Kansas High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams – Sept. 13
The Kansas On3 Massey Ratings top 25 list for Sept. 13 has two sides. The top ten shows minimal movement, with only two teams switching places. However, it’s a significant swap because it brings a new team on top of Kansas high school football.
Conversely, the rear part of the list is like the Wild West. Only four teams maintained their positions, and one team improved its status by six spots. Another team went up four places to enter the top 25. After the recent round of games in ‘America’s Heartland’ unfolded, here’s how the best high school football teams in the state size up with each other.
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. Gardner Edgerton
Previous: No. 2 (+1)
The Trailblazers earned the top spot in the Kansas high school football rankings after scoring wins against Shawnee Mission North (49-27) and Choctaw (66-44). Gardner Edgerton’s running game was humming against the Yellowjackets as Syre Padilla and Porter Swain combined for five touchdowns. While there are no concerns regarding their offense, surrendering 35.5 points per game could be the chink in their armor. The Trailblazers can go for 3-0 against Shawnee Mission Northwest on Sept. 19.
2. St. Thomas Aquinas
Previous: No. 1 (-1)
The Saints did enough to win their season opener against Blue Valley West 25-21. Running back Calin Ardnt scored a couple of touchdowns, while Joey Goodenow’s sack preserved the victory against the Jaguars. St. Thomas Aquinas will face St. James Academy tonight, and Massey Ratings favor them to win against the third-ranked team in Kansas.
3. St. James Academy
Previous: No. 3
While Massey Ratings predicted a Thunder loss to the Bishop Miege Stags, St. James Academy didn’t read the script. Instead, they completed a 44-28 victory, thanks mainly to their dominating passing attack. Parker Chase had six catches for 170 yards and three touchdowns, while Sam Niesen had five receptions for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Tyson Beashore had 262 passing yards, while John Tujague had 95 rushing yards and a touchdown. A showdown with St. Thomas Aquinas will be a real litmus test for the Thunder.
4. Blue Valley
Previous: No. 4
The Tigers roared to a 34-0 shutout victory over Blue Valley Southwest to open their 2024 Kansas high school football season. Running back Charlie Stachowiak paced Blue Valley with 22 carries for 122 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Jack Ryan and Jackson Hooper caught one touchdown pass each from quarterback Christopher Aiello. Blue Valley’s top-ranked defense will face a more challenging test in 15th-ranked Washburn Rural tonight.
5. Mill Valley
Previous: No. 5
The Jaguars survived a gritty Olathe South to secure a 42-35 victory in their season opener. Connor Bohon led Mill Valley with 112 rushing yards and a touchdown. Andrew Watts caught another touchdown, while Jayden Woods disrupted the Falcons offense all game, leading to three sacks. A grueling assignment awaits Mill Valley as they compete with Missouri’s top-ranked team, Lee’s Summit North, later today.
6. Derby
Previous: No. 6
The Panthers understood the assignment and delivered, dominating Hays 40-7. Quarterback Drew Kemp was invaluable to Derby’s success after throwing four touchdowns and rushing for one more. Arieus Finley added a rushing touchdown, while Da’saahn Brame and Daylen Bledsoe each received two touchdown passes. Derby’s defense swarmed the Indians, leading to four sacks and an interception. As the Panthers put their best foot forward, their Sept. 13 foes (Campus Haysville) won’t stand a chance.
7. Manhattan
Previous: No. 7
The Indians are only one of two teams in the top ten to have already played two games this season. Manhattan was impressive in both matches, disposing of Garden City Sr. (57-21) and Lawrence Free State (38-28). Carter Aslin was a one-person wrecking crew against the Lawrence Indians, finishing with three rushing touchdowns. JJ Dunnigan had a 99-yard kickoff return touchdown, while Jaydin Hudley crossed the goal line for six points once. Manhattan will put their unscathed record on the line against Hays on Sept. 20.
8. Blue Valley Northwest
Previous: No. 8
The eighth-best team in Kansas high school football defeated Blue Valley North 34-13. LJ Bowens spearheaded the Huskies’ offense, tallying 131 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Blue Valley Northwest added three passing touchdowns to open their season positively. Massey Ratings predicts an easy victory for the Huskies against Shawnee Mission Northwest tonight.
9. Andale
Previous: No. 9
The Indians struck gold by dominating the El Dorado Wildcats 68-7. It’s a fantastic start for a squad with seven state championships and 13 sectional titles. After an impressive season-opening performance, Andale will travel to Wellington to face the Crusaders. While the Indians are ranked ninth in the state, they have the fourth-best offense due to their high-scoring victory against the Wildcats.
10. Northwest
Previous: No. 10
Northwest soared to a 34-13 victory over Bishop Carroll to jumpstart their 2024 campaign. Augie Fast was sensational against the Golden Eagles, finishing with 201 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Griffin Baker and Chase Carter had a touchdown catch each. Meanwhile, Ja’Mari Bland and Franklin Ekue swarmed Bishop Carroll’s offense, resulting in three interceptions. This Wichita-based squad can improve to 2-0 with a victory against the East Aces tonight.
Teams 11-25 in the latest Kansas High School Football Rankings
11. Blue Valley West (+2)
12. Bishop Miege (-1)
13. Lawrence (+6)
14. East (-2)
15. Washburn Rural (-1)
16. Shawnee Mission Northwest (+2)
17. Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic (-1)
18. Cheney (-3)
19. Lawrence Free State (-2)
20. Andover Central
21. Eisenhower
22. Clay Center Community
23. Blue Valley Southwest (+2)
24. Goddard
25. Olathe North (+4)