Paschal football’s move to Class 5A provides opportunity to break 28-year playoff drought
It’s been more than 28 years since Fort Worth Paschal last made the UIL high school football playoffs.
In 2023, Paschal posted a 1-6 record in District 3-6A having to play local powerhouses such as North Crowley, Euless Trinity and more. It’s opponents opponents outscored them by a whopping 211 points.
But Paschal has finally escaped the ultra competitive District 3-6A with an enrollment of 2,215 students, which places them in Class 5A. With the change of scenery, Paschal arguably has its best shot at making the playoffs since the last appearance all the way back in 1995.
The 2024 realignment placed Paschal in District 4-5A D1 alongside fair competition, creating a level playing field.
Head football coach John Killough said its an exciting time to be a Paschal Panther.
“The kids are excited,” Killough said. “We’re excited. I think it benefits us greatly. Just being where we’ve been for the last few years, it’s a tough road, especially with the teams we’ve been playing. So I think I think it is really beneficial for the entire school as a whole.”
Paschal had to deal with blowout losses for years, and no one likes to lose. The current senior class, however, got to compete against some of the best talent in Dallas-Fort Worth.
“It’s invaluable experience,” Killough said. “They played against caliber of talent that a lot of times you don’t see.”
That experience could help Paschal in District 4-5A D1. The Panthers will play Fort Worth ISD schools: Wyatt, Arlington Heights, North Side, Polytechnic, South Hills and Trimble Tech as well as Chisholm Trail and Saginaw.
“We’ve played against, honestly, better talent before,” Killough said. “So, I think that sets us up nicely and helps us be prepared for the teams we play now.”
Killough mentioned that the transition is happening at the right time. He said Paschal’s seniors have been an overachieving class since they were freshman and that the juniors have valuable experience, which could be a formula for the playoffs.
“It would mean a lot to them,” Killough said. “We have very dedicated kids. We have very dedicated parents. ... We’ve been in an unfortunate situation for a long, long time.”
The Panthers have their sights set higher than a top four finish and a playoff appearance, though.
“I think we’re in the mix to compete for a district championship,” Killough said.
Arlington Heights and Wyatt were playoff teams last season and had to face Colleyville Heritage, a top local team. Saginaw was also stuck in a “district of doom”, and Chisholm Trail, a team Paschal beat 31-24 last season, is making the same 6A to 5A transition.
“Those four schools are on the radar,” Killough said. “And then North Side is removed from the playoffs just one year. They’ve got some kids over there.”
Killough said they’ll look at the competition on a weekly basis and won’t overlook any opponent. The games will be competitive for a change, but Paschal’s path to the playoffs is far from a cakewalk.
“Especially when you have a program that hasn’t had a lot of success in the past,” Killough said. “We can’t take anything for granted.”
Leading the Panther offense is senior quarterback Jashaun Thomas. Killough said he has elite vision, pocket awareness and evasiveness.
“He’s dynamic, and makes people miss,” Killough said. “And he’s a great kid. And he had a really, really good summer. I think he’s gotten quite a bit faster than he was last year.”
Another offensive threat and team leader is tight end Luke Tevis, a rice commit who boasts a 6-foot-4, 235 pound frame.
“He’s the kid everyone wishes they could coach,” Killough said. “He hasn’t lost any speed. He has gotten faster this summer. He’s just got great hands. And his spatial awareness, his field awareness -- as far as finding the open spot -- it makes him who he is.”
Cornerback Jace Burton, according to Killough, is one of the team’s vocal leaders alongside linebacker Tex Shope and Jack Davis, a defensive lineman.
“Jace (Burton) is a very dynamic corner,” Killough said. “He’s the guy that we can put in man coverage against almost anybody, and he’ll be able to handle himself.”
Other players to watch include lineman VonDerrick Hughes, offensive tackle Jackson Hailey and senior wide receiver Chris Davenport.
Killough is confident in his team ahead of a highly anticipated Paschal football season.
“The community is very excited about this,” Killough said. “I think its going to be an amazing football season.”
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