The old saying goes that Teams are Remembered in December. But for these five programs, a playoff berth puts this year's squad in the school history books.

Whether snapping a playoff drought or exceeding expectations, here are the five most surprising teams to make the playoffs.

Fort Worth Paschal Panthers (7-3)

Paschal dropped a classification to Class 5A DI and made the most of the opportunity, snapping a 28-year playoff drought. Before this season, the program had a 39-158 record since 2004. The Panthers' offense put up 37.2 points per game behind the arm and legs of star junior JaShaun Thomas. Paschal will have an uphill battle to win Round 1 against 9-1 Denton Ryan.

Prosper Walnut Grove Wildcats (9-1)

How's 9-1 and a district championship for a UIL debut? Walnut Grove shocked Class 5A DII by finishing second in a loaded District 4, beating Lovejoy and Melissa in two of the final three weeks to collect the first gold ball in program history. Freshman quarterback Hayes Hackney has shown a veteran's poise, throwing 34 touchdowns to four interceptions, while junior running back Cam Newton has compiled over 1,400 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Brownsville Lopez Lobos (7-3)

Brownsville Lopez's seven wins this season matched its win total from 2018-23 combined. A veteran group (15 seniors played extensively as sophomores two years ago) plus a drop to Class 5A Division II gave Lopez the ingredients for a surprise year, but head coach Shaun Tarantola and his players made it happen on the field.

Houston Milby Buffaloes (5-5)

Milby overcame an 0-3 start to finish district play 5-2 and earn its first playoff appearance since 2000. An experienced defense led by senior defensive end Anthony Arroyo and senior linebacker Gerardo Uribe held opponents to 14 points per game in Milby's five district wins.

Prairie Lea Indians (7-0)

Prairie Lea makes the list for going 8–2 and winning their first district title since 1944, snapping an 80-year playoff drought. The team's average margin of victory was 39 points per game.

A correction was made on November 13: Prairie Lea was not guaranteed a playoff spot in a four-team district, as originally stated in the article, because only two teams represent each district in six-man football. DCTF regrets this error.