We're a month away from the start of the 2025 Texas high school football season, so let's get into some bold predictions. Bookmark this page and let me know how I did at the end of the season.

Class 6A Will Have Two New State Champions in 2025

Both of last year's state champions at the 6A level enter 2025 with questions. North Crowley must replace nine offensive starters from a historically good offense, and although the Panthers defense will be elite, navigating the trecherous waters of 6A-Division I is always a chore. Austin Vandegrift has fewer questions, but the Vipers will potentially have to get through fellow Austin powerhouse Austin Westlake in Region IV. Westlake surprisingly went Division I last year and got all the way to the state title game. Summer Creek, which fell to Vandegrift by three in the state semifinals, brings a ton back on offense. The team VHS beat in the state title game, Southlake Carroll, enters the season as the state's No. 1 team with 19 starters returning. 

John Hebert Runs for Less than 2,500 Yards

The recent Houston commit led the state in rushing a year ago with an incredible 3,542 yards to lead Houston Strake Jesuit to a surprise regional semifinal appearance. I don't think Hebert will have a bad season, but repeating that production will be a tall order as Hebert's offensive line must be replaced for the most part and he'll face eight-man fronts on a weekly basis. I'm also not sure Strake will get to play 13 games in 2025, which won't help the case. 

Jermaine Bishop Wins Mr. Texas Football

For the second time in three years a player from Willis will win the Mr. Texas Football award. The two-way sensation who is committed to Texas is the early favorite to win the award with his electric ability.

Aledo's Incredible District Winning Streak Comes to an End

The last time Aledo lost a district game was on October 5, 2007 at Marr Stadium in Everman. Since then the Bearcats have rattled off 127 straight district wins, an amazing streak that's seen some close calls, but the Bearcats have always found a way. Nothing lasts forever and this year's trip to take on Denton Ryan will be a tall task. Ryan eliminated Aledo from the playoffs in the regional final a year ago and last year in Aledo held a 19 -point led before an incredible rally from Aledo to win 42-27. 

South Oak Cliff Does Not Make It Back to a Fifth Straight State Championship Game

The list of UIL schools who played in five straight state title games is incredibly short - Aledo (2016-2020), Lake Travis (2007-2011), Southlake Carroll (2002-2006) and Waco (1922-1927). A lot of great teams have flirted with five straight but have fallen short. It's hard to play that many games and it's hard to play that many games without something wonky happening before AT&T Stadium; a freak bounce, a game where you turn the ball over or some other type of bad luck. On paper, SOC should be back at AT&T Stadium; they have the talent and coaching to get back to a fifth straight title game. But I'm playing the odds here with this prediction. 

Canyon West Plains Brings a 4A-Division I State Title Back to the Texas Panhandle

The Texas Panhandle is known for great small school football and great girls basketball, but winning state titles at one of the state's larger classifications is unheard of. This West Plains team is primed to make some history of its own in 2025. After advancing to the state semifinals a year ago and pushing eventual state champion Celina to the limit, the Wolves enter 2025 with a lot of confidence. Seventeen starters and 41 lettermen are back along with a four-year starter at QB in Reid Macon. The measuring stick will be October 3 when they travel to Argyle to take on private school juggernaut Argyle Liberty Christian in their non-district finale. 

Fort Bend Crawford Will Practice on Thanksgiving Day

The Chargers weren't picked to do much a year ago and were written off after a slow start, but David Jackson's squad managed to find their way into the playoffs in 2024. They return every player from that team - all 22 starters - and they are loaded for a run in 2025. So don't be surprised if this team is sitting in the third round of the playoffs prepping to play one of the monsters from East Texas in 4A-Division I.

Gunter Will NOT Win a Fourth Straight Title

Gunter has absolutely dominated 3A-Division II the past 10 years and 2025 may be its final season in that division as the Tigers could be off to 3A-Division I. The architect of that run, Jake Fieszel, has moved on, but more importantly a stellar and deep group of seniors has graduated. The road to Arlington may be tougher this year, so the odds are greater that Gunter's reign ends in 2025. 

A Class 2A Running Back Will Lead the State in Rushing

Last year it was a 6A back that led the state in rushing in Houston Strake Jesuit's John Hebert. This year, two FBS commits at the 2A level could take the title of state rushing leader. Kansas State commit HD Davis of Wolfe City is back after rushing for 2,739 yards, while Kaegan Ash, a Texas Tech commit from Mount Enterprise, has rushed for over 2,000 yards twice in his high school career. Both backs could carry their teams in 2025 and could carry their teams to multiple playoff round runs as well. 

Muenster and Shiner Will BOTH MIss the 2025 State Title Game

Despite both teams bringing a ton back from their teams a year ago, there's a decent chance neither team gets back to Arlington in 2A-Division II. Runner-up Shiner has to replace a three-year starter under center and getting through a Bremond squad that's the favorite in Region III will be a major challenge. Defending state champion Muenster returns almost all of their offensive production from last year, but the Hornets suffered some key graduation losses in the trenches.