What’s Next for Texas High School Football?

By LONNIE KING  |  © 2025 Big Daddy’s Texas Sports

The Texas High School Coaches Association convention is in full swing this week in San Antonio, and even though the coaches don’t get a final say in every big decision, their collective influence can’t be ignored—especially when it comes to the future of Texas high school football’s biggest stage: the state championships.

Two issues are top of mind this year:

1. Why did last year’s state championship attendance drop to a decade low?
2. And, once again: should the games stay in Arlington or rotate to other parts of the state?

The Attendance Problem: A Perfect Storm or a Warning Sign?

If you’ve been to a UIL state football championship weekend in the past decade, you know it’s usually a packed, electric event. Last year, though? Not so much. According to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, attendance across all divisions was the lowest since the current format began in 2016.

There’s no single reason, but there are several likely suspects:

• Timing: The games bumped right up against Christmas, when many families are already stretched thin.
• Newer Schools, Smaller Crowds: Many of the schools that made it last year—particularly in the smaller classifications—don’t have the massive, multi-decade fanbases of Texas powerhouses. Naturally, fewer alumni means fewer butts in seats.
• College Football Playoff Overlap: This is one I hadn’t considered until now—the CFP schedule compressed the postseason, which may have diluted interest in high school matchups, especially when college football dominates December headlines.

So is this an anomaly or a trend? Personally, I’m inclined to think it was a perfect storm of inconvenient circumstances. But the UIL would be smart to keep a close eye on this. Texas high school football is a cultural institution, but no institution is immune to shifting priorities, rising costs, and scheduling conflicts. If the downward trend continues, it might signal a need for broader changes—whether that’s tweaking the schedule, the format, or the venue.

The Venue Debate: Why Not Share the Spotlight?

Speaking of venues, this debate feels like it resurfaces every year, but it’s picking up renewed momentum thanks to the attendance slump. Since 2010, the UIL has hosted the state championships at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, and I get the appeal: it’s a world-class facility, climate-controlled, and centrally located—if you define “central” as north of Waco.

But here’s my take: it’s time to rotate the championships between Arlington, Houston, and San Antonio.

• Houston’s NRG Stadium: It’s hosted Super Bowls and Final Fours. It can handle Texas high school football just fine.
• San Antonio’s Alamodome: A proven host for big events and already home to playoff games and state basketball championships.
• Arlington’s AT&T Stadium: Still the crown jewel, but no longer the default.

A rotation system—maybe every three years—would give different regions a share of the spotlight and might boost attendance by making the games more accessible to fans across the state. Plus, it honors the fact that Texas is too big and too diverse to have its championships tied to one corner of the map indefinitely.

What’s New in 2025: UIL Football Rule Changes to Watch

While the coaches gathered in San Antonio are discussing big-picture topics, they’re also taking stock of the 2025 UIL football rule changes. Some of these tweaks align with broader NCAA changes, while others are uniquely tailored to high school football in Texas. Here are a few that stand out—and what they might mean on Friday nights this fall.

1. Feigning Injuries Gets Stricter

UIL adopted most of the NCAA’s new approach on faking injuries to slow tempo offenses, but backed off on penalizing teams directly when a player presents as injured after the ball is spotted.
Impact: Probably minimal in UIL games, but it could deter teams from abusing injury stoppages, especially against no-huddle offenses.

2. Scrimmage Kick Protections Strengthened

Defenders can no longer contact the snapper immediately after the snap on punts or place kicks—there must be a one-second pause if the offense is in scrimmage kick formation.
Impact: Safer for special teams, but defensive coordinators will have to adjust blitz timing on punt blocks.

3. Defensive Movements and Disconcerting Signals Clarified

Defenders near the line of scrimmage can’t make exaggerated movements or use verbal tactics to induce false starts.
Impact: This should keep games cleaner, especially in tense moments where defenders might otherwise get creative.

4. Substitution Penalties After Two-Minute Timeout

A new wrinkle: if a defense is caught with 12 players after the new two-minute timeout, not only is there a penalty, but the offense can choose to reset the clock to the time at the snap.
Impact: Adds strategic depth to late-game clock management and makes defensive substitutions riskier in crunch time.

5. Technology: Coach-to-Player Communication Expanded

UIL will now allow one-way wearable technology—like smart watches or belt-packs—for coach-to-player communication, with the signal originating from the press box only.
Impact: Teams with the budget and discipline to implement this could see faster play calls and fewer huddle breakdowns, though enforcement remains a post-game review issue.

6. The New Two-Minute Timeout

UIL varsity games will now feature a mandatory two-minute timeout at the end of each half, replacing the previous “under two minutes” and “under one minute” timing triggers.
Impact: Expect cleaner clock operations and a definitive break for teams to adjust strategy—especially helpful for TV broadcasts.

7. Tinted Eyeglasses Allowed with Medical Exemption

Players can wear tinted eyeglasses or goggles with proper UIL medical documentation, but tinted eye shields remain off-limits.
Impact: A welcome adjustment for players with light sensitivity, while still keeping equipment visibility clear for officials.

Final Whistle

Whether it’s attendance struggles, venue debates, or subtle rule shifts, there’s no shortage of things to watch in Texas high school football this year. The THSCA convention is a reminder that the game is constantly evolving—and the decisions made today will shape the Friday night experience for years to come.

I don’t claim to have all the answers, but if we’re thinking big about the future, we’d be wise to ask tough questions now—about fan experience, competitive fairness, and the traditions we’re trying to preserve.

Texas high school deserves nothing less.  And so do its fans.