The 2026 UIL 5A Division II playoffs begin November 12 through 14. The state championship is scheduled for December 18 at 11 a.m. Central at AT&T Stadium.
South Oak Cliff is my overwhelming favorite to win it all. Argyle, Anna and Boerne lead the challengers, followed by Mansfield Timberview and Brenham.
However, several of those teams would have to eliminate each other before reaching the state semifinals. The bracket matters, especially for Argyle and Anna.
xRegion I: Argyle Gets the Pick Over Anna
The Argyle Eagles enter at 9-1 after closing their regular season with a 66-7 victory over Nevada Community. Receiver Julian Caldwell has 19 total touchdowns, giving the Eagles a proven scoring threat.
First comes Frisco Panther Creek, with Abilene Wylie a potential area-round opponent. The Bulldogs open against El Paso Del Valle, but I favor Argyle in that projected second-round meeting.
Meanwhile, the Anna Coyotes finished 10-0 after beating Prosper Richland 56-31. Running back Juelz Carter averages 182 rushing yards per game. That ground production makes Anna a serious threat to extend its season.
Anna opens against The Colony. Should both favorites advance twice, Argyle and Anna would meet in the regional semifinals, not the regional championship.
On the other half, Amarillo Palo Duro finished 9-1 after defeating Lubbock-Cooper 49-13. The Dons face El Paso Burges, followed by the Lovejoy versus Celina winner if they advance.
Ultimately, I have Argyle defeating Anna and then Palo Duro. The Eagles are my strongest challenger to South Oak Cliff.
Region II: South Oak Cliff Is the Clear Favorite
The South Oak Cliff Golden Bears enter at 8-2 after defeating Dallas Samuell 55-20. Their only losses came against Randle, 20-14, and North Shore, 23-21.
Since then, South Oak Cliff has won eight straight. Those two losses do not change my championship pick.
The Golden Bears also bring substantial postseason experience. Last December, they defeated Randle 35-19 for the state title in their fifth consecutive championship appearance.
For me, South Oak Cliff’s championship experience separates the Golden Bears from the field. I expect that experience to matter most in the final two rounds.
First comes Whitehouse, with Belton or Ennis awaiting the winner. Terrell opens against Dallas Samuell and is my projected third-round opponent for South Oak Cliff.
On the opposite half, Mansfield Timberview finished 10-0 after beating Corsicana 55-8. The Wolves open against Waco and could face Texarkana Texas in round two. Texas begins against Dallas Woodrow Wilson.
Meanwhile, Brenham completed its own 10-0 regular season with a 35-7 victory over Belton. The Cubs open against Arlington Seguin, with Timberview a potential third-round opponent.
I have Timberview defeating Texas and Brenham before facing South Oak Cliff in the regional championship. Ultimately, the Golden Bears remain my choice.
Region III: Montgomery Leads an Open Race
The Montgomery Bears finished 10-0 after defeating Huntsville 38-35. Their offense produced 215 passing yards and 245 rushing yards in that victory. I like that balance entering a region with several credible challengers.
Montgomery opens against Dayton. A third-round meeting with Port Neches-Groves could provide the Bears’ toughest regional test.
Meanwhile, Port Neches-Groves closed with a 55-0 victory over Galena Park and begins against New Caney West Fork. Fort Bend Marshall opens against Austin Crockett, creating a possible area-round matchup between the Indians and Buffalos.
In that projected meeting, I am taking Port Neches-Groves. However, Montgomery gets my pick in the following round.
On the other side, the Fort Bend Crawford Chargers finished 9-1 after defeating Rosenberg Terry 64-19. Their recent 37-28 victory over Marshall also deserves attention. Crawford is my pick to reach the regional championship from that half.
First comes Elgin. Bastrop opens against Victoria West and could reach Crawford in round three.
From there, I have Crawford defeating Bastrop before falling to Montgomery in the regional final. The Bears get my semifinal selection.
Region IV: Boerne Ahead of Alamo Heights
The Boerne Greyhounds enter at 10-0 after defeating Legacy Ranch 32-27. Their regular season included a 38-31 victory over Alamo Heights, a result worth remembering when projecting this region.
Boerne opens against San Antonio Brackenridge. Corpus Christi Ray begins against Laredo Cigarroa and is my projected third-round opponent for the Greyhounds.
Meanwhile, the Alamo Heights Mules enter at 9-1 and face San Antonio McCollum. Mission Sharyland opens against Brownsville Pace, with a potential area-round meeting against the Mules.
I am picking Alamo Heights in that matchup. Still, the Mules would have another substantial challenge before reaching the regional championship.
The Gregory-Portland Wildcats finished 10-0 after beating Ray 28-14. They outscored opponents 580-80 during the regular season, making them a contender I would not overlook.
Following Sharyland Pioneer, Gregory-Portland could face Liberty Hill, which opens against San Antonio Harlandale. My projection has the Wildcats defeating Liberty Hill before losing to Alamo Heights in round three.
Ultimately, I have Boerne defeating Alamo Heights in a regional championship rematch. The Greyhounds are my pick to emerge from Region IV.
Final Four and State Champion Predictions
My predicted Final Four features the Argyle Eagles, South Oak Cliff Golden Bears, Montgomery Bears and Boerne Greyhounds.
In the semifinals, I am picking South Oak Cliff over Argyle and Boerne over Montgomery. That would send the Golden Bears and Greyhounds to the championship game.
Although I rank Argyle second overall, the bracket puts the Eagles in South Oak Cliff’s semifinal path. Boerne is my strongest team on the opposite side.
Ultimately, I expect South Oak Cliff to finish the job. The Golden Bears are not simply my first choice in a close race. They are my overwhelming favorite to repeat.
My prediction for the 2026 UIL 5A Division II state champion: South Oak Cliff Golden Bears.
