The Texas high school football season is upon us.
And with it the first Caller-Times high school football power rankings of the 2026 campaign.
Gregory-Portland christens the season atop of the Class 5A/4A rankings after a dominant district championship campaign with a horde of returning starters, including dynamic quarterback Carter Dominguez.
Calallen debuts at No. 2, expecting once again to have a stellar defense
, as the Wildcats chase another district title and more.Making the move to Class 3A, Sinton assumes the top spot in the Class 3A/2A/Private school rankings knocking Refugio from its seemingly permanent perch at No. 1.
Here is a look at the the first Corpus Christi and Coastal Bend high school football power rankings for 2026.
players to watch in 2026 football season around Coastal Bend
Preseason
Aug. 24
Class 5A/4A
1. Gregory-Portland Wildcats
With an experienced quarterback in Carter Dominguez, a stout returning defense off a district championship season, the Wildcats start the year at the top.
2. Calallen Wildcats
The Wildcats bring back Ryder Reeve, to go with a veteran quarterback and linebacker, making Calallen again the team to beat in Class 4A Division I in the Coastal Bend.
3. Veterans Memorial Eagles
The Eagles' ground game, led by senior standout Andrew Charlebois, should be among the best in the region.
4. Flour Bluff Hornets
The Hornets won't have the same name recognition out of the gate, outside of running back Sam Smith and tight end Ransom Watson, but discount the Bluff at your own peril.
5. Ray Texans
QB Tripp Thompson and RB Brian McCullum and the offense may draw the eyeballs, but it's the salty Ray defense that will make them a difficult out every Friday.
6. Miller Buccaneers
Monstrous Deion Jones scares you on defense and the stable of quality receivers will be a challenge for every secondary the Bucs face this season.
7. Carroll Tigers
Carroll has a scary core back on offense as the Tigers make the move to Class 5A DI.
8. Rockport-Fulton Pirates
Reid Snyder will lead a new cast on offense while the defense cuts its teeth.
9. Tuloso-Midway Warriors
Life without all-timer Damian Figueroa begins as the Warriors look to keep their playoff streak intact in a much different district.
10. London Pirates
London dips its toe in the Class 4A water after standing on the edge the last few years and he Pirates look ready to make waves behind stellar receivers.
Class 3A/2A/Private Schools
1. Sinton Pirates
No, Sinton isn't in the wrong list. The Pirates are in Class 3A Division I now, which is a scary proposition for more than just the district and region.
2. Refugio Bobcats
The new-look Bobcats with a new head coach in Eli Boxell are slotted outside of No. 1 for the first time in years.
3. Orange Grove Bulldogs
The Bulldogs expect to have a dominant run game anchored by two returning 1,000-yard backs.
4. George West Longhorns
There has been some small shuffling of the deck, but the Longhorns are again experienced and back after running the district of late.
5. Bishop Badgers
The Badgers, with new head coach Keith Talbert and three-year starting QB in Braxten Montalvo, start the year as the district favorite.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Who opens the season atop the high school football power rankings?
