The opening round of the high school football playoffs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area showcased a wealth of quarterback talent, as several standout signal-callers delivered clutch performances to lead their teams to victory. From pinpoint passing to game-changing runs, these quarterbacks proved why they are among the best in the state, shining under the bright lights of postseason action. With their leadership and playmaking abilities, they set the tone for what promises to be an exciting playoff journey for their respective teams. The mission and goal of The Platform is to #ExposeTheUnexposed and provide adequate coverage of athletes around the country giving them exposure. Here’s a look at the top quarterback performances from round one of the playoffs.
Jerry Meyer III | Class of 2027 | Waxahachie High School
Jerry Meyer III, the standout quarterback from Waxahachie, delivered a stellar performance in round one of the playoffs, leading his team to a dominant 44-7 victory over Waco Midway. Meyer III showed his precision and poise, throwing three touchdowns to keep the offense rolling and secure the convincing win. His leadership under center has been a key factor for Waxahachie this season, and his playoff debut only reinforced that he is one of the top quarterbacks in the DFW area.
Howard Fisher IV | Class of 2025 | Wylie East High School
Howard Fisher IV continued his stellar senior season with a standout performance in Wylie East’s 35-28 victory over Forney in the opening round of the playoffs. The Air Force commit showcased his dual-threat abilities, passing for 194 yards and accounting for three total touchdowns. Showing his skills as an elite runner and passer, Fisher kept the Forney defense on its heels all night, making big plays through the air and with his legs to lead the Raiders to a hard-fought win. His poise and versatility have been key to Wylie East’s success this year, and Fisher IV’s leadership will be vital as the Raiders look to advance deeper into the postseason.
Ziondre Williams | Class of 2026 | Anna High School
Ziondre Williams, one of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 class, showcased his elite talent once again in Anna’s 45-10 victory over Colleyville Heritage in the first round of the playoffs. The junior sensation, who led the Coyotes to a state title last season, accounted for 405 total yards and two touchdowns, demonstrating his dual-threat ability and poise under pressure. Williams continues to solidify his reputation as a premier signal-caller, with his playmaking and leadership driving Anna’s postseason success. As the Coyotes aim for another deep playoff run, Williams remains the centerpiece of their championship aspirations.
Demetris Ballard | Class of 2025 | West Mesquite High School
Demetris Ballard has been the driving force behind West Mesquite’s perfect season, and he continued his stellar play in the Wranglers’ 28-14 victory over McKinney North in the first round of the playoffs. The dynamic quarterback accounted for three total touchdowns, leading his team to an 11-0 record on the year. Ballard’s leadership and ability to make plays in critical moments have been key to West Mesquite’s success, as the Wranglers look to extend their undefeated run and make a deep postseason push.
Legend Bey | Class of 2026 | North Forney High School
Legend Bey, one of the premier quarterbacks in Texas’ 2026 class, put on a show in North Forney’s dominant 63-21 victory over Wylie in the first round of the playoffs. The dual-threat star showcased his dynamic skill set, passing for 198 yards and accounting for six total touchdowns. By showcasing his electric running ability and elite arm talent, Bey kept the Wylie defense off balance all night, making plays both through the air and on the ground. His standout performance displays why he’s considered one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the state, as he continues to lead North Forney’s charge through the postseason.
Carter Jones | Class of 2025 | Lancaster High School
Carter Jones, the senior quarterback for Lancaster, delivered a clutch performance in the Tigers’ thrilling 40-35 road victory over Harker Heights in the opening round of the playoffs. The Nevada commit showcased his poise and precision, passing for 251 yards and three touchdowns to lead Lancaster to the hard-fought win. Jones’ ability to make big plays in critical moments has been a hallmark of his season, and his leadership will be crucial as the Tigers look to make a deep postseason run.
Billy Middleton | Class of 2026 | Red Oak High School
Billy Middleton, the quarterback for Red Oak, delivered a standout performance in the Hawks’ impressive 35-21 road victory over Cedar Park in the first round of the playoffs. Stepping up as a leader for his team, Middleton passed for 214 yards and threw three touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. His ability to make plays through the air and with his legs proved pivotal in securing the win. Middleton’s poise and playmaking have been key to Red Oak’s success this season, and he’ll be a critical factor as the Hawks aim to advance deeper into the postseason.
Larry Nichols III | Class of 2025 | Arlington Bowie High School
Larry Nichols III continued his stellar season for Arlington Bowie, leading the Volunteers to a thrilling 56-42 victory over Jesuit in the first round of the playoffs. The veteran quarterback, who guided Bowie to a district title this year, put on a commanding performance, passing for 323 yards and three touchdowns. Nichols III’s ability to deliver in high-pressure moments has been a cornerstone of the Volunteers’ success, and his leadership will be vital as Bowie looks to extend their playoff run.
Drew Kates | Class of 2025 | Richland High School
Drew Kates has been a steady and reliable presence for the Richland Royals at quarterback, and he showcased his leadership in their 37-16 win over Arlington Heights in the first round of the playoffs. Kates had an outstanding performance, passing for 338 yards and accounting for five total touchdowns. His ability to control the game and make plays both through the air and on the ground was a key factor in the Royals’ dominant victory. As Richland looks to continue their postseason run, Kate’s strong play under center will be crucial to their success.
Buck Randall | Class 2027 | Highland Park High School
Buck Randall has had a remarkable sophomore season under center for the Highland Park Scots, and he continued his strong play in their dominant 48-0 victory over Leander Rouse in the first round of the playoffs. Randall passed for 214 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his poise and accuracy as he led the Scots to a commanding win. His impressive performance highlights why he’s considered one of the top young quarterbacks in the DFW area, and his leadership will be key as Highland Park aims for a deep playoff run.
Jayden Maples | Class of 2026 | Frisco Wakeland High School
Jayden Maples has been a consistent and dependable leader for Frisco Wakeland this season, and he showcased his skills in their dominant 42-7 win over Newman Smith in the first round of the playoffs. Maples passed for 282 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Wolverines with poise and precision. His ability to execute the offense and make key plays was crucial in securing the victory. As Wakeland looks to continue their playoff journey, Maples’ steady presence at quarterback will be vital to their success.
Edward Griffin | Class of 2025 | Coppell High School
Baylor commit Edward Griffin has been a key factor in the success of the Coppell Cowboys, and his performance in their 35-27 victory over Prosper in the first round of the playoffs further solidified his status as one of the top quarterbacks in Texas. Griffin passed for 260 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his strong arm and ability to make big plays through the air. He made plays with his legs, making crucial runs to extend drives and keep the defense off balance. With the win, Coppell improved to 11-0 on the season and remains one of the top-ranked teams in the state, with Griffin leading the charge as they aim for a deep playoff run.
Keelon Russell | Class of 2025 | Duncanville High School
Alabama commit Keelon Russell, is one of the best quarterbacks in the country, continued his dominant play in leading the Duncanville Panthers to a 49-7 victory over Temple in the first round of the playoffs. As the Panthers’ star quarterback, Russell played at an incredibly high level, passing for 242 yards and five touchdowns to secure the commanding win. His performance helped Duncanville advance to the next round, and the Panthers are now positioned for another deep playoff run. Russell’s poise, arm strength and leadership have been crucial in keeping Duncanville as one of the most formidable teams in the nation.
Caleb Williams | Class of 2025 | Crowley High School
Crowley quarterback Caleb Williams has been a dynamic dual-threat playmaker this season, and he put on a show in the Eagles’ dominant 51-14 win over Northwest in the first round of the playoffs. Williams accounted for four total touchdowns, showcasing his ability to make big plays both through the air and on the ground. His elite running ability and strong arm make him a constant threat to opposing defenses, and his performance helped Crowley secure a convincing victory as they continue their playoff journey. Williams’ versatility will be key as the Eagles look to make a deep postseason run.
Maquire Gasperson | Class of 2026 | Argyle High School
Maguire Gasperson, the junior quarterback for Argyle, has been a standout leader for the Eagles, guiding them to a district title this season. In the first round of the playoffs, he led Argyle to a 41-21 victory over Frisco Emerson, showcasing his poise and skill under pressure. Gasperson passed for 192 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Eagles maintain control throughout the game. His strong performance is a testament to his growth as a quarterback, and he will be crucial as Argyle looks to continue their playoff run.
Presley Harper | Class of 2025 | Richardson Pierce High School
Senior quarterback Presley Harper has been one of the top passers in the DFW area this season, and he continued his impressive play in the first round of the playoffs, leading Pearce to a 36-28 victory over Arlington. Harper put on a stellar performance, passing for 346 yards and five touchdowns, showcasing his arm strength and ability to make big plays in critical moments. His leadership and precision were key to Pearce’s win. As they move forward in the playoffs, Harper’s playmaking ability will be crucial to their success.
Angelo Renda | Class of 2026 | Southlake Carroll High School
Junior quarterback Angelo Renda has been a key playmaker for the Southlake Carroll Dragons, leading them to an undefeated regular season and a district title. In the first round of the playoffs, Renda continued his stellar play, guiding the Dragons to a dominant 69-7 victory over Mansfield Legacy. He passed for 346 yards and accounted for five total touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat ability to make plays through the air and on the ground. Renda’s versatility and playmaking ability have been central to Carroll’s offensive success, and as they move deeper into the postseason, his leadership will be crucial to their championship aspirations.
Jake Ferner | Class of 2025 | Frisco Reedy High School
Jake Ferner has been a key cog in the Frisco Reedy offense this season, and his strong play continued in the first round of the playoffs as he helped lead the Lions to a dominant 55-16 win over Carrollton Creekview. Ferner passed for 332 yards and four touchdowns, showcasing his ability to move the ball effectively and make big plays through the air. His performance was pivotal in securing the commanding victory, and as Reedy continues its playoff run, Ferner’s leadership and playmaking ability will be crucial to their success.
