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.
WHERE: AT&T Stadium -- Arlington, TX
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LONE STAR RANGERS
Perfection has been the standard for Lone Star all season, and now the Rangers are one win away from capping a historic run. At 15–0, head coach Jeff Rayburn’s squad is headed to its first UIL State Championship appearance since 2015 — just the program’s second trip overall — after delivering one of the most dramatic victories in recent Texas high school football memory.
Lone Star punched its ticket with a stunning fourth-quarter comeback against perennial powerhouse Aledo, flipping a 52–35 deficit into a raucous 56–52 victory. The performance was emblematic of a team that flourishes in spite of all the noise.
Offensively, the Rangers are headlined by senior wideout Davian Groce, the four-star Florida signee who produced a night for the ages with 15 receptions, 310 yards, and four touchdowns in the semifinal. While Groce remains the focal point, sophomore quarterback Trey Wright announced himself on the big stage, showcasing his dual-threat ability by accounting for eight total touchdowns — five through the air and three on the ground.
Junior athlete Karece Hoyt adds another dimension. Last season’s district MVP at quarterback, the Baylor commit has embraced a multi-faceted role in 2025, becoming a centerpiece of the rushing attack while remaining a dangerous receiving option. Hoyt’s team-leading 22 touchdowns only tell part of the story, as he also paces the defense with five interceptions.
That defensive unit is anchored by senior safety Jordan Deck, a Michigan-signee who fills the stat sheet, and a ferocious pass rush led by Marcel Dominguez and Christopher Nauls Jr., who have combined for more than 34 sacks. With Nico Viveros patrolling the middle, Lone Star flexes considerable balance entering the title game.
However, if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.
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Smithson Valley following their title acquisition in 2024 (Jackson DiPasquale (VYPE)
SMITHSON VALLEY RANGERS
For Smithson Valley, December football has become familiar territory. The Rangers return to the UIL State Championship stage once again, marking a third consecutive title-game appearance under head coach Larry Hill — and doing so with the clear intent of defending last season’s inaugural crown.
At 14–1, Smithson Valley’s résumé reflects both consistency and resilience. Aside from a narrow early-season loss to Brennan, the Rangers have embodied the cohesion and physicality expected of a reigning champion. That identity was on full display last week, when SV rallied past Port Arthur Memorial with a 31–28 semifinal victory. Trailing by 11, the Rangers flipped the script in the second half, outscoring the Titans 21–7 to secure another trip to Arlington.
Defense remains the calling card. Smithson Valley has limited opponents to roughly 10 points per game, anchored by a front seven that thrives on disruption.
Senior outside linebacker Hudson Woods, a three-star SMU signee and reigning 5A-Division I State Defensive MVP, headlines the unit as a true edge presence capable of changing a game on his own. Inside, UTEP-bound defensive tackle Justin Roberts and senior Caden Lieck provide equal effectiveness against both the run and the pass, while Phillip Smith’s versatility allows him to float between linebacker and safety roles.
The Rangers also feature a dynamic two-way contributor in junior Hunter Haug, whose impact begins at cornerback and carries over as a reliable receiving option.
On offense, junior quarterback Ty Knutson has quietly directed the operation with poise. The three-star signal-caller, who holds offers from Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and TCU, has proven capable of managing tempo and capitalizing when opportunities arise.
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When these two well-rounded, battle-tested programs collide, fans can expect a classic. Lone Star brings an explosive, high-flying attack and a suffocating defense, while Smithson Valley counters with championship experience and a relentless, disciplined approach.
On Friday, one team will leave Arlington with state glory — and the other with a bitter reminder that perfection and pedigree sometimes meet an equal match.
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