Texas 6A football is a different breed. If you’ve ever sat in the stands at AT&T Stadium during the third week of December, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The air is electric, the bands are deafening, and the stakes feel higher than some college bowl games. We just wrapped up the 2025 season, and honestly, the texas 6a football rankings have never felt more volatile or more top-heavy at the same time.
For a while, everyone thought Duncanville was untouchable. Then North Shore reminded us why "Eastside" is a warning.
Looking back at the final tallies for the 2025-2026 cycle, there’s a lot to chew on. We saw a 10-7 defensive slugfest in the Division 1 state title game that basically rewrote how we think about "explosive" teams. Usually, these two programs combine for 60 points without breaking a sweat. This time? It was a fistfight in a phone booth.
The Final 2025 Post-Season Standings
Rankings are always a bit of a moving target. MaxPreps, Dave Campbell’s, and the AP all have their own formulas, but the scoreboard doesn't lie. Following the state championships on December 20, 2025, the hierarchy for Class 6A solidified in a way that makes the upcoming 2026 realignment feel like a total reset.
- Galena Park North Shore (14-2): They took the crown. Winning a state title with a 10-7 scoreline proves they can win ugly, which is the scariest version of the Mustangs we've seen.
- Duncanville (12-2): Falling short by three points doesn’t make them any less of a juggernaut. They were 26 yards away from a comeback before the Mustangs' defense slammed the door.
- DeSoto (13-3): The Division 2 champs. They absolutely dismantled Sheldon King 55-27 in the final. When DeSoto's offense clicks, there isn't a secondary in the country that can stay with them.
- Southlake Carroll (14-1): A near-perfect season that ended in the semifinals. The Dragons are still the gold standard for consistency in DFW.
- Allen (14-1): They looked like the team of destiny until they ran into the Duncanville buzzsaw in the semis.
- North Crowley (16-0 regular/playoff run): Don't let the lack of a trophy fool you. This program has officially arrived as a perennial top-10 lock.
- Lake Travis (14-1): Austin’s finest. They gave North Shore everything they had in the semifinals before falling 28-6.
- Sheldon King (13-3): A massive breakout year that ended with a silver medal in Division 2.
- Summer Creek (12-2): They remain the biggest threat to the North Shore/Atascocita duopoly in the Houston area.
- Atascocita (11-2): Even with Coach Craig Stump retiring at the end of the 2025 season, the talent on this roster kept them in the elite tier all year.
What Happened to the "Invincibles"?
It’s kind of wild to see Duncanville and North Shore both with two losses on their records. In previous years, these teams would cruise to 15-0 or 14-1. The reality is that the depth in texas 6a football rankings is getting deeper. Teams like North Crowley and Coppell are no longer "easy outs" in the third or fourth round.
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North Shore's Kaleb Maryland, the Utah State commit, really matured this year. He wasn't just a dual-threat guy; he became a game manager in the best sense of the word. His 44-yard touchdown strike to Jaylen Bocard in the championship was basically the only breathing room the Mustangs had all night.
The 2026 UIL Realignment: A Massive Shakeup
If you think the rankings are settled, wait until February hits. The UIL recently released the new cutoff numbers for the 2026-2028 block. The magic number for 6A is now 2,639 and above. This is actually a slight drop of 60 students from the last cycle, which means the 6A pool is getting bigger.
We have some serious heavy hitters moving up.
Cedar Park, Leander, and Rouse are all jumping from 5A to 6A. If you follow Central Texas ball, you know Cedar Park doesn't just "participate"—they compete for titles. Seeing how they adjust to the size and speed of 6A Region IV is going to be a major storyline for the 2026 preseason rankings.
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On the flip side, Manor is dropping down to 5A. It’s a move that probably makes sense for their numbers, but it leaves a hole in their previous district that someone like Hutto or Round Rock will be happy to fill.
The New Districts to Watch
- District 11-6A: This remains the "District of Doom." You've got Duncanville and Waxahachie sitting right there. Waxahachie had a massive 13-2 season in 2025, and with guys like Jayquan Snell returning, they aren't going anywhere.
- District 21-6A: North Shore and Summer Creek. It’s basically a regional final every time they play in the regular season.
- District 18-6A: The Katy ISD gauntlet. Katy High (13-1) is still the big brother here, but Jordan and Tompkins are closing the gap fast.
Stars Who Defined the 2025 Rankings
You can't talk about the texas 6a football rankings without talking about the individuals who actually put the points on the board.
Angelo Renda at Southlake Carroll was a statistical machine, throwing for over 4,200 yards. Then you have Trenton Yancey at Duncanville. The kid is only a junior (Class of 2027) and he’s already holding 38 Division I offers. He even threw a touchdown pass in the state final on a trick play. That’s the kind of "human highlight reel" stuff that keeps these teams at the top of the rankings.
Over in Houston, Kaleb Maryland (North Shore) and Noah Spinks (Summer Creek) were the two best signal-callers in the region. Spinks finished with 43 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions. When you have a quarterback who protects the ball like that, you're always going to be ranked in the top 10.
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Why Rankings "Get it Wrong" Every November
Every year, fans complain that the preseason polls are just a popularity contest. Kinda true, honestly.
The problem is that Texas 6A is split into Division 1 and Division 2 based on enrollment after the playoffs start. This means a team like DeSoto might be ranked #1 in the state all year, but they "only" win the D2 trophy. Meanwhile, North Shore wins the D1 trophy. Who is better?
In 2025, DeSoto beat almost everyone in their path, but because of the enrollment split, we never got to see them play North Shore in the final. Most experts would tell you DeSoto was probably the most talented team top-to-bottom, but North Shore is the one with the "highest" rank because they won the "big" division.
Key Factors for 2026 Success:
- Quarterback Retention: Teams like Lake Travis and Allen are replacing starters. Watch their early August scrimmages; that’s where the 2026 rankings will actually be won.
- The "Aledo" Factor: Aledo is moving into the 6A conversation more frequently in terms of statewide respect, even though they’ve dominated 5A for a decade. If they ever make the jump, the DFW landscape changes forever.
- Transfer Portal (High School Version): It's no secret that kids move. A star receiver moving from a 5A school to a 6A powerhouse can jump a team 15 spots in the rankings overnight.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you're a coach, a player, or just a die-hard fan trying to track the texas 6a football rankings for next year, here is what you need to do:
- Watch the Coaching Carousel: We already saw Craig Stump (Atascocita) and Mark Soto (Converse Judson) retire. Huge programs are looking for leaders. A bad hire can tank a top-10 program in one season.
- Monitor the 7-on-7 Circuit: In Texas, the summer 7-on-7 state tournament in College Station is the first real look at who has the chemistry. If a team like North Crowley or Coppell dominates there, expect them to debut high in the August polls.
- Check the UIL Realignment Brackets: Once the districts are officially set in February 2026, look for the "regions of death." If your favorite team is stuck in a region with both Duncanville and North Crowley, their path to a high ranking is much harder.
- Follow the Trenches: Everyone loves the QBs, but the 2025 final was won by defensive linemen like Za'Qwaun Nunn (Louisiana Tech commit). Look for teams returning 3 or 4 starters on the offensive line. Those are the teams that stay ranked late into November.
The road to the 2026 state championships at AT&T Stadium starts now. The rankings will change a dozen times before August, but the standard remains the same: in Texas 6A, you're either chasing the crown or you're in the way.
Next Steps for Recruiting Enthusiasts:
Check the official UIL 2026 realignment maps released this February to see if your local rivalry has been moved to a different district. You should also start tracking the "Spring Ball" standouts, as several 4-star recruits are expected to reclassify or transfer before the August 2026 practice window opens.