Way-Too-Early Kentucky High School Football Top 25 Rankings

As the 2025 Kentucky high school football season nears, excitement is mounting for what promises to be a highly competitive and thrilling year. From seasoned powerhouses to rising programs, here are the top 25 teams in the Bluegrass State according to Massey.

The 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.

1. Trinity Shamrocks

The Shamrocks closed the 2024 Kentucky high school football season with a nine-game winning streak. That stretch includes a 42-23 victory over Ryle to capture their second consecutive Class 6A state championship.

Trinity will aim for a three-peat in 2025, which they will open against Pleasure Ridge Park on Aug. 22. They will need quarterback Zane Johnson to manifest offensive mastery, allowing him to utilize talented players like running back Jamaurion Berry and wide receiver Sekou Kamara. Meanwhile, the Shamrocks’ defense has playmakers like three-star lineman Jahbarri Frost and four-star cornerback Allen Evans.

2. Boyle County Rebels

The Rebels carried a 12-game winning streak before their Class 4A quarterfinal game against Covington Catholic. Sadly, their loss to the Colonels ended their promising season and snapped their 27-game winning streak dating back to their championship-winning 2023 campaign.

Regaining the Class 4A state title will be Boyle County’s foremost goal this year. The path to claiming the crown starts against Atherton on August 15. The Rebels’ tight end duo of Seneca Driver and Maddox Hager is vital to their success.

3. St. Xavier Tigers

While the Tigers started the 2024 Kentucky high school football season with a 6-3 record, they lost two of their last three games, including their Class 6A second-round matchup against Ryle. Likewise, their 7-5 finish is a slight regression from their 2023 record.

St. Xavier will open its 2025 season against Owensboro on Aug. 22. Wide receiver Marlon Harbin and linebacker Karsten Busch are some of their key players.

4. Frederick Douglass Broncos

After an undefeated 15-0 in 2022-23, the Broncos had an 8-5 record the following year and were 9-5 last year. Frederick Douglass’ 2024-25 season ended with a shutout loss to Trinity in the Class 6A state semifinals.

The Broncos are looking for their third double-digit win season in the last five years. The path to that goal starts on Aug. 22 against Highlands and another road game against Trinity a week later. High school football fans must keep an eye on their key players like Elijah Ward, Tacori Fields, Demond Green and Jermiah Turner.

5. Highlands Bluebirds

The Bluebirds’ 61-23 loss to Cooper in the Kentucky high school football Class 5A semifinals snapped a seven-game losing streak and ended their quest for a state championship, which they last won in 2014.

For the 2025-26 season, Highland’s campaign starts against Frederick Douglass on August 22. A week later, they will have a rematch with the team that eliminated them last year. Quarterback Mario Litmer will navigate the Bluebirds’ offense while linemen Mason Howard and Max Merz protect him.

6. Ryle
7. Christian Academy
8. Corbin
9. Bowling Green
10. Cooper

11. Louisville Male
12. Covington Catholic
13. Dupont Manual
14. Franklin County
15. Paducah Tilghman

16. South Warren
17. Ballard
18. Bryan Station
19. Central
20. Woodford County

21. Beechwood
22. Johnson Central
23. Scott County
24. Lexington Christian Academy
25. Paul G. Blazer