Arlington Heights makes history, moves past area round for first time since 1973
In 1973, Fort Worth Arlington Heights won two football playoff games, but for the next 52 years, the Yellow Jackets failed the get past the area-round hump.
Heights entered the Class 5A Division I area round on Thursday with an opportunity to snap that streak that spanned over five decades.
Head coach Curtis James’ program delivered in a high-scoring affair, defeating Lubbock Monterey 56-41 at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene to give Fort Worth ISD its first area-round win in the UIL’s second-largest classification since Fort Worth Wyatt in the 2000 season.
Before the season started, James had the area-round milestone on his mind, and he said he knew that the team had potential to make it past that mark.
“If we can put some things together, and stay healthy when we get [to area], we can make it to Thanksgiving,” James said, reflecting on his message. “The kids believe. Week after week, the kids believe. People doubt us and say this and that — but I said, ‘Guys. This is a perfect situation. Let’s take care of business.”
Heights (11-1) finished the “business trip” and will face the winner of Aledo (11-0) and Amarillo Tascosa (7-4) at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, at Crowley ISD Stadium.
With state power Aledo looming as a potential opponent, James said he’ll tell his team to treat the matchup like a one-rep max in the weight room.
“We’re not going to have that many chances, so when you get there, you have to give it everything you have,” James said. “And you never know what happens. ... We know that they are human, and they are kids like we are. They just have a really, really good program.”
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The Jackets’ victory comes in a string of success for Fort Worth ISD. In 2024, Fort Worth Benbrook won an area-round game in Class 4A Division II, ending a 24-year drought for the district. This season, Eastern Hills won a playoff game for the first time since 1999.
Why is Fort Worth ISD seeing milestone moments? James credited executive athletic director JJ Calderon, saying he ensures every program has the tools to make progress, regardless of situation.
Heights took a 41-28 lead into halftime behind three rushing touchdowns from quarterback Carmelo Carter, two rushing touchdowns from running back Carson James and a TD catch by tight end Jack Evans — thrown by Carson James out of the wildcat formation.
Heights’ defense and special teams seized two first-half takeaways that set up TDs: Linebacker Isaiah Schuman notched an interception, and Jack Anderson recovered a muffed kick.
In general, however, the Jackets’ defense struggled to limit big plays and make open-field tackles, as Monterey adding touchdowns of 59, 63, 30 and 75 yards in the first half.
The Plainsmen made it a one-score game in the third quarter with an 8-yard TD run from running back Deuce Moore, but Carter retaliated with his third score, a 4-yarder, following a 68-yard kick return from Yakeime Thomas.
The offensive onslaught from both teams slowed downs as they traded punts, but Heights recorded the game’s next score as Carter lofted a 27-yard TD pass over the defense to Evans, who dragged a defender into the end zone for his second score. Heights led 54-35 with 7:44 remaining.
Next, for the second time this postseason, BYU pledge TJ Johnson helped seal the deal with an interception. Monterey cut the lead on a 9-yard reception from Noah Alexander, although Heights limited the damage with an interception returned for 2 points on the conversion attempt. The Jackets drained the clock in their next possession.
James led the Yellow Jackets with 223 yards rushing on 30 carries while accounting for three TDs. After the game, Curtis James shared a hug with his son and reminisced about how he didn’t want to play football when he was young.
“The kid put on a pair of shoulder pads at about 9, fell asleep in them, and fell in love with the game,” Curtis James said. “So, I’m just so proud of his efforts, his toughness and resilience.”
Carter added 184 more on the ground on 26 attempts, accounting for five TDs. Curtis James said Carter delivered in a big way, complementing Carson James and making Monterey focus on both threats.
Monterey quarterback Jonah Reed finished with 425 yards passing, with his favorite targets being Cam Taylor (seven catches for 249 yards) and Noah Alexander ( seven for 113).
This story was originally published November 20, 2025 at 10:12 PM.
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