Defending-champion Manhattan will try and reach the 6A title game for a third consecutive season and for the fourth time in the past five seasons. Joe Schartz’s group faces the challenge of reloading after losing a talented class including two-way standout J.J. Dunnigan among several others. Returning is running-quarterback McLain Aslin, E.J. Massenburg, and Joe Mortensen in the backfield behind a couple of experienced linemen up front. The defense will be led by Max Evans-Pryor and Liam Nider at linebacker and Mortensen and Adonis Dunnigan in the secondary. The Indians will open with a showdown against Missouri-power Rockhurst.
Next: vs. Rockhurst (Mo.) (0-1)
Kapaun Mt. Carmel completed a dominant 2025 season with a 56-21 victory over Bishop Miege to win the 4A state championship. It was Kapaun's first state football title since 1987. Now, Coach Weston Schartz will face the challenge of moving the Crusaders back to Class 5A. Kapaun has several key players returning on offense, including quarterback Cole Rapp and running back Ken Huff. Huff rushed for more than 1,600 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, while Rapp controlled the offense with 875 passing yards and nearly 450 yards on the ground. The Crusaders also return starters Max Worrell and Jack Runyan up front. The defense will be led by returner Pete Keller at linebacker and Aiden Flucas on the defensive line. KMC opens with a challenge game against Washburn Rural.
Next: vs. Washburn Rural
Randy Dreiling's Saints finished 8-2 a season ago with a 28-27 loss to Mill Valley in the second round of the 5A playoffs. Both Aquinas losses were by a single point last fall with the other coming 36-35 in overtime to Missouri-power Rockhurst. While Aquinas graduated some standout players, including all-everything RB Calin Arndt, the Saints have plenty returning to challenge for a title in their move to Class 4A this fall. Quarterback Carson Patrick is back to direct the offense this fall behind a couple of returners up front. The offense will likely get the ball to Colton McGlinn, Arthur Witherspoon, and Xavier Bachamp. Defensively, the Saints will be led up front by Zion Thornton, who is receiving plenty of interest at the next level. Terrance Bryant returns after a strong 2025 season at linebacker, and Gunnar Greeson leads the secondary. The Saints open by hosting 5A-ranked St. James Academy.
Next: vs. 5A No. 2 St. James Academy
Andale is coming off of its second consecutive Class 3A state title and enters the 2026 season on a 26-game win streak. The Indians have become the standard in Kansas having won the state title in six of the past seven seasons. On offense, Andale must replace its catalyst in quarterback Sam Harp. Harp accounted for more than 2,400 yards and 45 touchdowns last seasona and was a mult-year starter. Afton Allaire, Cruz Kaiser, and Noah Stanley are expected to be among the primary ball carriers. Brody Winter returns as one of the top linemen in the classification. Defensively, Jrayton Dansel and Parker Lies give the Indians two of the top linebackers in the state.
Next: vs. Rose Hill
Sabetha has its first preseason No. 1 ranking since the top mark in Class 3A in 2019. Sabetha posted a 9-2 record with two losses to rival Nemaha Central, 20-18, in district play and 21-20 in the state quarterfinals. The Bluejays return all five starters across the offensie line. Senior quarterback Micah Lang also returns, along with backs Curtis Fitzgerald and Lincoln Menold. On defense, Menold recorded 82 tackles for a unit that paced 2A with 8.5 points allowed a contest.
Next: at Holton
Sterling completed a perfect season with a 35-34 victory over Rossville in the 1A state championship game. It was the Black Bears' second state football title and the first since 1982. The Black Bears then posted a 28-0 record in boys’ basketball. In the win over Rossville, sophomore Jacob Lewis caught a 24-yard TD pass from quarterback Logan Isaac with just 52 seconds left. Sterling graduated Top 11 all classes running back Zane Farney, who cleared 2,300 yards and tallied 43 touchdowns. Jace Damauer and Deryn Maxwell are among the players expeceted to take over in the backfield. Sterling returns several players with experience across the offensive line. Sterling brings back four of its top-five tacklers on defense. Lewis posted 174 tackles, including 15.5 for loss.
Next: vs. Moundridge
South Central won its first state championship and posted a 12-0 record. The Timberwolves had close playoff wins against Oberlin-Decatur Co. (60-48), Leoti-Wichita County (36-28) and Hill City (40-32) before a 34-8 win versus Lincoln in the state title game. South Central graduates an all-time great player in Jack Herd, though returns multiple key pieces from a group that finished fourth in scoring offense (52.2 points/game) and second in scoring defense (13.4 allowed). The T-Wolves led Division I with 10.2 yards per play and ran the ball 70 percent of the time. Senior quarterback Easton Huck completed 66 of 98 passes for 1,213 yards with 26 scores and three interceptions. Herd by far paced South Central with 162 tackles, though the next seven tacklers are all back. Senior Jack Willems posted 74 tackles and 17 stops.
Next: vs. Meade
Hanover is the defending state champion after it won a thrilling 28-20 contest against Victoria and finished 13-0. It marked the seventh state title under longtime coach Matt Heuer. Hanover also ended Axtell’s eight-man state record 58-game winning streak during the regular season. The Wildcats defeated Axtell, 26-18, in districts and 34-24 in the state semifinals. Quarterback Kadrick Cohorst is back after a stellar season, including four rushing TDs in the first game versus Axtell. Cooper Bruna and Brody Sedlack return in the backfield. Heuer has 199 career victories.
Next: at Thayer Central (Neb.) (0-1)
Weskan won the state championship in 2024 when the Coyotes beat Cunningham for the title. Last year, it flipped when Cunningham defeated Weskan. Cunningham bumps to Eight-Man, Division II and Weskan is the preseason No. 1 team for the second straight year. Weskan finished second in the final 2025 poll. The Coyotes were second in scoring at 50.2 points per game and second in scoring defense with 15.8 points allowed a contest. Weskan finished 11-2 and returns one of the state’s most dynamic players in Karsyn Wright.
Next: vs. Satanta
Last updated: August 31, 2026 - 09:42 pm
