Where do Southlake Carroll, North Crowley and more stand as title contenders?
The Texas high school football playoffs are halfway over, and the state championship picture is coming into focus.
Here are high school sports editor Charles Baggarly’s biggest takeaways from the UIL regional round and the TAPPS state semifinals:
Has Southlake Carroll passed the biggest threat?
No. 1 Southlake Carroll cruised to a 49-31 win against No. 7 Prosper in a game that ended at 1:43 a.m. Saturday after a long weather delay.
Did the Dragons pass their toughest challenge in their hunt for their first state championship since 2011? It’s a strong possibility.
Although Carroll made the win look easy, Prosper is undoubtedly one of the top teams in Texas and a program that lost to No. 2 Allen 31-30.
Denton Guyer, the Dragons’ next opponent, beat Byron Nelson 24-21 with a last-second field goal. That’s not an excellent sign for the Wildcats, considering Carroll beat Byron Nelson 52-3 in District 4-6A play.
Unless Byron Nelson made some miraculous improvements, it appears the Dragons are simply on another level than their Region I foes.
A potential state semifinal opponent is DeSoto, a championship-caliber program that has taken a step back the past two seasons. The Eagles are unranked but have faced a treacherous schedule, falling to state powers North Crowley and Duncanville and also Creekside, a Georgia juggernaut.
DeSoto took down Southlake Carroll back in what was arguably the game of the year in 2023 en route to defending its title. Now, the roles are reversed, and the Dragons would be viewed as the favorites if both squads win their quarterfinal matchups.
Potential state final opponents include No. 16 Sheldon C.E. King, No. 14 Humble Summer Creek, No. 12 Dripping Springs and unranked Austin Vandegrift, which beat Carroll in last year’s state title game.
Even though Southlake Carroll is the favorite, any team can rise to the occasion at this point in the playoffs. All squads are talented, capable and hungry.
Staying healthy, avoiding complacency and executing the right game plan will be key to the Dragons’ maximizing their potential this postseason.
Southlake Carroll could beat the rest of the field nine times out of 10. Avoiding the upset under the spotlight, however, is easier said than done.
Is North Crowley a top contender?
Many had their doubts about North Crowley’s hopes for a championship repeat following a non-district loss to Rockwall and a bunch of close games.
But in the postseason, the Panthers have shown significant growth and are a much different team compared to what they were in August. Head coach Ray Gates has emphasized the team “Becoming the North Crowley Panthers” throughout the season.
Now, he said, the team is at a point where it is the same, feared North Crowley Panthers who won the 2024 Class 6A Division I state championship.
North Crowley’s 46-21 win over Coppell wasn’t just dominant — it was arguably the best performance from the program in the past two seasons, and that includes the 2024 state semifinals against Duncanville.
Even in 2024, North Crowley’s championship squad didn’t dominate Coppell in that manner, winning 34-24.
The Panthers have a slightly different approach this season, with a familiar focus on establishing the run and having quarterback Hayes Cloutier make short, quick, effective screen passes rather than taking frequent shots downfield.
It’s a methodical, precise approach that consistently moves the chains. A matchup against No. 2 Allen at 7 p.m. Friday at DATCU Stadium in Denton will be the Panthers’ most formidable challenge yet, and a big test for the offense.
If North Crowley manages to take down Allen, like it has the past two seasons, a potential rematch with Duncanville could be in store.
One thing is certain: With the dominance against Coppell, North Crowley resolidified itself as a top contender, reminded Texas that it has one of the best defenses in the state and showcased steady offensive progress.
North Crowley lost a lot of talent last season with MaxPreps Player of the Year Quentin Gibson and All-Area quarterback Chris Jimerson Jr. graduating. In 2025, the Panthers have proven the program is more than a one-hit wonder, with rising talent to sustain greatness for what could be a decade.
Can Alvarado get over the hump?
Last season, Alvarado met its match against Celina in the Class 4A Division I quarterfinals, falling 55-21.
Now, the two squads are set for a rematch at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Newsom Stadium in Mansfield.
Last year, quarterback Cardea Collier stole the show and stuffed the stat sheet for Alvarado, earning Star-Telegram Offensive Player of the Year honors. As much as things change, they stay the same.
In 2025, KJ Jenkins took over Collier’s role and thrived, passing for 45 touchdowns. Running back Demarcus Belton, a key contributor in 2024, is better than ever with 47 total TDs.
Can Alvarado get over the hump and take down Celina, the defending state champion? The stars are aligning for the Indians, but they still have a tough task ahead, even with four-star Oklahoma quarterback pledge Bowe Bentley questionable with an injury.
Alvarado’s statement 64-13 victory over Springtown, one of the best Class 4A squads in Dallas-Fort Worth, could be a sign that the program is ready to contend.
All Saints on verge of history
Fort Worth All Saints is knocking on the door of a historic championship repeat and consecutive perfect seasons in TAPPS Division II.
Despite not being in TAPPS’ largest classification, the Saints are the No. 1-ranked private school in Texas, according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.
They beat Austin Regents, the No. 2-ranked team, by two scores Friday. All Saints also beat Parish Episcopal and Prestonwood Christian, the two squads set to compete for the Division I title.
As another historic season comes to a close, it’s become overwhelmingly clear that the best private school football in Texas runs through Fort Worth.
The Saints will play Second Baptist at 6 p.m. Friday at Waco ISD Stadium. In 2024, All Saints beat Second Baptist 21-3 to win the title.
If historic moments are what you seek, Fort Worth All Saints may offer one on Friday that stands among the most significant in Texas private school football history.
This story was originally published December 2, 2025 at 4:45 AM.
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