GAMES
RANKINGS
PRIME TIME: DFW Football Playoffs Preview -- Southlake Carroll v. Prosper (6A-D2 Region 1 Semis)
WHEN: Friday, November 28th (11/28/25) -- 7:00 PM
WHERE: Choctaw Stadium -- Arlington, TX
...
Few programs in Texas have operated with the consistency and command Southlake Carroll has shown this fall. The Dragons haven’t skipped a beat since last year’s run to Jerry World, overpowering virtually every opponent they’ve faced.
Entering the Regional Semifinals with an unblemished 12–0 record, the No. 1-ranked team in the state (MaxPreps) once again looks every bit the title contender it was projected to be, intent on making another December push toward the UIL 6A-DII crown.
Under seventh-year head coach Riley Dodge — a former SLC quarterback and 2006 UIL 5A State Champion — the Dragons remain firmly rooted in a high-octane passing attack, led by one of the state’s most polished quarterbacks.
Senior signal-caller Angelo Renda, last season’s unanimous District 4-6A MVP, has been nothing short of sensational. The Pittsburgh-commit has diced up defensive units for more than 3,500 yards and 36 touchdowns through the air, while adding nearly 400 rushing yards and eight additional scores.
His chemistry with Ohio State-bound senior wideout Brock Boyd — the reigning 4-6A Offensive Player of the Year — continues to be a centerpiece of Carroll’s success, with Boyd compiling 75 catches for 1,145 yards and 15 touchdowns.
The rest of the receiving corps is equally explosive. Junior standout Blake Gunter, the 2024 District Offensive Newcomer of the Year, has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark with 13 touchdowns, while junior Brody Knowles — a four-star talent with offers from Oklahoma and TCU — has added nearly 700 yards and five scores.
Even still, the Dragons are far from one-dimensional. Senior running back Davis Penn has thrived in an expanded role, logging nearly 700 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns behind a formidable offensive line anchored by Oklahoma-bound tackle Luke Wilson, junior Tristan Dare (Michigan), and senior Carey Clayton (Memphis).
Defensively, Carroll has been arguably even more dominant, allowing fewer than seven points per game. Senior OLB Robbie Ladd (77 tackles, 13 TFL) and LB Williams Leins (70 tackles) form the spine of a disciplined, physical front seven. Up front, senior defensive lineman Crawford Taylor leads the charge with 8.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss, while senior DT Jake Lucky — a first-team, all-district performer — anchors the interior. On the back end, senior safeties Gavin Strange, who leads the team with six passes defended, and Austin Bussmann provide steadiness and range.
Special teams remain yet another strength, with senior kicker Gavin Strange (Duke commit) and senior punter Zac Hays (LA Tech) rounding out one of the state’s most complete rosters.
…
On the opposite sideline, Prosper arrives with momentum of its own. In his third year at the helm, head coach Tyler Moore has the Eagles firing on all cylinders, entering Round 3 at 11–1 after decisive postseason wins over Hebron (66–39) and Berkner (50–24). And while the attention remains squarely on the task ahead, it’s impossible not to recognize the opportunity in front of Prosper — a potential path to its first state title since 2008, back when the program competed in Class 3A.
Much like Southlake Carroll, the Eagles possess one of the premier offensive lines in Texas. Senior standouts Bryce Gilmore (Texas Tech), Sean Stover (Duke), and Zaden Krempin (Texas A&M) form a powerful trio up front, giving Prosper the kind of foundation every contender covets.
Senior quarterback Braeden Imhoff (Lamar), the reigning District 6-6A Offensive Player of the Year, continues to captain the offense with poise and efficiency. Supporting him are senior running back Bryce Robinson and three-star Tulsa-commit Lathon Latiolais, who brings dynamic production on the perimeter. Junior tight end Elliot Brown adds balance to a potent and versatile arsenal.
Defensively, the Eagles are equally imposing. Senior USC-commit Jake Johnson — last season’s District 6-6A Defensive Lineman of the Year — leads a fierce front alongside Army-bound senior Zac Manning. Senior linebacker Cade Smallwood provides reliability and range in the middle, giving the unit its backbone. And on special teams, senior punter and Texas-commit Mikey Bukauskas offers consistent field-flipping capability.
CLICK HERE TO STAY UPDATED ON ALL THE UIL FOOTBALL PLAYOFF BRACKETS
PRIME TIME: DFW Football Playoffs Preview -- North Crowley v. Coppell (6A-D1 Region 1 Semis)
WHEN: Saturday, November 29th (11/29/25) -- 1:00 PM
WHERE: Midlothian ISD Stadium -- Midlothian, TX
...
North Crowley (11–1), the defending 6A-D1 State Champions, enters the matchup playing its best football of the year. Since a narrow 37–35 loss to Rockwall in September, head coach Ray Gates’ Panthers have ripped off an undefeated District 3-6A run — a stretch that included Gates’ 50th career win at NCHS — before rolling past Keller (42–20) and Midland Legacy (63–17) in the opening rounds of the postseason.
Despite featuring a relatively new-look roster, North Crowley is still loaded with firepower. Junior running back Kiante Ingram surpassed 1,000 rushing yards during the regular season and continues to be the engine of the offense. Sophomore wideout Damarion Mays, a 6-foot-2 four-star with offers from Oregon, Ohio State, USC, and Texas A&M, adds a vertical dimension few can match. Quarterback Hayes Cloutier has also flourished behind an imposing offensive line anchored by Texas-bound senior John Turntine III.
Defensively, the Panthers remain just as formidable, led by four-star junior defensive back Jerry Outhouse Jr. and Texas Tech commit Aaron Bradshaw, who anchor a secondary built to erase big plays.
...
Coppell (10–1) arrives riding a seven-game winning streak and an identity centered around balance, explosiveness, and a rising star under center. The Cowboys’ lone loss came to Denton Guyer in September, but since then, Antonio Wiley’s group has dominated, shutting out Plano (38–0) and dispatching Richardson (38–7) to punch its ticket to Round 3.
Sophomore quarterback Carter Zingelmann has been nothing short of transformative. The 6-foot-5 four-star has unlocked Coppell’s offense with 1,736 passing yards and 15 touchdowns, complemented by 733 rushing yards and 13 additional scores. Supporting him is a potent backfield duo: junior Jayden George and senior Dylan McAfee, who have combined for over 1,700 yards and 20 total touchdowns.
Defensively, the Cowboys field a deep, athletic unit featuring senior twins Tyree and Tyrell Roberson, junior playmaker Jaden Bibbs, and sophomore safety Anthony Lewis. In the trenches, junior linebacker Madden Montague (88 tackles) sets the tone, while sophomore Aaron Isbell (8 sacks, 16 TFL) and seniors Braylon Powell and Eduvie Nesiama fortify the front.
With North Crowley’s championship pedigree clashing against Coppell’s meteoric rise, Saturday’s showdown has all the makings of a Region I classic.