Texas football is basically a religion, but you already knew that. What you might not know is how much the power balance just shifted. We just wrapped up the 2025 season, and honestly, the final rankings look a lot different than what people were predicting back in August. If you’re looking for the top high school football teams in Texas, you have to look past the historical names and check out who actually survived the gauntlet at AT&T Stadium this past December.
The hierarchy in the Lone Star State isn't just about who has the biggest stadium or the loudest band. It's about depth. It's about 16-year-olds playing in front of 40,000 people without blinking.
The New King of the Hill: North Shore Mustangs
For a minute there, everyone thought Duncanville was untouchable. They had the stars, the hype, and the momentum. But Galena Park North Shore just proved why they are consistently the most disciplined program in the state.
North Shore finished the 2025 season at No. 1 after a gritty 10-7 win over Duncanville in the Class 6A Division I state championship. It wasn't pretty. It was a defensive slugfest that felt more like an NFL playoff game than a high school matchup. The Mustangs ended the year with a 14-2 record, and while those two losses earlier in the season had some "experts" doubting them, they peaked exactly when they needed to.
What makes North Shore different? It’s their secondary. They play a brand of physical man-to-man coverage that basically suffocates modern spread offenses. You don’t "scheme" your way past North Shore; you have to beat them in an alley fight, and usually, they win those.
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The Duncanville and DeSoto Rivalry
You can't talk about the top high school football teams in Texas without mentioning the "Best of the West" in the DFW area. Duncanville and DeSoto are separated by just a few miles, but they might as well be the two biggest empires in the state.
Duncanville (12-2) finished at No. 2, and honestly, they were a few plays away from being No. 1. With guys like Dakorien Moore and Keelon Russell graduating or moving on in recent cycles, people expected a drop-off. Didn't happen. Their defensive line still looks like it was grown in a lab.
Then you have the DeSoto Eagles.
They finished No. 4 in the state rankings after winning the Class 6A Division II title with a 55-27 blowout against C.E. King. That’s three state titles in four years for the Eagles. They had a weird start to the season—going 3-3 at one point—but they absolutely torched the bracket in the playoffs. It sorta shows that regular-season records in Texas are almost meaningless if you have the talent to flip the switch in November.
The Rise of South Oak Cliff
If you aren't paying attention to South Oak Cliff (SOC), you’re missing the best story in Texas sports. They’ve won three state crowns in the last five years, including the 5A Division II title this past season. SOC finished No. 3 overall in the state. Think about that. A 5A school is ranked higher than almost every 6A powerhouse in the state.
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They play with a chip on their shoulder that’s about the size of Dallas itself. Coach Jason Todd has built a culture that doesn't care about "blue blood" status or fancy facilities. They just win. Their 35-19 win over Richmond Randle in the finals was a masterclass in physical, smash-mouth football.
Who Else Cracked the Top 10?
While the DFW and Houston schools usually hog the spotlight, the 2025 final rankings showed some serious strength in other pockets of the state.
- Allen (14-1): They were dominant all year until they hit a wall. Their stadium is still the gold standard, and the program is back to being a legitimate threat every single week.
- Southlake Carroll (14-1): The Dragons are the model of consistency. They don't always have the five-star recruits that Duncanville has, but their execution is terrifyingly perfect.
- C.E. King (13-3): They made a massive run to the 6A DII finals. Even though they lost to DeSoto, they proved they belong in the elite tier.
- Richmond Randle (15-1): A tough loss to SOC in the finals, but going 15-1 in 5A football is an incredible feat for a program that is still relatively "new" to the elite scene.
- Smithson Valley (15-1): The Rangers represent the San Antonio area with a brand of "boring" football that works. They won 14 straight games to finish the year.
- Lake Travis (14-1): Austin's premier program. They took a tough loss to North Shore in the semifinals, but they remain the kings of the Hill Country.
The Aledo Dynasty and the 4A Giants
We have to mention Aledo. They didn't finish in the overall top 10 this year, but they are still the most successful program in the history of the UIL. They finished 14-1 and remain the standard for 5A football.
In the 4A ranks, Carthage (16-0) and Stephenville (15-0) both had "perfect" seasons. Carthage, led by Coach Scott Surratt, is basically a pro team disguised as a high school. They won the 4A Division II title 49-21, and honestly, they could probably beat half the 6A teams in the state.
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Common Misconceptions About Texas Rankings
People often think that the school with the most recruits is automatically the best. That’s a lie. Texas football is littered with the "graveyards" of talented teams that couldn't handle a rainy Friday night in a small town.
Also, the "6A is everything" myth is dying. As we saw with South Oak Cliff and Aledo, the 5A programs are often better coached and more cohesive than the massive 6A schools that have 4,000 students to choose from.
What to Watch for in 2026
If you’re tracking the top high school football teams in Texas for the upcoming 2026 season, keep an eye on these factors:
- Quarterback Transfers: The "portal" has hit high school. Watch for top-tier QBs moving to programs like North Crowley or Willis to chase a ring.
- The Austin Westlake Rebound: They had a "down" year by their standards (7-4), but you'd be a fool to think the Chaparrals won't be back in the top 10 next year.
- The 6A Re-Alignment: Every two years, the UIL shakes up the districts. This can make or break a team's playoff path.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Recruiters
If you’re trying to follow this chaos, don't just look at the AP polls. They’re often slow to react.
- Check the "Strength of Schedule": A 10-0 team in a weak district is often worse than a 7-3 team playing in District 11-6A (the "District of Doom").
- Watch the Trenches: Skill players get the TikTok highlights, but the teams that win state titles in Texas—like North Shore and SOC—usually have the best offensive and defensive lines.
- Follow the "Dave Campbell's" Rankings: It’s the bible of Texas football for a reason. They have boots on the ground in every corner of the state, from El Paso to Beaumont.
Texas high school football is changing. The days of one or two teams dominating for a decade are over. Parity has arrived, and it means every single Friday night is a potential upset.
To stay ahead of the curve, start tracking the sophomore classes at schools like North Crowley and Prosper now. These are the programs building for a 2026 run that could topple the current kings.