With the high school football season less than a week away, Press Pass Sport is giving fans district projections for the upcoming 2026 season from Class 6A to 1A across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains. Check out how Lee Passmore sees Class 4A Division I and Division II playing out including teams such as, West Plains, Canyon, Randall, Dumas, Hereford, Pampa, Perryton, Borger, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty and Lubbock Estacado.

District 2-4A

Division I

1. Canyon: Matt Lovorn enters his first full season as head coach at his alma mater after taking over the middle of last year. Lovorn won a Class 2A state title at Stratford and brings a similar approach to Canyon, as the Eagles have as much returning talent as they’ve enjoyed the past few years. Quarterback Brox Hacker showed growth last season and will only be better this year. Defense, though, could be Canyon’s strength, as the Eagles return eight starters, led by linebacker Levi Turner, a two-way standout, and an experienced secondary featuring Will Kilgore and Asher Cunningham.

2. Dumas: The Demons have genuine district championship aspirations, due in large part to four-year starting quarterback Colton Mills, the district’s top returning passer. Running back Zbastian Jara will complement the passing game, giving opposing defenses headaches from an offense returning seven starters. The defense is almost as accomplished, led by linebacker Kelton Dill, continuing a Dumas family tradition at the position as a leader of the type of defense which has been the hallmark under coach Aaron Dunnam. Dumas will be as physical as anybody in the district.

3. West Plains: It’s as clean as a slate can get for the Wolves, who graduated all the players responsible for the first season of the program in 2022. Oh, and they also have a new coach in Jeff Lofton, an assistant who was there from the beginning and replaces Adam Cummings, who is now a Canyon ISD assistant superintendent. Slade Russell is the district’s top returning running back after a 2,000-yard season and will be counted on heavily. He’s only one of four returning starters, though, making Lofton’s first season that much more challenging.

4. Randall: If there’s going to be a “sleeper” who could rise up the ranks and surprise some people, the Raiders look like the best candidates. They return nine offensive starters, and quarterback Braylen Preciado should be more comfortable after assuming the starting job late last season. Running back Drayden Ray and wide receiver Phoenix Sherwood will provide plenty of speed. The offense will carry the load early while a less experienced defense will have to get its feet settled before district if Randall is to equal its 10-win total from last season.

5. Pampa: The Harvesters have struggled in this challenging district in their first two seasons under coach Floyd White, and they have to hope those beatings will make them wiser this season. Gunner Thomas is a solid receiver, and he’ll be a much-needed go-to guy for promising new sophomore quarterback Phoenix Lopez. Senior linebacker Alden Hammond is Pampa’s best defensive player. If a group of younger players can adapt quickly and blend with some formidable returning talent, the Harvesters will be in the playoff hunt.

6. Hereford: New coaches are a theme in the district, as half of the teams have new leaders on the sideline, with Matt Medley taking over the Whitefaces following the departure of Adam Naron. Medley inherits only eight returning starters from a 2-8 team as this looks like a program in transition. Wide receiver Brix Machen is a proven playmaker and one of the district’s best athletes. However, there are far too many other question marks around the Herd to consider them a contender until they prove otherwise. 

Game to watch
Nov. 7: Dumas at Canyon

Maybe the schedulemakers knew something was up when they slated this game for Nov. 7 at Happy State Bank Stadium to end the regular season. It would be the perfect way and time to decide the district champion.

District 3-4A

Division II

1. Lubbock-Cooper Liberty: Liberty’s progress as a program mirrors that of West Plains to the north, as the Patriots were 10-2 in their second year as a varsity team. With 15 starters returning from last season’s district champions, there’s every reason to anticipate a repeat. Running back Kaiden Joseph was as dangerous an offensive weapon as anybody in the area last year, but what might really make Liberty go is a defense which returns nine starters, led by defensive linemen Isaac Rodriguez and Rylan Thomas. A playoff run beyond the second round looks highly realistic.

2. Lubbock Estacado: The Matadors are perennial district title contenders and with 15 returning starters they’ll be in the picture again. Their offense will relay a lot on speed, led by dual threat quarterback Jayric Ward, who threw 20 touchdown passes last season, and wide receiver Ivyrson McGuire. Estacado will also be big up front on both sides of the ball. Add to that the hunger of finishing second behind Liberty last season, and the Matadors will have plenty to prove to opponents this season.

3. Perryton: In a district full of explosive offensive weapons, the Rangers looked to be as well-armed as anybody to survive shootouts. Quarterback Cooper Schilling (2,682 yards, 27 TDs) and wide receiver Gordo Estrada (1,380 yards, 16 TDs) are one of the top passing combos in the area so scoring’s not a problem. The defense should be respectable, but will likely have to take a step up to surpass the two Lubbock area schools in the standings when all is said and done this season. 

4. Levelland: The Lobos return a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, so they’d be the best pick for somebody looking for a “sleeper” in this district. Quarterback Ethan Salazar showed he could play with the district’s best last season and running back Noah Martin provides a solid complement on the ground. Tristan Waters and Rayden Garcia anchor what might be the district’s best defensive line. Figure on Levelland at least being competitive all season.

5. Borger: Borger has been the whipping boy in the district and the Bulldogs are coming off a winless season in 2025. Jesus Villasenor will be the latest coach to try to turn things around and it certainly helps that Borger returns 18 starters. Running back Dylon Yankee might have the best name in the district and linebacker Degyn Smith leads the defense. If the Bulldogs show progress predistrict, they could surprise.

Game to watch
Oct. 23: Estacado at Liberty

This clash of the two Hub City area schools on Oct. 23 should decide the district champion, and if nothing else it figures to be entertaining. The establishment vs. upstart storyline is compelling.