As high school football ramps up across Texas on August 29, a notable 28 teams from Classes 2A to 5A have already secured their spots in the upcoming playoffs, scheduled for mid-November. These pre-qualified teams hail from various districts, reflecting changes in playoff structures that have evolved over the years—originally allowing only district champions, then expanding to include multiple teams from each district. With four-team districts now commonplace, many of these teams are focused on playoff seeding rather than merely qualifying. While some debate the impact of these changes on the significance of playoff participation, the excitement for the season remains palpable as fans gear up for Friday night games.