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: Birkelbach Field -- Georgetown, TX
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KELLER INDIANS
After dispatching Coppell in last week’s Region I Final—defeating the defending 6A Division 1 champions 2–1 to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2017—Keller continued its monumental run by setting a new benchmark for the club.
With another 2–1 victory, this time over Sachse, the Jeff Simpson-led Indians advanced to the UIL title game for the first time in program history, carrying an impressive 22-4-1 record into Georgetown.
Headlining Keller’s remarkably composed squad is a core of first-team all-district selections from last winter—namely senior forwards Ella Gutierrez and Claire Garritson (UTSA signee), along with senior defender Riley Hewitt (Houston) and sophomore midfielder Billie Davis.
Meanwhile, senior Ava Johnston has emerged as a true difference-maker between the posts, stepping up brilliantly following the graduation of last year’s District 4-6A Goalkeeper of the Year, Lennox Kauchak.
ROUND ROCK DRAGONS
Matching Keller in the magnitude of the moment, Round Rock (21-2-4) punched the program’s first-ever ticket to the state championship last Friday—albeit in dramatic fashion.
After a 1–1 draw with Summer Creek in the semifinal, the Dragons proved their mettle by prevailing 4–3 in the ensuing penalty shootout, keeping their hopes of capturing an inaugural UIL title alive and well.
Under head coach Chad Aldrich, Round Rock has allowed just 12 goals all winter, with only three coming in the postseason.
On the attacking end, the Dragons have relied on a host of standout performers, including Grace El-Deir (Texas State signee), Audrey Redus (Texas State), Carlee Deegan (Texas A&M–Corpus Christi), Montse Hernandez Soto, and Aidan Hernandez—all of whom earned first-team all-district honors last year.
WHERE: Birkelbach Field -- Georgetown, TX
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WAKELAND WOLVERINES
Wakeland has seemingly made Georgetown its home away from home, as Friday will mark the ninth time the Wolverines compete for a UIL crown. Last week also marked the team’s tenth appearance in the State Tournament, a testament to the deep-rooted soccer culture that has helped to define Wakeland since the school opened in 2006.
Setting history aside, head coach Andy Holt and his squad now turn their focus to Pieper—the final obstacle standing between them and a sixth state championship, as well as their first banner since 2022.
Boasting a 26-1-1 record, the Wolverines feature one of the most high-octane midfield cores in Texas, led by seniors Waleed Hadj-Hamou and Cameron Warner, alongside junior Axel Alvarado. Up front, senior striker DJ Summons adds another dynamic element to Wakeland’s already potent attack.
PIEPER WARRIORS
Groundbreaking is one of the few ways to describe Pieper’s unprecedented 20-2-5 campaign this winter. After a 1–1 draw that went to a tense penalty shootout, the Warriors edged Austin LASA 4–3 last Friday, securing their long-awaited UIL State Final debut and riding a wave of peak momentum.
Seniors Blake Dildy and Nolan Masker were pivotal in the decisive penalties. Dildy, the team’s captain and leading midfield scorer, converted the game-winning kick, while Masker made two crucial saves to give the Warriors the edge.
Beyond the semifinal triumph, coach Corwyn Ritch has relied on an exceptionally balanced starting 11, featuring the talents of juniors Landon Villarreal (MF), Dominic Tondre (MF/F), Jack Blische (F), and Jackson Blankenship (MF).
GAMES
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