Three games. Three heavyweight matchups. And enough Division I talent to fill a college roster.
The Metroplex is loaded with big-time football this weekend, and several of the area's top programs will square off in games that could have major implications down the road.
Could we see a No. 1 team go down?
Can Southlake Carroll avoid its first 1-2 start in 26 years?
And what happens when two of the area's longtime rivals collide on Saturday?
Let's break it down.
...
THURSDAY: Waxahachie at Denton Guyer
Talk about a Thursday night appetizer.
Waxahachie travels to Denton Guyer in a matchup featuring two of the most talented rosters in the Metroplex.
Guyer brings a loaded group of Division I prospects, including Oregon commit Rowe, Texas Tech commit Haywood, TCU defensive tackle Darrneil Neal and UNT defensive back Paxton Williams.
Waxahachie isn't exactly short on star power.
The Indians feature Texas A&M safety Ty Snell, Kansas State defensive end Sedrick Marsh, South Carolina quarteback Meyer, Louisiana Tech offensive guard Malik Dismue, UNT offensive tackle Grant Gonzales, Colorado State wide receiver Kentorian King and UTSA running back Jordan Smith.
That's a lot of future college football players on one field. Waxahachie is coming off a dramatic win over Coppell, scoring with less than two minutes remaining to escape with the victory.
Now comes the big question: Could we see No. 1 go down?
Guyer will have something to say about that. The last meeting between these two programs came all the way back in 2010, when Guyer rolled to a 45-7 victory on Oct. 28.
This one should be a completely different story.
Thursday night. Two loaded rosters. One heavyweight showdown.
...
FRIDAY: Allen at Southlake Carroll
Friday night brings another monster matchup as Allen travels to Southlake Carroll and for the Dragons, the stakes are already getting serious.
If Southlake Carroll loses, the Dragons would start 1-2 for the first time since 2000. That's a long time in Dragon Country.
Southlake has already faced plenty of adversity early in the season, and now Allen comes to town with one of the most talented teams in the Metroplex.
Allen's Division I talent includes Wisconsin safety James Roberson, Colorado center Jayin Talib and UNT defensive end Jacobie Wilkerson.
Talib adds another layer to the storyline. He's a transfer from Richardson Berkner and is the nephew of former NFL star Aqib Talib, a former first-round pick and five-time Pro Bowler.
Southlake counters with plenty of firepower of its own.
The Dragons feature Illinois wide receiver Brody Knowles, Cal wide receiver Blake Gunter, Missouri offensive lineman Tristan Dare and Oklahoma offensive lineman Luke Wilson and there is plenty of family history on the Southlake sideline.
The Dragons have sons of four former professional athletes:
Dez Bryant Jr. — football
DeMarcus Ware Jr. — football
Jason Maxiell II — basketball
Brody Knowles — tennis
Brody's father, Mark Knowles, won four Grand Slam titles in men's tennis and a Wimbledon mixed-doubles championship. His older brother, Graham, is also a quarterback at Georgia Tech.
That's quite the family résumé.
The all-time series since 2004 is as close as it gets, with Southlake Carroll holding a 4-3 edge. The Dragons won in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2021, while Allen took victories in 2006, 2009 and 2012.
History will be made again Friday night.
For Southlake, it's simple: Win and keep the season rolling. Lose, and the Dragons face their first 1-2 start in a quarter-century.
...
SATURDAY: DeSoto vs. Duncanville
Saturday brings one of the Metroplex's biggest rivalry games.
DeSoto vs. Duncanville.
These two longtime 11-6A rivals know each other extremely well, and there is no shortage of storylines heading into this one. One of the biggest names from last year's matchup was Maximus The Great Denson.
Yes — that's really his name and last year, he certainly played like it.
Denson threw seven touchdown passes to lead Duncanville past DeSoto, 48-28.
Now, he's no longer the Panthers' quarterback, creating plenty of intrigue surrounding Duncanville heading into this season.
Meanwhile, DeSoto brings six known Division I players into the rivalry, including Texas Tech running back SaRod Baker, Texas Tech defensive tackle K'Adrian Redmon and Penn State cornerback Dhillon McGee.
Duncanville counters with Purdue wide receiver Trenton Yancey, Texas State offensive guard Aiden Williams and UCF defensive back Jonathan Barnes.
Talent? Check. History? Check. Rivalry? Absolutely and after what happened last year, neither side needs extra motivation.
...
SATURDAY: North Shore vs. South Oak Cliff
Another Texas heavyweight matchup arrives Saturday when North Shore takes on South Oak Cliff.
This one comes with plenty of recent history. South Oak Cliff won last year's meeting, 41-31, while North Shore dominated the 2024 matchup, 38-0.
Now they meet again with two talented rosters ready to settle the score. North Shore enters the game with momentum after rallying to defeat John Curtis Christian in Lafayette, Louisiana, last week.
John Curtis led 17-14 heading into the fourth quarter before the Mustangs stormed back.
North Shore has a pair of known Division I players in Maryland offensive guard Abdus Kone and FAU cornerback Tony Guillory.
South Oak Cliff counters with a loaded group that includes Texas offensive guard Brian Swanson, SMU defensive back Isaiah Udom, Cal defensive tackle Jaderian Jones, Texas State defensive back Jyrion Hampton, Lamar center Zion Ragster and Stephen F. Austin quarterback Jayden Williams.
That's another eight Division I players between the two rosters.
North Shore will also be adjusting after losing wide receiver Aubrey Johnson, who recently transferred to C.E. King.
But if there's one thing we know about the Mustangs, it's this:
They reload.
THE BOTTOM LINE
This is one of those weekends where you circle the schedule and make plans around football.
Waxahachie at Guyer.
Allen at Southlake Carroll.
DeSoto vs. Duncanville.
North Shore vs. South Oak Cliff.
Four games. Plenty of Division I talent. Rivalries, history and a few serious questions that need answering.
Could a No. 1 team fall?
Will Southlake Carroll avoid a 1-2 start?
Can Waxahachie keep its momentum rolling?
Who owns the next chapter of these Metroplex rivalries?
Friday night lights are about to get very interesting.
Protection United has emerged as one of the top resources for Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) and marketing in high school sports.
VYPE’s Matt Malatesta caught up with co-founder Jay Mickens to talk about everything from recruiting and personal branding to brokering NIL opportunities with colleges.
Parents, players, coaches and administrators — this is a segment you don't want to miss.
Take a look and see what’s trending in the world of NIL, recruiting and athlete branding.
The Glenn Grizzlies’ first season under new head coach Scott Hermes got off to a decent start. The Grizzlies led Stony Point 14-3 when Mother Nature forced their season opener to be suspended two weeks ago.
Last week, however, Glenn gave up a kick-off return for a touchdown on the game’s opening play vs. Davenport, then fumbled the ball at their own 13-yard line on their first possession. The Wolves scored and never looked back as the Grizzlies fell to Davenport 58-20.
Glenn faces perhaps an even tougher opponent when they face the Weiss Wolves from The Pfield in Pflugerville to open District 12-5A-1 play in our VYPE Central Texas Game of the Week.
The Grizzlies (1-1 counting the suspended game) have platooned at quarterback thus far, alternating between senior Gabe Renteria (8-13, 128 Yds., 2 TD) and junior Noah Raymond (13-33, 174 Yds.). Senior Braedyn Vanduren-Fuller (36-112, TD) has been the early workhorse back with Brayden Norman (11-156, 14.2 YPC, 2 TD) leading the receivers.
Glenn’s defense will be tested. Second-year coach Malcolm Hill’s Weiss offense erupted for 42 points on the road against 6A power Round Rock and put up 21 points in last week’s showdown loss to top-ranked Lake Travis. Junior Jaxon Schad (39-58, 439 Yds., 6 TD) leads the Wolves’ potent passing attack while tacking on another 109 yards and a rushing touchdown. Sophomore Trae Collins, meanwhile, has already amassed 210 rushing yards on 31 carries (6.8 YPC) to balance out the Weiss attack.
The Grizzlies are trying to rebuild from several consecutive losing seasons, including last year’s 1-9 campaign. While a road game at Weiss (1-1) is a tough way for Glenn to open district play, it’s a contest that should provide a good early indication of the Grizzlies’ progress under their new coach.
What: Glenn Grizzlie @ Weiss Wolves
When: 6:45 Pregame, 7:00 Kickoff
Where: The Pfield, Pflugerville
Who: Sirr McCook, Greg Sariti
Watch: https://www.vype.com/7pm-football-glenn-vs-weiss OR on the KVUE+ App
GAMES
Join the #VYPETEAM
Get up to date news from all over the country!
