Max Worrell

FINAL KANSAS PREGAME REGULAR SEASON FOOTBALL RANKINGS, brought to you by @SalinaOrtho, with locations in Belleville, Beloit, Colby, Ellsworth and Salina This week's results presented some real challenges in updating our Kansas Pregame football rankings. It's important to remember that our rankings are based on our assessment of each team's ability to compete for a state championship, rather than simply its record or most recent performance. Here's a little analysis of each classification: CLASS 6A: We're pretty confident Mill Valley and Derby are the top two teams. From there, things get considerably more difficult to predict. The Panthers might even deserve the No. 1 spot. Olathe North threw a wrench into the rankings with its overtime victory over Gardner Edgerton, but we still like the Blazers' postseason prospects better than those of the Eagles. If the two teams played 10 times, we think Gardner Edgerton would win at least six. That said, Olathe North is talented and appears to be coming on strong under first-year head coach Jason Peete. The eastern half of the bracket should produce some outstanding playoff matchups. CLASS 5A: It feels like there's a fairly clear top tier of five teams, followed by another tier just below them. Of course, the playoffs could prove us wrong. CLASS 4A: Great Bend appears to be reeling a bit heading into the postseason, while McPherson looks to be on the rise. Bishop Miege is obviously the heavy favorite, but the rest of the field looks remarkably balanced. CLASS 3A: Andale's battle with Reno County Homeschool might give the rest of the field some optimism heading into the postseason, but we suspect that performance was an outlier and the Indians will return to form in the playoffs. Hesston's victory over Chapman was impressive, while Cheney's injury concerns leave some unanswered questions. Still, we like the top four teams a little better than the rest of the field at this point. CLASS 2A: There are two possibilities here: Either Silver Lake is substantially better than everyone else, or this is the deepest classification in state history. From No. 2 on down, we couldn't be less confident in our rankings right now. CLASS 1A: Sterling looks really good. 8-MAN DIVISION I: It feels like the top three teams are probably a step ahead of the rest of the field. 8-MAN DIVISION II: Two possibilities here: Either Axtell and Hanover are two touchdowns better than the rest of the field, or this is the deepest classification of 2026. 6-MAN: We're very confident that our top five teams are the five best teams in the classification. NOTE: South Barber's record reflects their forfeit win over Deerfield and the win over Billings, Okla., from the game that was played in place of that Deerfield game.