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.
Highland Park has history on their side
For the first time, the Jerry Jones Classic will feature two Dallas-area teams rather than a Dallas program facing an opponent from outside the area.
The two teams have met twice recently, with Highland Park winning both meetings in 2022 and 2023.
And if history is any indication, Saturday should have plenty of intrigue.
In past years, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been on hand for the coin flip and trophy presentation, adding another layer to an already unique atmosphere. At the end of the afternoon, one player will also walk away with the signed Cowboys jersey awarded to the game's MVP.
But before the trophy and jersey are handed out, there are some major questions to answer.
THE GALLERY
Who Takes Over at Quarterback for Lewisville?
Lewisville went 8-3 last season but enters 2026 looking for a new quarterback after Tre Williams transferred to Aledo.
The big question is simple: Who is the new guy?
Whoever wins the job will have some talented players around him.
Tight end Landon Bogany, No. 8, enters the season with 15 college offers and gives the new quarterback a major weapon in the passing game.
Lewisville also returns a strong group of college-bound defensive players, including Sam Houston State pledges Devin Robinson at linebacker and Aiden Evans in the secondary. Missouri State pledge Derrick Martin III returns at wide receiver, while Ole Miss pledge Taelyn Mayo gives the Farmers another talented piece in the secondary.
Arkansas pledge Declan Hamm also returns to handle punting duties.
...
Buck Randall Is Ready to Run It Back
If Lewisville has questions at quarterback, Highland Park has no such uncertainty.
SMU pledge Buck Randall returns for his senior season after putting together one of the most productive campaigns in the state in 2025.
Randall threw for an eye-popping 4,392 yards and 51 touchdowns last season while adding 464 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
He was also a Class 5A All-State selection.
And here's the wild part: Randall is Highland Park's top returning rusher and top returning receiver.
He caught one pass for 20 yards last season, but with the team's top five receivers graduating, the SMU pledge could have an expanded role in the passing game while leading an offense that will need to replace a significant amount of production.
The question is obvious:
Who will Randall throw it to?
Running back James Flowers, a Second-Team All-District selection, gives the Scots a proven option in the backfield, while First-Team All-District offensive lineman Cooper Alt will help keep Randall upright and open running lanes.
...
Randy Allen Chasing History
Saturday also gives Highland Park coach Randy Allen another opportunity to add to one of the most impressive résumés in Texas high school football.
Allen enters his 46th season as a head coach and currently ranks second all-time in UIL history with 460 victories.
The state record is 490.
That means every victory moves Allen one step closer to one of the most coveted records in Texas high school football.
Highland Park finished 12-2 last season, but the Scots must replace three All-State players from that squad and eight defensive starters who earned All-District honors.
The defense is therefore the biggest question mark entering Saturday.
Linebackers Graham Rodgers, a Second-Team All-District selection, and Benton Gordon, an honorable mention selection, are among the returning pieces who will be asked to provide leadership for a largely retooled unit.
GAMES
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