{"id":474182,"date":"2026-10-23T05:00:19","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T05:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/474182\/"},"modified":"2026-10-23T05:00:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T05:00:19","slug":"5-central-texas-high-school-football-teams-on-uil-playoff-bubble","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/474182\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Central Texas high school football teams on UIL playoff bubble"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Manor<\/p>\n

Manor running back Andre Terry in action during a 39-31 win over McCallum Sept. 24 at House Park in Austin, Texas.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Provided by Christian Burgess\/Manor football and @RAWWW_Media\"Vandegrift<\/p>\n

Vandegrift running back Preston James (2) advances the ball as Liberty Hill and Vandegrift face off in Liberty Hill on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman\"Liberty<\/p>\n

Liberty Hill Dylan Belinga (2) advances the ball as Liberty Hill and Vandegrift face off in Liberty Hill on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman\"Vandegrift<\/p>\n

Vandegrift quarterback Gavin Koester (1) looks to pass as Liberty Hill and Vandegrift face off in Liberty Hill on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman\"Liberty<\/p>\n

Liberty Hill Cayden Timmons (27) advances the ball as Liberty Hill and Vandegrift face off in Liberty Hill on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman\"Vandegrift<\/p>\n

Vandegrift quarterback Gavin Koester (1) retrieves a fumble as Liberty Hill and Vandegrift face off in Liberty Hill on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman\"Vandegrift<\/p>\n

Vandegrift running back Preston James (2) advances the ball to the end zone for a touch down as Liberty Hill and Vandegrift face off in Liberty Hill on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman\"Liberty<\/p>\n

Liberty Hill Dylan Belinga (2) advances the ball as Liberty Hill and Vandegrift face off in Liberty Hill on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman\"Liberty<\/p>\n

Liberty Hill Odonovan Francis (6) looks to pass as Liberty Hill and Vandegrift face off in Liberty Hill on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman\"Vandegrift<\/p>\n

Vandegrift running back Preston James (2) advances the ball as Liberty Hill and Vandegrift face off in Liberty Hill on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman\"Vandegrift<\/p>\n

Vandegrift running back Evan Williamson (22) carries a hand off from Vandegrift quarterback Gavin Koester (1) as Liberty Hill and Vandegrift face off in Liberty Hill on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman\"Liberty<\/p>\n

Liberty Hill Odonovan Francis (6) passes down field as Liberty Hill and Vandegrift face off in Liberty Hill on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman\"Vandegrift<\/p>\n

Vandegrift running back Evan Williamson (22) breaks away to score a touchdown as Liberty Hill and Vandegrift face off in Liberty Hill on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman\"Vandegrift<\/p>\n

Vandegrift running back Evan Williamson (22) breaks away to score a touchdown as Liberty Hill and Vandegrift face off in Liberty Hill on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman\"Liberty<\/p>\n

Liberty Hill Cayden Timmons (27) advances the ball as Liberty Hill and Vandegrift face off in Liberty Hill on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman\"A<\/p>\n

A referee stops players from an altercation as Liberty Hill and Vandegrift face off in Liberty Hill on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman\"Players<\/p>\n

Players have an altercation as Liberty Hill and Vandegrift face off in Liberty Hill on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n

While the top of most UIL district races in the Austin area\u00a0are starting to sort themselves out, there\u2019s still plenty of teams jostling for a place in the high school football<\/a> playoffs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

In the UIL, the top four teams in each district from Class 2A through 6A qualify for the playoffs. Several local teams are hoping for a chance at the 2026 postseason.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

PREDICTIONS: Who will win the 2026 Westlake-Lake Travis matchup?<\/a><\/p>\n

Here are five Central Texas teams aiming to snag one of the final spots in their respective districts to keep an eye on in the season\u2019s final weeks:<\/p>\n

\"Hays<\/p>\n

Hays running back Gabriel Peach (6) runs the ball during the game against Bowie at Burger Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n

Hays Hawks<\/p>\n

The Hawks went 3-1 in\u00a0nondistrict play and began District 26-6A with a win over Johnson. But Hays (4-3, 1-2) has dealt with major injuries and dropped its last two games. Fifth in their league, they face district front-runner Dripping Springs (6-1, 4-0) on Friday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Despite its recent defeats, Hays isn’t out of the playoff picture. After Dripping Springs, the Hawks finish the regular season with winnable games against\u00a0Del Valle (1-6, 1-2) and\u00a0Akins (1-6, 0-3). If Hays goes 3-3 in district play, it has a strong chance of sneaking into the postseason, especially because it owns a head-to-head tiebreaker over\u00a0Johnson.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Manor Mustangs<\/p>\n

Manor is holding the final postseason spot in District 13-5A Division I. But the Mustangs (4-3, 3-2) enter Friday as the underdog against Anderson (5-2, 3-2).<\/p>\n

MORE: 75 Austin-area high school football players having breakout seasons<\/a><\/p>\n

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\"Rouse<\/p>\n

Rouse cornerback Miles Burrell (1) runs down field as Cedar Ridge football takes on Rouse at Cedar Ridge in Austin on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n

After Anderson, Manor finishes against\u00a0Lockhart (3-4, 1-4) and Boerne Champion (7-0, 5-0). McCallum is right behind Manor, sitting at 2-3 in district with games against\u00a0Lockhart,\u00a0Champion and Seguin. Manor has the head-to-head tiebreaker over McCallum. So one win over the next three weeks should secure a playoff spot for the Mustangs. However, a winless finish to the season does put their spot at risk.<\/p>\n

Rouse Raiders\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rouse is a solid team with standout talent on both sides of the ball. But the Raiders (4-3, 2-1) play their next two games against tough opponents:\u00a0 Hutto (6-2, 3-1) on Thursday and Vandegrift (4-3, 2-1) next week. A win in either would essentially secure a spot in the playoffs for first-year coach Mark Hopkins. Defeats in both set up a Nov. 5 matchup against East View (3-4, 1-2) that could decide the final playoff team in District 24-6A.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Hendrickson Hawks<\/p>\n

Hendrickson is currently just outside of the playoffs. The Hawks (4-3, 3-2) are sitting fifth in District 12-5A but could sneak into the postseason with a couple of triumphs to end the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

MORE:\u00a0Bowie is peaking at just the right time as 2026 high school volleyball playoffs approach<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Liberty<\/p>\n

Liberty Hill Cayden Timmons (27) scores a touchdown as Liberty Hill and Vandegrift face off in Liberty Hill on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n

Hendrickson has games against Shoemaker (2-5, 1-4), Weiss (5-2, 4-1) and A&M Consolidated (5-2, 4-1) left. The Hawks are trying to hop\u00a0Killeen, which has the same district record as\u00a0Hendrickson, but is in the final playoff spot because of a 16-15 victory over the Hawks a month ago.\u00a0Killeen has contests against Weiss, A&M Consolidated and Georgetown (4-4, 3-3) left on its schedule.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

Liberty Hill Panthers<\/p>\n

Liberty Hill (4-4, 2-2) is holding the fourth spot in District 13-5A DII with two games left. The Panthers play winless Long Creek on Friday. After a bye, Liberty Hill will hope to cement a playoff spot Nov. 6 against San Antonio Veterans Memorial (4-3, 1-2). Veterans Memorial faces undefeated Boerne and\u00a0then Long Creek ahead of Liberty Hill, meaning the Patriots will likely be 2-3 in district play heading into the regular-season finale, while Liberty Hill will be 3-2. The winner will take the final playoff spot.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Correction: This article had previously misstated Rouse’s district.<\/p>\n

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