What we learned: L.D. Bell starts season strong, Aledo defense thrives, more
Week 2 of the Texas high school football season came with plenty of big wins, weather cancellations and standout performances.
Here are high school sports editor Charles Baggarly’s main takeaways:
Hurst L.D. Bell starts season strong
In 2024, Hurst L.D. Bell won two games the entire season and lost 50-39 to Odessa. But the 2025 rematch was a different story, as Bell cruised to a dominant 51-13 victory.
“We’ve improved in a lot of areas. The offensive and defensive fronts have been a strength for us this year behind our running game on offense,” Bell coach TJ Dibble said.
“Defensively, we’ve been able to create some negative yardage plays. ... We’ve got a strong group of senior leaders that had a lot of experience last year that are back this year and have done a really good job of leading this football team.”
The play of the game for Bell was a 60-yard field goal from senior Grady Matcham that ended the first half. The longest field goal in Texas high school football history is 62 yards, according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.
There is a long season ahead, and many tough opponents to face in District 4-6A, but Bell seems prepared having reached last season’s win total ahead of Week 3.
After being on the wrong end of a three-way playoff tiebreaker in 2023 with a 7-3 record, the Blue Raiders haven’t made the playoffs since the 2013 season. Although it’s just non-district play, a two-game win streak to start the season is a massive step in the right direction.
“That’s our goal,” Dibble said of a potential playoff berth. “It’s pretty simple. To be a playoff team in District 4-6A. Ultimately, that’s the next step for us. ... For our community and for L.D. Bell High School to have a opportunity to earn the right to be in the playoffs would be significant.”
Aledo’s defense thrives again
When Lancaster played North Crowley close in Week 1, it seemed Aledo would have a credible challenge in Week 2.
But the Bearcat defense proved itself once again, shutting out the Tigers to pave the way for an 18-0 victory on the road. Aledo once again mixed it up at quarterback, utilizing Lincoln Tubbs and Nash McElree.
The duo combined for 72 yards on 10 attempts. The run game is where Aledo thrived. Brady Powell tallied a team-high 114 yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts.
Offensively, the Bearcats have a lot to figure out. That’s what non-district play is for. Even with the questions remaining, the Aledo defense has showcased enough potential to solidify the Bearcats as the team to beat in Class 5A Division I.
Grapevine snaps losing streak
Grapevine football has a storied history of success with state championships in 1996 and 1998.
But in 2024, the Mustangs hit rock bottom with a winless season. In 2025, it seems the ‘Stangs are back on track with newly hired head coach Ryan Smith.
Grapevine defeated Birdville 24-21 on Thursday after a hard fought 29-28 loss to a solid Frisco Wakeland squad. Receiver Luke Stuart thrived, tallying 107 yards and a score.
What makes Grapevine’s win noteworthy? Well, Birdville was coming off a stunning Week 1 win over 6A power Crowley. Although the Mustangs have room to grow, the victory is a tremendous sign ahead of a challenging district slate.
A shakeup in Mansfield ISD
It was a solid week for Mansfield ISD football teams, with the exception of Mansfield High School.
Mansfield Summit, Mansfield Lake Ridge and Mansfield Legacy all picked up strong Week 2 wins. Summit’s victory stood out, as it was a 34-14 win over rival Mansfield, a 6A program.
Despite a 20-12 loss to Denton Ryan, the Mansfield Timberview defense looked strong and proved it can compete with contenders in Class 5A.
After winning only one game in 2024, Lake Ridge has won its first two games of the season. Mansfield Legacy is also off to a great 2-0 start after winning three games last season.
Big wins for Keller ISD
Keller defeated Arlington Bowie 38-36, bouncing back from a Week 1 loss to Flower Mound Marcus. The Volunteers entered the game ranked No. 6 and Keller at No. 10 in the Star-Telegram’s area 6A rankings.
Keller Central and Fossil Ridge had strong weeks with the Chargers defeating Grand Prairie 55-20 and the Panthers taking a 21-9 victory over Carrollton Smith.
Kelle Timber Creek did not finish its game against South Grand Prairie; the contest was canceled in the fourth quarter in a 42-42 shootout. Against a solid team like SGP, putting up 42 points is a good sign for the Falcon offense.
Week 2 scores
Thursday’s games
Justin Northwest 23, McKinney North 9
Lewisville 38, Trophy Club Byron Nelson 21
Sachse 24, Arlington Lamar 21
Denton Ryan 20, Mansfield Timberview 12
Keller Fossil Ridge 21, Carrollton Smith 9
Grapevine 24, NRH Birdville 21
FW Paschal 49, Irving Nimitz 7
Carrollton Turner 12, FW Trimble Tech 0
Burleson 57, Cleburne 14
Arlington Seguin 41, Red Oak 34
Decatur Victory Christian 65, FW Temple Christian 18
FW Arlington Heights 59, Dallas Pinkston 0
FW Southwest 50, Wilmer-Hutchins 21
Benbrook 52, Whitney 48
Pantego Christian 55, Cedar Hill DasCHE 0
Friday’s games
Houston North Shore 42, Crowley 0
Saginaw 35, FW Boswell 21
Mansfield Summit 34, Mansfield 14
Mansfield Lake Ridge 40, Haltom 27
Mansfield Legacy 33, FW Chisholm Trail 24
North Crowley 36, DeSoto 27
Euless Trinity 28, Midland Legacy 16
Haslet Eaton 21, Little Elm Braswell 0 (game called at halftime)
Hurst L.D. Bell 51, Odessa 13
Keller 38, Arlington Bowie 36
Keller Central 55, Grand Prairie 20
South Grand Prairie 42, Keller Timber Creek 42 (tie; game called in fourth quarter)
Southlake Carroll 35, Hebron 7 (game called in third quarter)
Denton Guyer 41, Arlington Martin 21
Burleson Centennial 37, Arlington Sam Houston 0
Aledo 18, Lancaster 0
Denton 28, FW Eastern Hills 0
FW Brewer 14, Lake Dallas 10
Waco University 41, Granbury 8
Colleyville Heritage 30, NRH Richland 21 (game called in third quarter)
Joshua 23, Irving MacArthur 6
Argyle 35, Midlothian Heritage 7
Texarkana Texas 49, Argyle Liberty Christian 37
FW Nolan Catholic 10, Dallas Bishop Dunne 0 (game called at halftime)
FW All Saints Episcopal 28, Plano Prestonwood Christian 21 (game called at halftime)
Springtown 36, Graham 7
Paradise 47, Godley 20
Arlington Oakridge 50, FW Atlas 6
Dallas Episcopal 21, FW Trinity Valley 0
Fort Worth Christian 35, Houston Second Baptist 14
Dallas HSAA 14, Grapevine Faith Christian 13
Waco Live Oak 28, Willow Park Trinity Christian 7
FW Mercy Culture 66, Arlington Newman International 2
Gilmer Union Hill 66, Crowley Nazarene Christian 16
Rockwall Heritage Christian 56, FW Covenant Classical 50
Weatherford 42, Azle 41
FW North Side 18, FW Diamond Hill-Jarvis 8
River Oaks Castleberry 43, FW South Hills 0
FW Wyatt 21, FW Dunbar 20 (game called at halftime)
Stephenville 45, Everman 0
Kennedale 17, Aubrey 10 (game called in fourth quarter)
Brock 67, Lake Worth 7
Grandview 34, FW Eagle Mountain 25
FW Southwest Christian 14, Dallas Christian 7 (game called at halftime)
Arlington Grace Prep 35, Colleyville Covenant Christian 14
Keller Harvest Christian 40, Garland Christian 25
Granbury Grace Classical 33, Irving The Highlands 14
Irving Faustina 43, Azle Christian 13
Saturday’s games
Carrollton Creekview 49, FW Polytechnic 0
Dallas Adamson 34, FW Carter-Riverside 28
Wylie Prep 58, Weatherford Christian 25
Canceled/suspended games
Arlington at Flower Mound Marcus (Arlington leading 7-0 in second quarter)
Decatur vs. Denison (Decatur leading 13-0 in first quarter)
FW Western Hills at Krum
Alvarado at Van Alstyne
Magnolia Legacy Prep at FW Lake Country Christian (Lake Country leading 48-0 in second quarter)
This story was originally published September 6, 2025 at 1:10 PM.
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