By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
The 2026 Texas high school boys soccer season has hit the ground running, and the first few weeks have already given a glimpse into the potential playoff picture across the Austin area.
A handful of districts are already deep into league play, while others open district action this week with key matchups right out of the gate.
In this report, we spotlight 15 early-season standouts, break down the district races to watch and highlight five games that could have a major impact as the season moves into February.
First, here are our Week 2 rankings:
Week 2 rankings
Class 6A
| RK | TEAM | RECORD | LW |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Westwood | 9-1-0 | 2 |
| 2. | Bowie | 8-0-2 | 3 |
| 3. | NB Canyon | 8-1-1 | 5 |
| 4. | Vandegrift | 5-1-3 | 1 |
| 5. | Westlake | 7-1-2 | NR |
Dropped out: Round Rock
Others: Round Rock (8-1-2), San Marcos (4-1-1), McNeil (6-3-2), Lake Travis (8-2-1)
Class 5A
| RK | TEAM | RECORD | LW |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Bastrop | 8-1-1 | 1 |
| 2. | Lockhart | 6-2-1 | 2 |
| 3. | East View | 8-1-2 | 5 |
| 4. | Rouse | 6-2-1 | NR |
| 5. | Comal Pieper | 5-2-3 | NR |
Dropped out: Elgin, Liberty Hill
Others: Smithson Valley (7-3-2), Anderson (5-2-3), Georgetown (6-3-3)
Class 4A
| RK | TEAM | RECORD | LW |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Salado | 10-0-1 | 1 |
| 2. | Jarrell | 7-2-2 | 2 |
| 3. | La Grange | 7-1-1 | 5 |
| 4. | Manor New Tech | 7-2-1 | 3 |
| 5. | NB Long Creek | 7-3-0 | NR |
Dropped out: Davenport
Others: Davenport (4-2-1), LBJ (3-1-1), Taylor (6-4-1), Austin Northeast (5-5-2)
15 impact players
Thomas Smith, Akins
Ethan Forchlone, Austin High
Evan Dranguet, Bowie
Enrique Garcia, East View
Sergio Puentes Barreto, Pflugerville
Cayden Justice, Bastrop
Joseluis Diaz, Anderson
Antonio Rios, Lockhart
Conner Courville, Rouse
Blake Dildy, Pieper
Orlando Reyes, Jarrell
Kevin Guiterrez, Austin Northeast
Antonio Gutierrez, Austin Achieve
Jeffrey Cabrera, La Grange
Devonte Foster, Salado
District races to keep an eye on
District 25-6A: This district is already tight at the top and could turn into a weekly shuffle. Westwood has a comfortable early edge in district play at 4-0-0, while Round Rock, McNeil and Vandegrift are all sitting at 2-1-1. The next couple of weeks will clear up the picture, but it could also make things a bit more crazy.
District 26-6A: Every year, this district has unparalleled parody. Each game will matter down to the season finale. Del Valle and Bowie are off to strong starts at 1-0-0, while Dripping Springs and Akins have opened district play with draws (0-0-1). Westlake had the early bye and will be a player in the race, but don’t count out Austin High. It’s a safe bet that this race could stay wide open deep into the schedule.
District 24-4A: This district already looks like a three-team fight at the top. Salado and LaGrange are both 3-0-0 in district play, while Manor New Tech is also unbeaten in district at 3-0-0 and has kept pace early. With Rockdale and Taylor sitting at 2-2-0, there’s still plenty of movement possible in the standings, but the early pace-setters have made this one a district race worth tracking every week.
District 25-5A: This is shaping up to be a heavyweight race at the top with multiple contenders. Rouse, Cedar Park and Lockharthave all started district play 1-0-0, while Leander and Liberty Hill are right behind them at 0-0-1. With so many teams bunched together early, head-to-head results are going to decide this one.
District 26-5A: This district already has separation, but it’s with the top four and everyone else. Boerneis out front at 3-0-1, while San Antonio Pieper (2-0-2), Smithson Valley (2-0-1) and New Braunfels (2-0-1) are all right in the mix. The early standings suggest this could turn into a battle not only for playoff spots, but for district title positioning.
5 games to watch
La Grange (7-1-1) at Salado (10-0-1), 7 p.m., Tuesday: The defending Class 4A Division II champions face the upstart Leopards from La Grange. There are three teams in District 24-4A that have not dropped a district game. After Tuesday, there will only be two unless Manor New Tech falls to winless Smithville.
Smithson Valley (7-3-2) at Comal Pieper (5-2-3), 7:15 p.m., Tuesday: The Rangers and Warriors are part of a group of four teams that haven’t lost a district game, along with Boerne and New Braunfels. This game could end up meaning a lot come playoff time.
Georgetown (6-3-3) vs. East View (8-1-2), 5:30 p.m., Tuesday: East View is one of the hottest teams in the area. A rivalry matchup provides opportunity to make a statement.
Westwood (9-1-0) at Round Rock (8-1-2), 7:30 p.m., Friday: Two of the top teams in District 25-6A face off with an opportunity for the Warriors to tighten its grip on first place.
Liberty Hill (5-3-2) at Lockhart (6-2-1), 7:15 p.m., Friday: The Lions have been one of the best stories in the early season. They have a chance to prove they are for real with a win over the defending Class 5A Division II state champions.
