Highlands, Beechwood top latest Kentucky football media poll

For the first time, multiple Northern Kentucky teams are ranked No. 1 in the Kentucky high school football media poll.

Beechwood is in a tight battle with Owensboro Catholic for the top spot in Class 2A. The Tigers and Aces are narrowly separated at the top, but a win over Covington Catholic will seal the Tigers’ case for the undisputed No. 1.

Highlands’ win over Boyle County did indeed shake up the Class 4A rankings as the Bluebirds jumped from No. 4 to No. 1. Covington Catholic also received a first-place vote.

Here are the complete polls ahead of Week 5, the third released in 2026. Sixteen statewide media members voted for these polls, compiled by Jason Frakes of the Louisville Courier-Journal.

First-place votes are in parentheses and local teams are in bold.

Others receiving votes: Bryan Station 6, Lafayette 5, Ryle 5, Ballard 3, Oldham County 3

Others receiving votes: Apollo 15, North Laurel 12, Muhlenberg County 8, Grayson County 7, Fairdale 3, South Laurel 3, South Oldham 1

Others receiving votes: Nelson County 19, Spencer County 16, Franklin County 13, Mason County 9

Others receiving votes: Adair County 12, Hart County 12, Bell County 10, LaRue County 9, Bourbon County 5, Letcher County Central 3, Carroll County 2

Others receiving votes: Prestonsburg 18, Monroe County 5, Martin County 1

Others receiving votes: Williamsburg 22, Campbellsville 13, Dayton 9, Nicholas County 7, Newport Central Catholic 4, Bishop Brossart 3, Newport 2

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Highlands, Beechwood top latest Kentucky football media poll