The Texas high school football playoffs are a religion in the Lone Star State, and the 2026 postseason is shaping up to be one for the ages. As the brackets narrow and the stakes rise, two programs have emerged as the favorites to meet in the state championship game, and the anticipation is building across the state.
Lakeland High School, also a Texas power, has taken a different path to the playoffs. The Dreadnaughts were not the preseason favorite in their district, but they have caught fire at the right time, winning their last seven games by an average margin of 24 points. The team is built around a physical running game and a defense that has been lights out in the second half of the season.
The North Shore offense is a juggernaut. The quarterback has thrown for over 3,200 yards and 38 touchdowns with just three interceptions, and he has a pair of 1,000-yard receivers to throw to. The running game averages over six yards per carry, and the offensive line has surrendered just eight sacks all season. The Mustangs score on 92 percent of their red zone possessions, the highest rate in the state.
The bracket also features several other dangerous teams. A Dallas-area power with a 12-0 record is lurking on the other side of the bracket, and a San Antonio program with a history of deep playoff runs is always a threat. The depth of Texas high school football means that no game can be taken for granted, and upsets are a regular occurrence in the early rounds.
The playoffs also represent a chance for several uncommitted prospects to boost their stock. A North Shore wide receiver who holds offers from 12 programs is using the playoff run to showcase his abilities, and a Lakeland defensive back who is flying under the radar has the attention of several Power Four staffs.
For North Shore, a fourth state title in six years would cement the program as a dynasty. For Lakeland, a championship would validate a season that exceeded all expectations and announce the Dreadnaughts as a new power in Texas football. Either way, the Texas high school football playoffs are about to deliver another unforgettable December.
