High School

Top 25 Texas high school football rankings: Duncanville, DeSoto on crash course (10/17/2023)

Duncanville passes another test with flying colors, nationally ranked No. 20 Westlake and No. 19 Reagan escape upset bids

Ryan Childers

Throughout the 2023 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.

Through eight weeks, the top 10 has really solidified themselves as real contenders to win a state title. However, the rest of the top 25 have proven that no matter what on any given night, an upset can happen.

In the top 15, Cibolo-Steele slides up one spot over idle South Oak Cliff, while the McKinney Lions drop four spots to No. 25 after their first loss of the season. 

 PAST RANKINGS: PRESEASON | AUG. 28 | SEPT. 4 | SEPT. 11 | SEPT. 18 | OCT. 2 | OCT. 9

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. 16, 2023:

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

1. Duncanville Panthers (6-0, 4-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 5
Previous rank: 1
Last week: Def. Mansfield, 51-0

Duncanville continued its dominance with another shutout performance after moving up one spot in the SBLive Sports National ranking last week. The Panthers made light work of Mansfield last week, jumping out to a big lead and never looking back. Mark your calendars for the October matchup with No. 2 DeSoto, the marquee game in the Lone Star State for the regular season.

Up next: Against Dallas-Skyline, Thursday, 7 p.m.

2. DeSoto Eagles (6-0, 4-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 7
Previous rank: 2
Last week: Def. Lake Ridge, 64-3

Like Duncanville, Desoto continued their dominance last week with another lopsided win. The nationally ranked No. 8 Eagles are in midseason form as all roads are setting DeSoto up to an undefeated head-to-head  matchup with Duncanville on October 27.

Up next: Against Cedar Hill, Friday, 7:00 p.m.

3. Galena Park North Shore Mustangs (7-0, 4-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 10
Previous rank: 3
Last week: Def. West Brook, 62-14

The Mustangs are cruising through their regular season and district schedule and they now have two weeks to prepare for their SBLive Texas Top-10 matchup with two unbeaten teams. The third team ranked in the top 10 has flown under the radar, however all they do is keep on winning.

Up next: Bye Week, then against Atascocita, October 27

4. Austin Westlake Chaparrals (7-0, 4-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 19
Previous rank: 4
Last week: Def. Dripping Springs, 27-14

The nationally ranked Chaparrals had a slow first half last week, but rebounded from their slow start escaping with a narrow victory.  Sophomore quarterback Rees Wise led the way for Westlake with three rushing touchdowns while passing for 209 yards. The Chaps are in the drivers seat for the top seed for the TX-6A playoffs if the season were to end today.

Up next: at Austin, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

5. Aledo Bearcats (8-0, 5-0)

Previous rank: 5
Last week: Centennial, 42-0

The Bearcat win streak lives on thanks to another shutout. Aledo has not allowed a single point since Sept. 15 — four straight shutout victories. Not only is the defense rolling for the longtime Texas powerhouse, the offense is cruising as well. Both will be put to the test Friday against another perennial Dallas powerhouse. 

Up next: Against Denton-Ryan, Friday, 7 p.m.

6. Vandegrift Vipers (7-0, 4-0)

Previous rank: 6
Last week: Def. Round Rock, 45-3

In what was seen to be a stiff test for Vandegrift, the Vipers made quick work of Round Rock. Vandegrift is in control of District 25-6A with three games remaining in the regular season.  2024 quarterback Deuce Adams and the Viper offense continue to pick apart area defenses - 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 (if it ends up back in 6A Division II).

Up next: Against Cedar Ridge, Friday, 7 p.m.

7. Atascocita Eagles (8-0, 4-0)

Previous rank: 7
Last week: Def. Humble, 67-13

The Eagles cruised through non-district with a signature win over Katy and face another top matchup Oct. 27 against No. 3 North Shore as the win will all but determine the district champion and the seeding going into the playoffs. 

Up next: Against Houston King, 6 p.m., Saturday

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

Previous rank: 8
Last week: Bye

The Tigers took their five game win streak into their bye week as they  are in first place in the district.  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 rattling off a long win streak in the state playoffs. 

Up next: Against Cinco Ranch, Thursday, 7 p.m.

9. Southlake Carroll Dragons (7-0, 4-0)

Previous rank: 9
Last week: Def. Keller Central, 70-7

Business as usual for the Dragons last week with another dominant district win. Southlake was able to continue their undefeated season setting themselves up for a deep run into the playoffs. With the addition of 2025 running back Riley Wormley into the Dragons' lineup, it just adds another dimension for defenses to plan against. 

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

10. Melissa Cardinals (7-0, 4-0)

Previous rank: 10
Last week: Def. Denison, 40-14

Melissa continued its quest for a perfect season rolled 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 to decided the District 9 championship.

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

11. Pharr San Juan Alamo North Raiders (7-0, 4-0)

Previous rank: 11
Last week: Def. Rowe, 55-0

The Raiders are the the No. 1 team in South Texas and continue each week to show why as they have not allowed a point to their opposition since Week 2. PSJA North has shown that they are not just a defensive team, but can score points in bunches rather through the air or on the ground; last week they racked up 437 yards rushing and 248 yards through the air. 

Up next: Against McAllen Memorial, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

12. Carthage Bulldogs (8-0, 4-0)

Previous rank: 12
Last week: Def. Rusk, 49-21

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 35-7 lead at halftime last week and the win streak lives on another week. It is now 24 straight wins for the powerhouse in TX-4A, Division 2, and are chasing another eight in a row to repeat as state champions. 

Up next: At Center, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

13. Prosper Eagles (6-1, 4-0)

Previous rank: 13
Last week: Def. Boyd, 47-0

Prosper came off its bye week with fresh legs and it showed in its shutout win. After dropping their final non-district game against Rockwall, the Eagles have reeled off four straight district wins, including a signature win against No. 14 Denton Guyer. The Eagles remain in a tie for first place in the district with Allen, and continuing to prepare for their matchup with ranked McKinney on November 2.

Up next: At Braswell, Friday, 7 p.m.

14. Denton Guyer (5-2, 3-1)

Previous rank: 14
Last week: Def. Braswell, 56-28

The Wildcats showed their ability to be able to win a shootout last week. 

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

15. Cibolo-Steele Knights (6-1, 2-0)

Previous rank: 16
Last week: Def. San Marcos, 45-6

After another district win last week, the Knights slide up one spot and have shown no signs of slowing down after a Week 2 loss to No. 22 Lake Travis. Led by 2026 running back and Oklahoma commit Jonathan Hatton's three touchdown performance and 183 yards on the ground, Steele is in complete control of the district 27-6A race to claim the one-seed heading into the playoffs. 

Up next: At East Central, 7 p.m., Thursday

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

Previous rank: 15
Last week: Bye 

South Oak Cliff entered its bye on a four game win streak and will look to keep it going for the final three weeks of the regular season. The Bears keep roaring on after their slow start to the 2023 season after a 1-2 start, thanks to a grueling non-district schedule. SOC has continued its dominance through district play as they look locked and loaded to repeat as TX-5A, Division II state champions. 

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

17. Longview Lobos (6-1, 4-0)

Previous rank: 17
Last week: Def. North Mesquite, 63-0

The Lobos are one of the hottest teams in TX-5A as they have won six straight games and are in line to claim a district championship as they prepare for another deep run in the playoffs. Longview's offensive philosophy is ground and pound as they racked up 35 rushes to just 10 passes last week in the lopsided victory,. For the defense, they pitched their second shutout of the season. 

Up next: At McKinney North, Friday, 7 p.m.

18. North Crowley Panthers (7-0, 4-0)

Previous rank: 18
Last week: Def. Weatherford, 62-17

Business as usual for the Panthers. After their marquee win against Lucas-Lovejoy, North Crowley is averaging around 59 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 Bell, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

19. Reagan Rattlers (7-0, 5-0)

Previous rank: 19
Last week: Def. San Antonio Johnson, 41-27

In the San Antonio area game of the year, the Rattlers held off their district rival to remain undefeated and in the drivers seat for back-to-back district titles. Throughout the season, Reagan has shown to be balanced offensively and defensively and look to be a threat in the playoffs with an experienced and deep team. 

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

20. Willis Wildkats (8-0, 6-0)

Previous rank: 20
Last week: Def. Caney Creek, 63-9

Another week, and another dominant, five touchdown performance from 2024 Florida commit DJ Lagway. The Wildkats, class of 2026 wide receiver Jermaine Bishop was the gunslinger's favorite target last week as he hauled in nine catches for 192 yards,  and two touchdowns. Willis' district title chances will be determined with their final two games of the regular season  against The Woodlands and Oak Ridge. 

Up next: Bye week; then at The Woodlands, October 26, 7 p.m.

21. Lake Travis Cavaliers (6-1, 4-1)

Previous rank: 22
Last week: Def. Austin-Anderson, 42-15

The Cavaliers continued their district winnings in dominant fashion last week as they have rebounded and found their footing after their upset bid of Westlake. 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. This week, the Cavaliers have another chance at a big district win against Dripping Springs, which will play a big part in playoff seeding. 

Up next: At Dripping Springs, Friday, 7 p.m.

22. Lucas-Lovejoy Leopards (6-1, 4-0)

Previous rank: 23
Last week: Def. Crandall, 76-0

The Leopards have hit their stride through mid-October with a four game win streak. 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: At Poteet, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

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

Previous rank: 24
Last week: Def. West Sabine, 56-8

Timpson just wins and wins big. The Bears, 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. Timpson headlined by 2025 ATH JJ Garner, who has scored 16 total touchdowns on the year are looking to avenge their state semifinals loss a year ago. 

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

24. Wimberley Texans (7-0, 2-0)

Previous rank: 25
Last week: Def. Manor New Tech, 72-0

The Texans have solidified themselves as a top team in TX-4A, Division II and have continued to roll through every week. It is a rich tradition of winning in Wimberly, and 2025 dual-threat quarterback Cody Stoever is helping lead the way for the Texans to get back to the state championship game in Arlington. 

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

25. McKinney Lions (6-1, 3-1)

Previous rank: 21
Last week: Lost to Allen, 31-7

Tough sledding for the Lions last week as they lost their undefeated season to the hands of Dallas powerhouse Allen at home. McKinney scored the first points before giving up 31 unanswered points to the Eagles. The Lions still have two more chances at pulling off marquee wins and a shot at the district 5-6A title as they end the season against two SBLive Texas Top 15 opponents, Denton-Guyer and Prosper.

Up next: At Rock Hill (Frisco), Friday, 7 p.m.

NEXT 5 UP

Smithson Valley Rangers (6-1, 4-0)
Pflugerville Weiss (8-0, 4-0)
Johnson Jaguars (6-1, 4-1)
Corpus Christi Miller Buccaneers (7-0, 4-0)
Forney Jackrabbits (6-1, 3-1)

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

Published
Ryan Childers
RYAN CHILDERS

Ryan Childers is a freelancer who covers high school sports Central Texas. He's based out of Spring Branch, Texas and has seen his work published in the San Marcos Record.

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