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The brackets have been filled out, and the Texas UIL softball playoffs are set to begin in the Lone Star State Wednesday evening.
The means we finally know the potential path to a national championship for the nation's No. 1-ranked team in MaxPreps. The Barbers Hill [Mt. Belvieu, TX] Eagles took over the top spot in the MaxPreps rankings two weeks ago, and they'll begin their pursuit of the UIL's Class 5A Division I state championship – along with that potential national title – against the Angleton [TX] Wildcats on Friday evening.
They've got some nationally-ranked company on the opposite side of their bracket as the No. 6 Melissa [TX] Cardinals will also be chasing the same two team goals with their journey getting started Thursday evening in a contest against the Texas High [Texarkana, TX] Tigers.
WATCH: TEXAS UIL SOFTBALL ON THE NFHS NETWORK
Other top-ranked teams in the MaxPreps list include the No. 4 Lake Creek [Montgomery, TX] Lions, No. 11 Midway [Waco, TX] Panthers, No. 17 Kingwood [TX] Mustangs, No. 21 Byron Nelson [Trophy Club, TX] Bobcats, No. 25 Katy [TX] Tigers, No. 32 Guyer [Denton, TX] Wildcats, and No. 49 Tomball [TX] Cougars.
Key dates for the Texas UIL softball playoffs
| DATE | PLAYOFF DEADLINES |
| 4/25/26 | Bi-district deadline |
| 5/2/26 | Area deadline |
| 5/9/26 | Regional semifinal deadline |
| 5/16/26 | Regional final deadline |
| 5/23/26 | State semifinal deadline |
| 5/28-30/26 | State tournament for all conferences |
National Top 50 contenders by classification and division
Texas had a total of eight teams ranked in the MaxPreps national Top 50 last week, but the Lone Star State added a ninth team headed into the playoffs as Tomball snuck into the No. 49 position.
The University Interscholastic League divides each of its classifications starting with Class 2A and up into two playoff divisions based on enrollment, and we finally know which postseason bracket each team will be competing in.
Class 6A Division I
- 4/22/26 — No. 11 Midway vs. Duncanville
Class 6A Division II
- No. 17 Kingwood
- No. 21 Byron Nelson
- No. 25 Katy
- No. 32 Guyer
- No. 49 Tomball
Class 5A Division I
- 4/24/26 — No. 1 Barbers Hill vs. Angleton
- 4/23/26 — No. 6 Melissa vs. Texas High
Class 5A Division II
- 4/23/26 — No. 4 Lake Creek vs. West Fork
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