Senior, OL - Chris Owens, Arlington Lamar
After redshirting his freshman year, Owens has made his impact felt on the offensive line. Owens found himself filling in at center for the Tide after All-American Landon Dickerson suffered a torn ACL against Florida in the SEC Championship game. Owens helped the Tide complete their season with a Championship title playing Monday night against Ohio State.
At Arlington Lamar, Owens was a four-star guard and rated as the No. 10 guard Nationally according to a 247Sports composite and the No. 2 Guard in Texas. Owens earned an All-State selection by the Texas Associated Press and chose Alabama over Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M.
Freshman, PK - Chase Allen, Colleyville Heritage
Allen joined Alabama as a walk-on addition this season. Allen has served the Crimson Tide by kicking off in various instances to include the starting kickoff duties in the first four games of the 2020 season, against LSU, Mississippi State, Kentucky, and Auburn. Although Allen didn't play during the National Championship game, he totaled 2,029 yards on kickoffs for the Crimson Tide.
At Colleyville Heritage, Allen was ranked as the No. 1 kicker and punter in Texas 5A Division 1. He earned an All-District 4-5A Special Teams Player of the Year honor his senior season and recorded a touchback on 30 of his 46 kicks during his senior season. Allen chose Alabama over Ole Miss and Villanova.
Freshman, RB - Jase McClellan, Aledo
McClellan has shown his ability more than once on Alabama's offense and special teams. He got his first collegiate playing time against Missouri early in the season where he played on special teams before doing the same against Texas A&M in the Tide's home opener. McClellan even earned special teams player of the week recognition from the Alabama coaching staff against Mississippi State where he helped limit MSU to zero yards on punt returns. McClellan totaled 245 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and one receiving yard during the 2020-2021 season with Alabama. McClellan joined on special teams during the National Championship game.
At Aledo, McClellan was a highly sought-after recruit. As a four-star prospect, he was ranked as the No. 6 running back and the No. 6 player in the state of Texas according to a 247Sports composite. McClellan was selected to play in the Under Armor All-American Game and competed in Nike's "The Opening". McClellan helped lead Aledo to a State Title in the 2019-2020 season with a 45-42 win over Fort Bend Marshall. McClellan totaled over 6,800 yards and 842 carries with 125 touchdowns. He chose Alabama over Oklahoma after first pledging his loyalty to the Sooners two years prior to his Tide commitment.
Freshman, OL - Drew Sanders, Denton Ryan
Drew Sanders came out of Denton ready to show his strength to his SEC opponents. Sanders saw consistent play on special teams throughout the entire season as an outside linebacker. In his collegiate debut, Sanders recorded an unassisted tackle against Missouri early in the season. Sanders earned special teams player of the week from the Alabama coaching staff for his play against Tennessee and Arkansas. Sanders recorded four solo tackles and five assisted tackles prior to the National Championship game. Sanders saw playing time against Ohio State during the Championship showdown.
At Denton Ryan, Sanders made a name for himself and quickly became a five-star recruit. Rated as the No. 1 player in Texas according to a 247Sports composite, Sanders played on both ends of the ball where he completed over 10 passes and scored over 45 touchdowns in his career. Sanders was also named as a finalist for the 2019 Landry Player of the Year. Sanders chose Alabama over Oklahoma, LSU, Notre Dame, Oregon, and more.
South Oak Cliff’s Isaiah Udom (SMU commit) and Jyrion Hampton (Texas State commit)
On a similar note, Lovejoy (6-0) is finally beginning to get the recognition it deserves, with the Leopards making their debut in the rankings as they approach a decisive matchup with Argyle (5-1) this Friday. The 5A ranks continue to offer plenty of intrigue, with several unbeaten teams now entering the stretch run with little room for error.
Keeping with the trend of pivotal clashes on the horizon, Waxahachie (5-0) will host North Crowley (5-0), DeSoto (3-2) travels to Lancaster (4-1), and Lewisville (2-3*) faces a major test against Guyer (4-1).
The prime-time tests are here — and the Top 20 could be due for some chaos.
The featured standouts of the 2026-27 Lovejoy Leopards football team.Jeff Rayome (VYPE)
*** The first section shows the team’s current overall record | The second shows its district record | The third shows its most recent game result (per MaxPreps as of 10/4/2026) | The final section shows its next matchup.
VYPE Dallas-Fort Worth Combined (6A–4A) Top 20 Football Rankings
WEEK 7 (10/5–10/11)
2. North Crowley Panthers (6A) — 5-0 | 2-0 in District 11-6A | Bye Week | Next: @ Waxahachie (10/9)
3. Waxahachie Indians (6A) — 5-0 | 2-0 in District 11-6A | Bye Week | Next: vs. North Crowley (10/9)
4. DeSoto Eagles (5A) — 3-2 | 2-0 in District 8-5A D1 | Bye Week | Next: @ Lancaster (10/9)
5. Duncanville Panthers (6A) — 2-3 | 1-1 in District 11-6A | Bye Week | Next: vs. Mansfield (10/9)
6. Coppell Cowboys (6A) — 4-1 | 2-0 in District 7-6A | Bye Week | Next: @ Plano (10/9)
7. South Oak Cliff Golden Bears (5A) — 3-2 | 3-0 in District 5-5A D2 | 68-0 win vs. Molina | Next: @ Seagoville (10/8)
8. Guyer Wildcats (6A) — 4-1 | 2-0 in District 5-6A | 51-7 win vs. Braswell | Next: @ Lewisville (10/9)
9. Prosper Eagles (6A) — 4-1 | 1-1 in District 6-6A | Bye Week | Next: vs. Rock Hill (10/9)
10. Southlake Carroll Dragons (6A) — 3-2 | 2-0 in District 4-6A | Bye Week | Next: vs. Northwest (10/9)
11. Lone Star Rangers (5A) — 5-0 | 2-0 in District 5-5A D1 | 62-0 win vs. Liberty | Next: vs. Frisco Heritage (10/9)
12. Argyle Eagles (5A) — 5-1 | 2-0 in District 3-5A D2 | 56-21 win vs. Eagle Mountain | Next: vs. Lovejoy (10/9)
13. Anna Coyotes (5A) — 6-0 | 4-0 in District 4-5A D2 | 16-14 win vs. Frisco | Next: @ Frisco Memorial (10/9)
14. Lewisville Farmers (6A) — 2-3* | 2-0 in District 5-6A | 38-8 win vs. Wakeland | Next: vs. Guyer (10/9)
15. Celina Bobcats (5A) — 5-0 | 3-0 in District 4-5A D2 | 17-14 win vs. Emerson | Next: @ Independence (10/8)
16. Lovejoy Leopards (5A) — 6-0 | 2-0 in District 3-5A D2 | 70-7 win vs. Nevada Community | Next: @ Argyle (10/9)
17. Martin Warriors (6A) — 5-0 | 2-0 in District 3-6A | Bye Week | Next: @ Arlington Sam Houston (10/9)
18. Walnut Grove Wildcats (6A) — 5-0 | 2-0 in District 6-6A | Bye Week | Next: vs. Dallas Jesuit (10/8)
19. Timberview Wolves (5A) — 5-0 | 2-0 in District 7-5A D2 | Bye Week | Next: vs. Seguin (10/8)
*Lewisville forfeited its first three non-district wins following a District 5-6A Executive Committee ruling regarding an ineligible player. The ruling is subject to appeal.
GAMES
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