Weiss Wolves wide receiver Dallas Schad (11) carries the ball as Anderson Trojans Yaheim Riley (4) pursues during the first half of the game between the Wolves and the Trojans at the Pfield in Pflugerville, Nov. 6, 2025.

Weiss Wolves wide receiver Dallas Schad (11) carries the ball as Anderson Trojans Yaheim Riley (4) pursues during the first half of the game between the Wolves and the Trojans at the Pfield in Pflugerville, Nov. 6, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

Even though the 2025 Central Texas high school football season ended barely more than five weeks ago and the 2026 season is almost eight months away, that’s not stopping the American-Statesman from taking a look at this fall. We’re ranking what we think will be the best teams heading into 2026, accounting for players returning and those lost to graduation. 

MORE: Our 2025 All-Central Texas football team was led by Lake Travis, Vandegrift selections 

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The list includes traditional Austin-area powers, schools that have made giant strides in the last few years and at least one TAPPS school. And the No. 1 team in our way-too-early 2026 rankings might surprise you:

1. Weiss 

Loaded. That’s the only way to describe the Wolves. Though QB Jaxon Schad and WR Tre Moore — both were first-team All-Central Texas picks —will get the headlines with their multiple FBS offers, Weiss returns 15 starters from a team that won 10 games and went three rounds deep in the playoffs. It’s not out of line to say the Wolves (10-3 last year, 6-2 in District 12-5A DI and regional semifinalists) are one of the top five teams in Class 5A Division I and are a serious threat to make the state championship game. 

Key players: QB Jaxon Schad, WR Tre Moore, WR Jordan Ibn Anderson-El, DL Jarell Scott, DL Tyler Hall, LB Tylan Henderson, LB Reagan Smith, DB Cevyn Womack, WR Dallas Schad

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2. Lake Travis

It’s going to be a tough encore for the Cavaliers after a brilliant 2025 (14-1, 6-0 in 26-6A, 6A-DI state semifinalists), and major holes will need to be filled at QB, RB and on the defensive line. But Lake Travis is a perennial power that will reload. Offensive linemen Jackson Koepple (second-team All-Centex) and Carson Weikert give the offense a stable base up front, while the secondary is stacked with three returning starters. WR Gray Garrick missed most of 2025 with an injury and will be a massive addition. DB Buddy Phillips II is a budding star. Hank Carter probably isn’t appreciated enough as a coach; don’t expect anything less than eight wins in the regular season. 

Key players: WR Westin Smith, DB Jeremiah Strong, DB Luca Antoun, DB Teddy Lofgren, OL Carson Weikert, OL Jackson Koepple, DB Buddy Phillips II, WR Gray Garrick, LB Owen Aird

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Vandegrift Vipers wide receiver Gavin Koester (13) catches the ball as Dripping Springs Tigers defensive back Jackson Mills (21) defends during the second quarter at the nondistrict Class 6A-IV football game on Friday, Aug 23, 2024, at Monroe Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.

Vandegrift Vipers wide receiver Gavin Koester (13) catches the ball as Dripping Springs Tigers defensive back Jackson Mills (21) defends during the second quarter at the nondistrict Class 6A-IV football game on Friday, Aug 23, 2024, at Monroe Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.

John Gutierrez/Special to American-Statesman

3. Vandegrift

Like Lake Travis, the Vipers are a program that perennially wins no matter how much they lose to graduation. WR Gavin Koester returns from missing all of 2025 due to an injury and will be one of the area’s top deep threats. RB Evan Williamson could threaten to rush for 1,000 yards if an inexperienced line comes together quickly. The defense will be its usual stout self, led by a line that should wreak havoc and a tackling machine in LB Luke Davis. Vandegrift (12-3, 7-1 in 25-6A, 6A DII state semifinalists) may benefit most from Drew Sanders, who has put on a masterclass in coaching the last two years. Realignment could bring some new foes, but it won’t be a surprise if Vandegrift wins a mind-boggling ninth straight district title. 

Key players: DL Gavin Law, WR Gavin Koester, OL Kaden O’Rourke, DL Jake Venuto, LB Luke Davis, RB Evan Williamson, DB Colt Stevens, RB Preston James 

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4. Westlake

Are the Chaps too low here at No. 4? Maybe. Few realized how beat up Westlake (7-4, 4-2 in 26-6A, lost in 6A DII bi-district) was in 2025, and graduation losses leave question marks all over the field. Still, the Chaps never lack talent. Offensive linemen Jackson Cook and Luke Walker, who missed most of 2025 with an injury, will likely be at FBS schools in 2027. They’ll be a major asset for whoever wins the starting quarterback battle. Apart from the secondary, the defense may be a bit raw, but it will benefit from head coach Tony Salazar’s schemes. 

Key players: OL Jackson Cook, OL Luke Walker, RB Jarren Lopez, WR Rhett Jenkins, WR Braden Riddell, DB Eric Abraham, DB Wylie Nichols, DL Collin McClune, LB Tate Lung

Dripping Springs Tigers quarterback Chase Ames (1) sends out a touchdown pass Dripping Springs Tigers wide receiver Merrik Bloomgren (7) against the Vandegrift Vipers during the third quarter at the UIL Class 6AD2 quarterfinal football playoff on Saturday, Dec 6, 2025, at the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas.

Dripping Springs Tigers quarterback Chase Ames (1) sends out a touchdown pass Dripping Springs Tigers wide receiver Merrik Bloomgren (7) against the Vandegrift Vipers during the third quarter at the UIL Class 6AD2 quarterfinal football playoff on Saturday, Dec 6, 2025, at the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas.

JOHN GUTIERREZ PHOTO

5. Dripping Springs

If football games are won in the trenches, the Tigers are in good shape. All four starters return on the defensive front while three starters are back on the offensive line. Chase Ames is one of Central Texas’ top five quarterbacks. But Dripping Springs (12-2, 5-1 in 26-6A, 6A-DII regional finalists) probably won’t replicate the gaudy passing attack it had in 2025 as Ames (the 2025 Central Texas newcomer of the year) will be working with a mostly new receiving corps. The back seven on defense will be filled by backups or players moving up from subvarsity.  

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Key players: QB Chase Ames, OL Hudson Whitenight, OL Holden Yeldell, OL Croft Connor, DL Major Bettridge, DL Jackson Saafir, DL Colby Han, DL Brady Smith

6. Anderson

One would think the Trojans are headed for a rebuild after their best season in 15 years (10-2, 7-1 in 12-5A DI, area-round playoffs). But the return of eight offensive starters, including QB Cove Darbyshire and all five offensive linemen, means Anderson should be one of the area’s better teams again. While the offense might produce yards at will, the defense will be mostly inexperienced. The positive on that side of the ball is defensive linemen Zack Cecalek and Matyas Levine, giving Anderson a strong defensive front. The Trojans also received good news when the UIL released its classification cutoffs, as it appears they’ll remain in Class 5A. 

Key players: QB Cove Darbyshire, WR Jay Fullmer, OL Kayden Williams, OL Haden Beard, OL Jay Grey, DL Matyas Levine, DL Zack Cecalek, LB Charlie Helling 

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7. Round Rock 

If nothing else, the Dragons should be entertaining thanks to a dangerous passing attack and talent in the trenches. The Dov Stickler-to-Dylan Jaeger connection should be one of the more potent aerial combinations in Central Texas with three starters back on the offensive line giving it time to execute. DL Payton Johnson and DL Evan Anders lead what could be a potent defensive front seven. RB Ryan Sirwaitis provides experience for the rushing attack. Round Rock should bounce back from a rare losing season (5-6, 5-3 in 25-6A, lost in bi-district) and make its annual postseason appearance.

Key players: DL Payton Johnson, DL Evan Anders, WR Dylan Jaeger, OL Mark Moreno, QB Dov Stickler, OL Ben Pittman, DB Cooper Martinez, LB Jason Nold, RB Ryan Sirwaitis, OL Colton Steed

8. Cedar Park

The defense could be dominant with eight players back who earned first- or second-team all-district honors. That should help smooth the program’s transition to Class 6A. David Cooper is one of the area’s top five quarterbacks and has most of his receiving corps back. The Timberwolves (8-4, 6-1 in 8-5A DI, lost in the area round) will rely on what should be a very good passing game after being a run-first team the last few years.  

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Key players: QB David Cooper, DB CJ Rogers, DL Olujimi Aluko, OL Brock Bungo, OL Cash Hill, DL Lucas Bratton, DB Weston Kendrick, DB Ross Surrell, DB Hayden Hollander, OL Andy Townsend, LB Deshaun Stewart

9. Georgetown

Expect the Eagles to throw the ball more with the return of QB Kaleb McDougle, who enters his third year starting behind center, and several key wideouts. The lines will be inexperienced on both sides, but Georgetown coach Chuck Griffin likes the talent he has there. The back seven on defense should be particularly stout with five starters returning. The Eagles (9-3, 6-1 in 8-5A DI, lost in the area round) perennially win at least seven games, and 2026 should be no different.    

Key players: QB Kaleb McDougle, OL AJ Gonzalez, WR Braylon Westfall, LB Gavin Smith, DB Johnny Decker, DB Reagan Bollinger, DB Cade Ereckson, WR Brayden Bratton, RB Westin Steward, RB Zech Guyton

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10. Bastrop

With Weston Nielsen — arguably the best quarterback in Central Texas and a four-star prospect committed to Arizona State — coming back as well as three returning wideouts, the Bears’ passing game should hum again. Especially if an inexperienced offensive line can quickly jell. Most of Bastrop’s starters play both sides of the ball, with the defensive back seven bringing back nearly everyone. Bastrop went 11-2 last year (6-1 in District 11-5A DII) and lost in the regional semifinals.

Key players: QB Weston Nielsen, WR/DB Dallas Crescenzo, WR/DB Zac Wilkinson, WR/DB Diego Rangel, OL/DL Zach Werchen, LB Austin Moilan, LB/RB Isaiah Arnold, DB Cale Findlay,  DE/TE Case Benoit

11. Regents

Jack Devine is arguably the best quarterback in TAPPS and, along with several returning talented starters, gives the Knights (12-1, lost in TAPPS DII state semifinals) a shot at the Division II state title. RB Isaiah Mills is a budding star, but there’s little experience on the offensive line or at wideout. The defense should be smothering with LB Colin Angelo and DL Cole Knippa leading a unit that returns seven starters.

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Key players: QB Jack Devine, RB Isaiah Mills, WR Kellan Millington, LB Colin Angelo, DL Cole Knippa, LB Matthew Robb, RB Ben Anderson, OL Truman Hill, DB Andrew Shepard, DL Max Raeder