It's game week. The majority of Tulare County high school tackle football teams kick off the 2026 season on Aug. 21. Here are the Visalia Times-Delta's Week 1 Tulare County Cream of the Crop Power Rankings: 1. Tulare Western (0-0): The Mustangs are returning 16 of 22 starters, including star quarterback Juju Hernandez and college recruit Amarion Taylor, from a team that won six games last season. During this summer's 7-on-7 passing circuit, Tulare Western won the Fresno State, Lindsay, and Cal Poly tournament championships. Up next: at El Diamante (0-0) 2. Redwood (0-0): The defending East Yosemite League champions have next-level talent in junior wideout Jairus Brooks and Washington State commit and lineman Landon Guenter. Redwood is coming off a nine-win season under head coach Curtis Allen. Up next: Dinuba (0-0) 3. Tulare Union (0-0): The Tribe have won at least eight games in three consecutive years but have to replace a 10,000-yard career passer (Jordan Crisp) and nearly 4,000-yard receiver Brayden Stevenson. Tulare Union does return Tulare County's top recruit, though, in senior receiver Demaje Riley — a Fresno State commit. Up next: at Mission Oak (0-0)
More: Tulare Union football reloads with new faces in 2026 More: 'Sonic and Knuckles' lead Central Valley Christian football backfield 4. Central Valley Christian (0-0): The Cavaliers have won at least one playoff game in every season since 2016. That will likely continue behind a veteran backfield that includes seniors Ja'khari Burrell, Shondel Hogan, and Josh Hilvers. That trio combined for nearly 1,700 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns during a 2025 Tri-County Conference championship season. Up next: Immanuel (0-0) 5. Golden West (0-0): Quarterback Jayden Najera, Visalia's all-time career-leading passer, is back for his senior season. Najera enters his final year of high school football with a 19-5 record as a starter. During that time, he has thrown for 6,503 yards with 75 passing touchdowns. Up next: at Buchanan (0-0) This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Tulare County high school football power rankings — Who is No. 1?