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.
This Saturday’s highly anticipated playoff match-up between the North Crowley Panthers and the Duncanville Panthers is set to be a thrilling rematch of last year’s State Semifinals, where D'Ville emerged victorious.
Both teams are in top form and ready to battle it out for a spot in the State Championship.
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North Crowley enters this game riding high on a 14-game win streak after dominating Allen 35-7 last week in the Region I-6A-D1 Finals.
The victory secured their spot in the State Semifinals, and they are now more determined than ever to take the next step.
Under the leadership of head coach Ray Gates, North Crowley boasts one of the most complete rosters in the state.
Offensively, they are loaded with talent, led by the dynamic senior trio of WR Quentin Gibson (Colorado-signee), dual-threat QB Chris Jimerson (North Texas), and running back Cornelius Warren III (UNLV).
But it doesn’t stop there.
The Panthers also have an impressive supporting cast with running back Daniel Bray (Utah), senior wideout Kevin Moore, and sophomore running back Kiante Ingram, all of whom can make explosive plays at any moment.
On defense, the Panthers are anchored by a group of play-makers.
Senior linebackers Jonathan Cunningham (Texas) and Ja’Brelle Asberry, along with safety Gaylon McNeal (Washington State), are the key leaders on the field.
Sophomore linebacker Avery Dotson and senior defensive end Neuntae Cassey have also been huge contributors to a defense that has been stifling all season long.
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On the other side of the field, Duncanville comes into this game as the No. 1-ranked team in the state and the two-time defending state champions.
Under head coach Reginald Samples, the Panthers are undefeated with a 13-0 record, extending their overall win streak to 20 games after a 31-13 victory over Bridgeland in the Region II-6A-D1 Finals.
Duncanville’s offense revolves around their superstar quarterback, Keelon Russell (Alabama-signee).
Russell has had a monster year, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 53 touchdowns against just four interceptions, earning him the Gatorade National Player of the Year award earlier this week.
Although primarily a pocket passer, Russell can still hurt defenses with his legs, adding 255 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.
The ground game is further bolstered by senior Jaqualon Armstrong, who has rushed for nearly 700 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.
Duncanville’s receiving corps is nothing short of terrifying, led by five-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore (Oregon), who has caught 67 passes for 1,322 yards and 18 touchdowns.
The Panthers also have two other standout receivers in juniors Ayson Theus (53 receptions, 996 yards, 10 touchdowns) and Zach Turner (56 receptions, 905 yards, 14 touchdowns), making this trio a nightmare for any defense.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Panthers are just as formidable.
Senior safety Nehemiah Borner (Lamar) and middle linebacker Jaylyn Manning lead a unit that has held opponents to under 13 points per game.
The defensive backfield features two SMU signees, Javion Holiday and Tyren Polley Jr., while linebackers Mason Williams, Antwon Brown (North Texas signee), and junior defensive lineman KJ Ford round out a well-rounded and aggressive defense.
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This could easily be one of the most memorable games of the year, in a State Semis rematch that takes place this Saturday (3:00 pm) at Eagle Stadium in Allen, TX.
Out of Fort Worth, TX, the All Saints Episcopal football program is coming off one of the greatest campaigns in the school's near-50-year history.
Under the direction of Head Coach Aaron Beck and his staff, the Saints went 14-0 en route to securing the team's first-ever TAPPS championship in Division II, and 8th title overall (previous 7 were in the SPC).
In response to their historic achievement, we caught up with ASE Coach Aaron Beck, discussing their road to victory, the stars who made it happen, and the meaning behind their mantra "Protect The Family".
Check out the interview below!
Everything has gone according to plan for North Crowley this Fall.
The Panthers are firing on all cylinders in every facet of the game, which has earned them the distinction of being ranked as the No. 2 team in Texas (No. 9 in the nation), according to MaxPreps.
Following yet another undefeated regular season -- and their third-consecutive district championship -- coach Ray Gates and co. have steam-rolled their way to the Regional Final, with wins against Byron Nelson (56-21), Permian (72-14), and Coppell (35-24) over the past three weeks.
Now, North Crowley (13-0) has the opportunity to make back-to-back appearances in the state final-four.
The connection between quarterback Chris Jimerson (North Texas-signee) and senior wideout Quentin Gibson (Colorado) has been virtually impossible for opposing secondaries to contain.
If the passing game isn't enough, Cornelius Warren III (UNLV) and Daniel Bray (Utah) are always a threat to score from out of the back-field, behind a formidable offensive line -- anchored by Henry Fenuku (Missouri) --that's allowed the unit to average a ridiculous 57 points per game.
Defensively, the Panthers have limited their opponents to just 17 points a contest, which is a testament to the equally capable athletes they have on that side of the ball -- Jonathan Cunningham (Texas), Ja'Brelle Asberry (Sr. MLB), Gaylon McNeal (Washington State), and sophomore Avery Dotson being chief among them.
NCHS was eliminated in the State Semis of last year's postseason, at the hands of eventual 6A-D1 champion Duncanville. Suffice it to say, they'd love to get the chance to return the favor a week from now.
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However, No. 7-ranked Allen won't just stand idly by and give up a spot in the final-four.
With coach Lee Wigington at the helm, the Eagles (13-0) haven't dropped a game this Fall, either -- most recently outlasting Trinity in a 22-21 nail-biter last Friday -- which advanced them to their first appearance in Round No. 4 since 2021.
The offense's aerial attack has been incredibly sufficient with 2023 Offensive Newcomer of the Year Brady Bricker behind-center, along with the various targets he has in the WR room -- Donnell Gee Jr. (Tulsa-signee), Carter Harris (Sr.), and freshman break-out player Josyah Johnson.
Furthermore, Allen possesses not one, not two, but three explosive running backs -- Jaden Hambric (Jr.), Micah Ellis (Sr.), and Lyndon Spriggs (So.) -- who can keep defenses honest.
But, it can be argued that the most valuable asset towards the Eagles' success in 2024 has been their lock-down defense, which is averaging a mere 11.3 points allowed per game.
Its leading figures include second-team, all-district selections Kai Wheaton (Sr. CB), Mitchell Neu (Sr. LB), and Camden Clark (Sr. S).
This is the best that Allen has looked in years. Can they punch their ticket to the State Final-Four, marking the first time since 2018 they've done so?
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The battle of the undefeated will take place this Saturday (2:00 PM) at Vernon Newsom Stadium in Mansfield, TX. The victor might just become a favorite to reach AT&T.
GAMES
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