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 5A to 1A across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains. Check out how Kale Steed sees Class 3A Division I and Division II playing out including teams such as, Bushland, Shallowater, Dalhart, River Road, Canadian, Childress, Tulia, Friona, Dimmitt, Muleshoe and Idalou.
District 1-3A
Division I
1. Shallowater: Tradition never changes for the Mustangs. The trenches are a question mark, but the skill positions are lock solid for another big season. QB Logan Winn is an explosive do-it-all athlete that will be one to keep an eye on.
2. Bushland: The Falcons took their lumps last season and despite winning only five games, Bushland was still able to advance to the second round of the playoffs. Head coach Josh Reynolds feels his team is farther along heading into the season than last year and steps have been taken to be successful.
3. Dalhart: The Golden Wolves are replacing some key weapons across the board especially at quarterback with Kaleb Speer taking over for Hunter Trusler. As always, the Golden Wolves are extremely well coached and a dangerous team to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
4. Denver City: The Mustangs enter into the north district due to realignment and want to make their mark. Denver City is set on the offensive and line and have the weapons at the skill to make an impact.
5. Brownfield: It’s been a rough road for the Cubs the past few years. Coming off a winless 2025, The Cubs hope a rebuild is in progress.
Game to watch
Oct. 16: Bushland at Shallowater
This is always the marquee matchup of the district and almost every year determines the No. 1-seed and outright district championship. Todd Field in Shallowater should be packed and expected to see another dandy. Last season, the Mustangs held off a late surge to ground the Falcons in Bushland.
District 1-3A
Division II
1. Canadian: The Wildcats expectations never change and there is a bitter taste in Canadian’s mouth following a third round exit to Idalou in the playoffs last season. The Wildcats will need to find skill players to step up but will have QB Weston Mitchell and the big boys in the trenches to establish themselves early.
2. Childress: The Bobcats will need to stay healthy through a brutal non-district schedule, but Childress will be very tested for league play. QB Koen Galligan is a year older and will have a big leadership role on the team.
3. Dimmitt: Keep an eye on the Dimmitt Bobcats as a sleeper team in 2026. The Bobcats have playmakers all over the field and head coach Jimmy Arias is the right guy to steer the ship. Bi-district isn’t what this team is playing for anymore.
4. Friona: The Chieftains once again started slow but came on strong down the stretch last year to get back into the playoffs. With 12 starters back in tow, head coach Elias Carrillo hopes that this season things can come together a tad bit quicker.
5. River Road: The Wildcats drop into Division II, but the district road doesn’t get any easier. Head coach Aaron Wampler is one of the best but will need buy in from his young team to grind for a playoff berth.
Game to watch
Oct. 9: Childress at Dimmitt
It’s always easy to go with a great rivalry like Canadian vs. Childress for the league title. However, an early October matchup in Dimmitt is intriguing in this battle of Bobcats. Childress is the relative favorite, but Dimmitt will be hyped and playing to itself.
District 2-3A
Division II
1. Idalou: If there is a Region I favorite, it’s the Idalou Wildcats. Head coach Clay White’s team is absolutely loaded, and is many’s favorite to be playing at AT&T Stadium in December. A lot has to happen between then and now, but the pieces are in place for a special season.
2. Slaton: The Tigers are coming off a 10-win season under head coach Clint Conkin and have bigger expectations in 2026. Speed is the name of the game, and Slaton has it.
3. Littlefield: Injuries decimated the Wildcats down the latter part of the 2025 season to where Littlefield was almost unrecognizable. If the health stays intact, the Wildcats are a dangerous team and boast a very talented QB in Sammy Saenz.
4. Muleshoe Head coach Bo Dickinson saw ups and downs in year one but does return his Swiss Army Knife in Josue Sigala. A one man machine, Sigala can keep the Mules in any game on the schedule.
5. Lubbock Roosevelt: The Eagles return a strong veteran presence full of seniors mixed in with a strong younger group that will fight for a playoff berth.
Game to watch
Nov. 6: Slaton at Idalou
The final night of the regular season is most likely for the No. 1-seed and district championship. Last season, Idalou dominated the Tigers on the way to the state quarterfinals. For that not to happen again, Slaton will need to execute perfect football.
