The first games of the 2026 Texas high school football season kick off Thursday. With that comes the first set of power rankings for the Lubbock area.
Teams are judged on a pound-for-pound basis. These rankings will be updated every week through the regular season.
LUBBOCK-AREA FOOTBALL PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Ropes
2025 record, final ranking: 11-2, No. 4
This week: Open
The addition of former Stratford quarterback Chase Lantelme is a game-changer for an Eagles squad loaded with experience and speed.
2. Idalou
2025 record, final ranking: 10-4, No. 2
This week: vs. Sweetwater
Two-way standout A.J. Huddleston will help the 2025 regional finalist Wildcats ease in a new starting quarterback.
3. Post
2025 record, final ranking: 8-3, No. 6
This week: at Anson
Returning their top quarterback, running back and receiver, the Antelopes
have plenty of firepower to go with a stout defensive front.
4. Lubbock-Cooper Liberty
2025 record, final ranking: 10-2, No. 1
This week: at Frenship Memorial
The Patriots boast one of the area's best backfields between Kaiden Joseph and Talon Wilcox. The defensive line is scary, too.
5. Shallowater
2025 record, final ranking: 8-4, No. 8
This week: at Childress
The Mustangs have plenty of athleticism at their skill positions, including Logan Winn in his move from receiver to quarterback.
6. Farwell
2025 record, final ranking: 7-4, NR
This week: vs. New Deal
The Steers reached the second round last year behind freshmen at key positions, including quarterback. Kolson Allen will look to build off that experience.
7. Monterey
2025 record, final ranking: 7-5, NR
This week: vs. Coronado
The Plainsmen could take a leap in coach Jason Sims' second season. Belief starts with Jonah Reed, the area's top returning passer.
8. Seminole
2025 record, final ranking: 9-4, No. 5
This week: vs. Bushland
Seminole will have plenty of new starters, but do-it-all Landen "Buddha" Guerra is a welcome returner.
9. Hale Center
2025 record, final ranking: 9-2, No. 7
This week: at Seymour
The defense, especially up front, should be a plus for the Owls.
10. Lubbock Christian
2025 record, final ranking: 12-1, No. 9
This week: at Lovington (N.M.)
The Eagles will look to repeat as TAPPS Division III state champions under a new coach.
SIX-MAN RANKINGS
1. Whiteface
2025 record, final ranking: 10-3, No. 3
This week: vs. Bryson (at Jayton)
You can't get more experienced than the Antelopes.
2. Jayton
2025 record, final ranking: 15-0, No. 1
This week: vs. Robert Lee
The Jaybirds are 42-1 over the past three seasons, including an active 30-game winning streak. This will be a new-look roster, though.
3. Borden County
2025 record, final ranking: 8-3, No. 5
This week: vs. Newcastle (at Jayton)
Coach Craig Steele has a veteran bunch as he enters his third season.
4. Paducah
2025 record, final ranking: 8-2, NR
This week: Open
The Dragons are ready to take a step forward this season.
5. Motley County
2025 record, final ranking: 10-2, NR
This week: vs. Claude
The Matadors have been knocking on the door the past two years. They'll look to return to the state title game for the first time since 2021.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Who's No. 1? Lubbock-area high school football 2026 preseason power rankings
