Through five weeks of the 2025 Texas high school football season, a few programs have already rewritten expectations, and we at Dave Campbell's Texas Football have taken notice.

Here is a DCTX TXHSFB Midseason Surprise Team of the Year for each classification:

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PVT: McKinney Christian

Coming off of a 1-8 season in 2024, expectations were low for the Mustangs around the Dave Campbell's offices. In fact, coach Dan Whitsett entered his fourth year at the helm with an unsightly 9-17 record. But McKinney Christian has surged to a remarkable 4-1 start, highlighted by an upset win over Flower Mount Coram Deo and giving unbeaten Arlington Grace Prep everything it wanted in a wild loss. The Mustangs haven't had a winning record since 2017, but with quarterback Cody Dow slinging it, the sky is the limit in 2025.

1A: Grady

Perhaps we should've seen this coming when former Richland Springs head coach Shawn Rogers took over the helm of the Wildcats in June, but Grady has surged to a 5-0 start and are threatening their first playoff appearance since 2018. The biggest reason? A lights-out defense — the Wildcats have allowed just six points through four games (one forfeit), the fewest in all of Texas high school football.

2A: Anson

Cory McCombs' Tigers are off to a strong start with a close-knit squad that includes four members of the same family (Ethan Lozano, Alex Lozano, Alijah Lozano, Avery Lozano). Last season's three-game losing streak tempered an otherwise strong year, but the team has already avenged one of those losses with a 20-6 win over Albany.

3A: Commerce

The Tigers suffered an opening-night loss, but have come out angrier and angrier in every game since, culminating in last week's 51-13 statement win over state-ranked Winnsboro. Every week will be a battle in 7-3A Division I, but opponents now know the Tigers are a serious threat.

4A: Lubbock-Cooper Liberty

In only their second UIL season, the Patriots have raced out to a 5-0 start and look ready for the bigger challenges of district play. With just five teams in the district, a playoff run could be within reach.

5A: Austin Anderson

Despite losing key weapons from last year, the Trojans have found a new identity behind 2026 RB Caleb Crenshaw, who scored four touchdowns in a 42-40 win over College Station A&M Consolidated. Averaging 34.5 points per game in one of the 5A's toughest districts, they'll be battle-tested for a playoff run.

6A: Dickinson

Dickinson has powered to a 5-0 start and looks like a strong bet to finish the regular season unbeaten. The Gators opened 2024 with a statement win over Katy, and their 47-40 victory against Sheldon C.E. King looks even stronger after the Panthers knocked off Humble Atascocita, the team that ended their playoff run last year.