The Woodlands Highlanders will chase a 32nd consecutive playoff appearance when District 13-6A opens its season Friday, Aug. 28, but they'll have to do it with a new quarterback and a target on their backs from a loaded College Park squad and a Willis team that reached the state quarterfinals last year.
The Woodlands: defense leads the reload
Senior defensive end Magnus Herndon anchors a unit that allowed just 16.1 points and 88.8 passing yards per game in 2025. Herndon recorded a team-high 14.5 sacks last season, according to Woodlands Online, and was named one of two 2026 captains alongside senior tight end Colton Weddel.
Junior Kaden Kopelin takes over at quarterback after Jack Daulton graduated to TCU. Kopelin threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns in limited action last season. The Highlanders' streak of 16 district titles during their playoff run, which dates to 1995, speaks to the program's depth.
The Woodlands opens at home against Bridgeland on Aug. 28.
College Park: new coach, loaded roster
The Cavaliers captured their first-ever undefeated district title in 2025 and return eight offensive starters, including Cincinnati-committed quarterback Camden Hughes, who threw 36 touchdowns against just four interceptions. New head coach Michael Buro, formerly the offensive coordinator at San Antonio Johnson, replaces Kyle Coats, who left for Atascocita. Buro's unit at Johnson averaged 40.1 points per game and set a school record with 6,122 total yards in 2025, according to the Houston Chronicle.
College Park is ranked No. 24 in SI.com's Texas Top 25 and No. 17 in the Chronicle's Class 6A state poll. Clemson-committed receiver Julian Cromartie and running backs Duke Stephens and Antonio Booker give Hughes plenty of weapons. Kicker Beckett Cocke drilled 20 field goals last year, eight from 40-plus yards, accounting for more than a fifth of the team's scoring.
Willis: Frazier back for sophomore year
Willis went 11-3 in 2025 and reached the state quarterfinals, the deepest playoff run by any District 13-6A team last season. The Wildkats lost five-star receiver Jermaine Bishop Jr. to Texas, but sophomore quarterback Linc Frazier returns after throwing for 4,232 yards and 43 touchdowns as a freshman. He already holds offers from Syracuse, UCLA and UNLV, among others.
Head coach Trent Miller's program has averaged 47.4 points per game over the past three seasons with a 35-6 record and a 23-1 mark in district play. New receiver Trey Finney, already drawing Division I interest, steps in to help replace Bishop's production. Willis faces a pivotal early-season matchup against College Park in Week 4.
Grand Oaks: building on a breakthrough
Grand Oaks made the playoffs for the first time in program history last season and won its first-ever postseason game. Utah-committed receiver Darnell Jackson Jr. leads the returning skill group. The Grizzlies open against Klein Oak.
The rest of the field
Conroe missed the playoffs at 4-4 in district and returns quarterback Cameron Nunley, who threw for 1,548 yards and seven touchdowns. The Tigers open against CE King, last year's Class 6A Division II state runner-up.
Oak Ridge went 4-6 in 2025 and faces uncertainty at quarterback after starter Drayton Urbay departed and backup Nicholas Chavez transferred to The Woodlands.
Caney Creek begins a new chapter under head coach Taylor Cobb. Cleveland, winless since Sept. 23, 2022, enters year two under head coach Ajani Sanders.
"College Park is looking like a clear favorite, but don't count out The Woodlands or Willis, both eager to avenge last year's losses," Woodlands Online reporter Parker Montgomery wrote in his Aug. 19 district preview.
All seven teams kick off Friday, Aug. 28.
