Why Texas high school football plays by a different rulebook than the rest

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: While most American high schools follow the National Federation of State High School Associations, Texas stands alone. Since 2019, the state has utilized NCAA college rules with specific modifications. This divergence highlights a broader landscape where high school football is grappling with shifting demographics, declining participation, and serious medical concerns.

However, Texas maintains a distinct path, opting for NCAA-based regulations. This creates notable differences in gameplay, such as the use of specific overtime procedures and the handling of defensive scoring on extra points. While the NFHS suggests a Kansas-style overtime, Texas follows the NCAA model, which mandates two-point conversions in later stages of overtime.

Beyond rule variations, the sport faces significant demographic and participation shifts. Between 2009 and 2019, national participation in high school football dropped by 9.1%, with Wisconsin experiencing a nearly 25% decline. Racial demographics have also transformed; by 2018, the percentage of white players had fallen to 30%, while black players rose to 40%. As of 2016, black youth were nearly three times more likely to participate in tackle football than their white counterparts.

The most pressing concern remains the long-term health of athletes. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition linked to repeated brain trauma, has been identified in former players who only competed at the high school level. A 2017 study found evidence of CTE in 21% of tested brains from deceased high school players. Experts like Robert Cantu argue that children under 14 should avoid tackle football entirely, citing the vulnerability of developing brains and the fact that myelination is not completed until about age 15. These risks, combined with injury concerns, continue to shape the future of the sport.

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