Kansas High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams - Oct. 16

The Kansas On3 Massey Ratings top 25 list as of Oct. 16 features four undefeated teams in the top ten, including the Kansas high school football’s best team, which is nationally ranked just outside the top 100. Here’s where the state’s best teams are ranked after the games during the second weekend of October.

The On3 Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.

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1. St. Thomas Aquinas

The Saints visited Rockhurst, Missouri’s ninth-best team, and escaped with a one-point victory in overtime, 14-13. In addition to getting a road victory, the result bucked the Massey Ratings prediction of an easy win for the home team. Calin Arndt caught a touchdown pass and completed a 22-yard game-winning rushing score. After being on the road for their last two games, they will put their undefeated record on the line against the visiting Blue Valley Northwest on Oct. 18.

2. Mill Valley

The Jaguars extended their winning streak to four games after edging Gardner Edgerton on the road 41-35. It was a tight game until Reggie Reece scored the game-winning touchdown with eight minutes left in regulation. Reece dominated the Trailblazers, finishing with 193 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Andrew Watts added three receptions for 124 yards. The team boasting of Kansas high school football’s top-ranked offense will be on the road again this week against Shawnee Mission West.

3. Gardner Edgerton

Despite losing their first game of the season, the Trailblazers still had some commendable players in their tough loss to Mill Valley. Syre Padilla’s rushing touchdowns helped level the score at 14 through halftime and briefly gave Gardner Edgerton the lead in the third quarter. Likewise, Bravin Powell scored the rushing touchdown that led to a tied game. The Trailblazers must keep this momentum to score a victory against Olathe Northwest on the 18^th.

4. Derby

The Panthers have maintained their streak of limiting opponents to single-digit scores through six games. They’ve surrendered 30 points in six games, including the six points Valley Center scored in their latest match. Conversely, Derby scored 49, led by Arieus Finley’s 146 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Da’saahn Brame added 98 receiving yards, 55 rushing yards, and two touchdowns. Likewise, the Panthers’ defense swarmed the Hornets, tallying 78 tackles (ten for losses). Derby will try to maintain their perfect record when they host Maize South on the 18^th.

5. Manhattan

The Indians passed the challenge thrown by the tenth-ranked Northwest with flying colors. They established a 24-10 halftime lead and never looked back. Manhattan leaned on Carter Aslin and Jaydin Hudley, who combined for 325 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Through six games, the Indians have the third-best offense in Kansas high school football, averaging 46.3 points per game. Manhattan will aim for a 7-0 record when they visit Topeka.

6. Blue Valley

The Tigers have won three straight after losing to top-ranked St. Thomas Aquinas at home. That stretch includes two consecutive road wins against Blue Valley North and Blue Valley Northwest. Against the Huskies, Charlie Stachowiak had 186 rushing yards, and Grant Westphal added 164 receiving yards. Christopher Aiello led Blue Valley’s offense with 294 passing yards and two touchdowns. Through six games, the Tigers have the state’s second-best defense. Seventh-ranked Blue Valley West will test that unit on their Oct. 18 showdown.

7. Blue Valley West

The Jaguars are now on a five-game winning streak after dominating Blue Valley Southwest 49-14. Tate Nagy paced Blue Valley West’s offense by missing only one throw (12 of 13) for 281 passing yards and five touchdowns. Wayne Carter added 98 rushing yards and a touchdown, while the passing attack had three receivers scoring touchdowns. While they are in a good rhythm lately, sixth-ranked Blue Valley offers a different challenge.

8. Blue Valley Northwest

After winning their first four games in the 2024 Kansas high school football season, the Huskies are suddenly on a two-game skid, dropping one-possession games against Blue Valley West and Blue Valley. Ford Bevins threw two touchdowns in their 27-21 loss to the Tigers, while LJ Bowens had 117 rushing yards. Blue Valley Northwest is still ranked sixth on offense and defense despite the defeat. However, they can’t expect to defeat top-ranked St. Thomas Aquinas on the road with the same effort they’ve shown in their last two games.

9. Andale

The Indians have limited five of their six opponents to single digits. That count includes their shutout victory versus Smoky Valley, marking the second time they’ve kept a foe off the scoreboard this season. Meanwhile, scoring 47 points or more in their six wins earned Andale the fifth spot in the Kansas offensive rankings. The Indians will put their unblemished record on the line against Trinity Academy on the 18^th.

10. Northwest

The Grizzlies’ five-game winning streak ended against Manhattan 38-17. Chase Carter made a stellar effort in the loss, tallying two catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Jaylen Mason contributed 94 rushing yards and a touchdown. Northwest will try to bounce back against the South Titans on Oct. 18.

Teams 11-25 in the latest Kansas High School Football Rankings

11. St. James Academy
12. Lawrence Free State
13. Shawnee Mission Northwest
14. Eisenhower
15. Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic
16. Lawrence
17. Cheney
18. Great Bend
19. Shawnee Mission East
20. Basehor-Linwood
21. Goddard
22. Hays
23. Southeast Saline
24. Olathe East
25. East