Column: Top 5 3A DI Football Programs Ranked

Last week, I saw an interesting post on social media which ranked the top five football dynasties over the last five years. Lists of that nature are always intriguing to look at, and it got me thinking to do my own personal top five. I’m going to go ahead and take this a step further, revealing who I believe are the top five all-time football programs in class 3A division one.

1. Cameron Yoe

When you look for the complete package in the 106 schools in 3A division one, there is one that stands out amongst the rest of the pack. Yes, that would be the Yoemen. Even before the three consecutive state championships, Cameron was recognized as a dangerous program and was still one of the winningest programs of all-time. The program has an all-time record of 712-354 and has the most wins out of any program in the division. The 72-38-3 record also outshines the rest of the pack to go along with 44 playoff appearances. With the four state championships and six title game appearances, there is simply no dents in the resume.

2. Breckenridge

When you think of all-time great programs, this is probably not one that comes to mind unless your know your football history. Breckenridge was one of the top football powers back in the 1950s, winning all five of their state championships during that decade. The Buckaroos rank 27th all-time in wins with 632 and been in the playoffs 46 times and have a playoff record of 50-35-8. Why I would not put Breckenridge at number one and why I would not consider them as an elite level football program such as Cameron is simply because of consistency. It’s one thing to win a lot at one time, but it’s another thing to sustain that over the long-haul of the program.

3. East Bernard

These guys had been in division II for some time, but are making the move up this season and I must include them in my list. When you see this name pop up anywhere, you simply know you’re going to get quality football on a yearly basis. East Bernard has won a total of two state titles (1972, 2012) and has an overall playoff record of 52-31-1 in 37 playoff appearances. These guys are not up there in all-time wins quite yet, sitting at 537, but are quickly rising up the ranks.

4. Littlefield

Another traditional power is Littlefield out of West Texas. The Wildcats were in a similar position to Cameron before they had won their three titles from 2012-2014. Littlefield has one state title (1949) to their name, but is one of the most consistent programs in the state, coming in with 646 total wins, good enough for 24th all-time for all classifications. You combine that with a 50-35-8 playoff record and 42 playoff appearances, and you have a solid football program.

5. Tatum

Tatum is a team that has had more recent success compared to the traditional powers that you

see on the rest of this list. The Eagles really came onto the scene when they won back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006. Tatum finished off a perfect 15-0 season in 2015 when they upended Hutto in the finals, 38-34. That was the same team Hutto team that Cameron had beat in district (17-13) before falling to Hippos in the third round (35-14). Tatum has 462 all-time wins, with 53 of those coming in the postseason.

Other elites in Central Texas

With regards to other schools in the Central Texas area, you must look at Lake Travis, Temple and Mart. Lake Travis has won a total of six state championships, including a state-record five in a row from 2007 to 2011. Temple’s 758 all-time wins is good enough for fourth all-time for all classifications. The Wildcats also have two state title under their belt. Finally, there is Mart, which in my opinion is the number one football program all-time in the Centex region. The Panthers have 749 career wins (fifth all-time) and now have a total of five state championships to their name after last season’s title.