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The stars of 2025-26 Katy Softball
HEAT INDEX: Final VYPE Houston Softball Rankings Ahead of the 2026 UIL Playoffs
It came as no surprise that Kingwood (29-3) responded immediately to its lone district loss to Summer Creek, winning out to close the regular season and claim the 23-6A crown with a 13-1 record. The run included an 11-0 victory over the Bulldogs and a six-game shutout streak.
The same can be said for Katy (28-5), which cruised to its 11th straight district title (excluding the 2019-20 COVID season), capping the 19-6A slate on a 10-game winning streak while allowing just three runs in that span.
Tomball (23-3) and Bridgeland (26-5) remain the headliners out of Region II, both well-positioned to make a push toward the state stage in the coming weeks. One of the most impressive runs of the back half came from Grand Oaks (30-6), which won its final 11 games to steal the District 13-6A title from Willis (24-9)—another scrappy squad.
Region III again shapes up as a gauntlet in Houston’s 6A brackets, featuring powerhouses such as Pearland (28-4), Atascocita (23-8), Summer Creek (26-7), Deer Park (21-10), Jordan (21-5), Clear Creek (19-7), Foster (24-8), and Clear Springs (22-13).
Rounding out the notable Class 5A programs are La Porte (20-3), Friendswood (21-7), Santa Fe (24-7), and Kingwood Park (21-9), while Liberty (29-5) and Needville (29-2) pace the 4A field.
All that being said, let’s tap into the who’s who of H-Town with the postseason on the horizon.
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Barbers Hill Eagles
Dana Strange (VYPE)
*Second section denotes current record according to MaxPreps
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VYPE Houston Top 25 Softball Rankings (6A-4A) -- End of Regular Season (April 2026)
1. Barbers Hill Eagles (5A) -- 30-3 // 14-0 in District 19-5A
2. Lake Creek Lions (5A) -- 29-1 // 12-0 in 17-5A
3. Kingwood Mustangs (6A) -- 29-3 // 13-1 in 23-6A
4. Katy Tigers (6A) -- 28-5 // 15-1 in 19-6A
5. Tomball Cougars (6A) -- 23-3 // 16-0 in 15-6A
6. Bridgeland Bears (6A) -- 26-5 // 13-1 in 16-6A
7. La Porte Bulldogs (5A) -- 20-3 // 11-1 in 20-5A
8. Liberty Panthers (4A) -- 29-5 // 12-0 in 19-4A
9. Pearland Oilers (6A) -- 28-4 // 16-0 in 22-6A
10. Atascocita Eagles (6A) -- 23-8 // 11-3 in 23-6A
11. Summer Creek Bulldogs (6A) -- 26-7 // 11-3 in 23-6A
12. Friendswood Mustangs (6A) -- 21-7 // 9-3 in 20-5A
13. Deer Park Deer (6A) -- 21-10 // 11-3 in 24-6A
14. Grand Oaks Grizzlies (6A) -- 30-6 // 13-3 in 13-6A
15. Needville Bluejays (4A) -- 29-2 // 12-0 in 29-4A
16. Jordan Warriors (6A) -- 21-5 // 13-3 in 19-6A
17. Clear Creek Wildcats (6A) -- 19-7 // 10-4 in 24-6A
18. Foster Falcons (6A) -- 24-8 // 10-0 in 20-6A
19. Willis Wildkats (6A) -- 24-9 // 13-3 in 13-6A
20. Clear Springs Chargers (6A) -- 22-13 // 9-5 in 24-6A
21. Santa Fe Indians (5A) -- 24-7 // 8-4 in 20-5A
22. Magnolia Bulldogs (6A) -- 22-8 // 13-3 in 15-6A
23. Kingwood Park Panthers (5A) -- 21-9 // 10-2 in 18-5A
24. Cy-Fair Bobcats (6A) -- 17-9 // 13-1 in 17-6A
25. Cypress Woods Wildcats (6A) -- 22-11 // 10-4 in 16-6A
Others to Watch/Honorable Mentions: Oak Ridge War Eagles (13-6A), Cypress Ranch Mustangs (16-6A), Klein Oak Panthers (15-6A), Ridge Point Panthers (21-6A), Cypress Ridge Rams (17-6A), Crosby Cougars (18-5A), Conroe Tigers (13-6A), Dobie Longhorns (22-6A), Hargrave Falcons (19-4A), Fort Bend Travis Tigers (21-6A), Goose Creek Memorial Patriots (23-6A), Stratford Spartans (17-6A), Montgomery Bears (17-5A), Memorial Mustangs (17-6A)
The stars of 2025-26 Bridgeland Softball
HEAT INDEX: Updated VYPE Houston Softball Rankings — Major Movement, New No. 1, Bridgeland Skyrockets
Bridgeland, meanwhile, has proven it deserves more than a “team to watch” designation. The Bears have surged to an 18–4 record, climbing into the Top 10 after a meteoric rise.
Summer Creek is making noise as well. Their recent 5–3 win over Kingwood, fueled by a late-inning surge, sends a clear message: the Bulldogs are a serious contender. Kingwood, however, remains resilient and will have opportunities to respond as the spring progresses.
Tomball (15–3) continues to meet—and perhaps exceed—expectations, while La Porte (13–3), Pearland (20–4), Deer Park (13–7), Friendswood (15–5), and Needville (21–2) have all earned attention with strong campaigns.
With midseason clarity now emerging, the temperature on Houston-area softball is rising—and the road to the playoffs promises more drama and surprises.
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Barbers Hill Eagles
Dana Strange (VYPE/Phlox Photography)
*Second section denotes current record according to MaxPreps
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VYPE Houston Combined (6A-4A) Top-25 Softball Rankings -- End of March 2026 (Midway through District)
1. Barbers Hill Eagles (5A) -- 22-3 // 6-0 in District 19-5A
2. Lake Creek Lions (5A) -- 21-1 // 5-0 in 17-5A
3. Summer Creek Bulldogs (6A) -- 15-2 // 5-0 in 23-6A
4. Kingwood Mustangs (6A) -- 21-3 // 5-1 in 23-6A
5. Katy Tigers (6A) -- 19-5 // 6-1 in 19-6A
6. Tomball Cougars (6A) -- 15-3 // 8-0 in 15-6A
7. Bridgeland Bears (6A) -- 18-4 // 5-0 in 16-6A
8. La Porte Bulldogs (5A) -- 13-3 // 4-1 in 20-5A
9. Pearland Oilers (6A) -- 20-4 // 8-0 in 22-6A
10. Clear Springs Chargers (6A) -- 17-8 // 4-1 in 24-6A
11. Atascocita Eagles (6A) -- 15-7 // 4-2 in 23-6A
12. Katy Jordan Warriors (6A) -- 14-3 // 6-1 in 19-6A
13. Deer Park Deer (6A) -- 13-7 // 4-1 in 24-6A
14. Liberty Panthers (4A) -- 20-6 // 4-0 in 19-4A
15. Friendswood Mustangs (5A) -- 15-5 // 3-1 in 20-5A
16. Needville Bluejays (4A) -- 21-2 // 4-0 in 29-4A
17. Foster Falcons (6A) -- 14-7 // 2-0 in 20-6A
18. Oak Ridge War Eagles (6A) -- 14-9 // 4-2 in 13-6A
19. Cypress Ranch Mustangs (6A) -- 16-5-1 // 4-1 in 16-6A
20. Santa Fe Indians (5A) -- 18-5 // 2-2 in 20-5A
21. Klein Oak Panthers (6A) -- 16-5 // 5-3 in 15-6A
22. Clear Creek Wildcats (6A) -- 12-5 // 5-3 in 24-6A
23. Willis Wildkats (6A) -- 17-6 // 6-1 in 13-6A
24. Kingwood Park Panthers (5A) -- 15-7 // 4-0 in 18-5A
25. Conroe Tigers (6A) -- 14-6 // 4-2 in 13-6A
Others to Watch: Paetow Panthers (19-6A), Grand Oaks Grizzlies (13-6A), Magnolia Bulldogs (15-6A), Hargrave Falcons (19-4A), Clear Lake Falcons (24-6A), Ridge Point Panthers (21-6A), Dobie Longhorns (22-6A), Cy-Fair Bobcats (17-6A), Cypress Woods Wildcats (16-6A), Fort Bend Travis Tigers (21-6A), Angleton Wildcats (20-5A), Langham Creek Lobos (16-6A), Montgomery Bears (17-5A), Crosby Cougars (18-5A), Memorial Mustangs (17-6A)