What we learned Week 7: Birdville eyes playoffs, Euless Trinity bounces back
Week 7 of the Texas high school football season is over.
Several Fort Worth-area teams had standout performances. Here are some of high school sports editor Charles Baggarly’s main takeaways from the action:
Birdville takes step closer to postseason
With a 49-31 victory over Denton, Birdville is now in sole possession of fourth place and the final playoff spot in District 3-5A Division I.
“We played well,” Birdville coach Chris Smith said. “The biggest thing I felt was, offensively and defensively, we played very complementary of each other. Offense got going early, and defense was able to get us the ball back.”
With tough games against Aledo and Richland out of the way, the Hawks have an opportunity to greatly improve their playoff chances next week against Brewer. But if the Bears win, they’ll overtake Birdville’s fourth-place spot.
“I want to see the same things, just playing complementary football,” Smith said. “Just being excited to have an opportunity to play a big ballgame against Brewer — they have a really good team. The biggest thing we want to see is our kids flying around and having fun, and at the same time, playing all three phases really well.”
In 2024, Smith’s first season as Birdville’s head coach, the Hawks managed just two district wins. Smith said the team’s recent growth stems from a program-first, selfless mentality and players fully buying in. The staff also features eight new coaches.
Birdville’s last playoff appearance came in the 2022 season. There is still work to be done, but that goal is within sight for the Hawks.
“It would mean a ton,” Smith said. “Because it’s a reward for a lot of hard work from our players and our staff. That’s always the goal — to get in the Texas high school football playoffs.”
Carroll’s Riley Dodge on historic pace
Just days ahead of his 37th birthday on Oct. 12, Southlake Carroll’s Riley Dodge seized his 100th career victory as head coach of the Dragons.
Dodge is the second fastest to reach the mark, having done it in eight years and seven weeks. Katy head coach Gary Joseph beat him to that mark by just three weeks.
That many wins leading a program is an accomplishment on its own, but taking into account the pace and the quality of competition the Dragons face in the playoffs, it's remarkable for a relatively young coach.
Phil Danaher, the winningest coach in Texas high school football history, retired with 490 wins.
At Dodge’s current pace, he is on track to reach 490 wins around 2056, when he’ll be 68 years old. Obviously, there are no guarantees in sports, but if Dodge remains Carroll’s head coach and maintains the Dragons’ standard of excellence, he could be in the start of a legendary career.
Euless Trinity finds its dominance
Euless Trinity reminded District 4-6A that it is still a level above most of the competition with a 55-17 victory over Keller Timber Creek on Friday.
Although Timber Creek is winless in district play, the Falcons are a competitive team. With this statement win, the Trojans have some much-needed momentum heading into an important stretch of district games.
Trinity has proven that it is still the favorite to secure the third District 4-6A playoff spot, and possibly the No. 1 spot for the Division I bracket, as top squads Byron Nelson and Southlake Carroll have lower enrollments.
Trinity will soon face another challenge against a tough opponent: Keller. The Trojans and Indians will play at 7 p.m. Friday at Pennington Field.
Richland falls to Denton Ryan
Richland fell to Denton Ryan 30-21 on Friday, but the Royals were very competitive.
With some adjustments and some growth, head coach Ged Kates’ squad shouldn’t be counted out against Aledo or in the Class 5A Division I playoffs. Denton Ryan is a tough squad, and arguably a championship contender.
As we learned in the 2024 season, a win in the regular season doesn’t guarantee playoff success. Richland, with a lot of talent that includes star running back Jayshon Gibson, has what it takes to bounce back and make improvements.
After a Week 8 bye, Richland will host Aledo on Oct. 24 at Birdville FA/AC.
Week 7 scores
Thursday’s games
DISTRICT 3-6A
Mansfield Legacy 36, FW Boswell 30
Mansfield 28, Crowley 14
North Crowley 62, Mansfield Lake Ridge 17
DISTRICT 4-6A
Southlake Carroll 66, Haslet Eaton 7
Trophy Club Nelson 30, Keller 27
DISTRICT 8-6A
Arlington Bowie 56, Arlington Martin 43
Haltom 61, Grand Prairie 20
South Grand Prairie 53, Arlington Lamar 0
DISTRICT 4-5A D1
Saginaw 50, FW Arlington Heights 47
FW Wyatt 47, FW Trimble Tech 7
DISTRICT 3-5A D2
Argyle 41, Arlington Seguin 24
DISTRICT 5-4A D1
Decatur 91, FW Diamond Hill-Jarvis 8
FW Carter-Riverside 42, FW Southwest 36
TAPPS DIVISION II - DISTRICT 2
Austin Regents 56, Tyler Grace Community 7
TAPPS SIX-MAN DIVISION II - DISTRICT 2
Prosper Prestonwood Christian North 46, Decatur Victory Christian 0
Friday’s games
DISTRICT 4-6A
Euless Trinity 55, Keller Timber Creek 17
Keller Central 37, Justin Northwest 17
DISTRICT 8-6A
Arlington 38, Arlington Sam Houston 16
DISTRICT 3-5A D1
Aledo 61, Granbury 0
Azle 42, Keller Fossil Ridge 19
NRH Birdville 49, Denton 31
Denton Ryan 30, NRH Richland 21
DISTRICT 4-5A D1
FW Chisholm Trail 68, FW North Side 6
FW Paschal 66, FW Polytechnic 20
DISTRICT 7-5A D1
Midlothian 35, Burleson Centennial 6
Tyler 66, Cleburne 30
Red Oak 10, Joshua 7
DISTRICT 3-5A D2
The Colony 29, Burleson 19
Colleyville Heritage 40, Everman 14
Mansfield Summit 39, Mansfield Timberview 29
TAPPS DIVISION I - DISTRICT 1
Dallas Parish Episcopal 55, Addison Trinity Christian 14
Argyle Liberty Christian 38, Plano Prestonwood Christian 24
Dallas Bishop Lynch 21, Frisco Legacy Christian 14
DISTRICT 5-4A D1
Springtown 48, FW Eastern Hills 14
DISTRICT 6-4A D1
Alvarado 86, Irving Ranchview 13
Kennedale 55, River Oaks Castleberry 7
Lake Worth 54, Waxahachie Life 7
DISTRICT 3-4A D2
Brock 41, FW Eagle Mountain 13
Mineral Wells 49, Bridgeport 28
Graham 37, Burkburnett 14
DISTRICT 4-4A D2
Glen Rose 56, Godley 21
Hillsboro 56, Venus 8
Benbrook 28, FW Dunbar 22
SPC - CLASS 3A
Arlington Oakridge 28, FW Trinity Valley 27
FW Country Day 41, Irving Cistercian 0
Austin St. Andrew’s 47, Addison Greenhill 21
TAPPS DIVISION II - DISTRICT 1
FW All Saints Episcopal 49, Grapevine Faith Christian 15
Fort Worth Christian 59, Lubbock Trinity Christian 14
Midland Christian 56, FW Southwest Christian 14
TAPPS DIVISION II - DISTRICT 2
Austin Hyde Park 24, Bullard Brook Hill 14
TAPPS DIVISION III - DISTRICT 1
Lubbock Christian 65, FW Lake Country Christian 19
Pantego Christian 56, Willow Park Trinity Christian 7
TAPPS DIVISION IV - DISTRICT 1
Dallas First Baptist 45, Waco Live Oak 0
TAPPS SIX-MAN DIVISION I - DISTRICT 1
Carrollton Prince of Peace 92, FW Temple Christian 46
TAPPS SIX-MAN DIVISION II - DISTRICT 1
Abilene Christian 54, Weatherford Christian 6
Crowley Nazarene Christian 50, FW Covenant Classical 44
NON-DISTRICT
Keller Harvest Christian 52, Waco Vanguard 44
Azle Christian 55, Forestburg 8
Saturday’s game
TAPPS DIVISION II - DISTRICT 2
Arlington Grace Prep 42, Austin Brentwood Christian 21
This story was originally published October 11, 2025 at 11:59 AM.
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