Educated Guesses: 5A

Written By Cody Coil

Kickoff to the 2026 season is getting closer and closer, and the time has come to take a stab at how things will play out in each district featuring Big Country football teams.

I call them educated guesses, like your teachers used to, because I feel I have at least a little bit of knowledge about the upcoming season after speaking with area coaches for the 2026 edition of Big Country Blitz.

For the record, last season Big Country Blitz got seven out of eight playoff picks correct in 5A.

The biggest three schools in the Big Country are all in Abilene, and the Eagles, Cougars, and Bulldogs take aim at district titles in 2026.

Abilene High has won or shared a district title in each of the past three seasons, and they have as good a shot as any team in 2-5A Division I to do it again.

The Warbirds' biggest competition will likely be from Amarillo High, Tascosa, and Lubbock Monterey, and they’ll have to face the Plainsmen and Rebels on the road in back-to-back weeks in weeks nine and ten.

Frenship is down from 6A this season thanks to the opening of Frenship Memorial, and should be in the playoff mix as well.

BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL

1. Amarillo
2. Abilene High
3. Tascosa
4. Frenship
5. Monterey
6. Frenship Memorial
7. Caprock
8. Lubbock High

While Cooper extended its playoff streak to 19 years in a row last season, Wylie actually beat the Cougars but missed out on the postseason thanks to being the odd-team out in a three-way tie for third place in the district.

The Bulldogs have just about everyone back from that team and should be a top contender with defending district champion Amarillo Palo Duro.

Cooper should be in the playoff mix as well in its first season under new head coach Scott Stewart, and getting to face fellow contenders Lubbock Cooper and Wichita Falls Memorial at Shotwell Stadium this year could go a long way in deciding the playoff spots out of 2-5A Division II.

BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL

1. Palo Duro
2. Lubbock Cooper
3. Cooper
4. Wylie
5. Wichita Falls Memorial
6. Wichita Falls Legacy
7. Coronado

Cody Coil
Next

Educated Guesses: 4A