Final Kentucky High School Football Media Poll released as playoffs approach

  -kentucky-high-school-football-media-poll-released-as-playoffs-approach.html
  Media and Entertainment on Wed, Nov 05th, 2025 by The Courier-Journal

Trinity Christian Academy leads the field

Trinity Christian Academy, a private Christian school in Richmond, is now the first choice for many writers covering the state’s high‑school gridiron. The team finished the 2024 season undefeated, boasting a 12‑0 record that included a decisive win over rival Shelby County in the regionals. Their offense, which averaged 40 points per game, was led by senior quarterback Jaxon Taylor, who finished the year with 3,200 passing yards and 45 touchdowns. On defense, the Tigers’ unit ranked second in the state for yards allowed, thanks in part to defensive lineman Michael Brooks, who was named the Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year.

Coach Matt Moser, who has been at the helm for six seasons, was quoted as saying, “Being named the number one team in Kentucky is a huge honor. It reflects the hard work of our players and the support of our community.” Moser also highlighted the importance of staying focused on the playoffs, noting that “preseason rankings are just a starting point; it’s the games that define us.”

The rest of the top‑25 slate

Below Trinity, the Courier‑Journal list highlights several programs that are expected to be heavyweights in 2025:

The list continues down to 25, featuring programs such as Owensboro, Frankfort, and Maysville, each with their own set of strengths—whether it’s a dominant defense, a prolific passing attack, or a balanced lineup.

How the poll is conducted

The Courier‑Journal’s media poll is a collaborative effort among its sports writers and editors. Each voter submits a ranking of their top 25 teams, and the points are totaled to produce the final order. Historically, the poll has correlated well with postseason success, and it often influences how teams are perceived by recruiters and other media outlets.

In an interview with the paper, editor Tom McDonald explained, “Our goal is to give the fans and the community a preseason conversation starter. The poll isn’t just hype; it’s a way to acknowledge the hard work that teams put in during the off‑season and to set expectations for the year.”

What the rankings mean for the season

The impact of a media poll is both psychological and practical. For Trinity, the number‑one ranking provides a confidence boost heading into the spring season and may attract attention from college scouts. It also means that the Tigers will likely face stiff competition early on, as teams in the state’s playoff brackets are seeded in part by preseason rankings.

The Courier‑Journal article also noted that the 2025 season will begin in mid‑August with a schedule that places Trinity in a tough opening game against the newly promoted St. Francis. The Tigers’ defensive coordinator, who previously coached at a Division I program, highlighted the challenge of a 2025‑style defense that emphasizes speed and aggressive blitzing.

Links and further information

The article linked to Trinity Christian Academy’s 2024 season statistics page, which details individual player performances, game logs, and team statistics. Following the link revealed that the Tigers finished with a state‑record 28.5 yards per play on offense and allowed just 15.2 yards per play on defense. The school’s website also featured a video montage of the 2024 playoff run, which can be viewed on the school’s official YouTube channel.

Additionally, the Courier‑Journal’s piece linked to the Kentucky High School Coaches Association (KHSCA) site for background on the playoff structure. The KHSCA explains that the state is divided into four playoff brackets—AA, A, B, and C—each comprising 32 teams that advance to the state finals. The association’s guidelines clarify that seeding is determined by a combination of regular‑season records, strength of schedule, and the media poll.

Looking ahead

With Trinity Christian Academy at the top of the Courier‑Journal’s media poll, the 2025 high‑school football season in Kentucky is poised for excitement. Coaches, players, and fans alike will be watching closely to see if the preseason rankings translate into postseason success. Whether Trinity can repeat its undefeated streak or if another program will surge to claim the title remains to be seen, but the poll has already set the stage for a memorable season.