State semifinal storylines: Southlake Carroll, Denton Ryan, Brock, more look to advance
The UIL Texas high school football state semifinals are here.
Several teams from around the greater Fort Worth-area will compete with state championship appearances on the line. Here are the games to watch.
Southlake Carroll looks to keep rolling vs. Longview
Southlake Carroll (14-0) will face Longview (12-2) at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 at SMU’s Ford Stadium. The Lobos, in the regional finals, stunned reigning, defending state champion DeSoto, defeating the Eagles 50-14.
Longview’s massive victory says a lot about the landscape of Texas high school football. The power at the top is shifting, and the state championship window for other 6A D2 schools is open.
DeSoto narrowly defeated Carroll in the state semifinals last year. Despite having multiple injuries and a younger team, the Dragons are back in the same situation with a different opponent.
You could argue the 2023 Southlake Carroll football team had more firepower and experience. However, the 2024 Dragons have a knack for winning close games, and they’ve thrived in clutch moments.
Carroll has picked up a 49-42 victory over Frenship and a 42-47 victory over Hebron. Most recently, Carroll surged from behind to defeat Denton Guyer 56-35.
Carroll will rely on senior utility man Christian Glenn, who is typically a wide receiver. After season-ending injuries to star running backs Riley Wormley and Davis Penn, Glenn has stepped up; against Guyer, he found the end zone three times.
Quarterback Angelo Renda has also carried the load offensively, executing more designed QB runs and finding yards on his legs when the opportunity arises. Renda had 105 passing yards and 161 rushing yards vs. Guyer.
Carroll has eight state championships, with its last coming in the 2011 season. Since head coach Riley Dodge’s hiring in 2018, Carroll made one state title game appearance in 2020, when Riley Dodge and Todd Dodge, his father, faced off.
Denton Ryan looks to knock off Highland Park
Denton Ryan (13-1) avenged a regular season loss to Aledo, eliminating the Bearcats in a playoff rematch.
With a historic win, the Raiders will look to capitalize and advance to the Class 5A D1 State Championship with a win over Highland Park at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 at the Ford Center.
Highland Park (13-1) won a District 7-5A D1 championship with an undefeated run in district play. The Ryan Raiders have one of the best offensive lines in Texas, and the team averages 224 rushing yards per game.
Denton Ryan last won a title in the 2020 season and is searching for its fourth state title. The Raiders have made the state championship game seven times in program history.
Argyle to face South Oak Cliff
In 2023, Port Neches-Groves stunned South Oak Cliff to win the Class 5A Division Two State Championship.
In 2024, however, the Bears had the advantage, eliminating Port Neches-Groves in the regional finals with a statement 56-14 victory. Now, SOC (12-1) will face Argyle (13-1) with a trip to the state championship on the line.
The Class 5A Division Two state semifinal between SOC and Argyle is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 at SMU’s Ford Stadium.
Argyle last won a state championship in the 2020 season when the Eagles were in Class 4A Division One. Argyle is looking for its seventh trip to the state title game and its third championship.
The Eagles went on an undefeated run to claim the District 3-5A D2 championship, and their sole loss of the year came to Frisco Lone Star in the season opener.
Brock’s next challenge: Carthage
Brock football has had an eventful season. The Eagles, in the regular season, lost to Graham 38-0. Brock secured revenge over the Steers in a regional final playoff rematch with a hard-fought triple overtime victory.
Now, Brock (13-1) will look to get back to the state title game in its first season in Class 4A. The Eagles will face Carthage (13-1) in the Class 4A Division Two State Semifinals on Friday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at McKinney ISD Stadium.
Brock won a 3A state title in 2015 and also made appearances in 2017, 2021 and 2022.
North Crowley to clash with Duncanville
North Crowley and Duncanville, both nationally ranked undefeated teams, will clash in a Class 6A Division One state semifinal at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 at Allen Eagle Stadium.
North Crowley, with a 4A state title in 2003, is looking to make its second state championship game appearance. Duncanville is looking to make its seventh state championship appearance.
Duncanville has won the last two Class 6A D1 state titles, both against Galena Park North Shore.
Duncanville senior quarterback Keelon Russell, a five-star Alabama commit, was named the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year ahead of the contest.
Another game to watch
Class 4A D1: Celina (14-0) vs. West Plains (11-3) -- 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 at Abilene’s Shotwell Stadium
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