Harlingen, Midlothian join SBLive’s Texas Top 50 football rankings (Oct. 27)
With more than half of the 2022 Texas high school football season officially in the books, it’s time to review and assess how the state’s top teams performed in Week 9.
We’re taking a closer look at the top squads across the Lone Star State in the newest edition of SBLive’s Texas Top 50, our statewide rankings which seek to recognize the 50 best teams in Texas high school football regardless of classification level.
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Four teams joined the Texas Top 50 after Week 9 action across the state. A pair of those teams — China Spring and Klein Cain — climbed back into the statewide power rankings following signature wins against ranked Stephenville and Klein Collins squads.
But we want to take a closer look at the two teams making their season debut in SBLive's Texas Top 50 football rankings this week: Harlingen and Midlothian.
Both the Midlothian Panthers and Harlingen Cardinals — who make their first Texas Top 50 appearances at No. 50 and No. 49, respectively — each won monumental district matchups to improve to 8-0 overall.
Harlingen (8-0, 3-0) defeated then 50th-ranked San Benito in a pivotal 2022 installment of the Battle of the Arroyo rivalry series.
The Cardinals beat the Greyhounds 37-21 in a battle of unbeaten teams squaring off for sole possession of first place in District 32-6A.
Led by a nearly unstoppable power-running game, Harlingen hung a season-high 37 points on a San Benito defense that was allowing 3.7 points per contest through its first seven games of the year.
The Cardinals have looked like the team to beat in the Rio Grande Valley two months into the 2022 season.
They've topped the 30-point mark in seven of their eight wins this season. And defensively, the Cards have held their opponents to a touchdown or less offensively in half their games this year.
With wins over Laredo United, Laredo United South, Mission Veterans, San Benito and Weslaco among others, Harlingen sits poised to repeat as District 32-6A champions.
The Cardinals can clinch at least a share of the 32-6A district title when they face Brownsville Rivera (2-6, 0-3) at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen.
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Midlothian (8-0, 6-0), meanwhile, secured a narrow 39-37 victory in a back-and-forth Week 9 game against Lake Belton.
The Panthers rallied from a 23-20 halftime deficit and scored 12 unanswered points during the fourth quarter to cement the comeback win over the Broncos in a high-scoring shootout.
The victory helped Midlothian improve to 8-0 for the first time since 1984, as the Panthers have caught fire during a six-game winning streak in District 4-5A DI play.
Midlothian has racked up the points during district play with 43+ points in four of six wins against 4-5A DI foes thus far.
The Panthers will look to complete a perfect run through the 2022 Texas high school football regular season in their district finale against Killeen Ellison (5-3, 4-2) at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen.
RELATED — SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national high school football rankings (Oct. 24)
Where does your squad stand in the latest edition of our statewide Texas high school football rankings?
To see which programs climbed into our top 10 and find out which teams made the biggest moves within this week’s rankings, then check out the latest, updated version of SBLive’s Texas Top 50 below.
SBLive’s Texas Top 50 football rankings are compiled by Andrew McCulloch and Buck Ringgold, and will be updated weekly throughout the regular season.
Texas Top 50 rankings: WEEK 1 | WEEK 2 | WEEK 3 | WEEK 4 | WEEK 5 | WEEK 6 | WEEK 7 | WEEK 8 | WEEK 9
Texas Small School Top 25 rankings: WEEK 1 | WEEK 2 | WEEK 3 | WEEK 4 | WEEK 5 | WEEK 6 | WEEK 7 | WEEK 8 | WEEK 9 | WEEK 10
Editor’s Note: * represents Texas teams who also hold spots in the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national high school football rankings
SBLIVE’S TEXAS TOP 50 FOOTBALL RANKINGS — WEEK 10 (OCT. 25)
1. Austin Westlake Chaparrals (8-0, 6-0)*
Previous ranking: 1st
Last week: W 70-0 vs. Austin High
Next game: Oct. 27 at Austin Bowie (7-1, 5-1)
2. Denton Guyer Wildcats (8-0, 5-0)*
Previous ranking: 3rd
Last week: W 49-7 vs. Allen
Next game: Oct. 27 at McKinney (6-2, 4-1)
3. Galena Park North Shore Mustangs (8-0, 5-0)*
Previous ranking: 2nd
Last week: W 56-14 at Humble
Next game: Oct. 27 at Humble Atascocita (7-1, 5-0)
4. Duncanville Panthers (7-0, 5-0)*
Previous ranking: 4th
Last week: W 63-0 at Dallas Skyline
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. DeSoto (7-1, 5-0)
5. Katy Tigers (8-0, 6-0)
Previous ranking: 5th
Last week: W 56-28 vs. Katy Cinco Ranch
Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Katy Seven Lakes (1-7, 1-5)
6. Southlake Carroll Dragons (8-0, 5-0)
Previous ranking: 6th
Last week: W 42-7 vs. Northwest Eaton
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Trophy Club Byron Nelson (8-0, 5-0)
7. Highland Park Scots (8-0, 6-0)
Previous ranking: 7th
Last week: W 52-0 at Irving MacArthur
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Richardson (3-5, 2-4)
8. Longview Lobos (8-0, 5-0)
Previous ranking: 8th
Last week: W 49-7 vs. McKinney North
Next game: Oct. 27 at Tyler (2-6, 2-3)
9. Cibolo Steele Knights (8-0, 3-0)
Previous ranking: 9th
Last week: W 49-3 vs. San Antonio East Central
Next game: Oct. 28 at Converse Judson (4-4, 2-1)
10. Humble Atascocita Eagles (7-1, 5-0)
Previous ranking: 10th
Last week: W 39-6 at Houston C.E. King
Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Galena Park North Shore (8-0, 5-0)
11. DeSoto Eagles (7-1, 5-0)
Previous ranking: 11th
Last week: W 45-20 vs. Cedar Hill
Next game: Oct. 28 at Duncanville (7-0, 5-0)
12. Argyle Eagles (8-0, 4-0)
Previous ranking: 13th
Last week: W 35-10 vs. Frisco Independence
Next game: Oct. 28 at Denton (4-4, 2-2)
13. Spring Westfield Mustangs (7-1, 5-0)
Previous ranking: 14th
Last week: W 58-6 vs. Aldine MacArthur
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Aldine Davis (3-5, 1-4)
14. Arlington Martin Warriors (7-1, 4-0)
Previous ranking: 15th
Last week: W 58-2 at Grand Prairie
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Arlington (5-3, 3-1)
15. Prosper Eagles (7-1, 4-1)
Previous ranking: 16th
Last week: W 59-14 vs. Denton Braswell
Next game: Oct. 28 at Allen (6-2, 4-1)
16. Allen Eagles (6-2, 4-1)
Previous ranking: 12th
Last week: L 49-7 at Denton Guyer
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Prosper (7-1, 4-1)
17. San Antonio Brennan Bears (7-1, 6-0)
Previous ranking: 19th
Last week: W 69-7 at San Antonio Sotomayor
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. San Antonio Holmes (0-8, 0-6)
18. Rockwall Yellowjackets (7-1, 4-0)
Previous ranking: 17th
Last week: BYE
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Mesquite (3-5, 1-3)
19. Alvin Shadow Creek Sharks (8-0, 5-0)
Previous ranking: 18th
Last week: W 16-10 vs. Pearland Dawson
Next game: Oct. 28 at Alief Taylor (4-4, 3-2)
20. Trophy Club Byron Nelson Bobcats (8-0, 5-0)
Previous ranking: 22nd
Last week: W 56-24 vs. Keller Central
Next game: Oct. 28 at Southlake Carroll (8-0, 5-0)
21. Austin Vandegrift Vipers (7-1, 5-0)
Previous ranking: 21st
Last week: W 29-7 at Round Rock Cedar Ridge
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Cedar Park Vista Ridge (5-3, 4-1)
22. New Caney Eagles (8-0, 6-0)
Previous ranking: 24th
Last week: W 71-0 vs. Cleveland
Next game: Oct. 28 at The Woodlands College Park (3-5, 3-3)
23. Mansfield Timberview Wolves (8-0, 6-0)
Previous ranking: 25th
Last week: W 80-0 vs. Dallas Sunset
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Richland (8-1, 5-1)
24. Dripping Springs Tigers (7-1, 5-1)
Previous ranking: 27th
Last week: W 38-31 at Lake Travis
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Del Valle (1-7, 1-5)
25. Liberty Hill Panthers (7-1, 4-0)
Previous ranking: 23rd
Last week: BYE
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Bastrop (2-6, 2-2)
26. Lucas Lovejoy Leopards (6-2, 5-0)
Previous ranking: 26th
Last week: W 70-3 vs. Mesquite Poteet
Next game: Oct. 28 at Greenville (2-6, 1-4)
27. Aledo Bearcats (7-2, 7-0)
Previous ranking: 30th
Last week: W 35-21 at Denton Ryan
Next game: Nov. 4 vs. Fort Worth Brewer (2-6, 2-4)
28. Frisco Reedy Lions (9-0, 7-0)
Previous ranking: 29th
Last week: W 29-7 vs. Frisco
Next game: Oct. 27 at Frisco Heritage (6-2, 5-1)
29. The Woodlands Highlanders (7-2, 6-1)
Previous ranking: 28th
Last week: W 63-0 vs. Conroe Caney Creek
Next game: Oct. 28 at Willis (5-3, 4-2)
30. Harker Heights Knights (7-1, 4-0)
Previous ranking: 34th
Last week: W 13-9 vs. Temple
Next game: Oct. 28 at Copperas Cove (2-6, 0-4)
31. Odessa Permian Panthers (7-1, 2-1)
Previous ranking: 33rd
Last week: W 42-41 at Wolfforth Frenship
Next game: Oct. 28 at San Angelo Central (5-3, 2-1)
32. Round Rock Dragons (7-1, 4-1)
Previous ranking: 32nd
Last week: W 44-7 vs. Round Rock McNeil
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Round Rock Cedar Ridge (4-4, 3-2)
33. North Crowley Panthers (8-0, 5-0)
Previous ranking: 38th
Last week: W 33-7 vs. Hurst Bell
Next game: Oct. 28 at Fort Worth Chisholm Trail (2-6, 1-4)
34. College Station Cougars (6-2, 4-1)
Previous ranking: 20th
Last week: L 49-38 at Georgetown
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. College station A&M Consolidated (7-1, 5-0)
35. Port Arthur Memorial Titans (7-1, 5-1)
Previous ranking: 31st
Last week: L 28-24 at Baytown Lee
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Barbers Hill (6-2, 5-1)
36. Lancaster Tigers (6-2, 4-1)
Previous ranking: 41st
Last week: W 68-7 at West Mesquite
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. North Mesquite (2-6, 1-4)
37. Katy Tompkins Falcons (6-2, 4-2)
Previous ranking: 39th
Last week: W 52-28 at Katy Mayde Creek
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Katy Jordan (5-3, 4-2)
38. Dallas Parish Episcopal Panthers (7-1, 2-0)
Previous ranking: 45th
Last week: W 42-7 vs. Fort Worth Nolan
Next game: Oct. 28 at Addison Trinity Christian (2-6, 1-1)
39. Temple Wildcats (6-3, 4-1)
Previous ranking: 36th
Last week: L 13-9 at Harker Heights
Next game: Nov. 4 vs. Copperas Cove (2-6, 0-4)
40. Cypress Ranch Mustangs (6-2, 4-1)
Previous ranking: 44th
Last week: W 44-0 vs. Cypress Lakes
Next game: Oct. 29 vs. Langham Creek (4-4, 3-2)
41. Montgomery Lake Creek Lions (9-0, 5-0)
Previous ranking: 47th
Last week: W 46-6 at Huntsville
Next game: Nov. 4 vs. Brenham (5-3, 4-0)
42. China Spring Cougars (8-1, 3-0)
Previous ranking: NR
Last week: W 38-36 vs. Stephenville
Next game: Oct. 28 at Life Waxahachie (2-5, 0-2)
43. Stephenville Yellow Jackets (7-1, 1-1)
Previous ranking: 40th
Last week: L 38-36 at China Spring
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Alvarado (3-5, 0-2)
44. Klein Cain Hurricanes (7-1, 4-1)
Previous ranking: NR
Last week: W 25-21 vs. Klein Collins
Next game: Oct. 29 vs. Waller (0-8, 0-5)
45. Carthage Bulldogs (9-0, 5-0)
Previous ranking: 48th
Last week: W 64-28 vs. Center
Next game: Oct. 28 at Van (5-3, 3-1)
46. Texarkana Texas High Tigers (7-1, 4-0)
Previous ranking: 46th
Last week: W 23-20 at Nacogdoches
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Whitehouse (7-1, 3-1)
47. Manvel Mavericks (6-2, 5-1)
Previous ranking: 49th
Last week: W 58-27 at Magnolia
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Fulshear (7-1, 5-1)
48. Klein Collins Tigers (7-1, 4-1)
Previous ranking: 37th
Last week: L 25-21 vs. Klein Cain
Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Tomball (6-2, 5-0)
49. Harlingen Cardinals (8-0, 3-0)
Previous ranking: NR
Last week: W 37-21 vs. San Benito
Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Brownsville Rivera (2-6, 0-3)
50. Midlothian Panthers (8-0, 6-0)
Previous ranking: NR
Last week: W 39-37 vs. Lake Belton
Next game: Oct. 28 at Killeen Ellison (5-3, 4-2)
Dropped out: Houston C.E. King (#35), Denton Ryan (#42), Lake Travis (#43), San Benito (#50).