The 2026 UIL Softball season began in earnest on Valentine’s Day Weekend with the Wurst Tournament at Canyon High School. Schools from across Texas gathered to get their campaign started, even if weather was going to be a factor throughout the weekend.
The host, Cougarettes of Canyon is looking for a bounce back year in ’26. Last season, Canyon, a power throughout Texas softball, finished fifth in their district, very odd for a team that has had much success throughout the years. While in the same district as District Champions Buda Johnson and Cibolo Steele, Canyon is ready to make some noise once again within District 27.
Canyon’s opponent on that Saturday afternoon was Temple. The Tem-Cats, as they are called, are also looking for a bounce-back season after being eliminated in the Area round of the playoffs last season. Finishing third in their district behind Copperas Cove and State Champion Midway, Temple is looking to build off a strong end to their 2025 season, with a return trip to the state playoffs.
All teams playing this weekend will have a few weekends worth of tournament games before district play begins the beginning part of March. District will last until the end of April, where the State Playoffs begins.
As it has been the prior two seasons, the postseason for softball will mirror of other sports throughout Texas. Each class is separated into two divisions, with a Division One and Division Two State Champion for each class. For these teams at the Wurst, the goal of getting to McCombs Fields in Austin for the State Championship the ultimate goal.
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