Kansas High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams - September 24
As of Sept. 24, the Kansas On3 Massey Ratings top 25 list did not change much, save for 20th-ranked Shawnee Mission Northwest and 21st-ranked Great Bend switching places. After the third week of the 2024 Kansas high school football season, the elite squads solidified their rankings, as seven of the top ten teams remain undefeated.
Meanwhile, Olathe North and Louisburg continue their rise from being out of the top 25 a week ago. Here’s how the best teams in Kansas fare before another round of games occurs over the weekend.
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
Previous: No. 1
The Saints don’t overwhelm their opponents by scoring many points, as they haven’t had a 30-point game this season. However, their defense has consistently risen, limiting opponents to 16.25 points per game. St. Thomas Aquinas’ top-ranked defense limited Blue Valley to 16 points during their Sept. 20 match. Worst yet for the Tigers, Crue Huenfield had a 76-yard interception touchdown return. Meanwhile, the Saints carved the Blue Valley defense with their run game, gaining 307 yards on the ground while attempting only two throws. St. Thomas Aquinas will try to maintain their undefeated run against Blue Valley Southwest on the 27th.
2. Gardner Edgerton
Previous: No. 2
The Trailblazers escaped the fierce challenge from Shawnee Mission Northwest to remain undefeated after three games. Gardner Edgerton scored a season-low 28 points, led by Syre Padilla’s 23 carries for 137 rushing yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, wide receiver Porter Swaim added nine catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. Despite the scare brought by the Cougars, the Trailblazers’ top-ranked offense still averages 47.66 points per game.
3. Blue Valley Northwest
Previous: No. 3
After starting the season with two blowout victories, the Huskies won a close one against 11th-ranked St. James Academy, 27-24. LJ Bowens had 108 rushing yards, while Trevor Garlington had three catches for 113 receiving yards. However, Ford Bevins, Nathan Baxter, and Baron Marshall scored touchdowns for Blue Valley Northwest. Conversely, the Huskies defense generated 51 tackles and an interception. Blue Valley Northwest can improve to 4-0 with a win over Washburn Rural on Friday.
4. Derby
Previous: No. 4
It’s been smooth sailing for the Panthers early in the 2024 Kansas high school football season. They’ve outscored their opponents 176-14, including a 59-7 demolition of Salina South. It was a team effort for the Panthers, with six players responsible for four offensive touchdowns. Meanwhile, the defense generated one interception, nine tackles for losses, four sacks, and 47 tackles. Special teams contributed two touchdowns, courtesy of a James Middlebrook kickoff return touchdown and Da’Saahn Brame’s punt return TD. Derby can improve to 4-0 by defeating Maize on Sept. 27.
5. Mill Valley
Previous: No. 5
The Jaguars are back in the win column after a 31-23 victory over Lawrence Free State. Reggie Reece paced the offense with 176 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Andrew Watts and Connor Bohon combined for 101 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. The win over the Firebirds improved Mill Valley’s offensive ranking to second place. The Jaguars can display more of that offensive firepower in their road game versus Shawnee Mission South on the 27th.
6. Blue Valley West
Previous: No. 6
The Jaguars have won two straight following their season-opening loss to St. Thomas Aquinas. In their recent win against Bishop Miege, Tate Nagy threw 280 yards and three touchdowns, while Wayne Carter punished the Stags defense with 204 rushing yards and two scores. Quin Myers joined the fun, finishing with 134 receiving yards and a touchdown. Blue Valley West can extend their winning streak to three games by defeating Blue Valley North on Sept. 27.
7. Blue Valley
Previous: No. 7
The Tigers fell short against St. Thomas Aquinas, their first loss this season. In addition to scoring only 16 points, Dawson Merritt and the Blue Valley defense allowed 28 points despite being ranked second-best among all Kansas high school football teams. Blue Valley can rediscover their winning ways against St. James Academy, but it would take a better effort from Merritt, Lincoln Steuve, and Maguire Richman to seal the victory.
8. Manhattan
Previous: No. 8
The Indians have been completing close victories over the past two weeks. After their ten-point win over Lawrence Free State, Manhattan escaped with a 34-30 victory against Hays. The Indians needed Carter Aslin’s 321 passing yards and three touchdowns to remain undefeated this season. Meanwhile, JJ Dunnigan had a receiving touchdown out of 131 yards. Manhattan will take on Junction City Sr. for a 4-0 record.
9. Northwest
Previous: No. 9
While the Grizzlies defense has allowed the most points in a season (30), they still defeated Junction City. The Bluejays had no answers for Augie Fast and Jaylen Mason, who combined for 327 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Northwest can register their fourth win this season against Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic on Sept. 27.
10. Andale
Previous: No. 10
After giving up 48 points to Wellington, the Andale Indians blanked Rose Hill for a 3-0 start this year. It was the Indians’ first shutout victory of 2024. Meanwhile, Andale’s high-powered offense is ranked third among all teams in Kansas, as they average 58.6 points per game. On deck for the Indians is a home game against Wichita Collegiate School.
Teams 11-25 in the latest Kansas High School Football Rankings
11. St. James Academy
12. Blue Valley Southwest
13. Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic
14. Olathe North
15. Olathe East
16. Cheney
17. Lawrence
18. Eisenhower
19. Andover Central
20. Shawnee Mission Northwest (+1)
21. Great Bend (-1)
22. Lawrence Free State
23. Bishop Miege
24. Southeast Saline
25. Louisburg