Preseason Kansas High School Football Top 25 Rankings

While the Sunflower State may be famous for its affinity for basketball, Kansas high school football is also worth appreciating. Whether they are from traditional powers or up-and-coming programs, these squads give it their all for football glory.

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

1. St. Thomas Aquinas Saints

The Saints won the Kansas high school football Class 5A state championship after defeating Hays. That victory also extends their active winning streak to 18 games dating back to the 2023 season. Defensive lineman Zion Thornton and the entire St. Thomas Aquinas team will start their quest for a three-peat against St. James Academy on September 12.

2. Gardner Edgerton Trailblazers

After their lone loss to Mill Valley, the Trailblazers went on a seven-game winning streak to finish the 2024-25 Kansas high school football season. That stretch includes their 36-33 victory over Manhattan for their second consecutive Class 6A state championship. Gardner Edgerton’s mission for a three-peat starts on September 5 against Lawrence Free State.

3. St. James Academy Thunder

While the Thunder finished their 2024-25 Kansas high school football season with a 6-6 record, it’s still an impressive mark, considering they lost four of their first five games. Likewise, their campaign ended with a loss to St. Thomas Aquinas in the Class 5A state semifinals. St. James Academy will aim for a better finish this year, and its schedule will begin with a game against Bishop Miege on September 5. 

4. Mill Valley Jaguars

The Jaguars dominated their opponents last season, as proven by three shutout victories. Sadly, their run ended via a heartbreaking one-point loss to St. Thomas Aquinas in the Kansas high school football Class 5A sectionals. Mill Valley will start the 2025-26 season against Olathe East on September 4, and they will bank on great performances from interior offensive lineman Lamarcus Barber and linebacker MJ Wash.

5. Derby Panthers

The Panthers surged to an 11-0 record through playoff victories against Haysville Campus, Junction City, and Wichita East. Unfortunately, Derby fell short against Manhattan in their Kansas high school football Class 6A state semifinal showdown. The Panthers will try to erase the taste of bitter defeat as they begin another season. Derby can put up a good fight, thanks to their talented offensive players like running back Arieus Finley, tight end Chyler Walker, and four-star interior lineman Maxwell Robinson.

6. Blue Valley Northwest
7. Manhattan
8. Blue Valley West
9. Blue Valley
10. Andale

11. Bishop Miege
12. Olathe North
13. Lawrence Free State
14. Shawnee Mission Northwest
15. Hays

16. Andover Central
17. Northwest
18. Lawrence
19. Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic
20. Eisenhower

21. Olathe East
22. Blue Valley North
23. Great Bend
24. Shawnee Mission East
25. Wichita East