Texas’s Top 5 Public HS Football Programs (2021–2025)

Public Schools Top 25 | National Series — Part 43/50Texas high school football is the biggest stage in America.Many argue that no state carries more weight, more tradition, or more national-caliber programs than Texas, and that made this one of the biggest articles in the entire 50-state series.Public-school football in Texas is governed by the University Interscholastic League (UIL) and is broken into six enrollment-based classifications, from 1A through 6A, with 6A representing the largest schools in the state.Each classification is split into Division I and Division II, meaning Texas crowns a total of 12 State Champions, two champions at each classification level every season.At the top of the sport sits 6A Division I, the highest public-school classification in Texas and one of the toughest playoff paths anywhere in the country.And from 2021 through 2025, two programs stood above the rest at that level:Duncanville and North Shore (Galena Park).Over this five-year stretch, the two met in the state championship four times:2021: North Shore (Galena Park) 17, Duncanville 102022: Duncanville 28, North Shore (Galena Park) 212023: Duncanville 49, North Shore (Galena Park) 332025: North Shore (Galena Park) 10, Duncanville 7That rivalry became the defining storyline of Texas high school football during this era.But when looking at the entire state from 2021–2025, here are the five public-school programs that defined Texas football.🥇 1. DeSoto High SchoolAccomplishments (2021–2025)2022 6A Division II State Champion2023 6A Division II State Champion2025 6A Division II State ChampionFinished 2025 ranked #17 in final #PublicSchoolsTop25When it comes to Texas, championships have to lead the conversation.And no public-school program in the state won more titles at the top level than DeSoto.Three state championships in 6A over a four-year stretch is an incredible run, especially in a state as deep and competitive as Texas.While Duncanville and North Shore (Galena Park) owned the biggest rivalry in 6A Division I, DeSoto finished the five-year span with the most hardware.That is why the Eagles get the No. 1 spot.Verdict:The most decorated public-school program in Texas from 2021–2025.🥈 2. Duncanville High SchoolAccomplishments2021 6A DI Runner-up2022 6A DI State Champion2023 6A DI State Champion2025 6A DI Runner-upThis was one of the toughest calls in the entire series.Duncanville and North Shore (Galena Park) were nearly identical on paper.Both finished with:2 state championships4 title game appearancesall in 6A Division IThe difference came down to Duncanville’s back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, which included the most decisive championship game between the two powers during the span:49–33 in the 2023 state final.That multiple possession win gives Duncanville the slight edge.Verdict:The strongest sustained peak in 6A Division I.🥉 3. North Shore Senior High School (Galena Park)Accomplishments2021 6A DI State Champion2022 Runner-up2023 Runner-up2025 State ChampionFinished 2025 ranked #18 in final #PublicSchoolsTop25If Duncanville is No. 2A, North Shore (Galena Park) is No. 2B.This was razor close.North Shore won the first title of the stretch in 2021 and closed the era with another in 2025, while also reaching two additional championship games in between.The rivalry with Duncanville became one of the defining matchups in Texas football history.Four championship meetings in five years is almost unheard of.Verdict:One of the greatest 6A Division I runs in Texas history.4️⃣ South Oak Cliff High SchoolAccomplishments2021 5A DII State Champion2022 State Champion2023 Runner-up2024 Runner-up2025 State ChampionFinished 2025 as highest ranked Texas team in the #PublicSchoolsTop25 at #6 in the nation.This placement feels locked.Five straight appearances in the state championship game.Three state titles.South Oak Cliff became one of the biggest stories in Texas football during this stretch and established itself as the clear dynasty of 5A Division II.Verdict:Five straight title game appearances make SOC one of the strongest programs in the state.5️⃣ Carthage High SchoolAccomplishments2022 4A Division II State Champion2024 4A Division II State Champion2025 4A Division II State Champion71–3 overall record (2021–2025)This final spot ultimately came down to Carthage vs Smithson Valley, and the more the full résumé is laid out, the clearer the choice became.Carthage finished this five-year stretch with three state championships and an incredible 71–3 overall record, one of the best marks by any public-school program in Texas over the span.The Bulldogs closed the era with back-to-back state titles in 2024 and 2025, while also capturing another championship in 2022.Yes, Smithson Valley’s résumé in 5A Division I is extremely strong, but three titles and a 71–3 record is simply too much to leave outside the top five.That level of sustained dominance has to be rewarded.Verdict:One of the most dominant five-year runs in Texas, regardless of classification.Just Outside the Top 5Aledo High SchoolSmithson ValleyWestlake High School (Austin)Vandegrift High SchoolTexas was one of the hardest states to rank because there are easily 8–10 programs with legitimate top-5 résumés.But when weighing championships, classification strength, and consistency, this is the strongest final order.Final Ranking — Texas (2021–2025)1. DeSoto2. Duncanville3. North Shore4. South Oak Cliff5. CarthageTexas football is one of, if not, the biggest stage in high school football, and from 2021 through 2025, these five programs defined that stage.The Duncanville–North Shore rivalry alone could define an era.This is Part 43/50 in our nationwide series breaking down the Top 5 Public HSFB Programs of the Past 5 Years (2021–2025).Next Up: Part 44/50 - Utah