The 2026 high school football season is already generating buzz as the USA TODAY Sports Southwest Region Super 15 rankings reveal a clear hierarchy among Texas programs, with Oklahoma’s Bixby and Colorado’s Cherry Creek also making strong impressions beyond state lines.
Texas clubs occupy the top three positions, led by Waxahachie, Duncanville and Southlake Carroll, each of which reached deep playoff rounds in the previous year and returns with renewed ambition.
Texas Teams Lead the Pack
Waxahachie, which finished 12‑2 last season before falling in the state quarterfinals to Duncanville, enters the new campaign with a revamped roster aiming to close the gap, while Duncanville’s run to the Class 6A Division I championship game highlighted both resilience and areas for refinement after a loss to North Shore.
Southlake Carroll, a semifinalist in 2025, remains in the conversation after being edged out by DeSoto, the reigning Class 6A Division II champions, adding another layer of intrigue to the regional hierarchy.
Beyond Texas, Oklahoma’s Bixby continues its historic eight‑year championship streak, and Colorado’s Cherry Creek, despite a 28‑game winning streak, recently tasted defeat at the hands of Ralston Valley, underscoring the competitive depth of the Southwest.
Key personnel will shape the narrative, as returning standouts such as JayQuan Snell, SaRod Baker and Noah Spinks prepare to anchor their units, while fresh quarterback talent like Ty Snell at Allen and Titus Huard at Valor Christian step into leadership roles.
The schedule promises marquee matchups, including a particularly grueling road test for DeSoto, whose championship pedigree will be put to the test against a slate of formidable opponents.