Texas high school football needs no introduction, and this year’s preseason promises to be as exciting as ever. DeSoto begins 2026 as the number one team in the state after a victorious season that started slowly but culminated in the UIL Division I, Class 6A state championship. Galena Park North Shore is ranked number four after finishing last season in the top five of the final Massey rankings, with Allen rounding out the top five with a 14-1 record.
Six of the top ten teams in the state in the preseason hail from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, demonstrating the high concentration of talent in Texas right now. Of the top 100 national recruits for the Class of 2027, twelve are from Texas high schools, confirming that Texas high school football is not just a buzzword, but a true talent pool that feeds college programs across the country every year.
The UIL manages Texas public school football through more than 1,200 member teams across a dozen different divisions. Because of this, outlets like Dave Campbell’s Texas Football publish program rankings throughout the season, in addition to weekly polls. With over 1,200 teams, ranking each one requires specialized infrastructure that most states don’t need. TAPPS, the state association of private schools, adds its own playoff bracket and standings.
For schedules, the UIL website and MaxPreps’ Texas football section are the most comprehensive sources, broken down by ranking and division. A helpful tip for 2026: The UIL introduced new heat safety rules for practices and games starting August 1, so it’s a good idea to check early-season game times on team websites, as they may vary more than usual this year.
Check our Scores page for weekly Texas results, and our Rankings page for how the state’s Top 25 shifts as the season unfolds.
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