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.
Leading the pack are the undefeated Melissa Cardinals, entering the playoffs with a flawless 27-0 record. Under head coach Cassie Crabtree, the defending state champions are aiming to make it back-to-back titles this May.
Denton Guyer (20-3) is no stranger to postseason success, having reached the State Tournament in each of the last two seasons. Forney (25-1-1) is also building momentum, hoping to return to the big stage for the first time since 2019—when the program still competed in Class 5A.
Also among the top contenders are Aledo and Birdville, both making strong cases in 5A, while 4A powerhouse Brock remains unbeaten at 25-0-2.
In Class 6A, Keller, Flower Mound, Hebron, and Mansfield Legacy all deserve attention, as each program has shown flashes of postseason potential.
With talent spread across every classification, the DFW area is primed for a thrilling playoff run. The next few weeks should go a long way in determining which teams truly stand among the state’s elite.
...
*Parentheses indicates current district
*Last section indicates current overall record; district record
VYPE DALLAS-FORT WORTH SOFTBALL TOP-10 (Class 6A-4A)
1. Melissa Cardinals (13-5A) -- 27-0; 13-0 in District
2. Forney Jackrabbits (10-6A) -- 25-1-1; 11-1
3. Denton Guyer Wildcats (5-6A) -- 20-3; 11-1
4. Aledo Bearcats (5-5A) -- 24-3; 12-0
5. Birdville Hawks (6-5A) -- 24-3; 10-1
6. Keller Indians (4-6A) -- 20-6-1; 13-2
7. Flower Mound Jaguars (5-6A) -- 18-7-1; 12-2
8. Brock Eagles (6-4A) -- 25-0-2; 10-0
9. Hebron Hawks (5-6A) -- 18-6; 10-4
10. Mansfield Legacy Broncos (3-6A) -- 22-5; 12-0
Honorable Mentions: FM Marcus (5-6A), Aubrey (10-4A), Prosper (6-6A), Midlothian (14-5A), Royse City (10-6A), Krum (10-4A), Southlake Carroll (4-6A), Centennial (8-5A), Wakeland (12-5A)
The Coppell Cowgirls claim the 6A-D1 State Championship with a 6-2 win over Lake Travis
The Cowgirls entered the final as the No. 1-ranked team in Texas (MaxPreps) and proved worthy of that reputation with a dominant second-half surge.
Despite what the final score might suggest, the match remained tight deep early on in the second half. Coppell held a narrow 3-2 lead in the 48th minute before accelerating with three unanswered goals in the next ten minutes to put the game firmly out of reach.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
“For us, we just wanted to make sure that we controlled the tempo of the game,” said head coach Craig Able. “We controlled possession, we connected passes — when we do that, we’ve been really tough to beat this year.
“I think once the girls settled into the game, they remembered that it’s just a game and we’re just doing the things we do well that got us to this point. I’m just so proud of them for all the hard work they put in. They’ve done it all.”
Led by a strong senior class and several standout performances, Coppell’s depth and cohesion were on full display. Junior forward Neerali Kapadia (Rice commit) was a force up top, scoring twice and earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team for her relentless energy and finishing touch.
Seniors Monica Morales (WashU) and Reagan Roberson (Dallas Baptist) also earned All-Tournament honors, with Morales finding the back of the net twice.
But it was senior midfielder Summer Chen (Gonzaga-commit) who earned 6A-Division I State MVP honors after a spectacular showing in the Final. Chen scored two goals and assisted Morales for another, helping to set the tone throughout the entire match.
Senior Summer Chen is presented with the 2025 UIL 6A-D1 State MVP Award after scoring two goals with one assist in the FinalMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“I’m still at a loss for words,” Chen said after the final whistle. “We just had it, and we knew what we were capable of. Our confidence in each other really showed, and we played to our style, which worked out for us.
“One of the mottos for this year has been ‘All Gas, No Brakes,’ because we had nothing to lose as seniors. At the end of the day, we left it all out there on the field.”
The win marks a historic moment for a Coppell team that embraced the pressure of expectations and delivered in emphatic fashion.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
“They just believed in themselves and in each other,” said Coach Able. “All year long we preached our depth and how everyone contributes. Each girl bought into their role and into the system of how we do things as a team. I think everyone just saw all their work pay off.”
For a senior class that helped return Coppell to statewide prominence, Saturday’s win was the perfect ending — a blend of resilience, talent, and togetherness that defined their journey.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
The FM Marcus Girls Soccer program rushes Birkelbach Field seconds after their 1-0 win against Stratford
Ranked No. 2 in Texas by MaxPreps, Marcus entered the match with an 18-4-3 record, leaning on a battle-tested roster that featured standouts like Maddie Hayes, Emma Fioretti (Central Oklahoma-signee), and Piper Garcia (American University).
But it was Hayes, the senior forward and now two-time state champion, who delivered the critical moment.
Just two minutes into the second half, Hayes curled a free-kick past a narrow gap in the Stratford wall, scoring a goal that would ultimately be the decider.
Said moment also led to her being named the 6A-D2 State MVP.
Marcus' Maddie Hayes (Sr. F) being presented with the 2025 UIL 6A-D2 State MVP AwardMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“I definitely had the confidence when I stepped up to that shot,” said Hayes. “I’ve been in similar situations throughout the year, and once I saw a gap through the wall towards the post, I knew that it should be in.”
For Hayes, it was a full-circle finish to her high school playing career.
“After winning it during my sophomore year, we kind of thought that it wouldn’t happen again because it’s such a rare occasion,” she said. “But bringing it back means so much more. We have such a great community that always stands behind us, so they’re going to be really happy when we come home with the gold.”
While the goal proved to be the game-winner, the Marauders' defensive unit — anchored by senior goalkeeper Aubrey Tipton — held firm against a dangerous Stratford side, which came into its first-ever Final Four appearance with a 22-2-3 record and a No. 12 state ranking.
Coach Erin Smith, who took over as interim head coach in 2023 and was later named the full-time lead after guiding Marcus to a championship that same year, praised the resilience of her team.
Head Coach Erin SmithMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“It took a lot of grit,” Smith said. “The experience that this group brings to the table shows in the most critical moments. We’ve been down before, especially in district-play, and the knowledge of what it takes to overcome has been a strength. At the end of the day, I’m so proud of them because they accomplished exactly what they set out to do from the beginning.”
This championship was especially meaningful for Smith, who led a senior class she began her tenure with — all while adjusting to life as both a head coach and new mother.
“Honestly, I’ve been able to take a deep breath this year which has been really nice,” Smith said. “After that first year in the interim position and then having a child, I had a more secure footing this season and made all the adjustments needed. What makes this one sweeter is the fact that I was able to see off the first class of seniors I began with in the best way possible. Plus, having my baby here to watch along the way has been especially sweet.”
As the final whistle blew, the Marauders celebrated not only another title but the legacy of a program that continues to raise the bar in Texas high school soccer.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
GAMES
Join the #VYPETEAM
Get up to date news from all over the country!
