The 2026 high school football season in Lubbock is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic in recent memory, as the region’s Class 5A landscape undergoes a pronounced shift.
A key storyline involves the realignment that sees Coronado transition into 5A Division II, while two new programs — Frenship and Frenship Memorial — enter the fray, expanding the competitive pool and opening fresh non‑district matchups with Lubbock High and Monterey.
In District 2‑5A D‑I, Abilene High enters as the preseason favorite, but Amarillo High and Amarillo Tascosa are poised to close the gap after their 2025 showings, promising a tightly contested race for the top seed.
Meanwhile, a single playoff berth in the Lubbock area is expected to hinge on a head‑to‑head showdown between Coronado and Lubbock‑Cooper at the D‑II level, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the final weeks of the regular season.
A season of transition and promise
Quarterback play will be a focal point, with returning starter Jonah Reed of Monterey leading the passing charts after amassing 2,245 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions last year.
Sammy Saenz from Littlefield, who ranked ninth in the area with 1,697 yards and 19 scores, and returning signal‑callers Ethan Salazar of Levelland and Kolson Allen of Farwell, each topped 1,200 passing yards in 2025, setting the stage for a battle of experience and arm strength.
The talent pool is further bolstered by four Lubbock‑area teams — Ropes, Idalou, Post and Borden County — that crack the top ten in their respective classifications, while Dave Campbell’s Texas Football projects Idalou and Post to advance to the semifinals.
Adding to the narrative, seven new head coaches have taken the reins at the 11‑man level, including Lamesa, Abernathy and Lubock Christian, though only Abernathy and Lubock Christian bring recent playoff success, while the others are still seeking their footing.
Overall, the 2026 campaign offers a blend of established contenders and emerging challengers, with district races poised to decide playoff participants and new talent poised to reshape the regional hierarchy.