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.
THE HIERARCHY: VYPE DFW 2025 Preseason Football Rankings; North Crowley, SL Carroll headline the early Top-20
The 2024 UIL 6A-D1 State Champions -- North Crowley Panthers
As the countdown to the ensuing football season begins, the Dallas-Fort Worth region once again stands at the epicenter of Texas gridiron power. With a mix of returning state champions, perennial contenders, and fast-rising challengers, this year’s VYPE DFW preseason Top 20 offers a familiar — yet subtly reshuffled — look at the area’s elite programs.
At the top sits North Crowley, which enters the season as the reigning 6A Division I State Champions after a flawless 16-0 run in 2024. With momentum and depth on their side, the Panthers now shift from surprise story to title defender.
Close behind are programs with no shortage of postseason pedigree. Southlake Carroll, fresh off a 6A Division II title-game appearance, and Duncanville, another consistent contender, remain fixtures in the championship conversation. Allen, DeSoto, Denton Guyer, and Coppell also return with rosters capable of deep playoff runs in the state's top classification.
In Class 5A, Highland Park and South Oak Cliff headline a group rich with postseason experience. Both reached the State Finals in their respective divisions last year, and each has the infrastructure and tradition to make another push. Teams like Aledo, Denton Ryan, and Argyle continue to reload rather than rebuild, while Frisco Lone Star and Wylie East are looking to convert regional success into state-level breakthroughs.
The 4A scene is led by Celina, which went undefeated en route to a state title last fall. The Bobcats, one of Texas’ most decorated programs, appear poised for another strong year. Panther Creek is also gaining attention after a 10-win season and could be a sleeper pick in the smaller-class ranks.
With proven champions and hungry challengers at every level, DFW football promises another thrilling ride in 2025.
...
VYPE Dallas-Fort Worth Combined (6A-4A) Top-20 Football Rankings -- 2025 PRESEASON
***Second section denotes 2024 result
1. North Crowley Panthers (6A) -- 16-0 // UIL 6A-D1 State Champions*
2. Southlake Carroll Dragons (6A) -- 15-1 // UIL 6A-D2 State Finalists
3. Duncanville Panthers (6A) -- 13-1 // UIL 6A-D1 State Semifinalists
4. Highland Park Scots (5A) -- 14-2 // UIL 5A-D1 State Finalists
5. South Oak Cliff Bears (5A) -- 13-3 // UIL 5A-D2 State Finalists*
6. Allen Eagles (6A) -- 13-1 // 6A-D1 Region 1 Finalists
7. Aledo Bearcats (5A) -- 12-2 // 5A-D1 Region 1 Finalists
8. Denton Guyer Wildcats (6A) -- 10-4 // 6A-D2 Region 1 Finalists
9. DeSoto Eagles (6A) -- 11-3 // 6A-D2 Region 2 Finalists
10. Denton Ryan Raiders (5A) -- 13-2 // UIL 5A-D1 State Semifinalists*
11. Celina Bobcats (4A) -- 16-0 // UIL 4A-D1 State Champions*
12. Argyle Eagles (5A) -- 13-2 // UIL 5A-D2 State Semifinalists*
13. Prosper Eagles (6A) -- 8-3 // 6A-D1 Bi-District Finalists
14. Waxahachie Indians (6A) -- 9-4 // 6A-D1 Regional Semifinalists
15. Lone Star Rangers (5A) -- 12-2 // 5A-D1 Region 2 Finalists
16. Coppell Cowboys (6A) -- 12-1 // 6A-D1 Regional Semifinalists
17. Trinity Trojans (6A) -- 11-2 // 6A-D1 Regional Semifinalists
18. Lewisville Farmers (6A) -- 7-4 // 6A-D1 Bi-District Finalists
19. Panther Creek Panthers (4A) -- 10-2 // 4A-D1 Area Finalists
20. Wylie East Raiders (6A) -- 10-2 // 6A-D2 Area Finalists
Others to Watch: North Forney Falcons (6A), Rockwall Yellowjackets (6A), Cedar Hill Longhorns (6A), Lake Highlands Wildcats (6A), Lovejoy Leopards (5A), Walnut Grove Wildcats (5A), Reedy Lions (5A), Midlothian Panthers (5A), Red Oak Hawks (5A), Stephenville Yellowjackets (4A)
DeSoto's Ethan "Boobie" Feaster
With the new UIL Football season quickly approaching, it's time for fans to pick who they believe should have the honor of being named the VYPE Dallas-Fort Worth 2025 Pre-Season Football Public School Offensive Player Of The Year! Be sure to get your vote in!
Vote until 11:30 pm on Tuesday, August 19th.
Please note that the use of voting software or bots will result in a deletion of votes and a potential DQ from the contest. PLEASE try to keep this fair and fun for all involved!
All athlete polls and their content are only associated and created by VYPE Media and its staff. The content is not created or voted on by any corporate sponsor or marketing partner. Please contact VYPE Media directly if you have any questions, comments, or concerns around our Fan Polls.
Allen's Kai Wheaton
With the new UIL Football season quickly approaching, it's time for fans to pick who they believe should have the honor of being named the VYPE Dallas-Fort Worth 2025 Pre-Season Football Public School Offensive Player Of The Year! Be sure to get your vote in!
Vote until 11:30 pm on Thursday, August 14th.
Please note that the use of voting software or bots will result in a deletion of votes and a potential DQ from the contest. PLEASE try to keep this fair and fun for all involved!
All athlete polls and their content are only associated and created by VYPE Media and its staff. The content is not created or voted on by any corporate sponsor or marketing partner. Please contact VYPE Media directly if you have any questions, comments, or concerns around our Fan Polls.
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