High school football season in Texas is upon us. As teams across the Lone Star State prepare to tee it up this week, The Sporting News (TSN) is ready to reveal its preseason Top 25 rankings.
With 11 returning starters and a No. 7 ranking in TSN’s National Top 25, Duncanville is our top-ranked team. The Panthers are coming off a 13-1 season that saw them lose to eventual Class 6A Division I state champion North Crowley in the state semifinals.
Those same North Crowley Eagles are No. 2 in our rankings after finishing 16-0 with their first state title, but losing 14 starters to graduation. North Crowley is ranked No. 13 in TSN’s National Top 25.
Coming in at No. 3 is DeSoto, which finished 11-3 last year. The Eagles have 10 starters returning and a tough schedule that starts with games at Creekside (GA) and North Crowley. DeSoto is No. 17 in TSN’s National Top 25.
At No. 4 is Southlake Carroll, which could be in line to run the table after finishing 15-1 in 2024. The Dragons are loaded with talent and tradition. They check in at No. 23 in TSN’s National Top 25.
Austin Vandergrift, Austin Westlake, Carthage, Galena Park North Shore, Allen and Richmond Randle round out the top 10.
Look for our updated rankings each week of the upcoming season.
The Sporting News Texas High School Football Preseason Top 25
No. 1 Duncanville Panthers
- Three-time state champions
- No. 6 in The Sporting News National Top 25
- 2024 Record: 13-1 (7-0)
Head coach: Reginald Samples
Returning starters: 11 (5 offensive, 6 defensive)
Next Game: 9/5/25, South Oak Cliff, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 12/14/24, North Crowley 36, Duncanville 34 (Class 6A Division I state semifinals)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
The Panthers are playing an abbreviated eight-game schedule, but they’ll be tested early with three of their first four games against South Oak Cliff, Waxahachie and DeSoto. Duncanville has won two of the last three Class 6A Division I state titles. Edge rusher KJ Ford, a Florida commit, is a four-star prospect.
No. 2 North Crowley Eagles
- 2024 Class 6A Division I state champions
- No. 12 in The Sporting News National Top 25
- 2024 Record: 16-0 (6-0)
Head coach: Ray Gates
Returning starters: 8 (2 offensive, 6 defensive)
Next Game: 8/28/25, Lancaster, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 12/21/24, North Crowley 50, Austin Westlake 21 (Class 6A Division I state title game)
W/L Streak: 16 wins
North Crowley broke through for its first state title last season and went 16-0. The Eagles capped off the historic run by polishing off Austin Westlake in the title game. A possible dynasty in the making, North Crowley has lost just two games in the last three seasons combined. Senior linebacker John Turntine III, a Texas commit, is one of the best in the nation.
No. 3 DeSoto Eagles
- Three-time state champions
- No. 15 in The Sporting News National Top 25
- 2024 Record: 11-3 (6-1)
Head coach: Claude Mathis
Returning starters: 10 (5 offensive, 5 defensive)
Next Game: 8/30/25, at Creekside (Fairburn, GA), 4 p.m.
Last Game: 12/14/24, Longview 50, DeSoto 14 (Class 6A Division II regional finals)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
DeSoto opens the season with a measuring-stick game at Creekside (GA), which finished 10-3 last season. Then, the Eagles square off with defending Class 6A Division I state champs North Crowley. Whew. Wide receiver Ethan Feaster, a USC commit, caught 13 TDs last season.
No. 4 Southlake Carroll Dragons
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- Eight-time state champions
- No. 22 in The Sporting News National Top 25
- 2024 Class 6A Division II state runner-up
- 2024 Record: 15-1 (8-0)
Head coach: Riley Dodge
Returning starters: 19 (10 offensive, 9 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, at Midland, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 12/14/24, Austin Vandergrift 24, Southlake Carroll 17 (Class 6A Division II state title game)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
Don’t be surprised if Carroll finishes the season at the top of The Sporting News’ Texas rankings. The Dragons are primed to make a historic run to what would be the program’s ninth state title. Quarterback Angelo Renda, who nearly threw for 3,899 yards and 40 TDs last year, is one of the best in the state. He is committed to Pittsburgh.
No. 5 Austin Vandergrift Vipers
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- 2024 Class 6A Division II state champions
- 2024 Record: 15-1 (8-0)
Head coach: Drew Sanders
Returning starters: 12 (8 offensive, 4 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, at Dripping Springs, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 12/14/24, Austin Vandergrift 24, Southlake Carroll 17 (Class 6A Division II state title game)
W/L Streak: 14 wins
After knocking on the door of winning their first state title for six years, the Vipers broke through in a big way in 2024 by beating powerhouse Southlake Carroll to bring home the hardware. Vandergrift also returns an elite quarterback in K-State commit Miles Teodecki, who threw for 3,256 yards and 48 TDs in 2024.
No. 6 Austin Westlake Chaparrals
Chuck Cox
- Three-time state champions
- 2024 Class 6A Division I state runner-up
- 2024 Record: 14-2 (6-0)
Head coach: Tony Salazar
Returning starters: 13 (7 offensive, 6 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, vs. Prosper (at Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton), 7 p.m.
Last Game: 12/21/24, North Crowley 50, Austin Westlake 21 (Class 6A Division I state title game)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
After coming oh-so-close to winning their fourth state title last season, the Chaps are eager to take another crack at it in 2025. Quarterback Rees Wise, an Ole Miss commit, is back after throwing for 2,598 yards and 23 TDs. Westlake has a gauntlet of a non-district schedule, including match-ups against Prosper, Atascocita and Cibolo Steele.
No. 7 Carthage Bulldogs
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- Ten-time state champions
- 2024 Class 4A Division II state champions
- 2024 Record: 15-1 (5-0)
Head coach: Scott Surratt
Returning starters: 13 (7 offensive, 6 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, at Kilgore, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 12/20/24, Carthage 28, Waco La Vega 14 (Class 4A Division II state title game)
W/L Streak: 15 wins
Death. Taxes. The Carthage Bulldogs winning state titles. Last season, Carthage lost its opener to Kilgore, then rattled off 15 straight wins for its 10th championship. Quarterback Jett Surratt is a force of nature. He threw for 3,378 yards and 53 TD’s in 2024. The Bulldogs have won five state titles since 2017, losing just four games in that stretch.
No. 8 Galena Park North Shore Mustangs
- Five-time state champions
- 2024 Class 6A Division I state semifinalist
- 2024 Record: 14-1 (7-0)
Head coach: Willie Gaston
Returning starters: 8 (4 offensive, 4 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, at South Oak Cliff, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 12/14/24, Austin Westlake 35, Galena Park North Shore 10 (Class 6A Division I state semifinals)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
After falling in the state semifinals last year, the Mustangs were hit hard by graduation. The new guard will get a strong early test when North Shore opens the season at South Oak Cliff Friday night. Safety Chace Calicut, a Georgia commit, will anchor the defense.
No. 9 Allen Eagles
- Five-time state champions
- 2024 Record: 13-1 (8-0)
Head coach: Lee Wiginton
Returning starters: 14 (7 offensive, 7 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, Midland Lee, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 12/7/24, North Crowley 30, Allen 8 (Class 6A Division I regional finals)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
With back-to-back regional final trips, Allen looks like it could make its way back to Jerry World in December. Wide receiver Caleb Smith, an Arizona commit, missed the 2024 season with an injury. He and Carter Harris (21-588 yards, 7 TDs) will create match-up nightmares for opposing defenses.
No. 10 Richmond Randle Lions
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- 2024 Class 5A Division II state champions
- 2024 Record: 16-0 (7-0)
Head coach: Brian Randle
Returning starters: 10 (6 offensive, 4 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, Richmond Foster, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 12/20/24, Richmond Randle 38, South Oak Cliff 35 (Class 5A Division II state title game)
W/L Streak: 16 wins
Richmond’s program needed just three seasons to reach the pinnacle of Texas high school football. Last season, the Lions ran the table and edged South Oak Cliff in the championship game. With players like running back Landen Williams-Callis (2,108 yards, 45 TDs) back, Randle might be just getting started. Again.
No. 11 Celina Bobcats
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- Nine-time state champions
- 2024 Class 4A Division I state champions
- 2024 Record: 16-0 (6-0)
Head coach: Bill Elliott
Returning starters: 8 (3 offensive, 5 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, vs. Bellville (at Midway Panther Stadium, Hewitt), 7 p.m.
Last Game: 12/20/24, Celina 55, Kilgore 21 (Class 4A Division I state title game)
W/L Streak: 16 wins
Guess who’s back? After a 16-year hiatus from winning a state championship, Celina reclaimed the throne by beating Kilgore, 55-21, in last year's UIL 4A Division I title game. Quarterback Bowe Bentley, an Oklahoma commit and one of the top signal-callers in the country, is back after throwing for 265 yards and 5 TD’s in the championship game.
No. 12 Smithson Valley Rangers
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- 2024 Class 5A Division I state champions
- 2024 Record: 14-2 (6-1)
Head coach: Larry Hill
Returning starters: 10 (2 offensive, 8 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, vs. San Antonio Roosevelt, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 12/21/24, Smithson Valley 32, Highland Park 20 (Class 5A Division I state title game)
W/L Streak: 11 wins
Victory surely tasted incredibly sweet for the Rangers last season. Smithson Valley claimed its first state title by upsetting powerhouse Highland Park in the title game in head coach Larry Hill’s 32nd season at the helm. The Rangers played in the state championship game four previous times. Repeating won’t be easy with only two starters back on offense, but Smithson Valley is loaded on defense, including DL Hudson Woods (66 tackles, 13 sacks), an SMU commit.
No. 13 Dallas South Oak Cliff Golden Bears
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- Two-time state champions
- 2024 Class 5A Division II state runner-up
- 2024 Record: 13-3 (7-0)
Head coach: Jason Todd
Returning starters: 14 (8 offensive, 6 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, Galena Park North Shore, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 12/20/24, Richmond Randle 38, South Oak Cliff 35 (Class 5A Division II state title game)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
The Golden Bears continued their historic run last season by playing in its fourth straight state championship game. Although SOC lost a heartbreaker to Richmond Randle, 38-35, the Golden Bears are primed for a run at a third state title and loaded with talent, including OL Cortavious Tisaby, an Arizona State commit.
No. 14 Highland Park Scots
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- Six-time state champions
- 2024 Class 5A Division I state runner-up
- 2024 Record: 14-2 (6-0)
Head coach: Randy Allen
Returning starters: 12 (7 offensive, 5 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, Rockwall-Heath, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 12/21/24, Smithson Valley 32, Highland Park 20 (Class 5A Division I state title game)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
Highland Park’s seventh state championship seemed to be inevitable after the Scots knocked off Denton Ryan in the state semifinals. Instead, Smithson Valley handed Highland Park a 32-20 setback at Jerry World. The Scots should be formidable again with the return of 12 starters, led by junior quarterback Buck Randall, who threw for 3,907 yards and 40 TD’s a season ago.
No. 15 Denton Ryan Raiders
Chuck Cox
- Three-time state champions
- 2024 Class 5A Division I regional finalists
- 2024 Record: 13-2 (7-1)
Head coach: Dave Henigan
Returning starters: 12 (7 offensive, 5 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, Haslet Eaton, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 12/13/24, Highland Park 24, Denton Ryan 21 (Class 5A Division I state semifinal)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
After losing to Aledo in district play, Ryan exacted its revenge with a 31-21 win over the Bearcats in the 2024 playoffs. The Raiders lost to Highland Park, 24-21, in the state semifinals the following week. Ryan returns a bevy of talent on both sides of the ball, including cornerback Xaier Hiler, an Arizona commit who had five interceptions last season.
No. 16 Aledo Bearcats
- Twelve-time state champions, most in Texas
- 127-game district winning streak
- 2024 Record: 12-2 (8-0)
Head coach: Robby Jones
Returning starters: 13 (6 offensive, 7 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, Denton Guyer, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 12/7/24, Denton Ryan 31, Aledo 21 (Class 5A Division I regional final)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
After rolling past Denton Ryan in district play, the Raiders ended Aledo’s season in the regional final. The Bearcats are now focused on getting back to the state title game to try for a 13th championship. Wide receiver Kaydon Finley is back for a fourth season as a starter after catching 81 passes for 1,432 yards and 43 TD’s. The four-star recruit is a Notre Dame commit.
No. 17 Waco La Vega Pirates
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- Two-time state champions
- 2024 Class 4A Division II state runner-up
- 2024 Record: 12-4 (5-0)
Head coach: Don Hyde
Returning starters: 14 (8 offensive, 6 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, at Kennedale, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 12/20/24, Carthage 28, Waco La Vega 14 (Class 4A Division II state title game)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
La Vega is coming off a season that included a sixth trip to the state championship game. The Pirates fell short of winning their third state title at the hands of juggernaut Carthage, but they return 14 starters to try to make another deep run. Wide receiver Jabarie Thornton, an Oklahoma State commit, had 76 receptions for 1,367 yards and 15 TD’s.
No. 18 Longview Lobos
- Two-time state champions
- 2024 Class 6A Division II state semifinalist
- 2024 Record: 12-3 (6-0)
Head coach: John King
Returning starters: 9 (3 offensive, 6 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, Lufkin, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 12/14/24, Southlake Carroll 20, Longview 17 (Class 6A Division II state semifinals)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
The Lobos lost a tight game to Southlake Carroll in the state semifinals last season after an eye-catching 50-14 thumping of DeSoto in the previous round. Although Longview has just three starters back on offense, they could make some serious noise in 2025. Lineman Jessier Hampton-Williams will anchor the defense after notching three sacks a year ago.
No. 19 Canyon West Plains Wolves
- 2024 Class 4A Division I state semifinalist
- 2024 Record: 11-4 (5-0)
Head coach: Adam Cummings
Returning starters: 17 (10 offensive, 7 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, Seminole, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 12/13/24, Celina 43, Canyon West Plains 36 (Class 4A Division I state semifinals)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
Another young program that made a deep playoff run last season, West Plains made it to the state semifinals, where it fell to eventual state champ Celina. The Wolves are ready to howl even more in 2025 with a whopping 17 starters back, including quarterback Reid Macon (3,528 yards, 36 TD’s), running back Slade Russell (1,697 yards, 24 TD’s) and wide receiver Kane White-Tinsley (64-1,065 yards, 12 TD’s).
No. 20 Muenster Hornets
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- Two-time state champions
- 2024 Class 2A Division II state champion
- 2024 Record: 14-2 (5-0)
Head coach: Brady Carney
Returning starters: 12 (6 offensive, 6 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, Lake Country Christian, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 12/18/24, Muenster 36, Shiner 29 (Class 2A Division II state title game)
W/L Streak: 12 wins
After bringing home its second state title in seven seasons, the Hornets are buzzing for more. Led by dual-threat quarterback supreme Casen Carney (3,163 passing yards, 34 TD’s, 1,599 rushing yards, 32 TD’s), Muenster appears in line to win title number three.
No. 21 Gunter Tigers
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- Five-time state champions
- 2024 Class 3A Division II state champion
- 2024 Record: 14-2 (6-0)
Head coach: Jordan Gill
Returning starters: 7 (2 offensive, 5 defensive)
Next Game: 8/28/25, at Houston Kinkaid, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 12/19/24, Gunter 28, Woodville 0 (Class 3A Division II state title game)
W/L Streak: 12 wins
The Gunter train kept on rolling last season, as the Tigers claimed their third straight state championship and fifth overall. This year will be more challenging with just seven starters back and a new head coach in Jordan Gill. Running back Jay Campiti returns after rushing for 761 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024.
No. 22 Argyle Eagles
- Two-time state champions
- 2024 Class 3A Division II state semifinalist
- 2024 Record: 13-2 (8-0)
Head coach: Todd Rodgers
Returning starters: 13 (7 offensive, 6 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, Frisco Lone Star, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 12/13/24, South Oak Cliff 37, Argyle 3 (Class 5A Division II state semifinals)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
Argyle has made deep playoff runs a habit, including a trip to last season’s state semis. Led by quarterback Maguire Gasperson, who threw for 2,895 yards and 27 TD’s last season, the Eagles welcome back 13 starters. Head coach Todd Rodgers is entering his 23rd season at the helm, a run that includes a pair of state titles and four more trips to the championship game.
No. 23 Texarkana Pleasant Grove Hawks
- 2024 Record: 10-3 (5-0)
Head coach: Josh Gibson
Returning starters: 17 (9 offensive, 8 defensive)
Next Game: 8/28/25, Atlanta, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 11/29/24, Carthage 28, Texarkana Pleasant Grove 7 (Class 4A Division II regional semifinals)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
After running into the Carthage buzzsaw in the playoffs last season, Pleasant Grove looks to get back to Arlington with 17 starters back. Defensive back Jamarion Richardson, a Baylor commit, will lead a defense that surrendered 12 points per game in 2024.
No. 24 Kilgore Bulldogs
- 2024 Class 4A Division I state runner-up
- 2024 Record: 13-3 (6-1)
Head coach: Clint Fuller
Returning starters: 13 (8 offensive, 5 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, Carthage, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 11/29/24, Celina 55, Kilgore 21 (Class 4A Division I state title game)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
Kilgore came close to winning its second state championship last season, falling to Celina in the championship game. The Bulldogs, who beat Carthage in last year’s opener, should be a handful again with 13 starters back. WR/LB Lakeyleon Graves is the No. 32 overall recruit in Texas in the Class of 2026, according to 24/7 Sports.
No. 25 Frisco Lone Star Rangers
- 2024 Record: 12-2 (7-1)
Head coach: Jeff Rayburn
Returning starters: 11 (6 offensive, 5 defensive)
Next Game: 8/29/25, at Argyle, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 12/6/24, Highland Park 41, Frisco Lone Star 28 (Class 5A Division I regional finals)
W/L Streak: 1 loss
The Rangers flew a bit under the radar last season, but they won 12 games and made it to the regional finals after winning 10 games the previous season. Lone Star, where Las Vegas Raiders’ rookie running back Ashton Jeanty played in high school, returns 11 starters, including Karece Hoyt, who threw for threw for 3,308 yards passing and 34 TD’s, along with 1,547 yards rushing and 21 TD’s.
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