North Dakota Football Polls Remained Unchanged
The latest 11A and 9-man football rankings released by the association keep top contenders in their spots.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Football
The North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters & Sportswriters Association released updated high school football polls for 11A and 9-man divisions. Top-ranked teams in both classes maintained their positions following continued undefeated performances.
Why it matters
These rankings reflect the current competitive landscape among North Dakota high schools, highlighting programs that have demonstrated consistent dominance through the mid-season.
New Rockford-Sheyenne-Maddock leads the 9-man poll with an unblemished 5-0 record, while Ellendale/Edgeley/Kulm holds second in 11A with an identical 5-0 mark. Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter currently sits fifth in the 9-man rankings.
The players
North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters & Sportswriters Association
This professional organization is responsible for organizing and conducting the statewide ranking of North Dakota high school athletic programs.
New Rockford-Sheyenne-Maddock
This high school football program currently maintains a 30-game winning streak and holds the number one rank in the 9-man division.
Ellendale/Edgeley/Kulm
This football team holds the second rank in the 11A division with an undefeated record.
The details
Rankings for the state's football teams are determined by votes cast by members of the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters & Sportswriters Association. Velva/Drake/Anamoose/Garrison currently holds the top rank in the 11A division, while LaMoure-Litchville/Marion remains second in the 9-man category.
Timeline
September 23, 2026: The NDAPSSA released the updated 11A and 9-man football polls.
Season Trajectory
The continued top-ranking of these programs reinforces the established hierarchy for the current football season. These standings heavily influence the expected playoff picture and the competitive balance across North Dakota's 11A and 9-man divisions.
The consistency in the polls provides a clear indicator of which teams are currently favored to secure high seeds heading into the final stretch of the regular season. This ranking stability allows fans and analysts to better gauge the parity within the 11A and 9-man conferences.
The takeaway
Maintaining top poll status during the mid-season is a testament to program discipline and consistent execution on the field. Teams looking to challenge these leaders will need to prioritize adjustments as the season approaches the post-season bracket phase.
Further reading
For more information on high school athletics, visit the North Dakota Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News Dakota.
