Storylines Heading into the State Title Game + Predictions

The 2025 Texas High School Football State Championships at AT&T Stadium have arrived, bringing a slate of matchups that feel less like games and more like historical events. From the collision of modern dynasties to small-town programs chasing their first taste of glory, the storylines this year are as massive as the stadium they’re played in.

Here are the biggest storylines for each state championship game in 2025.

Class 6A DI: Duncanville vs. Galena Park North Shore

For the sixth time in eight years, the "big school" title comes down to these two. This isn't just a rematch; it's a battle for regional pride between DFW and Houston. North Shore took the early lead in this rivalry (2018, 2019, 2021), but Duncanville has claimed the last two. If the Panthers win, the series sits at a dead heat, and the "Best in Texas" crown officially moves north.

Class 6A DII: DeSoto vs. Sheldon C.E. King

This matchup is a collision of pure speed. DeSoto's offense is a scoring machine, averaging nearly 60 points in the playoffs behind the historic run of RB SaRod Baker. On the other side, C.E. King boasts track stars like Dillon Mitchell, who can turn a simple screen pass into a 90-yard sprint in the blink of an eye. Expect a high-flying shootout where the first team to 50 might still be nervous.

Class 5A DI: Frisco Lone Star vs. Smithson Valley

Smithson Valley’s Larry Hill finally got over the hump last year, shedding the "best coach without a title" label. Now, Frisco Lone Star’s Jeff Rayburn finds himself in that exact seat. Rayburn has built a powerhouse in Frisco, but a state title has remained elusive. To get it, he has to go through the man who knows exactly how heavy that burden feels.

Class 5A DII: South Oak Cliff vs. Richmond Randle

After two straight three-point losses in the finals, South Oak Cliff’s Jason Todd made a strategic shift, leaning into the summer 7-on-7 circuit to sharpen a dynamic passing attack. This rematch against Richmond Randle—led by the legendary Landen Williams-Callis—will prove if SOC’s investment in the air can finally reclaim their throne from the ground-heavy Lions.

Class 4A DI: Kilgore vs. Stephenville

This game features the premier quarterback matchup of the weekend. Kilgore’s Kayson Brooks is a record-breaker looking for redemption after a 2024 loss. He faces Stephenville’s Trot Jordan, a junior who exploded onto the scene with 44 touchdowns this year. It’s a battle of seasoned experience versus a rising star on the biggest stage.

Class 4A DII: Carthage vs. West Orange-Stark

Carthage head coach Scott Surratt is a perfect 10-0 in state title games. A win here gives him 11 rings—more than he has fingers. Facing a resurgent West Orange-Stark team that has won 10 straight, Surratt looks to cement his legacy as the greatest high school coach in Texas history.

Class	Matchup	Prediction
6A DI	Duncanville vs. North Shore	Duncanville
6A DII	DeSoto vs. C.E. King	DeSoto
5A DI	Lone Star vs. Smithson Valley	Frisco Lone Star
5A DII	SOC vs. Richmond Randle	SOC
4A DI	Kilgore vs. Stephenville	Stephenville
4A DII	Carthage vs. W.O.S.	Carthage