Week 4 of the Texas high school football season was a wild one that saw the top two teams in last week’s rankings — Duncanville and North Crowley — lose on late touchdowns on consecutive nights.
On Thursday, Rockwall quarterback Brent Rickert found Ryan Wiley for a 20-yard touchdown with 22 seconds remaining to lift the Yellowjackets to a stunning 37-35 victory over defending Class 6A Division I state champion North Crowley.
The loss was the first in the regular season for the Panthers since 2021 and their first in the last 20 games. The Yellowjackets came into the game with a 1-2 record.
Twenty-four hours later, Waxahachie took a 28-27 lead over Duncanville on a 1-yard touchdown run by Nolan Barnard with 3:52 remaining. The defense then stopped the Panthers on 4th-and-2 with less than two minutes remaining.
So, we have two new teams at the top of this week’s rankings. And we are only to the halfway point of the regular season this week. Buckle up.
We've picked our No. 1 team in the state of Texas. And now, it's your turn. Vote on who you think should be the top-ranked team this week in Texas. You can vote as many times as you would like. The poll will close at 11:59 p.m. CT on Sunday, Sept. 28.
Here are our new weekly rankings:
No. 1 Southlake Carroll Dragons (4-0, 2-0)
Next Game: 9/25/25, at Keller Timber Creek, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 9/19/25, Southlake Carroll 44, Euless Trinity 6
W/L Streak: 4 wins
Previous ranking: 3
The Dragons continued to assert their dominance last week, but this time it was against what looked to be the toughest opponent on the schedule so far this season. Instead, Southlake Carroll manhandled Euless Trinity, 44-6, to remain undefeated. The Dragons have outscored their opponents, 180-16, and have yet to give up more than one touchdown in a game. No. 1 now wears green.
No. 2 Richmond Randle Lions (4-0, 1-0)
Next Game: 9/25/25, Iowa Colony, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 9/18/25, Richmond Randle 51, Fort Bend Marshall 6
W/L Streak: 20 wins
Previous ranking: 4
Like Southlake Carroll, Randle has been largely unchallenged so far this season, outscoring its opponents, 226-41. However, the defending Class 5A Division II state champs have an interesting game this week against unbeaten Iowa Colony. The Lions, who won last season’s meeting, 30-10, have won 20 straight games.
No. 3 Duncanville Panthers (1-1, 0-1)
Next Game: 9/26/25, Dallas Skyline, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 9/19/25, Waxahachie 28, Duncanville 27
W/L Streak: 1 loss
Previous ranking: 1
It’s been a strange season for the Panthers. Through four weeks, they have played just two games of their eight-game schedule. Following last week’s upset loss to Waxahachie, Duncanville should bounce back easily against Dallas Skyline. The Panthers then have back-to-back games against DeSoto and Lancaster.
No. 4 Dallas South Oak Cliff Golden Bears (3-1, 1-0)
Next Game: 9/25/25, Dallas Adamson, 7:15 p.m.
Last Game: 9/18/25, Dallas South Oak Cliff 59, Dallas Spruce 0
W/L Streak: 2 wins
Previous ranking: 5
As expected, SOC opened District 5-5A Division II play with a lopsided win over Dallas Spruce. It’s hard to imagine the Golden Bears will have trouble with any of the district foes remaining on the schedule. Last season, the Golden Bears gave up just seven points in seven district contests, so a 9-1 record this regular season seems likely.
No. 5 Allen Eagles (4-0, 2-0)
Next Game: 9/26/25, McKinney, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 9/19/25, Allen 56, Plano 0
W/L Streak: 4 wins
Previous ranking: 6
Allen is another team that is making it look easy in 2025. Through four weeks, the Eagles have outscored their opponents, 210-27, including last week’s impressive 56-0 shutout of previously unbeaten Plano. In the next four weeks, the Eagles have potentially tricky road games at Princeton and Prosper.
No. 6 Aledo Bearcats (4-0, 2-0)
Next Game: 9/26/25, Keller Fossil Ridge, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 9/19/25, Aledo 56, Birdville 7
W/L Streak: 4 wins
Previous ranking: 10
After opening the regular season with a seven-point win over Denton Guyer, Aledo has been a juggernaut. The Bearcats have surrendered just 14 points in their last three games combined. Last week’s win over Birdville ran their record district winning streak to 129 straight. A road game at Denton Ryan in two weeks is looming. The Raiders knocked Aledo out of last year’s playoffs.
No. 7 North Crowley Panthers (3-1, 0-0)
Next Game: 9/26/25, at Mansfield Legacy, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 9/18/25, Rockwall 37, North Crowley 35
W/L Streak: 1 loss
Previous ranking: 2
The Panthers had been living on the edge during the first three weeks of the regular season. North Crowley won three close games against Lancaster, DeSoto and Denton Guyer before falling to Rockwall last week. The Panthers look to bounce back this week at Mansfield Legacy, which has been blown out the last two games, in its District 3-6A opener.
No. 8 Celina Bobcats (4-0, 0-0)
Next Game: 9/26/25, Frisco Panther Creek, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 9/19/25, Celina 33, Franklin 22
W/L Streak: 20 wins
Previous ranking: 7
The Bobcats had a surprisingly close game against Franklin last week, although they came away with their 20th straight victory. Celina gets undefeated Frisco Panther Creek at home this week to open District 7-4A Division I play.
No. 9 Carthage Bulldogs (3-0, 0-0)
Next Game: 9/26/25, at Jasper, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 9/19/25, Carthage 56, Tyler Chapel Hill 34
W/L Streak: 18 wins
Previous ranking: 8
The defending Class 4A Division II state champs are rolling again. Carthage continued non-district play with a shootout victory to give Tyler Chapel Hill its first loss of the season. The Bulldogs have two more non-district games on the slate before opening District 8-4A Division II play at Center on Oct. 10.
No. 10 Galena Park North Shore Mustangs (2-1, 0-0)
Next Game: 9/25/25, at Humble, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 9/12/25, Galena Park North Shore 55, Spring Westfield 0
W/L Streak: 2 wins
Previous ranking: 9
The Mustangs were off last week to prepare for this week’s District 23-6A opener at Humble. Since falling to No. 4 Dallas South Oak Cliff, 41-31, North Shore has recorded back-to-back shutouts of Crowley and Spring Westfield. The Mustangs have won 40 straight district games dating back to 2019.
No. 11 Austin Westlake Chaparrals (3-1, 0-0)
Next Game: 10/2/25, at Austin Akins, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 9/19/25, Austin Westlake 37, Cibolo Steele 14
W/L Streak: 3 wins
Previous ranking: 11
The Chaparrals played their first home game of the season last Friday, knocking off previously unbeaten Cibolo Steele after winning a big road game at Humble Atascocita the previous week. Now, Westlake has a bye week to gear up for the District 26-6A opener at Austin Akins. The Chaps have won 39 straight district games, also dating back to 2019.
No. 12 Prosper Eagles (3-0, 1-0)
Next Game: 9/26/25, Plano East, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 9/19/25, Prosper 68, McKinney Boyd 31
W/L Streak: 3 wins
Previous Ranking: 20
The Eagles continued to roll with a lopsided victory over McKinney Boyd to open District 6-6A play last week. The defense limited the Broncos to -35 yards rushing. Prosper should come into its Oct. 24 home showdown with No. 5 Allen with a spotless record.
No. 13 Waxahachie Indians (3-0, 1-0)
Next game: 9/26/25, at DeSoto, 7 p.m.
Last game: 9/19/25, Waxahachie 28, Duncanville 27
W/L streak: 3 wins
Previous ranking: NR
Now, that’s how you enter the top 25 with a bullet. Waxahachie knocked off top-ranked Duncanville in a 28-27 comeback win. Head coach Shane Tolleson’s squad had lost its last four meetings against the Panthers. The road doesn’t get much easier. Now, the Indians get DeSoto on the road. Waxahachie finished 9-4 and advanced to the third round of the playoffs last season.
No. 14 Waco La Vega Pirates (3-1, 0-0)
Next Game: 9/26/25, at Stephenville, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 9/19/25, Waco La Vega 38, Brownwood 16
W/L Streak: 2 wins
Previous ranking: 12
Since losing to Celina, La Vega has put together consecutive wins over West Orange-Stark and Brownwood. The defending Class 4A Division II state runners-up get a big test this week with a road trip to undefeated Stephenville. The Yellow Jackets have given up just 26 points in four games.
No. 15 Denton Ryan Raiders (3-0, 1-0)
Next Game: 9/26/25, at Granbury, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 9/11/25, Denton Ryan 43, Keller Fossil Ridge 14
W/L Streak: 3 wins
Previous ranking: 13
The Raiders are coming off a bye week as they return to District 3-5A Division I play with a game at Granbury. Ryan will have to focus on the task at hand and not look ahead to its home showdown with No. 6 Aledo the following week. Ryan lost to the Bearcats in the regular season before knocking them out of last year’s playoffs.
No. 16 Highland Park Scots (3-1, 0-0)
Next Game: 9/26/25, at Tyler, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 9/19/25, Highland Park 58, Pulaski Academy (AR) 26
W/L Streak: 3 wins
Previous ranking: 15
Since suffering a rare home loss to Rockwall-Heath to open the season, the Scots have righted the ship with three straight wins. Highland Park rolled past Pulaski Academy (AR) to wrap up non-district play last week. The Scots open District 7-5A Division I play at Tyler this week. The Scots are the defending district champions.
No. 17 Canyon West Plains Wolves (4-0, 0-0)
Next Game: 10/3/25, at Argyle Liberty Christian, 6:30 p.m.
Last Game: 9/19/25, Canyon West Plains 45, Bushland 0
W/L Streak: 4 wins
Previous ranking: 16
The Wolves recorded their second shutout in the last three games by blanking Bushland, a team they lost to in 2024, last week. West Plains has a bye this week before it hits the road for a long trip to private school Argyle Liberty Christian in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The Warriors won last year’s game against the Wolves, 56-7.
No. 18 Frisco Lone Star Rangers (4-0, 2-0)
Next Game: 9/25/25, at Frisco Heritage, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 9/19/25, Frisco Lone Star 41, Frisco Centennial 0
W/L Streak: 4 wins
Previous ranking: 17
Lone Star continues to build on its huge road win over No. 21 Argyle to open the season. The Rangers have given up just seven points in the three games since, including last week’s 41-0 blanking of Frisco Centennial. Lone Star sophomore QB1 Trey Wright has thrown 11 touchdowns with just one interception this season.
No. 19 Gunter Tigers (3-1, 0-0)
Next Game: 9/26/25, Bells, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 9/18/25, Gunter 60, Sanger 42
W/L Streak: 1 win
Previous ranking: 18
The defending Class 3A Division II state champions bounced back from their first loss of the season to Celina with a shootout win over Sanger. Gunter opens District 7-3A Division II play at home against Bells this week. The Tigers have won 55 consecutive district games dating back to 2015 and three straight state titles.
No. 20 Kilgore Bulldogs (3-1, 0-0)
Next Game: 9/26/25, Longview Pine Tree, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 9/19/25, Kilgore 18, Texarkana Pleasant Grove 6
W/L Streak: 3 wins
Previous ranking: 19
Kilgore hit the road last week and came away with a big 18-6 victory over Texarkana Pleasant Grove, knocking the Hawks out of the top 25. Since losing to No. 9 Carthage, 21-10, in the season opener, the Bulldogs have dominated their last three opponents, including Whitehouse and Gilmer. Kilgore opens District 9-4A Division I play at home against Longview Pine Tree on Friday.
No. 21 Argyle Eagles (2-1, 1-0)
Next Game: 9/26/25 at Colleyville Heritage, 7 p.m.
Last Game: 9/12/25, Argyle 35, Mansfield Timberview 27
W/L Streak: 2 wins
Previous ranking: 21
Argyle returns to District 3-5A Division II play at Colleyville Heritage this week coming off a bye. The Panthers are 2-2 after suffering a one-point loss to Mansfield Timberview last week. Including this season’s district opener, Argyle has won 26 straight district contests.
No. 22 Dripping Springs Tigers (4-0, 0-0)
Next Game: 9/26/25, Austin Akins, 7:30 p.m.
Last Game: 9/18/25, Dripping Springs 52, Buda Johnson 0
W/L Streak: 4 wins
Previous ranking: 23
Dripping Springs continued its hot start to the 2025 season by crushing Buda Johnson, 52-0, last Thursday. The Tigers return home to take on Austin Akins in the District 26-6A opener on Friday. Junior quarterback Chase Ames has thrown for 1,024 yards and 14 touchdowns with just two interceptions.
No. 23 Humble Summer Creek Bulldogs (3-0, 0-0)
Next game: 9/26/25, Channelview, 7 p.m.
Last game: 9/11/25, Humble Summer Creek 78, Spring 0
W/L streak: 3 wins
Previous ranking: 25
The Bulldogs are coming off a bye after crushing Spring, 78-0, two weeks ago. Summer Creek opens District 23-6A play at home against Channelview on Friday. The Bulldogs then have a monster game against cross-town rival Humble Atascocita, the only road game of the next four on Summer Creek’s schedule.
No. 24 Lake Travis Cavaliers (4-0, 0-0)
Next game: 9/25/25, Austin Bowie, 7:30 p.m.
Last game: 9/19/25, Lake Travis 41, San Marcos 6
W/L streak: 4 wins
Previous ranking: NR
Lake Travis enters the top 25 after an impressive 41-6 thumping of previously unbeaten San Marcos. The Cavaliers also have a win over Rockwall, which knocked off No. 7 North Crowley last week. Lake Travis is playing its home games at Dripping Springs while its stadium is being renovated this season. The Cavs host Austin Bowie to open 26-6A play this week.
No. 25 Brenham Cubs (4-0, 0-0)
Next game: 9/26/25, at Gilmer, 7 p.m.
Last game: 9/19/25, Brenham 15, Killeen 13
W/L streak: 4 wins
Previous ranking: NR
Another newcomer to the top 25, Brenham is off to a stellar start to the season. The Cubs notched a 15-13 road win at Killeen to stay perfect on the season. Brenham expected to have one of the top running backs in the state, Jakoby Dixon, returning this season. Dixon left the program before the opener, but CJ Glover has done just fine filling in with 392 yards and five touchdowns this season.
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