Area playoff preview: Games, players to watch from Fort Worth-area football teams
The bi-disitrct high school football playoff round is over. The matchups for the area round are set.
Plenty of Fort Worth-area teams were eliminated in round one: Keller Timber Creek, Keller, Crowley, Saginaw Boswell, Kennedale, Fort Worth Wyatt, Arlington Bowie, Burleson Centennial and Arlington Heights to name a few.
Even Mansfield Timberview, a regional finalist in 2022, was eliminated in the first round. In the Texas high school football playoffs, the contenders are sorted out rather quickly.
There are zero Fort Worth ISD football teams remaining in the playoffs. Still, there are a handful of Fort Worth-area schools still in the state championship hunt.
Local games to watch
Given it’s the area round, many teams are meeting in the middle with teams in their respective regions. There are a handful of games for local fans and supporters to watch, though.
On Thursday, Grandview (10-1) will take on Pottsboro (9-2) at Memorial Stadium in Mesquite in a high stakes class 3A D1 matchup that will begin at 7 p.m. CT.
On Friday, the game to watch is Arlington Martin vs. Allen at Dragon Stadium at 7 p.m. CT. The Warriors lost to the Eagles 51-31 in a non district game on Sept. 8, 2023, but they haven’t lost a single game since.
Sophomore Daylon Cobb powered the Warriors to their bi-district win with 156 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.
Colleyville Heritage (10-1) has also been on a great run since late September. In the bi-district round, the Panthers trounced Denton 71-13.
Colleyville Heritage and wide receiver Braden Blueitt, who is averaging 103 receiving yards per game, will face Abilene Cooper (5-6) at Newsom Stadium on Friday.
Alvarado (7-4) handled business against Kennedale in the bi-district round. Now, they’ll face a one loss Celina (10-1) team at Fort Worth Chisholm Trail High School.
The Indians and Bobcats will play at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Quarterback Cardea Collier leads the team with 19 rushing touchdowns and 25 passing touchdowns.
Area powers in Abilene
Looking for a weekend getaway? Abilene is the place to go if you are wanting to watch Fort Worth-area high school football teams. Class 6A power Southlake Carroll (10-1) will face Wolfforth Frenship (9-2) at Abilene Christian University on Thursday with a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff.
In the bi-district round, the Dragons steamrolled Saginaw Boswell 70-0. Keep an eye on Georgia Tech commit Graham Knowles; the 6-foot-7 quarterback had 3 passing touchdowns and a rushing score in a 70-0 victory against Saginaw Boswell in the bi-district round.
Watch out for defensive end Dustan Mark in the trenches; he leads the Dragon defensive line in total sacks and had one against the Pioneers.
Decatur (7-4), a dominant force in class 4A, is also playing in Abilene on Thursday. They’ll face Andrews (6-5) at shotwell stadium at 6 p.m. CT.
TCU commit Nate Palmer, a running back, has been leading the Eagles with 24 rushing touchdowns this season.
On Friday, North Crowley (11-0) will take on Odessa Permian (7-4) at 7 p.m. at Shotwell Stadium. Over at Abilene Christian Unversity, Justin Northwest (9-2) will face Amarillo Tascosa (5-6) on Friday with a 7 p.m. CT start time.
Running back Ashton Searl has been on fire, and he continued his strong play with 149 yards and three touchdowns against Keller.
Undefeated teams hit the road
Trophy Club Byron Nelson (11-0) is heading to Midland (9-2) to take on Midland, so the Bobcats will have to overcome the Bulldogs’ home advantage. The game will be played Friday at Astound Stadium with a 6 p.m. CT start time.
Aledo will travel to Wichita Fallas to take on Lubbock-Cooper (8-3) at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Memorial Stadium. The undefeated Bearcats are looking for another win in their quest for a 12th state championship.
Linebacker Davhon Keys, an LSU commit, is leading the defense with three interceptions, four sacks and a whopping 121 total tackles.
Richland (11-0) is also undefeated, and the Royals are out to prove they’re a potential contender in class 5A D1. Richland will play Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill (9-2) at Hutto High School on Friday with a 7 p.m. start.
Running back Michael Turner and offensive lineman Daniel Cruz, a Texas commit, have led a strong Royal ground game that has gained 221 rushing yards per game.
Other area team games to watch
Texarkana Texas (10-1) vs. Mansfield Summit (8-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sulphur Springs HS
Brock (8-3) vs. Muleshoe (9-2), 5 p.m. Thursday, San Angelo Stadium
Dalhart (8-3) vs. Paradise (10-1), 6 p.m. Friday, Vernon HS
Argyle Liberty Christian (11-0) vs. Tyler Grace Community (9-1), 7 p.m. Friday, Children’s Heath Stadium, Prosper
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