By: National Scout Marc Henry
Twitter: @marchen44
Each season the high school football teams in the state of Texas begin practice in August with the dream of finishing at the top of the food chain as State Champions at AT&T Stadium. From the dog days of summer, to the playing in Jerry World in December, the players and coaches set their goals high. The recent dominance of the DFW Area high school football teams as state champions, has brought up the debate in barbershops, social media forums and even at family gatherings, who is the best team in Texas? Houston, San Antonio, West Texas, East Texas and South Texas high school football teams, have tried to dethrone the DFW Area squads, but The Metroplex has laid claim to titles the last few seasons and in 2022 had a clean sweep in one weekend of title winners. Today we discuss twelve teams in DFW, some who come into the 2023 season as defending champs and several who have potential to punch their ticket to AT&T Stadium in December.
1. Duncanville Panthers | Head Coach: Reginald Samples | 2022 : Record 15-0 | Class 6A DI Champs
The Panthers were the best team in the state from start to finish in 2022. Defensively, the Panthers play fast, they are physical at the point of the attack and their mantra “Lock The Gates”, is their calling card for 48 minutes of heavy punches and body blows that each opponent who stepped into the ring with Duncanville felt for 15 games in 2022. Five star defensive standout and the number one defensive player in the country, Collin Simmons returns to haunt offenses in 2023, along with Alex January, Tyren Polley Jr. and 6’1 175 pound Class of 2025 defensive back Javion Holiday, the Panthers again will have a stingy defense that loves to bring the pain. This defensive unit pitched several shutouts and held down their nemesis North Shore to capture Coach Reginald Samples first state title. Offensively, the Panthers are loaded with some the top returning talent in the DFW Area, with senior Four-Star running back Caden Durham bringing his big play ability back for another run, junior quarterback Keelon Russell, who had his coming out party in the state title game versus North Shore, where he made big time throws and also showed off his dual threat ability using his legs to score a back breaking TD and game breaking Five-Star wide receiver Dakorien Moore return to make up one of the most potent offenses in DFW. Coach Samples and the Panthers head into the 2023 season looking to defend their state title and chase ring number two.
Platform Star Watch: Tre Mosely (RB)
2. Desoto Eagles | Head Coach : Claude Mathis | 2022: Record 14-2 | Class 6A DII Champs
Coach Mathis and the Eagles captured his first state title in 2022 and return one of the most talented teams in DFW in 2023 led by All-State quarterback Darius “DJ” Bailey and the number one running back in the Class of 2025 in Deondrae “Tiger” Riden. Riden is a combination of speed and power that makes him one of the most sought after college prospects in the country. Bailey has a big time arm, he has elite pocket presence and his ability to fit the football into small windows and the touch on his deep ball, make him one of the top returning quarterbacks in the Class of 2024 in DFW. Senior running back Jaden Tradwick and junior wide receiver Daylon Singleton, are two dangerous weapons in the Eagle offense and these playmakers will put pressure on any defense that lines up against them. Upfront, Ronnell McLain Jr. anchors the offensive line and Byron Washington is a linemen to keep an eye on, he has the potential to develop into one the top players on the Eagle front line in the future. Defensively, the Eagles bring back from a 14-2 squad one the top linebackers in Brandon Booker, a recent Stanford commit, who roams the field from sideline to sideline and he has the speed to make plays in the passing game. Purdue commit Keylan Abrams, was a key cog on the Eagle defense in 2022 and he returns to give offensive coordinators fits again in 2023. The Eagles also add the number one player in the Class of 2027 to a potent offensive attack in Ethan “Boobie”Feaster, who comes into Desoto with twenty four college offers and he will be in the lineup in the 2023 season. Look for the Eagles to soar high and they have a game with Duncanville, their arch rival circled on their calendar.
Platform Star Watch: Ethan “Boobie” Feaster (WR)
3. Aledo Bearcats | Head Coach: Robby Jones | 2022: Record 14-2 | Class 5A DI State Champs
“Titletown”, made it back to reclaim the throne in 2022 and sent retiring Coach Tim Buchanan out as a winner in 2022. After starting out the season 0-2, losing to Denton Guyer and Parish Episcopal, the Bearcats reeled off fourteen wins in a row to claim their 11th state title. The Aledo offense will be just as potent in 2023 and the Bearcats return one the top dual threat quarterbacks in the Class of 2024 in TCU commit Hauss Hejny. Hejny can make the all the throws on the route tree with pinpoint accuracy and he has the sprinter speed to explode for six when he breaks containment. UIW commit, Hawk Patrick-Daniels will lineup in various spots in the Bearcat offense, after rushing for over 1,400 yards and scoring 20 total touchdowns in 2022. Raycine Guillory Jr. and Alijah Johnson will be a potent 1-2 punch at the running back position for Aledo and they will run behind a physical offensive front that is lead by Devron Williams Jr and a young up and coming linemen in Payton Williams. The versatile Tyson Timms returns, he can line up at tight end and wide receiver and Kaydon Finley made a statement in 2022 as a freshmen and the phenom has some of the best hands in the country, which compliments his superb route running. Four year starter and the most athletic Bearcat, is LSU commit Davhon Keys, who can not only score touchdowns and return kicks on special teams but Keys is one the top linebackers in the state of Texas. Keys is an every down linebacker who plays the run from sideline to sideline and his ability to be a menace in pass coverage, enables him to lock down opponents in the passing game. On the back end the Bearcats defense is anchored by Arkansas commit Jaden Allen and cornerback Chris Johnson II, who is a long, athletic defender who has double digit offers from schools across the country. Aledo comes into 2023 with a loaded roster, ready to compete for their 12th state title.
Platform Star Watch: Kamron Hall (DB)
4. South Oak Cliff Golden Bears| Head Coach: Jason Todd | 2022: Record 13-3 | Class 5A DII State Champs
The Golden Bears are one of the most well coached programs in the state of Texas and Coach Todd “2 Tymes”, has lead South Oak Cliff to back to back state titles, with the second one coming in 2022. The “Death Row” defense lead by defensive coordinator Kyle Ward and linebackers coach Domenic Spencer, may have the best collection of linebackers returning in the state of Texas. Kelvion Riggins, Jayden Shelton and Brandon Jones look to anchor a defensive squad, along with UNT commit Kerry Williams, who put up five shutouts during district play in 2022 and helped lead The Golden Bears to their second state title. Offensively, quarterback William Little returns, after turning in a State Championship MVP performance in a 34-24 win over Port Neches Groves. Backfield mate Danny Green returns, as the leading rusher for The Golden Bears, a powerful runner between the tackles with excellent vision, who has the speed to make a house call from anywhere on the field. Wide receiver Trey Jackson is another weapon for Little on the outside who has game breaking ability with the speed to get deep. SMU commit, Jamyri Cauley gives South Oak Cliff a physical presence at the wide receiver position, who likes to get down and dirty in the run game with his ability to mash up defenders with his physical blocking and he is matchup nightmare in the passing game. Cauley has the skill set to dominate most high school defensive backs at the point of attack by overpowering them and he is a big threat in the red zone due to his ability to leap and grab the 50/50 contested catch in traffic. Look for SOC to continue to win due their ability to be physically dominate up front, anchored by Prairie View A&M commit Xyler Myles, Jadan Rowe and Jordan Rowe who are both University of Louisiana Monroe commits.
Platform Star Watch: Trey Jackson (WR)
5. Lewisville Farmers | Head Coach: Michael Odle | 2022: Record 12-2 6-6A District Champs | 3rd Round Playoff Appearance
Coach Odle and the Farmers had a remarkable season in 2022, finishing 12-2 and winning the District 6-6A crown and come into the 2023 season as a highly rated team in DFW. Quarterback Ethan Terrell, is one the top dual threat quarterbacks in the Metroplex. Terrell has a big arm, he throws well on the run and he is an electric runner in the open field. A multi-year starter, Terrell has a 23-4 record under center for the Farmers and he returns for his senior year poised to make a run for a state title. The Farmers offensive line is lead by 6’4 315 pound San Diego State commit Devin Love, a player who has the athletic ability to maul defenders in the run and make blocks at the second level with ease. Class of 2025 offensive linemen Michael Fasusi, is one the top rated players in his class, he has the traits that college programs around the country covet and he and Love form a powerful duo upfront. Viron Ellison II gets is done no matter where he lines up, get the football in his hands and watch him work. Lamar Kerby is a big play threat for the Farmers and his explosive speed gives him the ability to score anytime he touches the football. Jaydan Hardy is one the most explosive athletes in the country, he has the versatility to play both sides of the football, as a wideout, he has great hands, he has the speed to change gears quickly and he is a threat to score with the football in his hands. The Oklahoma commit, is one of the best defensive backs in the country and he has his sights set on leading #TheLew to a state title. Arizona State commit Tony-Louis Nkuba, is a long, athletic cornerback, who can lock down one side of the field and is a playmaker who can score when he gets his hands on the football. Coach Odle and the Farmers are a team to watch heading into the 2023 season.
Platform Star Watch: Xavier Fleming (DE/TE)
6. North Crowley Panthers | Head Coach: Ray Gates | 2022: Record 12-1 3-6A District Champs | 3rd Round Playoff Appearance
Coach Ray Gates and the North Crowley Panthers had an outstanding 2022 season, that included winning a 3-6A District title and an undefeated regular season. Quarterback Chris Jimerson Jr. lead the Panthers to a 12-1 record in 2022, his ability to make timely throws are traits that stick out in his game and his athleticism in the open field, makes him one of the top dual threat quarterbacks in the DFW Area. Cornelius Warren III is one the top playmakers in the Class of 2025 in the state of Texas and he is a home run threat with the football in his hands. He can run between the tackles with speed and power and when he sees daylight, he has the explosive burst to separate from defenders. TCU commit Julian Knox is a gifted, long, athletic, athlete who will line up on both sides of the ball for the Panthers and when he lines up at wide receiver, he uses his extended catch radius, combined with his ability to run crisp routes to get open routinely. Defensively, the Panthers have the #Gooncity mentality and they are lead up front by 6’5 315 pound defensive linemen Sterlin Brooks. Brooks has nimble feet, he runs well to the football and he has the skill set to rush the passer. Keith Hodge Jr. is hybrid safety/outside linebacker, who can cover receivers in space and come down and lay the wood in run support. Arkansas State commit David Moore is a lockdown defender on the backend for the Panthers and his ability to be physical at the line of scrimmage allows him to alter receivers route at the snap of the football. North Crowley raised the level of expectations after going 12-1 in 2022 and Coach Gates will have the Panthers locked and loaded as one the top teams to watch in 2023.
Platform Star Watch: Brandon Ford (DB)








