school football rankings: Final media poll as playoffs arrive

Christian Academy of Louisville’s Micah Newsome (26) makes the touchdown catch over Owensboro High School’s Kalil Shemwell (0) in the first half at Centurion Stadium in Louisville. August 28, 2026

With Kentucky’s high school football playoffs set to kick off this week, the final media poll of the year reflects heavy favorites to win championships in all six classes.

Trinity (Class 6A), Pulaski County (5A), Christian Academy (3A) and Pikeville (A) are unanimous No. 1 picks in their respective classes.

In Class 4A, Highlands received 14 of the 16 first-place votes. Paducah Tilghman received the other two.

In Class 2A, Beechwood garnered 15 of the 16 first-place votes, with Owensboro Catholic getting the other one.

The five-week playoff march will culminate with the state finals set for Dec. 4-5 at the University of Kentucky’s Kroger Field in Lexington.

The Kentucky High School Football Media Poll is conducted by 16 sports journalists throughout the state, with one representative for each of the 16 basketball regions in order to provide geographical balance.

Here are the complete polls. First-place votes are in parentheses.

Class 6A football poll


1. Trinity	9-1	160	1
2. Frederick Douglass	10-0	143	2
3. Manual	9-1	128	3
4. South Warren	8-2	109	4
5. Madison Central	9-1	99	5
6. Bullitt East	8-2	70	7
7. St. Xavier	4-6	58	6
8. McCracken County	7-3	37	9
9. Male	5-5	28	8
10. Bryan Station	5-5	26	10

Class 5A football poll


1. Pulaski County (16)	10-0	160	1
2. Woodford County	9-1	137	2
3. Owensboro	8-2	130	3
4. Scott County	7-3	98	5
5. Atherton	8-2	82	4
6. West Jessamine	10-0	81	6
7. Cooper	8-2	72	7
8. Bowling Green	6-4	47	8
9. Madisonville-North Hopkins	8-2	35	9
10. Collins	7-3	30	10

Class 4A football poll


1. Highlands (14)	8-2	158	1
2. Boyle County	8-2	137	2
3. Paducah Tilghman (2)	10-0	136	3
4. Corbin	8-2	98	5
5. Ashland Blazer	9-1	90	4
6. Covington Catholic	6-4	88	6
7. North Oldham	9-1	68	7
8. Nelson County	9-1	37	10
9. Logan County	7-3	22	8
10. Spencer County	7-3	16	9

Class 3A football poll


1. Christian Academy (16)	10-0	160	1
2. Lexington Catholic	8-2	137	2
3. Murray	9-1	126	3
4. Glasgow	9-1	89	4
5. Rockcastle County	10-0	84	5
6. LaRue County	10-0	82	6
7. Lloyd Memorial	9-1	63	7
8. Bourbon County	9-1	58	9
9. Lawrence County	9-1	57	8
10. Bardstown	7-3	13	10

Class 2A football poll

			Last week
1. Beechwood (15)	10-0	159	1
2. Owensboro Catholic (1)	9-1	142	2
3. Lexington Christian	8-2	125	3
4. Belfry	9-1	108	5
5. Mayfield	8-2	93	4
6. Somerset	9-1	85	6
7. Danville	8-2	53	7
8. Prestonsburg	9-1	42	9
9. Breathitt County	8-2	35	8
10. Caldwell County	8-2	19	10

Class A football poll

KCD’s Deion Davidson is tripped up by Bethlehem’s Michael Crigler in the first half. Oct 16, 2026


1. Pikeville (16)	9-1	160	1
2. Sayre	10-0	137	2
3. Raceland	8-2	129	3
4. Kentucky Country Day	8-2	101	5
5. Paintsville	9-1	86	6
6. Middlesboro	9-1	83	4
7. Bethlehem	9-1	72	7
8. Louisville Holy Cross	7-3	54	8
9. Eminence	8-2	21	9
10. Covington Holy Cross	8-2		NR

Class 6A football poll

Class 5A football poll

Class 4A football poll

Class 3A football poll

Class 2A football poll

Class A football poll

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