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.
Allen's Lyndon Spriggs finds a gap in the McKinney Boyd defense during the Eagles' 56-14 win (10/30/26).
The perfect records don't end there. Anna, Lone Star, Martin and Timberview have also completed unbeaten regular seasons, establishing themselves as formidable threats in their respective classifications.
Elsewhere, Waxahachie (9-1), DeSoto (8-2) and Prosper (9-1) round out the Top 6, while traditional powers South Oak Cliff, Southlake Carroll and Duncanville enter the playoff picture with plenty to prove.
The regular-season résumé only tells part of the story. What happens from here will define the rest.
Lovejoy linebacker Dallas Preston. Photo by Kevin Bartram (VYPE)
*** The first section shows the team’s current overall record | The second shows its final district record | The third shows its most recent game result (per MaxPreps as of 11/8/2026)
VYPE Dallas-Fort Worth Combined (6A–4A) Top 20 Football Rankings
November 2026 | Pre-Playoff Edition
1. Allen Eagles (6A) — 10-0 | 7-0 in District 6-6A* | 63-7 win vs. Walnut Grove
2. North Crowley Panthers (6A) — 10-0 | 7-0 in District 11-6A* | 62-3 win vs. Red Oak
3. Lewisville Fighting Farmers (6A) — 10-0** | 7-0 in District 5-6A* | 41-14 win vs. Little Elm
4. Waxahachie Indians (6A) — 9-1 | 6-1 in District 11-6A | 59-35 win vs. Mansfield
5. DeSoto Eagles (5A) — 8-2 | 7-0 in District 8-5A D1 | 83-0 win vs. Cleburne
6. Prosper Eagles (6A) — 9-1 | 6-1 in District 6-6A | 45-7 win vs. Princeton
7. Argyle Eagles (5A) — 9-1 | 6-0 in District 3-5A D2* | Bye Week
8. South Oak Cliff Golden Bears (5A) — 8-2 | 8-0 in District 5-5A D2* | 55-20 win vs. Samuell
9. Southlake Carroll Dragons (6A) — 8-2 | 7-0 in District 4-6A* | 54-7 win vs. Boswell
10. Duncanville Panthers (6A) — 6-4 | 5-2 in District 11-6A | 66-7 win vs. Skyline
11. Anna Coyotes (5A) — 10-0 | 8-0 in District 4-5A D2* | 56-31 win vs. Prosper Richland
12. Lone Star Rangers (5A) — 10-0 | 7-0 in District 5-5A D1* | 58-7 win vs. McKinney North
13. Martin Warriors (6A) — 10-0 | 7-0 in District 3-6A* | 70-14 win vs. Granbury
14. Guyer Wildcats (6A) — 8-2 | 6-1 in District 5-6A | 40-21 win vs. Flower Mound
15. Timberview Wolves (5A) — 10-0 | 7-0 in District 7-5A D2* | 55-8 win vs. Corsicana
16. Lancaster Tigers (5A) — 8-2 | 6-1 in District 8-5A D1 | 54-14 win vs. Mansfield Legacy
17. Lovejoy Leopards (5A) — 9-1 | 5-1 in District 3-5A D2 | 21-14 win vs. The Colony
18. Rockwall Yellowjackets (6A) — 8-2 | 6-1 in District 10-6A | 53-35 win vs. Heath
19. Aledo Bearcats (6A) — 7-3 | 6-1 in District 3-6A | 28-3 win vs. Arlington Lamar
20. Brock Eagles (4A) — 9-1 | 5-0 in District 4-4A D2 | 56-3 win vs. Mineral Wells
Others to Watch: Lake Highlands Wildcats (7-6A), Ryan Raiders (3-5A D1), Highland Park Scots (6-5A D1), Keller Central Chargers (4-6A), Coppell Cowboys (7-6A), Richland Royals (6-5A D1), Melissa Cardinals (5-5A D1), Decatur Eagles (4-4A D1), Emerson Mavericks (4-5A D2), Sachse Mustangs (9-6A), Midlothian Panthers (8-5A D1), West Mesquite Wranglers (7-5A D1), Brewer Bears (4-5A D1)
* A single asterisk indicates a district championship.
** Lewisville's previously forfeited wins were reinstated.
GAMES
![7PM | 6AD1 Football: Randle vs. A&M Consolidated [AUDIO]](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy82ODY1OTI5MC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTgzMTI3MzA4NX0.ChCh-N4-JIk-WdKwgePAoQ2NlCP_VcR_7PkIv9YArJY/img.jpg?width=600&height=600&quality=50&coordinates=280%2C0%2C280%2C0)
Join the #VYPETEAM
Get up to date news from all over the country!
