Denton Ryan fell just short in 2019 dropping 28-22 in the UIL 5A Division I Championship game to Shadow Creek. Since that loss, the Raiders have posted an undefeated season going 13-0 overall and 7-0 to finish first in district. Ryan is coming off of a high after defeating Highland Park last Friday by a score of 17-7. The win marked the first time Ryan has defeated their longtime playoffs rival in over a decade — the last time the Raiders defeated the Scots was in a 2004 non-district matchup with a 21-18 score.
"We knew it was a team that many people said we couldn't beat," said Denton Ryan's All-American, four-star wide receiver/defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. "We wanted to show people we could beat them. We're just focused on one goal — getting a ring this year."
Denton Ryan has a handful of players that fans should pay close attention to in the semifinal matchup against Mansfield Summit on Friday at AT&T Stadium.
Texas signee Ja'Tavion Sanders alongside Oklahoma signee Bowman has posted a combined remarkable 39 receptions for 652 yards and seven touchdowns in just the last three games — against College Station, Longview, and Highland Park. On the season, Sanders has tallied 55 catches for 1,073 yards and 15 touchdowns while Bowman has posted 68 catches for 1,010 yards and 13 touchdowns. Kalib Hicks, a sophomore running back for the Raiders, has averaged over 105 rushing yards per game with about 8 yards per carry in the playoffs. Quarterback Seth Henigan- a Memphis signee- has posted 3,351 passing yards and 36 touchdowns this season with a 68% pass completion rate. In the last seven-straight games, Henigan has thrown at least two touchdown passes. Not to mention a dominating defense who has allowed fewer than 10 points in a game in half of their games this season.
Denton Guyer played a rough game in the 2019 6A Division II UIL State Championship match against Austin Westlake. The Wildcats definitely have a chip on their shoulder after falling 24-0 to lose the title.
Since failing to score in the state title game, Guyer has posted an 11-2 overall season finishing second in district with a 5-1 district record. Their two losses came to Denton Ryan in a non-district matchup where Ryan narrowly defeated Guyer 23-20 and against Allen in a district game where Allen came out victorious with a score of 56-38. The Wildcats have far outscored their opponents this season by over 200 points (554-339) and they're coming off of an incredible 30-24 triple-overtime defeat over Prosper last Saturday.
Guyer's defense- led by Baylor signee defensive lineman Cooper Lanz- has proven to play a key role throughout this season. Last week, Lanz recorded two sacks, six tackles for a loss, and an incredible blocked field goal in the third overtime to help set up the win.
Texas A&M signee, quarterback Eli Stowers also posted a great play against Prosper where he ran for a five-yard touchdown in the third overtime to secure the Wildcats' spot in the semifinals. Despite only throwing six completed passes, two interceptions, and only one touchdown pass, Stowers is ready to continue his drive toward a state title appearance after being injured in the first drive of the state title game in 2019. "Obviously, it was a tough situation last year," Stowers said remembering his injury. "To be able to get this close to a state championship game is a blessing." Stowers has posted three game-winning touchdowns this season.
Another athlete to watch for on Guyer's end is junior Jace Wilson. If you don't recognize the name, you should. The wide receiver is the younger brother of Kansas basketball player, Jalen Wilson. Wilson has proven his role on the Guyer squad and posted a touchdown against Prosper last week.
Guyer looks ahead to winning their first state title since 2013 (when they were classified as a 4A team), but first, they will face Cedar Hill on Saturday at McKinney ISD Stadium.
The game has changed as we enter the new season.
Similar to how the football postseason is played, the UIL has split the upcoming basketball playoff format into two divisions -- meaning there will be more state champs, and one less game needed to acquire the title.
Out of San Antonio, there are a numbers of programs, on both the boys' and girls' side, that could potentially make their way to the Alamodome.
For the boys, expect Allen to continue trending upwards as they bring back the vast majority of their starting roster this winter. Meanwhile, Plano East will look to retain their UIL-6A crown with State MVP DJ Hall back in the fold.
However, Duncanville, North Crowley, and 2024 5A Champs Lancaster should be among the numerous squads to give them a run for their money.
On the girls' side, Duncanville is coming off their 12th state title acquisition and look poised to make it 13. But, Regional Finalist Boswell could easily shake things up in the coming months, with plenty of talent to do so.
Don't sleep on Argyle, DeSoto, or Braswell, either.
With tournament-season tipping off, let's review the most elite teams out of the Dallas-Fort Worth area who we expect to stand out, entering the new year....
VYPE DFW BOYS TOP-10 (Class 6A-4A)
*Last section indicates 2024 result
1. Allen Eagles (6A) -- 32-6; 13-1 in District (Regional Quarterfinalists)
2. Plano East Panthers (6A) -- 40-0; 14-0 (UIL-6A State Champions)
3. Duncanville Panthers (6A) -- 19-10; 12-2 (Area Finalists)
4. North Crowley Panthers (6A) -- 32-4; 14-0 (Regional Quarterfinalists)
5. Lancaster Tigers (6A) -- 30-5; 12-0 (UIL-5A State Champions)
6. Lake Ridge Eagles (6A) -- 32-7; 11-3 (State Semifinalists)
7. The Colony Cougars (5A) -- 31-6; 12-2 (Regional Finalists)
8. Keller Indians (6A) -- 30-6; 12-0 (Regional Finalists)
9. Lewisville Farmers (6A) -- 31-5; 10-4 (Regional Semifinalists)
10. Rockwall Yellowjackets (6A)-- 21-15; 7-5 (Regional Finalists)
Honorable Mentions: DeSoto, Highland Park, Denton Guyer, Timberview, White, South Grand Prairie
...
VYPE DFW GIRLS TOP-10 (Class 6A-4A)
1. Boswell Pioneers (6A) -- 35-6; 11-3 (Regional Finalists)
2. Duncanville Panthers (6A) -- 35-4; 13-1 (UIL-6A State Champions)
3. Argyle Eagles (5A) -- 34-5; 12-2 (Regional Finalists)
4. DeSoto Eagles (6A) -- 27-6; 13-1 (Regional Finalists)
5. Braswell Bengals (6A) -- 29-6; 11-3 (Area Finalists)
6. Lincoln Tigers (4A) -- 30-4; 10-0 (State Semifinalists)
7. Lancaster Tigers (6A) -- 20-15; 9-3 (Area Finalists)
8. South Grand Prairie Warriors (6A) -- 33-4; 15-0 (State Finalists)
9. Denton Guyer Wildcats (6A) -- 10-20
10. Denton Ryan Raiders (5A) -- 30-8; 13-1 (Regional Quarterfinalists)
Honorable Mentions: Lovejoy, Timberview, North Crowley, Southlake Carroll, Plano East, Red Oak, Aledo
THE WRAP: DFW, San Antonio teams dominate State XC Meet, Bridgeland excels from Houston
Just like that, the first series of Fall championships has come and gone.
Teams from around the state gathered at Old Settler's Park in Round Rock, TX this past weekend to take part in the annual UIL State Cross Country Meet, and there was a vast array of individuals who went on to excel.
In Class 6A, Southlake Carroll (Boys) took gold as a team, after Caden Leanord (1st), Blake Bullard (8th) and Griffin Cords (11th) finished within the Top 20.
On the girls' side, Flower Mound brought home first prize, due to top placements from Adeline Bennett (4th), Alexandra Fox (5th) and Ava Cole (6th). Additionally, Denton Braswell's Maxy Wingard took the top spot individually.
Representing H-Town, Bridgeland featured some stand-outs, with Benjamin Montgomery and Lily Fawcett placing second overall in their respective races, leading to the Bears finishing 3rd (Boys) and 2nd (Girls) as a team in 6A.
Onto the Class 5A scene, Lucas Lovejoy (Boys) claimed the State Title, while San Antonio's Smithson Valley won it all in the UIL-5A Girls competition, with the Lovejoy Leopards finishing 2nd.
Individually, Boerne-Champion's Elizabeth Leachman took gold by almost a full minute ahead of second place (Dana Rojas Vazquez - McAllen).
Other noteworthy performances include Friendswood's Aiden Fitzgerald (2nd in 5A Boys), Smithson Valley's Brady Solansky (3rd in 5A Girls), Denton Braswell's Aleksandr Acuna (3rd in 6A Boys), Coppell's Maya Easterwood (3rd in 6A Girls), Boerne-Champion's Charlie Houck (4th in 5A Boys) and SA Reagan's Gavin Chapa (4th in 6A Boys).
With all the best Texas high school racers having crossed the finish line, here is the full break-down of what took place at the final UIL Meet this past Friday and Saturday.
...
CLASS 6A (BOYS)
TEAM RESULTS (5K):
1st Place -- Southlake Carroll Dragons (Total Score: 49)
2nd Place -- Vandegrift Vipers (53)
3rd Place -- Bridgeland Bears (84)
...
Individual Results
1. Caden Leonard - Southlake Carroll (14:50.10)***
2. Benjamin Montgomery - Bridgeland (15:01.30)
3. Aleksandr Acuna - Denton Braswell (15:03.80)
4. Gavin Chapa - SA Reagan (15:06.40)
5. Ruel Newberry - Denton Guyer (15:09.50)
6. Kai McCullough - Vandegrift (15:11.80)
7. Joaquin De La Cruz - McKinney Boyd (15:13.10)
8. Blake Bullard - Southlake Carroll (15:15.80)
9. Zachary Miller - Brennan (15:16.10)
10. Aidan Danny Torres - El Paso Eastwood (15:19.60)
11. Griffin Cords - Southlake Carroll (15:24.20)
12. Griffin Hummel - Austin Bowie (15:24.50)
13. Collin Goodwin - Vandegrift (15:27.00)
14. Elton Martin - The Woodlands (15:28.40)
15. Luke Bone - Austin High (15:31.70)
16. Chris Creedon - Clear Creek (15:33.10)
17. Tyler Hedgepeth - The Woodlands (15:34.90)
18. Christian Cruz-Castro - Vandegrift (15:35.90)
19. Jayce Love - Schertz Clemens (15:39.60)
20. Benjamin Pearce - Stratford (15:39.80)
...
CLASS 6A (GIRLS)
TEAM REULTS (5K):
1st Place -- Flower Mound Jaguars (Total Score: 47)
2nd Place -- Bridgeland Bears (81)
3rd Place -- Katy Tigers (139)
...
Individual Results
1. Macy Wingard - Denton Braswell (17:07.90)***
2. Lily Fawcett - Bridgeland (17:32.10)
3. Maya Easterwood - Coppell (17:36.80)
4. Adeline Bennett - Flower Mound (17:43.70)
5. Alexandra Fox - Flower Mound (17:44.00)
6. Ava Cole - Flower Mound (18:00.40)
7. Meredith Wolfe - Round Rock (18:01.40)
8. Rowan Saacke - Bridgeland (18:03.40)
9. Adelynn Rodriguez - El Paso Eastwood (18:06.40)
10. Emily Orr - El Paso Franklin (18:12.70)
11. Taryn Elmer - Lewisville Marcus (18:13.20)
12. Jamie Klander - Mayde Creek (18:18.20)
13. Clare Boneau - Keller (18:20.50)
14. Susana Rawls - Bridgeland (18:21.10)
15. Sophia Lopez -- RR Stony Point (18:21.50)
16. Stoya Laydevant - The Woodlands (18:23.30)
17. Addison Scott - Houston Memorial (18:27.00)
18. Naomi Weller - The Woodlands (18:27.70)
19. Marian Mann - Klein (18:30.00)
20. Isabella Porter - SA Johnson (18:30.20)
...
CLASS 5A (BOYS)
TEAM RESULTS (5K):
1st Place -- Lucas Lovejoy Leopards (Total Score: 77)
2nd Place -- Boerne Greyhounds (137)
3rd Place -- Frisco Wakeland Wolverines (153)
...
Individual Results
1. Bryce Denton - Anna (15:16.90)***
2. Aiden Fitzgerald - Friendswood (15:32.00)
3. Miles Westbrook - El Paso (15:39.20)
4. Charlie Houck - Boerne-Champion (15:41.90)
5. Jaxon Asbill - Dayton (15:51.60)
6. Colby Huntress - Austin Anderson (15:52.10)
7. Diego Romero - El Paso Americas (15:52.90)
8. Elijah Merino - Kingwood Park (15:53.20)
9. Tristan Arceneau - Lucas Lovejoy (15:54.00)
10. Matthew Binkley - Montgomery (15:58.60)
11. Carson Brown - Kingwood Park (16:00.30)
12. Andrew Malan - Frisco Lebanon Trail (16:00.40)
13. Andrew DeYoung - Grapevine (16:00.50)
14. Tyler Connelly - Aledo (16:01.10)
15. Matthew Morales - Georgetown (16:01.40)
16. Luis Tovar - Boerne-Champion (16:02.10)
17. William Carlson - Lucas Lovejoy (16:04.40)
18. Gage Horejsi - Leander (16:06.30)
19. Malin Arnoldusen - El Paso Burges (16:06.60)
20. Amisadai Yanez - Texas City (16:07.70)
...
CLASS 5A (GIRLS)
TEAM RESULTS (5K):
1st Place -- Smithson Valley Rangers (Total Score: 54)
2nd Place -- Lucas Lovejoy Leopards (97)
3rd Place -- Aledo Bearcats (145)
...
Individual Results
1. Elizabeth Leachman - Boerne-Champion (17:14.80)***
2. Dana Rojas Vazquez - McAllen (18:07.60)
3. Brady Solansky - Smithson Valley (18:10.50)
4. Sofia Phillips - Birdville (18:15.40)
5. Savanah Moya - New Braunfels (18:15.60)
6. Molly Garrison - Aledo (18:16.60)
7. Ella Magallan - Burleson Centennial (18:24.60)
8. Eva Cragnolino - Austin LASA (18:24.90)
9. Camryn Benson - Lucas Lovejoy (18:31.80)
10. Lilly Koenig - Smithson Valley (18:37.40)
11. Kenzi Ramirez - McAllen (18:41.10)
12. Micah Neal - Aledo (18:42.70)
13. Natali Velasquez - Colleyville Heritage (18:49.50)
14. Presley Robertson - Frisco Wakeland (18:53.80)
15. Mykel Murry - Aledo (18:54.50)
16. Kynley Albright - Boerne-Champion (18:55.20)
17. Mason Murray - Abilene (18:59.50)
18. Skyler Fonseca - Smithson Valley (19:00.40)
19. Mia Perez - Smithson Valley (19:02.60)
20. Aubrey Pozzi - Smithson Valley (19:03.80)
...
Keller Indians
Head Coach: Zach Weir
District 4-6A
The Indians of Keller High School were on the doorstep of marching on to the Alamodome a season ago. Keller fell in the Regional Finals, ending their year at 30-6 overall.
Weir returns just one starter off that squad but it is a big piece in District Offensive Player of the Year Steven Ramirez. A top 10 scorer in the DFW area, Ramirez averaged 20 points and eight rebounds per game. He was named TABC All-Region at season’s end.
Another key returner will be All-District, Honorable Mention Luke Fabian.
As Weir enters his 5th season at the helm, with a record of 98-35 overall, the motto for this squad will be “one percent better everyday”.
This plays right into his major key to success for 2025 – the team gaining experience in non-district play.
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