You think you know how the KHSAA playoffs are going to shake out until you're standing in the freezing rain in early December at Kroger Field. Honestly, the 2025-2026 season was a wild ride that proved once again that rankings are basically just suggestions once the brackets come out.
If you’ve been hunting for the final kentucky hs football scores from this past season, you’ve likely seen the big headlines, but the real story is in the grit of the teams that weren't "supposed" to be there.
The Heavyweights Still Rule the Yard
Look, nobody is shocked that Trinity walked away with another trophy. It’s their 30th. Think about that for a second—thirty titles. In the Class 6A final, the Shamrocks handled South Warren 28-14. South Warren is a powerhouse in their own right, but moving up to 6A is a different kind of animal. Trinity's Jamaurion Berry took home the MVP, and if you watched him slice through the secondary, you’d understand why.
Down in Danville, the Boyle County dynasty just keeps humming. They shut out Franklin County 34-0 in the Class 4A final. It was 7-0 for a long time, kinda tense, and then a fake field goal right before the half changed everything. Baylor Murphy tossed a 22-yarder to Seneca Driver, and the momentum just evaporated for the Flyers. That’s five titles in six years for coach Justin Haddix. It’s getting ridiculous.
The Long Drought Finally Ends
The coolest story of the year? Definitely Owensboro. They hadn't won a state title since 1986. That is a long time to wait. They finally got over the hump by beating Pulaski County 35-7 in the 5A championship. Kalil Shemwell set a state record with an 84-yard punt return for a touchdown. Records that have stood since the 60s don’t fall every day. Seeing that Red Devils crowd celebrate was something else.
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Christian Academy-Louisville: The Undefeated Run
CAL is just a machine right now. They finished 15-0 after dismantling Murray 42-7 in the 3A final. That is four titles in a row. Jackson Burke was the MVP, but the whole team just feels like it’s playing a different sport sometimes. Murray had a great year, finishing 14-1, but CAL is on another level.
Kentucky HS Football Scores: The Playoff Results You Missed
When we talk about kentucky hs football scores, we usually focus on the finals, but the road to Lexington was paved with some absolute heartbreakers in the semifinals.
- Class 1A: Kentucky Country Day (KCD) pulled off a 20-16 win over Raceland in the final. But getting there? KCD had to survive a 31-13 scrap with Campbellsville, while Raceland barely edged out Pikeville 17-10. Pikeville is always the team to beat in 1A, so that 17-10 score was a massive shock to the system for most fans.
- Class 2A: This was probably the most competitive bracket. Lexington Christian Academy (LCA) beat Owensboro Catholic 33-28 in a back-and-forth thriller for the title. Before that, Owensboro Catholic had to win a 41-40 nail-biter against Beechwood. Imagine losing a game 41-40 with a trip to the state finals on the line. Brutal.
Why the RPI Matters More Than You Think
Kinda recently, the KHSAA started using the RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) to re-seed the semifinals. This is where people get confused. You can be undefeated and still have to travel across the state if your strength of schedule isn't up to par. For example, in Class 5A, Pulaski County had to host Atherton because of the RPI rankings, winning 17-0. Without that system, the brackets look completely different.
The Stat Leaders Who Lit Up the Scoreboard
Scores don't just happen; players make them happen. Looking back at the 2025-2026 leaders, some of these numbers are just video game stats.
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Dremail Carothers at Owensboro Catholic threw for over 4,000 yards. He had 49 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions. In high school, those are elite numbers. On the ground, Kris Hughes from Somerset was a human highlight reel, racking up 2,081 yards and 37 touchdowns. Even though Somerset didn't make the deep run they wanted, Hughes was basically impossible to tackle one-on-one.
Then you’ve got Evan Hampton from Owensboro. He had 2,035 yards and 31 scores. He didn't just accumulate stats against bad teams; he showed up in the 5A final with three rushing touchdowns. That’s how you cement a legacy.
Breaking Down the Classes
If you're looking for a quick reference on how the titles landed this season:
- Class 1A: Kentucky Country Day (KCD) 20, Raceland 16
- Class 2A: Lexington Christian (LCA) 33, Owensboro Catholic 28
- Class 3A: Christian Academy-Louisville (CAL) 42, Murray 7
- Class 4A: Boyle County 34, Franklin County 0
- Class 5A: Owensboro 35, Pulaski County 7
- Class 6A: Trinity 28, South Warren 14
Common Misconceptions About the Scores
One thing fans get wrong is assuming the higher-ranked team always has the advantage in the playoffs. In the 2A bracket, Beechwood was a heavy favorite for many, yet that 41-40 loss to Owensboro Catholic proved that a high-octane offense can overcome a traditional powerhouse.
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Also, people often think the 6A champion is the "best team in the state" automatically. While Trinity is incredible, many scouts and experts argued that Boyle County (4A) or CAL (3A) might have actually played the most "perfect" football this season regardless of the size of the school.
How to Track Scores in Real-Time
Next season, don't just rely on the morning paper. The KHSAA Scoreboard (powered by Riherds) is the gold standard. It’s updated by the schools themselves. If a score isn't there, it usually means the coach is busy doing a post-game interview or the bus doesn't have Wi-Fi yet.
You should also keep an eye on the RPI updates starting in mid-season. It’s the only way to predict who will actually host the later rounds. By the time we hit January 2026, the RPI had already shifted its focus to basketball, but for football fans, those weekly releases in October and November are everything.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
To stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season:
- Check the Realignment: The KHSAA has finalized the 2025-2026 alignments. Some teams have moved up or down classes based on enrollment. Make sure your local rival is still in your district before you start talking trash.
- Follow the RPI: Bookmark the KHSAA RPI page. It's the only way to see if your team is actually in a good position for a home-field advantage in the playoffs.
- Watch the Transfers: With the way rules are now, key players moving schools can change a 5-5 team into a state contender overnight.
- Attend the Gridiron Legacy: Keep an eye out for the 2026 schedule releases which usually drop in late spring or early summer. Planning your Friday nights around the big district matchups is the only way to do it right.