The 2026 high school football season in the Houston area is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, with traditional powerhouses and emerging programs vying for supremacy.
North Shore, the defending Class 6A Division I champion, enters the new campaign with the weight of a title defense and a fresh question at quarterback after Kaleb Maryland’s departure for Utah State.
The quarterback vacancy created by Maryland’s exit is being filled by a new face, and the team is counting on its deep‑rooted tradition of producing elite signal callers to smooth the transition.
Rising to Division I
Randle, dominant in Class 5A Division II for the past three seasons, is moving up to Division I. The program, which has posted a 42‑3 record over the last three years and captured a 2024 state championship, now faces tougher playoff opponents such as No. 10 Iowa Colony and No. 7 Pflugerville Weiss.
C.E. King, fresh off a 13‑3 season, returns 14 starters, including eight on defense, and hopes to build on its historic playoff run that has put the school on the map.
Ridge Point, under coach Rick LaFavers, continues its streak of six consecutive district titles and brings back starting quarterback Brody Bartee, whose arm and the defense’s Division I talent make the team a serious threat.
Other Notable Programs
Summer Creek, ranked No. 5, boasts stars at quarterback Noah Spinks and receiver Benny Easter Jr., but the move to Division I brings new challenges against larger schools.
Dickinson, ranked No. 10, returns quarterback Lorenzo Aguirre after a 13‑win season, while Katy, sitting at No. 14, is just 14 victories shy of 300 career wins under coach Gary Joseph.
Cypress Ranch, ranked No. 21, relies on quarterback Braden Baker to push past its third‑round playoff ceiling reached in 2014, and Shadow Creek, ranked No. 22, counts on quarterback Tavis Coleman and a potent offensive skill group.
Atascocita has appointed Kyle Coats, formerly an assistant at DeSoto, as its new head coach, aiming to steer the program toward a state championship after Craig Stump’s retirement.
College Park’s new leadership, also featuring Kyle Coats and Michael Buro, inherits high expectations as they look to translate past successes into immediate results.
Transfer Impact
The transfer portal has added a layer of intrigue, with Carson White, a three‑star Oklahoma State commit, moving from Iowa Colony to Hightower and immediately slated to start at quarterback.
Four‑star defensive lineman Xavier Muhammad, committed to Michigan, has transferred to Shadow Creek and is expected to be a game‑changer in the trenches.
North Shore’s quarterback lineage stretches back to Bobby Reid, Maciah Long, Dematrius Davis, Kaleb Bailey and Kaleb Maryland, who together have guided the team to six state championships since 2003, underscoring the program’s sustained excellence.
With a blend of seasoned returnees, fresh transfers, and evolving coaching strategies, the 2026 Houston football landscape promises drama, surprise upsets, and the continuation of long‑standing rivalries that define the region’s rich gridiron culture.