As district play closes and the playoff lights switch on, the field of true contenders has come into focus.

At the top of Class 6A, Steele once again looks the part of a title threat, finishing 9-1 behind a commanding district run. Harlan joins them as one of the region’s few unbeatens, while Brennan and Johnson round out a formidable quartet that’s set the tone for large-school football all fall.