2019 Texas preseason Top 25 high school football rankings

1. North Shore (Houston)
2018 record: 16-0
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 4
First game: Aug. 29 vs. No. 5 Katy
Outlook: In storybook fashion the Mustangs edged Duncanville 41-36 on a 45-yard heave on the final play to win the 6A-DI 2018 state title. The list of six returning offensive starters includes quarterback Dematrius Davis Jr., the championship game MVP, and running back Zachary Evans. Linebacker Corey Flagg Jr. is part of a trio of defensive returning starters.
2018 record: 14-1
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 7
First game: Aug. 30 at Lancaster
Outlook: After coming within one play of an undefeated season and a state championship in 2018, the Panthers look for a shot at redemption. Key returners are dual-threat quarterback Ja'Quinden Jackson (Texas pledge) and safety Chris Thompson Jr. (Auburn). Running back Trysten Smith rushed for over 1,400 yards last fall.
2018 record: 14-1
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 20
First game: Aug. 30 vs. No. 25 Cedar Hill
Outlook: For the seventh consecutive season, the Eagles advanced at least five playoff rounds in 2018. Allen's record is 105-4 in that span. Replacing 10 defensive starters might be a problem elsewhere, but Allen's enrollment of over 6,600 means manpower is not an issue. Celdon Manning, coming off a 1,200-yard rushing season, is among five returning offensive starters. Raylen Sharpe is the frontrunner at quarterback.
2018 record: 12-2
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 28
First game: Aug. 30 vs. Martin (Arlington)
Outlook: The always-efficient Lake Travis offense will be guided by Hudson Card, a University of Texas pledge coming off a 50-touchdown, 3,500-yard passing season. Receivers Kyle Eaves and Lake McRree, a Texas pledge, will be busy. Linebacker Nick Villarreal leads the defense.
2018 record: 11-2
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 32
First game: Aug. 29 at No. 1 North Shore (Houston)
Outlook: With strong-armed quarterback Bronson McClelland coming off a 1,900-yard, 27-touchdown passing season, head coach Gary Joseph might stray a little from his usual power running attack. Defense figures into Katy's plans for a record ninth state title and at the heart is linebacker Jaylen Phillips.
2018 record: 16-0
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 35
First game: Aug. 30 vs. No. 14 Guyer (Denton)
Outlook: Tim Buchanan, who helped build the Bearcats into a state power within the last decade, returns as head coach. Key ingredients in defending a 5A-DII state title are running back Jase McClellan, an Oklahoma pledge who rushed for over 2,000 yards and 48 touchdowns in 2018, and three-year starting quarterback Jake Bishop.
2018 record: 13-1
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 38
First game: Aug. 30 vs. South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie)
Outlook: One-time Dragon quarterback Riley Dodge looks to build on a 2018 undefeated regular season in his head coaching debut. He will count on two-way star RJ Mickens, a Clemson pledge, as well as linebacker Preston Forney and versatile Blake Smith. Smith could see action at quarterback or tight end. Carroll is one of five UIL schools tied with a record eight football state championships.
2018 record: 16-0
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 42
First game: Aug. 30 at Lufkin
Outlook: Riding high from its first state title in 81 years, the Lobos hope the wait for the next one isn't as long. Coach John King must replace 14 starters from the team that edged West Brook (Beaumont) 35-34 in the 6A-DII title game. A key returner is Haynes King, the son of the coach and a Texas A&M pledge who accounted for over 4,000 combined yards and 49 touchdowns. Defensive lineman John Sawyer Goram-Welch is a nightmare for opponents.
2018 record: 16-0
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 44
First game: Aug. 30 at No. 12 Rockwall
Outlook: The Scots, seeking a fourth consecutive 5A-DI state title, own a 31-game winning streak to pad their lead as the state's winningest football program (832). Arkansas pledge Chandler Morris, as a junior, threw for 46 touchdowns and over 4,000 yards, culminating in a 27-17 victory over Shadow Creek (Pearland) in the 5A-DI title game. Pass rusher Prince Dorbah (Texas pledge) leads the defense.
2018 record: 14-1
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 57
First game: Aug. 30 vs. Poteet (Mesquite)
Outlook: The Raiders have gone 42-3 over the last three seasons only to lose to eventual 5A-DI state champion Highland Park in the state semifinal playoff round. Dave Henigan's team appears loaded again, beginning with Alabama pledge Drew Sanders, who could line up at almost any position. Seth Henigan, son of the coach, returns at quarterback. The secondary is in good hands with two-way players Billy Bowman Jr., a Texas pledge, and Tra Smith.
2018 record: 15-1
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 64
First game: Aug. 31 at Summer Creek (Humble)
Outlook: The Sharks made a quite a splash in their debut season, reaching the 5A-DI title game. Safety Xavion Alford and defensive end Alec Bryant, an LSU pledge, lead a cast of eight returning defensive starters. Junior Kyron Drones is a leading contender to fill the quarterback vacancy.
2018 record: 8-3
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 69
First game: Aug. 30 vs No. 9 Highland Park (Dallas)
Outlook: Coach Rodney Webb's teams have produced some great playmakers through the years and wide receiver Jaxon Smith, an Ohio State pledge, might be the best yet after an 1,800-yard, 20-touchdown junior receiving campaign. Balance will be provided by running back Zach Henry, held just short of 1,000 yards last year.
2018 record: 15-1
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 80
First game: Aug. 29 at Eisenhower (Houston)
Outlook: Marshall's enrollment is the smallest in District 11-5A DII, but there is no denying the quality of the defending state semifinalist. Quarterback Malik Hornsby and versatile Devon Achane figure to be sought-after college prospects along with cornerback Avery Helm, a Florida pledge. Hornsby had a hand in 36 touchdowns last year and Achane accounted for 2,000 offensive yards while also seeing duty in the secondary.
2018 record: 6-6
Preseason national Top 100 rank: 90
First game: Aug. 30 at No. 6 Aledo
Outlook: Look for the Wildcats to rebound in a big way with 17 returning starters. Junior quarterback Eli Stowers accounted for over 2,600 total yards and 22 touchdowns last fall. Kaedric Cobbs is a breakaway running threat and defensive tackle Grant Mahon, an Oklahoma State pledge, returns after missing last season with an injury.
2018 record: 13-2
National computer rank: 139
First game: Aug. 30 vs Belton
Outlook: A District 25-6A championship over rival Lake Travis (Austin) and an eventual state semifinal berth give the Chaparrals momentum this fall. With playmaker receivers Mason Mangum (Arkansas pledge) and Jackson Coker, head coach Todd Dodge's offense should be explosive again. Sage Luther and Leo Lowin return to patrol the secondary.
2018 record: 11-2
National computer rank: 123
First game: Aug. 30 at Taylor (Katy)
Outlook: The Eagles averaged 51 points per game a year ago. Both of their losses, to Katy and Cy-Fair (Cypress), were decided by three points. From that offense, nine starters return topped by quarterback Brice Matthews (over 3,600 total yards, 41 touchdowns). Will Jones heads an impressive group of offensive linemen and Asyrus Simon is a force on the defensive forward wall.
2018 record: 13-3
National computer rank: 225
First game: Aug. 30 vs Bellaire
Outlook: Even after finishing runner-up in District 21-6A behind 6A DI state champion North Shore (Houston) a year ago, the Bruins made it to the 6A-DII title game only to lose a 35-34 heartbreaker to Longview. Running back Ja'kobi Holland Jr. is potential game-breaker and end Jay Bell is part of a quartet of returning defensive starters.
2018 record: 12-1
National computer rank: 341
First game: Aug. 31 at Clear Springs (League City)
Outlook: With six state titles to its credit, Judson remains the San Antonio area's most decorated program. New head coach Rodney Williams inherits seven returning offensive starters including quarterback Mike Chandler II (3,400 combined yards, 38 touchdowns). The task will be rebuilding a defense around the lone returning starter, linebacker Jayden Cloud.
2018 record: 11-1
National computer rank: 429
First game: Aug. 31 at Cinco Ranch (Katy)
Outlook: Sean McAuliffe departed Judson (Converse) to become the new Mustangs head coach. Three-year starting quarterback Logan McDougald and 1,000-yard rusher Willie Eldridge should be able to light up the scoreboard. End Logan Stiba is one of three returning defensive starters.
2018 record: 9-3
National computer rank: 220
First game: Aug. 30 vs Permian (Odessa)
Outlook: Claude Mathis returns to head up an Eagles' program that flourished in his first coaching run at the school. With only two returning offensive starters, DeSoto will depend on untested but talented skill position players, including junior quarterback Samari Collier. The defense will be led by active linebacker Khylan Moseley.
2018 record: 11-3
National computer rank: 179
First game: Aug. 31 at The Woodlands
Outlook: A season removed from a state championship campaign, the Bobcats still lean on the proven formula of stingy defense and a sound running game. Seven defensive starters return and coach Ed Pustejovsky relies on speedy 200-pound Johnathan Johnson to handle the ball-carrying duties.
2018 record: 13-2
National computer rank: 597
First game: Aug. 30 at San Benito
Outlook: Phil Danaher, the state's all-time winningest coach (458), should be able to add to his total in his 46th season with the return of 16 starters including quarterback Jarrett Garza and defensive tackle Marcus Wiser
2018 record: 8-4
National computer rank: 649
First game: Aug. 31 at O'Connor (Helotes)
Outlook: The Knights have an excellent pair of defensive backs in Jaylon Jones (Texas A&M pledge) and Maison Sharp (over 90 tackles last season). The passing combo of Wyatt Begeal-to-Daniel Jackson that clicked for over 1,000 yards a year ago also returns.
2018 record: 12-2
National computer rank: 202
First game: Aug. 29 vs Lamar (Houston)
Outlook: The Mustangs have reached the regional final round five times in their current run of eight consecutive playoff appearances. With only eight returning starters, coach Matt Meekins will need to call on tradition. The defense, very strong a year ago, will be spearheaded by linebacker Dyllon Peavy, responsible for more than 100 tackles in 2018. Offensively, receiver Malachai Jones and running back Kendal Taylor, a transfer, are big-play threats.
2018 record: 9-2
National computer rank: 149
First game: Aug. 30 at No. 3 Allen