Kansas High School Football Top 25 Rankings - Sept. 17

While Massey updated its Kansas high school football top 25 rankings, the same team still emerges at number one. Here are the state’s best squads based on the ratings as of Sept. 17.

The Massey Ratings system, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, the strength of their schedule, and the margin of victory.

1. St. Thomas Aquinas Saints

St. Thomas Aquinas, the best team in Kansas high school football, outclassed St. James Academy 41-21. The current win streak of the defending Class 5A state champions has reached 20 games, and they can extend it by defeating Blue Valley on September 19. 

2. Manhattan Indians

The Indians remain perfect after two games. In their 47-7 domination against Lawrence Free State, Finn Watson threw for 127 yards and two touchdowns, while McLain Aslin had 112 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Manhattan will host Hays on September 19.

3. Andale Indians

The reigning Class 3A state champions are starting the season at 2-0 after defeating Wellington 77-20. Andale has scored a whopping 181 points in only two games, giving them confidence as they visit Rose Hill on September 19.

4. Blue Valley Northwest Huskies

Coincidentally, the Huskies scored 40 points in both victories to open the 2025 Kansas high school football season. In their latest game against Shawnee Mission Northwest, Aidan Ihm threw for 187 yards and three touchdowns, while Baron Marshall registered 105 receiving yards and two TDs. LJ Bowens added 91 rushing yards and two scores. On defense, Kaleb Peterson and Blake Berry combined for 17 tackles and two sacks. Blue Valley Northwest’s next game will be at home against St. James Academy on September 19. 

5. Hays Indians

The Indians have been at the better end of close games early in the season. After a one-point win over Derby, Hays pulled off a 21-19 win against Choctaw. Holden Lind opened up the scoring for the Indians via a 59-yard touchdown run. Zane Viegra scored the second TD courtesy of a quarterback sneak, while Lind scored another TD to make the count 21-6. Hays can improve to 3-0 by defeating Manhattan on the road this Friday.

6. Mill Valley Jaguars

The Jaguars remained in the top ten despite losing to Missouri’s Lee’s Summit North. The Mill Valley run game deserves credit, starting with Blake Jay’s 129 rushing yards and a touchdown. Max Piva had 81 yards from the ground, while Reggie Reece added 78. Mill Valley can erase this setback by defeating Shawnee Mission East on the 19th.

7. St. James Academy Thunder

While the Thunder lost to St. Thomas Aquinas, John Hornback had a solid game, finishing with 246 passing yards, 38 rushing yards, and two touchdowns. Alec Jett added 152 receiving yards and a touchdown. St. James Academy can bounce back with a victory against Blue Valley Northwest on September 19.

8. Gardner Edgerton Trailblazers

The reigning Kansas high school football Class 6A state champions earned a victory against St. Pius X, their first this year. Syre Padilla dominated the Warriors with 215 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Up next for Gardner Edgerton is a September 19 home game versus Shawnee Mission South.

9. Derby Panthers

Haysville Campus was at the bitter end of the Panthers’ 55-0 beatdown. After losing to Manhattan in their final game last year and Hays in their season opener, Derby is back on track with a win. The Panthers can start a winning streak by defeating Salina South on September 19.

10. Great Bend Panthers

The Panthers are at 2-0 after defeating Olathe South 40-21. Daxton Minton threw for 177 passing yards, rushed for 69, and scored a touchdown. Conner Holladay had a game, collecting 189 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Hayden Kelly added 80 receiving yards and a touchdown. Great Bend proceeds to a road game against Buhler on September 19.

11. Olathe West
12. Lawrence Free State
13. Junction City Sr.
14. Maize
15. Hutchinson
16. Shawnee Mission Northwest
17. Bishop Miege
18. Blue Valley
19. Northwest
20. Washburn Rural
21. Shawnee Mission East
22. Olathe North
23. Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic
24. Blue Valley West
25. Olathe East