Marina
The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) has announced new high school football classifications that will bring significant shifts to the 2026 and 2027 seasons. These adjustments will reshape divisions and competition levels across the state.
When Do the Changes Take Effect?
The updates will be in place beginning with the 2025–26 school year for all sports, with specific football changes applying to the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
- Classifications for most sports are based on enrollment in grades 9–12.
- For football, classifications are determined by enrollment in grades 9–11 only.
Key Team Movements
Several well-known programs will see their classification levels change:
- St. Thomas Aquinas, the defending state champion, will move from Class 5A down to 4A.
- Mill Valley will rise to Class 6A, joining the top division.
- Great Bend will also transition into Class 4A, joining St. Thomas Aquinas.
Schools Moving Up or Down
The following adjustments will affect competitive balance across multiple classes:
- Larned and Hoisington: Moving from 2A to 3A.
- Oakley: Dropping from 11-man 1A football to eight-player Division I.
- Ellis, La Crosse, Quinter, and Stockton: Shifting from eight-player Division I to Division II.
Expanding Six-Player Football
The growth of six-player football continues with new additions:
- Granfield/Wheatland-Grinnell and Logan will now compete in the six-player ranks.
- Logan and Palco are ending their cooperative arrangement, moving independently into six-player play.
Additional Notable Changes
Several schools are moving divisions within the upper classifications:
- Andover-Central, Kansas City-Piper, and Kapaun-Mt. Carmel: Dropping from 5A to 4A.
- Highland Park: Climbing from 5A to 6A.
The upcoming 2026 and 2027 Kansas high school football seasons will be shaped by these sweeping classification changes.
With powerhouse programs like St. Thomas Aquinas moving to 4A and Mill Valley stepping into 6A, the competition landscape is set for exciting new rivalries.
These shifts ensure schools are competing on a level playing field based on enrollment, keeping the sport fair and engaging for athletes and fans alike.