Exciting Finish to Texas High School Football Season
This week, Texas is buzzing with excitement as the high school football season approaches its climactic finish. Three teams from the Lone Star State have made it to the USA Today’s Sports Super 25 national football rankings for Week 18, showcasing the incredible talent that Texas high school football is known for.
North Crowley is shining bright, coming in at No. 3 after a thrilling victory over Duncanville, winning 36-34 in the UIL Class 6A Division I state semifinals. The Panthers are fresh off back-to-back state championships in 2022 and 2023, and their success has been powered by their standout quarterback, Keelon Russell, who is a five-star recruit and the Gatorade National Player of the Year. In addition to Russell’s talent, the Panthers have an impressive lineup, including five-star junior offensive lineman John Turntine III, listed as the No. 17 player in the 2026 recruiting class by 247Sports. With Division I prospects like Henry Fenuku (signed with Missouri) and Quentin Gibson (committed to Colorado), this team is a force to be reckoned with.
Austin Westlake has also earned their place in the spotlight, coming in at No. 11, significantly rising from No. 28. They dominated North Shore in the Class 6A Division I state semifinals under the guidance of head coach Tony Salazar, who previously served as the school’s defensive coordinator. Westlake will face off against North Crowley in what promises to be an exciting championship game.
The final Texas team to be ranked is Southlake Carroll, which holds the No. 22 spot after a strong win against Longview in the state semifinals, just a week after Longview shocked many by beating defending champion DeSoto. The Dragons are led by quarterback Angelo Renda, and their talented roster includes four-star recruits like Jack Van Dorselaer (Tennessee signee) and Brock Boyd (committed to TCU). Southlake Carroll is set to take on Austin Vandegrift in the Class 6A Division II state title game.
As the Texas high school football season wraps up, the excitement is palpable, with all eyes on these talented teams as they vie for state championships.
