Friday Nights Return: The Teams and Players Set to Define Texas High School Football
Photographed by: Javi Cazares
Teams to Watch, Players to Watch, and Storylines Shaping the 2025 UIL Season
Friday nights in Texas are about to matter again.
As the 2025 UIL high school football season kicks off, expectations are high across every classification. Established powerhouses look to defend their status, rising programs aim to break through, and a new wave of elite talent prepares to make its mark under the lights.
From 6A juggernauts to district sleepers, here’s a statewide look at the teams positioned to contend, the players who can change games, and the storylines that will define the season.
TEAMS TO WATCH
Duncanville (6A)
Few programs in Texas football carry Duncanville’s pedigree. The Panthers enter the season once again built to make a deep postseason run, anchored by physical defense, disciplined trench play, and a roster accustomed to pressure.
Why they’re dangerous:
Defensive speed at every level
Experience in late-round playoff games
Ability to win both shootouts and grind-it-out contests
If the bracket runs through Duncanville, it’s for a reason.
Richmond Randle (5A Division II)
Randle has transitioned from contender to standard. After a dominant championship run, the Wildcats return with confidence, cohesion, and one of the most feared rushing attacks in the state.
Why they’re dangerous:
Elite ground game
Physical defensive front
Championship mindset
Every opponent knows what’s coming — and still struggles to stop it.
Smithson Valley (5A Division I)
Smithson Valley continues to defend their state champions title of Texas football with explosive offense and defensive speed. Their ability to stretch the field vertically while maintaining balance makes them a nightmare matchup in November.
Why they’re dangerous:
Dual-threat quarterback play
Speed on the perimeter
Improved defensive consistency
This is a program built for postseason football.
Celina (4A)
Year after year, Celina proves that execution beats flash. Their disciplined approach, physical running game, and defensive structure make them one of the most reliable programs in the state.
Why they’re dangerous:
Elite fundamentals
Smart situational football
Rarely beat themselves
In tight games, Celina usually survives.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Landen Williams-Callis (RB, Richmond Randle)
One of the most dominant running backs in Texas, Williams-Callis brings a rare blend of power, vision, and breakaway speed. Randle’s offense flows through him, and his ability to control games late makes the Wildcats especially dangerous.
Why he stands out:
Home-run speed
Physical downhill running
Controls tempo in big moments
Miles Teodecki (QB, Austin Vandegrift)
A proven dual-threat quarterback, Teodecki’s poise and arm talent allow Vandegrift to stretch defenses horizontally and vertically. When healthy, he’s one of the most complete quarterbacks in the state.
Why he stands out:
Experience against top competition
Can win games with arm or legs
Strong command of the offense
Jalen Lott (WR, Frisco Panther Creek)
One of the most electric playmakers in North Texas, Jalen Lott is the engine behind Frisco Panther Creek’s offensive identity. His speed, body control, and ability to separate make him a constant big-play threat.
Panther Creek designs its offense to get Lott touches in space — through vertical shots, screens, and broken-play opportunities. Defenses are forced to roll coverage his way, opening opportunities for the rest of the offense.
Why he stands out:
Game-breaking speed
Elite ball tracking
Forces defensive adjustments every snap
If Panther Creek takes a step forward this season, Lott will be the reason.
STORYLINES THAT WILL DEFINE THE SEASON
Can Powerhouses Stay on Top?
Programs like Duncanville and Randle carry expectations every week. Every opponent treats them like a championship game — and surviving that pressure is often harder than winning on talent alone.
Explosive Offenses vs. Disciplined Defenses
Texas football continues to evolve offensively, but playoff success still favors teams that:
Limit turnovers
Win third downs
Tackle in space
When speed meets structure, execution decides outcomes.
The Rise of New District Contenders
Across the state, younger rosters are maturing faster. Several districts feature teams ready to challenge long-time leaders — making regular-season matchups more meaningful than ever.
FINAL THOUGHTs
The 2025 Texas high school football season promises everything fans expect — elite talent, fierce rivalries, and moments that define careers.
The teams that lift trophies won’t just be talented.
They’ll be disciplined.
They’ll be resilient.
And they’ll execute when the lights are brightest.
Friday nights are back.