Here’s the latest in our coverage of Texas High School Football in our area
In Fort Worth ISD, District 4-5A remains the must-see district with two undefeated teams on an October 30th collision course to decide the district championship. If things remain the same, both teams will enter the matchup undefeated. Arlington Heights is still riding the wave of last season’s success and building on it with each win. O. D. Wyatt has shocked football fans with its best start in school history. After soundly defeating South Hills 50-7, the Chaps are cruising into the match with Heights at Farrington Field. If you know football in Fort Worth, you know this game will be reminiscent of days gone by when students, parents and alumni filled the stadium to capacity. Heights, Wyatt and Brewer are a lock for the playoffs while Paschal continues its battle to join the postseason from Fort Worth. Tonight, Paschal hosts its homecoming against a Trimble Tech squad looking to spoil the fun. Paschal, ever determined to put their Battle of the Bonfire loss against Arlington Heights far behind them won’t be too accepting of any challenge from the Bulldogs. As with every game, the outcome is determined on the field, not in the stands. We’ll see how this one plays out!
In District 5-4A, Eastern Hills and Dunbar face off in the Battle of 820. Dunbar’s loss to Southwest last pushed them further to the basement of the district. The Wildcats have struggled all season long and won’t be gaining any ground against a red-hot Hills team. Hills has remaining tests against Kennedale and Southwest but have the district title firmly in their grasp. Southwest hopes to add another win to their season tally with a game against Diamond Hill-Jarvis tonight at Handley Field. The Raiders’ playbook was wide open as they scored on the ground and in the air. Their offense looked unstoppable and unlike anything you’ve seen in previous years. Dante Kalala ran wild and had his best game of the season. The Raiders’ new-look offense is powered by their newfound power back. We’ll see how the Raiders continue to roll when they take on Diamond Hill-Jarvis. The Eagles are already on their way to a better season than last year. They went winless and lost to Southwest by more than 50. Tonight’s game should be see the Eagles put up some points against Southwest’s stingy defense, if not many. Everything was working against Dunbar but tough tests close out their season with games against Eastern Hills, Kennedale and Carter-Riverside remaining. Coach Joseph Turner is pleased by his team’s effort but is focused on the team in front of them. He is proud to see teams in their district rising but don’t count out his Raiders!
Newcomers to the district, Benbrook faces Carter-Riverside tonight. Last night’s JV game went to the Eagles in a 20-14 victory. Carter-Riverside will need to get Bobby Fields, Jr. going early and often if they want to win against Benbrook. Benbrook is ahead of Carter-Riverside in the standings in fifth place but both teams could still force their way into postseason positions with late season slip-ups by Southwest or Western Hills. Western Hills takes on Kennedale tomorrow night and will need to find inspiration somewhere to keep the Wildcats from feasting on their inexperience. The 5-1 Wildcats have been solid all season and match up extremely well against a 2-4 Western Hills team. Benbrook could fall from fourth to sixth place and well out of contention with a loss against Kennedale. With remaining games against Carter-Riverside, Benbrook and Diamond Hill-Jarvis, the Cougars could still have a decent season, and still miss the playoffs. The game to watch and district championship deciding match in this district is the rematch of last year’s Bi-District round matchup of Kennedale and Eastern Hills at Farrington Field, Thursday, November 5th. Hills won last year’s match is favored over Kennedale in the regular season finale.
Business as usual for North Crowley in 42-17 dismantling of Waxahachie
In the District of Doom, football fans across the state found out why Coach Demarcus Harris says, “It’s a big game because we’re in it!” North Crowley traveled to Waxahachie for their toughest district test. It was an open book test as North Crowley showed no signs of struggling with the top-rated Waxahachie team. In most season rankings, the Indians were ranked higher than the North Crowley, but it took little to no time to prove the rankers wrong! As we have said all season long, when you face this North Crowley team, you’re facing a TEAM. Their depth is unmatched but their camaraderie is just as strong. Each unit supports the other and on the defensive side, each phase is getting stronger each week. While the front four and secondary demanded attention in the early part of the season, the linebacker corps has emerged with speed and power.
The two-headed monster running back tandem of G’yrell Smith and Kiante Ingram ran all over Waxahachie’s defense. Commentators online suggested dropping safeties, but were quickly reminded how unwise it is to leave Damarion Mays or Pryce Demerson in man coverage. Jacob Torres threw a perfect game, completing each of his passes, topping it off with a touchdown to “Champ” Mays. North Crowley remains focused on its goal of “DPS“, winning the “district of doom,” going trough the playoffs and winning a state championship. By halftime, the 21-7 score seemed to settle any doubt of who the better team was and with such high publicity surrounding the game and at the game, the Panthers didn’t have to do anything but play. The Panthers take on Lake Ridge at home and when they do, they’ll do so with a few Under Armour All-American recognized players on the field. We’ll have more about those players in the coming weeks.
At home last week, Crowley let a close one with Red Oak slip away late in the game. After leading most of the game, the Hawks snipped the Eagles in the waning moments of the game to edge them out 29-28. In this weekend’s slate of games, Red Oak moves on to face a not-so invincible Waxahachie team and the Eagles travel to Duncanville to face Coach Reginald Samples’ rejuvenated and resurgent Panther squad. Next week, the battle for second place goes down in Waxahachie when the Indians welcome the Panthers. It should be quite the showdown and maybe even a shootout. Lake Ridge will host Red Oak to try and settle the score and settle into the fourth and final playoff spot in their district…of doom!
Elsewhere in 6A, Aledo and Southlake Carroll are back in the hunt! After a rocky start to their 2026 campaigns, these teams have forced their way into the postseason conversation! This week, Aledo faces a tough test on the road against Arlington to either hold or swap places in the standings as the second and third seeds in District 3-6A behind a still undefeated Martin team. Southlake Carroll‘s revamped offense hosts an undefeated Keller team and is favored by a few scores to hand the Indians their first loss of the season. With a win over Keller, the Dragons are cruising into the postseason with ease. If for some reason, they can’t beat Keller, their back to the drawing board to regroup and finish the season strong.
The Star-Telegram has all your Week 8 games
As playoff predictions increase, teams from Dallas/Fort Worth area are heavily favored to win state titles this year. We’re not ready to make any predictions, but our word to teams, coaches and fans is focus! Finish the season strong and do your best to avoid the hype. Let your play do the talking for you! We’ll do our jobs as parents, and supporters and show up so your big game can be heard! To all the teams in remaining games this week, we wish you the best. We’ll be back next week to continue the conversation!
