Texas high school football isn't just a game. It's basically a religion with better stadium lighting. If you spent any time at AT&T Stadium this past December, you know exactly what I mean. The 2025 uil football playoff results didn't just crown twelve new champions; they reminded everyone why we drive six hours across the state to watch teenagers play in the freezing cold.
North Shore finally got back on top. Carthage's Scott Surratt needed more fingers for his rings. Gordon proved that even a tornado can’t stop a three-peat. It was a week of dominance, narrow escapes, and a few results that honestly left the "experts" looking a little confused.
The Big Ones: 6A and 5A Showstoppers
Let’s be real. Most of the state was waiting for the Saturday afternoon clash between Galena Park North Shore and Duncanville. It was the sixth time these two have met for the 6A Division 1 title since 2018. If you like high-scoring track meets, this wasn't your game. It was a defensive slugfest that stayed scoreless through the entire first half. Seriously. Zero to zero at the break.
North Shore eventually eked out a 10-7 win. It was their first title since 2021, and it felt like a massive weight off the shoulders of the Eastside Houston faithful. They didn't need a highlight reel of touchdowns; they just needed one more stop than the Panthers.
Over in 6A Division 2, DeSoto looked like they were playing a different sport entirely. After an 0-2 start to the season—which had some people whispering about a "down year"—the Eagles absolutely dismantled Sheldon C.E. King 55-27. It was their third state championship in four seasons. When DeSoto gets that offensive engine humming, there isn't a secondary in the country that can keep up.
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South Oak Cliff and the Dallas Dynasty
You've gotta hand it to Dallas South Oak Cliff. They made their fifth consecutive state championship appearance this year. Think about that for a second. In the 5A Division 2 final, they took down a very talented Richmond Randle squad 35-19. Head coach Jason Todd has built something incredible over there. After two straight years of narrow losses, the Golden Bears went back to the drawing board, improved their passing game, and reclaimed the throne.
The 4A and 3A Grind
If you want to see the purest form of Texas football, look at the 4A scores. Stephenville is back. The Yellow Jackets shut out Kilgore 10-0 to win the 4A Division 1 title. It was their seventh state championship, and doing it with a shutout in the biggest game of the year is just... well, it’s legendary.
Then there’s Carthage. What else is there to say about Scott Surratt? Carthage beat West Orange-Stark 49-21 in the 4A Division 2 final. Surratt now has ten state titles. Ten. Most coaches would give anything for one. He’s arguably the greatest to ever do it in this state, and watching his 15-0 Bulldogs this year, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
The Heartbreak and the Glory in 3A
The 3A Division 2 final between Wall and Newton was probably the game of the tournament. Wall came out on top 25-24. One point. That’s all that separated a gold medal from a long, quiet bus ride home. Wall’s Landon York was dealing all night, proving that even in the smaller classifications, the "air raid" is alive and well in Texas.
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In 3A Division 1, Yoakum took down Grandview 45-29. Both teams entered the game 13-2, but Yoakum’s physical presence was just too much in the second half. It was their first state title, and the celebration in that locker room probably lasted well into the New Year.
Six-Man Magic and the Small School Heroes
We have to talk about Gordon. In May, an EF-1 tornado basically leveled their athletic facilities. Their stadium was a mess. Their town was hurting. Fast forward to December, and they’re walking off the field at AT&T Stadium with their third straight 1A Six-Man Division 1 title after a 69-22 mercy-rule win over Rankin.
- 1A Division 1: Gordon 69, Rankin 22
- 1A Division 2: Jayton 99, Richland Springs 54
- 2A Division 1: Hamilton 21, Joaquin 7
- 2A Division 2: Muenster 28, Shiner 0
Jayton putting up 99 points in the Division 2 final is just peak six-man football. If you haven't watched a six-man game, you're missing out on the highest-speed chaos imaginable. Richland Springs is a powerhouse, but Jayton was just on another planet this year.
Why These Results Matter for 2026
Looking back at these uil football playoff results, a few patterns emerged that will definitely impact next season. The gap between the "Big Four" in 6A (North Shore, Duncanville, DeSoto, and Westlake) and the rest of the field seems to be widening, but the 5A and 4A tiers are becoming absolute shark tanks.
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We saw a lot of junior quarterbacks step up this year. Stephenville’s Trot Jordan and Wall’s Landon York aren't going anywhere. They’ll be seniors next year, which means the 2026 playoffs are already looking dangerous.
Also, the dominance of the "Dallas-Fort Worth vs. Houston" rivalry is still the primary storyline. DFW took 6A D2 and 5A D2, while Houston claimed the 6A D1 crown. The parity in the middle classifications is great for the sport, but the heavyweights still reside in the metroplexes.
Key Takeaways from the Championship Week
- Defense still wins championships: Look at the 6A D1 and 4A D1 scores. 10-7 and 10-0. In an era of high-flying offenses, the teams that could actually tackle won the rings.
- Consistency is king: Programs like South Oak Cliff and Carthage aren't just lucky. Their systems are so ingrained that they can replace blue-chip starters and not miss a beat.
- Resilience wins: Gordon’s story is the heartbeat of Texas football. It’s about more than the score; it’s about the community behind the jersey.
If you’re looking to get ahead of the curve for the 2026 season, start by watching the returning starters from the 2A and 3A levels. Many of these rosters were young this year, meaning the "powerhouse" teams might be shifting geographic locations by next November. Keep an eye on the realignment news coming out this spring, as that will reshuffle the brackets and create entirely new paths to Arlington. For now, the lights are off at Jerry World, but in Texas, spring ball is only a few weeks away.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Realignment: The UIL realignment for the 2026-2028 block is the most critical factor for next year's playoffs. Look for your school's new district assignment to see who their path to the postseason goes through.
- Follow Recruiting Tides: Watch the transfer portal and incoming freshmen at schools like DeSoto and North Shore; these "reloads" often determine the 6A favorites before the first whistle in August.
- Review the Box Scores: Go back to the UIL official site and look at the "underclassmen" stats in the 2025 state games. Those are the names that will dominate the headlines this coming fall.