The preseason landscape is once again crowded with contenders, but the standard begins with Melissa. Head coach Cassie Crabtree’s Cardinals return to the diamond following a dominant 38-1 campaign that culminated in a 5A Division I state championship and 2025 MaxPreps National Champion honors. With back-to-back titles already secured, Melissa now turns its focus toward an elusive three-peat — and enters the spring as the team to beat.
The 6A ranks, however, are anything but quiet. Flower Mound, Forney and Denton Guyer each made extensive playoff runs last year, with Forney advancing all the way to the 6A Division II State Final. Keller, Marcus and Royse City add further depth to a classification that proved both balanced and battle-tested throughout 2025. Several of those programs navigated double-digit district win totals a year ago, underscoring just how competitive the road back to Austin will be.
In 5A, Lovejoy, Aledo and Walnut Grove headline a formidable group behind Melissa. Aledo reached the State Semifinals last spring, while Lovejoy and Walnut Grove each made regional appearances, reinforcing the classification’s overall strength.
If last season was any indication, parity remains alive across both 6A and 5A. Experience, postseason pedigree and a hunger to finish unfinished business define much of this preseason Top 10 — with multiple programs positioned not just to contend, but to reshape the conversation altogether in 2026.
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*Last section indicates 2025 result
VYPE Dallas-Fort Worth Combined (6A-4A) Top-10 Softball Rankings -- February 2026 (Preseason)
1. Melissa Cardinals (5A) -- 38-1 // 14-0 in District 9-5A // UIL 5A Division I State Champions*
2. Flower Mound Jaguars (6A) -- 25-9-1 // 12-2 in 5-6A // 6A Division I State Semifinalists
3. Forney Jackrabbits (6A) -- 35-3-1 // 11-1 in 10-6A // 6A Division II State Finalists
4. Denton Guyer Wildcats (6A) -- 30-6 // 13-1` in 5-6A // 6A Division II State Semifinalists
5. Keller Indians (6A) -- 28-9-1 // 14-2 in 4-6A // Regional Semifinalists
6. Lovejoy Leopards (5A) -- 25-13 // 10-4 in 9-5A // Region II Finalists
7. Aledo Bearcats (5A) -- 30-4 // 12-0 in 5-5A // 5A Division I State Semifinalists
8. Marcus Marauders (6A) -- 26-11 // 9-5 in 5-6A // Region I Finalists
9. Royse City Bulldogs (6A) -- 25-9 // 9-3 in 10-6A // Regional Semifinalists
10. Walnut Grove Wildcats (5A) -- 25-8 // 12-2 in 9-5A // Regional Semifinalists
Others to Watch: Wylie Pirates (9-6A), Wakeland Wolverines (12-5A), Birdville Hawks (6-5A), Waxahachie Indians (11-6A), Midlothian Heritage Jaguars (15-5A), Plano East Panthers (6-6A), Grapevine Mustangs (6-5A), Trinity Trojans (4-6A), Mansfield Legacy Broncos (3-6A)