KSR’s Top 25 Rankings: 2026 Preseason

1. Trinity

2. Christian Academy-Louisville

3. Boyle County

4. South Warren

5. St. Xavier

6. Frederick Douglass

7. Corbin

8. Owensboro

9. Highlands

10. Ryle

11. Lexington Christian Academy

12. Franklin County

13. Covington Catholic

14. Beechwood

15. DuPont Manual

16. Woodford County

17. Paducah Tilghman

18. Pulaski County

19. Scott County

20. Male

21. Owensboro Catholic

22. Johnson Central

23. Belfry

24. Atherton

25. Bowling Green

Others receiving votes: Madison Central (23), Cooper (14), Ashland Blazer (9), Ballard (9), Bryan Station (2), North Laurel (1), Mayfield (1)

KSR Top 25 voters: Todd Able, Danny Campbell, Jalen Daughtry, Les Dixon, Vic Evans, Sam Gormley, Sterling Hohman, Troy Howell, Lovell Martin, Scott Ratliff, Travis Scaggs, and Phoenix Stevens.

https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/ksr-2026-kentucky-high-school-football-top-25-rankings-preseason/

North Laurel Jags with a vote... interesting...

Manual too low, and Ryle too high.

I think Ryle is definitely to high as they been wore out in both scrimmages however against very very good teams.

Swap Scott County with Ryle ?

23 minutes ago, PrettyGood said:

Swap Scott County with Ryle ?

I would be suprised to not see Scott Co. in the top 10 once we get some games under our belt. Ryle probably shouldn’t be on this list entirely but we’ll see.

18 hours ago, Tigerpride94 said:

Manual too low, and Ryle too high.

Agree completely. Manual looked like a pretty complete team vs CAL. Meanwhile Ryle lost the kitchen sink.

1 hour ago, PrettyGood said:

Swap Scott County with Ryle ?

Swap Simon Kenton with Ryle.

Preseason polls are very tough but "KSR" should have had time to at least consider the Beechwood/Ryle scrimmage. Ryle doesn't belong in the top 25, not even close. This speaks loudly about the credibility of the poll/KSR. Additionally, we now know South Warren is no where near number 4. Finally, it is important for everyone to know that the KSR rankings are a novelty because Kentucky is a classified football state and this is an all inclusive ranking of Kentucky High School Football teams. With all that said, KSR probably has nearly all the top teams on that list so it is a good starting point. Like every year, I look forward to see how KSR moves teams up and down their rankings.

4 hours ago, Scottcountyred said:

I would be suprised to not see Scott Co. in the top 10 once we get some games under our belt. Ryle probably shouldn’t be on this list entirely but we’ll see.

Definitely have SC in the top 10(maybe at 10) Especially if their defense steps up this yr. Still expect them to have a dog fight with Wofo in that rivalry match. This year SC comes out on top imo.

3 hours ago, theguru said:

Additionally, we now know South Warren is no where near number 4.

Would you still have SW in the top 10?

9 minutes ago, Devils Fan said:

Would you still have SW in the top 10?

After watching Owensboro beat them every which way but loose, no way.

25 minutes ago, theguru said:

After watching Owensboro beat them every which way but loose, no way.

That's hard for me to believe. With all they have returning and the coaching staff. I still have SW coming out of the west in 6A in my early predictions.

1 hour ago, Devils Fan said:

That's hard for me to believe. With all they have returning and the coaching staff. I still have SW coming out of the west in 6A in my early predictions.

I thought we were talking about right now, not November.

1 hour ago, theguru said:

After watching Owensboro beat them every which way but loose, no way.