Denton Ryan fell just short in 2019 dropping 28-22 in the UIL 5A Division I Championship game to Shadow Creek. Since that loss, the Raiders have posted an undefeated season going 13-0 overall and 7-0 to finish first in district. Ryan is coming off of a high after defeating Highland Park last Friday by a score of 17-7. The win marked the first time Ryan has defeated their longtime playoffs rival in over a decade — the last time the Raiders defeated the Scots was in a 2004 non-district matchup with a 21-18 score.
"We knew it was a team that many people said we couldn't beat," said Denton Ryan's All-American, four-star wide receiver/defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. "We wanted to show people we could beat them. We're just focused on one goal — getting a ring this year."
Denton Ryan has a handful of players that fans should pay close attention to in the semifinal matchup against Mansfield Summit on Friday at AT&T Stadium.
Texas signee Ja'Tavion Sanders alongside Oklahoma signee Bowman has posted a combined remarkable 39 receptions for 652 yards and seven touchdowns in just the last three games — against College Station, Longview, and Highland Park. On the season, Sanders has tallied 55 catches for 1,073 yards and 15 touchdowns while Bowman has posted 68 catches for 1,010 yards and 13 touchdowns. Kalib Hicks, a sophomore running back for the Raiders, has averaged over 105 rushing yards per game with about 8 yards per carry in the playoffs. Quarterback Seth Henigan- a Memphis signee- has posted 3,351 passing yards and 36 touchdowns this season with a 68% pass completion rate. In the last seven-straight games, Henigan has thrown at least two touchdown passes. Not to mention a dominating defense who has allowed fewer than 10 points in a game in half of their games this season.
Denton Guyer played a rough game in the 2019 6A Division II UIL State Championship match against Austin Westlake. The Wildcats definitely have a chip on their shoulder after falling 24-0 to lose the title.
Since failing to score in the state title game, Guyer has posted an 11-2 overall season finishing second in district with a 5-1 district record. Their two losses came to Denton Ryan in a non-district matchup where Ryan narrowly defeated Guyer 23-20 and against Allen in a district game where Allen came out victorious with a score of 56-38. The Wildcats have far outscored their opponents this season by over 200 points (554-339) and they're coming off of an incredible 30-24 triple-overtime defeat over Prosper last Saturday.
Guyer's defense- led by Baylor signee defensive lineman Cooper Lanz- has proven to play a key role throughout this season. Last week, Lanz recorded two sacks, six tackles for a loss, and an incredible blocked field goal in the third overtime to help set up the win.
Texas A&M signee, quarterback Eli Stowers also posted a great play against Prosper where he ran for a five-yard touchdown in the third overtime to secure the Wildcats' spot in the semifinals. Despite only throwing six completed passes, two interceptions, and only one touchdown pass, Stowers is ready to continue his drive toward a state title appearance after being injured in the first drive of the state title game in 2019. "Obviously, it was a tough situation last year," Stowers said remembering his injury. "To be able to get this close to a state championship game is a blessing." Stowers has posted three game-winning touchdowns this season.
Another athlete to watch for on Guyer's end is junior Jace Wilson. If you don't recognize the name, you should. The wide receiver is the younger brother of Kansas basketball player, Jalen Wilson. Wilson has proven his role on the Guyer squad and posted a touchdown against Prosper last week.
Guyer looks ahead to winning their first state title since 2013 (when they were classified as a 4A team), but first, they will face Cedar Hill on Saturday at McKinney ISD Stadium.
In 11-6A, the familiar trio of Duncanville, Waxahachie, and DeSoto each improved to 5-1 in district play, setting up a tense finish that could reshape the standings. North Crowley and Prosper stayed consistent, while Denton Guyer all but clinched 5-6A with an authoritative win over Lewisville.
The 5A landscape remains equally compelling. Aledo and Lone Star kept their perfect records intact, while South Oak Cliff and Argyle continue to flash playoff polish. Highland Park’s quiet climb continues, extending its win streak to eight heading into a crucial matchup with Midlothian.
Further down the list, the surprises carry just as much intrigue. North Forney’s 56-55 shootout win over Longview underscored its breakout year ahead of a pivotal clash with Rockwall, while Walnut Grove’s unbeaten start — punctuated by a close win over Melissa — keeps its story among the season’s best.
Each passing game now feels less like routine — and more like a glimpse of what November football will bring.
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*** Second section denotes most recent game result (acquired from MaxPreps as of 11/2/2025) // Last section denotes next matchup
VYPE Dallas-Fort Worth Combined (6A-4A) Top-20 Football Rankings -- WEEK 11 (11/3 - 11/9)
1. Southlake Carroll Dragons (6A) -- 10-0 (8-0 in District 4-6A) // 49-3 W v. Keller Central
2. Allen Eagles (6A) -- 9-0 (7-0 in 6-6A) // 63-0 W v. McKinney Boyd // Next Matchup: @ Plano East -- Thursday 11/6
3. Duncanville Panthers (6A) -- 6-1 (5-1 in 11-6A) // 34-7 W v. Mesquite // Next Matchup: VS. Cedar Hill -- Thursday 11/6
4. North Crowley Panthers (6A) -- 8-1 (5-0 in 3-6A) // 70-21 W v. Mansfield // Next Matchup: VS. Crowley -- Thursday 11/6
5. South Oak Cliff Bears (5A) -- 8-1 (6-0 in 5-5A-D2) // 55-0 W v. Samuell // Next Matchup: VS. Jefferson -- Thursday 11/6
6. Aledo Bearcats (5A) -- 9-0 (7-0 in 3-5A-D1) // 73-0 W v. Azle // Next Matchup: @ Denton -- Thursday 11/6
7. Prosper Eagles (6A) -- 8-1 (6-1 in 6-6A) // 59-21 W v. Princeton // Next Matchup: VS. Plano West -- Thursday 11/6
8. Waxahachie Indians (6A) -- 7-1 (5-1 in 11-6A) // 38-21 W v. Lancaster // Next Matchup: VS. Mesquite -- Thursday 11/6
9. Denton Guyer Wildcats (6A) -- 7-2 (6-0 in 5-6A) // 47-21 W v. Lewisville* // Next Matchup: @ Braswell -- Thursday 11/6
10. Celina Bobcats (4A) -- 9-0 (5-0 in 7-4A-D1) // 61-0 W v. Community // Next Matchup: @ Lake Dallas -- Thursday 11/6
11. DeSoto Eagles (6A) -- 6-3 (5-1 in 11-6A) // 56-0 W v. Skyline // Next Matchup: VS. Lancaster -- Thursday 11/6
12. Lone Star Rangers (5A) -- 9-0 (7-0 in 5-5A-D1) // 47-0 W v. Lebanon Trail // Next Matchup: VS. Reedy -- Thursday 11/6
13. Coppell Cowboys (6A) -- 7-1 (5-1 in 5-6A) // 35-0 W v. Flower Mound // Next Matchup: @ FM Marcus -- Thursday 11/6
14. Argyle Eagles (5A) -- 8-1 (7-0 in 3-5A-D2) // 59-9 W v. Grapevine // Next Matchup: @ Little Elm -- Friday 11/7
15. Denton Ryan Raiders (5A) -- 8-1 (6-1 in 3-5A-D1) // 41-7 W v. Brewer // Next Matchup: @ Birdville -- Friday 11/7
16. Lewisville Farmers (6A) -- 7-2 (4-2 in 5-6A) // 21-47 L v. Denton Guyer* // Next Matchup: VS. Little Elm -- Thursday 11/6
17. North Forney Falcons (6A) -- 8-1 (4-1 in 10-6A) // 56-55 W v. Longview* // Next Matchup: @ Rockwall -- Friday 11/7*
18. Rockwall-Heath Hawks (6A) -- 7-2 (4-1 in 10-6A) // 47-41 W v. Rockwall* // Next Matchup: @ Forney -- Thursday 11/6*
19. Highland Park Scots (5A) -- 8-1 (5-0 in 7-5A-D1) // 56-14 W v. Cleburne // Next Matchup: VS. Midlothian -- Friday 11/7
20. Walnut Grove Wildcats (5A) -- 9-0 (7-0 in 4-5A-D2) // 38-35 W v. Melissa* // Next Matchup: @ Independence -- Friday 11/7
Others to Watch: Byron Nelson Bobcats (4-6A), Forney Jackrabbits (10-6A), Trinity Trojans (4-6A), Melissa Cardinals (4-5A-D2), Wakeland Wolverines (5-5A-D1), South Grand Prairie Warriors (8-6A)
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