Four new teams joined the top 10s in their respective classes: Spencer County (tied for ninth in 4A), Bourbon County (ninth in 3A), Prestonsburg (10th in 2A) and Eminence (10th in A).
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. The poll will be released online on Wednesday mornings during the remainder of the regular season.
Here are the complete polls. First-place votes are in parentheses.
Class 6A football poll
The Trinity football team prepares to take to the field before the rivalry game against St. X. Sept. 25, 2026
Rank, team, FPV
Record
Points
Last week
1. Trinity (16)
6-1
160
1
2. Frederick Douglass
6-0
144
2
3. Manual
5-1
125
3
4. Madison Central
6-0
107
4
5. South Warren
5-2
96
6
6. St. Xavier
2-4
71
5
7. Male
3-3
40
7
8. Eastern
5-1
35
8
9. George Rogers Clark
5-2
27
T9
10. Bullitt East
4-2
23
T9
Others receiving votes: McCracken County 19, Bryan Station 16, Lafayette 12, North Hardin 5.
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Class 5A football poll
Rank, team, FPV
Record
Points
Last week
1. Pulaski County (15)
6-0
159
1
2. Scott County (1)
6-1
140
2
3. Woodford County
5-1
119
3
4. Owensboro
5-2
115
4
5. Atherton
5-1
93
5
6. Cooper
5-2
69
6
7. West Jessamine
7-0
65
7
8. Madisonville-North Hopkins
6-1
43
8
9. Collins
5-2
33
9
10. Bowling Green
3-4
23
10
Others receiving votes: South Laurel 10, Fairdale 8, Muhlenberg County 2, North Laurel 1.
Class 4A football poll
1 / 5
St. X faces Boyle County in KHSAA football. See photos from the game
Saint Xavier head football coach Brian Landis and Boyle County High School head football coach Justin Haddix talk before the team’s game of KHSAA football at Brother Thomas More Page Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. Oct. 2, 2026
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
1 / 5
St. X faces Boyle County in KHSAA football. See photos from the game
Saint Xavier head football coach Brian Landis and Boyle County High School head football coach Justin Haddix talk before the team’s game of KHSAA football at Brother Thomas More Page Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. Oct. 2, 2026
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
2 / 5
St. X faces Boyle County in KHSAA football. See photos from the game
Boyle County High School’s Seneca Driver (5) warms up before playing Saint X during KHSAA football at Brother Thomas More Page Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. Oct. 2, 2026
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
3 / 5
St. X faces Boyle County in KHSAA football. See photos from the game
Saint Xavier’s Te’Are Wilson-Towns (5) before the team’s game of KHSAA football at Brother Thomas More Page Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. Oct. 2, 2026
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
4 / 5
St. X faces Boyle County in KHSAA football. See photos from the game
Boyle County High School’s Maddox Hager (13) warms up before playing Saint X during KHSAA football at Brother Thomas More Page Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. Oct. 2, 2026
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
5 / 5
St. X faces Boyle County in KHSAA football. See photos from the game
Saint Xavier’s Jamari Carroll (8) before the team’s game of KHSAA football at Brother Thomas More Page Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. Oct. 2, 2026
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
Rank, team, FPV
Record
Points
Last week
1. Highlands (13)
6-1
157
1
2. Boyle County
5-1
141
2
3. Paducah Tilghman (3)
7-0
134
3
4. Ashland Blazer
7-0
105
5
5. (tie) Corbin
4-2
90
6
5. (tie) Covington Catholic
4-3
90
4
7. North Oldham
6-1
46
8
8. Logan County
5-2
32
7
9. (tie) Johnson Central
2-5
21
9
9. (tie) Spencer County
5-2
21
NR
Others receiving votes: Nelson County 16, Boyd County 8, Elizabethtown 7, Warren East 7, Franklin County 4, Greenup County 1.
Class 3A football poll
Rank, team (FPV)
Record
Points
Last week
1. Christian Academy (16)
7-0
160
1
2. Lexington Catholic
4-2
133
2
3. Murray
6-1
125
3
4. Glasgow
7-0
111
5
5. Rockcastle County
7-0
81
6
6. Lloyd Memorial
6-1
71
4
7. Lawrence County
4-1
66
7
8. LaRue County
7-0
42
8
9. Bourbon County
6-1
34
NR
10. Bardstown
5-2
27
9
Others receiving votes: Central 14, Russell 8, Hart County 7, Estill County 1.
Class 2A football poll
Rank, team, FPV
Record
Points
Last week
1. Beechwood (15)
6-0
159
1
2. Owensboro Catholic (1)
6-1
141
2
3. Lexington Christian
4-2
122
3
4. Mayfield
6-1
105
4
5. Belfry
6-1
102
5
6. Danville
7-0
74
6
7. Somerset
6-1
70
7
8. Breathitt County
5-1
34
9
9. Caldwell County
6-1
26
8
10. Prestonsburg
5-1
25
NR
Others receiving votes: DuBois 18, Monroe County 2, Martin County 1, St. Henry 1.
Class A football poll
1 / 5
See photos from Holy Cross-Sayre football game in Lexington
Holy Cross wide receiver Jayden Smith warms up during the football game between Holy Cross and Sayre on Oct. 2, 2026; Lexington, KY, USA; at Sayre Athletic Complex.
(Christian Kantosky/Special to The Courier-Journal)
1 / 5
See photos from Holy Cross-Sayre football game in Lexington
Holy Cross wide receiver Jayden Smith warms up during the football game between Holy Cross and Sayre on Oct. 2, 2026; Lexington, KY, USA; at Sayre Athletic Complex.
(Christian Kantosky/Special to The Courier-Journal)
2 / 5
See photos from Holy Cross-Sayre football game in Lexington
Sayre players run off the field after warming up during the football game between Holy Cross and Sayre on Oct. 2, 2026; Lexington, KY, USA; at Sayre Athletic Complex.
(Christian Kantosky/Special to The Courier-Journal)
3 / 5
See photos from Holy Cross-Sayre football game in Lexington
Both teams warm up prior to the football game between Holy Cross and Sayre on Oct. 2, 2026; Lexington, KY, USA; at Sayre Athletic Complex.
(Christian Kantosky/Special to The Courier-Journal)
4 / 5
See photos from Holy Cross-Sayre football game in Lexington
A Holy Cross player runs onto the field before the football game between Holy Cross and Sayre on Oct. 2, 2026; Lexington, KY, USA; at Sayre Athletic Complex.
(Christian Kantosky/Special to The Courier-Journal)
5 / 5
See photos from Holy Cross-Sayre football game in Lexington
Holy Cross wide receiver Malachi Watkins warms up during the football game between Holy Cross and Sayre on Oct. 2, 2026; Lexington, KY, USA; at Sayre Athletic Complex.
(Christian Kantosky/Special to The Courier-Journal)
Rank, school, FPV
Record
Points
Last week
1. Pikeville (16)
6-1
160
1
2. Sayre
6-0
136
2
3. Raceland
4-2
126
3
4. Middlesboro
6-0
100
4
5. Paintsville
7-0
88
6
6. Bethlehem
7-0
77
7
7. Louisville Holy Cross
5-1
75
5
8. Kentucky Country Day
4-2
50
8
9. Dayton
6-0
25
9
10. Eminence
5-1
15
NR
Others receiving votes: Covington Holy Cross 11, Williamsburg 10, Hazard 4, Nicholas County 2, Ludlow 1.
Voters: Steve Springer (Murray Ledger & Times), Edward Marlowe (WKDZ-FM), Mark Mathis (Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer), Micheal Compton (Bowling Green Daily News), Josh Claywell (The Kentucky Standard, LaRue County Herald News), Cory Bosemer (Bosemer Media), Jason Frakes (The Courier Journal), James Weber (Cincinnati Enquirer), Brendan Connelly (Cincinnati Enquirer), Evan Dennison (LinkNKy.com), Jared Peck (PrepSpin.com), Mike Marsee (Danville freelancer), Les Dixon (13thRegionMediaNetwork.com), Brendon Miller (Bluegrass Sports Nation), Randy White (Appalachian News-Express), James Collier (Rams Sports Network).
1 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Kentucky Country Day’s Eric Forney (3), along with Kentucky Country Day’s Nic Doster (8), Kentucky Country Day’s Arvin Khehira (62) and Kentucky Country Day’s Tripp Swisher (42) lead the Bearcats onto the field before the home opener against visiting Sayre High School during Class 1A KHSAA football. August 21, 2026
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
1 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Kentucky Country Day’s Eric Forney (3), along with Kentucky Country Day’s Nic Doster (8), Kentucky Country Day’s Arvin Khehira (62) and Kentucky Country Day’s Tripp Swisher (42) lead the Bearcats onto the field before the home opener against visiting Sayre High School during Class 1A KHSAA football. August 21, 2026
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
2 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Players warm up before the Central Yellow Jackets host the Manual Crimsons in KHSAA football action in Louisville, Ky., on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026.
(Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal)
3 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Lexington’s Sayre High School celebrates regaining the Old Oaken Bucket after coming from behind to defeat 2025 Class 1A state champions Kentucky Country Day 22-19 at Monohan Field in Louisville during Class 1A KHSAA football. August 21, 2026
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
4 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Central’s Phillip Baker (1) takes the snap during first half action as the Central Yellow Jackets host the Manual Crimsons in KHSAA football action in Louisville, Ky., on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026.
(Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal)
5 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
The sunset painted the sky a deep orange as Kentucky Country Day and Sayre High School played during Class 1A KHSAA football. August 21, 2026
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
6 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Jamaurion Berry of Louisville Trinity scores a touchdown during the varsity football game between Louisville Trinity and Anderson on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, at Anderson High School.
(LaMar Price II, LaMar Price, II for The Cincinnati Enquirer)
7 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Sayre High School celebrates their come-from-behind win over Kentucky Country Day during the Bearcats’ home opener during Class 1A KHSAA football. August 21, 2026
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
8 / 25
See Louisville-area high school football fans during the 2026 season
The Manual student section dress in USA attire as the Central Yellow Jackets host the Manual Crimsons in KHSAA football action in Louisville, Ky., on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026.
(Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal)
9 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
KCD student Daniel David salutes the American flag before the game against Sayre during Class 1A KHSAA football. August 21, 2026
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
10 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Kentucky Country Day’s Deion Davidson (6) couldn’t make this catch for a touchdown as the Bearcats fell to visiting Sayre 22-19 during Class 1A KHSAA football. August 21, 2026
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
11 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Zane Johnson of Louisville Trinity reaches across the goal line for a touchdown during the varsity football game between Louisville Trinity and Anderson on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, at Anderson High School.
(LaMar Price II, LaMar Price, II for The Cincinnati Enquirer)
12 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Manual head coach Keith Eckloff works the sideline as the Central Yellow Jackets host the Manual Crimsons in KHSAA football action in Louisville, Ky., on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026.
(Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal)
13 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Kentucky Country Day’s Holden Cheney (85) practices a route during warm-ups before playing Sayre for Friday night KHSAA football. August 21, 2026
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
14 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Ashton Taylor of Louisville Trinity is ecstatic after a touchdown score during the varsity football game between Louisville Trinity and Anderson on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, at Anderson High School.
(LaMar Price II, LaMar Price, II for The Cincinnati Enquirer)
15 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Kentucky Country Day’s Chase Browning (7) tries get some yardage during a run during the game against Sayre at Monohan Field Friday night KHSAA football. August 21, 2026
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
16 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Manual’s Donvalette Richardson (11) gives a thumbs-up while the game clock winds down as the Central Yellow Jackets host the Manual Crimsons in KHSAA football action in Louisville, Ky., on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026.
(Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal)
17 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Manual’s Jeremy Presley (5) celebrates with his teammates after defeating Central 37-6 in KHSAA football action in Louisville, Ky., on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026.
(Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal)
18 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Players warm up before the Central Yellow Jackets host the Manual Crimsons in KHSAA football action in Louisville, Ky., on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026.
(Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal)
19 / 25
See Louisville-area high school football fans during the 2026 season
Young Kentucky Country Day students run behind the football team before the home opener against visiting Sayre High School during Class 1A KHSAA football. August 21, 2026
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
20 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Despite a facemask penalty, Jamaurion Berry of Louisville Trinity scores a touchdown during the varsity football game between Louisville Trinity and Anderson on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, at Anderson High School.
(LaMar Price II, LaMar Price, II for The Cincinnati Enquirer)
21 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
A pair of gloves lay on the turf as players warm up before the Central Yellow Jackets host the Manual Crimsons in KHSAA football action in Louisville, Ky., on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026.
(Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal)
22 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
John Stivers of Louisville Trinity signals for a first down as the Shamrocks offense makes it way down the field on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, at Anderson High School.
(LaMar Price II, LaMar Price, II for The Cincinnati Enquirer)
23 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Kentucky Country Day head football coach Matthew Jones shouts to his team during the game against Sayre at Monohan Field Friday night KHSAA football. August 21, 2026
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
24 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Central head coach Mekale McKay walks the sideline during first half action as the Central Yellow Jackets host the Manual Crimsons in KHSAA football action in Louisville, Ky., on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026.
(Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal)
25 / 25
See The Courier Journal’s best photos of the 2026 KHSAA football season
Kentucky Country Day’s DJ Lawless (5) couldn’t hang onto this end zone pass as Sayre’s Duncan Barlow (44) defends during Class 1A KHSAA football. August 21, 2026
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
Jason Frakes: (502) 582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Follow on X @kyhighs.
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