10 Fort Worth-area high school football storylines to watch as playoffs races heat up
The high school football playoff races are taking shape.
Some Fort Worth-area schools are on the fast track to the postseason while others need every win they can muster. Here are 10 storylines to keep an eye on heading into week nine.
District 3-6A: Look out for the Kangaroos
Weatherford (4-3, 2-2 District 3-6A) is tied with Hurst L.D. Bell for fourth in the district standings, and Euless Trinity (4-3, 3-1) sits at third. It’ll be a close race in a competitive district, but only four teams will come out of the regular season with postseason bids.
If the undefeated Crowley Eagles and North Crowley Panthers both win in week nine, they’ll lock up the top two playoff spots. Bell has a tough matchup on Friday against North Crowley while Weatherford is in a solid position to make a run with games remaining against Boswell, Trinity and Paschal (2-5, 0-4).
Although Boswell (4-3, 1-3) isn’t out of the running just yet, they badly need a win this week against Weatherford.
District 4-6A: Keller Timber Creek trending up
Keller Timber Creek (4-3, 2-2 District 4-6A) has won two in a row. The Falcons have already played and lost to Southlake Carroll and Trophy Club Nelson, the two undefeated teams in District 4-6A. With the tough losses out of the way, head coach Derek Ramsey and Co. are building momentum.
They have two winnable games remaining against Haltom (1-7, 1-3) and Keller Central (0-7, 0-4). They play the Buffaloes on Friday. The biggest test remaining for the Falcons will be on Friday, October 27, when they face Keller (5-2, 2-2). The Indians had a solid start to the season but are coming off two blowout losses.
District 8-6A: A week nine matchup to watch
Arlington (2-5, 1-2 District 8-6A) will face Arlington Lamar (3-4, 2-1 District 8-6A) this Friday with playoff positioning on the line. Whichever team loses will be fifth in the district and in danger of the season ending early.
Arlington has two district losses, but they were close. The Colts lost to both Arlington Bowie and South Grand Prairie by 7 points.
The Vikings, on the other hand, have two district wins, but they were against Grand Prairie and Arlington Sam Houston. Both of those teams have yet to win a game this season.
District 3-5A D1: One top team will fall
Burleson Centennial (5-2, 3-2 District 3-5A) has lost two in a row, and they’ll face White Settlement Brewer (3-4, 3-2) on Friday. Currently, both teams are tied for the fourth playoff spot.
A win this week will put the victor in fourth place and also provide a tiebreaker that may be valuable down the line. The loser could potentially fall out of the top four if The Colony defeats Azle on Friday.
District 5-5A D1: Birdville and Richland set to clash
Richland (7-0, 5-0 District 4-5A D1) and head coach Ged Kates are undefeated through week eight, but they’ll have some tough competition in the next two weeks. First, they’ll play Birdville (3-4, 3-2), a team they lost to in 2022.
In week 10, they’ll face Mansfield Timberview, the No. 2 Class 5A team in the Fort Worth-area rankings. The two game stretch will be an outstanding opportunity for the Royals, who can prove their worth against top tier competition.
District 4-5A D2: A big test for Fort Worth Wyatt
Fort Worth Wyatt (6-1, 3-1 District 4-5A D2) has been battling injury all season. Still, they only have one district loss, a 20-6 defeat to Arlington Heights (5-2, 3-1).
Now, they’ll face Grapevine, (3-4, 3-1) a team that has looked great in district play with the exception of of a 43-7 loss to Colleyville Heritage, the No. 4 team in the Fort Worth-area Class 5A rankings. The Chaparrals will face the Panthers to end the season, so a win in week nine will go a long way.
District 5-5A D2: A close race at the top
Midlothian Heritage (7-0, 4-0 District 5-5A D2) sits at the top of the standings. There is a threeway tie for second place between Everman, Ennis and Mansfield Summit with each team having one district loss.
A loss in week nine could boot a team from second place to fourth. Mansfield Summit and Everman will face off Friday in a game with big implications.
District 4-4A D1: Decatur and Springtown battle for first
Both Decatur (4-4, 2-0 District 4-4A D1) and Springtown (5-2, 1-0) are undefeated in district play. The two teams will face off on Friday with the top spot on the line.
Although Decatur has four losses, two of them have been by 1 point. TCU running back commit Nate Palmer and his teammates are out to prove the Eagles are a top team in 4A D1.
District 6-4A D1: Separation stands out
Fort Worth Western Hills (4-3, 3-1 District 6-4A D1) and Lake Worth (5-2, 3-1) will play Thursday at Farrington Field, and the loser will fall to fourth place. The good news? There will be bit of separation between the fourth place team and Fort Worth Eastern Hills (2-5, 1-3).
Even if Eastern Hills is victorious against Fort Worth Carter Riverside (3-4, 0-4) on Thursday, they’ll still have two less wins than the loser of Western Hills and Lake Worth. There is still time for Eastern Hills and River Oaks Castleberry to make a playoff push, but they will likely need to win out and for teams above them to lose.
District 4-3A D1: How far can Paradise go?
Paradise is undefeated through week eight of high school football. Now, they’re looking to prove the flawless record isn’t a fluke this Friday against Brock, (4-3, 3-0 District 4-3A D1) a team that can overtake first place with a win.
Both teams have thoroughly defeated the opposing district competition. Week eight will challenge and bring the best out of both programs.
This story was originally published October 17, 2023 at 2:28 PM.
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