Last fall, three TXHSFB programs won their first state championship in program history. 

Wall reinvented their offense from the veer option to the spread, and in two seasons became the best passing offense in the state. Yoakum coach Bo Robinson won his long-awaited first state championship after X’Zavier Barnett and Jace Morales each rushed for over 190 yards. Hamilton won their first title after the triumphant return of Halston Haile, who lacerated his kidney in last year’s regional final and then earned State Championship Game Offensive MVP. 

So, in honor of April Fools’ Day, don’t be FOOLED if the following TXHSFB teams win their first title in December.

Class 6A: San Antonio Johnson Jaguars

Lake Travis has ended San Antonio Johnson’s playoff runs in each of the last three years. But in 2026, Lake Travis is more vulnerable with just four total starters back, and Johnson has a chance to be stronger than ever. 

The Jaguars have the big-time skill position players who’ll generate offseason buzz. Senior QB Elvis Estrada (3,130 passing yards, 479 rushing yards, 44 total TD) returns his top two targets in senior Bryson Thompson (908 yards, 11 TD) and sophomore Braelyn Allen (1,280 yards, 20 TD). Oklahoma CB commit Mikhail McCreary was a First Team All-District 27-6A defensive back and return specialist. LB Elijah Guajardo led the Jaguars with 105 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and three interceptions. 

But Johnson’s trench play on both sides of the ball could get the Jaguars over the hump. Terrin Abrego was a First Team All-District selection on the offensive line, while juniors Jack Von Dohlen (6-foot-2-inches, 280 pounds) and Ayham Daoud (6-foot-4-inches, 285 pounds) are promising prospects. On defense, edge rusher Matthew Paris had seven tackles for loss and six sacks as a sophomore, while Courtney Smith (6-foot-0, 300 pounds) is a stalwart in the interior.

Class 5A: Frisco Lone Star Rangers

DCTX put Lone Star on this list last April, and the Rangers came one game away. With the return of QB Trey Wright, the national leader with 5,863 total yards, we’re doubling down on our pick. Smithson Valley shut down Lone Star’s offense in the state championship game, limiting a unit averaging 50.4 points per game to six. Two things can be true: Smithson Valley had one of the all-time defensive performances in state championship history. Also, Wright was hampered by a leg injury for much of the game. 

With Wright, Baylor athlete commit Karece Hoyt, and defensive backs Bryant Robinson and Bryce Hayes Roberts, Lone Star’s top-line talent is arguably the best in the state. But their ceiling will be determined by how they can replace the unsung hero of last year’s team, District 5-5A DI Defensive MVP Marcel Dominguez and Rice signee Chris Knauls on the defensive line. 

Class 4A: Graham Steers

Graham coach Clay McChristian pulled off one of the state’s most underrated coaching jobs last fall, taking a team that returned only four starters to the third round of the playoffs. Now, the Steers bring back 10 offensive starters. 

QB will be the one new starter, which would normally scare us away from picking Graham to contend for state. But rising senior Cooper Corley shows a ton of promise as a dual-threat quarterback in the same vein as Jace Gill last year and Ty Thompson before him. And, the Steers have four offensive linemen over 300 pounds to protect him. District 3-4A DI prospect Tyson Louder headlines that unit after grading out at 98 percent last year with 26 pancakes.

Graham must replace eight starters on defense, including the entire secondary. But McChristian is moving All-State OLB Colt Taylor to middle safety to captain a young group. The defense should also receive a boost from the healthy return of 6-foot-3-inch, 225-pound edge rusher Thomason Burkett, who missed a majority of his junior year with a hand and knee injury.

Class 3A: Sinton Pirates

DCTX listed Sinton as one of the most intriguing teams moving down in realignment. The Pirates have compiled a 55-12 record since 2021, won six consecutive district titles, and made the state semifinals as a Class 4A DII team last season. Now, they drop into Class 3A DI and are an instant state championship contender.

The Pirates must replace a few program stalwarts like RB Mykha Green (UTSA) and OT Clay Mitchell (Rice). But the cupboard—or the Pirate treasure chest—is far from bare with six returning starters on each side of the ball. RB/DB Marcos Zapata Jr. was an All-South Texas First-Team Utility Player selection. He could run wild behind 6-foot-3-inch, 305-pound lineman Jason Valdez, who allowed one sack all season. QB Quincy Bess remarkably had no turnovers in district play as a sophomore starter.

Class 2A: Joaquin Rams

We’ve learned our lesson not to pick against #PlayoffJoaquin. In his first two seasons as the program’s head coach, Jared Jones has led the Rams to the state semifinals as a four-seed and the state championship game as a three-seed. Word to the wise: if Joaquin is hovering around .500 in October, don’t try to take a victory lap against our pick.

Joaquin returns seven starters on each side of the ball from last year’s team that reached the title game. Senior Cooper Bragg (2,023 rushing yards, 91 tackles) is on the short list for the fastest player in Class 2A. He’ll be the focal point on offense along with returning QB/MLB Trenton Runnels, whom Jones describes as “the heart and soul of the team.” Joaquin must replace both its edge rushers, but the interior is intact with 6-foot-3-inch, 335-pound tackle Brody Cummings.