The high school football season is one week away. In anticipation for kickoff, Press Pass Sports is providing fans with district projections within a highly competitive Class 2A from Division I and Division II around the Texas Panhandle and South Plains. Tyler Anderson gives us his predictions featuring teams such as Abernathy, Gruver, Hale Center, Highland Park, New Deal, New Home, Panhandle, Stratford, Sunray, Wellington and Wheeler.

District 1-2A

Division I

 1. Panhandle: Can the Panthers shake the area round hex? Bewitched or not, there’s still high expectations surrounding head coach Dane Ashley’s team, stocked full of fresh faces. Zack Andrews takes over QB duties following Broxton Robinson’s departure for Army West Point. The Panthers always house strong offensive and defensive lines, led by Jacob Herzberg, which should open lanes for Lukas Purcell, Cooper Brinkley and Max Downs.

2. Spearman: The Lynx possess all the makings for a deep playoff run in 2026. Head coach Brandon Reagan’s team loves running the rock, spearheaded by QB/DB Jailen Vasqquez (1,299 yards, 10 TDs passing), RB/DB Hudson Swan (1,018 yards, 9 TDs rushing) and RB/LB Brayson Goodheart (531 yards, 7 TDs rushing). TE/LB Landon Sonnenberg and sophomore lineman Julian Leyva will help bolster a formidable Lynx defense.    

3. Highland Park: Even with the loss of Josh Marler, Ty Stout’s Hornets should make strides this season. The offense will need retooling, as Stout and staff need to find a quarterback to complement a solid playmaker corps made up of Israel Arana, Fabian Andrade and Dominic Vega. Fortunately, Highland Park’s defensive unit does return eight starters, featuring Luis Sosa and Alberto Olivas.

4. Sunray: To say that the Bobcats had a rough 2025 was an understatement. Blame Mother Nature and growing pains. Under the guidance of new head coach Matthew Clemons and his staff, 2026 should see some upward trajectory in the win department. QB Zeke Grajeda (2,350 passing yards) returns under center, alongside WR Dominik Dominguez (551 yards, 5 TDs receiving) and Mason Gray (60 tackles).  

5. Sanford-Fritch: It’s safe to say that 2025 was rocky for the Eagles. Fortunately, Brandon Bennett’s team is building up from the trenches on up – made up of linemen Keizer Wheeler, Jackson Baldwin and Aiden Anderson. RB/LB Ethan Barrett should be able to churn out some yardage, while QB/LB Kole Henderson should have daylight and time to operate the offense.

Game to watch
Oct. 16: Spearman at Panhandle

This contest, which will take place at Panther Stadium in Panhandle, should tell a different story from Panhandle’s lopsided 67-12 victory from last season. Panhandle may be the stalwart, but Spearman is on the rise. The true test will be between the Panthers’ traditional strength in the trenches and the Lynx’s experience on the defensive front. For the fans, it should be a smashmouth matchup of time consuming possessions and crucial scores.

District 2-2A

Division I

1. Farwell: By moving up to Division I, the Steers should be in contention for a district championship. Derrick Shelton did solid work in his first year, going 7-4 overall, and has the personnel to build upon that foundation. It all starts with lineman William Husted and Hunter Ruthardt. QB Kolson Allen (1,600 yards, 19 TDs passing) and RB/LB Coy Miller (1,100 yards, 13 TDs rushing) should provide a nice one-two punch.

2. Hale Center: Save for a bi-district playoff exit, the Owls had a memorable season. Head coach Marc Puente and the community now want to see the team take that precious next step, and they should in 2026. Hale Center returns district Defensive MVP in LB Aiden Shaver (112 tackles). Martin Cano, who was first-team all-district last year, will take over QB duties.  

3. Olton: Searching for that breakout season, the Mustangs bring back a ton of experience. Under the direction of head coach James Dougherty and his staff, Olton has 17 starters and 21 lettermen returning. Big things are expected from QB Brady Azam (2,036 yards, 18 TDs passing) and WR/DB Manny Carasco (665 yards, 8 TDs receiving). LB Emmitt Nelson (95 tackles) should be a force to be reckoned with.  

4. Tulia: Even though head coach Trevor Cordova is looked upon as a veteran baseball coach, he’s optimistic about the Hornets this season. It’s completely understandable, as there are 10 returning offensive starters. QB Jacob Trevino will be backed by RBs Jarvia Pastrana and Zai’Brien Frost. Wideouts Gustavo Trevino and Adrian Reyes will provide Jacob Trevino with some targets on the outside.

5. Floydada: After arriving from West Texas High, who reached the state semifinals last year, head coach Jeff Smith is ready to bring the wins back to the Whirlwinds. Smith takes pride in developing linemen, and has the guys to do it in linemen Azell Gomez and Jerald Henderson. Look for QB Luke Morales and WR Dayne Smith to form chemistry, while RB MJ Rios provides balance in the backfield.

Game to watch
Oct. 9: Hale Center at Farwell

It’s been a while since the Steers and Owls last met on the gridiron. Sept. 11, 2015, to be exact. Furthermore, this matchup starts the district slate for both teams. It’ll be a test between the balanced offense of Allen and Miller against Shaver and a hungry Owls defense. Regardless of the result, W.M. Roberts Stadium in Farwell will be rocking.

District 3-2A

Division I

1. Post: After bowing out too early for their liking last season, head coach John Wright and the Bold Gold Post Antelopes are battle hardened and eager for a deep playoff run. QB Landyn Garcia is back under center, and has plenty of weapons in WR Draven Gonzales and RB Randon Curtis. Linebackers Luca Perez and Daniel Young will be leading the charge, alongside defensive lineman Daniel Carroll. Expect Post to run the table in district play once more.

2. New Home: Head coach Jon Ward has a good thing going on with the Leopards, thanks to a 10-3 record and a regional semifinals appearance. There will be some new faces, but New Home returns a dynamic playmaker in Lincoln Preston and experienced linemen in Kenny Donald and Rafe Richardson. Kace Johnson – listed as a quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back, should be a player to watch for, alongside TE/LB Hayden Reyna and RB/LB George Dozier.    

3. New Deal: Under the watchful eye of head coach Matt Hill and his staff, the Lions are never to be underestimated. Even though Colt Ramsey steps in as new quarterback, New Deal returns 14 starters and 21 lettermen. Look for linemen Lane Proctor and Michael Beck to open up holes and provide Ramsey with time to make good decisions.

4. Abernathy: The Antelopes have seen a little bit, but not a whole lot, of change heading into 2026. Keith Bloskas has been promoted from offensive coordinator to the head coaching position. Division I prospect Caden Bird can do just about everything and anything to keep Abernathy in games, but he’ll need guys like QB/LB Cutter Johnson, RB/LB Kolt Micheletti and RB/LB Braylon Stafford to complement him.  

5. Sundown: Last season’s bi-district berth by the Roughnecks proves that this district is stacked. Head coach Brannon Rodgers has a great bedrock to work with, thanks to his offensive line. Lineman Andrew Rodriguez will be vital, and should help QB/DB Marco Landa and a stable of running backs – Cooper Day, Jeremiah Reyes, Corey Goodman and Jose Aleman – sustain drives and score points.

Game to watch
Oct. 16: New Home at New Deal

While many look at battles for the top of the district, the most interesting matchup in District 3-2A, Division I belongs to the contest between the fearsome felines at Noland Stadium. There will be explosive plays, for sure, but the real battle is in the trenches – as Donald and Richardson square off against Proctor and Beck.  

District 1-2A

Division II

1. Gruver: Following back-to-back state semifinal berths, head coach Kurt Haberthur and his staff will look to reload rather than revamp or rebuild. WR/DB Mason Lankford (753 yards, 14 TDs receiving) is an absolute stud, and he’ll be joined by new QB Jett Pittman and experienced LB Bo Cowan (75 tackles). Look for Quinn Conyers and Rylan Conyers to carry larger roles for the ‘Hounds.  

2. Stratford: For the first time in a long time, since 1994 exactly, a new face will pace the Stratford sideline. Head coach Stacey Alexander should hit the ground running for the Elks, even with the transfer of Chase Lantelme to Ropes. Stratford returns 18 starters, beginning with WR Darius Jones (1,110 yards, 16 TDs receiving) and lineman Kooper Walden and Jackson Wyatt. If QB Hunter Lee develops quickly, a return to the regional finals is quite likely.    

3. West Texas High: The Comanches’ run to the state semifinals last year was the stuff of legends. How does new coach Hunter Ashley and a new look WT High follow up? This season, they’ll lean on standout Zach Bryant on both sides of the ball, lineman Tyler Buck and athlete Calan Graves. QB Brady Layne and his father, offensive coordinator Brandon Layne, are new faces. All together, the Comanches should be a tough team to take down.

4. Bovina: Last year, head coach Wade Wilson and the Mustangs pulled off a splendid run to the regional semifinals – the first time since 2011. Can Bovina replicate that success? It’s very possible, thanks to RB/LB Eli Rocha, teammate Matthew Espinosa and an offensive line led by Eric Solis and Marlon Garcia. Should the Mustangs develop a quarterback and a defense, Bovina could be a scary draw come postseason time.  

5. Vega: Right now, the Longhorns appear to be on the outside looking in. That may not be a bad spot for head coach Jason Porton and his experienced team, who bring back 16 starters and 24 lettermen. RB/DB Omar Segovia (1,015 yards 8 TDs rushing) will be the dynamo who will make the ‘Horns go, and RB/LB Cruce Cook should step up on both sides of the football.  

Game to watch
Oct. 8: Stratford at Gruver

This game needs no introduction, as it’s one of the best rivalry games in the Texas Panhandle. Greyhound Stadium will be electric, with red on the home side and blue on the visiting side. The lines will be solid, the defenses stout and playmakers all around. It really comes down to quarterback play – Gruver’s Pittman or Stratford’s Lee.

District 5-2A

Division II

1. Wellington: It’s not surprising that head coach Greg Proffitt and the Skyrockets are the favorites to win district. Now, it comes down to pushing beyond the area round in an always stacked Region II within Class 2A, Division II. Wellington has the pieces in QB Callen Kane and WR Kamron Brooks. It’s all about converting the expectations into reality.

2. Wheeler: After capturing their first district title in nearly two decades, the Mustangs will look completely different. However, head coach Matt Hoover and his staff house a program that shouldn’t be looked over. QB/DB Israel Andrade will be an integral piece for the Mustangs, along with WR/DB Bryce Hill, linebacker Diego Soto and OL/LB Juan Carlos Del Rio.

3. Quanah: Experience, experience, experience. The Indians, who return 17 starters under head coach Mike Bowling, have plenty of it. Quarterback Prather Parr is back, but the main attraction is RB/DB Lexston Reese. Reese’s trajectory should continue to trend upward, which should make the Indians dangerous in district play and in the playoffs.  

4. Clarendon: Are things looking up in the land of the Broncos? Possibly. Head coach Brenton Whitaker’s crew, featuring RB Markeal Davis, could again snatch that final playoff spot. The Broncos need to develop some big boys in the trenches, though. Fortunately, Clarendon’s major non-district test is a road trip to Hale Center. Otherwise, there are some opportunities to boost that confidence.

5. Shamrock: Last season, head coach Nate Skelton and the Fighting Irish, took some shots on the chin.  This season, Shamrock should improve. QB Jace Moon and WR Cross Stambaugh developed nicely, but more playmakers and the defense will need to emerge from the roster.

Game to watch
Oct. 30: Wellington at Wheeler

One day before Halloween, Nicholson Field will again be the place to be. Wellington will carry in a slight advantage heading into Nicholson Field. Will it be a low scoring brawl, like Wheeler’s home 13-0 victory over the Skyrockets last year? Expect a little more scoring this time around.