RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Check out the Amarillo Globe-News' rankings of the top teams in Texas Panhandle high school football entering Week 1 of the 2026 season. Teams are ranked on a pound-for-pound basis.
More: Complete Texas Panhandle high school football schedule for Week 1
More: Here are the Amarillo area's top non-district football games in 2026
More: Memphis pivots 2026 football season to 'outlaw' six-man schedule
1. Palo Duro
This week: vs Amarillo High
The Dons scored at least 35 points in 11 of the team's 12 games last season and bring back four-star quarterback Julian Reese II and standout wide receiver Kyron Brown, a University of Texas commit .
2. Canadian
This week: vs Panhandle
After an 11-2 season in 2025, the Wildcats return junior quarterback Weston Mitchell, but are tasked with replacing multiple key skill position players from last year's team.
3. Stratford
This week: vs Sunray
The Elks reached the Region I-2A Division II title game in 2025 and have the makings of a team which could make another deep playoff run.
4. Gruver
This week: vs Hooker (Okla.)
The Greyhounds are coming off consecutive state semifinal appearances but will have a new starting quarterback this season.
5. West Plains
This week: at Wall
The Wolves enter 2026 with a new head coach and a new starting quarterback, but West Plains still has enough talent to compete for a district title.
6. Wellington
This week: vs Spearman
The Skyrockets went 9-3 in 2025 and return senior quarterback Callen Kane, who was voted Top Returning QB in the Texas Panhandle by Amarillo Globe-News readers , as well as star wide receiver Kamron Brooks, the 2025 Globe-News Super Team Newcomer of the Year .
7. Panhandle
This week: at Canadian
Like Gruver and West Plains, the Panthers will have a new signal caller this season.
8. Randall
This week: vs Roswell (N.M.)
The Raiders should have a strong defensive unit again in addition to returning a few key skill position players on offense.
9. Canyon
This week: at Snyder
Head coach Matt Lovorn enters his first full season at the helm after hiring former Stratford head coach Jon Murphy to be the Eagles' offensive coordinator over the offseason.
10. Spearman
This week: at Wellington
The Lynx reached the Region I-2A Division I semifinals in 2025 and will feature a veteran offense that should have no problem putting up points in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Palo Duro sits atop first 2026 Texas Panhandle high school football power rankings
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