2026 KHSAA Football Playoff Brackets: Full Second-Round Schedule, Matchups, Dates and Teams

The 2026 Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) football playoffs are heading into the second round, with exciting matchups scheduled across all six classifications. Teams throughout Kentucky will compete from November 12–14 as the race for the state championships continues.

One of the biggest games of the round will feature defending Class 6A state champion Trinity against its longtime rival St. Xavier. Trinity is pursuing an unprecedented fourth consecutive Class 6A state championship, while St. Xavier will look to end its rival’s title ambitions.

Other notable matchups include North Bullitt vs. Atherton and Seneca vs. Fairdale in Class 5A. In Class A, defending state champion Kentucky Country Day will begin its title defense against district rival Holy Cross.

With several undefeated teams still in contention, the second round promises plenty of competitive high school football action.

Here is the complete 2026 KHSAA football playoff second-round schedule, including team records, classifications, regional matchups and game dates.

2026 KHSAA Football Playoffs: Second-Round Schedule

• • Competition: 2026 KHSAA Football Playoffs

• • Round: Second Round

• • Game Dates: November 12–14, 2026

• • Location: Kentucky, USA

• • Classes: Class A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A

• • Kickoff Times: To be announced

Class A Football Playoff Matchups 2026

The Class A second round features several competitive regional contests, including Kentucky Country Day’s title defense against Holy Cross.

Region One

• • Campbellsville (4-7) at Bethlehem (10-1)

• • Holy Cross (8-3) at Kentucky Country Day (8-2)

Region Two

• • Bishop Brossart (7-4) at Newport Central Catholic (6-5)

• • Newport (6-5) at Covington Holy Cross (9-2)

Region Three

• • Nicholas County (6-4) at Sayre (11-0)

• • Eminence (9-2) at Raceland (8-2)

Region Four

• • Paintsville (10-1) at Middlesboro (10-1)

• • Williamsburg (7-3) at Pikeville (10-1)

Class 2A Football Playoff Matchups 2026

Class 2A features several important regional battles, with undefeated Beechwood among the teams looking to continue its playoff run.

Region One

• • McLean County (7-4) at Mayfield (8-2)

• • Caldwell County (9-2) at Owensboro Catholic (10-1)

Region Two

• • Danville (9-2) at Somerset (10-1)

• • Green County (8-3) at Lexington Christian (9-2)

Region Three

• • St. Henry (6-5) at Beechwood (10-0)

• • Walton-Verona (9-2) at Breathitt County (9-2)

Region Four

• • Shelby Valley (6-5) at Prestonsburg (10-1)

• • Floyd Central (5-6) at Belfry (10-1)

Class 3A Football Playoff Matchups 2026

The Class 3A bracket includes several undefeated teams, including Murray, LaRue County, Christian Academy, Rockcastle County and other regional contenders.

Region One

• • Glasgow (10-1) at Murray (10-1)

• • Union County (6-5) at LaRue County (11-0)

Region Two

• • DeSales (5-6) at Christian Academy (11-0)

• • Central (6-5) at Lexington Catholic (8-2)

Region Three

• • Henry County (5-6) at Bourbon County (10-1)

• • Lloyd Memorial (10-1) at Russell (9-2)

Region Four

• • Clay County (6-5) at Rockcastle County (11-0)

• • Knox Central (8-3) at Lawrence County (10-1)

Class 4A Football Playoff Matchups 2026

Class 4A features several strong contenders, including undefeated Paducah Tilghman and North Oldham. Both teams will look to maintain their momentum in the second round.

Region One

• • Nelson County (10-1) at Paducah Tilghman (10-0)

• • Calloway County (7-4) at Logan County (8-3)

Region Two

• • Franklin County (6-5) at North Oldham (10-1)

• • Shelby County (4-7) at Spencer County (8-3)

Region Three

• • Greenup County (9-2) at Highlands (9-2)

• • Covington Catholic (7-4) at Ashland Blazer (10-1)

Region Four

• • Perry County Central (6-5) at Boyle County (9-2)

• • Wayne County (5-6) at Corbin (9-2)

Class 5A Football Playoff Matchups 2026

Class 5A features some of the most anticipated second-round games, particularly in the Louisville area.

North Bullitt will travel to face Atherton, while Seneca will meet Fairdale in another important regional contest.

Region One

• • Barren County (8-3) at Owensboro (9-2)

• • Madisonville-North Hopkins (9-2) at Bowling Green (7-4)

Region Two

• • North Bullitt (7-4) at Atherton (9-2)

• • Seneca (7-4) at Fairdale (10-1)

Region Three

• • Scott County (8-3) at Cooper (9-2)

• • Collins (8-3) at Woodford County (10-1)

Region Four

• • North Laurel (6-5) at West Jessamine (11-0)

• • South Laurel (8-3) at Pulaski County (11-0)

Class 6A Football Playoff Matchups 2026

Class 6A headlines the second round with several high-profile matchups, including the rivalry showdown between Trinity and St. Xavier.

Trinity enters the playoffs with a 10-1 record and will continue its pursuit of a fourth consecutive state championship.

Undefeated Frederick Douglass will also be one of the teams to watch as it prepares to host Bryan Station.

Region One

• • Henderson County (5-6) at McCracken County (8-3)

• • Christian County (4-7) at South Warren (8-2)

Region Two

• • North Hardin (6-4-1) at Manual (10-1)

• • St. Xavier (5-6) at Trinity (10-1)

Region Three

• • Ryle (6-5) at Bullitt East (9-2)

• • Male (6-5) at Simon Kenton (6-5)

Region Four

• • George Rogers Clark (6-5) at Madison Central (10-1)

• • Bryan Station (6-5) at Frederick Douglass (11-0)

Top Matchups to Watch in the 2026 KHSAA Football Playoffs

Several games stand out heading into the second round. Here are some of the biggest matchups to follow.

Trinity vs. St. Xavier – Class 6A

The Trinity-St. Xavier rivalry is one of the most anticipated games of the second round.

Trinity enters with a 10-1 record and will attempt to continue its pursuit of a fourth straight Class 6A state championship. St. Xavier, meanwhile, will look to produce a major upset and eliminate its local rival.

North Bullitt vs. Atherton – Class 5A

North Bullitt and Atherton will meet in a significant Class 5A regional matchup.

Atherton enters with a 9-2 record, while North Bullitt has posted a 7-4 campaign. Both teams will be looking to secure a place in the next round.

Seneca vs. Fairdale – Class 5A

Another notable Louisville-area contest features Seneca against Fairdale.

Fairdale enters the matchup with a 10-1 record, compared with Seneca’s 7-4 record. The game presents an important opportunity for both programs to advance.

Kentucky Country Day vs. Holy Cross – Class A

Defending Class A state champion Kentucky Country Day will begin its title defense against district rival Holy Cross.

Kentucky Country Day enters with an 8-2 record, while Holy Cross has recorded an 8-3 campaign.

Bryan Station vs. Frederick Douglass – Class 6A

Undefeated Frederick Douglass will host Bryan Station in a Class 6A Region Four contest.

Frederick Douglass has an 11-0 record heading into the matchup and will look to continue its unbeaten season.

When Are the Second-Round KHSAA Football Playoff Games?

The second round of the 2026 KHSAA football playoffs will take place November 12–14.

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association is expected to announce individual kickoff times in the coming days.

Fans should check official school athletic pages and KHSAA announcements for updated game times and any schedule changes.

Conclusion

The second round of the 2026 KHSAA football playoffs features exciting matchups across Class A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A.

The Trinity vs. St. Xavier rivalry, North Bullitt vs. Atherton, Seneca vs. Fairdale and Kentucky Country Day’s title defense are among the biggest storylines heading into the weekend.

With several undefeated teams still competing, the November 12–14 games will play an important role in determining which programs move closer to the 2026 Kentucky high school football state championships.

Stay tuned for updated kickoff times, results, playoff brackets and the latest KHSAA football news.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When is the second round of the 2026 KHSAA football playoffs?

The second round of the 2026 Kentucky high school football playoffs is scheduled for November 12–14, 2026.

2. How many classifications are included in the KHSAA football playoffs?

The KHSAA football playoffs feature six classifications: Class A, Class 2A, Class 3A, Class 4A, Class 5A and Class 6A.

3. Who will Trinity play in the second round of the 2026 playoffs?

Trinity will host rival St. Xavier in a major Class 6A Region Two matchup.

4. Is Trinity defending its Kentucky Class 6A state championship?

Yes. Trinity is pursuing its fourth consecutive Class 6A state championship during the 2026 season.

5. Who will Kentucky Country Day face in the second round?

Defending Class A champion Kentucky Country Day will host Holy Cross in the second round.

6. What are the biggest Class 5A matchups in the second round?

Two notable Class 5A matchups are North Bullitt vs. Atherton and Seneca vs. Fairdale.

7. When will KHSAA announce the kickoff times?

Individual kickoff times are expected to be announced in the coming days.

8. Which undefeated teams are still in the 2026 KHSAA playoff bracket?

Based on the supplied second-round records, undefeated teams include Sayre, Beechwood, LaRue County, Christian Academy, Rockcastle County, West Jessamine, Pulaski County and Frederick Douglass.

9. Where can fans find the complete 2026 KHSAA football playoff bracket?

Fans can follow the official Kentucky High School Athletic Association website and participating schools’ athletic pages for playoff brackets, game updates and kickoff information.

10. When will the 2026 KHSAA football playoffs continue?

The second-round games will be played November 12–14, 2026, with winning teams advancing to the next stage of the postseason.