High School

Top 25 Texas high school football rankings: Is Duncanville invincible? (10/9/2023)

Nationally ranked Duncanville remains perfect, rest of top 10 stays put as district play roars on across Lone Star State

SI Editorial

Throughout the 2022-23 high school football season, SBLive is taking a look at the top 25 teams in the state of Texas, spanning all classifications and corners of the Lone Star State.

Each week, we release an update to the SBLive Texas Power 25 football team rankings, reflecting all results from the previous week. 

Every Power 25 team held its own and came out of Week 7 victorious. This week, No. 19 Reagan will have its stiffest test to date as they square off against undefeated, crosstown rival San Antonio Johnson. 

Kevin Ford, top prospect in Texas, fitting into one of nation's best defensive lines

Four teams from the Lone Star State are ranked nationally. Duncanville is No. 5, DeSoto No. 10, Galena Park North Shore is No. 11 and Austin Westlake is No. 23 in the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25.

PAST RANKINGS: PRESEASON | AUG. 28 | SEPT. 4 | SEPT. 11 | SEPT. 18 | OCT. 2

Who rose and fell after Week 7? Find out below in this complete breakdown of the SBLive Texas Power 25 rankings, as of the week of Monday, Oct. 9, 2023:

Have a case to make about a team? A bone to pick? Reach the Texas editor at andy@scorebooklive.com.

SBLIVE TEXAS POWER 25 FOOTBALL RANKINGS (10/9/2023)

1. Duncanville Panthers (5-0, 3-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 6
Previous rank: 1
Last week: Def. Waxahachie, 44-10

Duncanville continues its dominance. The Panthers made light work of Waxahachie last week as they jumped out to a big lead and never looked back. Mark your calendars for the October 27 matchup with No. 2 Desoto, the marquee game in the Lone Star State for the regular season. [READ MORE]

Up next: At Mansfield, Thursday, 7 p.m.

2. DeSoto Eagles (5-0, 3-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 8
Previous rank: 2
Last week: Def. Mansfield Legacy, 64-3

The nationally ranked No. 10 Eagles are in midseason form. All roads eventually lead to an undefeated head-to-head with Duncanville October 27.

Up next: vs. Lake Ridge, Friday, 7 p.m.

3. Galena Park North Shore Mustangs (6-0, 3-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 10
Previous rank: 3
Last week: Def. Summer Creek, 31-21

The Mustangs prevailed in a battle of unbeatens last week against Summer Creek. Tied at 21 entering the fourth quarter, the Mustangs scored 10 unanswered to pull away and remain undefeated. North Shore is still eyeing their meeting with No. 7 Atascocita on October 27 — which could decide its district championship. 

Up next: vs. West Brook, Friday, 7 p.m.

4. Austin Westlake Chaparrals (6-0, 3-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 20
Previous rank: 4
Last week: Def. Austin-Anderson, 67-14

Safe to say the Chapparals have hit midseason stride. The Chaps rode a 34-point second quarter to a blowout of Anderson, as Jack Kayser surpassed the 3,000 career rushing yard mark, putting him in third place in school history. 

Up next: vs. Dripping Springs, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

5. Aledo Bearcats (6-0, 1-0)

Previous rank: 5
Last week: Def. South Hills, 71-0

The TX-5A powerhouse remains perfect in the 2023 season with yet another dominant win last week. Quarterback Hauss Hejny was nearly perfect last week passing for 235 yards and five touchdowns while completing 90 percent of his passes. Aledo will continue through district play as they look forward to that matchup with Denton-Ryan on October 20.

Up next: vs. Centennial, Friday, 7 p.m.

6. Vandegrift Vipers (6-0, 3-0)

Previous rank: 6
Last week: Def. McNeil, 42-3

It was business as usual for the Vipers last week making light work with another district opponent. Senior quarterback Deuce Adams and the Viper offense continue to pick apart area defenses through the first five games. Vandegrift has shown the ability of being a state power through the first month of the season, and a real threat to DeSoto for the 6A-Division II state championship.

Up next: at Round Rock, Thursday, 7 p.m.

7. Atascocita Eagles (7-0, 3-0)

Previous rank: 7
Last week: Def. Beaumont United, 78-0

For the second straight week, the Eagles reached the 70 point mark while shutting out the opposition. The Eagles are rolling through their first seven games, and are eying that October 27 matchup with no. 3 ranked Galena Park North Shore to decide the district championship. 

Up next: At King, Saturday, 6 p.m.

8. Katy Tigers (6-1, 5-0)

Previous rank: 8
Last week: Def. Paetow, 31-7

The Tigers extended their win streak to five games as they remained undefeated in district play. Katy continues to hit their stride week after week after an early season slip up to No. 7 ranked Atascocita. The long time Houston powerhouse is proving through conference play that they are still a threat at reeling off a long win streak in the state playoffs. 

Up next: Bye; then vs. Cinco Ranch, October 19

9. Southlake Carroll Dragons (6-0, 2-0)

Previous rank: 9
Last week: Def. Keller, 56-10

The Dragons upended previously unbeaten Keller last week in a big way as 2025 running back Riley Wormley made his Southlake debut. He hit the century mark and added one touchdown on the night. The addition of Wormley to an already-prolific offense gives Southlake another dimension  for the remainder of district play and into the playoffs where the Dragons are bound to be a force in TX-6A, Division I.  

Up next: vs. Keller-Central, Friday, 7 p.m.

10. Melissa Cardinals (6-0, 3-0)

Previous rank: 10
Last week: Def. Poteet, 50-7

Melissa's quest for a perfect season rolled on last week with another lopsided district victory. Led by 2024 quarterback Trever Ham and 2024 edge rusher Nigel Smith, Melissa continues towards a district championship and a deep playoff run. The Cardinals are still eying their regular season finale on November 2 against No. 23 Lucas-Lovejoy.

Up next: At Denison, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

11. Pharr San Juan Alamo North Raiders (6-0, 3-0)

Previous rank: 11
Last week Rowe, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

The Raiders continue to put on a defensive clinic showing why they are the top-ranked team in the SBLive Texas South Region rankings. PSJA North has not allowed a single point to the opposition in four straight games.

Up next: At Rowe, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

12. Carthage Bulldogs (7-0, 3-0)

Previous rank: 12
Last week: Def. Canton, 50-0

The Bulldogs just win and win big. Carthage has a rich tradition of winning as they are seeking their state championship number 10 this season. The Bulldogs are currently on a 23 game win streak and are the early favorites to repeat as TX-4A, Division I state champions. 

Up next: Against Rusk, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

13. Prosper Eagles (5-1, 3-0)

Previous rank: 13
Last week: Bye

The Eagles were off last week preparing for the remainder of their tough district schedule. The Eagles remain in a three-way tie in first place in the district with McKinney and Allen, and will continue to prepare for their matchup with No. 18 ranked McKinney on November 2.

Up next: Against Boyd (McKinley), Friday , 7 p.m.

14. Denton Guyer (4-2, 2-1)

Previous rank: 14
Last week: Bye

The Wildcats were off last week and they will bring their two-game win streak into their game this week continuing to battle for one of district's four playoff spots and a shot at a district championship. Guyer still has a great shot at winning the district title and will have another chance at a marquee win against No. 18 ranked McKinney on October 27. 

Up next: Against Denton Braswell, Friday, 7 p.m.

15. South Oak Cliff Bears (5-2, 3-0)

Previous rank: 15
Last week: Def. Kimball, 48-13

The Bears keep roaring on after their slow start to the 2023 season after a 1-2 start, SOC has reeled off four straight wins with just two games remaining on their regular season schedule. The Bears continued their dominance through district play with another lopsided win as they look locked and loaded to repeat as TX-5A, Division-II State Champions. 

Up next: Bye; then at Samuel, October 20

16. Cibolo-Steele Knights (5-1, 1-0)

Previous rank: 16
Last week: Def. New Braunfels, 27-14

The top ranked team in San Antonio kicked off district play in TX-6A, District 27, and were victorious against in a defensive second half battle to hold off the Unicorns. The Knights through their first five games displayed a prolific offense through non-district play, but last week Steele showed that they are a well-balanced and can win a gritty, tough game as well. 

Up next: Against San Marcos, Friday, 7 p.m.

17. Longview Lobos (5-1, 3-0)

Previous rank: 17
Last week: Def. Forney, 13-7

One of the preseason favorites to make it to Arlington for the state championship was able to edge out a nail-biter on the road against previously unbeaten district foe Forney. The difference in the game, 2024 Oklahoma Sooner commit Taylor Tatum, who was the Lobo workhorse touting the rock 34 times for 177 yards and a touchdown. Longview will continue to go week by week to capture a district championship.

Up next: Against North Mesquite, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

18. North Crowley Panthers (6-0, 3-0)

Previous rank: 18
Last week: Def. Boswell, 54-7

Business as usual for the Panthers. After their marquee win against Lucas-Lovejoy, North Crowley is averaging around 57 points per game and are in prime position with a strong October to compete for a TX-6A, District 3 title. North Crowley is in a tie for first place with Crowley as they will matchup for the regular season finale on November 2.

Up next: At Weatherford, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

19. Reagan Rattlers (6-0, 4-0)

Previous rank: 19
Last week: Def. San Antonio Madison, 45-0

The Rattlers continued their hot start with yet another shutout victory last week. Cole Pryor, a junior running back, is just 139 yards away from 1,000 on the season and has 13 touchdowns. Reagan has not allowed a point to the opposition in three straight games, however, the strength of the Rattler defense will be put to the test this week against a high-powered prolific offense as the last two unbeaten teams in District 28 will square off.

Up next: San Antonio Johnson, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

20. Willis Wildkats (7-0, 5-0)

Previous rank: 20
Last week: Def. College Park, 56-17

Another week, another dazzling performance from 2024 Florida Gator commit DJ Lagway. It seems redundant to keep mentioning Lagway's video game like stats each week, but it is truly remarkable seeing the future Gator command the game from the quarterback position with ease. The Wildkats district chances will come down with their Texas showdown with The Woodlands on Oct. 26.

Up next: Against Caney Creek, Friday, 7 p.m.

21. McKinney Lions (6-0, 3-0)

Previous rank: 21
Last week: Bye Week

McKinney took the week off to help prepare for the final stretch of games of the regular season. The Lions offensively are averaging 36.2 points per game while only allowing just under 12 per game to the opposition. McKinney will need to continue its winning ways if they want to capture the district championship as they have to face to marquee district opponents; Guyer and Prosper in the last two weeks of the season.

Up next: Against Allen, Friday, 7 p.m.

22. Lake Travis Cavaliers (5-1, 3-1)

Previous rank: 22
Last week: Def. Del Valle, 45-0

The Cavaliers just keep on winning. The long time Austin powerhouse posted another shutout to their resume this season and have rebounded nicely after falling to Westlake earlier this season. Lake Travis has one marquee win on the season, knocking off No. 16 Cibolo-Steele, and have shown to be balanced offensively and defensively heading into the heart of district play.

Up next: Against Austin-Anderson, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

23. Lucas-Lovejoy Leopards (5-1, 3-0)

Previous rank: 23
Last week: Def. Princeton, 63-0

The Leopards have bounced back from their early season loss with three straight district wins and are winning games in convincing fashion. In those three game, Lovejoy is outscoring opponents 144 to 27 and are doing it in all three phases. Lovejoy has shown that they can compete with the state's top teams as they upset Argyle earlier in the year, and will get another chance at a marquee win in the regular season finale on Nov. 2 against No. 10 Melissa.

Up next: Against Crandall, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

24. Timpson Bears (6-0, 2-0)

Previous rank: 24
Last week: Bye Week

The Bears are the latest team to join the rankings in the SBLive Texas Power 25 after their hot start. The reigning TX-2A state champs led by one of the Lone Star State's top athletes are showing that they can compete with any team with 2024 athlete Terry Bussey under center. Bussey, who is a 5-star recruit committed to play at Texas A&M looks like a human joystick on a football field leading the Bears offense. 

Up next: At West Sabine, Friday, 7 p.m.

25. Wimberley Texans (6-0, 1-0)

Previous rank: 25
Last week: Def. Jarrell, 49-13

The Texans jumped off to a hot start in district play last week with a big victory and will look to continue on their quest of another undefeated regular season. Wimberley is on a collision course with No. 12 Carthage in the state championship for TX-4A, Division II to avenge its only loss from a year ago. Class of 2025 quarterback Cody Stoever has passed for 1,352  yards and 21 touchdowns this season.

Up next: Against Manor New Tech, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

NEXT 5 UP

Smithson Valley Rangers (5-1, 3-0)
Johnson Jaguars (6-0, 4-0)
Corpus Christi Miller Buccaneers (6-0, 3-0)
Pflugerville Weiss (7-0, 3-0)
Forney Jackrabbits (5-1, 2-1)
Westfield Mustangs (4-2, 3-0)

-- Ryan Childers | ryanchilders0455@gmail.com | @sblivetx

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