Trinity Tops Kentucky High School Football Poll
The final 2026 Kentucky High School Football Media Poll ranks teams across all six classes as playoffs begin.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Football
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The Kentucky High School Football Media Poll released its final 2026 rankings on Nov. 4, naming Trinity, Pulaski County, Christian Academy and Pikeville as unanimous No. 1 picks in Classes 6A, 5A, 3A and A. The state's playoffs kick off this week, with state finals set for Dec. 4-5.
Why it matters
The final poll sets the seeding picture for Kentucky's five-week playoff run, giving fans in the state a clear view of the top teams in every class heading into the postseason. Close first-place splits in Classes 4A and 2A signal competitive races ahead.
Voters cast 16 first-place votes per class, with Highlands taking 14 in Class 4A and Beechwood taking 15 in Class 2A, while Covington Holy Cross debuted at No. 10 in Class A. The poll reflects the views of 16 sports journalists, one from each basketball region, and does not account for the playoff results still to come.
The players
Kentucky High School Football Media Poll
The poll is compiled annually by a panel of 16 sports journalists representing each basketball region in Kentucky to rank high school football teams across six classes.
The details
The poll was conducted by 16 sports journalists, one representing each of Kentucky's 16 basketball regions, and voters cast first-place votes for each class. Other teams receiving votes included Oldham County in Class 6A, Elizabethtown in Class 4A, DuBois in Class 2A and Williamsburg in Class A.
Timeline
Nov. 4, 2026: Final 2026 media poll published.
This week: Kentucky high school football playoffs begin.
Dec. 4-5, 2026: State finals at the University of Kentucky's Kroger Field in Lexington.
Season Trajectory
The poll ranks teams within the six classifications set by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, so top placements reflect results against classification peers rather than statewide competition. Final rankings like these set the stage for a playoff bracket where the top-ranked teams in each class face their toughest tests.
Fans following Kentucky high school football can use the final rankings to gauge which teams enter the playoffs as favorites in each class. Highlands and Beechwood received most first-place votes in their classes, but close splits in those polls point to races that remain open.
The takeaway
The final poll shows clear favorites in four classes while leaving Classes 4A and 2A more open. Readers tracking the playoffs can watch how those contested top spots perform once the postseason starts.
What happens next
State finals will be played Dec. 4-5, 2026, at the University of Kentucky's Kroger Field in Lexington, with playoff games beginning this week.
Further reading
For more on the state's postseason, see Football coverage across Kentucky.
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