Several area teams earned spots in the KSHSAA Covered preseason football rankings released ahead of the 2026 season, led by defending Class 1A state champion Sterling.
The Black Bears open the season ranked No. 1 in Class 1A after finishing 13-0 last fall. Inman, which went 8-2 in 2025, is ranked No. 3 in the same classification.
Buhler is the highest-ranked area team in the larger classifications, checking in at No. 3 in Class 4A. The Crusaders finished 6-4 last season. Bishop Miege opens at No. 1 in 4A, followed by St. Thomas Aquinas.
Hutchinson received consideration outside the top five in Class 5A after finishing 7-3 last season. Kapaun Mt. Carmel is ranked No. 1 after a 12-1 campaign, followed by St. James Academy, Salina Central, Basehor-Linwood and Hays.
McPherson also received consideration in Class 4A.
In Class 3A, Hesston and Pratt were among the teams receiving consideration. Pratt finished 9-2 last season, while Hesston went 6-4. Defending state champion Andale holds the No. 1 spot after a 13-0 season.
Haven received consideration in Class 2A, where Sabetha opens the season ranked No. 1.
Sterling and Inman are joined by Hutchinson Trinity and Moundridge among the area teams represented in Class 1A. Trinity finished 8-3 last season, while Moundridge went 8-3.
Hutchinson Central Christian received consideration in Eight-Player Division II after a 10-1 season. Hanover is ranked No. 1, followed by Victoria, Axtell, Little River and Sylvan-Lucas.
Peabody opens the season ranked No. 4 in Six-Man football after finishing 7-3 last season. Weskan holds the No. 1 position.
In Class 6A, defending champion Manhattan opens at No. 1 after an 11-2 season. Mill Valley, Derby, Olathe Northwest and Wichita Northwest round out the top five.
KSHSAA Covered Preseason Football Rankings
CLASS 6A
- Manhattan (11-2)
- Mill Valley (8-3)
- Derby (8-4)
- Olathe Northwest (9-4)
- Wichita Northwest (9-2)
Others receiving consideration: Free State (6-4), Gardner Edgerton (9-3), Junction City (7-3), Maize (10-1), Olathe West (9-2), Shawnee Mission East (5-4), Shawnee Mission Northwest (7-4), Washburn Rural (6-4), Wichita Southeast (7-3).
CLASS 5A
- Kapaun Mt. Carmel (12-1)
- St. James Academy (10-2)
- Salina Central (12-1)
- Basehor-Linwood (12-1)
- Hays (8-3)
Others receiving consideration: Andover (6-3), Andover Central (5-5), Bishop Carroll (6-4), De Soto (7-3), Goddard (6-4), Hutchinson (7-3), Leavenworth (9-2), Liberal (7-3), Spring Hill (8-2), Washington (7-2).
CLASS 4A
- Bishop Miege (7-6)
- St. Thomas Aquinas (8-2)
- Buhler (6-4)
- Wamego (9-3)
- Great Bend (11-1)
Others receiving consideration: Eudora (9-2), Highland Park (6-3), Labette County (9-3), McPherson (5-4), Mulvane (8-2), Ottawa (7-4), Rock Creek (11-1), Rose Hill (6-4), Wellington (8-3).
CLASS 3A
- Andale (13-0)
- Hayden (12-1)
- Holcomb (9-1)
- Cheney (7-4)
- Hoisington (10-1)
Others receiving consideration: Frontenac (8-2), Hesston (6-4), Holton (6-5), Hugoton (8-2), Jefferson West (8-3), Nemaha Central (13-0), Prairie View (8-2), Pratt (9-2), Santa Fe Trail (11-1), Scott City (5-3).
CLASS 2A
- Sabetha (9-2)
- Osage City (10-2)
- Council Grove (7-3)
- Southeast of Saline (12-1)
- Silver Lake (7-3)
Others receiving consideration: Beloit (6-4), Caney Valley (9-2), Garden Plain (9-2), Haven (7-3), Marion (7-3), Phillipsburg (7-4), Riverside (8-3), Riverton (5-5), Russell (7-3).
CLASS 1A
- Sterling (13-0)
- Rossville (11-2)
- Inman (8-2)
- Centralia (8-2)
- Smith Center (11-1)
Others receiving consideration: Hillsboro (6-4), Hutchinson Trinity (8-3), Jackson Heights (11-1), Jefferson County North (8-2), Moundridge (8-3), Olpe (7-3), Republic County (8-2), Sacred Heart (5-4), St. Mary’s Colgan (10-1), TMP Marian (6-3).
EIGHT-PLAYER DIVISION I
- South Central (12-0)
- Lincoln (11-2)
- Trego (10-1)
- Oberlin (7-3)
- Wichita County (8-3)
Others receiving consideration: Cedar Vale/Dexter (7-2), Central Plains (5-4), Clifton-Clyde (6-3), Ell-Saline (9-2), Hill City (10-2), Lyndon (8-1), Oswego (7-3), Oxford (7-2), Rawlins County (5-4), Sublette (6-3).
EIGHT-PLAYER DIVISION II
- Hanover (13-0)
- Victoria (12-1)
- Axtell (10-2)
- Little River (9-2)
- Sylvan-Lucas (10-2)
Others receiving consideration: Argonia/Attica (6-4), Cunningham (11-1), Flinthills (5-5), Frankfort (6-5), Hodgeman County (10-2), Hutchinson Central Christian (10-1), Kinsley (6-2), Lebo (6-4), Linn (7-4), Madison (8-2), Marmaton Valley (8-2), Troy (6-4), Wallace County (9-1).
SIX-MAN
- Weskan (11-2)
- South Barber (10-2)
- Tescott (8-3)
- Peabody (7-3)
- Ingalls (9-2)
Others receiving consideration: Logan (7-3), Marais des Cygnes Valley (5-3), Northern Valley (5-5), Pawnee Heights (6-5).