The 2026 high school football season kicked off with a clear hierarchy in Kentucky, as Trinity, the reigning Class 6A state champion, secured the top spot in the inaugural High School Football America Kentucky Top 10.
The Tigers finished the previous year with a 13‑2 record and now sit at No. 51 in the national HSFA 300 rankings, the highest placement for any Kentucky program.
A Deep Field of Contenders
Close behind Trinity, Boyle County, the Class 4A champions, open the season at No. 273 nationally, while St. Xavier, Trinity’s longtime arch‑rival, begins at No. 3 after a 10‑4 campaign.
South Warren, a runner‑up in the Class 6A championship with a 13‑1 record, slides in at No. 4, and Frederick Douglass follows at No. 5 after a solid 8‑5 finish.
Other programs rounding out the preseason top ten include Covington Catholic (No. 6), Louisville’s duPont Manual (No. 7), Owensboro (No. 8), Highlands (No. 9) and Ryle (No. 10), each carrying the momentum of strong 2025 performances.
The rankings reflect a competitive landscape where traditional powerhouses and emerging programs alike are poised to shape the upcoming season, promising intense matchups and a fierce battle for the state title.