Senior, OL - Chris Owens, Arlington Lamar
After redshirting his freshman year, Owens has made his impact felt on the offensive line. Owens found himself filling in at center for the Tide after All-American Landon Dickerson suffered a torn ACL against Florida in the SEC Championship game. Owens helped the Tide complete their season with a Championship title playing Monday night against Ohio State.
At Arlington Lamar, Owens was a four-star guard and rated as the No. 10 guard Nationally according to a 247Sports composite and the No. 2 Guard in Texas. Owens earned an All-State selection by the Texas Associated Press and chose Alabama over Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M.
Freshman, PK - Chase Allen, Colleyville Heritage
Allen joined Alabama as a walk-on addition this season. Allen has served the Crimson Tide by kicking off in various instances to include the starting kickoff duties in the first four games of the 2020 season, against LSU, Mississippi State, Kentucky, and Auburn. Although Allen didn't play during the National Championship game, he totaled 2,029 yards on kickoffs for the Crimson Tide.
At Colleyville Heritage, Allen was ranked as the No. 1 kicker and punter in Texas 5A Division 1. He earned an All-District 4-5A Special Teams Player of the Year honor his senior season and recorded a touchback on 30 of his 46 kicks during his senior season. Allen chose Alabama over Ole Miss and Villanova.
Freshman, RB - Jase McClellan, Aledo
McClellan has shown his ability more than once on Alabama's offense and special teams. He got his first collegiate playing time against Missouri early in the season where he played on special teams before doing the same against Texas A&M in the Tide's home opener. McClellan even earned special teams player of the week recognition from the Alabama coaching staff against Mississippi State where he helped limit MSU to zero yards on punt returns. McClellan totaled 245 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and one receiving yard during the 2020-2021 season with Alabama. McClellan joined on special teams during the National Championship game.
At Aledo, McClellan was a highly sought-after recruit. As a four-star prospect, he was ranked as the No. 6 running back and the No. 6 player in the state of Texas according to a 247Sports composite. McClellan was selected to play in the Under Armor All-American Game and competed in Nike's "The Opening". McClellan helped lead Aledo to a State Title in the 2019-2020 season with a 45-42 win over Fort Bend Marshall. McClellan totaled over 6,800 yards and 842 carries with 125 touchdowns. He chose Alabama over Oklahoma after first pledging his loyalty to the Sooners two years prior to his Tide commitment.
Freshman, OL - Drew Sanders, Denton Ryan
Drew Sanders came out of Denton ready to show his strength to his SEC opponents. Sanders saw consistent play on special teams throughout the entire season as an outside linebacker. In his collegiate debut, Sanders recorded an unassisted tackle against Missouri early in the season. Sanders earned special teams player of the week from the Alabama coaching staff for his play against Tennessee and Arkansas. Sanders recorded four solo tackles and five assisted tackles prior to the National Championship game. Sanders saw playing time against Ohio State during the Championship showdown.
At Denton Ryan, Sanders made a name for himself and quickly became a five-star recruit. Rated as the No. 1 player in Texas according to a 247Sports composite, Sanders played on both ends of the ball where he completed over 10 passes and scored over 45 touchdowns in his career. Sanders was also named as a finalist for the 2019 Landry Player of the Year. Sanders chose Alabama over Oklahoma, LSU, Notre Dame, Oregon, and more.
Leading the pack are the undefeated Melissa Cardinals, entering the playoffs with a flawless 27-0 record. Under head coach Cassie Crabtree, the defending state champions are aiming to make it back-to-back titles this May.
Denton Guyer (20-3) is no stranger to postseason success, having reached the State Tournament in each of the last two seasons. Forney (25-1-1) is also building momentum, hoping to return to the big stage for the first time since 2019—when the program still competed in Class 5A.
Also among the top contenders are Aledo and Birdville, both making strong cases in 5A, while 4A powerhouse Brock remains unbeaten at 25-0-2.
In Class 6A, Keller, Flower Mound, Hebron, and Mansfield Legacy all deserve attention, as each program has shown flashes of postseason potential.
With talent spread across every classification, the DFW area is primed for a thrilling playoff run. The next few weeks should go a long way in determining which teams truly stand among the state’s elite.
...
*Parentheses indicates current district
*Last section indicates current overall record; district record
VYPE DALLAS-FORT WORTH SOFTBALL TOP-10 (Class 6A-4A)
1. Melissa Cardinals (13-5A) -- 27-0; 13-0 in District
2. Forney Jackrabbits (10-6A) -- 25-1-1; 11-1
3. Denton Guyer Wildcats (5-6A) -- 20-3; 11-1
4. Aledo Bearcats (5-5A) -- 24-3; 12-0
5. Birdville Hawks (6-5A) -- 24-3; 10-1
6. Keller Indians (4-6A) -- 20-6-1; 13-2
7. Flower Mound Jaguars (5-6A) -- 18-7-1; 12-2
8. Brock Eagles (6-4A) -- 25-0-2; 10-0
9. Hebron Hawks (5-6A) -- 18-6; 10-4
10. Mansfield Legacy Broncos (3-6A) -- 22-5; 12-0
Honorable Mentions: FM Marcus (5-6A), Aubrey (10-4A), Prosper (6-6A), Midlothian (14-5A), Royse City (10-6A), Krum (10-4A), Southlake Carroll (4-6A), Centennial (8-5A), Wakeland (12-5A)
The Coppell Cowgirls claim the 6A-D1 State Championship with a 6-2 win over Lake Travis
The Cowgirls entered the final as the No. 1-ranked team in Texas (MaxPreps) and proved worthy of that reputation with a dominant second-half surge.
Despite what the final score might suggest, the match remained tight deep early on in the second half. Coppell held a narrow 3-2 lead in the 48th minute before accelerating with three unanswered goals in the next ten minutes to put the game firmly out of reach.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
“For us, we just wanted to make sure that we controlled the tempo of the game,” said head coach Craig Able. “We controlled possession, we connected passes — when we do that, we’ve been really tough to beat this year.
“I think once the girls settled into the game, they remembered that it’s just a game and we’re just doing the things we do well that got us to this point. I’m just so proud of them for all the hard work they put in. They’ve done it all.”
Led by a strong senior class and several standout performances, Coppell’s depth and cohesion were on full display. Junior forward Neerali Kapadia (Rice commit) was a force up top, scoring twice and earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team for her relentless energy and finishing touch.
Seniors Monica Morales (WashU) and Reagan Roberson (Dallas Baptist) also earned All-Tournament honors, with Morales finding the back of the net twice.
But it was senior midfielder Summer Chen (Gonzaga-commit) who earned 6A-Division I State MVP honors after a spectacular showing in the Final. Chen scored two goals and assisted Morales for another, helping to set the tone throughout the entire match.
Senior Summer Chen is presented with the 2025 UIL 6A-D1 State MVP Award after scoring two goals with one assist in the FinalMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“I’m still at a loss for words,” Chen said after the final whistle. “We just had it, and we knew what we were capable of. Our confidence in each other really showed, and we played to our style, which worked out for us.
“One of the mottos for this year has been ‘All Gas, No Brakes,’ because we had nothing to lose as seniors. At the end of the day, we left it all out there on the field.”
The win marks a historic moment for a Coppell team that embraced the pressure of expectations and delivered in emphatic fashion.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
“They just believed in themselves and in each other,” said Coach Able. “All year long we preached our depth and how everyone contributes. Each girl bought into their role and into the system of how we do things as a team. I think everyone just saw all their work pay off.”
For a senior class that helped return Coppell to statewide prominence, Saturday’s win was the perfect ending — a blend of resilience, talent, and togetherness that defined their journey.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
The FM Marcus Girls Soccer program rushes Birkelbach Field seconds after their 1-0 win against Stratford
Ranked No. 2 in Texas by MaxPreps, Marcus entered the match with an 18-4-3 record, leaning on a battle-tested roster that featured standouts like Maddie Hayes, Emma Fioretti (Central Oklahoma-signee), and Piper Garcia (American University).
But it was Hayes, the senior forward and now two-time state champion, who delivered the critical moment.
Just two minutes into the second half, Hayes curled a free-kick past a narrow gap in the Stratford wall, scoring a goal that would ultimately be the decider.
Said moment also led to her being named the 6A-D2 State MVP.
Marcus' Maddie Hayes (Sr. F) being presented with the 2025 UIL 6A-D2 State MVP AwardMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“I definitely had the confidence when I stepped up to that shot,” said Hayes. “I’ve been in similar situations throughout the year, and once I saw a gap through the wall towards the post, I knew that it should be in.”
For Hayes, it was a full-circle finish to her high school playing career.
“After winning it during my sophomore year, we kind of thought that it wouldn’t happen again because it’s such a rare occasion,” she said. “But bringing it back means so much more. We have such a great community that always stands behind us, so they’re going to be really happy when we come home with the gold.”
While the goal proved to be the game-winner, the Marauders' defensive unit — anchored by senior goalkeeper Aubrey Tipton — held firm against a dangerous Stratford side, which came into its first-ever Final Four appearance with a 22-2-3 record and a No. 12 state ranking.
Coach Erin Smith, who took over as interim head coach in 2023 and was later named the full-time lead after guiding Marcus to a championship that same year, praised the resilience of her team.
Head Coach Erin SmithMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“It took a lot of grit,” Smith said. “The experience that this group brings to the table shows in the most critical moments. We’ve been down before, especially in district-play, and the knowledge of what it takes to overcome has been a strength. At the end of the day, I’m so proud of them because they accomplished exactly what they set out to do from the beginning.”
This championship was especially meaningful for Smith, who led a senior class she began her tenure with — all while adjusting to life as both a head coach and new mother.
“Honestly, I’ve been able to take a deep breath this year which has been really nice,” Smith said. “After that first year in the interim position and then having a child, I had a more secure footing this season and made all the adjustments needed. What makes this one sweeter is the fact that I was able to see off the first class of seniors I began with in the best way possible. Plus, having my baby here to watch along the way has been especially sweet.”
As the final whistle blew, the Marauders celebrated not only another title but the legacy of a program that continues to raise the bar in Texas high school soccer.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
GAMES
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