From preseason omission to the top of the midseason hierarchy, Brennan has made a convincing case that it belongs among the region’s elite. The Bears have surged to 24-6 and a 4-0 start in District 29-6A, putting themselves in position to surpass last year’s Area Round finish.

Reagan isn’t far behind, and the Rattlers’ 20-10 mark may not tell the whole story. A schedule loaded with high-quality wins against opponents from across the state — including several San Antonio teams on this list — has given Reagan plenty of proof-of-concept heading into the heart of district play.