Today we rank and analyze the ‘Big Boys,’ Kentucky’s 6A Classification
We have come to the “Big Boys” in our preseason rundown and analysis of the KHSAA’s top teams entering the 2026 season. We have broken down and analyzed, with the publishing of this article, four (4) of the six (6) KHSAA’s classifications. Class 6A will be interesting as we have a senior QB (Zane Johnson) vying for his fourth consecutive title, we have a Frederick Douglass team (once again) stacked with impressive roster talent, we have a South Warren team which is loaded with talent and excellently coached, and then we have St. Xavier and a Manual High squad both of which will be difficult to judge. Then there is Christian County (Tigers) which will commence play in Class 6A, District One, with what would seem to be an enviable amount of skill players and athletes, which the area seems to routinely produce. How good will the newly constituted Tigers be upfront? That is the $64.00 question. Ryle and McCracken will be talented and capable, but how good? That is really anyone’s guess.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
This week’s article is brought to you by Lasaters Coffee & Tea. This feature is brought to you each and every Tuesday morning. Around the KHSAA, Tuesday morning is the perfect time to wake up and smell the coffee or tea brewing.
Stuart and Blanchard Army Hospital
on Ft. Campbell
This week’s featured branches are our two hospital locations one in Jennie Stuart Medical Center and the other in the Blanchard Army Hospital servicing Fort Campbell’s 101st “Screaming Eagles.” Stop by either of these locations and enjoy your favorite coffee or tea, paired with your choice of breakfast or lunch- served all day!
Visit Lasaters, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.; or Saturdays, from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., to experience great hospitality & products curated just for you. Find the store closest to you at Lasaterscoffee.com
Lasaters Coffee & Tea is in the business of creating warm and welcoming environments where every cup of coffee brewed, and every relationship developed, honors God. Through quality craftsmanship, sustainable sourcing, and compassionate service, we aim to nourish and uplift our communities through the warmth of fellowship and the promise of hope with every guest we serve.
Get by one of our 11 locations and experience the warm and gracious hospitality for yourself. Lasaters Coffee & Tea is a place where you aren’t just served; you are loved!
Lasaters Coffee & Tea has been Brewing Coffee, Faith, and Community since 2004!
Lasaters is a place where you are more than served; you are loved!
Lassaters Coffee & Tea
These are the Kentucky “Big Boys.” The 6A Classification is Kentucky’s largest and has numerous entrants among Kentucky’s all-time more successful programs. It is also the classification which routinely produces the most “next level” talent.
We look at 6A in today’s article brought to you by your friends and neighbors at Lasaters Coffee & Tea. We like them in the order below set forth.
No. 1, Trinity (Louisville) Shamrocks, ’25 record 13-2, Defending 6A State Football Champions;
Over a three (3) year period, playing football against the toughest competition the KHSAA can muster and at its largest classification of competition, Zane Johnson (’27, QB) has started all 45-games Trinity has played. How has Johnson done? We’re glad you asked.
So far, Johnson has won 38 of the 45-games. Johnson has led his Trinity Shamrocks to three (3) straight KHSAA Football Titles. Johnson has completed 60.2% of his passing attempts, thrown for 7,215-yards, tossed 100-TD passes, and thrown just 21-INTs.
We suppose that is exactly how a prep QB finds himself, entering his senior year, committed to The University of Buffalo’s football program. “The Bulls” compete at the NCAA, Division I, FBS level in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
Johnson will be going for four (4) titles in succession. It is our guess he will hit his mark. There will be plenty of weapons at his disposal to accomplish this prodigious feat.
Jamaurion Berry (’27) returns for another tour with Johnson, his classmate. Berry gained 792-yards in ’25 with 12-rushing TDs, on 140-rushing attempts. Berry caught a TD pass and led the team in scoring with 82-points. Among his 82-points, were two, two-pointers scored on special teams.
Jason Hagan (’27) will be the leading returning target in the passing game. Hagan caught 33-balls in ’25 with 660-yards receiving and nine (9) TDs. Kaleb Warner (’27) and Jayce Duvall (’27) also return giving the Rocks a solid corp to whom to throw. Warner and Duvall combined for 65-receptions, right at 1,000-combined receiving yards, and 16-TDs.
Christopher Kehdy (’27) is a solid performer in the kicking game. Kehdy converted 62-PATs a year ago for a conversion rate of 95.4%. Kehdy was three (3) for seven (7) in FGs.
Luke Vize (’27) and Elijah Burns-Crump (’27) are back to lead the defense. Vize had 87-stops, 6.5-TFLs, three (3) FFs, a pair of FRs, and three (3) sacks. Burns-Crump had 56-tackles, 4-TFLs, half a sack, a FR, four (4) INTs, with two of those housed for 84-IRNYs.
On the back end, Myles Howze (’27) is as good as the commonwealth of Kentucky has to offer. Howze picked five (5) passes in 2025 and registered 46-stops. Howze is a shut-down guy.
Sekou Kamara (’27) is a playmaker. Kamara registered 40-tackles, 3.5-TFLs, 3.5-sacks, a FF, a FR, and three (3) INTs with 122-IRNYs and a pick-six.
The Rocks are loaded. The Rocks’s ’27 class is loaded. They appear to be a runaway choice to win the classification and give Coach Jay Cobb his fourth consecutive title.
No. 2, Frederick Douglass (Lexington), 8-5 in 2025, lost the regional championship to semi-finalist, Ryle, by a single point
Nate Mcpeek and his staff do as good a job developing roster talent, and getting that talent recruited, as any program in the commonwealth. Mcpeek had an eight win season in ’25, which doesn’t sound too good; but, considering who the Broncos schedule, that eight (8) wins is better than it may initially appear.
Jayden Guzman (’29) played considerably as a freshman and peformed pretty darn-well. Guzman threw for 1,228-yards and 14-TDs and was picked a measly four (4) times. Guzman didn’t do much with his feet a year ago so that may well be where some progression may occur this coming season.
Dakari Talbert (’27) may well be the premier RB in Kentucky this Fall. Talbert gained 1,423-yards in ’25, on. 205-carries, with 19-rushing TDs. Talbert was fairly handy, out of the backfield, in the passing game catching 14-balls with two of them going for scores. Talbert led the team in scoring with 126-points.
Kane Bell Pointer (’28) showed considerable promise last season. He caught 19-balls for 211-yards and three (3) TDs. His role in the offense should grow exponentially with the loss to graduation of Terry Cayson and DAndre Clay.
Clayton Wallace (’27) proved effective in the kicking game. Wallace converted 85.7% of his PATs (36 for 42).
Tacori Fields (’27) is top-notch on defense it would appear. Fields registered 95-tackles a season ago with 2.5 -TFLs, three (3) FFs, and three FRs. Field also registered 109-FRNYs (fumble recovery net yards) with a “Scoop and Score.”
Cionne Conn (’27) was also a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. Conn registered 55-tackles, a pair of TFLs, and scooped up a fumble and rumbled 65-yards for a TD. Conn led the team with three (3) picks on top of everything else.
Keep an eye on Toby Robinson (’28). Robinson registered 37-stops, with two INTs, one of which he housed, helping him wrack up 42-IRNYs along the way. Phillip Higgins (’28) clocked a pick-six of his own last year, returning it 37-yards to the house. Higgins also had three (3) TFLs peppered amongst his 23-stops.
No. 3, South Warren, 13-1 in 2025, Lost to Trinity High (28-14) in the 6A title game
There is not a better coached team in Kentucky than the Spartans from South Warren. Brandon Smith has won multiple titles as a head coach himself in both 4A and 5A at South and dad, Chuck Smith, helps him and has his own chapter in our book linked here.
The Smiths are a familial coaching dynasty. There are others out there like the Smiths, like the Morrises, the Jaggers, the Larkeys, etc., but you know what we mean.
Camden Page (’27) has proven difficult to unseat. Page completed 169 of his 241-passing attempts in 2025 (completion rate of a smidgen above 70%), for 2,343-yards passing with 24-TDs against only eight (8) picks. Page was crafty enough to score seven (7) TDs a season ago on the ground.
Jamir Boards (’28) looks ready to take over the primary ball carrier role. Boards gained nearly 600-yards (581) last season with seven TDs rushing. Look out for Walker Summers (’29) who scored three (3) rushing TDs a season ago though only a freshman and only seeing action in eight (8) of the team’s 14 games.
Justin Capps (’27) has proven himself to be a reliable target. He caught 28-balls, eight (8) of which scored, for 563-yards receiving. Tucker Sears (’27) snagged 26-balls in 2025 and took four (4) of those across the goal line.
Remember from where you first heard this…Isaiah Bridges (’27) is special. Last year, Bridges contributed substantially in all three (3) phases, hard to do playing at the top of the 6A classification in Kentucky or any other state or commonwealth.
Bridges caught 13-balls, one (1) of which crossed the goal line, Bridges housed a pair of kick-offs. Bridges picked off five (5) passes on defense amongst his 98-IRNYs, a FR, and had 45-stops.
South will have to find a PKer. Alen Alic is out of eligibility.
Takyon Darden (’27), Ryly Oller (’27), and Cole Kuzma (’27) are the leaders of the defense and they all return. Darden resisted 68-stops, 17-TFLs, three (3) sacks, an INT, a FF, and a FR; Oller registered 65-stops, 10-TFLs, a pair of sacks, forcing a fumble, and picking a pair of passes including a pick-six; Kuzma registered 59-tackles, 14-TFLs, a sack, forcing a pair of fumbles, and picking a pass he housed from 42-yards from pay dirt.
South Warren will be in this race. At the end of the day, if anyone can unseat Trinity, these guys have to be considered a threat. The Spartans are just that well coached.
No. 4, St. Xavier High (Louisville), 10-4 in 2025, lost to Trinity in the semifinals
Kevin Wallace, one of Kentucky’s All-Time High School Football Coaches & Someone I Liked (book reference), retired at the end of last season. Brian Landis was brought in from the ranks of college coaches to replace him at one of Kentucky’s premier, high school jobs.
Landis got to work replacing departed QB, Mason Trimble, who had a fine year for the Tigers a season ago but exhausted his eligibility. The transfer of William Shoptaw (’28), from Hazard to St. Xavier, will certainly give the program a reliable (and proven) option.
Last year, playing 1A football at Hazard High, Shoptaw completed 210 of his 346-passing attempts (61% completion rate) for 2,798-yards and 23-TDs against seven (7) picks. Shoptaw also ran for a pair of scores.
Shoptaw will be seeing better competition than he faced at Hazard. However, Shoptaw will also have better talent protecting him and better talent around him. At 6’2,” 200-pounds and clipping off 40s in 4.76-seconds, let’s just say Shoptaw has the frame and athleticism to play QB at any level.
Cooper Yates (’27) returns at RB and while, not overly flashy, Yates is steady, Yates is reliable. Yates is effective in the screen game too, catching 15-balls, swinging out of the backfield in ’25, for 210-yards and a pair of scores. Yates scored 36-points a year ago and will be the leading returner in that category.
Logan Seales will inherit the PKer slot. Seales was 15 for 15 in PATs and converted seven (7) of 11 FGs.
Kory Tutt, Jr. (’27) looks to have the ability to shine defensively. “King” Tutt registered seven (7) TFLs and six (6) sacks to go along with a FF over his junior campaign.
Jamari Carroll (’27) will be back to patrol the third level defensively. Carroll picked a pair of passes a year ago as well as recovered a fumble.
St. Xavier lost quite a bit of talent to graduation. However, programs like the Tigers reload, not rebuild. There will have plenty on hand to compete.
No. 5, DuPont Manual (Louisville), 9-3 in 2025, lost to Male High (Louisville) in round two (15-14)
Keith Eckloff’s Crimsons get me every year. Every year they seem to come out of the gate hot; only to bow out of the playoffs sooner than I expected. Perhaps the problem are my expectations. Who knows?
Last year, its loss in the second week by 10 to South Warren (6A Finalist) was its only loss among its first six (6) games. Then the Crimsons lost by nine (9) on October 10, at home, to St. Xavier.
Entering the game with St. Xavier, the Crimsons had beaten Frederick Douglass, Atherton, Cooper, and Buillitt East. The Crimsons rolled Male, 52-13, on October 31st only to turn around, two weeks later, and bow out, at Male, to the very same team by a single point.
Well, I am a sucker if nothing else. Someone hand me a glass of that cool-aide.
Manual comes off the buss as impressively as anyone in the KHSAA. They will again in 2026.
QB Kaden Mack (’27) returns. Mack is an impressive athlete who threw 21-TDs in 2025 against only four (4) picks. Mack also rushed for nearly 600-yards (599) with seven (7) TDs over 101-rushing attempts. Mack can break down a defense with either his arm or legs. He has to be contained.
Jeremy Presley (’27) will get the load of work in the backfield this coming year. Presley gained 671-yards rushing with nine (9) TDs in ’25.
Brayland Miles (’27) is the top returning receiver from a year ago. Miles caught 30-balls for 418-yards, and nine (9) TDs. Noah Price (’27) complements him well. Price caught 24-passes, for 372-yards, and nine (9) scores.
Jackson Pritts is back at PKer. Pritts’s conversion rate in ’25 was 96.2% (50 of 52). Pritts also converted seven (7) made FGs out of 12-attempts. Pritts is as good as you will see in the high school game at what he does.
Leslie Hall (’27) will help lead the defense in 2026. Hall had six (6) TFLs and a sack. Hayden Winn (’28), in only eight (8) games of run a season ago, picked three (3) passes, housed one, and accumulated 64-IRNYs. Imagine what Winn may do given more opportunities.
Jeremiah Stephens (’27) is tough patrolling the third level. Stephens had a pair of picks in ’25 he took back some 75-yards. Stephens also contributed 29-stops and 5.5 TFLs.
Keep an eye on:
The Christian County Tigers, first season;
Coach Dustin Lopez gets the newly consolidated high school for its maiden voyage through the 6A classification’s first district. Lopez, in Hoptown’s last season, guided the former Tigers to a seven (7) win campaign and a loss in the second round to a 6A finalist.
Jasiah McCarley (’28) will have to hold off a charge from Nehemiah Bailey (’29) at the QB slot but McCarley is a proven commodity and has shown himself capable of making good, mature decisions with the football. Tremayne Clay (’27) maybe as good of an athlete as you will watch in 2026 at any level of play.
We like Stephen Lovan (’27) along the trenches and believe both Deasian Harris (’27) and Tristin Dillard (’27) will be very helpful on the new roster assisting returning RB, Jeremiah Smith (’28). The triumvirate looks to hold down the offensive backfield at the all important, RB-slot.
Everyone in Kentucky will be curious as to how this will unfold. Keep an eye on Mychael Pulley (’29). Pulley’s the son of a Mr. Football winner (Curtis Pulley, 2004) and has the pedigree, speed, and athleticism to burst out onto the scene this coming season. This will be a dangerous team to have to play.
Ryle High’s Raiders
Mike Engler’s Raiders are always tough. They lost a ton off of last year’s 10-win roster which lost to South Warren in the semis. Evan Kincaid (’27) is a stud. Kincaid picked seven (7) passes with a “pick-six” and 142-IRNYs to his credit. That is outstanding production.
McCracken County Mustangs
This team was six (6) and six (6) a year ago and lost its starting QB. This is a very well coached and effective offensive team (501-points scored in ’25) which tends to struggle on defense (surrendered 452-points).
Cole Presswood (’29) will get a shot at QB and we hear really good things. As a freshman, his TD:INT ratio was seven (7) to one (1) while throwing for over 300-yards on the year (304). Let’s see what Coach Brooks does developing this young QB’ing prospect!
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
If you enjoyed this article and wish to gain full-access to the site, then subscribe monthly to Kentucky Prep Gridiron by following the prompts!
© The information contained on this site is the copyrighted intellectual property of KPGFootball. Any unauthorized dissemination of this material without the author’s express written consent is strictly prohibited!
Leave a Reply